Quarterly report for the period ended March 31, 2008
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2008

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 1-9583

 

 

MBIA INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Connecticut   06-1185706
(State of Incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

113 King Street, Armonk, New York   10504
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (914) 273-4545

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of May 5, 2008, 273,382,066 shares of Common Stock, par value $1 per share, were outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

INDEX

 

         PAGE

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  
Item 1.   Financial Statements (Unaudited) MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries   
  Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007    3
  Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007    4
  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity - Three months ended March 31, 2008    5
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007    6
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements    7-29
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    30-77
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    78
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures    78

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

  
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings    78-79
Item 1A.   Risk Factors    79
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments    79
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    79-80
Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    80
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    80-81
Item 5.   Other Information    81
Item 6.   Exhibits    82
SIGNATURES    83


Table of Contents

MBIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(In thousands except per share amounts)

 

     March 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  

Assets

    

Investments:

    

Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $29,873,383 and $30,199,471) (includes hybrid financial instruments at fair value of $346,477 and $596,537)

   $ 28,407,120     $ 29,589,098  

Investments held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $4,514,780 and $5,036,465)

     4,544,549       5,053,987  

Investments pledged as collateral, at fair value (amortized cost $1,145,845 and $1,243,245)(2008 includes hybrid financial instruments of $9,490)

     1,085,245       1,227,153  

Short-term investments, at amortized cost (which approximates fair value)

     7,082,189       5,464,708  

Other investments

     664,749       730,711  
                

Total investments

     41,783,852       42,065,657  

Cash and cash equivalents

     290,287       263,732  

Accrued investment income

     576,207       590,060  

Deferred acquisition costs

     442,012       472,516  

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     312,142       318,740  

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

     107,783       82,041  

Goodwill

     79,406       79,406  

Property and equipment, at cost (less accumulated depreciation of $135,509 and $132,930)

     103,007       104,036  

Receivable for investments sold

     449,364       111,130  

Derivative assets

     2,323,098       1,722,696  

Current income taxes

     —         142,763  

Deferred income taxes, net

     2,873,131       1,173,658  

Other assets

     346,436       288,639  
                

Total assets

   $ 49,686,725     $ 47,415,074  
                

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Liabilities:

    

Deferred premium revenue

   $ 3,045,903     $ 3,107,833  

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

     1,542,378       1,346,423  

Investment agreements

     15,998,310       16,107,909  

Commercial paper

     362,478       850,315  

Medium-term notes (includes hybrid financial instruments at fair value of $354,097 and $399,061)

     11,353,744       12,830,777  

Variable interest entity floating rate notes

     1,353,045       1,355,792  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     1,019,155       1,163,899  

Short-term debt

     7,158       13,383  

Long-term debt

     2,247,140       1,225,280  

Current income taxes

     33,583       —    

Deferred fee revenue

     15,115       15,059  

Payable for investments purchased

     504,916       41,359  

Derivative liabilities

     9,134,441       5,037,112  

Other liabilities

     1,009,185       664,128  
                

Total liabilities

     47,626,551       43,759,269  
                

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 10)

    

Shareholders’ Equity:

    

Preferred stock, par value $1 per share; authorized shares—10,000,000; issued and outstanding—none

     —         —    

Common stock, par value $1 per share; authorized shares—400,000,000; issued shares — 271,755,013 and 160,244,614

     271,755       160,245  

Additional paid-in capital

     3,082,349       1,649,511  

Retained earnings

     1,895,148       4,301,880  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred income tax of ($678,624) and ($275,291)

     (1,224,136 )     (490,829 )

Treasury stock, at cost — 34,897,262 and 34,872,515 shares

     (1,964,942 )     (1,965,002 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     2,060,174       3,655,805  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 49,686,725     $ 47,415,074  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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MBIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands except per share amounts)

 

     Three months ended
March 31
 
     2008     2007  

Gross premiums written

   $ 114,711     $ 188,174  

Ceded premiums

     (17,450 )     (16,872 )
                

Net premiums written

     97,261       171,302  
                

Revenues:

    

Scheduled premiums earned

   $ 147,520     $ 146,599  

Refunding premiums earned

     7,795       39,592  
                

Premiums earned (net of ceded premiums of $25,421 and $32,159)

     155,315       186,191  

Net investment income

     514,904       510,949  

Fees and reimbursements

     7,453       20,057  

Realized gains and other settlements on insured derivatives

     33,758       21,152  

Unrealized losses on insured derivatives

     (3,577,103 )     (1,792 )
                

Net change in fair value of insured derivatives

     (3,543,345 )     19,360  

Net realized gains (losses)

     (167,009 )     13,902  

Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange

     76,562       (23,917 )

Insurance recoveries

     —         3,400  
                

Total revenues

     (2,956,120 )     729,942  

Expenses:

    

Losses and loss adjustment

     287,608       20,484  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

     15,552       16,629  

Operating

     63,487       60,711  

Interest expense

     377,070       355,077  
                

Total expenses

     743,717       452,901  
                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (3,699,837 )     277,041  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (1,293,105 )     78,430  
                

Net income (loss)

   $ (2,406,732 )   $ 198,611  
                

Net income (loss) per common share:

    

Basic

   $ (13.03 )   $ 1.50  

Diluted

   $ (13.03 )   $ 1.46  

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     184,708,960       131,972,954  

Diluted

     184,708,960       136,090,503  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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MBIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

For the three months ended March 31, 2008

(In thousands)

 

            Additional
Paid-in
Capital
                           

Total

Shareholders’

 
    Common Stock     Retained    

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

    Treasury Stock    
    Shares   Amount     Earnings     Income (Loss)     Shares     Amount     Equity  

Balance, January 1, 2008

  160,245   $ 160,245   $ 1,649,511     $ 4,301,880     $ (490,829 )   (34,873 )   $ (1,965,002 )   $ 3,655,805  

Comprehensive loss:

               

Net loss

  —       —       —         (2,406,732 )     —       —         —         (2,406,732 )

Other comprehensive loss:

               

Change in unrealized depreciation of investments net of change in deferred income taxes of $(296,700)

  —       —       —         —         (542,193 )   —         —         (542,193 )

Change in fair value of derivative instruments net of change in deferred income taxes of $(108,850)

  —       —       —         —         (202,151 )   —         —         (202,151 )

Change in foreign currency translation net of change in deferred income taxes of $2,217

  —       —       —         —         11,037     —         —         11,037  
                     

Other comprehensive loss

                  (733,307 )
                     

Total comprehensive loss

                  (3,140,039 )
                     

Issuance of common stock

  110,779     110,779     1,448,908       —         —       —         —         1,559,687  

Share-based compensation net of change in deferred income taxes of $(2,948)

  731     731     (16,070 )     —         —       (24 )     60       (15,279 )
                                                       

Balance, March 31, 2008

  271,755   $ 271,755   $ 3,082,349     $ 1,895,148     $ (1,224,136 )   (34,897 )   $ (1,964,942 )   $ 2,060,174  
                                                       

 

     2008  

Disclosure of reclassification amount:

  

Change in unrealized depreciation of investments arising during the period, net of taxes

   $ (575,596 )

Reclassification adjustment, net of taxes

     33,403  
        

Change in net unrealized depreciation, net of taxes

   $ (542,193 )
        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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MBIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Three months ended March 31  
     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (2,406,732 )   $ 198,611  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Amortization of bond discounts (premiums), net

     (18,134 )     4,690  

Decrease (increase) in accrued investment income

     13,853       (29,080 )

Decrease (increase) in deferred acquisition costs

     30,504       (6,549 )

Decrease in deferred premium revenue

     (61,930 )     (29,184 )

Decrease in prepaid reinsurance premiums

     6,598       15,452  

Increase (decrease) in loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

     195,955       (3,264 )

Increase in reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

     (25,742 )     (684 )

Decrease (increase) in salvage and subrogation

     2,920       (9,165 )

Depreciation

     2,545       2,504  

Increase in accrued interest payable

     6,827       53,091  

Decrease in accrued expenses

     (18,523 )     (57,526 )

Decrease in penalties and disgorgement accrual

     —         (75,000 )

Amortization of medium-term notes and commercial paper (premiums) discounts, net

     (12,518 )     (5,011 )

Net realized gains on sale of investments

     (56,607 )     (13,902 )

Realized losses on other than temporarily impaired investments

     223,616       —    

Unrealized losses on insured derivatives

     3,577,103       1,792  

Net (gains) losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange

     (76,562 )     23,917  

Current income tax provision

     176,346       49,578  

Deferred income tax benefit

     (1,290,863 )     (6,475 )

Share-based compensation

     (1,205 )     6,425  

Other, operating

     (10,018 )     21,909  
                

Total adjustments to net income (loss)

     2,664,165       (56,482 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     257,433       142,129  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchase of fixed-maturity securities

     (5,447,192 )     (7,088,736 )

Increase in payable for investments purchased

     463,557       218,159  

Sale of fixed-maturity securities

     5,887,601       5,196,334  

Increase in receivable for investments sold

     (338,234 )     (126,959 )

Redemption of fixed-maturity securities

     2,790       2,186  

Purchase of held-to-maturity investments

     (760,844 )     (8,449 )

Redemptions of held-to-maturity investments

     1,623,553       181,651  

(Purchase) sale of short-term investments, net

     (1,896,707 )     263,618  

(Purchase) sale of other investments, net

     (552 )     81,265  

Capital expenditures

     (1,510 )     (1,515 )

Disposals of capital assets

     —         4,188  

Other, investing

     —         (5,872 )
                

Net cash used by investing activities

     (467,538 )     (1,284,130 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of investment agreements

     851,884       1,396,515  

Payments for drawdowns of investment agreements

     (1,154,120 )     (1,593,319 )

Decrease in commercial paper

     (496,643 )     (32,722 )

Issuance of medium-term notes

     1,959,287       2,102,114  

Principal paydown of medium-term notes

     (3,614,118 )     (844,220 )

Principal paydown of variable interest entity floating rate notes

     (3,321 )     (41,049 )

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, net

     (144,744 )     479,777  

Dividends paid

     (42,640 )     (41,816 )

Gross proceeds from issuance of common stock

     1,628,405       —    

Capital issuance costs

     (71,918 )     (1,884 )

Net proceeds from issuance of warrants

     21,467       —    

Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     982,263       —    

Repayment for retirement of short-term debt

     (6,225 )     —    

Payments for derivatives

     —         (653 )

Purchase of treasury stock

     —         (348,919 )

Exercise of stock options

     3,043       28,683  

Excess tax benefit on share-based payment

     (2,499 )     6,901  

Collateral from swap counterparty

     326,890       —    

Other, financing

     (351 )     (1,030 )
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     236,660       1,108,378  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     26,555       (33,623 )

Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period

     263,732       269,277  
                

Cash and cash equivalents—end of period

   $ 290,287     $ 235,654  
                

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:

    

Income taxes (refunded) paid

   $ (172,414 )   $ 29,999  

Interest paid:

    

Investment agreements

   $ 187,830     $ 144,877  

Commercial paper

     11,211       9,799  

Medium-term notes

     146,276       141,992  

Variable interest entity floating rate notes

     16,934       17,892  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     13,617       2,940  

Other borrowings and deposits

     896       1,389  

Long-term debt

     13,015       13,034  

Non cash items:

    

Share-based compensation

   $ (1,205 )   $ 6,425  

Dividends declared but not paid

     —         45,167  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTE 1: Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, accordingly, do not include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 for MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries (“MBIA” or the “Company”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), but in the opinion of management such financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008. The December 31, 2007 balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. 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 material intercompany revenues and expenses have been eliminated. Certain amounts have been reclassified in prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current presentation. This includes the reclassification of premiums from the Company’s insured derivatives portfolio from “Scheduled premiums earned”, “Refunding premiums earned”, “Premiums earned” and “Fees and reimbursements” to “Realized losses and other settlements on insured derivatives” and the reclassification of the mark-to-market of the insured derivatives portfolio from “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange” to “Unrealized losses on insured derivatives”, both of which had no effect on total revenues and total expenses as previously reported. Additionally, “Gross premiums written”, “Ceded premiums written” and “Net premiums written” exclude premiums from the Company’s insured derivatives portfolio. Amounts reclassified in prior years’ financial statements also include the reclassification of net interest income and expense and net realized gains and losses related to non-hedging derivative instruments from “Net investment income”, “Interest expense”, and “Net realized gains (losses)”, respectively, to “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange”. Refer to “Note 7: Business Segments” for amounts reclassified.

NOTE 2: Significant Accounting Policies

The Company has disclosed its significant accounting policies in “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. The following significant accounting policies provide an update to those included under the same captions in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The Company’s financial guarantee insurance provides an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee of the payment of the principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, insured obligations when due or, in the event that the Company has the right, at its discretion, to accelerate insured obligations upon default or otherwise, upon such acceleration by the Company. Loss and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) reserves are established by the Company’s Loss Reserve Committee, which consists of members of senior management, and require the use of judgment and estimates with respect to the occurrence, timing and amount of a loss on an insured obligation.

The Company establishes two types of loss and LAE reserves for non-derivative financial guarantees: an unallocated loss reserve and case basis reserves. The unallocated loss reserve is established on an undiscounted basis with respect to the Company’s entire non-derivative insured portfolio. The Company’s unallocated loss reserve represents the Company’s estimate of losses that have or are probable to occur as a result of credit deterioration in the Company’s insured portfolio but which have not yet been specifically identified and applied to specific insured obligations. The unallocated loss reserve is increased on a quarterly basis using a formula that applies a “loss factor” to the Company’s scheduled net earned premium for the respective quarter, both of which are defined and set forth below. This increase in the unallocated reserve is the Company’s provision for loss and loss adjustment expenses as reported on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Scheduled net earned premium represents total quarterly premium earnings, net of reinsurance, from all policies in force less the portion of quarterly premium earnings that have been accelerated as a result of the refunding or defeasance of insured obligations. Total earned premium as reported on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations includes both scheduled net earned premium and premium earnings that have been accelerated, net of reinsurance. Once a policy is originated, the amount of scheduled net earned premium recorded in earnings will be included in the Company’s calculation of its unallocated loss reserve. When an insured obligation is refunded, defeased or matures, the Company does not reverse the unallocated loss reserve previously generated from the scheduled net earned premium on such obligation as the Company’s unallocated loss reserve is not specific to any individual obligation.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Each quarter the Company calculates its provision for the unallocated loss reserve as a fixed percent of scheduled net earned premium of the insurance operations. Prior to the first quarter of 2008, scheduled net earned premium of the insurance operations included premiums from its non-derivative insured portfolio and from its insured derivative portfolio. Effective for the first quarter of 2008, premiums from insured derivative contracts are no longer included as part of scheduled net earned premium but are rather reported as part of “Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives”. As a result, the Company has increased its loss factor to 14.5% from 12% in order to maintain a loss and LAE provision each period consistent with that calculated using historical scheduled net earned premium.

Derivatives

MBIA has entered into derivative transactions as an additional form of financial guarantee and for purposes of hedging risks associated with existing assets and liabilities and forecasted transactions. Credit default swap contracts (“CDS” or “CDS Contracts”) are also entered into in the investment management services operations to replicate investments in cash assets consistent with the Company’s risk objectives and credit guidelines for its investment management business. The Company accounts for derivative transactions in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. (“SFAS”) 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended, which requires that all such transactions be recorded on the Company’s balance sheet at fair value. The fair value of derivative instruments is determined as the amount that would be received to sell the derivative when in an asset position or transfer the derivative when in a liability position. Changes in the fair value of derivatives, exclusive of insured derivatives, are recorded each period in current earnings within “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange” or in shareholders’ equity within “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” depending on whether the derivative is designated as a hedge, and if so designated, the type of hedge.

Insured Derivatives

The Company sells credit protection by entering into CDS contracts with various financial institutions. In certain cases the Company purchases back-to-back credit protection on all or a portion of the risk written, primarily from reinsurance companies. The Company has entered into CDS contracts as an extension of its core financial guarantee business, under which the Company intends to hold its written and purchased positions for the entire term of the related contracts. These CDS contracts are accounted for at fair value since they do not qualify for the financial guarantee scope exception under SFAS 133, as amended.

The total changes in fair value of the insured derivatives are recorded in “Net change in fair value of insured derivatives.” “Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives” includes (i) net premiums received and receivable on written CDS contracts, (ii) net premiums paid and payable on purchased CDS contracts, (iii) losses paid and payable to CDS contract counterparties due to the occurrence of a credit event, (iv) losses recovered and recoverable on purchased CDS contracts due to the occurrence of a credit event and (v) fees relating to CDS contracts. Losses payable and losses recoverable reported in “Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives” includes claims payable and recoveries thereof, respectively, only after a credit event has occurred that would require a payment under contract terms. The “Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives” includes all other changes in fair value of the derivative contracts (which is due primarily to changes in the underlying credit risk of the referenced obligations).

Fair Value Measurement – Definition and Hierarchy

MBIA adopted the provisions of SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements” excluding non-financial assets and liabilities per Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”, beginning January 1, 2008. Under this standard, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches, including both market and income approaches. SFAS 157 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring 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 the Company believes that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on 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 developed based on the best information available. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the observability and reliability of inputs as follows:

 

   

Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail any degree of judgment. Assets utilizing Level 1 inputs generally include United States (“U.S.”) treasuries, foreign government bonds and certain corporate obligations that are highly liquid and actively traded.

 

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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. Assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include: U.S. government and agency mortgage-backed securities; most over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives; corporate and municipal bonds; and certain mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) or asset-backed securities (“ABS”).

 

   

Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and 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, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. Assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs include certain MBS, ABS and collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”) securities where observable pricing information was not able to be obtained for a significant portion of the underlying assets; and complex OTC derivatives (including certain foreign currency options; long-dated options and swaps; and certain credit derivatives) and insured derivatives that require significant management judgment and estimation in the valuation.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from product to product and period to period and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of product, whether the product is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who holds the asset or owes the liability rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that it believes market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause an instrument to be reclassified from Level 1 to Level 2 or Level 2 to Level 3.

Under SFAS 157, the Company has also taken into account its own non-performance risk when measuring the fair value of liability positions and the counterparty’s nonperformance risk when measuring the fair value of asset positions.

See “Note 6: Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for additional fair value disclosures.

NOTE 3: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, effective January 1, 2008. SFAS 159 provides entities the option to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period. SFAS 159 permits the fair value option election on an instrument-by-instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument. The Company applies the disclosure requirements of SFAS 159 for certain eligible

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

instruments which it previously elected to fair value under SFAS 155. These instruments included certain medium-term notes and certain available-for-sale securities which contained embedded derivatives requiring bifurcation. The Company did not elect the fair value option under SFAS 159 for any eligible financial instruments as of January 1, 2008 or for the three months ended March 31, 2008.

The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 157, excluding non-financial assets and liabilities per FSP FAS 157-2, beginning January 1, 2008. SFAS 157 defines fair value as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. SFAS 157 requires that fair value measurement reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on the best information available. Assumptions include the risks inherent in a particular valuation technique (such as a pricing model) and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the model. SFAS 157 also clarifies that an issuer’s credit standing should be considered when measuring liabilities at fair value. SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-2, which delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). A transition adjustment to opening retained earnings was not required. Upon adoption, the credit valuation adjustment to incorporate the Company’s own nonperformance risk on the insured credit derivative liabilities resulted in a reduction in fair value of $3.6 billion as of March 31, 2008.

In April 2007, the FASB issued FSP FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39.” FSP FIN 39-1 permits a reporting entity that is a party to a master netting agreement to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting agreement. FSP FIN 39-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and is required to be applied retrospectively for all financial statements presented unless it is impracticable to do so. The Company adopted the provisions of the FSP beginning January 1, 2008 and elected not to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral under a master netting agreement against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting agreement. The Company will continue to elect not to offset the fair value amounts recognized for derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement.

Recent Accounting Developments

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” SFAS 161 expands the disclosure requirements about an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. The disclosure provisions of SFAS 161 apply to all entities with derivative instruments subject to SFAS 133 and its related interpretations. The provisions also apply to related hedged items, bifurcated derivatives, and non-derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments. It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. MBIA will adopt the disclosure provisions of SFAS 161 on January 1, 2009. Since SFAS 161 requires only additional disclosures concerning derivatives and hedging activities, adoption of SFAS 161 will not affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 140-3, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions.” FSP No. FAS 140-3 requires an initial transfer of a financial asset and a repurchase financing that was entered into contemporaneously with, or in contemplation of the initial transfer to be evaluated as a linked transaction under SFAS 140 “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities” unless certain criteria are met. FSP No. FAS 140-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and will be applied to new transactions entered into after the date of adoption. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting FSP No. FAS 140-3.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, “Noncontrolling interests in Consolidated Financial Statements”, an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51. SFAS 160 requires reporting entities to present noncontrolling (minority) interest as equity (as opposed to liability or mezzanine equity) and provides guidance on the accounting for transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption is prohibited. MBIA is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 160 and their potential impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

On April 18, 2007, the FASB issued an Exposure Draft (“ED”) entitled “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts, an interpretation of SFAS 60”, with a 60-day comment period. On September 4, 2007, the FASB Board held a public roundtable meeting with respondents to the ED to discuss significant issues raised in the comment letters. Since the roundtable, the FASB Board re-deliberated on some of the issues raised. The ED clarifies how SFAS 60 applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts issued by insurance enterprises, including the methodologies to account for premium revenue and claim liabilities, as well as related disclosures. The proposals contained in the ED are not considered final accounting guidance until the FASB completes its due process procedures and issues a final statement, which could differ from the ED. Under the ED, or the re-deliberated meetings, MBIA would be required to recognize premium revenue by applying a fixed percentage of premium to the amount of exposure outstanding at each reporting period (referred to as the level-yield approach). The proposed recognition approach for a claim liability would require MBIA to recognize a claim liability when there is an expectation that a claim loss will exceed the unearned premium revenue (liability) on a policy basis based on the present value of expected cash flows. Additionally, the ED would require MBIA to provide expanded disclosures relating to factors affecting the recognition and measurement of financial guarantee contracts.

The final statement is expected to be issued in the second quarter of 2008 with an effective date of January 1, 2009 except for the disclosure of a surveillance list which could be effective as early as the third quarter of 2008. The cumulative effect of initially applying the final statement will be recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year. MBIA is in the process of evaluating how the ED and subsequent re-deliberated decisions will impact its financial statements. Until final guidance is issued by the FASB and is effective, MBIA will continue to apply its existing policies with respect to the establishment of both case basis and unallocated loss reserves and the recognition of premium revenue. A further description of the Company’s loss reserving and premium recognition policies are included in “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

NOTE 4: Capital Strengthening Plan

The Company implemented a capital strengthening plan during the first quarter of 2008 by issuing 110.8 million common shares which resulted in an increase to shareholders’ equity of $1.6 billion and by issuing long-term debt of $1.0 billion. Specific components of the capital strengthening plan are outlined below.

Warburg Pincus Agreement / Common Stock Offering

On December 10, 2007, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement, subsequently amended on February 6, 2008, with Warburg Pincus (the “Warburg Pincus Agreement”), a private equity firm, which committed to invest up to $1.25 billion in the Company through a direct purchase of MBIA common stock and a backstop for a common stock offering.

Under the Warburg Pincus Agreement, Warburg Pincus made an initial investment of $500 million in MBIA through the acquisition of 16.1 million shares of MBIA common stock at a price of $31.00 per share, which was completed on January 30, 2008. In connection with its initial investment, Warburg Pincus received warrants to purchase 8.7 million shares of MBIA common stock at a price of $40 per share and “B” warrants, which, upon obtaining certain approvals, became exercisable to purchase 7.4 million shares of common stock at a price of $40 per share. The term of the warrants is seven years. In addition, the securities purchased by Warburg Pincus are subject to significant transfer restrictions for a minimum of one year and up to three years. The Company’s senior management team originally committed to invest a total of $2 million in the Company’s common stock at the same price as Warburg Pincus which commitment was later adjusted downward. Since that time, the current senior management team has satisfied their purchase commitments. The majority of the net proceeds received under Warburg Pincus’ initial investment were contributed to MBIA Corp. to support its business plan.

On February 6, 2008, the Company and Warburg Pincus amended the Warburg Pincus Agreement to provide that Warburg Pincus would backstop a common stock offering by agreeing to purchase up to $750 million of convertible participating preferred stock, or “preferred stock.” Warburg Pincus was also granted the option to purchase up to $300 million of preferred stock prior to the closing of a common stock offering or February 15, 2008. Finally, Warburg Pincus was granted “B2” warrants which, upon obtaining certain approvals, became exercisable to purchase between 4 million and 8 million shares of MBIA common stock, whether or not the common stock offering was completed.

On February 13, 2008, the Company completed a public offering of 94.65 million shares of MBIA common stock at $12.15 per share. Warburg Pincus informed the Company that it purchased $300 million in common stock as part of the offering. The Company did not use the $750 million Warburg Pincus backstop. In addition, Warburg Pincus did not exercise its right to purchase up to $300 million in preferred stock. Pursuant to the amended Warburg Pincus Agreement, Warburg Pincus was granted 4 million of “B2” warrants at a price of $16.20 per share. In addition, under anti-dilution provisions in the Warburg

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Pincus Agreement, the terms of the warrants issued to Warburg Pincus on January 30, 2008 were amended, which resulted in (a) the 8.7 million of warrants exercisable at $40 per share were revised to 11.5 million warrants exercisable at $30.25 per share and (b) the 7.4 million of “B” warrants exercisable at $40 per share were revised to 9.8 million “B” warrants exercisable at $30.25 per share. The Company intends to use most of the net proceeds of the common stock offering to support its insurance operations. The offering proceeds were allocated to the warrant liability based on its relative fair value and the residual proceeds were allocated to the common stock issued. Costs associated with the warrants, including the “B” warrants, were expensed as incurred.

Surplus Notes

On January 16, 2008, MBIA Corp. issued Surplus Notes due January 15, 2033. The Surplus Notes have an initial interest rate of 14 percent until January 15, 2013 and thereafter at an interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 11.26 percent. The Surplus Notes are callable at par at MBIA Corp.’s option on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance and every fifth anniversary thereafter, subject to prior approval by the Superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department and other restrictions. The cash received from the Surplus Notes liability will be used for general corporate purposes and the deferred debt issuance costs are being amortized over the Surplus Notes term.

Dividends

On February 25, 2008, the Company announced the elimination of its quarterly shareholder dividend to provide additional capital flexibility. In addition, the Company will now declare dividends on an annual basis rather than a quarterly basis.

NOTE 5: Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the dilutive effect of all stock options and other items outstanding during the period that could potentially result in the issuance of common stock. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, there were 6,240,760 stock options and 1,610,934 restricted stock and units outstanding that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were antidilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2007 there were 347,124 stock options outstanding that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were antidilutive.

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007:

 

     March 31,

$ In thousands except per share amounts

   2008     2007

Net income (loss)

   $ (2,406,732 )   $ 198,611

Basic weighted-average shares

     184,708,960       131,972,954

Effect of common stock equivalents:

    

Stock options

     —         1,989,838

Restricted stock and units

     —         2,127,711
              

Diluted weighted-average shares

     184,708,960       136,090,503
              

Basic EPS:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (13.03 )   $ 1.50
              

Diluted EPS:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (13.03 )   $ 1.46
              

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

NOTE 6: Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy in accordance with SFAS 157. See “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” for a discussion of “Fair Value Measurement – Definition and Hierarchy.”

The following fair value hierarchy table present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2008:

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of March 31, 2008

 

          Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

In thousands

   March 31, 2008    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)

Assets:

           

Investments:

           

Fixed-maturity securities:

           

U.S. Treasury and government agency

   $ 1,057,343    $ 462,239    $ 595,104    $ —  

Foreign governments

     803,332      326,002      418,622      58,708

Corporate obligations

     11,659,485      110      9,797,450      1,861,925

Mortgage-backed

     3,756,837      —        2,894,608      862,229

Asset-backed

     4,996,489      —        1,967,141      3,029,348

State and municipal bonds

     6,133,634      —        6,133,634      —  

Investments pledged as collateral

     1,085,245      —        1,035,002      50,243

Other investments

     660,842      —        575,842      85,000

Derivative assets

     2,323,098      —        935,349      1,387,749

Other assets:

           

Put options

     158,538      —        158,538      —  
                           

Total assets

   $ 32,634,843    $ 788,351    $ 24,511,290    $ 7,335,202
                           

Liabilities:

           

Medium-term notes

   $ 354,097    $ —      $ —      $ 354,097

Derivative liabilities

     9,134,441      —        825,808      8,308,633

Other liabilities:

           

Warrants

     65,994      —        65,994      —  
                           

Total liabilities

   $ 9,554,532    $ —      $ 891,802    $ 8,662,730
                           

Level 3 Analysis

Level 3 assets were $7.3 billion as of March 31, 2008, and represented approximately 22.5% of total assets measured at fair value. Level 3 liabilities were $8.7 billion as of March 31, 2008, and represented approximately 90.7% of total liabilities measured at fair value.

 

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

The following table presents additional information about Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Three Months ended March 31, 2008

 

In thousands

   Balance,
beginning of
year
   Realized
gains /
(losses)
    Unrealized
gains /
(losses)
included in
earnings
    Unrealized
gains /
(losses)
included in
OCI
    Foreign
exchange
    Purchases,
issuances

and
settlements,
net
    Transfers
in (out) of
Level 3,

net
    Ending balance

Assets:

                 

Foreign governments

   $ 36,917    $ —       $ —       $ 1,486     $ —       $ 5,571     $ 14,734     $ 58,708

Corporate obligations

     1,768,797      (4,044 )     —         (34,916 )     25,386       (160,663 )     267,365       1,861,925

Mortgage-backed securities

     1,005,403      —         —         (108,167 )     11,708       41,557       (88,272 )     862,229

Asset-backed securities

     3,662,199      (142,918 )     —         (213,877 )     19,397       (150,968 )     (144,485 )     3,029,348

Investments pledged as collateral

     —        —         —         —         —         —         50,243       50,243

Other investments

     103,841      —         —         (18,450 )     —         (391 )     —         85,000
                                                             

Total assets

   $ 6,577,157    $ (146,962 )   $ —       $ (373,924 )   $ 56,491     $ (264,894 )   $ 99,585     $ 5,947,453
                                                             

In thousands

   Balance,
beginning of
year
   Realized
(gains) /
losses
    Unrealized
(gains) /
losses
included in
earnings
    Unrealized
(gains) /
losses
included in
OCI
    Foreign
exchange
    Purchases,
issuances
and
settlements,
net
    Transfers
in (out) of
Level 3,

net
    Ending balance

Liabilities:

                 

Medium-term notes

   $ 399,061    $ (150 )   $ (20,330 )   $ —       $ 24,317     $ (48,801 )   $ —       $ 354,097

Derivative contracts, net

     3,405,595      (38,638 )     3,528,952       —         (8,189 )     33,164       —         6,920,884
                                                             

Total liabilities

   $ 3,804,656    $ (38,788 )   $ 3,508,622     $ —       $ 16,128     $ (15,637 )   $ —       $ 7,274,981
                                                             

Net transfers into Level 3 were $99.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. These transfers were principally for available-for-sale securities where inputs, which are significant to their valuation, became unobservable or observable during the quarter. Foreign governments, corporate obligations, mortgage-backed securities, asset-back securities and investments pledged as collateral constituted the majority of the affected instruments. The net unrealized loss related to the transfers in (out) of Level 3 as of March 31, 2008 was $66.6 million.

Gains and losses (realized and unrealized) included in earnings pertaining to Level 3 assets and liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 are reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:

 

In thousands

   Unrealized gains
(losses) on insured
derivatives
    Net realized gains
(losses)
    Net gains (losses) on
financial instruments at
fair value and foreign
exchange

Total gains (losses) included in earnings related to changes in assets or liabilities for the period

   $ (3,577,103 )   $ 41,843     $ 68,424

Total gains (losses) included in earnings related to assets and liabilities held at March 31, 2008

     —         (150,017 )     40,420
                      

Total gains and (losses) included in earnings

   $ (3,577,103 )   $ (108,174 )   $ 108,844
                      

 

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Valuation Techniques

U.S. Treasury and government agency

U.S. treasury securities are liquid and have quoted market prices. Fair value of U.S. treasuries is based on live trading feeds. U.S. treasury securities are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Government agency securities include debentures and other agency mortgage pass-through certificates as well as to-be-announced (TBA”) securities. TBA securities are liquid and have quoted market prices based on live data feeds. Fair value of mortgage pass-through certificates is obtained via a simulation model, which considers different rate scenarios and historical activity to calculate a spread to the comparable TBA security. Government agency securities use market-based and observable inputs. As such, these securities are classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Foreign governments

The fair value of foreign government obligations are generally based on observable inputs in active markets. When quoted prices are not available, fair value is determined based on a valuation model that has as inputs interest rate yield curves, cross-currency basis index spreads, and country credit spreads for structures similar to the bond in terms of issuer, maturity and seniority. These bonds are generally categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Bonds that contain significant inputs that are not observable are categorized as Level 3 while bonds that have quoted prices in an active market are classified as Level 1.

Corporate obligations

The fair value of corporate bonds is obtained using recently executed transactions or market price quotations where observable. When observable price quotations are not available, fair value is determined based on cash flow models with yield curves, bond or single name credit default swap spreads and diversity scores as key inputs. Corporate bonds are generally categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; in instances where significant inputs are unobservable, they are categorized in Level 3 of the hierarchy. A small percentage of corporate obligations are classified as level 1 as quoted prices in an active market were available.

Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)

MBS and ABS are valued based on recently executed prices. When position-specific external price data is not observable, the valuation is based on prices of comparable securities. In the absence of market prices, MBS and ABS are valued as a function of cash flow models with observable market-based inputs (e.g. yield curves, spreads, prepayments and volatilities). MBS and ABS are categorized in Level 3 if significant inputs are unobservable, otherwise they are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Company records under the fair value provisions of SFAS 155 certain structured investments, which are included in available-for-sale securities. Fair value is derived using quoted market prices or cash flow models. As these securities are not actively traded, certain significant inputs are unobservable. These investments are categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

State and municipal bonds

The fair value of state and municipal bonds is estimated using recently executed transactions, market price quotations and pricing models that factor in, where applicable, interest rates, bond or credit default swap spreads and volatility. These bonds are generally categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments pledged as collateral

The Company routinely pledges securities it owns in accordance with the terms of repurchase transactions with bank and dealer firms. The fair value of each underlying asset being pledged at any point in time is determined in accordance with the process described herein for such asset type, and as such the assets being pledged could be Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3.

