10-Q 1 d724520d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

þ   

Quarterly Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities

Exchange Act Of 1934

   For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014
¨   

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934

   For the transition period from                                          to                                         
                                                                Commission file no. 001-35834

Tower Group International, Ltd.

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Bermuda     N/A

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation

or organization)

   

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Bermuda Commercial Bank Building
19 Par-la-Ville Road
Hamilton, HM 11
    N/A
(Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)

 

     (441) 279-6610     
   (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)   

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 and 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  þ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T ( § 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ¨ Yes  þ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, 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 þ 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 þ No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 57,297,589 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, as of June 16, 2014.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Tower Group International, Ltd.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Period Ended March 31, 2014

INDEX

 

     Page  

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements of Tower Group International, Ltd.

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2014 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2013 (Audited)

     1   

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

     2   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

     3   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) - Three Months Ended March  31, 2014 and 2013

     4   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

     5   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     6   

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

     36   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     54   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     54   

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     56   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     58   

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

     58   

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     58   
Item 5. Other Information      58   

Item 6. Exhibits

     59   

SIGNATURES

     60   


Table of Contents

Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Tower Group International, Ltd.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

($ in thousands, except par value and share amounts)   

(Unaudited)

March 31,
2014

   

(Audited)

December 31,
2013

 

Assets

    

Investments - Tower

    

Available-for-sale investments, at fair value:

    

Fixed-maturity securities (amortized cost of $1,230,568 and $1,364,157)

   $ 1,244,495     $ 1,390,146  

Equity securities (cost of $52,140 and $94,957)

     60,483       104,107  

Short-term investments (cost of $2,000 and $5,925)

     2,000       5,897  

Other invested assets

     54,607       96,155  

Investments - Reciprocal Exchanges

    

Available-for-sale investments, at fair value:

    

Fixed-maturity securities (amortized cost of $203,106 and $249,477)

     206,906       252,549  

Equity securities (cost of $2,751 and $2,751)

     2,724       2,523  

Total investments

     1,571,215       1,851,377  

Cash and cash equivalents (includes $44,290 and $5,684 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     454,876       293,898  

Investment income receivable (includes $1,826 and $2,325 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     12,106       17,493  

Premiums receivable (includes $44,292 and $42,348 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     274,151       309,499  

Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses (includes $514 and $1,989 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     36,833       68,963  

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses (includes $15,025 and $15,392 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     388,639       570,860  

Prepaid reinsurance premiums (includes $21,684 and $22,226 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     481,172       186,476  

Deferred acquisition costs, net (includes $8,312 and $9,611 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     22,167       95,096  

Intangible assets (includes $6,221 and $6,337 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     79,684       79,936  

Funds held by reinsured companies

     88,349       98,816  

Other assets (includes $2,088 and $1,395 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     309,421       383,131  

Total assets

   $ 3,718,613     $ 3,955,545  

Liabilities

    

Loss and loss adjustment expenses (includes $100,505 and $107,313 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

   $ 2,044,287     $ 2,081,285  

Unearned premium (includes $105,000 and $106,067 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     685,619       763,112  

Reinsurance balances payable (includes $4,595 and $4,872 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     202,564       89,820  

Funds held under reinsurance agreements (includes $23 and $22 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     81,370       222,159  

Other liabilities (includes $17,447 and $17,234 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     257,476        286,171  

Deferred income taxes (includes $19,181 and $19,181 relating to Reciprocal Exchanges)

     29,688       29,508  

Debt

     383,564       382,770  

Total liabilities

     3,684,568       3,854,825  

Contingencies (Note 16)

     -       -  

Shareholders' equity

    

Common stock ($0.01 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 57,437,157 and 57,437,157 shares issued, and 57,311,488 and 57,381,686 shares outstanding)

     574       574  

Treasury stock (125,669 and 55,471 shares)

     (88     (39

Paid-in-capital

     814,899       815,119  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (32,198     (19,507

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

     (747,074     (700,596

Tower Group International, Ltd. shareholders’ equity

     36,113       95,551  

Noncontrolling interests

     (2,068     5,169  

Total shareholders’ equity

     34,045       100,720  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 3,718,613     $ 3,955,545  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)    2014     2013  

Revenues

    

Net premiums earned

   $ 111,544     $ 421,886  

Ceding commission revenue

     10,802       5,439  

Insurance services revenue

     565       128  

Policy billing fees

     2,676       3,150  

Net investment income

     15,358       30,317  

Net realized investment gains (losses):

