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Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2022
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Significant Accounting Policies | Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. As additional information becomes available or actual amounts become determinable, the recorded estimates are revised and reflected in operating results. Certain amounts have been reclassified in prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current presentation. Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MBIA Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether an entity is a voting interest entity or a VIE. Voting interest entities are entities in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable an entity to finance its activities independently and (ii) the equity holders have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. Voting interest entities are consolidated when the Company has a majority voting interest. VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. The consolidation of a VIE is required if an entity has a variable interest (such as an equity or debt investment, a beneficial interest, a guarantee, a written put option or a similar obligation) and that variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in the VIE. A controlling financial interest is present when an enterprise has both (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The enterprise with the controlling financial interest, known as the primary beneficiary, is required to consolidate the VIE. The Company consolidates all VIEs in which it is the primary beneficiary. The Company may elect to apply the fair value option to the financial assets and financial liabilities of consolidated VIEs on a VIE-by-VIE basis. Refer to “Note 4: Variable Interest Entities” for additional information. Investments The Company classifies its fixed-maturity investments as available-for-sale (“AFS”), held-to-maturity (“HTM”), or trading. AFS investments are reported in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value with non-credit related unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable deferred income taxes, reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) in shareholders’ equity. The specific identification method is used to determine realized gains and losses on AFS securities. Investments carried at fair value consist of equity instruments and fixed-maturity investments elected under the fair value option, and fixed-maturity investments classified as trading. Short-term investments include all fixed-maturity securities held as AFS with a remaining maturity of less than one year at the date of purchase, including commercial paper and money market securities. Investment income is recorded as earned, which includes the current period interest accruals deemed collectible. Accrued interest income is recorded as part of “Other assets” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Bond discounts and premiums are amortized using the effective yield method over the remaining term of the securities and reported in “Net investment income” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. However, premiums on certain callable debt securities are amortized to the next call date. For MBS and asset-backed securities (“ABS”), discounts and premiums are amortized using the retrospective or prospective method. Changes in the fair values of investments carried at fair value are reflected in earnings as part of “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. For fixed-maturity securities classified as trading and for VIE investments carried at fair value, interest income is also recorded as part of fair value changes within “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange”. Realized gains and losses from the sale and other dispositions of AFS investments are reflected in earnings as part of “Net realized investment gains (losses)” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Credit Losses on Debt Securities For AFS debt securities, the Company’s consolidated statements of operations reflect the full impairment (the difference between a security’s amortized cost basis and fair value) if the Company intends to sell or would more likely than not be required to sell before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. AFS debt securities in an unrealized loss position are evaluated on a quarterly basis to determine if credit losses exist. The Company considers that credit losses exist when the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the debt security. The Company measures an allowance for credit losses on a security-by-security basis as the difference between the recorded investment and the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected, discounted at the instrument’s effective interest rate. Only the amounts of impairment associated with the credit losses are recognized as charges to earnings. The carrying values of debt securities are presented net of any allowance for credit losses. For AFS debt securities, adjustments to the amortized cost basis are recorded if there is an intent to sell before recovery of the impairment. For debt securities with an allowance for credit loss, changes in credit losses including accretion of the allowance for credit losses are recognized in earnings through other net realized gains (losses) with a corresponding change to the allowance for credit losses. Accrued interest income on debt securities is not assessed for credit losses since the Company reverses any past due accrued interest income through earnings as a charge against net investment income. Interest income is subsequently recognized to the extent cash is received. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits, and deposits with banks with original maturities of less than three months. Deferred Acquisition Costs The Company deferred acquisition costs that were directly related to new or renewal insurance business. Acquisition costs are costs to acquire an insurance contract which result directly from and are essential to the insurance contracts transaction and would not have been incurred by the Company had the contract transaction not occurred. Acquisition costs include compensation of employees involved in underwriting, certain rating agency fees, state premium taxes and certain other underwriting expenses, reduced by ceding commission income on premiums ceded to reinsurers. Acquisition costs also included ceding commissions paid by the Company in connection with assuming business from other financial guarantors. Acquisition costs, net of ceding commissions received, related to non-derivative insured financial guarantee transactions are deferred and amortized over the period in which the related premiums are earned. Since the cessation of new insurance business by the Company, new acquisition costs relate to installment-based policies written prior to such cessation. Held For Sale Classification and Discontinued Operations In connection with the Zohar CDOs’ plan of liquidation and the acquisition of the related interests, the Company classifies the assets and liabilities of consolidated portfolio companies and the interests in certain nonconsolidated portfolio companies as held for sale. Additionally, since these consolidated portfolio companies met the one-year probable sale criteria on acquisition, and the remaining held for sale criteria within a short period following the acquisition, these companies were classified as discontinued operations in accordance with ASC 205. As of December 31, 2022, these assets and liabilities of these companies are presented within “Assets held for sale” and “Liabilities held for sale” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Also, the results of operations for these companies are classified as “Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes” on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company consolidated the operating results of these portfolio companies on a two-month lag to allow for a more timely preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Refer to “Note 1: Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties” for a further information about the Company’s held for sale assets and liabilities and discontinued operations. Derivatives The Company generally uses interest rate derivatives to manage the risk associated with changes in interest rates on specified assets and foreign currency derivatives to manage the foreign currency risk associated with certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities. The Company’s insured derivatives primarily consists of insured interest rate swaps and inflation-linked swaps related to its insured debt issuances. Derivative instruments are reported at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities depending on the rights or obligations with gains and losses recognized in the consolidated statements of operations within “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange”. In certain instances, the Company purchased or issued securities that contain embedded derivatives that were separated from the host contracts and accounted for as derivative instruments. In addition, the Company elected to record at fair value certain financial instruments that contain an embedded derivatives that would have otherwise required bifurcation from the host contracts and been accounted for separately as derivative instruments. These hybrid financial instruments included certain MTNs and certain AFS securities. The Company elected to fair value these hybrid financial instruments in their entirety given the complexity of bifurcating the embedded derivatives. Refer to “Note 9: Derivative Instruments” for a further discussion of the Company’s use of derivatives and their impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and “Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for derivative valuation techniques and fair value disclosures. Fair Value Measurements—Definition and Hierarchy The Company carries certain financial instruments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement of financial instruments held or issued by the Company are determined through the use of observable market data when available. Market data is obtained from a variety of third-party sources, including dealer quotes. If dealer quotes are not available for an instrument that is infrequently traded, the Company uses alternate valuation methods, including either dealer quotes for similar instruments or pricing models that use market data inputs. The use of alternate valuation methods generally requires considerable judgment in the application of estimates and assumptions and changes to such estimates and assumptions may produce materially different fair values. The Company considers its own nonperformance risk and the nonperformance risk of its counterparties when measuring fair value. The accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that categorizes into three levels, the inputs used to measure fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available and reliable. Observable inputs are those that the Company believes market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on available market data. Unobservable inputs are those that reflect the Company’s beliefs about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:
| • |  | Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company can access at the measurement date. An active market is a market in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
| • |  | Level 2—Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 assets include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments, securities which are priced using observable inputs and derivative contracts whose values are determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