Other investments

Other investments include the Company’s interest in equities and perpetual securities. Fair value of other investments is determined by using quoted prices, live trades, or valuation models that use market-based and observable inputs. Other investments are categorized either in Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Put Options

The Company has access to Money Market Committed Preferred Custodial Trust (“CPCT”) securities issued in multiple trusts. The Company can put the perpetual preferred stock to the trust on any auction date in exchange for the assets of the trusts. The put option, recorded at fair value, is internally valued using LIBOR/swap rates and the Company’s credit spread. As all significant inputs are market-based and observable, put options are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Medium-term notes

The Company has elected to record at fair value under the provisions of SFAS 155 five medium-term notes. Fair value is derived using quoted market prices or an internal cash flow model. Significant inputs into the valuation include yield curves and spreads to the swap curve. As these notes are not actively traded, certain significant inputs (e.g. spreads to the swap curve) are unobservable. These investments are categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Warrants

Stock warrants issued in connection with the Company’s Capital Strengthening Plan, are recorded at fair value based on a modified Black-Scholes model. Inputs into the warrant valuation include interest rates, stock volatilities and dividends data. As all significant inputs are market-based and observable, warrants are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Derivatives—Investment Management Services & Corporate

The investment management services operations have entered into derivative transactions primarily consisting of interest rate, cross currency, credit default and total return swaps and principal protection guarantees. These OTC derivatives are valued using industry standard models developed by vendors. Observable and market based inputs include interest rate yields, credit spreads and volatilities. These derivatives are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy except with respect to certain complex derivatives where observable pricing inputs were not able to be obtained, which have been categorized as Level 3.

Derivatives—Insurance

The insured credit default swaps the Company insures cannot be legally traded and do not have observable market prices. The Company generally uses vendor-developed and proprietary models, depending on the type and structure of the contract, to estimate the fair value of its derivative contracts. Significant inputs into these models include collateral default probabilities, diversity scores and recovery rates. These derivatives are categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as a significant percentage of their value is derived from unobservable inputs. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company updated its methodology to include the impact of both the counterparty and its own credit standing. OTC derivatives in the insurance operations which are valued using industry standard models and market-based inputs (e.g. interest rate yields, spreads, volatilities) are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy unless the Company is unable to determine that the inputs are market-based and observable (e.g. broker quotes).

Insured Credit Derivative Valuations

Through MBIA Corp., the Company insured derivative instruments as part of its core financial guarantee business, which represented the majority of the Company’s notional derivative exposure. In most cases these derivative instruments do not qualify for the financial guarantee scope exception under SFAS 133. In February 2008, the Company decided to cease insuring credit derivative instruments except in transactions related to the reduction of its existing insured derivative exposure. Prior to this decision, the Company insured credit derivatives that referenced primarily structured pools of cash securities and CDS. The Company generally provided credit default swap protection on the most senior liabilities of structured finance transactions, and at inception of the contract its exposure generally had more subordination than needed to achieve triple-A ratings from credit rating agencies (referred to as “Super Triple-A” exposure). The collateral for the insured derivatives are cash securities and credit default swaps referencing primarily corporate, asset-backed, residential mortgage-backed, commercial mortgage-backed and collateralized debt obligation securities.

In determining the fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches with priority given to observable market prices when they are available. Market prices are generally available for traded securities and market standard credit default swaps but are less available or unavailable for highly-customized credit default swaps. Most of the derivative contracts the Company insures are structured credit derivative transactions that are not traded and do not have observable market prices. Typical market credit default swaps are standardized, liquid instruments that reference tradable securities such as corporate bonds that also have observable prices. These market standard credit default swaps also involve collateral posting, and upon a default of the reference bond, can be settled in cash.

 

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In contrast, the Company’s insured CDS contracts do not contain the typical CDS market standard features as described above but have been customized to replicate its financial guarantee insurance policies. The Company’s insured derivative instruments provide protection on a specified or managed pool of securities or CDS with a deductible or subordination level. The Company is never required to post collateral, and upon default, it makes payments on a “pay-as-you-go” basis for any underlying reference obligation only after the subordination in a transaction is exhausted.

The Company’s payment obligations vary by deal and by insurance type. There are three primary types of policy payment requirements:

(i) timely interest and ultimate principal;

(ii) ultimate principal only at final maturity; and

(iii) payments upon settlement of individual collateral losses as they occur upon erosion of deal deductibles.

The Company’s insured credit derivative policies are structured to prevent large one-time claims upon an event of default and to allow for payments over time (i.e. “pay as you go” basis) or at final maturity. Also, each insured credit default swap MBIA enters into is governed by a single transaction International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreement relating only to that particular transaction/insurance policy. There is no requirement for mark-to-market termination payments, under most monoline standard termination provisions, upon the early termination of the insured credit default swap. However, some contracts have mark-to-market termination payments for termination events within MBIA’s control. An additional difference between MBIA’s CDS and the typical market standard CDS is that there is no acceleration of the payment to be made under its insured credit default swap contract unless MBIA elects to accelerate at its option. Furthermore, by law, these contracts are unconditional and irrevocable, and cannot be transferred to most other capital market participants as they are not licensed to write insurance contracts. Through reinsurance, the risk of loss (but not counterparty risk) on these contracts can be transferred to other financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance companies.

As a result of these differences, the Company believes there are no relevant third party “exit value” market observations for its insured credit derivative contracts. Accordingly, there is no principal market for such highly structured insured credit derivatives under SFAS 157. In the absence of a principal market, MBIA values these insured credit derivatives in a hypothetical market where the market participants include other monoline financial guarantee insurers that have similar credit ratings or spreads as MBIA. Since there are no active market transactions in its exposures, MBIA generally uses vendor-developed and proprietary models, depending on the type and structure of the contract, to estimate the fair value of its derivative contracts.

MBIA’s insured CDS valuation model simulates what a bond insurer would charge to guarantee the transactions at the measurement date, based on the market-implied default risk of the underlying collateral and the subordination. The majority of the Company’s transactions are valued using a probabilistic approach to price the risk associated with its exposure on the credit derivative contract. MBIA applies a Binomial Expansion Technique (BET) based model to the transaction structures to derive a probabilistic measure of expected loss for its exposure using market pricing on the underlying collateral within the transaction. At any point in time, the mark-to-market gain or loss on a transaction is the difference between the original price of risk (the original market-implied expected loss) and the current price of the risk. The Company reports the net premiums received and receivable on written insured credit default swap transactions in “Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives”. Other changes in fair value of the derivative contracts (which is due primarily to changes in the underlying credit risk of the referenced obligations) are reported in the “Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives”. See “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” for further information.

The BET was developed and published by Moody’s and provides an alternative to simulation models in estimating a probability distribution of losses on a diverse pool of assets. The model that the Company uses has been modified from the Moody’s version as described below. The distribution of expected losses can then be applied to a specific transaction structure in order to size the expected losses of different risk exposure tranches within a structured transaction. MBIA uses the BET model, together with market price for the underlying collateral to estimate fair value of its insured credit derivatives.

The primary strengths of the Company’s CDS modeling techniques are:

1) The model takes account of transaction structure and the key drivers of market value. The transaction structure includes par insured, weighted average life, level of subordination and composition of collateral.

2) The model is a well-documented, consistent approach to marking positions that minimizes the level of subjectivity since it was originally developed by Moody's Investors Service and has been modified by MBIA. The model structure, inputs and operation are well-documented so there are strong controls around the execution of the model. MBIA has also developed a hierarchy for market-based spread inputs that helps reduce the level of subjectivity, especially during periods of high illiquidity.

 

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3) The model uses market inputs whenever they are available. The key inputs to the BET model are market-based spreads for the collateral, assumed recovery rates specific to the asset class and rating of the collateral, and diversity score. These are viewed by MBIA to be the key parameters that affect fair value of the transaction and, to the extent practicable, the inputs are market-based inputs.

Refer to “Assumptions” and “Inputs” sections below for further information.

The primary weaknesses of the Company’s CDS modeling techniques are:

 

  1) There is no market in which to verify the fair values developed by the Company’s model, and at March 31, 2008, the markets for the inputs to the model were highly illiquid, which impacts their reliability.

 

  2) There is diversity of approach to marking these transactions among the monolines.

 

  3) The averaging of spreads in the Company’s model and use of a diversity factor rather than a more granular approach to modeling spreads and a dynamic correlation approach may distort results. Neither the data nor the analytical tools exist today to be more specific in the Company’s calculation of fair value.

This approach is used to value almost all of the credit default swaps on tranched portfolios of credits (“portfolio CDS”) or on senior tranches of CDOs of the insured portfolio. Listed below are various inputs and assumptions that are key within this approach.

Assumptions

The key assumptions of the BET model include:

 

   

Collateral default probabilities are determined by spreads which are based on market data when available

 

   

Collateral in the portfolio is generally considered on an average basis instead of modeling each piece of collateral separately

 

   

Correlation is modeled using a diversity score, which is calculated based on rules regarding industry or sector concentrations

 

   

Defaults are modeled such that they are spaced evenly over time

 

   

Recovery rates are based on historical averages and updated as market evidence warrants.

The main modifications from the BET model developed by Moody’s are that a) MBIA uses market credit spreads, when available and reliable, to determine default probability instead of using historical loss experience, and b) for collateral pools where the spread distribution is characterized by extremes, the Company models each segment of the pool individually instead of using an overall pool average.

Inputs

The specific model inputs are listed below, including how the Company derives inputs for market credit spreads on the underlying transaction collateral, how MBIA determines credit quality (using a Weighted Average Rating Factor (“WARF”)), diversity estimation, and recovery rates.

 

   

Credit spreads – These are obtained from market data sources published by third parties (e.g. dealer spread tables for the collateral similar to assets within MBIA’s transactions) as well as collateral-specific spreads provided by trustees or obtained from market sources. If observable market credit spreads are not available or reliable for the underlying reference obligations, then market data is used that most closely resembles the underlying reference obligations, considering asset class, credit quality rating and maturity of the underlying reference obligations. This data is obtained from recognized sources and is reviewed on an ongoing basis for reasonableness and applicability to its derivative portfolio.

MBIA uses the following spread hierarchy in determining which source of spread to use, with the rule being to use CDS spreads where available. If not available, then the Company uses cash security spreads.

 

  1. Actual collateral specific credit spreads (if up-to-date and reliable market based spreads are available, they are used)

 

  2. Sector specific spreads (such as dealer provided spread tables by asset class and rating)

 

  3. Corporate spreads (corporate spread tables based on rating)

 

  4. Benchmark from most relevant spread source (if no specific spreads are available and corporate spreads are not directly relevant, an assumed relationship will be used between corporate spreads or sector specific spreads and collateral spreads)

 

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For example, if current market based spreads are not available then MBIA utilizes sector specific spreads from dealer provided spread tables or corporate cash spread tables. The generic spread utilized is based on the nature of the underlying collateral in the deal. Deals with corporate collateral use the corporate spread tables. Deals with asset-backed collateral use one or more of the dealer asset-backed tables as discussed below. If there are no observable market spreads for the specific collateral, and sector-specific and corporate spread tables are not appropriate to estimate the spread of a given type of collateral, the Company uses the fourth alternative in its hierarchy. An example is tranched corporate collateral. In that case MBIA uses corporate spreads as an input and estimates the spread on the tranched position based on an assumed relationship to take account of the tranched structure. In each case the priority is to use information for CDS spreads if available, and cash spreads as a second priority.

Over time the data inputs can change as new sources become available or existing sources are discontinued or are no longer considered to be the most appropriate. It is the objective of the Company to move to higher levels on the hierarchy whenever possible, but it is sometimes necessary to move to lower priority inputs because of discontinued data sources or assessments that the higher priority inputs are no longer considered to be representative of market spreads for a given type of collateral. This can happen, for example, if transaction volume changes such that a previously used spread index is no longer viewed as being reflective of current market levels. The Company believes such a circumstance existed for CMBS collateral in insured credit default swaps during the first quarter of 2008. See section “Impact of Current Market Conditions on Data Inputs for CMBS Transactions” below for further discussions.

The process provides for a monthly update for the percentage of each type of collateral in each deal based on the most up-to-date reporting received from the trustees. Using the most recent monthly applicable market spread data based on the hierarchy above, MBIA then calculates a weighted average spread to be used in the valuation process (i.e., the spread for each component of collateral is weighted by its percentage of total collateral to calculate the weighted average spread).

If collateral-specific spreads are not available, the WARF is used to determine the credit rating which is used to determine the appropriate spread. This is a 10,000 point scale designed by Moody’s where lower numbers indicate better ratings. Because the difference in default probability between AA1 and AA2 is much less than between B1 and B2, the ratings are not spaced equally on this scale. The WARF is obtained from the most recent trustee’s report or calculated by MBIA based on the credit ratings of the collateral in the transaction. In determining WARF, Moody’s ratings are used for collateral if they are available, and if not, then S&P and then Fitch ratings are used.

 

   

Diversity Scores – The diversity of industry or asset class is calculated internally, if not reported by the trustee on a regular basis. A lower diversity score will negatively impact the valuation for MBIA’s senior tranche since a low diversity score represents higher assumed correlation, increasing the chances of a large number of defaults, and thereby increasing the risk of loss in the senior tranche.

 

   

Recovery Rate – Represents the percentage of par to be recovered from asset defaults. MBIA’s recovery rate assumptions are based on historical averages. The Company uses rating agency data and adjusts the reported recovery rates to take account of specific collateral in the insured derivative. Recovery rates for RMBS collateral in the multi-sector CDO portfolio were updated with lower levels in the first quarter of 2008 based on limited market observations.

The aggregate market value of the entire collateral pool is specified by market spreads. The BET model uses these inputs (collateral spreads, diversity score and recovery rates) along with the transaction structure and subordination level to allocate value between the different tranches of the transaction. There can often be several tranches, including multiple subordinated tranches, and the BET can allocate values to each tranche. MBIA only uses the value ascribed to the most senior tranche that is insured by the Company . The level of subordination below the Company’s exposure or credit tranche is a very significant factor that affects the estimated fair values of its exposure as subordination below its exposure absorbs all losses in the transaction’s underlying portfolio before any claim is made on its insurance policy. Most of the Company’s insured structured credit derivatives have subordination at inception of the transaction that is in excess of that required for the most senior triple-A rating within a transaction.

The assumed credit quality, the assumed credit spread for credit risk exclusive of funding costs and the appropriate reference credit index or price source are significant assumptions that, if changed, could result in materially different fair values. Accordingly, market perceptions of credit deterioration would result in the increase in the expected exit value (amount required to be paid to exit the transaction due to wider credit spreads).

 

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The following table presents the net par outstanding as of March 31, 2008 and Net unrealized losses on insured derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2008 by fair value technique of all insured credit derivatives within the Company’s insurance portfolio.

 

In millions

   % of
Net Par
Outstanding
    Net Par
Outstanding
   Net
Unrealized
Losses
 

Binomial expansion valuation model

   95.9 %   $ 131,052    $ (3,519 )

Specific dealer quotes

   0.6       777      (60 )

Other

   3.5       4,837      2  
                     

Total

   100.0 %   $ 136,666    $ (3,577 )
                     

The Company maintains an ongoing review of its valuation models and has ongoing control and cross-checking procedures for the approval and control of market and portfolio data inputs. During the first quarter of 2008, the Company’s review of its valuation approach primarily focused on the source of market credit spreads used in the valuation of its insurance credit derivatives portfolio to ensure that these spreads were indicative of the current market environment, of the asset class of the underlying reference obligations within each transaction, and of the current credit ratings of the underlying reference obligations.

Impact of Current Market Conditions on Data Inputs for CMBS Transactions

Approximately $40 billion of the par of transactions subject to SFAS 133 include substantial amounts of CMBS and commercial mortgage collateral. In prior periods, the spreads implied by the pricing on the CMBX indices had been used for the spreads on the underlying collateral. In light of the current market conditions, MBIA believes that there was a significant disconnect in the first quarter between cumulative loss expectations of MBIA and market analysts on underlying commercial mortgages and the loss expectations implied by the March 31, 2008 CMBX index or the CMBS spread tables the Company had been using. Commercial mortgage securities were experiencing historically low default and loss rates, and all the transactions in MBIA’s portfolio have performed in line with this, as well as continuing to be rated AAA.

Transaction volume in CMBS and trading activity in the CMBX were both at dramatically lower levels in the quarter than they had been in prior periods, and the implied loss rates on underlying mortgages in MBIA’s spread sources of these markets was far higher than that forecasted by fundamental researchers and MBIA’s internal analysis. In addition, the implied illiquidity premium on the index, in the context of MBIA’s model, implied that monoline insurers would capture 100% of the changes in spread on the underlying collateral, which has not been the case in other periods of market illiquidity (since monoline insurers have “buy and hold” portfolios, spread changes that reflect illiquidity versus changes in perceived credit fundamentals typically are not reflected in pricing). As a result, the CMBX indices and the CMBS spread tables were deemed to be unreliable model inputs for the purpose of estimating fair value in MBIA’s hypothetical market among monoline insurers. Had MBIA continued to use the same input sources that were used in the fourth quarter of 2007, the resulting mark-to-market would have increased pre-tax loss by approximately $1.4 billion.

MBIA’s revised model input combines the expectations for CMBS credit performance as forecasted by the average of two investment banks’ research departments with the illiquidity premium implied by the CMBX indices. The relative spread levels and tranche structure of the CMBX indices were used to calculate spreads for each credit quality and vintage. The result was an analog index that was used as an alternative input in MBIA’s BET-based approach.

Nonperformance Risk Adjustment

In compliance with requirements of SFAS 157, effective January 1, 2008, the Company updated its valuation methodology for insured credit derivative liabilities to incorporate the Company’s own nonperformance risk. This was calculated by discounting at LIBOR plus MBIA CDS spreads the estimated market value loss on insured CDSs at March 31, 2008. This resulted in a pre-tax $3.6 billion reduction in the fair value of the derivative liability. Nonperformance risk is a fair value concept and does not contradict the

 

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Company’s internal view, based on fundamental credit analysis, that the Company will be able to pay all claims when due. For its ceded insured credit derivatives portfolio, the Company also made credit valuation adjustments by incorporating the nonperformance risk of the reinsurer.

Fair Value Option

SFAS 159 provides the Company an irrevocable option to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings, that otherwise are not permitted to be accounted for at fair value under other accounting standards. The option is applied, on a contract-by-contract basis, to an entire contract and not only to specific risks, specific cash flows or other portions of that contract. Upfront costs and fees related to a contract for which the fair value option is elected are recognized in earnings as incurred and not deferred.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS 159. As a result of the adoption of SFAS 159, the Company did not record a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings due to the Company not electing the fair value option under SFAS 159 for any eligible financial instruments.

The Company previously elected to record at fair value under SFAS 155, certain financial instruments that contained an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation under SFAS 133. These instruments included certain medium-term notes and certain available-for-sale securities. Management elected to fair value hybrid instruments in those instances where the host contract and the embedded derivative were not separately subject to a hedging relationship.

Changes in fair value of the hybrid instruments, as measured under the fair value provisions of SFAS 155, are reflected in “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange”. The contractual interest coupon payments on the medium-term notes are recorded as “Interest expense” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During the first quarter of 2008, the change in the fair value of financial assets, hybrid financial instruments, totaled $1.6 million on a pre-tax basis or $1.0 million on an after-tax basis. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the changes in fair value of these financial instruments for which the fair value option was elected and the change in fair value that was attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit spreads, or the difference between aggregate contractual principal amounts and fair value, was not material.

During the first quarter of 2008, the change in fair value of financial liabilities, which related to five medium-term notes, totaled $4.0 million on a pre-tax basis or $2.6 million on an after-tax basis. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the changes in fair value of these medium-term notes for which the fair value option was elected and the change in fair value was attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit spreads, or the difference between aggregate contractual principal amounts and fair value, was not material.

NOTE 7: Business Segments

MBIA manages its activities primarily through two principal business operations: insurance and investment management services. The Company’s reportable segments within its business operations are determined based on the way management assesses the performance and resource requirements of such operations.

The insurance operations is a reportable segment and provides an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee of the payment of principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, insured obligations when due or, in the event that MBIA has the right, at its discretion, to accelerate insured obligations upon default or otherwise, upon such acceleration by MBIA. MBIA issues financial guarantees for municipal bonds, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, investor-owned utility bonds, bonds backed by publicly or privately funded public-purpose projects, bonds issued by sovereign and sub-sovereign entities, obligations collateralized by diverse pools of corporate loans and pools of corporate and asset-backed bonds, and bonds backed by other revenue sources such as corporate franchise revenues, both in the new issue and secondary markets. Additionally, MBIA had insured credit default swaps primarily on pools of collateral, which it considered part of its core financial guarantee business. On February 25, 2008, the Company announced that it has ceased insuring new credit derivative contracts except in transactions related to the reduction of existing derivative exposure. This segment includes all activities related to global credit enhancement services provided principally by MBIA Insurance Corporation and its subsidiaries (“MBIA Corp.”).

The Company’s investment management services operations provide an array of products and services to the public, not-for-profit and corporate sectors. Such products and services are provided primarily through wholly owned subsidiaries of MBIA Asset Management, LLC (“MBIA Asset Management”) and include cash management, discretionary asset management and fund administration services and investment agreement, medium-term note and commercial paper programs related to funding assets for third-party clients and for investment purposes. The investment management services operations’

 

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reportable segments consist of: asset/liability products, which include investment agreements and medium-term notes (“MTNs”) not related to the conduit segment; advisory services, which consist of third-party and related-party fee-based asset management; and conduits.

The asset/liability products segment principally consists of the activities of MBIA Investment Management Corp. (“IMC”), MBIA Global Funding, LLC (“GFL”) and Euro Asset Acquisition Limited (“EAAL”). IMC, along with MBIA Inc., provides customized investment agreements, guaranteed by MBIA Corp., for bond proceeds and other public funds for such purposes as construction, loan origination, escrow and debt service or other reserve fund requirements. It also provides customized products for funds that are invested as part of asset-backed or structured product transactions. GFL raises funds through the issuance of MTNs with varying maturities, which are, in turn, guaranteed by MBIA Corp. GFL lends the proceeds of these MTN issuances to MBIA Inc. (“GFL Loans”). MBIA Inc. invests the proceeds of investment agreements and GFL Loans in eligible investments, which consist of investment grade securities with a minimum average double-A credit quality rating. MBIA Inc. primarily purchases domestic securities, which are pledged to MBIA Corp. as security for its guarantees on investment agreements and MTNs. Additionally, MBIA Inc. loans a portion of the proceeds from investment agreements and MTNs to EAAL. EAAL primarily purchases foreign assets as permitted under the Company’s investment guidelines.

The advisory services segment primarily consists of the operations of MBIA Municipal Investors Service Corporation (“MBIA-MISC”), MBIA Capital Management Corp. (“CMC”) and MBIA Asset Management UK (“AM-UK”). MBIA-MISC provides investment management programs, including pooled investments products and customized asset management services. In addition, MBIA-MISC provides portfolio accounting and reporting for state and local governments, including school districts. MBIA-MISC is a Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)-registered investment adviser. CMC provides fee-based asset management services to the Company, its affiliates and third-party institutional clients. CMC is an SEC-registered investment advisor and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority member firm. AM-UK provides fee-based asset management services to the Company’s foreign insurance affiliates and EAAL, and to third-party institutional clients and investment structures. AM-UK is registered with the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”).

The Company’s conduit segment administers two multi-seller conduit financing vehicles through MBIA Asset Finance, LLC. The conduits provide funding for multiple customers through special purpose vehicles that issue primarily commercial paper and medium-term notes.

The Company’s corporate operations are a reportable segment and include revenues and expenses that arise from general corporate activities, such as net investment income, net gains and losses, interest expense on MBIA Inc. debt and general corporate expenses.

 

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The following tables summarize the Company’s operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007:

 

     Three months ended March 31, 2008  

In thousands

   Insurance     Investment
Management
Services
    Corporate     Eliminations     Derivative
Reclassification
    Consolidated  

Revenues(1)

   $ 348,928     $ 361,158     $ 7,380     $ —       $ (39,794 )   $ 677,672  

Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives

     —         —         —         —         33,758       33,758  

Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives

     (3,577,103 )     —         —         —         —         (3,577,103 )

Net realized gains (losses)

     19,352       (185,873 )     (641 )     —         153       (167,009 )

Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange

     59,771       54,001       (43,181 )     —         5,971       76,562  

Inter-segment revenues(2)

     1,222       5,590       (223 )     (6,589 )     —         —    
                                                

Total revenues

     (3,147,830 )     234,876       (36,665 )     (6,589 )     88       (2,956,120 )

Interest expense

     46,747       310,101       20,134       —         88       377,070  

Loss and LAE incurred

     287,608       —         —         —         —         287,608  

Operating expenses

     61,821       10,678       6,540       —         —         79,039  

Inter-segment expense(2)

     —         5,953       636       (6,589 )     —         —    
                                                

Total expenses

     396,176       326,732       27,310       (6,589 )     88       743,717  

Income (loss) before taxes

   $ (3,544,006 )   $ (91,856 )   $ (63,975 )   $ —       $ —         (3,699,837 )
                                                

Identifiable assets

   $ 18,335,630     $ 29,835,595     $ 1,515,500     $ —       $ —       $ 49,686,725  
                                                

 

(1)

Represents the sum of third-party financial guarantee net premiums earned, net investment income, insurance-related fees and reimbursements, investment management fees and other fees, and insurance recoveries.

(2)

Represents intercompany premium income and expense, intercompany asset management fees and expenses and intercompany interest income and expense pertaining to intercompany receivable and payables.

 

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     Three months ended March 31, 2007  

In thousands

   Insurance     Investment
Management
Services
    Corporate     Eliminations     Derivative
Reclassification
    Consolidated  

Revenues(1)

   $ 367,001     $ 358,312     $ 9,872     $ —       $ (14,588 )   $ 720,597  

Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives

     —         —         —         —         21,152       21,152  

Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives

     (1,792 )     —         —         —         —         (1,792 )

Net realized gains

     992       10,121       942       —         1,847       13,902  

Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange

     3,639       (18,029 )     137       —         (9,664 )     (23,917 )

Inter-segment revenues(2)

     (229 )     6,283       (482 )     (5,572 )     —         —    
                                                

Total revenues

     369,611       356,687       10,469       (5,572 )     (1,253 )     729,942  

Interest expense

     21,736       314,415       20,179       —         (1,253 )     355,077  

Loss and LAE incurred

     20,484       —         —         —         —         20,484  

Operating expenses

     49,198       19,043       9,099       —         —         77,340  

Inter-segment expense(2)

     —         6,216       (644 )     (5,572 )     —         —    
                                                

Total expenses

     91,418       339,674       28,634       (5,572 )     (1,253 )     452,901  

Income (loss) before taxes

     278,193       17,013       (18,165 )     —         —         277,041  
                                                

Identifiable assets

   $ 13,233,314     $ 27,345,808     $ 648,364       —         —       $ 41,227,486  
                                                

 

(1)

Represents the sum of third-party financial guarantee net premiums earned, net investment income, insurance-related fees and reimbursements, investment management fees and other fees.

(2)

Represents intercompany premium income and expense, intercompany asset management fees and expenses and intercompany interest income and expense pertaining to intercompany receivable and payables.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

The following table summarizes the segments within the investment management services operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007:

 

     Three months ended March 31, 2008  

In thousands

   Asset/
Liability
Products
    Advisory
Services
    Conduits     Eliminations     Total
Investment
Management
Services
 

Revenues (1)

   $ 310,293     $ 11,306     $ 45,149     $ —       $ 366,748  

Net realized gains (losses)

     (185,863 )     (10 )     —         —         (185,873 )

Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange

     59,208       19       (5,226 )     —         54,001  

Inter-segment revenues (2)

     1,294       6,107       —         (7,401 )     —    
                                        

Total revenues

     184,932       17,422       39,923       (7,401 )     234,876  

Interest expense

     269,923       —         40,252       —         310,175  

Operating expenses

     8,284       6,126       2,147       —         16,557  

Inter-segment expenses (2)

     5,146       1,955       300       (7,401 )     —    
                                        

Total expenses

     283,353       8,081       42,699       (7,401 )     326,732  
                                        

Income (loss) before taxes

   $ (98,421 )   $ 9,341     $ (2,776 )   $ —       $ (91,856 )
                                        

Identifiable assets

   $ 26,266,858     $ 41,305     $ 3,545,778     $ (18,346 )   $ 29,835,595  
                                        
     Three months ended March 31, 2007  

In thousands

   Asset/
Liability
Products
    Advisory
Services
    Conduits     Eliminations     Total
Investment
Management
Services
 

Revenues (1)

   $ 291,984     $ 13,917     $ 58,694     $ —       $ 364,595  

Net realized gains

     10,117       4       —         —         10,121  

Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange

     (15,799 )     (1 )     (2,229 )     —         (18,029 )

Inter-segment revenues (2)

     2,193       5,082       511       (7,786 )     —    
                                        

Total revenues

     288,495       19,002       56,976       (7,786 )     356,687  

Interest expense

     263,731       —         50,764       —         314,495  

Operating expenses

     7,736       12,806       4,637       —         25,179  

Inter-segment expenses (2)

     4,214       1,692       1,326       (7,232 )     —    
                                        

Total expenses

     275,681       14,498       56,727       (7,232 )     339,674  
                                        

Income (loss) before taxes

   $ 12,814     $ 4,504     $ 249     $ (554 )   $ 17,013  
                                        

Identifiable assets

   $ 23,437,172     $ 52,274     $ 4,144,455     $ (288,093 )   $ 27,345,808  
                                        

 

(1)

Represents the sum of third-party interest income, investment management services fees and other fees.

(2)

Represents intercompany asset management fees and expenses plus intercompany interest income and expense pertaining to intercompany debt.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

A portion of financial guarantee premiums and revenues on insured derivatives reported within the insurance segment are generated outside the U.S. The following table summarizes financial guarantee net premiums earned and revenues earned on insured derivatives by geographic location of risk for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

     March 31,

In millions

   2008    2007

Total premiums earned:

     

United States

   $ 137    $ 157

United Kingdom

     11      10

Europe (excluding United Kingdom)

     9      7

Internationally diversified

     17      20

Central and South America

     11      8

Asia

     8      8

Other

     4      4
             

Total

   $ 197    $ 214
             

NOTE 8: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (LAE)

MBIA establishes two types of loss and LAE reserves for non-derivative financial guarantees: case basis reserves and an unallocated loss reserve. See “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 for information regarding the Company’s loss reserving policy. A summary of the case basis and unallocated activity and the components of the liability for loss and LAE reserves are presented in the following table:

 

In thousands

   1Q 2008  

Case basis loss and LAE reserves:

  

Beginning balance

   $ 911,880  

Less: reinsurance recoverable

     82,041  
        

Net beginning balance

     829,839  
        

Case basis transfers from unallocated loss reserve related to:

  

Current year

     461,822  

Prior years

     47,814  
        

Total

     509,636  
        

Net paid (recovered) related to:

  

Current year

     3,948  

Prior years

     113,447  
        

Total net (recovered) paid

     117,395  
        

Net ending balance

     1,222,080  

Plus: reinsurance recoverable

     107,783  
        

Case basis loss and LAE reserve ending balance

     1,329,863  
        

Unallocated loss reserve:

  

Beginning balance

     434,543  

Losses and LAE incurred

     287,608  

Transfers to case basis and LAE reserves

     (509,636 )
        

Unallocated loss reserve ending balance

     212,515  
        

Total

   $ 1,542,378  
        

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

The unallocated loss reserve approximated $213 million as of March 31, 2008, which represents the Company’s estimate of losses, associated with credit deterioration, that have occurred in the Company’s insured portfolio but have not been specifically identified and is available for future case-specific activity. In the first quarter of 2008, the Company recorded $510 million of case basis loss reserves related to MBIA’s insured exposure to prime, second-lien residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) transactions consisting of home equity lines of credit and closed-end second-lien mortgages. The Company incurred $288 million of loss and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Of the $288 million, $23 million was based on the Company’s loss factor of 14.5% of the insurance segment’s scheduled net earned premium and $265 million represented additional loss and loss adjustment expenses related to insured RMBS exposure.

Total net paid activity for the three months ended March 31, 2008 of $117 million primarily related to insured obligations within MBIA’s RMBS and manufactured housing sectors. The Company had salvage and subrogation receivables of $105 million as of March 31, 2008 included in “Other assets.” Amounts due to reinsurers related to salvage and subrogation totaled $4 million as of March 31, 2008 and are included in “Other liabilities.”

NOTE 9: Income Taxes

MBIA’s tax policy is to optimize after-tax income by maintaining the appropriate mix of taxable and tax-exempt investments. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2008 was a benefit of 35.0% compared with a provision of 28.3% for the first quarter of 2007.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the quarter was primarily a result of the mark-to-market net losses recorded on the Company’s derivatives portfolio. The Company has calculated its year-to-date effective tax rate by treating these mark-to-market net losses as a discrete item. As such, the tax benefit of these net losses, calculated at the statutory tax rate of 35%, is an adjustment to the annual effective tax rate that the Company has estimated for all other pre-tax income. Given its inability to estimate the mark-to-market losses for the full year 2008, which directly affects the Company’s ability to estimate pre-tax loss and the related effective tax rate for the full year of 2008, the Company believes that it is appropriate to treat the mark-to-market net losses as a discrete item for purposes of calculating the effective tax rate for the quarter. Further changes in the fair value of the Company’s derivative portfolio during 2008 will impact the Company’s annual effective tax rate.

As a result of the cumulative mark-to-market losses of $6.9 billion, primarily related to the insured credit derivatives, the Company established a deferred tax asset of $2.4 billion which is included in the Company’s deferred tax asset of $2.9 billion at March 31, 2008. MBIA believes that it is more likely than not that its total $2.9 billion in deferred tax assets will be realized. As such, no valuation allowance was established. In its conclusion, the Company considered the following factors:

 

   

Due to the long-tail nature of the financial guarantee business, it is important to note that the Company, even without regard to any new business, will have a steady stream of scheduled premium earnings with respect to the existing insured portfolio. The Company’s announcement of a six-month suspension in writing new structured finance transactions and a complete exit from the insurance of credit derivatives would not have an impact on the expected earnings related to the existing insured portfolio (i.e., the “back-book” business). The Company performed a taxable income projection in a hypothetical extraordinary loss/impairment scenario and concluded that premium earnings, even without regard to any new business, combined with taxable investment income, less deductible expenses, will be sufficient to recover the deferred tax assets of $2.9 billion.

 

   

The Company’s decision to eliminate the current dividend and raise $2.6 billion in additional capital in January and February of 2008 is not a result of lack of liquidity in terms of working capital but rather for ratings agencies’ additional capital requirement in order to preserve the Company’s triple-A rating. The Company has approximately $41.8 billion in investments at March 31, 2008.

 

   

The Company historically has not had any unused tax benefits that have expired (i.e. net operating loss or capital loss carryforwards). The deferred tax asset related to the mark-to-market loss stems largely from the widening of the credit spreads related to the insured credit derivative contracts. The Company believes that the recorded deferred tax asset will be realized as the Company expects the recorded mark-to-market adjustment to reverse at maturity with the exception of credit impairments.

MBIA’s major tax jurisdictions include the U.S., the U.K. and France. MBIA and its U.S. subsidiaries file a U.S. consolidated federal income tax return. U.S. federal income tax returns have been examined through 2005 by the Internal Revenue Service. The U.K. tax matters have been concluded through 2004. MBIA UK Insurance Ltd. is currently under inquiry for the 2005 tax year, which is expected to be concluded in the third quarter of 2008. The French tax authority has concluded the examination through the 2003 tax year with the issue on the recognition of premium income for tax purposes pending resolution, as discussed below.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

In April 2005, the French tax authority commenced an examination of the Company’s French tax return for 2002 and 2003. Upon completion of the audit, the Company received a notice of assessment in which the French tax authority has accelerated the manner in which the Company recognizes earned premium for tax purposes, contrary to the French statutory method. The Company has protested and has filed for an appeal with respect to the assessment and the Company’s position is currently under review. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the examination, the Company accrued the potential tax liability relating to the French tax audit for all open tax years through 2007 prior to the adoption of FIN 48. The total amount accrued with respect to the uncertain tax position is approximately $34.5 million and the related interest and penalties is approximately $4.2 million. It is reasonably possible that the French tax authority will rule in the Company’s favor within the next 12 months at which time the entire amount accrued, including the interest and penalties, will be reversed.

NOTE 10: Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of operating its businesses, the Company may be involved in various legal proceedings.

The Company was named as a defendant, along with certain of its current and former officers, in private securities actions that were consolidated in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as In re MBIA Inc. Securities Litigation; (Case No. 05 CV 03514(LLS); S.D.N.Y.) (filed October 3, 2005). The plaintiffs asserted claims under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The lead plaintiffs purport to be acting as representatives for a class consisting of purchasers of the Company’s stock during the period from August 5, 2003 to March 30, 2005 (the “Class Period”). The lawsuit asserts, among other things, violations of the federal securities laws arising out of the Company’s allegedly false and misleading statements about its financial condition and the nature of the arrangements entered into by MBIA Corp. in connection with the Alleghany Health, Education and Research Foundation (“AHERF”) loss, and about the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls. The plaintiffs allege that, as a result of these misleading statements or omissions, the Company’s stock traded at artificially inflated prices throughout the Class Period.

The defendants, including the Company, filed motions to dismiss this lawsuit on various grounds. On February 13, 2007, the Court granted those motions, and dismissed the lawsuit in its entirety, on the grounds that these claims are barred by the applicable statute of limitations. The Court did not reach the other grounds for dismissal argued by the Company and the other defendants. The plaintiffs have appealed that decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The plaintiffs argue that the dismissal should be reversed on several grounds. The appeal has been fully briefed. No date for arguing the appeal has been set. The Company does not expect the outcome of the private securities litigation to have a material adverse affect on its financial condition, although the outcome is uncertain and no assurance can be given that the Company will not suffer a loss.

On January 11, 2008, a putative shareholder class action lawsuit against the Company and certain of its officers, Schmalz v. MBIA, Inc. et al., No. 08-CV-264, was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging violations of the federal securities laws. Plaintiff seeks to represent a class of shareholders who purchased MBIA stock between January 30, 2007 and January 9, 2008. The complaint alleges that the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Among other things, the complaint alleges that defendants issued false and misleading statements with respect to the Company’s exposure to losses stemming from the Company’s insurance of CDOs and RMBS, including its exposure to so-called “CDO-squared” securities, which allegedly caused the Company’s stock to trade at inflated prices. Defendants’ deadline to respond to the complaint has been extended pending the resolution of lead counsel status, motions for consolidation, and the possible filing of an amended and/or consolidated complaint.

On February 25, 2008 and March 6, 2008, two more putative shareholder class action lawsuits against MBIA and certain of its current and former officers – Teamsters Local 807 Labor Management Pension Fund v. MBIA Inc. et al., No. 08-CV-1845 and Kosseff v. MBIA, Inc. et al., No. 08-CV-2362 – were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging violations of the federal securities laws. The allegations of the Teamsters and the Kosseff complaints are substantially similar to the allegations of the Schmalz complaint, except that the class period in the Teamsters complaint runs from October 26, 2006, to January 9, 2008. The Company has not yet responded to the Teamsters and the Kosseff complaints, but anticipates that these complaints will be consolidated with the Schmalz complaint and responded to in that context.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

On February 13, 2008, a shareholder derivative lawsuit against certain of the Company’s present and former directors, and against the Company, as nominal defendant, Trustees of the Police and Fire Retirement System of the City of Detroit v. Clapp et al., No. 08-CV-1515, (the “Detroit Complaint”), was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The gravamen of the Detroit Complaint is similar to the aforementioned Schmalz, Teamsters and Kosseff class actions, except that the legal claims are against the directors for breach of fiduciary duty and related claims. The Detroit Complaint purports to relate to a so-called “Relevant Time Period” from February 9, 2006, through the time of filing of the complaint. The board has formed a special litigation committee to evaluate the claims in the Detroit Complaint.

On February 26, 2008 and on March 3, 2008, two more shareholder derivative lawsuits against certain of the Company’s present and former directors, and against the Company, as nominal defendant – Sheet Metal Workers Local 28 Pension Fund v. Brown et al., Index No. 08/4220 and Crescente v. Brown et al., Index No. 08/4536 – were filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Westchester. The gravamen of these complaints was similar to the Detroit Complaint except that the time period assertedly covered was from January, 2007, through the time of filing of this complaint. Both complaints have since been voluntarily dismissed without prejudice.

The Company has received subpoenas or informal inquiries from a variety of regulators, including the SEC, the Securities Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and other states’ regulatory authorities, regarding a variety of subjects, including disclosures made by the Company to underwriters and issuers of certain bonds, the Warburg Pincus transaction, the Company’s announcement of preliminary loss reserve estimates on December 10, 2007 related to the Company’s residential mortgage-backed securities exposure, disclosures regarding the Company’s CDO exposure, the Company’s communications with rating agencies, and the methodologies used by rating agencies for determining the credit rating of municipal debt. The Company is cooperating fully with each of these regulators and is in the process of satisfying all such requests. The Company may receive additional inquiries from these or other regulators and expects to provide additional information to such regulators regarding their inquiries in the future.

There are no other material lawsuits pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

This quarterly report of MBIA Inc. (“MBIA” or the “Company”) includes statements that are not historical or current facts and are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “will likely result,” “looking forward” or “will continue,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. MBIA cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only to their respective dates. The following are some of the factors that could affect financial performance or could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates contained in or underlying the Company’s forward-looking statements:

 

   

the possibility that we will not be able to raise sufficient capital to avoid a downgrade of our financial strength ratings;

 

   

the possibility that we will experience severe losses due to the continued deterioration in the performance of residential mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations;

 

   

fluctuations in the economic, credit, interest rate or foreign currency environment in the United States (“U.S.”) and abroad;

 

   

level of activity within the national and international credit markets;

 

   

competitive conditions and pricing levels;

 

   

legislative or regulatory developments;

 

   

technological developments;

 

   

changes in tax laws;

 

   

changes in the Company’s credit ratings;

 

   

the effects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; and

 

   

uncertainties that have not been identified at this time.

The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if it later becomes aware that such results are not likely to be achieved.

OVERVIEW

MBIA is a leading provider of financial guarantee products and specialized financial services. MBIA provides innovative and cost-effective products and services that meet the credit enhancement, financial and investment needs of its public- and private-sector clients worldwide. MBIA manages its activities primarily through two principal business operations: insurance and investment management services. The Company’s corporate operations include revenues and expenses that arise from general corporate activities. The Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are discussed in the “Results of Operations” section included herein.

Insurance Operations

MBIA’s insurance operations are principally conducted through MBIA Insurance Corporation and its subsidiaries (“MBIA Corp.”). MBIA Corp. issues financial guarantees for municipal bonds, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, investor-owned utility bonds, bonds backed by publicly or privately funded public-purpose projects, bonds issued by sovereign and sub-sovereign entities, obligations collateralized by diverse pools of corporate loans and pools of corporate and asset-backed bonds, and bonds backed by other revenue sources such as corporate franchise revenues, both in the new issue and secondary markets. Additionally, MBIA Corp. has insured CDSs primarily on pools of collateral, which it previously considered part of its core financial guarantee business. The financial guarantees issued by MBIA Corp. provide an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee of the payment of the principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, insured obligations when due or, in the event that MBIA Corp. has the right, at its discretion, to accelerate insured obligations upon default or otherwise, upon such acceleration by MBIA Corp.

On February 25, 2008, the Company announced that it has ceased insuring new credit derivative contracts except in transactions related to the reduction of existing derivative exposure. In addition, the Company announced that it has suspended the writing of all new structured finance business for approximately six months.

Investment Management Services Operations

MBIA’s investment management services operations provide an array of products and services to the public, not-for-profit and corporate sectors. Such products and services are provided primarily through wholly owned subsidiaries of MBIA Asset Management, LLC (“MBIA Asset Management”) and include cash management, discretionary asset management and fund administration services and investment agreement, medium-term note and commercial paper programs related to funding assets for third-party clients and for investment purposes.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Business Reorganization Initiative

On February 25, 2008, we announced a plan to implement several initiatives in connection with the restructuring of MBIA’s business over the next few years. A significant aspect of the plan will be the creation of separate legal operating entities for MBIA’s public, structured and asset management businesses. This is intended to be accomplished as soon as feasible, which we expect to be within five years. The objective behind this initiative is to retain the highest ratings possible for both the public finance and structured finance businesses. The implementation of this initiative is subject to various contingencies, including regulatory approval.

Financial Strength Credit Ratings

MBIA Inc.’s and MBIA Corp.’s current financial strength ratings from Standard and Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) are summarized below:

 

Agency

  

Ratings

  

Outlook

   (MBIA Inc./MBIA Corp.)   

S&P

   AA-/AAA    Negative outlook

Moody’s

   Aa3/Aaa    Negative outlook

Fitch

   A/AA    Negative rating outlook

A brief summary of the most recent ratings actions from S&P, Moody’s and Fitch follows:

S&P

On February 25, 2008, S&P affirmed the AAA insurance financial strength ratings of MBIA Corp. and its insurance affiliates, the AA- rating of MBIA Inc.’s senior debt and the AA ratings of MBIA Corp.’s North Castle Custodial Trusts I-VIII. S&P’s outlook for these ratings is negative.

Moody’s

On February 26, 2008, Moody’s affirmed the Aaa insurance financial strength ratings of MBIA Corp. and its insurance affiliates, the Aa2 ratings of MBIA Corp.’s Surplus Notes and the Aa3 ratings of the junior obligations of MBIA Corp. and the senior debt of MBIA Inc. Moody’s outlook for these ratings is negative.

Fitch

On March 7, 2008, MBIA requested that Fitch withdraw its insurer financial strength ratings for MBIA Corp. and its insurance affiliates. In addition, MBIA requested that Fitch continue to rate the outstanding debt obligations of MBIA Corp. and MBIA Inc. In conjunction with the above, MBIA also requested that Fitch cease utilizing and destroy all non-public information that MBIA supplied on transactions that Fitch did not rate. Fitch's ratings process differs in many significant respects from those of the other rating agencies, which affects how investors assess value. Fitch's coverage of the underlying credit quality of the transactions that MBIA insures is limited, and in turbulent times, the impact of this difference becomes significant, raising the risk of misinterpretation.

On March 24, 2008, Fitch stated that it plans to maintain its insurer financial strength and debt ratings on MBIA Inc. and its subsidiaries, despite MBIA’s request to withdraw the insurer financial strength ratings for MBIA Corp. and its insurance affiliates and MBIA’s request for Fitch to cease utilizing and return or destroy all non-public information. Fitch stated that, due to MBIA’s decision to stop providing non-public information about its portfolio, it may not be able to maintain the insurer financial strength ratings for MBIA Corp. and its insurance affiliates.

On April 4, 2008, Fitch downgraded the insurer financial strength ratings of MBIA Corp. and its subsidiaries to AA from AAA and the long-term rating of MBIA Inc. to A from AA. Fitch’s outlook for these ratings is negative.

Competitive Environment

MBIA Corp. competes with other monoline insurance companies, as well as multi-line insurance companies and other forms of credit enhancement, in writing financial guarantee business. Other forms of credit enhancement include senior-subordinated structures, credit derivatives, letters of credit and guarantees (for example, mortgage guarantees where pools of mortgages secure debt service payments) provided by banks and other financial institutions, some of which are governmental agencies or have been assigned the highest credit ratings awarded by one or more of the major rating agencies. MBIA Corp.’s ability to attract and compete for financial guarantee business is largely dependent on the financial strength ratings assigned to it by the major rating agencies.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

During the first quarter of 2008, several monoline financial guarantee insurers have been downgraded by one or more of the major rating agencies, while others have maintained their triple-A insurance financial strength ratings. Additionally, a new triple-A financial guarantee insurer began competing in the municipal finance market during the first quarter of 2008. The recent ratings actions by the major rating agencies, as described above and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, have adversely affected MBIA Corp.’s ability to attract new financial guarantee business and compete with those competitors that did not experience negative ratings actions. As a result, MBIA Corp.’s market share of all financial guarantee insurance provided to the new issue U.S. municipal finance market decreased to approximately 3% for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared with approximately 21% for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Additionally, MBIA Corp. did not underwrite any non-U.S. public finance transactions in the three months ended March 31, 2008. MBIA Corp. did not compete in the structured finance market for most of the first quarter of 2008 as a result of our previously announced decision to suspend the writing of all new structured finance business for approximately six months from the end of February 2008.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The Company has disclosed its critical accounting estimates in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. The following critical accounting estimates provide an update to and should be read in conjunction with those included under the same caption in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The Company’s financial guarantee insurance provides an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee of the payment of the principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, insured obligations when due or, in the event that the Company has the right, at its discretion, to accelerate insured obligations upon default or otherwise, upon such acceleration by the Company. Loss and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) reserves are established by the Company’s Loss Reserve Committee, which consists of members of senior management, and require the use of judgment and estimates with respect to the occurrence, timing and amount of a loss on an insured obligation.

The Company establishes two types of loss and LAE reserves for non-derivative financial guarantees: an unallocated loss reserve and case basis reserves. The unallocated loss reserve is established with respect to the Company’s entire non-derivative insured portfolio. The Company’s unallocated loss reserve represents the Company’s estimate of losses that have or are probable to occur as a result of credit deterioration in the Company’s insured portfolio but which have not yet been specifically identified and applied to specific insured obligations.

Each quarter the Company calculates its provision for the unallocated loss reserve as a fixed percent of scheduled net earned premium of the insurance operations. Prior to the first quarter of 2008, scheduled net earned premium of the insurance operations included premiums from our non-derivative insured portfolio and from our insured derivative portfolio. Effective for the first quarter of 2008, premiums from insured derivative contracts are no longer included as part of scheduled net earned premium but are rather reported as part of “Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives.” As a result, we have increased our loss factor to 14.5% from 12% in order to maintain a loss and LAE provision consistent with that calculated using historical scheduled net earned premium.

Annually, the Loss Reserve Committee evaluates the appropriateness of this fixed percent loss factor. In performing this evaluation, the Loss Reserve Committee considers the composition of the Company’s insured portfolio by municipal sector, structured asset class, remaining maturity and credit quality, along with the latest industry data, including historical default and recovery experience for the relevant sectors of the fixed-income market. In addition, the Company considers its own historical loss activity and how those losses develop over time. The Loss Reserve Committee reviews the results of its annual evaluation over a period of several years to determine whether any long-term trends are developing that indicates the loss factor should be increased or decreased. Therefore, case basis reserves established in any year may be above or below the loss factor without requiring an increase or decrease to the loss factor. However, if a catastrophic or unusually large loss occurred in a single year, the Loss Reserve Committee would consider taking an immediate charge through “Losses and loss adjustment expenses” and possibly also increase the loss factor in order to maintain an adequate level of loss reserves.

Significant changes to any variables on which the loss factor is based, over an extended period of time, would likely result in an increase or decrease in the Company’s loss factor with a corresponding increase or decrease in the amount of the Company’s loss and LAE provision. For example, as external and internal statistical data are applied to the various sectors of the Company’s insured portfolio, a shift in business written toward sectors with high default rates would likely increase the loss factor, while a shift toward sectors with low default rates would likely decrease the loss factor. Additionally, increases in statistical default rates relative to the Company’s insured portfolio and in the Company’s actual loss experience or decreases in statistical recovery rates and in the Company’s actual recovery experience would likely increase the Company’s loss factor. Conversely, decreases in statistical default rates relative to the Company’s insured portfolio and in the Company’s actual loss experience or increases in statistical recovery rates and in the Company’s actual recovery experience would likely decrease the Company’s loss factor.

 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s loss and LAE provision for the unallocated loss reserve, based on the respective loss factor, was $23 million and $20 million, respectively. The provisions recorded for each year represent loss and loss adjustment expenses as reported on the Company’s statements of operations. However, as a result of the continued stress in the mortgage markets and an increase in defaults on mortgage-backed securities, in the first quarter of 2008, the Company recorded $265 million of additional loss and LAE to increase loss reserves on its residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) exposure. Therefore, loss and loss adjustment expenses for the first quarter of 2008 totaled $288 million. We believe that the current loss factor of 14.5% provides an adequate reserve for probable losses in our non-derivative insured portfolio, excluding the RMBS exposure that we have separately reserved for in the fourth quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company’s additions to specific case basis reserves were less than its loss factor. However, additions to specific case basis reserves in the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2007 exceeded the loss factor. With the exception of the additional loss and LAE recorded in 2007 and 2008 related to RMBS exposure, the Company has calculated its provision for the unallocated loss reserve as a percentage of scheduled net earned premium of its insurance operations since 2002. MBIA continually monitors its insured portfolio and actual loss experience in order to identify trends that would indicate a reasonably likely significant change to one or more of the variables on which the loss factor is based. If MBIA determines that any changes to one or more of these variables is likely to have an impact on the level of probable losses in its insured portfolio, the Company will increase or decrease its loss factor accordingly, which will result in an increase or decrease in its loss and loss adjustment expenses.

Given the increased level of specific case basis losses recorded in the last several years, such as those related to our RMBS exposure, if none of the other variables used in deriving the loss factor had changed, the Company’s cumulative loss factor through March 31, 2008 would approximate 30%, which would have generated loss and LAE of $47 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. However, another variable that changed over the last several years and that affects the determination of the loss factor is the mix of business among different sectors. During the last several years, the Company has ceased writing business in certain sectors in which loss experience has been high relative to its total portfolio, such as tax liens, lower rated high-yield collateralized bond obligations, manufactured housing and certain direct corporate obligations, which offset the impact that the higher case basis incurred activity would have on the loss factor. Excluding actual loss experience incurred in the sectors listed above and the reserves established for RMBS exposure in 2007 and 2008 in addition to its loss factor, the Company’s cumulative loss factor through March 31, 2008 would approximate 10%, which would have generated loss and LAE of $16 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Also mitigating the impact of higher case basis incurred activity is the improvement in the overall credit quality of the non-derivative insured portfolio, with a greater percentage of the non-derivative insured portfolio rated A or above over the past few years.

Considering all of the assumptions used in the assessment of the adequacy of the loss factor, including the higher case basis incurred activity and the offsetting effect of observed changes in the variables described above, the Company believes that its current loss factor of 14.5% continues to represent a reasonable estimate of losses that have or are probable to occur as a result of credit deterioration in the Company’s insured portfolio but which have not yet been specifically identified and applied to specific insured obligations. In addition, the Company believes that the amount of unallocated loss reserves recorded on its balance sheet at March 31, 2008 are adequate to cover specific losses that may develop from its existing insured portfolio. We do not believe that reasonably likely changes in the assumptions used to calculate the loss factor and the unallocated loss reserves would have a material impact on the amount of our unallocated loss reserves.

The Company establishes specific reserves in an amount equal to the Company’s estimate of identified or case basis reserves with respect to specific policies. A number of variables are taken into account in establishing specific case basis reserves for individual policies that depend primarily on the nature of the underlying insured obligation. These variables include the nature and creditworthiness of the underlying issuer of the insured obligation, whether the obligation is secured or unsecured and the expected recovery rates on the insured obligation, the projected cash flow or market value of any assets that support the insured obligation and the historical and projected loss rates on such assets. Factors that may affect the actual ultimate realized losses for any policy include the state of the economy, changes in interest rates, rates of inflation and the salvage values of specific collateral.

In the first quarter of 2008, additions to case basis reserves related to our RMBS exposure totaled $510 million, which represented the majority of our case basis activity for the quarter. In determining the case basis reserves recorded in the first quarter of 2008 related to our RMBS exposure, the Company employed a multi-step process using a proprietary cash flow model and a commercially available model, which were used to analyze various collateral performance scenarios and assumptions. The cash flow models used current underlying loan delinquencies and assumptions about future loan delinquencies to project future loan defaults and ultimate cumulative net losses for transactions. The Company is assumed to realize a loss on an insured transaction to the extent that cumulative loan losses exceed available credit support. The Company’s loss reserves were calculated using the following assumptions with respect to the underlying loans within insured RMBS transactions.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Loans reported as delinquent as of March 31, 2008 were assumed to default over the first six months of the projection period at rates that increase commensurate with the number of days for which each loan is past due (the “Roll Rate Default Methodology”). We assumed default rates of 45%, 60% and 100% for loans within a 30-day, 60-day and 90-day and over past due period, respectively. For loans that were not reported as delinquent as of March 31, 2008, a conditional default rate (“CDR”) was used to forecast losses beginning in month seven of the forecast. A CDR is an estimate of the percent of performing loans in a pool of loans that are expected to default during a given time period. For 2007 vintage transactions with more limited performance history, the assumed default rate was equal to the greater of the one- or three-month average CDR and a default rate determined using the Roll Rate Default Methodology. These CDRs were assumed to decrease over time at rates and over periods of time that vary by transaction vintage and underlying loan performance. Servicer advances for delinquent loans were assumed to be zero and all defaulted loans were assumed to result in a total loss of principal after a six-month liquidation period.

In addition, for transactions secured by home equity lines of credit (“HELOCs”), the model considered borrower draws and repayment rates. For HELOCs, the current three-month average draw rate was used to project future line draws. For HELOCs and transactions secured by fixed rate closed-end second mortgages, the three-month average conditional repayment rate (“CRR”) was used to project voluntary principal repayments. A one-month average CRR was used when a three-month was not available. Cash flows also assumed a constant basis spread between floating rate assets and floating rate insured debt obligations (the difference between Prime and LIBOR interest rates, minus any applicable fees). For all transactions, cash flows considered allocations and other structural aspects of a transaction, including managed amortization periods, rapid amortization periods and claims against MBIA’s insurance policy consistent with such policy’s terms and conditions.

The assumptions and cash flow structure referenced above resulted in a forecasted cumulative collateral loss that was added to existing actual cumulative collateral losses. The resulting estimated net claims on MBIA’s insurance policies were discounted to a net present value reflecting MBIA’s obligation to pay claims over time and not on an accelerated basis. The above assumptions represent MBIA’s best estimate of how transactions will perform over time. However, additional case basis loss and LAE reserves of approximately $573 million would be required in the event of a six-month increase in the forecasted CDR beyond our current estimates followed by a twelve-month lengthening of the period during which CDR rates are assumed to decrease. Such an addition to case basis loss and LAE reserves would likely require loss and LAE expense in excess of the expense resulting from our loss factor.

As of March 31, 2008, the Company’s total net loss reserves of $1.4 billion represent 0.14% of its outstanding net debt service insured of $1,005 billion. We believe that these reserves are adequate to cover ultimate net losses. Given that the reserves are based on estimates, there can be no assurance that the ultimate liability will not exceed such estimates resulting in the Company recognizing additional loss and loss adjustment expense in earnings. While the underlying principles applied to loss reserving are consistent across the financial guarantee industry, differences exist with regard to the methodology and measurement of loss reserves. Alternative methods may produce different estimates than the method used by the Company. Additionally, the accounting for non-derivative financial guarantee loss reserves is possibly subject to change. See “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 for a description of the Company’s loss and loss adjustment expense accounting policy.

Valuation of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The degree of judgment utilized in measuring the fair value of financial instruments generally correlates to the level of pricing observability. Financial instruments with readily available active quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices in active markets generally have more pricing observability and less judgment utilized in measuring fair value. Conversely, financial instruments rarely traded or not quoted have less observability and are measured at fair value using valuation models that require more judgment. Pricing observability is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new to the market and not yet established, the characteristics specific to the transaction and overall market conditions generally.

The Company has categorized its financial instruments measured at fair value into a three-level classification in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 157 “Fair Value Measurements.” Fair value measurements of financial instruments that use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities are generally categorized as Level 1, and fair value measurements of financial instruments that have no direct observable inputs are generally categorized as Level 3. The lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of a financial instrument is used to categorize the instrument and reflects the judgment of management.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The fair market values of financial instruments held or issued by the Company are determined through the use of observable market data when available. Market data is retrieved from a variety of third-party data sources, including direct dealer quotes, for input into the Company’s valuation systems. Valuation systems are determined based on the characteristics of transactions and the availability of market data. The fair values of financial assets and liabilities are primarily calculated using observable market-based inputs when available, direct dealer quotes or market data relevant to individual financial instruments. However, dealer market data may not be available for certain types of contracts that are infrequently purchased and sold. For these contracts, the Company may use alternate methods for determining fair values, such as dealer market quotes for similar contracts or cash flow modeling. Alternate valuation methods generally require management to exercise considerable judgment in the use of estimates and assumptions, and changes to certain factors may produce materially different values. In addition, actual market exchanges may occur at materially different amounts.

See “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” and “Note 6: Fair Value of Financial Instruments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value.

Financial Assets

The Company’s financial instruments categorized as assets primarily comprise investments in debt and equity instruments. The majority of the Company’s debt and equity investments are accounted for in accordance with SFAS 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” SFAS 115 requires that all debt instruments and certain equity instruments be classified in the Company’s balance sheet according to their purpose and, depending on that classification, be carried at either amortized cost or fair value. The majority of the Company’s financial assets are valued using observable market-based inputs when available. If a security cannot be priced using observable market-based inputs, the Company receives a direct dealer quote which is used as the basis for recording fair value. Adverse credit market conditions since the second half of 2007 caused some markets to become relatively illiquid, thus reducing the availability of certain observable data. Other financial assets that require fair value reporting or disclosures within the Company’s notes to the financial statements are valued based on underlying collateral or the Company’s estimate of discounted cash flows.

MBIA regularly monitors its investments in which fair value is less than amortized cost in order to assess whether such a decline in value is other than temporary and, therefore, should be reflected as a realized loss in net income. Such an assessment requires the Company to determine the cause of the decline and whether the Company possesses both the ability and intent to hold the investment to maturity or until the value recovers to an amount at least equal to amortized cost. Additionally, this assessment requires management to exercise judgment as to whether an investment is impaired based on market conditions and trends and the availability of relevant data. For further information regarding our investment portfolio, see the “Liquidity” section included herein.

Financial Liabilities

The Company’s financial instruments categorized as liabilities primarily consist of obligations related to its asset/liability products and conduit segments within the Company’s investment management services operations, and debt issued for general corporate purposes. These liabilities are typically recorded at their face value adjusted for premiums or discounts. The fair values of such instruments are generally not reported within the Company’s financial statements, but rather disclosed in the accompanying notes. However, the carrying values of financial liabilities which qualify as part of fair value hedging arrangements under SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, are adjusted in the Company’s balance sheet to reflect those risks being hedged. MBIA has instituted cash flow modeling techniques to estimate the value of its liabilities that qualify as hedged obligations under SFAS 133 based on current market data. Financial liabilities that the Company has elected to fair value under SFAS 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” or that require fair value reporting or disclosures within the Company’s notes to its financial statements are valued based on underlying collateral, the Company’s estimate of discounted cash flows or quoted market values for similar transactions.

Derivatives

MBIA has entered into derivative transactions as an additional form of financial guarantee and for purposes of hedging risks associated with existing assets and liabilities and forecasted transactions. Credit default swap contracts (“CDS” or “CDS Contracts”) are also entered into in the investment management services operations to replicate investments in cash assets consistent with the Company’s risk objectives and credit guidelines for its investment management business. The Company accounts for derivative transactions in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. (“SFAS”) 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, which requires that all such transactions be recorded on the Company’s balance sheet at fair value. The fair value of derivative instruments is determined as the amount that would be received to sell the derivative when in an asset position or transfer the derivative when in a liability position. Changes in the fair value of derivatives, exclusive of insured derivatives, are recorded each period in current earnings within “Net Gains (Losses) on Financial Instruments at Fair Value and Foreign Exchange” or in shareholders’ equity within “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss),” depending on whether the derivative is designated as a hedge, and if so designated, the type of hedge.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Insured Derivatives

Through MBIA Corp., we insured derivative instruments as part of our core financial guarantee business, which represented the majority of the Company’s notional derivative exposure. In most cases these derivative instruments do not qualify for the financial guarantee scope exception under SFAS 133 and, therefore, must be stated at fair value. In February 2008, we decided to cease insuring credit derivative instruments except in transactions related to the reduction of our existing insured derivative exposure. Prior to this decision, we insured credit derivatives that referenced primarily structured pools of cash securities and CDSs. We generally provided credit default swap protection on the most senior liabilities of structured finance transactions, and at inception of the contract our exposure generally had more subordination than needed to achieve triple-A ratings from credit rating agencies (referred to as “Super Triple-A” exposure). The collateral for the insured derivatives were cash securities and CDSs referencing primarily corporate, asset-backed, residential mortgage-backed, commercial mortgage-backed and collateralized debt obligation securities.

The total changes in fair value of the insured derivatives are recorded in “Net change in fair value of insured derivatives.” “Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives” includes (i) net premiums received and receivable on written CDS contracts, (ii) net premiums paid and payable on purchased CDS contracts, (iii) losses paid and payable to CDS contract counterparties due to the occurrence of a credit event, (iv) losses recovered and recoverable on purchased CDS contracts due to the occurrence of a credit event and (v) fees relating to CDS contracts. Losses payable and losses recoverable reported in “Realized Gains (Losses) and Other Settlements on Insured Derivatives” includes claims payable and recoveries thereof, respectively, only after a credit event has occurred that would require a payment under contract terms. The “Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Insured Derivatives” includes all other changes in fair value of the derivative contracts (which is due primarily to changes in the underlying credit risk of the referenced obligations).

In determining the fair value, we use various valuation approaches with priority given to observable market prices when they are available. Market prices are generally available for traded securities and market standard CDSs but are less available or unavailable for highly-customized CDSs. Most of the derivative contracts we insure are structured credit derivative transactions that are not traded and do not have observable market prices. Typical market CDSs are standardized, liquid instruments that reference tradable securities such as corporate bonds that also have observable prices. These market standard CDSs also involve collateral posting, and upon a default of the reference bond, can be settled in cash.

In contrast, our insured CDS contracts do not contain the typical CDS market standard features as described above but have been customized to replicate our financial guarantee insurance policies. Our insured derivative instruments provide protection on a specified or managed pool of securities or CDS with a deductible or subordination level. We are not required to post collateral, and upon default of the underlying reference obligation, we make payments on a “pay-as-you-go” basis for any underlying reference obligation only after the subordination in a transaction is exhausted.

Our payment obligations after a default vary by deal and by insurance type. There are three primary types of policy payment requirements:

(i) timely interest and ultimate principal;

(ii) ultimate principal only at final maturity; and

(iii) payments upon settlement of individual collateral losses as they occur upon erosion of deal deductibles.

Our insured credit derivative policies are structured to prevent large one-time claims upon an event of default and to allow for payments over time (i.e. “pay as you go” basis) or at final maturity. Also, each insured CDS we enter into is governed by a single transaction International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreement relating only to that particular transaction/insurance policy. There is no requirement for mark-to-market termination payments, under most monoline standard termination provisions, upon the early termination of the insured CDS. However, some contracts have mark-to-market termination payments for termination events within our control. An additional difference between our CDS and the typical market standard CDS is that there is no acceleration of the payment to be made under our insured CDS contract unless we elect to accelerate at our option. Furthermore, by law, these contracts are unconditional and irrevocable, and cannot be transferred to most other capital market participants as they are not licensed to write insurance contracts. Through reinsurance, the risk of loss (but not counterparty risk) on these contracts can be transferred to other financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance companies.

 

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As a result of these differences, we believe there are no relevant third party “exit value” market observations for our insured credit derivative contracts. Accordingly, there is no principal market for such highly structured insured credit derivatives under SFAS 157. In the absence of a principal market, we value these insured credit derivatives in a hypothetical market where the market participants include other monoline financial guarantee insurers that have similar credit ratings or spreads as us. Since there are no active market transactions in our exposures, we generally use vendor-developed and proprietary models, depending on the type and structure of the contract, to estimate the fair value of our derivative contracts.