| • |  | Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable or supported by little or no market activity, and that are significant to the overall fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques where significant inputs are unobservable, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from financial instrument to financial instrument and period to period depending on the type of instrument, market activity, the approach used to measure fair value, and other factors. The Company categorizes a financial instrument within the fair value hierarchy based on the least observable input that is significant to the fair value measurement. When the inputs used to measure fair value of an asset or a liability are categorized within different levels based on the definition of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement. Refer to “Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for additional fair value disclosures. Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses The Company recognizes loss reserves on a contract-by-contract basis when the present value of probability-weighted expected net cash outflows to be paid under the contract discounted using a risk-free rate as of the measurement date exceeds the unearned premium revenue. A loss reserve is subsequently remeasured each reporting period for expected increases or decreases due to changes in the likelihood of default and potential recoveries. Subsequent changes to the measurement of loss reserves are recognized as loss expense or benefit in the period of change. Measurement and recognition of loss reserves are reported gross of any reinsurance on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company estimates the likelihood of possible claim payments and possible recoveries of such claim payments using probability-weighted expected cash flows as of the measurement date based on information available, including market information. Accretion of the discounts on loss reserves and recoveries is included in loss expense. The Company considers its ability to collect contractual interest on claim payments when developing its expected inflows. The inclusion of such interest may result in the Company recording recoveries in excess of its actual or expected claim payments on a policy. The Company recognizes potential recoveries on paid claims based on probability-weighted cash inflows present valued at applicable risk-free rates as of the measurement date. Such amounts are reported within “Insurance loss recoverable” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. To the extent the Company had recorded potential recoveries in its loss reserves previous to a claim payment, such recoveries are reclassified to “Insurance loss recoverable” upon payment of the related claim and remeasured at each reporting period. The Company’s loss reserves, insurance loss recoverable, and accruals for loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) incurred are disclosed in “Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves.” Long-term Debt Long-term debt, including VIE loans payable, is carried at the principal amount outstanding plus accrued interest and net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts. Interest expense is accrued at the contractual interest rate. Debt issuance costs and discounts are amortized and reported as interest expense. For long-term debt issued by consolidated VIEs in which the Company’s variable interest arises from financial guarantees written by its insurance operations, the Company has elected the fair value option on these instruments. Changes in the fair value are reported within “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange” under “Revenues of consolidated variable interest entities” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, except for the portion of the total change in fair value of financial liabilities caused by changes in the instrument-specific credit risk which is presented separately in AOCI in shareholder’s equity. Medium-Term Notes and Investment Agreements MTNs and investment agreements are carried at the principal amount outstanding plus accrued interest and net of unamortized discounts, or at fair value for certain MTNs with changes in fair value recorded in earnings except for the portion of unrealized gains (losses) caused by change in the instrument-specific credit risk which are recorded in AOCI. Interest expense is accrued at the contractual interest rate. Discounts are amortized and reported as interest expense. Financial Guarantee Insurance Premiums Unearned Premium Revenue and Receivable for Future Premiums The Company recognized a liability for unearned premium revenue at the inception of financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance contracts on a contract-by-contract basis. Unearned premium revenue recognized at inception of a contract is measured at the present value of the premium due. For most financial guarantee insurance contracts, the Company received the entire premium due at the inception of the contract, and recognized an unearned premium revenue liability at that time. For certain other financial guarantee contracts, the Company receives premiums in installments over the term of the contract. Unearned premium revenue and a receivable for future premiums were recognized at the inception of each installment contract, and measured at the present value of premiums expected to be collected over the contract period or expected period using a risk-free discount rate. The expected period is used in the present value determination of unearned premium revenue and receivable for future premiums for contracts where (a) the insured obligation is contractually prepayable, (b) prepayments are probable, (c) the amount and timing of prepayments are reasonably estimable, and (d) a homogenous pool of assets is the underlying collateral for the insured obligation. Premiums receivable for policies that use the expected period of risk due to expected prepayments are adjusted in subsequent measurement periods when prepayment assumptions change using the risk-free discount rate as of the remeasurement date. The Company has determined that substantially all of its installment contracts meet the conditions required to be treated as expected period contracts. Premiums receivable also includes the current amount of premiums due from installment policies insuring consolidated VIEs when the premiums are payable by third-parties on behalf of the consolidated VIEs. The receivable for future premiums is reduced as installment premiums are collected. The Company reports the accretion of the discount on installment premiums receivable as premium revenue and discloses the amount recognized in “Note 5: Insurance Premiums.” As premium revenue is recognized, the unearned premium revenue liability is