Our insured CDS valuation model simulates what a bond insurer would charge to guarantee the transactions at the measurement date, based on the market-implied default risk of the underlying collateral and the subordination. Implicit in this approach is the notion that bond insurers would be willing to accept these contracts from us at a price equal to what they could issue them for in the current market. The majority of our transactions are valued using a probabilistic approach to price the risk associated with our exposure on the credit derivative contract. We apply a Binomial Expansion Technique (“BET”) based model to the transaction structures to derive a probabilistic measure of expected loss for our exposure using market pricing on the underlying collateral within the transaction. At any point in time, the mark-to-market gain or loss on a transaction is the difference between the original price of risk (the original market-implied expected loss) and the current price of the risk. The Company reports the net premiums received and receivable on written insured CDS transactions in “Realized Gains (Losses) and Other settlements on Insured Derivatives.” Other changes in fair value of the derivative contracts (which is due primarily to changes in the underlying credit risk of the referenced obligations) are reported in the “Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Insured Derivatives.” See “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” for further information.

The BET was developed and published by Moody’s and provides an alternative to simulation models in estimating a probability distribution of losses on a diverse pool of assets. The model that we use has been modified from the Moody’s version as described below. The distribution of expected losses can then be applied to a specific transaction structure in order to size the expected losses of different risk exposure tranches within a structured transaction. We use the BET model, together with the market price for the underlying collateral to estimate fair value of our insured credit derivatives.

The primary strengths of our CDS modeling techniques are:

 

  1) The model takes account of transaction structure and the key drivers of market value. The transaction structure includes par insured, weighted average life, level of subordination and composition of collateral.

 

  2) The model is a well-documented, consistent approach to marking positions that minimizes the level of subjectivity since it was originally developed by Moody's Investors Service and has been modified by MBIA. The model structure, inputs and operation are well-documented so there are strong controls around the execution of the model. MBIA has also developed a hierarchy for market-based spread inputs that helps reduce the level of subjectivity, especially during periods of high illiquidity.

 

  3) The model uses market inputs whenever they are available. The key inputs to the BET model are market-based spreads for the collateral, assumed recovery rates specific to the asset class and rating of the collateral, and diversity score. These are viewed by MBIA to be the key parameters that affect fair value of the transaction and, to the extent practicable, the inputs are market-based inputs.

Refer to “Assumptions” and “Inputs” sections below for further information.

The primary weaknesses of our CDS modeling techniques are:

 

  1) There is no market in which to verify the fair values developed by our model, and at March 31, 2008, the markets for the inputs to the model were highly illiquid, which impacts their reliability.

 

  2) There is diversity of approach to marking these transactions among the monolines.

 

  3) The averaging of spreads in our model and use of a diversity factor rather than a more granular approach to modeling spreads and a dynamic correlation approach may distort results. Neither the data nor the analytical tools exist today to be more specific in our calculation of fair value.

 

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This approach is used to value almost all of the CDSs on tranched portfolios of credits (“portfolio CDS”) or on senior tranches of collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) of the insured portfolio. Listed below are various inputs and assumptions that are key within this approach.

Assumptions

The key assumptions of the BET model include:

 

   

Collateral default probabilities are determined by spreads which are based on market data when available

 

   

Collateral in the portfolio is generally considered on an average basis instead of modeling each piece of collateral separately

 

   

Correlation is modeled using a diversity score, which is calculated based on rules regarding industry or sector concentrations

 

   

Defaults are modeled such that they are spaced evenly over time

 

   

Recovery rates are based on historical averages and updated as market evidence warrants

The main modifications we have made to the BET developed by Moody’s are that a) we use market credit spreads, when available and reliable, to determine default probability instead of using historical loss experience, and b) for collateral pools where the spread distribution is characterized by extremes we model each segment of the pool individually instead of using an overall pool average.

Inputs

The specific model inputs are listed below, including how we derive inputs for market credit spreads on the underlying transaction collateral, how we determine credit quality (using a Weighted Average Rating Factor (“WARF”)), diversity estimation, and recovery rates.

 

   

Credit spreads – These are obtained from market data sources published by third parties (e.g. dealer spread tables for the collateral similar to assets within our transactions) as well as collateral-specific spreads provided by trustees or obtained from market sources. If observable market credit spreads are not available or reliable for the underlying reference obligations, then market data is used that most closely resembles the underlying reference obligations, considering asset class, credit quality rating and maturity of the underlying reference obligations. This data is obtained from recognized sources and is reviewed on an ongoing basis for reasonableness and applicability to our derivative portfolio.

We use the following spread hierarchy in determining which source of spread to use, with the rule being to use CDS spreads where available. If not available, then we use cash security spreads.

 

  1. Actual collateral specific credit spreads (if up-to-date and reliable market based spreads are available, they are used)

 

  2. Sector specific spreads (such as dealer provided spread tables by asset class and rating)

 

  3. Corporate spreads (corporate spread tables based on rating)

 

  4. Benchmark from most relevant spread source (if no specific spreads are available and corporate spreads are not directly relevant, an assumed relationship will be used between corporate spreads or sector specific spreads and collateral spreads)

For example, if current market based spreads are not available then we utilize sector specific spreads from spread tables provided by dealers or a corporate cash spread tables. The generic spread utilized is based on the nature of the underlying collateral in the deal. Deals with corporate collateral use the corporate spread table. Deals with asset backed collateral use one or more of the dealer asset backed tables as discussed below. If there are no observable market spreads for the specific collateral, and sector-specific and corporate spread tables are not appropriate to estimate the spread of a given type of collateral, we use the fourth alternative in our hierarchy. An example is tranched corporate collateral. In that case we use corporate spreads as an input and estimates the spread on the tranched position based on an assumed relationship to take account of the tranched structure. In each case the priority is to use information for CDS spreads if available, and cash spreads as a second priority.

Over time the data inputs can change as new sources become available or existing sources are discontinued or are no longer considered to be the most appropriate. It is the objective of the Company to move to higher levels on the hierarchy whenever possible, but it is sometimes necessary to move to lower priority inputs because of discontinued data sources or assessments that the higher priority inputs are no longer considered to be representative of market spreads for a given type of collateral. This can happen, for example, if transaction volume changes such that a previously used spread index is no longer viewed as being reflective of current market levels. The Company believes such a circumstance existed for CMBS collateral in insured CDSs during the first quarter of 2008. See section “Impact of Current Market Conditions on Data Inputs for CMBS Transactions” below for further discussions.

 

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The process provides for a monthly update for the percentage of each type of collateral in each deal based on the most up-to-date reporting received from the respective trustees. Using the most recent monthly applicable market spread data based on the hierarchy above, we then calculate a weighted average spread to be used in the valuation process (i.e., the spread for each component of collateral is weighted by its percentage of total collateral to calculate the weighted average spread).

If collateral-specific spreads are not available, the WARF is used to determine the credit rating which is used to determine the appropriate spread. This is a 10,000 point scale designed by Moody’s where lower numbers indicate better ratings. Because the difference in default probability between AA1 and AA2 is much less than between B1 and B2, the ratings are not spaced equally on this scale. The WARF is obtained from the most recent trustee’s report or calculated by us based on the credit ratings of the collateral in the transaction. In determining WARF, Moody’s ratings are used for collateral if they are available, and if not, then S&P and then Fitch ratings are used.

 

   

Diversity Scores – The diversity of industry or asset class is calculated internally, if not reported by the trustee on a regular basis. A lower diversity score will negatively impact the valuation for our senior tranche since a low diversity score represents higher assumed correlation, increasing the chances of a large number of defaults, and thereby increasing the risk of loss in the senior tranche.

 

   

Recovery Rate – Represents the percentage of par to be recovered from asset defaults. Our recovery rate assumptions are based on historical averages. We use rating agency data and adjust the reported recovery rates to take account of specific collateral in the insured derivative. Recovery rates for RMBS collateral in the multi-sector CDO portfolio were updated with lower levels in the first quarter of 2008 based on limited market observations.

The aggregate market value of the entire collateral pool is specified by market spreads. The BET model uses these inputs (collateral spreads, diversity score and recovery rates) along with the transaction structure and subordination level to allocate value between the different tranches of the transaction. There can often be several tranches, including multiple subordinated tranches, and the BET can allocate values to each tranche. We only use the value ascribed to the most senior tranche that is insured by us. The level of subordination below our exposure or credit tranche is a very significant factor that affects the estimated fair values of our exposure as subordination below our exposure absorbs all losses in the transaction’s underlying portfolio before any claim is made on our insurance policy. Most of our insured structured credit derivatives have subordination at inception of the transaction that is in excess of that required for the most senior triple-A rating within a transaction.

The assumed credit quality, the assumed credit spread for credit risk exclusive of funding costs and the appropriate reference credit index or price source are significant assumptions that, if changed, could result in materially different fair values. Accordingly, market perceptions of credit deterioration would result in the increase in the expected exit value (amount required to be paid to exit the transaction due to wider credit spreads).

The following table presents the net par outstanding as of March 31, 2008 and Net unrealized losses on insured derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2008 by fair value technique of all insured credit derivatives within our insurance portfolio.

 

In millions

   % of
Net Par
Outstanding
    Net Par
Outstanding
   Net Unrealized
Losses
 

Binomial expansion valuation model

   95.9 %   $ 131,052    $ (3,519 )

Specific dealer quotes

   0.6       777      (60 )

Other

   3.5       4,837      2  
                     

Total

   100.0 %   $ 136,666    $ (3,577 )
                     

The Company’s investment management services operations and corporate operations enter into OTC derivatives, such as interest rate swaps, currency swaps, credit default swaps and total return swaps, which predominately trade in liquid markets. The fair values for these derivatives are either based on specific dealer quotes or estimated using valuation models that combine observable market prices and market data inputs. For further information regarding our derivative portfolio, see the “Market Risk” section included herein.

Impact of Current Market Conditions on Data Inputs for CMBS Transactions

Approximately $40 billion of the par of transactions subject to SFAS 133 include substantial amounts of CMBS and commercial mortgage collateral. In prior periods, the spreads implied by the pricing on the CMBX indices had been used for the spreads on the underlying collateral. In light of the current market conditions, we believe that there was a significant disconnect in the first quarter between cumulative loss expectations of MBIA and market analysts on underlying commercial mortgages and the loss expectations implied by the CMBX index or the CMBS spread tables we had been using. Commercial mortgage securities were experiencing historically low default and loss rates, and all the transactions in MBIA’s portfolio also have performed in line with this, as well as continuing to be rated AAA.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Transaction volume in CMBS and trading activity in the CMBX were both at dramatically lower levels in the quarter than they had been in prior periods, and the implied loss rates on underlying mortgages in MBIA’s spread sources of these markets were far higher than that forecast by fundamental researchers and MBIA’s internal analysis. In addition, the implied illiquidity premium on the index, in the context of MBIA’s model, implied that monoline insurers would capture 100% of the changes in spread on the underlying collateral, which has not been the case in other periods of market illiquidity (since monoline insurers have “buy and hold” portfolios, spread changes that reflect illiquidity versus changes in perceived credit fundamentals typically are not reflected in pricing). As a result, the CMBX indices and the CMBS spread tables were deemed to be unreliable model inputs for the purpose of estimating fair value in our hypothetical market among monoline insurers. Had MBIA continued to use the same input sources that were used in the fourth quarter of 2007, the resulting mark-to-market would have increased pre-tax loss by approximately $1.4 billion.

Our revised model input combines the expectations for CMBS credit performance as forecasted by the average of two investment banks’ research departments with the illiquidity premium implied by the CMBX indices. The relative spread levels and tranche structure of the CMBX indices were used to calculate spreads for each credit quality and vintage. The result was an analog index that was used as an alternative input in our BET-based approach.

Nonperformance Risk Adjustment

In compliance with requirements of SFAS 157, effective January 1, 2008, the Company updated its valuation methodology for insured credit derivative liabilities to incorporate the Company’s own nonperformance risk. This was calculated by discounting at LIBOR plus MBIA CDS spreads the estimated market value loss on insured CDSs at March 31, 2008. This resulted in a pre-tax $3.6 billion reduction in fair value of the derivative liability. Nonperformance risk is a fair value concept and does not contradict the Company’s internal view, based on fundamental credit analysis, that the Company will be able to pay all claims when due. For its ceded insured credit derivatives portfolio, the Company also made credit valuation adjustments by incorporating the nonperformance risk of the reinsurer.

Fair Value Hierarchy — Level 3

SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The objective of a fair value measurement is to determine 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 (an exit price). The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Instruments that trade infrequently and therefore have little or no price transparency are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Also included in Level 3 are financial instruments that have significant unobservable inputs that are deemed significant to the instrument’s overall fair value. The Company performs a detailed review process of the inputs used to derive fair value of its financial instruments to determine which instruments are classified within level. This process is performed by personnel independent of the trading function who corroborate valuations to external market data (e.g., quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, third-party pricing vendors, recent trading activity and comparative analyses to similar instruments). The methodologies we use to value instruments classified within Level 3 are described in detail below.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following table presents the fair values of assets and liabilities recorded on our balance sheet that are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, along with a brief description of the valuation technique for each type of asset:

Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of March 31, 2008

 

In millions

   March 31, 2008   

Valuation Technique

Investments:

     

Foreign governments

   $ 58.7    Quoted prices for which the inputs are unobservable

Corporate obligations

     1,861.9    Quoted prices for which the inputs are unobservable

Mortgage-backed

     862.2    Quoted prices for which the inputs are unobservable

Asset-backed

     3,029.4    Quoted prices for which the inputs are unobservable

Investments pledged as collateral

     50.2    Quoted prices for which the inputs are unobservable

Other investments

     85.0    Valuation models with significant unobservable inputs

Derivative assets

     1,387.8    Valuation models with significant unobservable inputs
         

Total Level 3 assets at fair value

   $ 7,335.2   
         

Medium-term notes

   $ 354.1   

Quoted prices or cash flow model for which the inputs are unobservable

Derivative liabilities

     8,308.6    Valuation models with significant unobservable inputs
         

Total Level 3 liabilities at fair value

   $ 8,662.7   
         

Level 3 assets were $7.3 billion as of March 31, 2008, and represented approximately 22.5% of total assets measured at fair value. Level 3 liabilities were $8.7 billion as of March 31, 2008, and represented approximately 90.7% of total liabilities measured at fair value.

Net transfers into Level 3 were $99.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. These transfers were principally for available-for-sale securities where inputs, which are significant to their valuation, became unobservable or observable during the quarter. Foreign governments, corporate obligations, mortgage-backed securities, asset-back securities and investments pledged as collateral constituted the majority of the affected instruments. The net unrealized loss related to the transfers in (out) of Level 3 as of March 31, 2008 was $66.6 million.

Fair Value Control Processes

A control infrastructure, independent of the insurance and investment functions, is fundamental to ensuring that our financial instruments are appropriately valued at market-clearing levels (i.e., exit prices) and that fair value measurements are reliable.

The Company employs control processes to validate the fair value of its financial instruments, including those derived from pricing models. These control processes are designed to assure that the values used for financial reporting are based on observable inputs wherever possible. In the event that observable inputs are not available, the control processes are designed to assure that the valuation approach utilized is appropriate and consistently applied and that the assumptions are reasonable. These control processes include reviews of the pricing model’s theoretical soundness and appropriateness by Company personnel with relevant expertise who are independent from the insurance and investment operating groups. Additionally, groups within the Market Risk department who are independent from the operating groups participate in the review and validation of the fair values generated from pricing models, as appropriate. Where a pricing model is used to determine fair value, recently executed comparable transactions and other observable market data are considered for purposes of validating assumptions underlying the model.

The Company maintains an ongoing review of its valuation models and has formal procedures for the approval and control of data inputs. The Company employs an oversight structure that includes appropriate segregation of duties. Senior management, independent of the insurance and investment functions, is responsible for the oversight of control and valuation policies and for reporting the results of these policies to our Audit Committee. See “Market Risk” below for a further discussion of how the Company manages the risks inherent in valuing financial instruments.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In April 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39.” FSP FIN 39-1 permits a reporting entity that is a party to a master netting agreement to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting agreement. FSP FIN 39-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and is required to be applied retrospectively for all financial statements presented unless it is impracticable to do so. The Company adopted the provisions of the FSP beginning January 1, 2008 and elected not to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral under a master netting agreement against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting agreement. The Company will continue to elect not to offset the fair value amounts recognized for derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” effective January 1, 2008. SFAS 159 provides entities the option to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period. SFAS 159 permits the fair value option election on an instrument-by-instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument. The Company applies the disclosure requirements of SFAS 159 for certain eligible instruments which it previously elected to fair value under SFAS 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments.” These instruments included medium-term notes and available-for-sale securities which contained embedded derivatives requiring bifurcation. The Company did not elect the fair value option under SFAS 159 for any eligible financial instruments.

The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” excluding non-financial assets and liabilities per FSP No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” beginning January 1, 2008. SFAS 157 defines fair value as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. SFAS 157 requires that fair value measurement reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on the best information available. Assumptions include the risks inherent in a particular valuation technique (such as a pricing model) and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the model. SFAS 157 also clarifies that an issuer’s credit standing should be considered when measuring liabilities at fair value. SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-2, which delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). A transition adjustment to opening retained earnings was not required. Upon adoption, the credit valuation adjustment to incorporate the Company’s own nonperformance risk on the insured credit derivatives liabilities resulted in a reduction in fair value of $3.6 billion of the derivative liability as of March 31, 2008.

Recent Accounting Developments

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” SFAS 161 expands the disclosure requirements about an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. The disclosure provisions of SFAS 161 apply to all entities with derivative instruments subject to SFAS 133 and its related interpretations. The provisions also apply to related hedged items, bifurcated derivatives, and non-derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments. It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. MBIA will adopt the disclosure provisions of SFAS 161 on January 1, 2009. Since SFAS 161 requires only additional disclosures concerning derivatives and hedging activities, adoption of SFAS 161 will not affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 140-3, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions.” FSP No. FAS 140-3 requires an initial transfer of a financial asset and a repurchase financing that was entered into contemporaneously with or in contemplation of the initial transfer to be evaluated as a linked transaction under SFAS 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities” unless certain criteria are met. FSP No. FAS 140-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and will be applied to new transactions entered into after the date of adoption. Early adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting FSP No. FAS 140-3.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, “Noncontrolling interests in Consolidated Financial Statements,” an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51. SFAS 160 requires reporting entities to present noncontrolling (minority) interest as equity (as opposed to liability or mezzanine equity) and provides guidance on the accounting for transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption is prohibited. MBIA is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 160 and their potential impact on the Company’s financial statements.

On April 18, 2007, the FASB issued an Exposure Draft (“ED”) entitled “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts,” an interpretation of SFAS 60, with a 60-day comment period. On September 4, 2007, the FASB Board held a public roundtable meeting with respondents to the ED to discuss significant issues raised in the comment letters. Since the roundtable, the FASB Board re-deliberated on some of the issues raised. The ED clarifies how SFAS 60 applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts issued by insurance enterprises, including the methodologies to account for premium revenue and claim liabilities, as well as related disclosures. The proposals contained in the ED are not considered final accounting guidance until the FASB completes its due process procedures and issues a final statement, which could differ from the ED. Under the ED, or the re-deliberated meetings, MBIA would be required to recognize premium revenue by applying a fixed percentage of premium to the amount of exposure outstanding at each reporting period (referred to as the level-yield approach). The proposed recognition approach for a claim liability would require MBIA to recognize a claim liability when there is an expectation that a claim loss will exceed the unearned premium revenue (liability) on a policy basis based on the present value of expected cash flows. Additionally, the ED would require MBIA to provide expanded disclosures relating to factors affecting the recognition and measurement of financial guarantee contracts.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The final statement is expected to be issued in the second quarter of 2008 with an effective date of January 1, 2009 except for the disclosure of a surveillance list, which could be effective as early as the third quarter of 2008. The cumulative effect of initially applying the final statement will be recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year. MBIA is in the process of evaluating how the ED and subsequent re-deliberated decisions will impact its financial statements. Until final guidance is issued by the FASB and is effective, MBIA will continue to apply its existing policies with respect to the establishment of both case basis and unallocated loss reserves and the recognition of premium revenue. A further description of the Company’s loss reserving and premium recognition policies are included in “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary of Consolidated Results

The following table presents highlights of our consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

     1st Quarter  

In millions except per share amounts

   2008     2007  

Revenues:

    

Insurance

   $ (3,148 )   $ 370  

Investment management services

     235       356  

Corporate

     (37 )     10  

Eliminations

     (6 )     (6 )
                

Total revenues

     (2,956 )     730  
                

Expenses:

    

Insurance

     396       91  

Investment management services

     327       339  

Corporate

     27       29  

Eliminations

     (6 )     (6 )
                

Total expenses

     744       453  
                

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (1,293 )     78  
                

Net income (loss)

   $ (2,407 )   $ 199  
                

Net income (loss) per diluted share

   $ (13.03 )   $ 1.46  

Consolidated revenues were a loss of $3.0 billion in the first quarter of 2008 compared with income of $730 million in the first quarter of 2007. The decline in insurance revenues resulted from a $3.6 billion unrealized loss on insured derivatives, which primarily resulted from adverse changes in the fair value of the Company’s insurance credit derivative portfolio. The investment management services operations’ revenues decreased primarily due to other-than-temporary impairments of certain available-for-sale securities and a decrease in interest income from asset/liability products. Consolidated expenses increased 64% to $744 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $453 million in the first quarter of 2007. This increase was principally due to an increase in loss and LAE incurred in the insurance operations reflecting $265 million of additional loss and LAE related to our insured prime, second-lien RMBS exposure. We recorded a net loss for the first quarter of 2008 of $2.4 billion compared with net income of $199 million for the first quarter of 2007. Net loss per diluted share was $13.03 for the first quarter of 2008 compared with net income per diluted share of $1.46 for the first quarter of 2007.

The Company’s book value at March 31, 2008 was $8.70 per share, down 70% from $29.16 per share at December 31, 2007. The decrease was principally driven by an increase in common shares outstanding, which resulted from the issuance of common stock in the first quarter of 2008, and, to a lesser extent, net losses from operations and unrealized losses recorded on the Company’s available-for-sale investment portfolio in the first quarter of 2008.

Insurance Operations

The Company’s insurance operations principally comprise the activities of MBIA Corp. MBIA Corp. issues financial guarantees for municipal bonds, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, investor-owned utility bonds, bonds backed by publicly or privately funded public purpose projects, bonds issued by sovereign and sub-sovereign entities, obligations collateralized by diverse pools of corporate loans and pools of corporate and asset-backed bonds, both in the new issue and secondary markets. Additionally, MBIA Corp. has insured CDSs primarily on pools of collateral, which it previously considered part of its core financial guarantee business.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The municipal obligations that MBIA Corp. insures include tax-exempt and taxable indebtedness of states, counties, cities, utility districts and other political subdivisions, as well as airports, higher education and healthcare facilities and similar authorities and obligations issued by private entities that finance projects which serve a substantial public purpose. The asset-backed and structured finance obligations insured by MBIA Corp. typically consist of securities that are payable from or which are tied to the performance of a specified pool of assets that have an expected cash flow. Securities of this type include collateral consisting of residential and commercial mortgages, a variety of consumer loans, corporate loans and bonds, trade and export receivables, aircraft, equipment and real property leases, and infrastructure projects.

In certain cases, the Company may be required to consolidate entities established as part of securitizations when it insures the assets or liabilities of those entities. These entities typically meet the definition of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) under FIN 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities and Interpretation of ARB No 51.” We do not believe there is any difference in the risks and profitability of financial guarantees provided to VIEs compared with other financial guarantees written by the Company. Additional information relating to VIEs is contained in the “Variable Interest Entities” section included herein.

The following table presents the financial results of the insurance operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. These results include revenues and expenses from transactions with the Company’s investment management services and corporate operations. Beginning with financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2008, net premiums written no longer include premiums from insured derivatives. Additionally, premiums earned and fees related to insured derivatives are no longer reported within “Premiums earned” and “Fees and reimbursements,” respectively, but are instead reported within “Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives” and changes in the fair values of insured derivatives are no longer reported within “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange” but are instead reported within “Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives.” These reclassifications resulted from an industry-wide effort, in consultation with the SEC, to present the results of financial guarantees written in derivative form consistently. Prior periods have been adjusted to conform to the current presentation, which had no effect on total revenues or total expenses.

 

     1st Quarter     Percent Change
2008 vs. 2007
 

In millions

   2008     2007    

Net premiums written

   $ 106     $ 179     (41 )%

Premiums earned

     164       193     (15 )%

Net investment income

     153       142     7 %

Fees and reimbursements

     0       10     (102 )%

Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives

     34       21     60 %

Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives

     (3,577 )     (2 )   n/m  
                      

Net change in fair value of insured derivatives

     (3,543 )     19     n/m  

Net realized gains (losses)

     19       1     n/m  

Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange

     60       5     n/m  
                      

Total revenues

     (3,148 )     370     n/m  
                      

Losses and loss adjustment

     288       20     n/m  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

     15       17     (6 ) %

Operating

     46       32     42 %

Interest expense

     47       22     115 %
                      

Total expenses

     396       91     333 %
                      

Pre-tax income (loss)

   $ (3,544 )   $ 278     n/m  
                      

 

n/m—Percentage change not meaningful.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Total revenues from our insurance operations in the first quarter of 2008 were a loss of $3.1 billion compared with income of $370 million in the first quarter of 2007. The decline in insurance operations’ revenues in the first quarter of 2008 was due to a $3.6 billion loss resulting from adverse changes in the fair value of the Company’s insurance credit derivative portfolio. Declines in premium and fee revenues from significantly less business written were partially offset by increases in gains from sales of securities and gains from fair valuing our Committed Preferred Custodial Trust (“CPCT”) credit facility. Total expenses from our insurance operations in the first quarter of 2008 were $396 million compared with $91 million in the first quarter of 2007. The increase in insurance expenses was due to $265 million of additional loss and LAE related to our prime, second-lien RMBS exposure, an increase in operating expenses related to a decline in deferrable acquisition costs and interest expense associated with our newly issued surplus notes. Gross operating expenses (expenses before ceding commission income and the deferral or amortization of acquisition costs) decreased 39% to $38 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the first quarter of 2007 as a result of a reversal of 2007 compensation expenses related to bonus and long-term incentive awards. Gross operating expenses were less than operating expenses reported on our Statement of Operations for the first three months of 2008 as a result of the reversal of 2007 compensation expenses that were previously deferred as acquisition costs.

Gross premiums written (“GPW”), net premiums written (“NPW”) and net premiums earned on non-derivative financial guarantees for the first three months of 2008 and 2007 are presented in the following table:

 

     1st Quarter    Percent Change  

In millions

   2008    2007    2008 vs. 2007  

Gross premiums written:

        

U.S.

   $ 85    $ 124    (32 )%

Non-U.S.

     40      73    (45 )%
                    

Total

   $ 125    $ 197    (37 )%

Net premiums written:

        

U.S.

   $ 75    $ 116    (35 )%

Non-U.S.

     31      63    (51 )%
                    

Total

   $ 106    $ 179    (41 )%

Net premiums earned:

        

U.S.

   $ 118    $ 149    (21 )%

Non-U.S.

     46      44    4 %
                    

Total

   $ 164    $ 193    (15 )%

GPW reflects premiums received and accrued for in the period and does not include the present value of future cash receipts expected from installment premium policies originated during the period. GPW was $125 million in the first quarter of 2008, down 37% from the first quarter of 2007. The decrease in GPW was the result of a decline in global public finance premiums written as our insurance products were less attractive to public finance issuers given the uncertainty of rating agency actions on our insurance financial strength ratings over the last several months. However, global structured finance premiums increased in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the same period of 2007 principally due to installment-based business written during 2007.

NPW, which represents gross premiums written net of premiums ceded to reinsurers, decreased 41% to $106 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $179 million in the first quarter of 2007. The decrease in the first quarter of 2008 was a result of the decrease in GPW and an increase in premiums ceded to reinsurers. Premiums ceded to reinsurers from all insurance operations were $19 million or 15% of GPW in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $18 million or 9% of GPW in the first quarter of 2007. Reinsurance enables the Company to cede exposure and comply with its single risk and other credit guidelines, although the Company continues to be primarily liable on the insurance policies it underwrites.

Net premiums earned include scheduled premium earnings as well as premium earnings from refunded issues. Net premiums earned in the first quarter of 2008 of $164 million decreased 15% from $193 million in the first quarter of 2007. The decrease was due to an 80% decrease in refunded premiums earned partially offset by a 2% increase in scheduled premiums earned. The decrease in refunded premiums earned resulted from lower refunding activity by municipal issuers in the first quarter of 2008.

MBIA evaluates the premium rates it charges for insurance guarantees through the use of internal and external rating agency quantitative models. These models assess the Company’s premium rates and return on capital results on a risk adjusted basis. In addition, market research data is used to evaluate pricing levels across the financial guarantee industry for comparable risks, as well as pricing for similar risks in the bank loan, bond and CDS markets, when available. Since 2005, domestic municipal spreads contracted to tighter levels through mid-2007. Since mid-2007, in light of credit market volatility, we have also noticed spreads moving wider, in particular in the domestic municipal sectors. We expect that over time this may result in an increase in premium rates.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

CREDIT QUALITY Financial guarantee insurance companies use a variety of approaches to assess the underlying credit risk profile of their insured portfolios. MBIA uses both an internally developed credit rating system as well as third-party rating sources in the analysis of credit quality measures of its insured portfolio. In evaluating credit risk, we obtain, when available, the underlying rating of the insured obligation before the benefit of its insurance policy from nationally recognized rating agencies (Moody’s, S&P and Fitch). All references to insured credit quality distributions contained herein reflect the underlying rating levels from these third-party sources. Other companies within the financial guarantee industry may report credit quality information based upon internal ratings that would not be comparable to our presentation.

Total net par insured rated A or above, before giving effect to MBIA’s guarantee, was 57% for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared with 80% during the same period of 2007. The decline in the percent rated A or above reflects a change in the mix of business written during each period. At March 31, 2008, 82% of the Company’s outstanding net par insured was rated A or above before giving effect to MBIA’s guarantee, which was unchanged from March 31, 2007. The following table presents the credit quality distribution of MBIA’s outstanding net par insured as of March 31, 2008 and 2007. All ratings are as of the period presented and represent S&P ratings. If transactions are not rated by S&P, a Moody’s equivalent rating is used. If transactions are not rated by either S&P or Moody’s, a MBIA equivalent rating is used.

Rating

 

      As of March 31, 2008
Net Par Outstanding
    As of March 31, 2007
Net Par Outstanding
 

In thousands

   Amount    %     Amount    %  

AAA

   $ 158,676    23.8 %   $ 142,620    22.5 %

AA

     188,575    28.2       177,304    27.9  

A

     202,033    30.3       197,645    31.1  

BBB

     108,666    16.3       105,784    16.6  

Below BBB

     9,868    1.4       11,895    1.9  
                          

Total

   $ 667,818    100.0 %   $ 635,248    100.0 %

GLOBAL PUBLIC FINANCE MARKET MBIA’s premium writings and premium earnings in both the new issue and secondary global public finance markets on non-derivative financial guarantees are presented in the following table:

Global Public Finance

 

     1st Quarter    Percent Change  

In millions

   2008    2007    2008 vs. 2007  

Gross premiums written:

        

U.S.

   $ 26    $ 67    (61 )%

Non-U.S.

     20      54    (62 )%
                    

Total

   $ 46    $ 121    (62 )%

Net premiums written:

        

U.S.

   $ 24    $ 66    (64 )%

Non-U.S.

     16      49    (68 )%
                    

Total

   $ 40    $ 115    (66 )%

Net premiums earned:

        

U.S.

   $ 68    $ 100    (32 )%

Non-U.S.

     29      28    3 %
                    

Total

   $ 97    $ 128    (25 )%

Global public finance GPW decreased 62% in the first quarter of 2008 to $46 million from $121 million in the first quarter of 2007. This decline was due to a 61% decrease in U.S. business written primarily in the special revenue, higher education and general obligation sectors, and a 62% decrease in non-U.S. business written primarily in the transportation and utilities sectors. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in the U.S. health care sector. Both U.S. and non-U.S. business written in the first quarter of 2008 was adversely affected by concerns about rating agency actions related to our insurance financial strength ratings over the last several months. NPW decreased 66% in the first quarter of 2008 to $40 million from $115 million in the first quarter of 2007 as a result of the decrease in GPW. The global public finance cession rate for business written during the first quarter of 2008 was 14% compared with 5% in the first quarter of 2007. Global public finance net premiums earned decreased 25% to $97 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $128 million in the first quarter of 2007. The decrease was due to

 

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an 81% decrease in refunded premiums earned while scheduled premiums earned decreased 1%. The decrease in refunded premiums earned was consistent with an observed overall decline in the refunding of debt obligations by municipal issuers compared with the first quarter of 2007.

Global public finance net par insured rated A or above, before giving effect to MBIA’s guarantee, represented 84% of global public finance business written by the Company during the first quarter of 2008, compared with 92% during the first quarter of 2007. At March 31, 2008, 84% of the outstanding global public finance net par insured was rated A or above before MBIA’s guarantee, up from 83% at March 31, 2007.

GLOBAL STRUCTURED FINANCE MARKET MBIA’s premium writings and premium earnings in both the new issue and secondary global structured finance markets on non-derivative financial guarantees are presented in the following table:

Global Structured Finance

 

     1st Quarter    Percent Change  

In millions

   2008    2007    2008 vs. 2007  

Gross premiums written:

        

U.S.

   $ 59    $ 57    2 %

Non-U.S.

     20      19    5 %
                    

Total

   $ 79    $ 76    3 %

Net premiums written:

        

U.S.

   $ 51    $ 50    2 %

Non-U.S.

     15      14    7 %
                    

Total

   $ 66    $ 64    3 %

Net premiums earned:

        

U.S.

   $ 50    $ 49    2 %

Non-U.S.