reduced. Credit Losses on Premium Receivables The Company evaluates the collectability of outstanding premium receivables on a quarterly basis and measures any allowance for credit losses as the difference between the recorded premium receivable amount and the current projected net present value of premiums expected to be collected, discounted at the effective interest rate, which is the applicable risk-free rate described in the preceding paragraph. Estimating the allowance for credit losses involves substantial judgment, including forecasting an insured transaction’s cash flows, such as the future performance of the transaction’s underlying assets and the impact of certain macro-economic factors, as well as incorporating any historical experience of uncollectible balances and a transaction’s liability structure, including the seniority of premium payments to the Company. Premium Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes and measures premium revenue over the period of the contract in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. Premium revenue is measured by applying a constant rate to the insured principal amount outstanding in a given period to recognize a proportionate share of the premium received or expected to be received on a financial guarantee insurance contract. A constant rate for each respective financial guarantee insurance contract is calculated as the ratio of (a) the present value of premium received or expected to be received over the period of the contract to (b) the sum of all insured principal amounts outstanding during each period over the term of the contract. An issuer of an insured financial obligation may retire the obligation prior to its scheduled maturity through refinancing or legal defeasance in satisfaction of the obligation according to its indenture, which results in the Company’s obligation being extinguished under the financial guarantee contract. The Company recognizes any remaining unearned premium revenue on the insured obligation as refunding premiums earned in the period the contract is extinguished to the extent the unearned premium revenue has been collected. Fee and Reimbursement Revenue Recognition The Company collects insurance related fees for services performed in connection with certain transactions. Fees are earned when the related services are completed. Types of fees include waiver and consent and termination fees. Stock-Based Compensation The Company recognizes in earnings, generally over the vesting or service period of an award, the cost of all stock-based payment transactions using the fair value of the stock-based compensation provided. Refer to “Note 15: Benefit Plans” for a further discussion regarding the methodology utilized in recognizing employee stock compensation expense. Foreign Currency Translation Financial statement assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are reported in U.S. dollars generally using rates of exchange prevailing as of the balance sheet date. Translation adjustments resulting from the translation of the financial statements of the Company’s non-U.S. operations from its functional currency into U.S. dollars are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” in shareholders’ equity. Operating results of the Company’s non-U.S. operations are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses resulting from transactions in non-functional currencies are recorded in earnings. The Company derecognizes the cumulative translation adjustment reported in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” and includes the amount as part of the gain or loss on the sale or liquidation of its investment in a foreign entity in the period in which the sale or liquidation occurs. Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are recorded with respect to temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts in the Company’s financial statements that will result in deductible or taxable amounts in future years when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Such temporary differences relate principally to net operating losses (“NOLs”), accrued surplus note interest, foreign tax credits, loss reserve deductions, premium revenue recognition, deferred acquisition costs, and unrealized gains and losses. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax asset. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effect of changes in tax laws and rates in the period in which changes are approved by the relevant authority. MBIA Inc. and its eligible U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The U.S. income taxes are allocated based on the provisions of the Company’s tax sharing agreement, which governs the intercompany settlement of tax obligations and benefits. The method of allocation between the members is based upon calculations as if each member filed its separate tax return. Under the Company’s tax sharing agreement, each member with an NOL will receive the benefits of its tax losses and credits as it is able to earn them out in the future. In establishing a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit (“UTB”), assumptions may be made in determining whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the taxing authority and also in determining the ultimate amount that is likely to be realized. A tax position is recognized only when, based on management’s judgment regarding the application of income tax laws, it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination. The amount of tax benefit recognized is based on the Company’s assessment of the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized on ultimate settlement with the taxing authority. This measurement is based on many factors, including whether a tax dispute may be settled through negotiation with the taxing authority or is only subject to review in the courts. As new information becomes available, the Company evaluates its tax positions, and adjusts its UTB, as appropriate. If the tax benefit ultimately realized differs from the amount previously recognized, the Company recognizes an adjustment of the UTB. Refer to “Note 11: Income Taxes” for additional information about the Company’s income taxes.

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