     17      16    6 %
                    

Total

   $ 67    $ 65    3 %

Global structured finance GPW increased 3% in the first quarter of 2008 to $79 million from $76 million in the first quarter of 2007. The increase in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the same period of 2007 was principally due to installment-based business written during 2007. We only closed two transactions in the first quarter of 2008. As we announced on February 25, 2008, we have suspended the writing of all new structured finance business for approximately six months. The increase in U.S. business written was primarily from prime closed-end mortgage transactions offset by a decrease in high-yield CDOs. The increase in non-U.S. business written was primarily from future flow and prime RMBS transactions. NPW in the first quarter of 2008 increased 3% to $66 million from $64 million in the first quarter of 2007 due to the increase in GPW and a lower cession rate. The global structured finance cession rate for business written during the first quarter of 2008 was 15% compared with 16% for the first quarter of 2007. Global structured finance net premiums earned of $67 million in the first quarter of 2008 were 3% higher than the first quarter of 2007. As structured finance policies are typically collected on an installment basis, the increase in net premiums earned was commensurate with the increase in U.S. and non-U.S. NPW in the first quarter of 2008.

There was no global structured finance net par insured rated A or above, before giving effect to MBIA’ guarantee, during the first quarter of 2008, compared with 74% during the first quarter of 2007. At March 31, 2008, 79% of the outstanding global structured finance net par insured was rated A or above before giving effect to MBIA’s guarantee, up from 78% as of March 31, 2007.

INVESTMENT INCOME The Company’s insurance-related net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 and ending investment asset balances at amortized cost as of March 31, 2008 and 2007 are presented in the following tables:

 

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Net Investment Income

 

     1st Quarter    Percent Change  

In millions

   2008    2007    2008 vs. 2007  

Investment income

   $ 136    $ 121    12 %

VIE and other investment income (1)

     17      21    (21 )%
                

Pre-tax investment income

   $ 153    $ 142    7 %

After-tax investment income

   $ 121    $ 111    9 %

 

(1)

—Includes investment income related to VIEs and Northwest Airlines’ EETCs and interest received on reimbursed expenses.

Investments at Amortized Cost

 

In millions

   March 31, 2008    Pre-tax yield (1)     December 31, 2007    Pre-tax yield (1)  

Fixed-income securities:

          

Tax-exempt

   $ 6,063    4.57 %   $ 5,347    4.70 %

Taxable

     4,062    5.20 %     3,529    5.46 %

Short-term

     1,836    3.79 %     1,163    4.79 %
                  

Total fixed-income

   $ 11,961    4.67 %   $ 10,039    4.98 %

Other

     1,333        1,356   
                  

Ending asset balances at amortized cost

   $ 13,294      $ 11,395   

 

(1)

—Estimated yield-to-maturity.

The Company’s insurance-related pre-tax net investment income, excluding net realized gains and losses, increased 7% in the first quarter of 2008 to $153 million from $142 million in the first quarter of 2007. After-tax net investment income increased 9% in the first quarter of 2008 as the proportion of taxable investments increased slightly compared with the first quarter of 2007. The increases in net investment income reflect growth in average invested assets from the proceeds of our surplus notes and the Warburg Pincus equity transaction completed in the first quarter of 2008.

VIE interest income is generated from interest bearing assets held by such entities and supports the payment of interest expense on debt issued by these entities. Excluding interest income related to VIEs, interest income related to Northwest Airlines’ enhanced equipment trust certificates received as part of a remediation and interest received on reimbursed expenses, insurance-related net investment income increased 12% on a pre-tax basis and 13% on an after-tax basis in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the same period of 2007. Average investment yields decreased slightly in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the same period of 2007. Ending asset balances at amortized cost, excluding VIE and Northwest Airlines’ enhanced equipment trust certificates assets, were $12.0 billion and $10.1 billion at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

FEES AND REIMBURSEMENTS The Company collects fees for services performed in connection with certain transactions. In addition, the Company may be entitled to reimbursement of third-party expenses that it incurs in connection with certain transactions. Depending upon the type of fee received and whether it is related to an insurance policy, the fee is either earned when it is received or deferred and earned over the life of the related transaction. Work, waiver and consent, termination, administrative and management fees are earned when the related services are completed and the fee is received. Structuring fees and commitment fees are earned on a straight-line basis over the life of the related insurance policy. Expense reimbursements are earned when received.

Fees and reimbursements were $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $10 million in the first quarter of 2007. The decrease in fees and reimbursements was principally related to a $7 million expense reimbursement received in the first quarter of 2007 from the Eurotunnel remediation with no comparable reimbursement in the first quarter of 2008.

NET CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE OF INSURED CREDIT DERIVATIVES MBIA has sold credit protection by insuring CDS contracts with various financial institutions. In certain cases, the Company purchased back-to-back credit protection on a portion of the risk written, primarily from reinsurance companies. We view these insured CDS contracts as part of our financial guarantee business, under which we intend to hold our written and purchased positions for the entire term of the related contracts. These CDS contracts are accounted for at fair value since they do not qualify for the financial guarantee scope exception under SFAS 133, as amended. Changes in fair value of these contracts are recorded in “Net change in fair value of insured derivatives” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The “Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives” component includes (i) net premiums received and receivable on written CDS contracts, (ii) net premiums paid and payable on purchased contracts, (iii) losses paid and payable to CDS contract counterparties due to the occurrence of a credit event, (iv) losses recovered and recoverable on purchased contracts, and (v) fees relating to CDS contracts. The “Unrealized gains (losses) on

 

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insured derivatives” component includes all other changes in fair value. The following table presents the net premiums written related to derivatives and the components of the net change in fair value of insured derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007:

 

     1st Quarter     Percent Change  

In millions

   2008     2007     2008 vs. 2007  

Net premiums written on insured derivatives

   $ 33     $ 22     50 %

Net premiums earned on insured derivatives

     34       21     62 %

Other settlements on insured derivatives

     0       0     n/m  
                      

Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives

     34       21     60 %

Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives

     (3,577 )     (2 )   n/m  
                      

Net change in fair value of insured derivatives

   $ (3,543 )   $ 19     n/m  
                      

 

n/m – Not meaningful.

On February 25, 2008, the Company announced that it has ceased insuring new credit derivative contracts except in transactions related to the reduction of existing derivative exposure. As a result, premiums related to insured credit derivatives will decrease over time as exposure to such transactions declines. Net premiums written and earned in the first quarter of 2008 represent installment premiums from business underwritten in prior periods.

Unrealized losses on insured derivatives in the first quarter of 2008 of $3.6 billion consisted of mark-to-market net losses on insured structured credit derivative contracts primarily resulting from the widening of underlying reference obligation credit spread levels and, to a lesser extent, lower recovery rates, subordination erosion and collateral rating migration, all of which were partially offset by the impact of our own credit risk in accordance with SFAS 157. We estimate that credit impairments on insured derivatives for the first quarter of 2008 were $827 million, consisting of nine CDO transactions for which the Company expects to incur claims payments in the future. In the absence of further credit impairment, the cumulative marks should reverse at the maturity of the insured credit derivatives. These credit derivative contracts have similar terms and conditions to the Company’s non-derivative insurance contracts and are evaluated for impairment under the same monitoring process. Additionally, the Company is not required to post collateral to counterparties of these contracts, thereby avoiding liquidity risks typical of standard credit derivative contracts. Included in the mark-to-market net losses on insured credit derivative contracts are mark-to-market losses relating to exposure ceded to Channel Re. Mark-to-market losses relating to exposure ceded to Channel Re have been adjusted to reflect Channel Re’s ability to pay amounts due to MBIA if theses contracts were to be settled at their current fair value. See the “Reinsurance” section included herein for more information on this adjustment.

The following estimates the attribution of the mark-to-market loss by sector and does not represent actual losses paid due to each attribute:

 

     Attribute  

Sector

(In millions)

   Spread
Widening
    Credit
Migration
    Collateral
Erosion
    Recovery
Rates
    SFAS
157
   Other     Total  

Multi-sector CDO

   $ (1,912 )   $ (422 )   $ (431 )   $ (945 )   $ 1,766    $ 236     $ (1,708 )

Commercial Real Estate/CMBS

     (1,659 )     114       (17 )     —         1,082      (198 )     (678 )

Corporate/Other

     (1,824 )     11       (79 )     —         716      (15 )     (1,191 )
                                                       

Total

   $ (5,395 )   $ (297 )   $ (527 )   $ (945 )   $ 3,564    $ 23     $ (3,577 )
                                                       

For further information on the fair value of derivative instruments, see the preceding “Critical Accounting Estimates” section.

NET REALIZED GAINS AND LOSSES Net realized gains in our insurance operations were $19 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with net realized gains of $1 million in the same period in 2007. Net realized gains and losses are largely due to sales of investment securities from the on-going management of our investment portfolio.

NET GAINS AND LOSSES ON FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AT FAIR VALUE AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE Net gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange in our insurance operations primarily represent changes in the fair value of our CPCT credit facility and changes in the U.S. dollar value of non-U.S. dollar assets and liabilities. Net gains for the first quarter of 2008 were $60 million compared with net gains of $5 million for the same period in 2007. The increase is principally due to a gain from fair valuing our credit facility.

 

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LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES The following table presents the case-specific, reinsurance recoverable and unallocated components of the Company’s total loss and LAE reserves, as well as its loss provision and case basis activity at the end of the first quarter of 2008 and 2007.

 

     1st Quarter    Percent Change  

In millions

   2008    2007    2008 vs. 2007  

Case-specific:

        

Gross

   $ 1,330    $ 334    298 %

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

     108      48    126 %
                    

Net case reserves

   $ 1,222    $ 286    327 %

Unallocated

     213      200    6 %
                    

Net loss and LAE reserves

   $ 1,435    $ 486    195 %
                    

Losses and LAE

   $ 288    $ 20    n/m  

Case basis activity

   $ 510    $ 34    n/m  

 

n/m – Not meaningful.

The Company recorded $288 million in losses and LAE in the first three months of 2008, a $268 million increase from the first three months of 2007. In the first quarter of 2008, the Company recorded $23 million of losses and LAE based on the Company’s policy of applying a loss factor to the insurance segment’s scheduled net earned premium. In addition, in the first quarter of 2008 the Company recorded $265 million of loss and LAE related to our prime, second-lien RMBS exposure. In the first quarter of 2007, the Company recorded $20 million in losses and LAE based on the Company’s loss factor. At March 31, 2008, the Company had $213 million in unallocated loss reserves, which represent the Company’s estimate of losses associated with credit deterioration that has occurred in the Company’s insured portfolio and are available for future case-specific activity. See “Critical Accounting Estimates—Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses” include herein for information regarding the Company’s loss reserving methodology.

Total additions to case basis loss reserves were $510 million during the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared with $34 million during the three months ended March 31, 2007. During the first three months of 2008, case basis activity primarily consisted of case basis reserves related to our prime and near prime, second-lien RMBS exposure. During the first three months of 2007, case basis activity primarily consisted of loss reserves for insured obligations related to the Student Loan Finance Corporation (“SFC”) and a multi-sector CDO. Partially offsetting these loss reserves were reversals of previously established case basis reserves within the aircraft enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETCs”) sector.

In July 2006, Eurotunnel petitioned the Paris Commercial Court for protection from its creditors under a safeguard procedure, a new French reorganization statute with limited similarities to a U.S. Chapter 11 reorganization. On August 2, 2006, the commercial court granted Eurotunnel protection under the safeguard procedure. On January 15, 2007, following approval of a safeguard plan by its creditors, bondholders, vendors and employees, the commercial court approved the safeguard plan and ordered the implementation of the safeguard plan. On June 28, 2007, Eurotunnel implemented the safeguard plan.

Under Eurotunnel’s safeguard plan, holders of Eurotunnel senior debt received cash in full for their claims and, accordingly, MBIA’s exposure to Eurotunnel senior debt was reduced to zero. Additionally, MBIA recovered claim payments it had made with respect to Eurotunnel senior debt. Under the safeguard plan, holders of Eurotunnel Tier 1A debt received cash in full for their claims and, on June 29, 2007, Fixed-Link Finance 2, B.V. (“FLF2”) used that cash to repay all of its outstanding notes and to reimburse MBIA for the 18 million British pound claim payment it made in the first quarter of 2007. MBIA’s exposure to Eurotunnel through FLF2 and to FLF2 debt was reduced to zero. Under the safeguard plan, holders of Eurotunnel Tiers 1 and 2 debt received cash in full for their claims and holders of Eurotunnel Tier 3 debt received approximately 62% of their claims in cash. Fixed-Link Finance, B.V. (“FLF1”) will use the cash received on account of its Tiers 1, 2 and 3 claims to make scheduled interest payments through February 1, 2009, at which time all available cash will be used to repay FLF1’s outstanding notes in order of priority. As a result of this development, S&P raised its ratings on the FLF1 Class A and B notes to AAA/Stable, noting that the recoveries of the Class A and B notes are wholly secured by cash. The Class A and B notes are pari passu with the Class G notes guaranteed by MBIA and recoveries of the Class G notes are also wholly secured by cash. Accordingly, although FLF1 no longer owns any Eurotunnel debt, MBIA remains exposed to FLF1 through February 1, 2009. At March 31, 2008, MBIA’s exposure to FLF1 debt on account of the Class G notes was approximately $793 million in net par outstanding. MBIA has not paid and does not expect to pay any claims with respect to its exposure to FLF1. The Company believes that it will not incur an ultimate loss on its Eurotunnel exposure and, therefore, has not established a case basis loss reserve for this credit.

MBIA insures mortgage-backed securities backed by subprime mortgages directly through residential mortgage-backed securities securitizations and indirectly through CDOs, in which MBIA guarantees the triple-A rated portion of such transactions. Over the

 

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last three quarters, there has been growing stress in the subprime mortgage market, particularly related to mortgage loans originated during 2005, 2006, and 2007. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had $4.2 billion of net par outstanding from direct exposure to the subprime mortgage sector. While transactions guaranteed by MBIA include collateral consisting of mortgages originated during 2005, 2006 and 2007, given the amount of subordination below MBIA’s insured portion of such transactions available to absorb any losses from collateral defaults, MBIA currently does not expect material ultimate losses on these transactions. As of March 31, 2008, there were no insured subprime mortgage transactions with 2005, 2006, and 2007 subprime mortgage collateral appearing on the Company’s Classified List or Caution Lists. An explanation of the Company’s “Classified List” and “Caution Lists” is provided below.

MBIA also insures mortgage-backed securities backed by prime and near prime mortgages, including revolving home equity loans and closed-end second mortgages. In the last three quarters, the Company observed deterioration in the performance of several of its prime and near prime home equity transactions. As of March 31, 2008, MBIA has established case basis reserves of $972 million for future payments. During the first quarter of 2008, the Company paid $108 million in claims, net of reinsurance, on eleven credits in this sector. The Company expects that loss payments on its prime, second-lien mortgage exposure during 2008 will amount to a significant portion of its current reserves for such exposure.

MBIA continues to closely monitor the manufactured housing sector, which has experienced stress during the last several years. MBIA ceased writing business in this sector, other than through certain CDO transactions, in 2000. At March 31, 2008, the Company had $25 million in case basis reserves, net of reinsurance, covering net insured par outstanding of $118 million on three credits within the manufactured housing sector. The Company had additional manufactured housing exposure of $1.7 billion in net insured par outstanding as of March 31, 2008, of which approximately 23% has been placed on the Company’s “Caution List-Medium” and “Caution List-High.”

MBIA’s Insured Portfolio Management (“IPM”) Division is responsible for monitoring MBIA insured issues. The level and frequency of MBIA’s monitoring of any insured issue depends on the type, size, rating and performance of the insured issue. If IPM identifies concerns with respect to the performance of an insured issue it may designate such insured issue as “Caution List-Low,” “Caution List-Medium” or “Caution List-High.” The designation of any insured issue as “Caution List-Medium” or “Caution List-High” is based on the nature and extent of these concerns and requires that an increased monitoring and, if needed, a remediation plan be implemented for the related insured issue.

In the event MBIA determines that it must pay a claim or that a claim is probable and estimable with respect to an insured issue, it places the issue on its “Classified List” and establishes a case basis reserve for that insured issue. As of March 31, 2008, MBIA had 58 open case basis issues on its “Classified List” that had $1,222 million in aggregate case reserves, net of reinsurance. The Company does not establish any case basis reserves for issues that are listed as “Caution List-Low,” “Caution List-Medium” or “Caution List-High” until such issues are placed on the Company’s “Classified List.”

Included in the Company’s case basis reserves are both loss reserves for insured obligations for which a payment default has occurred and MBIA has already paid a claim and also for which a payment default has not yet occurred but a claim is probable and estimable in the future. At March 31, 2008, case basis reserves consisted of the following:

 

Dollars in millions

   Number of case
basis issues
   Loss
Reserve
   Par
Outstanding

Gross of reinsurance:

        

Issues with defaults

   43    $ 809    $ 7,430

Issues without defaults

   15      521      5,768
                  

Total gross

   58    $ 1,330    $ 13,198
                  

Net of reinsurance:

        

Issues with defaults

   43    $ 751    $ 6,904

Issues without defaults

   15      471      5,402
                  

Total net

   58    $ 1,222    $ 12,306
                  

When MBIA becomes entitled to the underlying collateral of an insured credit under salvage and subrogation rights as a result of a claim payment, it records salvage and subrogation as an asset. Such amounts are included in the Company’s balance sheet within “Other assets.” As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had salvage and subrogation assets of $105 million and $108 million, respectively. The decrease in salvage and subrogation assets principally resulted from collection of salvage amounts due to the Company. The amount the Company records as salvage and subrogation may be influenced by several factors during any period, such as the level of claim payments made for which the Company is entitled to reimbursements, amounts collected and impairment write-downs.

The Company has not reflected any potential recoveries as salvage or subrogation from originators of the RMBS transactions with respect to which it has established case basis reserves. We are evaluating such potential recoveries and intend to pursue them aggressively. Such recoveries may be substantial. Once we have concluded our evaluation, including assessing the likelihood of such recoveries, we may establish salvage and subrogation reserves.

 

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See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” included herein for a discussion on the FASB’s exposure draft regarding accounting for financial guarantee insurance contracts and potential changes to the way MBIA establishes claim liabilities.

RISK MANAGEMENT In an effort to mitigate losses, MBIA is regularly involved in the ongoing remediation of credits that may involve, among other things, waivers or renegotiations of financial covenants or triggers, waivers of contractual provisions, the granting of consents, and the taking of various other remedial actions. The nature of any remedial action is based on the type of the insured issue and the nature and scope of the event giving rise to the remediation. In most cases, as part of any such remedial activity, MBIA is able to improve its security position and to obtain concessions from the issuer of the insured bonds. From time to time, the issuer of an MBIA-insured obligation may, with the consent of MBIA, restructure the insured obligation by extending the term, increasing or decreasing the par amount or decreasing the related interest rate with MBIA insuring the restructured obligation. If, as the result of the restructuring, MBIA estimates that it will incur an ultimate loss on the restructured obligation, MBIA will record a case basis loss reserve for the restructured obligation or, if it has already recorded a case basis loss reserve, it will re-evaluate the impact of the restructuring on the recorded reserve and adjust the amount of the reserve as appropriate.

REINSURANCE Reinsurance enables the Company to cede exposure for purposes of syndicating risk and increasing its capacity to write new business while complying with its single risk and credit guidelines. When a reinsurer is downgraded by one or more of the rating agencies, less capital credit is given to MBIA under rating agency models. As a result, a downgrade of one or more of MBIA’s key reinsurers could affect MBIA Corp.’s financial strength rating and ability to write new business. Over the past several years, most of MBIA’s reinsurers have been downgraded and others remain under review. The Company generally retains the right to reassume the business ceded to reinsurers under certain circumstances, including rating downgrades of its reinsurers.

Additionally, MBIA requires certain unauthorized reinsurers to maintain bank letters of credit or establish trust accounts to cover liabilities ceded to such reinsurers under reinsurance contracts. The Company remains liable on a primary basis for all reinsured risk, and although MBIA believes that its reinsurers remain capable of meeting their obligations, there can be no assurance of such in the future.

As of March 31, 2008, the aggregate amount of insured par ceded by MBIA to reinsurers under reinsurance agreements was $78.3 billion. Additionally, the Company has other reimbursement agreements not accounted for as reinsurance, primarily with a reinsurer rated AA- by S&P and Aa3 by Moody’s, covering $4.0 billion of insured par. The following table presents the percentage of outstanding par ceded, the reinsurance recoverable, derivative asset, and estimated credit impairments by reinsurer as of March 31, 2008. Estimated credit impairments represent the reinsurers’ portion of amounts we expect to pay on insured derivative contracts.

 

Reinsurers

   Standard & Poor’s
Rating
   Moody’s
Rating
   Percentage of
Total Par Ceded
    Reinsurance
Recoverable
   Derivative
Asset
   Estimated
Credit
Impairments
on Insured
Derivatives
                     (in thousands)    (in thousands)    (in thousands)

Channel Reinsurance Ltd.

   AAA    Aa3    54.53 %   $ 19,892    $ 714,805    $ 152,975

RAM Reinsurance Company, Ltd.

   AAA    Aa3    14.17       24,669      174,152      22,690

Assured Guaranty Corp.

   AAA    Aaa    10.03       11,777      2,553      —  

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Ltd.

   AA    Aa3    6.03       9,998      25,689      2,242

Ambac Assurance Corporation

   AAA    Aaa    5.52       —        —        —  

Swiss Reinsurance Company, Zurich, Switzerland

   AA-    Aa2    4.32       13,952      19,962      —  

Radian Asset Assurance Inc.

   AA    Aa3    1.14       8,134      6,173      —  

Assured Guaranty Re Ltd.

   AA    Aa2    1.05       —        233      —  

XL Financial Assurance Ltd.

   A-    A3    0.58       —        —        —  

Overseas Private Investment Corporation

   AAA    Aaa    0.44       —        —        —  

Other (1)

   A+ or above    Aa3 or above    2.15       19,091      13,107      —  

Not Currently Rated

         0.04       270      —        —  
                                

Total

         100.00 %   $ 107,783    $ 956,674    $ 177,907
                                

 

(1)

Several reinsurers within this category are not rated by Moody’s.

Channel Reinsurance Ltd. (“Channel Re”) provides reinsurance to MBIA. MBIA owns a 17.4% equity interest in Channel Re. In February 2008, Moody’s downgraded Channel Re to Aa3 with a negative rating outlook from Aaa. As of March 31, 2008, the Company expects Channel Re to continue to report negative shareholder’s equity on a GAAP basis, primarily due to unrealized losses on ceded derivatives based on fair value accounting. As of March 31, 2008, the fair value of the derivative assets related to credit derivatives ceded to Channel Re was $715 million. The Company included the consideration of the credit risk of Channel

 

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Re in determining the fair value of the derivative assets. The reinsurance recoverable from Channel Re was $20 million as of March 31, 2008. The Company believes Channel Re has sufficient liquidity supporting its business to fund obligations related to ceded credit derivatives contracts. In performing its assessment, the Company determined that cash and investments, inclusive of approximately $506 million that Channel Re had on deposit in trust accounts for the benefit of MBIA as of March 31, 2008, and borrowing facilities available to Channel Re were in excess of MBIA’s exposure to Channel Re. Although the trust accounts limit the potential for Channel Re to default on its obligations to MBIA, there can be no assurance that Channel Re will not default on its obligations to MBIA that exceed the amounts already established in the trust accounts.

Several of the Company’s other financial guarantee reinsurers, including RAM Reinsurance Company, Ltd., Ambac Assurance Corporation, XL Financial Assurance Ltd. and XL Capital Assurance Inc., have had their credit ratings either downgraded or put on negative watch by one or more of the major rating agencies between December 2007 and March 2008. Although there was no material impact on the Company for any of the rating agency actions through March 2008 relating to these reinsurers, a further downgrade of one or more of these reinsurers could increase the amount of capital required to maintain MBIA Corp.’s triple-A ratings and may require the establishment of reserves against any receivables due from the such reinsurers.

POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS AND OPERATING EXPENSES Expenses that vary with and are primarily related to the production of the Company’s insurance business (policy acquisition costs) are deferred and recognized over the period in which the related premiums are earned. If an insured issue is refunded and the related premium is earned early, the associated acquisition costs previously deferred are also recognized early.

Annually, MBIA reviews its insurance-related expenses to determine if there have been any changes in its business or cost structure that would materially change the amount of costs accounted for as policy acquisition costs. If so, the Company conducts a policy acquisition cost study to determine the amount of insurance costs that relate to acquiring new non-derivative insurance policies and that are deferrable under GAAP. As a result of our temporary moratorium on structured finance business and a decline in our public finance business, we determined that fewer costs were attributable to acquiring new business and thus significantly lowered the rate at which costs are deferred. This resulted in an increase in the amount of operating expenses reported by the Company. We expect to increase the rate at which we defer expenses in the future commensurate with growth in our public finance and structured finance business volume.

MBIA will recognize a premium deficiency if the sum of the expected loss and LAE and unamortized policy acquisition costs exceed the related unearned premiums. If MBIA was to have a premium deficiency that is greater than unamortized acquisition costs, the unamortized acquisition costs would be reduced by a charge to expense and a liability would be established for any remaining deficiency. Although GAAP permits the inclusion of anticipated investment income when determining a premium deficiency, MBIA currently does not include this in making its determination.

The Company’s insurance expenses, as well as its expense ratio, are presented in the following table:

 

     1st Quarter     Percent Change  

In millions

   2008     2007     2008 vs. 2007  

Gross expenses

   $ 38     $ 61     (39 )%
                      

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

   $ 15     $ 17     (6 )%

Operating expenses

     46       32     42 %
                      

Total insurance operating expenses

   $ 61     $ 49     26 %
                      

Expense ratio

     31.3 %     22.9 %  
                  

Gross insurance expenses decreased 39% in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the first quarter of 2007 as a result of a decrease in compensation costs related to the reversal of prior year bonus and long-term incentive award accruals. We expect quarterly gross insurance expenses for the remainder of 2008 to be approximately $50 million to $60 million. In the first quarter of 2008, the amortization of deferred acquisition costs decreased 6% compared with the first quarter of 2007, consistent with the decrease in insurance premiums earned. Operating expenses increased 42% in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the first quarter of 2007 principally due to the decline in the rate at which acquisition costs are deferred. We expect quarterly operating expense for the remainder of 2008 to remain significantly higher compared with 2007, averaging approximately $45 million. This assumes that operating expenses will decrease from the second quarter of 2008 to the fourth quarter of 2008, as we expect an increase in deferred acquisition costs from anticipated new business writings.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

At March 31, 2008, there was a decrease in the ratio of deferred expenses carried as assets on the balance sheet to deferred revenues carried as liabilities on the balance sheet plus the present value of future installment premiums. The decreasing ratio reflects lower costs associated with acquiring new policies, which largely resulted from the compensation-related accrual reversals, relative to a smaller decrease in deferred and future installment premiums. Over the last several years ending December 31, 2007, there was an increase in the ratio of deferred expenses carried as assets on the balance sheet to deferred revenues carried as liabilities on the balance sheet plus the present value of future installment premiums. The increasing ratio reflected higher costs associated with acquiring new policies relative to a smaller growth in deferred and future installment premiums.

Financial guarantee insurance companies use the expense ratio (expenses divided by net premiums earned) as a measure of expense management. The increase in the expense ratio presented in the preceding table is principally due to a higher level of operating expenses and lower premiums earned in the first quarter of 2008.

INTEREST EXPENSE Interest expense from our insurance operations, which primarily consists of interest related to MBIA Corp.’s surplus notes issued on January 16, 2008 and debt issued by consolidated VIEs increased to $47 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $22 million in the first quarter of 2007. The increase is primarily related to $29 million of interest expense associated with the MBIA Corp. surplus notes partially offset by a decrease in interest expense associated with consolidated VIEs.

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES The Company provides credit enhancement services to global finance clients through third-party special purpose vehicles (“SPVs”). Third-party SPVs are used in a variety of structures guaranteed by MBIA. We have determined that such SPVs fall within the definition of a VIE under FIN 46(R). Under the provisions of FIN 46(R), MBIA must determine whether it has a variable interest in a VIE and if so, whether that variable interest would cause MBIA to be the primary beneficiary. The Company would be required to consolidate VIEs if it was determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. The primary beneficiary is the entity that will absorb the majority of the expected losses, receive the majority of the expected residual returns, or both, of a VIE. We conduct consolidation analyses under the provisions of FIN 46(R) upon the inception of our guarantees to the third-party SPVs and upon the occurrence of certain reconsideration events.

MBIA consolidates certain third-party VIEs as a result of financial guarantees provided by the insurance operations. Third-party VIEs’ assets and liabilities are primarily reported in “Investments held-to-maturity” and “Variable interest entity floating rate notes,” respectively, on the face of the Company’s balance sheet. The assets and liabilities of these VIEs each totaled $1.4 billion at March 31, 2008 and $1.4 billion at December 31, 2007. Revenues and expenses related to third-party VIEs are primarily recorded in “Net investment income” and “Interest expense,” respectively, on the Company’s statements of operations and substantially net to zero. Consolidation of such VIEs does not increase our exposure above that already committed to in our insurance policies. Additionally, consolidation of the insured VIEs does not affect the capital ratios, debt covenants, dividends or credit ratings of the Company.

COLLATERALIZED DEBT OBLIGATIONS AND RELATED INSTRUMENTS As part of its insurance operations, the Company provides guarantees on CDO tranches, as well as protection on structured CMBS and corporate credit pools.

The Company’s $129.6 billion CDO portfolio comprised 19.4% of the Company’s total insured net par of $667.8 billion as of March 31, 2008. The Company’s aggregate CDO book is diversified by vintage and collateral type. Ninety percent of this exposure, or $116.7 billion, was insured via CDSs. The distribution of the Company’s insured CDO and related instruments portfolio by collateral type is presented in the following table:

Collateral Type

 

($ in billions)

   Net Par    Percent  

Multi-Sector CDOs (1)

   $ 22.1    17 %

Multi-Sector CDO-Squared

     8.6    7 %

Investment Grade CDOs and Structured Corporate Credit Pools

     43.0    33 %

High Yield Corporate CDOs

     13.4    10 %

Structured Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS) Pools and Commercial Real Estate (CRE) CDOs

     42.3    33 %

Emerging Market CDOs

     0.2    0 %
             

Total

   $ 129.6    100 %
             

 

(1)

Does not include Multi-Sector CDO-Squared transactions totaling $8.6 billion net par.

Multi-Sector CDOs

Multi-Sector CDOs are transactions that include a variety of structured finance asset classes in their collateral pools. As of March 31, 2008, $30.7 billion, or approximately 5%, of the Company’s total insured net par outstanding of $667.8 billion and 24% of the Company’s $129.6 billion CDO and related instruments portfolio insured net par outstanding, was comprised of Multi-Sector CDOs. The collateral in the Multi-Sector CDOs includes subprime RMBS and other RMBS, CDOs of ABS (multi-sector CDOs), Corporate CDOs, Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs), other ABS (e.g. securitizations of auto receivables, credit cards, etc.), Commercial Real Estate CDOs, CMBS, and Corporate credits.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

For the Multi-Sector CDOs, the next four tables provide breakdowns of the collateral composition and ratings of subprime RMBS collateral, non subprime RMBS collateral, and CDOs of ABS collateral by vintage year and rating. CDOs of ABS may contain exposure to various types of collateral, including RMBS. The collateral level detail presented for each year insured was calculated using a weighted average of the net par insured as of March 31, 2008 for deals closed for the insured year. The total collateral amount of the portfolio exceeds the net par written as a result of credit enhancement (such as overcollateralization and subordination) and reinsurance.

Multi-Sector CDO Portfolio: Collateral Composition, Subordination, and Net Derivative Asset/Liability

 

($ in millions)         Collateral as % of Performing Pool Balance as of March 31, 2008  

Year

Insured(1)

  Net Par
Outstanding
    Other
RMBS
    Subprime
RMBS
    ABS     CMBS     Corp     CLO     CDO
of
ABS
    Other
CDO
    Total     Current
Subordination
Range Below
MBIA(2)
    Original
Subordination
Range Below
MBIA(2)
    Net Derivative
Asset/(Liability)

($in thousands) (3)
 

CDOs of High-Grade U.S. ABS

 

2004   1,309     32 %   31 %   8 %   4 %   0 %   10 %   10 %   5 %   100 %   11.5 -12.6 %   12.5 -13.0 %   (146,954 )
2005   600     45 %   34 %   1 %   1 %   0 %   5 %   8 %   6 %   100 %   19.1 %   20.0 %   (37,725 )
2006(4)   3,250     52 %   29 %   1 %   6 %   0 %   0 %   11 %   1 %   100 %   8.1 -18.0 %   12.0 -14.0 %   (547,242 )
2007(4)(5)   10,828     45 %   35 %   0 %   6 %   0 %   2 %   10 %   3 %   100 %   0.0 -49.1 %   13.0 -60.0 %   (1,511,195 )
                                 
Sub-total   15,986                           (2,243,116 )
                                 

CDOs of Mezzanine U.S. ABS

 

2000   38     30 %   1 %   9 %   56 %   4 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   100 %   21.0 %   21.4 %   —    
2002   899     30 %   9 %   14 %   21 %   9 %   5 %   8 %   3 %   100 %   12.8 -82.7 %   13.8 -40.0 %   (62,295 )
2003   903     31 %   23 %   16 %   20 %   1 %   5 %   1 %   3 %   100 %   0.5 -46.3 %   21.5 -29.8 %   0  
2004   885     34 %   37 %   4 %   19 %   0 %   1 %   3 %   2 %   100 %   16.0 -28.4 %   16.0 -30.5 %   (6,578 )
2005   362     9 %   54 %   2 %   31 %   0 %   0 %   2 %   3 %   100 %   20.1 %   19.5 %   (24,981 )
2007(4)   467     54 %   40 %   0 %   3 %   0 %   0 %   2 %   1 %   100 %   25.8 %   37.0 %   (38,218 )
                                 
Sub-total   3,554                           (132,072 )
                                 

CDOs of Multi-Sector High Grade Collateral (CDO-Squared)

 

2001   213     0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   68 %   0 %   32 %   100 %   19.1 %   5.0 %   —    
2003   53     0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   100 %   0 %   0 %   100 %   72.8 %   20.0 %   —    
2004   1,632     2 %   0 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   71 %   14 %   11 %   100 %   10.0 -15.3 %   10.0 %   (85,207 )
2005   1,430     0 %   20 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   60 %   18 %   2 %   100 %   10.0 %   10.0 %   (135,729 )
2006(4)   2,151     4 %   19 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   44 %   29 %   1 %   100 %   10.4 -13.0 %   10.0 -13.0 %   (289,584 )
2007(4)   3,150     3 %   5 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   71 %   18 %   3 %   100 %   13.0 -15.0 %   13.0 -15.0 %   (296,832 )
                                 
Sub-total   8,629                           (807,352 )
                                 

Total

  28,170                           (3,182,540 )
  1,061     Multi-Sector CDOs European Mezzanine & Other Collateral (4 CDOs) (6)     —    
  1,478     Multi-Sector CDOs insured in the Secondary Market prior to 2005 (36 CDOs) (6)     —    
                                 

Grand Total

  30,710 (7)                         (3,182,540 )
                                 

Data was gathered from several third party sources such as trustee reports, Intex, Bloomberg and rating agency websites; therefore, amounts and distributions may differ depending on data source and interpretation. Please note totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

(1)

Years in which no exposure was insured were omitted.

(2)

The range represents the minimum and maximum subordination for deals written in that year.

(3)

This column represents the net derivative asset/(liability) primarily for CDS deals written in that year. Note that not all insurance contracts are considered derivatives. Please refer to “Note 6: Fair Value of Financial Instruments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Company’s accounting treatment of derivatives (including CDS on CDOs).

(4)

As of 3/31/08, the Company recognized $1.0 billion of total credit impairment on nine deals insured during 2006 and 2007, with a total net par of $9.2 billion. Three transactions insured in 2006 (totaling $3.3 billion) have an impairment of $0.3 billion while six transactions insured in 2007 (totaling $5.9 billion), have an impairment of $0.7 billion.

(5)

The insured credit derivative contracts for two CDO transactions insured in 2007 were terminated during the second quarter of 2008 without any payment by MBIA; the two CDOs, with $0.8 billion of net par outstanding at 3/31/08, will be excluded from future quarterly reports.

(6)

The table does not provide collateral level detail on 40 CDOs totaling $2.5 billion of net par. Four deals, with $1.0 billion of net par, contain European Mezzanine ABS assets and other collateral, and were closed in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In addition, 36 deals represent insurance sold to investors for CDO tranches in their portfolios (secondary market insurance executions). The deals total $1.5 billion of par and all were insured prior to 2005. In addition, all 36 deals were rated Triple-A at the time MBIA wrote insurance on them.

(7)

This table includes four transactions totaling $1.0 billion that were internally reclassified as of 3/31/08 due to the collateral composition at 3/31/08. Three primary CDOs were originally classified as CRE CDOs and one as a secondary Investment Grade Corporate CDO, but due to current collateral composition changes, they are now classified to be Multi-Sector CDOs. The CMBS collateral within the primary deals is now approximately 30% for the CDOs that were previously classified as CRE CDOs. The four transactions include two CDOs of Mezzanine U.S. ABS insured in 2004 and 2005, with net par totaling $0.7 billion, one CDO of European ABS with net par of $0.3 billion and a secondary CDO of ABS with $15 million of net par as of 3/31/08. These transactions are not impaired.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The Multi-Sector CDO portfolio is comprised of transactions that rely on underlying collateral originally rated single-A or above (CDOs of High Grade U.S. ABS) and transactions that rely on collateral primarily rated triple-B (CDOs of Mezzanine U.S. ABS). The Multi-Sector CDO portfolio is also comprised of CDOs of Multi-Sector High-Grade collateral (also referred to as CDO-Squared transactions), which are diversified CDOs primarily comprised of collateral originally rated single-A and above. The collateral in MBIA’s insured CDO-Squared transactions comprises primarily tranches of CLOs, CDOs of ABS, and RMBS.

MBIA’s Multi-Sector CDOs benefit from two sources of credit enhancement. Firstly, the subordination in the underlying securities collateralizing the MBIA wrapped tranche must be fully eroded; secondly, the subordination below MBIA’s insurance coverage must be fully eroded before MBIA’s insured interest is subject to a claim. The original subordination levels and those as of March 31, 2008 are detailed in the above table, and these subordination levels may have declined materially since this date. MBIA’s payment obligations after a default vary by deal and by insurance type; there are three types of policy payment types: (i) where MBIA insures Current Interest & Ultimate Principal; (ii) where MBIA insures Ultimate Principal only; and (iii) where MBIA insures payments upon settlement of individual collateral losses as they occur after the complete erosion of deal deductibles, such payment profiles are referred to as Asset Coverage with a Deductible.

Multi-Sector CDO Portfolio: Vintage and Collateral Ratings of CDOs Containing Subprime RMBS

 

($ in millions)    Net Par
Outstanding
    % Collateral
that is
Subprime
    Vintage of Subprime RMBS     Subprime RMBS - Ratings As of April 30, 2008  

Year

Insured(1)

       2005 and
Prior
    2006     2007     Total     AAA     AA     A     BBB     Below
IG(2)
    Total  

CDOs of High-Grade U.S. ABS

 

                     
2004    1,309     31 %   24 %   0 %   7 %   31 %   9 %   15 %   5 %   1 %   1 %   31 %
2005    600     34 %   32 %   3 %   0 %   34 %   4 %   12 %   15 %   2 %   0 %   34 %
2006(3)    3,250     29 %   12 %   16 %   2 %   29 %   3 %   10 %   5 %   2 %   9 %   29 %
2007(3)(4)    10,828     35 %   1 %   22 %   11 %   35 %   4 %   3 %   2 %   3 %   23 %   35 %
                            
Sub-total    15,986                        
                            

CDOs of Mezzanine U.S. ABS

 

2000    38     1 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   1 %
2002    899     9 %   7 %   1 %   0 %   9 %   0 %   1 %   2 %   2 %   4 %   9 %
2003    903     23 %   16 %   4 %   4 %   23 %   1 %   1 %   5 %   8 %   8 %   23 %
2004    885     37 %   24 %   2 %   10 %   37 %   1 %   4 %   11 %   11 %   9 %   37 %
2005    362     54 %   45 %   0 %   9 %   54 %   0 %   6 %   16 %   21 %   10 %   54 %
2007(3)    467     40 %   6 %   24 %   10 %   40 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   39 %   40 %
                            
Sub-total    3,554                        
                            

CDOs of Multi-Sector High Grade Collateral (CDO-Squared)

 

2001    213     0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %
2003    53     0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %
2004    1,632     0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %
2005    1,430     20 %   16 %   3 %   1 %   20 %   2 %   8 %   5 %   1 %   4 %   20 %
2006(3)    2,151     19 %   5 %   5 %   9 %   19 %   7 %   6 %   0 %   2 %   3 %   19 %
2007(3)    3,150     5 %   1 %   1 %   2 %   5 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   3 %   5 %
                            
Sub-total    8,629                        
                            
Total    28,170                        
   1,061     Multi-Sector CDOs European Mezzanine & Other Collateral (4 CDOs) (5)  
   1,478     Multi-Sector CDOs insured in the Secondary Market prior to 2005 (36 CDOs) (5)   
                            

Grand Total

   30,710 (6)  
                            

All figures represent MBIA’s insured net par outstanding as of March 31, 2008. Data was gathered from several third party sources such as trustee reports, Intex, Bloomberg and rating agency websites; therefore, amounts and distributions may differ depending on data source and interpretation. Collateral ratings are current as of April 30, 2008. Please note totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

(1)

Years in which no exposure was insured were omitted.

(2)

Below IG (Investment Grade) denotes collateral credit ratings of below BBB-.

(3)

As of 3/31/08, the Company recognized $1.0 billion of total credit impairment on nine deals insured during 2006 and 2007, with a total net par of $9.2 billion. Three transactions insured in 2006 (totaling $3.3 billion) have an impairment of $0.3 billion while six transactions insured in 2007 (totaling $5.9 billion), have an impairment of $0.7 billion.

(4)

The insured credit derivative contracts for two CDO transactions insured in 2007 were terminated during the second quarter of 2008 without any payment by MBIA; the two CDOs, with $0.8 billion of net par outstanding at 3/31/08, will be excluded from future quarterly reports.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

(5)

The table does not provide collateral level detail on 40 CDOs totaling $2.5 billion of net par. Four deals, with $1.0 billion of net par, contain European Mezzanine ABS assets and other collateral, and were closed in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In addition, 36 deals represent insurance sold to investors for CDO tranches in their portfolios (secondary market insurance executions). The deals total $1.5 billion of par and all were insured prior to 2005. In addition, all 36 deals were rated Triple-A at the time MBIA wrote insurance on them.

(6)

This table includes four transactions totaling $1.0 billion that were internally reclassified as of 3/31/08 due to the collateral composition at 3/31/08. Three primary CDOs were originally classified as CRE CDOs and one as a secondary Investment Grade Corporate CDO, but due to current collateral composition changes, they are now classified to be Multi-Sector CDOs. The CMBS collateral within the primary deals is now approximately 30% for the CDOs that were previously classified as CRE CDOs. The four transactions include two CDOs of Mezzanine U.S. ABS insured in 2004 and 2005, with net par totaling $0.7 billion, one CDO of European ABS with net par of $0.3 billion and a secondary CDO of ABS with $15 million of net par as of 3/31/08. These transactions are not impaired.

Multi-Sector CDO Portfolio: Vintage and Collateral Ratings of CDOs Containing Non Subprime RMBS

 

($ in millions)                Vintage of Non Subprime RMBS     Non Subprime RMBS - Ratings As of April 30, 2008  

Year

Insured(1)

   Net Par
Outstanding
    % Collateral
that is Non
Subprime
    2005 and
Prior
    2006     2007     2008     Total     AAA     AA     A     BBB     Below
IG(2)
    Total  

CDOs of High-Grade U.S. ABS

 

2004    1,309     32 %   26 %   3 %   4 %   0 %   32 %   12 %   11 %   5 %   1 %   2 %   32 %
2005    600     45 %   43 %   0 %   2 %   0 %   45 %   13 %   12 %   13 %   5 %   1 %   45 %
2006(3)    3,250     52 %   21 %   29 %   1 %   1 %   52 %   18 %   15 %   4 %   3 %   12 %   52 %
2007(3)(4)    10,828     45 %   3 %   31 %   11 %   0 %   45 %   15 %   7 %   2 %   1 %   19 %   45 %
                              
Sub-total    15,986                          
                              

CDOs of Mezzanine U.S. ABS

 

2000    38     30 %   30 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   30 %   1 %   9 %   3 %   8 %   9 %   30 %
2002    899     30 %   28 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   30 %   2 %   3 %   4 %   11 %   10 %   30 %
2003    903     31 %   26 %   5 %   0 %   0 %   31 %   5 %   3 %   6 %   9 %   7 %   31 %
2004    885     34 %   27 %   4 %   4 %   0 %   34 %   3 %   7 %   7 %   9 %   8 %   34 %
2005    362     9 %   6 %   2 %   1 %   0 %   9 %   1 %   2 %   0 %   2 %   5 %   9 %
2007(3)    467     54 %   18 %   26 %   10 %   0 %   54 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   5 %   49 %   54 %
                              
Sub-total    3,554                          
                              

CDOs of Multi-Sector High Grade Collateral (CDO-Squared)

 

2001    213     0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %
2003    53     0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %
2004    1,632     2 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   2 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   2 %
2005    1,430     0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %
2006(3)    2,151     4 %   2 %   2 %   1 %   0 %   4 %   0 %   1 %   1 %   0 %   2 %   4 %
2007(3)    3,150     3 %   1 %   2 %   1 %   0 %   3 %   0 %   1 %   1 %   0 %   1 %   3 %
                              
Sub-total    8,629                          
                              
Total    28,170                          
   1,061     Multi-Sector CDOs European Mezzanine & Other Collateral (4 CDOs) (5)  
   1,478     Multi-Sector CDOs insured in the Secondary Market prior to 2005 (36 CDOs) (5)  
                              

Grand Total

   30,710 (6)                        
                              

All figures represent MBIA’s insured net par outstanding as of March 31, 2008. Data was gathered from several third party sources such as trustee reports, Intex, Bloomberg and rating agency websites; therefore, amounts and distributions may differ depending on data source and interpretation. Collateral ratings are current as of April 30, 2008. Please note totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

(1)

Years in which no exposure was insured were omitted.

(2)

Below IG (Investment Grade) denotes collateral credit ratings of below BBB-.

(3)

As of 3/31/08, the Company recognized $1.0 billion of total credit impairment on nine deals insured during 2006 and 2007, with a total net par of $9.2 billion. Three transactions insured in 2006 (totaling $3.3 billion) have an impairment of $0.3 billion while six transactions insured in 2007 (totaling $5.9 billion), have an impairment of $0.7 billion.

(4)

The insured credit derivative contracts for two CDO transactions insured in 2007 were terminated during the second quarter of 2008 without any payment by MBIA; the two CDOs, with $0.8 billion of net par outstanding at 3/31/08, will be excluded from future quarterly reports.

(5)

The table does not provide collateral level detail on 40 CDOs totaling $2.5 billion of net par. Four deals, with $1.0 billion of net par, contain European Mezzanine ABS assets and other collateral, and were closed in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In addition, 36 deals represent insurance sold to investors for CDO tranches in their portfolios (secondary market insurance executions). The deals total $1.5 billion of par and all were insured prior to 2005. In addition, all 36 deals were rated Triple-A at the time MBIA wrote insurance on them.

(6)

This table includes four transactions totaling $1.0 billion that were internally reclassified as of 3/31/08 due to the collateral composition at 3/31/08. Three primary CDOs were originally classified as CRE CDOs and one as a secondary Investment Grade Corporate CDO, but due to current collateral composition changes, they are now classified to be Multi-Sector CDOs. The CMBS collateral within the primary deals is now approximately 30% for the CDOs that were previously classified as CRE CDOs. The four transactions include two CDOs of Mezzanine U.S. ABS insured in 2004 and 2005, with net par totaling $0.7 billion, one CDO of European ABS with net par of $0.3 billion and a secondary CDO of ABS with $15 million of net par as of 3/31/08. These transactions are not impaired.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Multi-Sector CDO Portfolio: Vintage and Collateral Ratings of CDOs Containing CDOs of ABS

 

($ in millions)     % Collateral
that is CDO
of ABS
    Vintage of CDO of ABS     CDO of ABS - Ratings As of April 30, 2008  

Year

Insured(1)

   Net Par
Outstanding
      2005 and
Prior
    2006     2007     Total     AAA     AA     A     BBB     Below
IG(2)
    Total  

CDOs of High-Grade U.S. ABS

 

                     
2004    1,309     10 %   10 %   0 %   0 %   10 %   6 %   3 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   10 %
2005    600     8 %   7 %   1 %   0 %   8 %   2 %   4 %   1 %   1 %   0 %   8 %
2006(3)    3,250     11 %   1 %   10 %   0 %   11 %   0 %   2 %   1 %   2 %   6 %   11 %
2007(3)(4)    10,828     10 %   1 %   6 %   3 %   10 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   1 %   7 %   10 %
                            
Sub-total    15,986                        
                            

CDOs of Mezzanine U.S. ABS

 

2000    38     0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %
2002    899     8 %   6 %   2 %   0 %   8 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   3 %   5 %   8 %
2003    903     1 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   1 %
2004    885     3 %   3 %   0 %   0 %   3 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   1 %   1 %   3 %
2005    362     2 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   2 %
2007(3)    467     2 %   1 %   0 %   1 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   1 %   2 %
                            
Sub-total    3,554                        
                            

CDOs of Multi-Sector High Grade Collateral (CDO-Squared)

 

2001    213     0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %
2003    53     0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %
2004    1,632     14 %   14 %   0 %   0 %   14 %   13 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   14 %
2005    1,430     18 %   5 %   12 %   0 %   18 %   7 %   2 %   6 %   1 %   2 %   18 %
2006(3)    2,151     29 %   2 %   20 %   7 %   29 %   1 %   1 %   3 %   2 %   22 %   29 %
2007(3)    3,150     18 %   0 %   4 %   13 %   18 %   1 %   2 %   2 %   5 %   7 %   18 %
                            
Sub-total    8,629                        
                            

Total

   28,170                        
                            
   1,061     Multi-Sector CDOs European Mezzanine & Other Collateral (4 CDOs)(5)   
   1,478     Multi-Sector CDOs insured in the Secondary Market prior to 2005 (36 CDOs) (5)   
                            

Grand Total

   30,710 (6)                      
                            

All figures represent MBIA’s insured net par outstanding as of March 31, 2008. Data was gathered from several third party sources such as trustee reports, Intex, Bloomberg and rating agency websites; therefore, amounts and distributions may differ depending on data source and interpretation. Collateral ratings are current as of April 30, 2008. Please note totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

(1)

Years in which no exposure was insured were omitted.

(2)

Below IG (Investment Grade) denotes collateral credit ratings of below BBB-.

(3)

As of 3/31/08, the Company recognized $1.0 billion of total credit impairment on nine deals insured during 2006 and 2007, with a total net par of $9.2 billion. Three transactions insured in 2006 (totaling $3.3 billion) have an impairment of $0.3 billion while six transactions insured in 2007 (totaling $5.9 billion), have an impairment of $0.7 billion.

(4)

The insured credit derivative contracts for two CDO transactions insured in 2007 were terminated during the second quarter of 2008 without any payment by MBIA; the two CDOs, with $0.8 billion of net par outstanding at 3/31/08, will be excluded from future quarterly reports.

(5)

The table does not provide collateral level detail on 40 CDOs totaling $2.5 billion of net par. Four deals, with $1.0 billion of net par, contain European Mezzanine ABS assets and other collateral, and were closed in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In addition, 36 deals represent insurance sold to investors for CDO tranches in their portfolios (secondary market insurance executions). The deals total $1.5 billion of par and all were insured prior to 2005. In addition, all 36 deals were rated Triple-A at the time MBIA wrote insurance on them.

(6)

This table includes four transactions totaling $1.0 billion that were internally reclassified as of 3/31/08 due to the collateral composition at 3/31/08. Three primary CDOs were originally classified as CRE CDOs and one as a secondary Investment Grade Corporate CDO, but due to current collateral composition changes, they are now classified to be Multi-Sector CDOs. The CMBS collateral within the primary deals is now approximately 30% for the CDOs that were previously classified as CRE CDOs. The four transactions include two CDOs of Mezzanine U.S. ABS insured in 2004 and 2005, with net par totaling $0.7 billion, one CDO of European ABS with net par of $0.3 billion and a secondary CDO of ABS with $15 million of net par as of 3/31/08. These transactions are not impaired.

Since mid-2007, the Multi-Sector CDO portfolio experienced stress related to the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis. Impairment estimates were increased for the three CDOs for which the Company estimated impairment during the fourth quarter of 2007; in addition, impairments were estimated for a further six CDOs during the first quarter of 2008. As of March 31, 2008, MBIA estimated credit impairment in connection with nine Multi-Sector CDO transactions aggregating to $1.03 billion for which MBIA expects to incur actual claims in the future.

Investment Grade Corporate CDOs and Structured Corporate Credit Pools

As of March 31, 2008, the majority of insurance protection provided by MBIA for its Investment Grade Corporate CDO exposure attached at a super senior level and the Company’s insured Investment Grade Corporate CDOs had not experienced any material credit deterioration. The Company’s net par exposure to Investment Grade Corporate CDOs represents 33% of the Company’s

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

CDO exposure and approximately 6% of the Company’s total net par insured. The Company’s Investment Grade Corporate CDO exposure references pools of predominantly investment grade corporate credits; some of these pools may also include limited exposure to other asset classes, including structured finance securities (including RMBS and CDO collateral). Most of MBIA’s Investment Grade Corporate CDO policies guaranty coverage of losses on collateral assets once a deductible has been eroded, and are generally bespoke structures.

In addition, $14.9 billion net par of MBIA’s insured Investment Grade Corporate CDOs are typically structured to include buckets (30%—35% allocations) of references to Investment Grade Corporate CDO monotranches. In such transactions, MBIA’s insured Investment Grade Corporate CDOs includes, among direct corporate or structured credit reference risks, a monotranche or single layer of credit risk referencing a diverse pool of corporate assets or obligors with a specific attachment and a specific detachment point. The reference monotranches in such CDOs are typically rated double-A and each reference monotranche will typically be sized to approximately 3% of the overall reference risk pool. Deals with buckets for monotranche exposure are managed transactions. The inner referenced monotranches are themselves managed exposures (managed by the same manager as the MBIA insured investment grade corporate CDO), and are not subject to acceleration and other control right provisions vested with a senior investor.

Of the Company’s $43.0 billion net par Investment Grade CDO portfolio at March 31, 2008, the collateral composition, underlying credit ratings of the collateral that support the Subprime RMBS, Non-subprime RMBS, and CDOs of ABS exposures along with their vintage are presented in the following tables. The collateral level detail for each year insured was calculated using a weighted average of the net par written for deals closed for the insured year. The total collateral amount of the portfolio exceeds the net par written as a result of credit enhancement (such as overcollateralization and subordination) and reinsurance.

Investment Grade Corporate CDO Portfolio: Collateral Composition, Subordination, and Net Derivative Asset/Liability

 

($ in millions)   Net Par
Outstanding
  Collateral as % of Performing Pool Balance as of March 31, 2008  

Year

Insured(1)

    Corp(5)     ABS     Subprime
RMBS
    Other RMBS     CDO(2)     Other     Total     Current
Subordination
Range Below
MBIA(3)
    Original
Subordination
Range Below
MBIA(3)
    Net Derivative
Asset/(Liability)
($ in thousands) (4)
 
2003 and Prior   5,760   100 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   100 %   8.3 - 25.0 %   11.0-22.0 %   (2,139 )
2004(5)   5,903   88 %   0 %   8 %   2 %   2 %   0 %   100 %   10.5 -15.0 %   10.0 -15.0 %   (255,880 )
2005(5)   8,023   92 %   0 %   4 %   2 %   2 %   0 %   100 %   12.5 -25.0 %   12.5 -27.5 %   (188,801 )
2006(5)   8,860   90 %   0 %   5 %   3 %   2 %   0 %   100 %   16.0 -38.8 %   16.0 -40.0 %   (249,025 )
2007(5)   13,912   96 %   0 %   2 %   2 %   1 %   0 %   100 %   15.0 -35.0 %   15.0 -35.0 %   (166,354 )
                           
Sub-total   42,458                     (862,199 )
                           
  512   Investment Grade Corporate CDOs insured in the SecondaryMarket

prior to 2003 (14 CDOs) (6)

  

 

  —    
                           

Grand Total

  42,970                     (862,199 )
                           

Data was gathered from several third party sources such as trustee reports, Intex, Bloomberg and rating agency websites; therefore, amounts and distributions may differ depending on data source and interpretation. Please note totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

(1)

Years in which no exposure was insured were omitted.

(2)

The CDO collateral composition contains CDO’s of ABS, Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs), and Collateralized Bond Obligations (CBOs).

(3)

The range represents the minimum and maximum subordination for deals written in that year.

(4)

This column represents the net derivative asset/(liability) primarily for CDS deals written in that year. Note that not all insurance contracts are considered derivatives. Please refer to “Note 6: Fair Value of Financial Instruments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Company’s accounting treatment of derivatives (including CDS on CDOs).

(5)

The years contain deals with allowances for synthetic tranches of leveraged investment grade corporate debt. Collateral contained in referenced Monotranche obligations are classified as Corporate Exposure as they are 100% corporate references.

(6)

The table does not provide collateral level detail on 14 Investment Grade CDOs totaling $0.5 billion of net par. These deals were insured prior to 2003. In addition, all 14 deals were rated Triple-A at the time MBIA wrote insurance on them.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Investment Grade Corporate CDO Portfolio: Vintage and Collateral Ratings of CDOs Containing Subprime RMBS

 

($ in millions)             Vintage of Subprime
RMBS
    Subprime RMBS - Ratings As of April 30, 2008  

Year Insured(1)

  Net Par
Outstanding
  % Collateral that
is Subprime
    2005 and
Prior
    2006     2007     Total     AAA     AA     A     BBB     Below
IG(2)
    Total  

2003 and Prior

  5,760   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %

2004(3)

  5,903   8 %   6 %   1 %   1 %   8 %   0 %   1 %   4 %   2 %   1 %   8 %

2005(3)

  8,023   4 %   2 %   1 %   1 %   4 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   1 %   2 %   4 %

2006(3)

  8,860   5 %   1 %   3 %   1 %   5 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   1 %   2 %   5 %

2007(3)

  13,912   2 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   2 %
                         

Sub-total

  42,458                      
                         
  512   Investment Grade Corporate CDOs insured in the Secondary Market prior to 2003 (14 CDOs) (4)   
                         

Grand Total

  42,970                      
                         

All figures represent MBIA’s insured net par outstanding as of March 31, 2008. Data was gathered from several third party sources such as trustee reports, Intex, Bloomberg and rating agency websites; therefore, amounts and distributions may differ depending on data source and interpretation. Collateral ratings are current as of April 30, 2008. Please note totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

(1)

Years in which no exposure was insured were omitted.

(2)

Below IG (Investment Grade) denotes collateral credit ratings of below BBB-.

(3)

These years contain deals with allowances for synthetic tranches of leveraged investment grade corporate debt. Collateral contained in referenced Monotranche obligations are classified as Corporate Exposure as they are 100% corporate references.

(4)

The table does not provide collateral level detail on 14 Investment Grade CDOs totaling $0.5 billion of net par. These deals were insured prior to 2003. In addition, all 14 deals were rated Triple-A at the time MBIA wrote insurance on them.

Investment Grade Corporate CDO Portfolio: Vintage and Collateral Ratings of CDOs Containing Non Subprime RMBS

 

($ in millions)               Vintage of Non Subprime RMBS     Non Subprime RMBS - Ratings As of April 30, 2008  

Year Insured(1)

   Net Par
Outstanding
   % Collateral that
is Non Subprime
    2005 and
Prior
    2006     2007     Total     AAA     AA     A     BBB     Below
IG(2)
    Total  

2003 and Prior

   5,760    0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %

2004(3)

   5,903    2 %   1 %   1 %   0 %   2 %   1 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   2 %

2005(3)

   8,023    2 %   1 %   1 %   0 %   2 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   1 %   1 %   2 %

2006(3)

   8,860    3 %   1 %   2 %   0 %   3 %   1 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   3 %

2007(3)

   13,912    2 %   0 %   1 %   1 %   2 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   2 %
                           

Sub-total

   42,458                       
                           
   512    Investment Grade Corporate CDOs insured in the Secondary Market prior to 2003 (14 CDOs) (4)   
                           

Grand Total

   42,970                       
                           

All figures represent MBIA’s insured net par outstanding as of March 31, 2008. Data was gathered from several third party sources such as trustee reports, Intex, Bloomberg and rating agency websites; therefore, amounts and distributions may differ depending on data source and interpretation. Collateral ratings are current as of April 30, 2008. Please note totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

(1)

Years in which no exposure was insured were omitted.

(2)

Below IG (Investment Grade) denotes collateral credit ratings of below BBB-.

(3)

The years contain deals with allowances for synthetic tranches of leveraged investment grade corporate debt. Collateral contained in referenced Monotranche obligations are classified as Corporate Exposure as they are 100% corporate references.

(4)

The table does not provide collateral level detail on 14 Investment Grade CDOs totaling $0.5 billion of net par. These deals were insured prior to 2003. In addition, all 14 deals were rated Triple-A at the time MBIA wrote insurance on them.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Investment Grade Corporate CDO Portfolio: Vintage and Collateral Ratings of CDOs Containing CDOs of ABS

 

($ in millions)     Vintage of CDO of ABS     CDO of ABS - Ratings As of April 30, 2008  

Year Insured(1)

   Net Par
Outstanding
   % Collateral that
is CDO of ABS
    2005 and
Prior
    2006     2007     Total     AAA     AA     A     BBB     Below
IG(2)
    Total  

2003 and Prior

   5,760    0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %

2004(3)

   5,903    2 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   2 %   1 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   2 %

2005(3)

   8,023    1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   1 %

2006(3)

   8,860    1 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   1 %

2007(3)

   13,912    1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   1 %
                           

Sub-total

   42,458                       
                           
   512    Investment Grade Corporate CDOs insured in the Secondary Market prior to 2003 (14 CDOs) (4)   
                           

Grand Total

   42,970                       
                           

All figures represent MBIA’s insured net par outstanding as of March 31, 2008. Data was gathered from several third party sources such as trustee reports, Intex, Bloomberg and rating agency websites; therefore, amounts and distributions may differ depending on data source and interpretation. Collateral ratings are current as of April 30, 2008. Please note totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

(1)

Years in which no exposure was insured were omitted.

(2)

Below IG (Investment Grade) denotes collateral credit ratings of below BBB-.

(3)

These years contain deals with allowances for synthetic tranches of leveraged investment grade corporate debt. Collateral contained in referenced Monotranche obligations are classified as Corporate Exposure as they are 100% corporate references.

(4)

The table does not provide collateral level detail on 14 Investment Grade CDOs totaling $0.5 billion of net par. These deals were insured prior to 2003. In addition, all 14 deals were rated Triple-A at the time MBIA wrote insurance on them.

High Yield Corporate CDOs

The High Yield Corporate CDO portfolio totaling $13.4 billion is largely comprised of low leverage middle market/special opportunity corporate loan transactions, broadly syndicated bank CLOs and older vintage corporate high yield bond CDOs. The CDOs in this category are diversified by both vintage and geography (with European and U.S. collateral). The Company’s net par exposure to High Yield Corporate CDOs represents 10% of the Company’s CDO exposure and approximately 2% of the Company’s total net par insured as of March 31, 2008. The Company did not experience any material credit deterioration to this book during the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The High Yield Corporate CDO portfolio did not contain any Subprime RMBS, Non-subprime RMBS, and CDOs of ABS exposures.

The following table shows the collateral composition, original and current subordination for the High Yield Corporate CDOs, as well as the net derivative asset/(liability) for each year insured. The collateral level detail for each year insured was calculated using a weighted average of the net par written for deals closed for the insured year. The total collateral amount of the portfolio exceeds the net par written as a result of credit enhancement (such as overcollateralization and subordination) and reinsurance.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

High Yield Corporate CDOs: Collateral Composition, Subordination, and Net Derivative Asset/Liability

 

($ in millions)          Collateral as % of Performing Pool Balance as of March 31, 2008  

Year Insured(1)

   Net Par
Outstanding
    Corp     Current Subordination Range Below
MBIA(2)
    Original Subordination Range
Below MBIA(2)
    Net Derivative
Asset/(Liability)
($ in thousands) (3)
 

1996

   73     100 %   0.0 %(4)   12.1 %   —    

1997

   53     100 %   0.0 %(4)   12.1 %   —    

1998

   163     100 %   0.0 -62.7 %(4)   14.7 -34.2 %   —    

1999

   37     100 %   12.7 -80.5 %   19.8 -29.4 %   —    

2000

   0     100 %   0.0 %   14.7 %   —    

2002

   216     100 %   16.5 %   19.4 %   —    

2003

   901     100 %   17.5 -52.4 %   24.2 -40.0 %   (96 )

2004

   1,242     100 %   26.1 -32.2 %   22.0 -33.3 %   —    

2005

   1,322     100 %   17.6 -51.4 %   21.8 -34.0 %   —    

2006

   6,451     100 %   10.0 -44.8 %   10.0 -49.0 %   (2,912 )

2007

   2,335     100 %   30.1 -46.1 %   31.0 -42.0 %   (45 )
                  

Sub-total

   12,792           (3,053 )
                  
   800     High Yield Corporate CDOs insured in the Secondary Market prior to 2004 (36 CDOs) (5)      —    
                  

Grand Total

   13,592  (6)         (3,053 )
                  

Data was gathered from several third party sources such as trustee reports, Intex, Bloomberg and rating agency websites; therefore, amounts and distributions may differ depending on data source and interpretation. Please note totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

(1)

Years in which no exposure was insured were omitted.

(2)

The range represents the minimum and maximum subordination for deals written in that year.

(3)

This column represents the net derivative asset/(liability) primarily for CDS deals written in that year. Note that not all insurance contracts are considered derivatives. Please refer to “Note 6: Fair Value of Financial Instruments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Company’s accounting treatment of derivatives (including CDS on CDOs).

(4)

CDOs with zero subordination are currently being remediated and have reserves established against them.

(5)

The table does not provide collateral level detail on 36 High Yield CDOs totaling $0.8 billion of net par. These deals were insured prior to 2004. In addition, all 36 deals were rated Triple-A at the time MBIA wrote insurance on them.

(6)

The table includes Emerging Market CDOs totaling $0.2 billion of net par.

Structured CMBS Pools and CRE CDOs

The Structured CMBS Pools and CRE CDO portfolio is a diversified global portfolio of highly-rated structured transactions primarily supported by collateral from the commercial real estate sector. The Company did not experience any material credit deterioration to this book during the quarter ended March 31, 2008. This portfolio can be sub-divided into two distinct pools: Structured CMBS pools and CRE CDOs.

The Company’s exposure to Structured CMBS Pools totaling $32.4 billion represents 25% of the Company’s CDO exposure and approximately 5% of the Company’s total net par insured as of March 31, 2008. These transactions are pools of CMBS, REIT Debt and CRE CDOs that are structured with a first loss deductible sized to a Triple-A (or a multiple of Triple-A) level of credit protection before consideration is given to the wrap provided by the Company. The credit protection sizing is a function of the underlying collateral ratings and the structural attributes. MBIA’s guaranty policy for most structured CMBS pool transactions covers losses on collateral assets once a deductible has been eroded. The securities in the pool are either cash assets or (more typically) securities referenced synthetically. Each pool consists primarily of CMBS securities drawn from a range of different CMBS securitizations, which in turn are backed by a diverse pool of loans secured by commercial real estate properties. The Company’s Structured CMBS Pools are static, meaning that the collateral pool of securitizations cannot be changed.

The Company’s CRE CDO exposure comprised approximately 8% or $9.9 billion of the Company’s CDO exposure and 1% of the Company’s total insured net par as of March 31, 2008. CRE CDOs are managed pools of CMBS, CRE whole loans, B-Notes, mezzanine loans, REIT debt and other securities (including, in some instances, buckets for RMBS and CRE CDOs) that allow for reinvestment during a defined time period. The structures benefit from typical CDO structural protections such as cash diversion triggers, collateral quality tests and manager replacement provisions. MBIA guarantees timely interest & ultimate principal on these CDOs. As with the Company’s other CDOs, these transactions generally are structured with Triple-A, or a multiple of Triple-A credit support protection below the Company’s guarantee.

The following table shows the collateral composition, original and current subordination for Structured CMBS Pools and CRE CDOs, as well as the net derivative asset/(liability) for each year insured. The collateral level detail for each year insured was calculated using a weighted average of the net par written for deals closed for the insured year. The total collateral amount of the portfolio exceeds the net par written as a result of credit enhancement (such as overcollateralization and subordination) and reinsurance.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Structured CMBS Pools and CRE CDOs: Collateral Composition, Subordination, and Net Derivative Asset/Liability

 

($ in millions)       Collateral as % of Performing Pool Balance as of March 31, 2008  

Year Insured(1)

  Net Par
Outstanding
  Cusip
CMBS
    Whole
Loans
    REIT
Debt
    CRE
CDO
    Subprime
RMBS
    Other
RMBS
    ABS     Other     Total     Current
Subordination
Range Below
MBIA(2)
    Original
Subordination
Range Below
MBIA(2)
    Net Derivative
Asset/
(Liability)
($ in
thousands) (3)
 

CRE CDOs

                         

2004

  408   61 %   1 %   17 %   0 %   15 %   3 %   0 %   3 %   100 %   21.6 -22.8 %   22.0 -22.4 %   —    

2005

  1,544   53 %   0 %   6 %   9 %   19 %   6 %   6 %   1 %   100 %   19.4 -36.5 %   18.0 -36.0 %   (133,375 )

2006

  3,416   40 %   46 %   7 %   7 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   100 %   24.0 -60.2 %   24.0 -55.0 %   (175,840 )

2007

  4,494   58 %   21 %   12 %   6 %   4 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   100 %   22.0 -53.7 %   20.0 -60.0 %   (269,906 )
                               

Sub-total

  9,862                         (579,121 )
                               

Structured CMBS Pools

                       

2004

  164   62 %   0 %   37 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   100 %   28.1 %   26.0 %   —    

2005

  2,075   100 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   100 %   8.0 %   8.0 %   (2,804 )

2006

  7,011   88 %   0 %   0 %   12 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   100 %   10.0 -70.0 %   10.0 -70.0 %   (360,535 )

2007

  22,898   98 %   0 %   0 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   100 %   5.0 -82.2 %   5.0 -82.3 %   (843,190 )
                               

Sub-total

  32,149                         (1,206,529 )
                               

Total

  42,011                         (1,785,649 )
                               
  321   Structured CMBS Pools insured in the Secondary Market prior to 2005 (7 CDOs) (4)     —    
                               

Grand total

  42,332                         (1,785,649 )
                               

Data was gathered from several third party sources such as trustee reports, Intex, Bloomberg and rating agency websites; therefore, amounts and distributions may differ depending on data source and interpretation. Please note totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

(1)

Years in which no exposure was insured were omitted.

(2)

The range represents the minimum and maximum subordination for deals written in that year.

(3)

This column represents the net derivative asset/(liability) primarily for CDS deals written in that year. Note that not all insurance contracts are considered derivatives. Please refer to “Note 6: Fair Value of Financial Instruments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Company’s accounting treatment of derivatives (including CDS on CDOs).

(4)

The table does not provide collateral level detail on seven Structured CMBS pools totaling $0.3 billion of net par executed in the secondary market. These deals were insured prior to 2005. In addition, all seven deals were rated Triple-A at the time MBIA wrote insurance.

The Company’s $42.3 billion net par Structured CMBS Pools and CRE CDO portfolio at March 31, 2008 did not contain any CDOs of ABS exposures, and the Structured CMBS Pools did not contain any Subprime and Non-subprime RMBS exposures. The underlying credit ratings of the collateral that support the Subprime RMBS, Non-subprime RMBS exposures along with their vintage are presented for the CRE CDO portfolio in the following tables.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

CRE CDOs: Vintage and Collateral Ratings of CDOs Containing Subprime RMBS

 

($ in millions)               Vintage of Subprime RMBS     Breakdown of Subprime RMBS  

Year Insured(1)

   Net Par
Outstanding
   % Subprime collateral     2005 and
Prior
    2006     2007     Total     AAA     AA     A     BBB     Below
IG(2)
    Total  

CRE CDOs

                         

2004

   408    15 %   15 %   0 %   0 %   15 %   0 %   2 %   5 %   9 %   0 %   15 %

2005

   1,544    19 %   13 %   4 %   2 %   19 %   0 %   0 %   3 %   14 %   2 %   19 %

2006

   3,416    0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %

2007

   4,494    4 %   2 %   1 %   1 %   4 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   3 %   4 %
                           

Sub-total

   9,862                       
                           
   32,149    Structured CMBS Pools                    
                           

Total

   42,011                       
                           
   321    Structured CMBS Pools insured in the Secondary Market prior to 2005(7 CDOs) (3)   
                           

Grand total

   42,332                       
                           

All figures represent MBIA’s insured net par outstanding as of March 31, 2008. Data was gathered from several third party sources such as trustee reports, Intex, Bloomberg and rating agency websites; therefore, amounts and distributions may differ depending on data source and interpretation. Collateral ratings are current as of April 30, 2008. Please note totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

(1)

Years in which no exposure was insured were omitted.

(2)

Below IG (Investment Grade) denotes collateral credit ratings of below BBB-.

(3)

The table does not provide collateral level detail on seven Structured CMBS pools totaling $0.3 billion of net par executed in the secondary market. These deals were insured prior to 2005. In addition, all seven deals were rated Triple-A at the time MBIA wrote insurance.

CRE CDOs: Vintage and Collateral Ratings of CDOs Containing Non Subprime RMBS

 

($ in millions)               Vintage of Non Subprime RMBS     Breakdown of Non Subprime RMBS  

Year Insured(1)

   Net Par
Outstanding
   % Non Subprime collateral     2005 and
Prior
    2006     2007     Total     AAA     AA     A     BBB     Below
IG(2)
    Total  

CRE CDOs

                         

2004

   408    3 %   2 %   0 %   1 %   3 %   2 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   3 %

2005

   1,544    6 %   3 %   2 %   0 %   6 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   5 %   0 %   6 %

2006

   3,416    1 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   1 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   1 %   1 %

2007

   4,494    0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %   0 %
                           

Sub-total

   9,862                       
                           
   32,149    Structured CMBS Pools  
                           

Total

   42,011                       
                           
   321    Structured CMBS Pools insured in the Secondary Market prior to 2005 (7 CDOs) (3)   
                           

Grand total

   42,332                       
                           

All figures represent MBIA’s insured net par outstanding as of March 31, 2008. Data was gathered from several third party sources such as trustee reports, Intex, Bloomberg and rating agency websites; therefore, amounts and distributions may differ depending on data source and interpretation. Collateral ratings are current as of April 30, 2008. Please note totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

(1)

Years in which no exposure was insured were omitted.

(2)

Below IG (Investment Grade) denotes collateral credit ratings of below BBB-.

(3)

The table does not provide collateral level detail on seven Structured CMBS pools totaling $0.3 billion of net par executed in the secondary market. These deals were insured prior to 2005. In addition, all seven deals were rated Triple-A at the time MBIA wrote insurance.

Investment Management Services Operations

The Company’s investment management services operations provide an array of products and services to the public, not-for-profit and corporate sectors. Such products and services are provided primarily through wholly owned subsidiaries of MBIA Asset Management and include cash management, discretionary asset management and fund administration services and investment agreement, medium-term note and commercial paper programs related to funding assets for third-party clients and for investment purposes. The investment management services operations consist of three operating segments: asset/liability products, which include investment agreements and medium-term notes (“MTNs”) not related to the conduit segment; advisory services, which consist of third-party and related-party fee-based asset management; and conduits.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following table summarizes the consolidated investment management services’ results and assets under management for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. These results include revenues and expenses from transactions with the Company’s insurance and corporate operations. Beginning with the first quarter of 2008, net interest income and expense and net realized gains and losses related to non-hedging derivative instruments are no longer reported within “Net investment income,” “Interest expense,” and “Net realized gains (losses),” respectively, but are instead reported within “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange.” These reclassifications were made in order to report derivative results consistent with presentations commonly used throughout the financial services industry. Included in the following first quarter of 2007 results is a $7 million net expense reclassification from net investment income, a $1 million expense reclassification from interest expense and a $2 million net loss reclassification from net realized gains (losses), resulting in a $10 million increase to previously reported net losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange. These reclassifications had no impact on pre-tax income.

 

     1st Quarter     Percent Change  

In millions

   2008     2007     2008 vs. 2007  

Net investment income

   $ 350     $ 358     (2 )%

Fees and reimbursements

     11       13     (16 )%

Net realized gains (losses)

     (186 )     12     n/m  

Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange

     60       (27 )   n/m  
                      

Total revenues

     235       356     (34 )%
                      

Interest expense

     310       314     (1 )%

Operating expenses

     17       25     (34 )%
                      

Total expenses

     327       339     (3 )%
                      

Pre-tax income (loss)

   $ (92 )   $ 17     n/m  
                      

Ending assets under management

   $ 63,445     $ 63,280     0.3 %
                      

 

n/m-Percentage change not meaningful.

In the first quarter of 2008, investment management services’ revenues of $235 million decreased 34% compared with the first quarter of 2007. Excluding net realized gains and losses from investment securities and net gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, revenues of $361 million in the first quarter of 2008 decreased 3% compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was due to deal amortization, partially offset by new business activity, within the asset/liability products segment. Advisory services segment’s revenues were unfavorable compared with 2007 due to reimbursed expenses recorded in the first quarter of 2007 related to the Hudson-Thames structured investment vehicle partially offset by growth in municipal investment pool balances and Customized Asset Management. Total investment management services’ expenses in the first quarter of 2008 were $327 million, down 3% compared with 2007 due to interest expense benefits of $14 million associated with repurchases of medium-term notes at a discount, partially offset by expenses in connection with new business activity in 2008, and compensation-related accrual reversals.

Net realized losses from investment securities in the investment management services operations were $186 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with net realized gains of $12 million in the first quarter of 2007. In the first quarter of 2008, other-than-temporary impairments resulted in realized losses totaling $224 million primarily resulting from uninsured asset-backed investments, partially offset by net realized gains of $38 million generated from the ongoing management of the investment portfolios. An other-than-temporary impairment requires that a security be recorded at current fair value and the difference between amortized cost and current fair value be reflected as a realized loss. In the case of securities deemed other than temporarily impaired in the first quarter of 2008, we believe the expected principal recovery of the securities written down is considerably higher than current fair value due to extremely stressed current market conditions which have negatively affected the prices of fixed income securities in general. Therefore, we expect that, over time, we will realize a greater value from these securities than is reflected by their current fair value.

Net gains on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange from the investment management services operations in the first quarter of 2008 were $60 million compared with net losses of $27 million in the first quarter of 2007. The net gains in 2008 were primarily generated from gains on total return swaps used to hedge certain cash bond positions for which the Company did not receive hedge accounting treatment under SFAS 133 and gains on certain hybrid financial instruments, partially offset by unfavorable foreign exchange on the re-measurement of euro denominated liabilities against British pound sterling.

As of March 31, 2008, ending assets under management of $63.4 billion were slightly higher than ending asset under management of $63.3 billion as of December 31, 2007. Increases in our investment portfolios from capital raising initiatives and growth in the advisory services segment were offset by declines in the asset/liability products and conduit segments. Conduit ending assets included in assets under management at March 31, 2008 totaled $3.4 billion compared with $4.2 billion at December 31, 2007.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following provides a summary of each of the investment management services’ businesses by segment. See “Note 7: Business Segments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a tabular presentation of the results of the investment management services’ segments.

Asset/liability products’ pre-tax income, excluding realized gains and losses from investment securities and gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, totaled $22 million in the first quarter of 2008, down 13% compared with the first quarter of 2007. At March 31, 2008, principal and accrued interest outstanding on investment agreement and medium-term note obligations and securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $25.3 billion compared with $26.7 billion at December 31, 2007. Cash and investments supporting these agreements had market values plus accrued interest of $23.7 billion and $25.9 billion at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. These assets comprise high quality securities with an average credit quality rating of double-A. The fair values of assets have fallen relative to the balance of liabilities due to the widening of credit spreads, while the liabilities are not carried at fair value.

Advisory services’ pre-tax income, excluding realized gains and losses from investment securities and gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, totaled $9 million in the first quarter of 2008, up $5 million from the first quarter of 2007. Third-party ending assets under management were $22.7 billion and $22.1 billion at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The market values of assets related to our insurance and corporate investment portfolios managed by the investment management services operations as of March 31, 2007 were $13.4 billion, up 25% from $10.7 billion as of December 31, 2007 primarily due to proceeds from our capital raising initiatives in January and February 2008.

Conduit program pre-tax income, excluding gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, totaled $3 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $4 million in the first quarter of 2007. Certain of MBIA’s consolidated subsidiaries have invested in our conduit debt obligations or have received compensation for services provided to our conduits. As such, we have eliminated intercompany transactions with our conduits from our consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations. After the elimination of such intercompany assets and liabilities, conduit investments totaled $3.5 billion and conduit debt obligations totaled $3.4 billion as of March 31, 2008. The effect of the elimination on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet is a reduction of fixed-maturity investments, representing investments in conduit medium-term notes by other MBIA subsidiaries, with a corresponding reduction of conduit medium-term notes.

Corporate Operations

The corporate operations primarily consist of holding company activities. The following table summarizes the consolidated corporate operation’s results for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. The results include revenues and expenses from transactions with the Company’s insurance and investment management services operations.

 

     1st Quarter     Percent Change  

In millions

   2008     2007     2008 vs. 2007  

Net investment income

   $ 7     $ 6     19 %

Net realized gains (losses)

     (1 )     1     n/m  

Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange

     (43 )     0     n/m  

Insurance recoveries

     —         3     n/m  
                      

Total revenues

     (37 )     10     (450 )%
                      

Operating

     7       9     15 %

Interest expense

     20       20     0 %
                      

Total expenses

     27       29     (5 )%
                      

Pre-tax loss

   $ (64 )   $ (18 )   (252 )%
                      

 

n/m—Percentage change not meaningful.

In the first quarter of 2008, net investment income in the corporate operations increased 19% to $7.2 million from $6.0 million in the first quarter of 2007. The increase was primarily due to growth in invested assets driven by $1.1 billion of proceeds from the Company’s public offering of MBIA Inc. common stock in February 2008. Net realized losses from investment securities in the corporate operations were $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with net realized gains of $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2007 and were generated from the ongoing management of the investment portfolios.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

In the first quarter of 2008, the corporate operations recorded a mark-to-market loss totaling $45 million related to the warrants issued to Warburg Pincus, which is included in net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange. The warrants are recorded on the Company’s balance sheet at fair value and changes in the fair value of the warrants are recorded within current earnings.

In the first quarter of 2007, the corporate operations recorded insurance recoveries of $3.4 million, which represented recoveries received on the Company’s directors’ and officers’ insurance policy. These insurance recoveries reimbursed the Company for a portion of the expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the regulatory investigations and the related private securities and derivative litigations. No additional recoveries were received in the first quarter of 2008. However, the Company is pursuing additional recoveries under its directors’ and officers’ insurance policy and has filed a lawsuit against two of its insurance carriers seeking additional recoveries.

Corporate expenses were $7 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $9 million in the first quarter of 2007. The decrease in corporate expenses was primarily due to a decrease in legal costs associated with regulatory investigations partially offset by an increase in interest expense on inter-segment balances and costs associated with the warrants issued to Warburg Pincus.

The corporate operations incurred interest expense of $20 million in the first quarter of 2008 and 2007. Corporate interest expense is primarily generated from debt issued by MBIA Inc.

Taxes

MBIA’s tax policy is to optimize after-tax income by maintaining the appropriate mix of taxable and tax-exempt investments. The effective tax rate was a benefit of 35.0% in the first quarter of 2008 compared with a provision of 28.3% for the first quarter of 2007.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the quarter was primarily a result of the mark-to-market net losses recorded on the Company’s derivatives portfolio. The Company has calculated its year-to-date effective tax rate by treating these mark-to-market net losses as a discrete item. As such, the tax benefit of these net losses, calculated at the statutory tax rate of 35%, is an adjustment to the annual effective tax rate that the Company has estimated for all other pre-tax income. Given its inability to estimate the mark-to-market losses for the full year 2008, which directly affects the Company’s ability to estimate pre-tax loss and the related effective tax rate for the full year of 2008, the Company believes that it is appropriate to treat the mark-to-market net losses as a discrete item for purposes of calculating the effective tax rate for the quarter. Further changes in the fair value of the Company’s derivative portfolio during 2008 will impact the Company’s annual effective tax rate.

As a result of the cumulative mark-to-market losses of $6.9 billion, primarily related to the insured credit derivatives, the Company established a deferred tax asset of $2.4 billion, which is included in the Company’s total deferred tax asset of $2.9 billion as of March 31, 2008. We believe that it is more likely than not that our total $2.9 billion in deferred tax assets will be realized. As such, no valuation allowance was established. In its conclusion, the Company considered the following factors:

 

   

Due to the long-tail nature of the financial guarantee business, it is important to note that the Company, even without regard to any new business, will have a steady stream of scheduled premium earnings with respect to the existing insured portfolio. The Company’s announcement of a six-month suspension in writing new structured finance transactions and a complete exit from the insurance of credit derivatives would not have an impact on the expected earnings related to the existing insured portfolio (i.e. the “back-book” business). The Company performed a taxable income projection in a hypothetical extraordinary loss/impairment scenario and concluded that premium earnings, even without regard to any new business, combined with taxable investment income, less deductible expenses, will be sufficient to recover the deferred tax assets of $2.9 billion.

 

   

The Company’s decision to eliminate the current dividend and raise $2.6 billion in additional capital in January and February of 2008 is not a result of lack of liquidity in terms of working capital but rather for ratings agencies’ additional capital requirement in order to preserve the Company’s triple-A rating. The Company has approximately $41.8 billion in investments at March 31, 2008.

 

   

The Company historically has not had any unused tax benefits that have expired (i.e. net operating loss or capital loss carryforwards). The deferred tax asset related to the mark-to-market loss stems largely from the widening of the credit spreads related to the insured credit derivative contracts. The Company believes that the recorded deferred tax asset will be realized as the Company expects the recorded mark-to-market adjustment to reverse at maturity with the exception of credit impairments.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company manages its capital resources to minimize its cost of capital while maintaining appropriate claims-paying resources to sustain its triple-A claims-paying ratings. Capital resources are defined by the Company as total shareholders’ equity, long-term debt issued for general corporate purposes and various soft capital credit facilities. At March 31, 2008, total shareholders’ equity was $2.1 billion and total long-term debt was $2.2 billion. The Company uses debt financing to lower its overall cost of capital. MBIA maintains debt at levels it considers to be prudent based on its cash flow and total capital (shareholders’ equity plus long-term debt). The following table presents the Company’s long-term debt and the ratio used to measure it:

 

     March 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  

Long-term debt (in millions)

   $ 2,247     $ 1,225  

Long-term debt to total capital

     52 %     25 %

Long-term debt includes debt issued by MBIA Inc. for general corporate purposes and surplus notes issued by MBIA Corp. The increase in the long-term debt to capital ratio reflects the large net losses recorded in the first quarter of 2008 on our insured credit derivatives exposure, which resulted in a substantial decline in shareholders’ equity. These losses more than offset the effect of our capital raising initiatives completed in January and February 2008.

Capital Strengthening Plan

In the fourth quarter of 2007, deterioration in the RMBS and CDO sectors resulted in the major rating agencies reassessing the capital adequacy ratios of financial guarantors to reflect deterioration in the expected performance of transactions within the financial guarantors’ insured portfolios. To enable the Company to maintain appropriate claims-paying resources in order to sustain the triple-A financial strength ratings assigned to MBIA Corp., a comprehensive capital strengthening plan was announced on January 9, 2008. Each of the components of the capital strengthening plan and developments to date are discussed below.

Warburg Pincus Agreement / Common Stock Offering

On December 10, 2007, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement, subsequently amended on February 6, 2008, with Warburg Pincus (the “Warburg Pincus Agreement”), a private equity firm, which committed to invest up to $1.25 billion in the Company through a direct purchase of MBIA common stock and a backstop for a common stock offering.

Under the Warburg Pincus Agreement, Warburg Pincus made an initial investment of $500 million in MBIA through the acquisition of 16.1 million shares of MBIA common stock at a price of $31.00 per share, which was completed on January 30, 2008. In connection with its initial investment, Warburg Pincus received warrants to purchase 8.7 million shares of MBIA common stock at a price of $40 per share and “B” warrants, which, upon obtaining certain approvals, became exercisable to purchase 7.4 million shares of common stock at a price of $40 per share. The term of the warrants is seven years. In addition, the securities purchased by Warburg Pincus are subject to significant transfer restrictions for a minimum of one year and up to three years. The Company’s senior management team originally committed to invest a total of $2 million in the Company’s common stock at the same price as Warburg Pincus which commitment was later adjusted downward. Since that time, the current senior management team has satisfied their purchase commitment. The majority of the net proceeds received under Warburg Pincus’ initial investment were contributed to the surplus of MBIA Corp. to support its business plan.

On February 6, 2008, the Company and Warburg Pincus amended the Warburg Pincus Agreement to provide that Warburg Pincus would backstop a common stock offering by agreeing to purchase up to $750 million of convertible participating preferred stock. Warburg Pincus was also granted the option to purchase up to $300 million of preferred stock prior to the closing of a common stock offering or February 15, 2008. Finally, Warburg Pincus was granted “B2” warrants which, upon obtaining certain approvals, became exercisable to purchase between 4 million and 8 million shares of MBIA common stock, whether or not the common stock offering was completed.

On February 13, 2008, the Company completed a public offering of 94.65 million shares of MBIA common stock at $12.15 per share. Warburg Pincus informed the Company that it purchased $300 million in common stock as part of the offering. The Company did not use the $750 million Warburg Pincus backstop. In addition, Warburg Pincus did not exercise its right to purchase up to $300 million in preferred stock. Pursuant to the amended Warburg Pincus Agreement, Warburg Pincus was granted 4 million of “B2” warrants at a price of $16.20 per share. In addition, under anti-dilution provisions in the Warburg Pincus Agreement, the terms of the warrants issued to Warburg Pincus on January 30, 2008 were amended, which resulted in (a) the 8.7 million of warrants exercisable at $40 per share were revised to 11.5 million warrants exercisable at $30.25 per share and (b) the 7.4 million of “B” warrants exercisable at $40 per share were revised to 9.8 million “B” warrants exercisable at $30.25 per share. The Company intends to use most of the net proceeds of the common stock offering to support its insurance operations as discussed in the following “Liquidity” section.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Surplus Notes

On January 16, 2008, MBIA Corp. issued Surplus Notes due January 15, 2033. The Surplus Notes have an initial interest rate of 14 percent until January 15, 2013 and thereafter at an interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 11.26 percent. The Surplus Notes are callable at par at MBIA Corp.’s option on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance and every fifth anniversary thereafter, subject to prior approval by the Superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department (“NYSID”) and other restrictions. The cash received from the Surplus Notes will be used for general corporate purposes.

Net Release of Capital Supporting Amortizing and Maturing Transactions

Capital generation from the maturing of existing transactions and a decrease in the number of new transactions consummated, combined with the reduction in the quarterly dividend, has reduced our Moody’s and S&P capital requirements by a range of approximately $400 million to $500 million, depending on the rating agency, in the first quarter of 2008.

Reduction in Quarterly Dividend

On January 9, 2008, the Company announced an anticipated reduction in its quarterly shareholder dividends. On February 25, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the elimination of MBIA Inc. shareholder dividends. The elimination of MBIA Inc. shareholder dividends is expected to preserve approximately $174 million of capital on an annualized basis.

Reinsurance

The Company is exploring the purchase of reinsurance and various other risk reduction transactions covering a diversified portion of MBIA’s portfolio. These transactions, if executed, would significantly reduce our rating agency capital requirements.

Share Repurchases

On February 1, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of common stock up to $1 billion under a new share repurchase program, which superseded the previously authorized program. As of March 31, 2008, we had repurchased 10 million shares under the program at an average price of $66.30 per share. The Company’s ability to repurchase common stock is largely dependent on the amount of dividends paid by MBIA Corp. to MBIA Inc. Repurchases of common stock may be made from time to time in the open market or in private transactions as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements. We believe that share repurchases can be an appropriate deployment of capital in excess of amounts needed to maintain the triple-A claims-paying ratings of MBIA Corp. and support the growth of MBIA’s businesses.

In the third quarter of 2007, the Company decided to suspend share repurchases under the program in light of concerns and uncertainties regarding the housing markets, the structured finance sector and the U.S. economy, leaving $340 million available under our $1 billion share buyback program. The Company may reevaluate this decision from time to time and resume share repurchases when it deems appropriate.

During the first quarter of 2008, we did not purchase any common stock in the open market as part of the authorized $1 billion share repurchase program, leaving $340 million available for future purchases.

Soft Capital

The Company has available various facilities, such as lines of credit and equity-based facilities, which further support our claims-paying resources. In aggregate, we believe our claims-paying resources are more than adequate to support our business risks. At March 31, 2008, MBIA Corp. maintained a $450 million limited recourse standby line of credit facility with a group of major banks to provide funds for the payment of claims in excess of the greater of $500 million of cumulative claims, net of recoveries, or 5% of average annual debt service with respect to U.S. public finance transactions. The agreement is for a ten-year term, which expires in March 2015.

MBIA Corp. has access to $400 million through the CPCT facility issued by eight trusts (the “Trusts”), which were created for the primary purpose of issuing CPCT securities and investing the proceeds in high-quality commercial paper or short-term U.S. Government obligations. The CPCT securities are remarketed every 28 days with the interest rate set by means of an auction and with two trusts remarketing each week. In the event that there are insufficient bids at any auction to remarket all of the CPCT securities of any trust, the rate is reset for the next 28 days at the maximum prescribed rate with the investors of the CPCT securities continuing to hold them until the next auction in which sufficient bids are received. The maximum prescribed rate is 30-day LIBOR plus 150 basis points if MBIA Corp. maintains a financial strength rating from S&P and Moody’s at or above AA- and Aa3, respectively, or 30-day LIBOR plus 200 basis points if MBIA Corp.’s financial strength rating falls below either AA- or Aa3. Due to the decline in the demand for short-term structured securities during the last several quarters, all CPCT securities were unable to be remarketed at their most recent remarketing date, resulting in the current investors of the CPCT securities receiving the maximum prescribed interest rate from August 14, 2007 through March 31, 2008.

 

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MBIA Corp. has a put option to sell to the Trusts the perpetual preferred stock of MBIA Corp. If MBIA Corp. exercises its put option, the Trusts will transfer the proceeds to MBIA Corp. in exchange for the preferred stock that will be held by the Trusts. The Trusts are vehicles for providing MBIA Corp. the opportunity to access new capital at its sole discretion through the exercise of the put options. As of December 31, 2007, the Trusts were rated AA and Aa2 by S&P and Moody’s, respectively. However, in January 2008 the trusts were downgraded by S&P and Moody’s to AA- and Aa3, respectively. To date, MBIA Corp. has not exercised its put options under any of these arrangements. We continue to receive 100% capital credit for this facility. However, we anticipate incurring additional expenses of $1.5 million per quarter to maintain this facility if the CPCT securities continue to incur interest at the maximum prescribed rate compared with expenses incurred in prior quarters.

Shelf Registration

From time to time, MBIA accesses the capital markets to support the growth of its businesses. As such, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3ASR with the SEC in June 2007 for an indeterminate amount which replaced and canceled remaining balances on all prior shelf registration statements filed with the SEC. This shelf registration permits us to issue various debt and equity securities described in the prospectus filed as part of the registration statement. In February 2008, we filed amendments to our Form S-3ASR to allow the issuance of $1.15 billion of common stock as part of our capital strengthening plan.

LIQUIDITY

Cash needs at the parent holding company level are primarily for dividends to its shareholders, interest payments on its debt and operating expenses. Sources of cash at the parent company level primarily consist of dividend payments from MBIA Corp. and the earnings of MBIA Asset Management and dividends from its subsidiaries, investment income and the issuance of debt. Additionally, the parent company maintains excess cash and investments to ensure it is able to meet its ongoing short-term and long-term cash requirements. As of March 31, 2008, the parent company had $1.4 billion of cash and investments available for general corporate liquidity purposes. The parent company also has access to a $500 million revolving credit facility, as described below, which may be used for general corporate purposes. The parent company’s annual cash needs forecasted from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 are approximately $115 million. After consultation with the NYSID, MBIA Inc. has decided to contribute $900 million of the proceeds of the February 13, 2008 public offering to its insurance subsidiaries, consistent with our previously announced capital strengthening plan to maintain our triple-A ratings and support our existing and future policyholders, in the next ten to thirty days.

Cash needs in our insurance operations are primarily for the payment of insurance claims, operating expenses, dividends to MBIA Inc. and, beginning in 2008, interest on surplus notes. As of March 31, 2008, MBIA Corp. had cash and available-for-sale investments of $12.3 billion and access to a total of $850 million through its standby line of credit facility and its CPCT facility.

The Company has significant liquidity requirements within the asset/liability products segment of its investment management services operations. The asset/liability products segment has issued diversified funding liabilities over various products, maturities and markets. Included in these liabilities are investment agreements in which counterparties have the ability to withdraw monies on dates other than those specified in the related draw-down schedules in accordance with permitted uses of funds. Proceeds from the issuance of funding liabilities are invested in high quality, diversified assets that produce an acceptable spread return. The weighted average life and the duration of the asset portfolio are closely matched to the liability portfolio.

Cash needs in the asset/liability products segment are primarily for principal and interest payments on funding liabilities and payment of operating expenses. Sources of cash include scheduled maturities of high quality assets, net investment income and dedicated capital held within the investment management services operations and, if needed, assets which can be sold or used in secured repurchase agreement borrowings. As of March 31, 2008, the asset/liability products segment had cash and investments of $23.5 billion. We believe that the segment’s liquidity resources, in the ordinary course of business, are adequate to meet its needs.

A number of liquidity tests are performed to ensure that current liquidity resources in the asset/liability products segment are well in excess of expected needs in the short-term and long-term, without relying on new liability issuance. Additionally, liquidity risk is mitigated by (i) provisions in the investment agreements which do not allow discretionary withdrawals and limit an issuer’s withdrawal of funds to specific uses outlined in the agreements, and (ii) risk management procedures that require the regular re-evaluation and re-projection of draw-down schedules and the rebalancing of asset cash flows as needed to meet these draw-downs. Investments are restricted to fixed-income securities with an average credit quality rating of double-A and a minimum credit quality rating of investment grade at the time of purchase.

Investment agreements issued by our asset/liability products segment generally provide for collateral posting or termination in the event of a downgrade of MBIA Corp.’s credit ratings. The maximum collateral posting would occur at a single-A financial strength rating by Moody’s or S&P, and the maximum terminations would occur at a triple-B financial strength rating by Moody’s or S&P. Based on the asset portfolio as of March 31, 2008, the maximum collateral posting requirement at a single-A financial strength rating would be $12.7 billion and free collateral at a triple-B financial strength rating would be $9.2 billion. As of March 31, 2008, the Company’s collateral posting requirement totaled $8.25 billion and free collateral totaled $16.8 billion based on MBIA Corp.’s current financial strength ratings. We believe that the liquidity position of the asset/liability products segment is adequate to meet these requirements related to investment agreements under stress scenarios.

 

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Operating Cash Flows

The consolidated liquidity and operating cash requirements of the Company are met by cash flows generated from operations, which were more than adequate to meet cash needs in the three months ended March 31, 2008. Our operating cash flows totaled $257 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared with $142 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The majority of net cash provided by operating activities is typically generated from premium writings and investment income in our insurance operations. However, in the first quarter of 2008 we received a $178 million refund of income taxes paid in prior years, which was partially offset by claim payments made on our insurance policies.

During 2008, we currently expect that we will be required to make total loss payments, before reinsurance, of between $700 million and $800 million, of which approximately 75% relates to insured credits in the RMBS and home equity sectors. In addition, we currently estimate that the Surplus Notes will require interest payments totaling $70 million for 2008. However, we anticipate that the estimated cash flow from operations in 2008 in conjunction with our current capital resources, inclusive of the capital strengthening actions taken through February 2008, will be sufficient to meet our estimated liquidity and operating cash requirements in 2008 and the foreseeable future.

MBIA Corp.’s net cash flow from operating activities for the first three months of 2008 was $304 million and was primarily generated from premium writings, investment income and tax refunds. MBIA Corp’s net cash flow from operating activities for the full year of 2007 was $977 million.

Investing Cash Flows

For the three months ended March 31, 2008, net cash used by investing activities was $468 million compared with $1.3 billion during the comparable period in 2007. The decrease was primarily due to redemptions of held-to-maturity investments and a decline in purchases of available-for-sale investments within our investment management services operations, partially offset by purchases of investments as we invested the proceeds of our capital issuance and surplus notes transactions.

Financing Cash Flows

For the three months ended March 31, 2008, net cash provided by financing activities was $237 million compared with $1.1 billion during the comparable period in 2007. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in principal repayments of medium-term notes within our investment management services operations, partially offset by proceeds received from our capital issuance and surplus notes transactions.

Subsidiary Dividends

Under New York State insurance law, without prior approval of the Superintendent of the NYSID, financial guarantee insurance companies can pay dividends from earned surplus subject to retaining a minimum capital requirement. The payment of regular dividends in any 12-month period are limited to the lesser of (i) 10% of policyholders’ surplus as shown on MBIA Corp.’s latest filed statutory financial statements and (ii) 100% of adjusted net investment income. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, MBIA Corp. did not declare or pay any dividends to MBIA Inc. Dividends from MBIA Corp. are used primarily for general liquidity and other corporate purposes. The level of excess capital relative to the rating agencies’ requirements has declined in recent months as the ratings agencies increased their estimates of required capital due to the ongoing deterioration in the mortgage-backed securities and CDO markets. The amount of dividends paid by MBIA Corp. to MBIA Inc. may be influenced by changes in rating agency capital requirements for MBIA Corp.

Credit Facilities

At March 31, 2008, MBIA maintained a revolving credit facility totaling $500 million with a group of highly rated global banks. The facility contains certain covenants including, among others, that the consolidated net worth of MBIA Inc. and MBIA Corp. (which is defined to include our surplus notes as an equity item) will not fall below $2.8 billion and that the ratio of consolidated debt to equity for MBIA Inc. and MBIA Corp. will not exceed 30%, at any time. In January 2008, the Company amended the current credit facility to treat the Surplus Notes as equity in the net worth and leverage calculations. This facility does not include any credit rating triggers or any provisions that could require the posting of collateral. The Company was in compliance with all of the revolving credit facility covenants as of March 31, 2008. We are currently in discussions with several of the banks to amend the definition of consolidated net worth to exclude certain unrealized gains and losses. During 2008, there were no balances outstanding under the facility.

Triple-A One Funding Corporation (“Triple-A One”), an MBIA-administered multi-seller conduit consolidated in the Company’s conduit segment, issues commercial paper to fund the purchase of assets from structured finance clients. Assets purchased by Triple-A One are insured by MBIA Corp. Triple-A One maintains backstop liquidity facilities for each transaction, covering 100% of the face amount of commercial paper outstanding, with banks rated A-1/P-1 or better by S&P and Moody’s,

 

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respectively. These liquidity facilities are designed to allow Triple-A One to repay investors in the event of a market disruption in which Triple-A One is unable to issue new commercial paper to replace maturing commercial paper. The financial guarantee policies issued by MBIA Corp. to insure the assets of Triple-A One cannot be accelerated to repay maturing commercial paper or borrowings under liquidity facilities and only guarantee ultimate payments over time relating to the assets. Through January 2008, no borrowings were made under any of Triple-A One’s liquidity facilities. In February, April and May 2008, Triple-A One borrowed under its liquidity facilities to repay maturing commercial paper. As of May 8, 2008, Triple-A One had $39 million of borrowings outstanding under its liquidity facilities. Outstanding balances are expected to be repaid using proceeds from the issuance of new commercial paper.

Investments

The available-for-sale investment portfolio provides a high degree of liquidity, since it comprises readily marketable high-quality fixed-income securities and short-term investments. As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the fair value of the consolidated available-for-sale investment portfolio was $37.2 billion and $37.0 billion, respectively, as presented in the following table:

 

     March 31,     December 31,     Percent Change  

In millions

   2008     2007     2008 vs. 2007  

Available-for-sale investments:

      

Insurance operations:

      

Amortized cost

   $ 11,971     $ 10,067     19 %

Unrealized net gain (loss)

     165       250     (34 )%
                      

Fair value

   $ 12,136     $ 10,317     18 %
                      

Investment management services operations:

      

Amortized cost

   $ 25,439     $ 27,221     (7 )%

Unrealized net gain (loss)

     (1,765 )     (910 )   94 %
                      

Fair value

   $ 23,674     $ 26,311     (10 )%
                      

Corporate operations:

      

Amortized cost

   $ 1,423     $ 380     275 %

Unrealized net gain (loss)

     6       4     41 %
                      

Fair value

   $ 1,429     $ 384     272 %
                      

Total available-for-sale portfolio:

      

Amortized cost

   $ 38,833     $ 37,668     3 %

Unrealized net gain (loss)

     (1,594 )     (656 )   143 %
                      

Fair value

   $ 37,239     $ 37,012     1 %
                      

The increase in the amortized cost of the insurance operations’ available-for-sale investments as of March 31, 2008 compared with December 31, 2007 was the result of proceeds from the issuance of the surplus notes, proceeds from the sale of MBIA Inc. common stock to Warburg Pincus contributed to the insurance operations, and positive cash flows from operations. The decrease in the amortized cost of available-for-sale investments in the investment management services operations principally resulted from the maturity of investments to repay investment agreement and medium-term note obligations within the asset/liability products segment, as well as the other-than-temporary impairment of certain securities. Corporate investments increased as of March 31, 2008 compared with December 31, 2007 as a result of proceeds from MBIA Inc.’s common stock offering.

The fair value of the Company’s investments is based on prices which include quoted prices in active markets and prices based on market-based inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable, as well as prices from dealers in relevant markets. Differences between fair value and amortized cost arise primarily as a result of changes in interest rates and general market credit spreads occurring after a fixed-income security is purchased, although other factors influence fair value, including specific credit-related changes, supply and demand forces and other market factors. When the Company holds an available-for-sale investment to maturity, any unrealized gain or loss currently recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the shareholders’ equity section of the balance sheet will be reversed. As a result, the Company expects to realize a value substantially equal to amortized cost. However, when investments are sold prior to maturity, the Company will realize any gain or loss in net income. The Conduit portfolios are considered held-to-maturity, as the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments to their contractual maturity. Therefore, these portfolios are reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at amortized cost and are not adjusted to reflect unrealized changes in fair value.

 

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Investments for which the Company has recorded unrealized losses are tested quarterly for other-than-temporary impairment. For each security that meets the threshold of either 20% impaired at the time of review or 5% impaired at the time of review with a fair value below amortized cost for a consecutive 12-month period, a further analysis of the security is performed to assess if the impairment is other-than-temporary. See “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” in the notes to consolidated financial statements included in MBIA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 for additional information on our policy for assessing other-than-temporary impairments. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had a pre-tax unrealized net loss of $1.8 billion related to its investment management services operations’ available-for-sale investment portfolio, which primarily resulted from changes in the market value of asset-backed securities due to significant widening of market credit spreads. Included in the unrealized pre-tax net loss of $1.8 billion were unrealized net losses totaling $1.2 billion within the asset-backed sector, primarily consisting of CDO, RMBS, auto loan and credit card investments. The Company’s investment management services operations has entered into total return swaps that economically hedge changes in the value of certain asset-backed investments. As of March 31, 2008, cumulative pre-tax gains on these total return swaps were $350 million.

The following table presents the fair values and unrealized losses by credit rating category of asset-backed securities included in our consolidated investment portfolio as of March 31, 2008 for which fair value is less than amortized cost. Fair values include the benefit of guarantees provided by financial guarantors, including MBIA. The credit ratings are based on ratings from Moody’s as of March 31, 2008 or an alternate ratings source, such as S&P, when a security is not rated by Moody’s.

 

(in millions)    Aaa     Aa     A     Baa     Below investment
grade
   Total  

Asset-Backed
Sector

   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
    Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
 

ABS CDO

   $ 666    $ (449 )   $ 88    $ (97 )   $ 48    $ (119 )   $ 53    $ (35 )   $ —      $ —      $ 855    $ (700 )

Non-Agency RMBS

     825      (123 )     20      (24 )     65      (23 )     127      (43 )     —        —        1,037      (213 )

Corporate CDO

     1,087      (104 )     —        —         —        —         —        —         —        —        1,087      (104 )

Auto Loans

     483      (15 )     —        —         27      (2 )     96      (14 )     —        —        606      (31 )

Credit Cards

     586      (27 )     —        —         3      (1 )     —        —         —        —        589      (28 )

CMBS

     9      —         —        —         14      (2 )     —        —         —        —        23      (2 )

Other ABS

     453      (49 )     6      —         17      (3 )     102      (27 )     —        —        578      (79 )
                                                                                         

Total

   $ 4,109    $ (767 )   $ 114    $ (121 )   $ 174    $ (150 )   $ 378    $ (119 )   $ —      $ —      $ 4,775    $ (1,157 )
                                                                                         

We have reviewed the above securities as part of our assessment of other-than-temporary impairments of our entire investment portfolio. During our review, we assessed (i) the magnitude and duration of declines in fair value and (ii) the reasons for the declines, such as general credit spread movements in each asset-backed sector, transaction-specific changes in credit spreads, credit rating downgrades, and modeled defaults and principal and interest payment priorities within each investment structure. All of our ABS investments included in the above table continue to be rated investment grade with 86% rated Aaa. Based on this assessment, we concluded that eight CDO investments were other than temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2008 and recorded realized losses on these securities through current earnings. We believe that, over time, the remainder of our asset-backed investments will recover to fair values at least equal to their amortized costs through improvements in market conditions and the repayment of principal. As we have the ability and intent to hold these securities until such a recovery in value, we have not realized losses on the remainder of our asset-backed investment portfolio through current earnings.

The weighted-average credit quality of the Company’s fixed-income portfolios has been maintained at double-A since its inception. The quality distribution of the Company’s fixed-income investment portfolios, excluding short-term investments, based on ratings from Moody’s as of March 31, 2008 is presented in the following table. Alternate ratings sources, such as S&P, have been used for a small percentage of securities that are not rated by Moody’s.

 

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     Insurance
Available-for-Sale
    Investment
Management Services
Available-for-Sale
    Investments
Held-to-Maturity
    Total  

In millions

   Fair
Value
   % of
Fixed-
Income
Investments
    Fair
Value
   % of
Fixed-
Income
Investments
    Fair
Value
   % of
Fixed-
Income
Investments
    Fair
Value
   % of
Fixed-
Income
Investments
 

Aaa

   $ 5,895    56 %   $ 10,412    55 %   $ 3,192    71 %   $ 19,499    58 %

Aa

     3,613    35 %     4,279    23 %     223    5 %     8,115    24 %

A

     808    8 %     3,650    19 %     1,100    24 %     5,558    16 %

Baa

     145    1 %     665    3 %     —      —         810    2 %

Below Investment Grade

     —      —         25    —         —      —         25    —    

Not rated

     —      —         —      —         —      —         —      —    
                                                    

Total

   $ 10,461    100 %   $ 19,031    100 %   $ 4,515    100 %   $ 34,007    100 %
                                                    

MBIA’s consolidated investment portfolio includes investments that are insured by various financial guarantee insurers (“Insured Investments”), including investments insured by MBIA Corp. (“MBIA Insured Investments”). At March 31, 2008, Insured Investments at fair value, excluding conduit segment investments, represented $7.8 billion or 19% of total investments, of which $2.0 billion or 5% of total investments were insured by MBIA Corp. Conduit investments represented $3.5 billion or 8% of total investments and were all insured by MBIA Corp.

The distribution of the Company’s Insured Investments by financial guarantee insurer as of March 31, 2008 is presented in the following table.

 

     Insurance
Available-for-Sale
    Investment
Management Services
Available-for-Sale
    Conduit
Held-to-Maturity
    Total  

In millions

   Fair
Value
   % of
Total
Investments
    Fair
Value
   % of
Total
Investments
    Fair
Value
   % of
Total
Investments
    Fair
Value
   % of
Total
Investments
 

MBIA Corp.

   $ 346    1 %   $ 1,685    4 %   $ 3,469    8 %   $ 5,500    13 %

Ambac

     448    1 %     1,572    4 %     —      —   %     2,020    5 %

FSA

     703    2 %     727    2 %     —      —   %     1,430    4 %

FGIC

     574    1 %     414    1 %     —      —   %     988    2 %

Other

     262    1 %     1,148    2 %     —      —   %     1,410    3 %
                                                    

Total

   $ 2,333    6 %   $ 5,546    13 %   $ 3,469    8 %   $ 11,348    27 %
                                                    

In purchasing Insured Investments, the Company independently assesses the underlying credit quality, structure and liquidity of each investment, in addition to the creditworthiness of the insurer. Insured Investments are diverse by sector, issuer and size of holding. The Company assigns underlying ratings to its Insured Investments without giving effect to financial guarantees based on the lower of underlying ratings assigned by S&P or Moody’s when an underlying rating is published by either rating agency, or when an external underlying rating is not available, the underlying rating is based on the Company’s best estimate of the rating of such investment. At March 31, 2008, based on the actual or estimated underlying ratings in the consolidated investment portfolio, excluding conduit segment investments, without giving effect to financial guarantees, (i) the weighted-average rating of the investment portfolio would be in the Aa range, (ii) the weighted-average rating of just the Insured Investments in the investment portfolio would be in the A range and (iii) less than 2% of the investment portfolio would be rated below investment grade.

The underlying ratings of the MBIA Insured Investments as of March 31, 2008 are reflected in the following table. Amounts represent the fair value of such investments including the benefit of the MBIA guarantee. The ratings in the table below are the lower underlying rating assigned by S&P or Moody’s when an underlying rating exists from either rating agency, or when an external underlying rating is not available, the underlying rating is based on the Company’s best estimate of the rating of such investment.

 

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Underlying Ratings Scale

 

In millions

   Insurance
Available-for-
Sale
   Investment
Management
Services
Available-for-Sale
   Conduit
Held-to-
Maturity
   Total

Aaa

   $ 31    $ 204    $ 959    $ 1,194

Aa

     10      107      —        117

A

     95      683      1,190      1,968

Baa

     107      684      1,320      2,111

Below Investment Grade

     103      7      —        110
                           

Total

   $ 346    $ 1,685    $ 3,469    $ 5,500
                           

Without giving effect to the MBIA guarantee of the MBIA Insured Investments in the consolidated investment portfolio, at March 31, 2008, based on the actual or estimated underlying ratings (i) the weighted-average rating of the investment portfolio would be in the Aa range, (ii) the weighted-average rating of just the MBIA Insured Investments in the investment portfolio would be in the A range and (iii) less than 1% of the investment portfolio would be rated below investment grade.

Conduit programs involve the use of rating agencies in assessing the quality of asset purchases and in assigning ratings to the various programs funded through the conduits. All transactions currently funded in the conduits had an underlying rating of at least investment grade by Moody’s and S&P prior to funding. The weighted-average underlying rating for transactions currently funded in the conduits was A by S&P and A2 by Moody’s at the time such transactions were funded. MBIA estimates that the current weighted-average underlying rating of all outstanding conduit transactions was A by S&P and A2 by Moody’s at March 31, 2008.

The Company generates significant liquidity from its operations, as described above. Because of its risk management policies and procedures, diversification and reinsurance, the Company believes that the occurrence of an event that would significantly adversely affect liquidity is unlikely.

MARKET RISK

In general, MBIA’s market risk relates to changes in the value of financial instruments that arise from adverse movements in factors such as interest rates, credit spreads and foreign exchange rates. MBIA is exposed to changes in interest rates that affect the fair value of its financial instruments, namely investment securities, investment agreement liabilities, medium-term notes, debentures and certain derivative transactions. The Company’s investment portfolio holdings are primarily U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income securities including municipal bonds, U.S. Government bonds, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, corporate bonds and asset-backed securities. In periods of rising and/or volatile interest rates, profitability could be adversely affected should the Company have to liquidate these securities.

MBIA minimizes its exposure to interest rate risk through active portfolio management to ensure a proper mix of the types of securities held and to stagger the maturities of its fixed-income securities. In addition, the Company enters into various swap agreements that hedge the risk of loss due to interest rate and foreign currency volatility.

Interest rate sensitivity can be estimated by projecting a hypothetical instantaneous increase or decrease in interest rates. The following table presents the estimated pre-tax change in fair value of the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2008 from instantaneous shifts in interest rates.

 

     Change in Interest Rates  

In millions

   300 Basis
Point
Decrease
   200 Basis
Point
Decrease
   100 Basis
Point
Decrease
   100 Basis
Point
Increase
    200 Basis
Point
Increase
    300 Basis
Point
Increase
 

Estimated change in fair value

   $ 1,551.5    $ 1,038.2    $ 520.7    $ (540.6 )   $ (1,044.0 )   $ (1,535.9 )

MBIA issued insurance policies insuring payments due on structured credit derivative contracts and directly entered into credit derivative contracts, which are marked-to-market through earnings under the requirements of SFAS 133. The insurance transactions primarily consisted of structured CDSs on pools of various types of reference obligations with considerable subordination beneath MBIA’s risk exposure at the time of issuance. All these transactions were insured by the Company’s insurance operations. The majority of these structured CDSs related to structured finance transactions with underlying reference obligations of cash securities and CDSs referencing liabilities of corporations or of other structured finance securitizations. The asset classes of the underlying reference obligations included corporate, asset-backed, residential mortgage-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities. These transactions were usually underwritten at or above a triple-A credit rating level. As of March 31, 2008, approximately 87% of the tranches insured by the Company were rated triple-A. Additionally,

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

MBIA’s investment management services operations enter into single-name CDSs as part of its asset management activities. During the first quarter of 2008, the value of the Company’s credit derivative contracts were affected predominantly by changes in credit spreads of the underlying reference obligations’ collateral, changes in recovery rate assumptions, erosion of subordination and ratings downgrades of securities backing collateralized debt obligations. As those risk factors change, the values of credit derivative contracts will change and the resulting gains or losses will be recorded within net income.

Since December 31, 2006, the Company’s portfolio of insured structured CDSs has become increasingly concentrated in transactions where the underlying reference obligations comprise commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed collateral including residential mortgages of high grade collateral, in addition to corporate securities. As a result, the portfolio is more sensitive to changes in credit spreads in those sectors. Beginning in the second half of 2007, credit spreads in those sectors increased significantly, resulting in a substantial decrease in the fair value of the Company’s portfolio of structured CDSs. Refer to the discussion of the attribution of the mark-to-market loss for the first quarter of 2008 included in the “Results of Operations” section.

In the first quarter of 2008, we have observed a further extensive widening of market spreads and credit quality deterioration of certain tranches within our insured CDOs. Predominately, as a result of the further market spread widening and the deterioration of some credit factors, MBIA suffered additional mark-to-market losses in the first quarter of 2008. As changes in fair value can be caused by factors unrelated to the performance of MBIA’s business and credit portfolio, including general market conditions and perceptions of credit risk, as well as market use of credit derivatives for hedging purposes unrelated to the specific referenced credits in addition to events that affect particular credit derivative exposure, the application of fair value accounting may cause the Company’s earnings to be more volatile than would be suggested by the underlying performance of MBIA’s business operations and credit portfolio.

The following tables reflect sensitivities to changes in credit spreads, recovery rates and to rating migrations. Each table stands on its own and should be read independently of each other.

Sensitivity to changes in credit spreads can be estimated by projecting a hypothetical instantaneous shift in credit spread curves. The following table presents the estimated pre-tax change in fair value and the cumulative estimated net fair value of the Company’s credit derivatives portfolio of instantaneous shifts in credit spreads as of March 31, 2008. Estimated changes in fair value are calculated using the valuation methods described in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section included herein. Contracts for which fair value is calculated using specific dealer quotes or actual transaction prices are excluded from the following table as the Company is unable to obtain data necessary to model hypothetical changes in such contracts.

 

     Change in Credit Spreads  

In millions

   500 Basis
Point
Decrease
    200 Basis
Point
Decrease
    50 Basis
Point
Decrease
    0 Basis
Point
Change
    50 Basis
Point
Increase
    200 Basis
Point
Increase
    500 Basis
Point
Increase
 

Estimated pre-tax net gain/(loss)

   $ 3,006     $ 1,583     $ 432       —       $ (355 )   $ (1,643 )   $ (3,629 )

Estimated net fair value

   $ (4,273 )   $ (5,696 )   $ (6,847 )   $ (7,279 )   $ (7,634 )   $ (8,922 )   $ (10,908 )

Actual shifts in credit spread curves will vary based on the credit quality of the underling reference obligations. In general, within any asset class, higher credit rated reference obligations will exhibit less credit spread movement than lower credit rated reference obligations. Additionally, the degree of credit spread movement can vary significantly for different asset classes. The basis point change presented in the preceding table, however, represents a fixed basis point change in reference obligation credit spreads across all credit quality rating categories and asset classes and, therefore, the actual impact of spread changes would vary from this presentation depending on the credit rating and distribution across asset classes, both of which will adjust over time depending on new business written and runoff of the existing portfolio.

Sensitivity to changes in the collateral portfolio credit quality can be estimated by projecting a hypothetical change in rating migrations. The following table presents the estimated pre-tax change in fair value and the cumulative estimated net fair value of the Company’s insurance credit derivatives portfolio of a one and three notch rating change in the credit quality as of March 31, 2008. A notch represents a one step movement up or down in the credit rating. Estimated changes in fair value are calculated using the valuation methods described in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section included herein. Contracts for which fair value is calculated using specific dealer quotes or actual transaction prices are excluded from the following table as the Company is unable to obtain data necessary to model hypothetical changes in such contracts.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

     Change in Credit Ratings (Insurance Operations)  

In millions

   Three
Notch
Increase
    One
Notch
Increase
    No
Change
    One
Notch
Decrease
    Three
Notch
Decrease
 

Estimated pre-tax net gain/(loss)

   $ 3,208     $ 1,187     $ —       $ (2,558 )   $ (5,994 )

Estimated net fair value

   $ (4,001 )   $ (6,022 )   $ (7,209 )   $ (9,767 )   $ (13,203 )

Recovery rates on defaulted collateral are an input into the Company’s proprietary valuation model. Sensitivity to changes in the recovery rate assumptions used by the Company can be estimated by projecting a hypothetical change in these assumptions. The following table presents the estimated pre-tax change in fair value and the cumulative estimated net fair value of the Company’s insurance credit derivatives portfolio of a 10% and 20% change in the recovery rate assumptions as of March 31, 2008. Estimated changes in fair value are calculated using the valuation methods described in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section included herein. Contracts for which fair value is calculated using specific dealer quotes or actual transaction prices are excluded from the following table as the Company is unable to obtain data necessary to model hypothetical changes in such contracts.

 

     Change in Recovery Rates (Insurance Operations)  

In millions

   20%
Increase
    10%
Increase
    No
Change
    10%
Decrease
    20%
Decrease
 

Estimated pre-tax net gain/(loss)

   $ 1,844     $ 964     $ —       $ (828 )   $ (1,621 )

Estimated net fair value

   $ (5,365 )   $ (6,245 )   $ (7,209 )   $ (8,037 )   $ (8,830 )

MBIA’s insurance of structured credit derivatives typically remain in place until the maturity of the derivative. The Company does, however, periodically establish positions which offset its insurance positions in the reinsurance market, in which contracts also typically remain in place until the maturity of the insurance contract. Any difference between the price of the initial transaction and the offsetting transaction will result in gains or losses. With respect to MBIA’s insured structured credit derivatives, in the absence of credit impairment, the cumulative gains and losses should reverse at maturity. Additionally, in the event of the termination and settlement of a contract prior to maturity, any resulting gain or loss upon settlement will be recorded in the Company’s financial statements. In February 2008, we decided not to insure credit derivatives in the future, except in transactions that are intended to reduce its overall exposure to insured derivatives. This may result in termination of certain existing contracts prior to maturity.

 

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PART 1—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

An update of the Company’s market risk as of March 31, 2008 is included under “Market Risk” within Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. In addition, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of operating its businesses, the Company may be involved in various legal proceedings.

The Company was named as a defendant, along with certain of its current and former officers, in private securities actions that were consolidated in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as In re MBIA Inc. Securities Litigation; (Case No. 05 CV 03514(LLS); S.D.N.Y.) (filed October 3, 2005). The plaintiffs asserted claims under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The lead plaintiffs purport to be acting as representatives for a class consisting of purchasers of the Company’s stock during the period from August 5, 2003 to March 30, 2005 (the “Class Period”). The lawsuit asserts, among other things, violations of the federal securities laws arising out of the Company’s allegedly false and misleading statements about its financial condition and the nature of the arrangements entered into by MBIA Corp. in connection with the Alleghany Health, Education and Research Foundation (“AHERF”) loss, and about the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls. The plaintiffs allege that, as a result of these misleading statements or omissions, the Company’s stock traded at artificially inflated prices throughout the Class Period.

The defendants, including the Company, filed motions to dismiss this lawsuit on various grounds. On February 13, 2007, the Court granted those motions, and dismissed the lawsuit in its entirety, on the grounds that these claims are barred by the applicable statute of limitations. The Court did not reach the other grounds for dismissal argued by the Company and the other defendants. The plaintiffs have appealed that decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The plaintiffs argue that the dismissal should be reversed on several grounds. The appeal has been fully briefed. No date for arguing the appeal has been set. The Company does not expect the outcome of the private securities litigation to have a material adverse affect on its financial condition, although the outcome is uncertain and no assurance can be given that the Company will not suffer a loss.

On January 11, 2008, a putative shareholder class action lawsuit against the Company and certain of its officers, Schmalz v. MBIA, Inc. et al., No. 08-CV-264, was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging violations of the federal securities laws. Plaintiff seeks to represent a class of shareholders who purchased MBIA stock between January 30, 2007 and January 9, 2008. The complaint alleges that the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Among other things, the complaint alleges that defendants issued false and misleading statements with respect to the Company’s exposure to losses stemming from the Company’s insurance of CDOs and RMBS, including its exposure to so-called “CDO-squared” securities, which allegedly caused the Company’s stock to trade at inflated prices. Defendants’ deadline to respond to the complaint has been extended pending the resolution of lead counsel status, motions for consolidation, and the possible filing of an amended and/or consolidated complaint.

 

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On February 25, 2008 and March 6, 2008, two more putative shareholder class action lawsuits against MBIA and certain of its current and former officers—Teamsters Local 807 Labor Management Pension Fund v. MBIA Inc. et al., No. 08-CV-1845 and Kosseff v. MBIA, Inc. et al., No. 08-CV-2362—were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging violations of the federal securities laws. The allegations of the Teamsters and the Kosseff complaints are substantially similar to the allegations of the Schmalz complaint, except that the class period in the Teamsters complaint runs from October 26, 2006, to January 9, 2008. The Company has not yet responded to the Teamsters and the Kosseff complaints, but anticipates that these complaints will be consolidated with the Schmalz complaint and responded to in that context.

On February 13, 2008, a shareholder derivative lawsuit against certain of the Company’s present and former directors, and against the Company, as nominal defendant, Trustees of the Police and Fire Retirement System of the City of Detroit v. Clapp et al., No. 08-CV-1515, (the “Detroit Complaint”), was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The gravamen of the Detroit Complaint is similar to the aforementioned Schmalz, Teamsters and Kosseff class actions, except that the legal claims are against the directors for breach of fiduciary duty and related claims. The Detroit Complaint purports to relate to a so-called “Relevant Time Period” from February 9, 2006, through the time of filing of the complaint. The board has formed a special litigation committee to evaluate the claims in the Detroit Complaint.

On February 26, 2008 and on March 3, 2008, two more shareholder derivative lawsuits against certain of the Company’s present and former directors, and against the Company, as nominal defendant—Sheet Metal Workers Local 28 Pension Fund v. Brown et al., Index No. 08/4220 and Crescente v. Brown et al., Index No. 08/4536—were filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Westchester. The gravamen of these complaints was similar to the Detroit Complaint except that the time period assertedly covered was from January, 2007, through the time of filing of this complaint. Both complaints have since been voluntarily dismissed without prejudice.

The Company has received subpoenas or informal inquiries from a variety of regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Securities Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and other states’ regulatory authorities, regarding a variety of subjects, including disclosures made by the Company to underwriters and issuers of certain bonds, the Warburg Pincus transaction, the Company’s announcement of preliminary loss reserve estimates on December 10, 2007 related to the Company’s residential mortgage-backed securities exposure, disclosures regarding the Company’s CDO exposure, the Company’s communications with rating agencies, and the methodologies used by rating agencies for determining the credit rating of municipal debt. The Company is cooperating fully with each of these regulators and is in the process of satisfying all such requests. The Company may receive additional inquiries from these or other regulators and expects to provide additional information to such regulators regarding their inquiries in the future.

There are no other material lawsuits pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There has been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors during the three months ended March 31, 2008. For additional information on risk factors, refer to Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On February 1, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of common stock up to $1 billion under a new share repurchase program, which superseded the previously authorized program. As of March 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 10.0 million shares under the program at an average price of $66.30 per share. The Company’s ability to repurchase common stock is largely dependent on the amount of dividends paid by MBIA Corp. to MBIA Inc. Repurchases of common stock will be made from time to time in the open market or in private transactions as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements.

 

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In the third quarter of 2007, the Company decided to suspend share repurchases under the program in light of concerns and uncertainties regarding the housing markets, the structured finance sector and the U.S. economy, leaving $340 million available under our $1 billion share buyback program. The Company may reevaluate this decision from time to time and resume share repurchases when it deems appropriate. We believe that share repurchases can be an appropriate deployment of capital in excess of amounts needed to maintain the triple-A claims-paying ratings of MBIA Corp. and support the growth of MBIA’s businesses.

On January 30, 2008, the Company issued 16.1 million shares of MBIA common stock to Warburg Pincus at $31 per share per an investment agreement, subsequently amended on February 6, 2008, with Warburg Pincus. In addition, under the agreement with Warburg Pincus, the Company granted Warburg Pincus warrants to purchase 8.7 million shares of MBIA common stock at an exercise price of $40 per share and “B” warrants, which, upon obtaining certain approvals, will become exercisable to purchase 7.4 million shares of common stock at a price of $40 per share.

On February 13, 2008, the Company completed a public offering of 94.65 million shares of MBIA common stock at $12.15 per share. Pursuant to the amended agreement with Warburg Pincus, Warburg Pincus was granted 4 million of “B2” warrants at a price of $16.20 per share. In addition, under anti-dilution provisions in the agreement with Warburg Pincus, the terms of the warrants issued to Warburg Pincus on January 30, 2008 were amended, which resulted in (a) the 8.7 million of warrants exercisable at $40 per share were revised to 11.5 million warrants exercisable at $30.25 per share and (b) the 7.4 million of “B” warrants exercisable at $40 per share were revised to 9.8 million “B” warrants exercisable at $30.25 per share. See Note 29, “Subsequent Events,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of MBIA, Inc. and Subsidiaries in Part II, Item 8 for additional information on the agreement with Warburg Pincus and the common stock offering.

The table below sets forth repurchases made by the Company in each month during the first quarter of 2008:

 

Month

   Total Number of
Shares Purchased(1)
   Average Price
Paid Per Share
   Total Amount
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plan
   Maximum Amount
That May Yet Be
Purchased

Under the Plan ($000)

January

   —      $ —      $ —      $ 340,056

February

   42,884    $ 12.92    $ —      $ 340,056

March

   338    $ 11.99    $ —      $ 340,056

 

(1) 43,222 shares were repurchased by the Company for settling awards under the Company’s long-term incentive plans. In addition, 16,875 shares were used to fund certain items under the Company’s long-term incentive plans and 1,600 shares were used to fund a stock purchase.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company was held on May 1, 2008 (the “Annual Meeting”). Proxies for the Annual Meeting were solicited pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”), there was no solicitation in opposition to the ten nominees of the Board of Directors of the Company listed in the Company’s Proxy Statement, dated March 28, 2008, for the Annual Meeting (the “Proxy Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and said ten nominees were elected.

The following matters were acted upon by Company shareholders at the Annual Meeting, at which 207,696,400 shares of the Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), or approximately 88.05 percent of the 235,886,195 shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, were present in person or by proxies:

 

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1. Election of Directors. The proposal to elect the Company’s Board of Directors was adopted with the following number of votes per director:

 

Nominees

   In Favor    Against    Abstain

Joseph W. Brown

   203,574,521    2,397,715    1,724,164

David A. Coulter

   200,465,632    5,476,101    1,754,667

Claire L. Gaudiani

   202,345,001    3,612,576    1,738,823

Daniel P. Kearney

   202,357,090    3,589,399    1,749,911

Kewsong Lee

   202,490,426    3,460,485    1,745,489

Laurence H. Meyer

   203,673,764    2,295,387    1,727,249

David M. Moffett

   203,636,922    2,327,129    1,732,349

John A. Rolls

   202,632,734    3,310,236    1,753,430

Richard C. Vaughan

   203,558,133    2,401,652    1,736,615

Jeffery W. Yabuki

   203,314,043    2,649,063    1,733,294

2. Approval of Adoption of the Right to Exercise Certain Warrants Issued to Warburg Pincus Private Equity X, L.P. and its Affiliate for Shares of MBIA, Inc. Common Stock. A resolution proposed by the Board of Directors of the Company that the shareholders approve the right to exercise certain warrants issued to Warburg Pincus Private Equity X, L.P. and its affiliate for shares of MBIA, Inc. common stock was submitted to, and voted upon by, the shareholders. There were 167,998,706 shares of Common Stock voted in favor of, and 10,468,588 shares of Common Stock voted against, said resolution. The holders of 1,919,132 shares of Common Stock abstained and there were 27,309,974 of “broker non-votes.” The resolution, having received the votes cast by shareholders favoring approval exceeding the votes cast opposing approval was adopted and the right to exercise certain warrants issued to Warburg Pincus Private Equity X, L.P. and its affiliate for shares of MBIA, Inc. common stock was approved by the shareholders. The resolution and information relating to the Right to Exercise Certain Warrants Issued to Warburg Pincus Private Equity X, L.P. and its Affiliate for Shares of MBIA, Inc. Common Stock are set forth in their entirety in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

3. Approval of Adoption of Restricted Stock Awards to Joseph W. Brown A resolution proposed by the Board of Directors of the Company that the shareholders approve the restricted stock awards to Joseph W. Brown was submitted to, and voted upon by, the shareholders. There were 163,242,037 shares of Common Stock voted in favor of, and 15,442,472 shares of Common Stock voted against, said resolution. The holders of 1,701,917 shares of Common Stock abstained and there were 27,309,974 of “broker non-votes.” The resolution, having received the votes cast by shareholders favoring approval exceeding the votes cast opposing approval was adopted and the restricted stock awards to Joseph W. Brown were approved by the shareholders. The resolution and information relating to the restricted stock awards to Joseph W. Brown are set forth in their entirety in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

4. Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. A resolution that the shareholders ratify the action of the Audit Committee in selecting and appointing PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2008 was submitted to, and voted upon by, the shareholders. There were 193,644,269 shares of Common Stock voted in favor of, and 12,411,866 shares of Common Stock voted against, said resolution. The holders of 1,640,265 shares of Common Stock abstained and there were no “broker non-votes.” The resolution, having received the votes cast by shareholders favoring approval exceeding the votes cast opposing approval was adopted and the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for 2008 was ratified by the shareholders.

 

Item 5. Other Information

None

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

31.1    Chief Executive Officer - Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2    Chief Financial Officer - Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1    Chief Executive Officer - Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2    Chief Financial Officer - Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.1    Additional Exhibits - MBIA Insurance Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

     

MBIA INC.

Registrant

Date: May 12, 2008

     

/s/ C. Edward Chaplin

      C. Edward Chaplin
      Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 12, 2008

     

/s/ Douglas C. Hamilton

      Douglas C. Hamilton
      Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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