    

Other-than-temporary impairments

     (1,258     (689

Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income

     351       -  

Other net realized investment gains

     23,170       7,540  

Total net realized investment gains (losses)

     22,263       6,851  

Total revenues

     163,208       467,771  

Expenses

    

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

     102,561       275,732  

Commission expense

     25,049       82,521  

Other operating expenses

     78,877       82,736  

Acquisition-related transaction costs

     646       19,056  

Interest expense

     7,010       7,808  

Total expenses

     214,143       467,853  

Other income (expense)

    

Equity income in unconsolidated affiliate

     -       128  

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (50,935     46  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     963       (1,590

Net income (loss)

   $ (51,898   $ 1,636  

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to Noncontrolling interests

     (5,420     (11,281

Net income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.

   $ (46,478   $ 12,917  

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. shareholders:

    

Basic

   $ (0.81   $ 0.28  

Diluted

   $ (0.81   $ 0.28  

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     57,150       45,614  

Diluted

     57,150       45,688  

Dividends declared and paid per common share

   $ -     $ 0.17  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
($ in thousands)    2014     2013  

Net income (loss)

   $ (51,898   $ 1,636  

Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax

    

Gross unrealized investment holding gains (losses) arising during periods

     9,853       (371

Less: Reclassification adjustment for investment (gains) losses included in net income

     (20,970     (6,467

Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income

     (351 )     -  

Cumulative translation adjustment

     -       (3,611

Deferred gain on cash flow hedge

     428       1,598  

Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax

     (11,040     (8,851

Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)

     -       2,721  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax

     (11,040     (6,130

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (62,938   $ (4,494

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noncontrolling interests

     (3,769     (12,966

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.

   $ (59,169   $ 8,472  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

 

     Common Stock     Treasury     Paid-in     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
    Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
    Noncontrolling     Total
Shareholders’
 
(in thousands)    Shares     Amount     Stock     Capital     Income (Loss)     Deficit)     Interests     Equity  

Balance at December 31, 2012

     53,048     $ 530     $ (181,435   $ 780,036     $ 82,756     $ 268,171     $ 34,160     $ 984,218  

Dividends declared

     -       -       -       -       -       (7,201     -       (7,201

Stock based compensation

     240       3       (5,853     11,561       -       -       -       5,711  

Merger Transaction with Canopius Bermuda

     14,026       140       -       207,207       -       -       -       207,347  

Extinguishment of treasury stock in connection with Canopius Merger Transaction

     (9,882     (99     187,288       (187,189     -       -       -       -  

Termination of convertible senior notes hedge and warrants

     -       -       -       541       -       -       -       541  

Net income (loss)

     -       -       -       -       -       12,917       (11,281     1,636  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     -       -       -       -       (4,445     -       (1,685     (6,130

Balance at March 31, 2013

     57,432     $ 574     $ -     $ 812,156     $ 78,311     $ 273,887     $ 21,194     $ 1,186,122  

Balance at December 31, 2013

     57,437     $ 574     $ (39   $ 815,119     $ (19,507   $ (700,596   $ 5,169     $ 100,720  

Dividends declared

     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

Stock based compensation

     -       -       (49     (220     -       -       -       (269

Net income (loss)

     -       -       -       -       -       (46,478     (5,420     (51,898

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     -       -       -       -       (12,691     -       1,651       (11,040

Ownership change in noncontrolling interest in consolidated partnerships

     -       -       -       -       -       -       (3,468     (3,468

Balance at March 31, 2014

     57,437     $ 574     $ (88   $ 814,899     $ (32,198   $ (747,074   $ (2,068   $ 34,045  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
($ in thousands)    2014     2013  

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (51,898   $ 1,636  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operations:

    

Gain on investment in acquired unconsolidated affiliate

     -       (128

Net realized investment (gains) losses

     (22,263     (6,851

Depreciation and amortization

     1,288       9,493  

Amortization of bond premium or discount

     1,499       3,262  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     (362     (467

Amortization of restricted stock

     8       12,281  

Deferred income taxes

     180       (5,433

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Investment income receivable

     5,387       (4,158

Premiums receivable

     35,348       3,756  

Reinsurance recoverable

     214,351        45,937  

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     (294,696     (17,827

Deferred acquisition costs, net

     72,929       (12,076

Funds held by reinsured companies

     12,363       6,705  

Other assets

     34,858       35,148  

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

     (36,998 )     (95,042

Unearned premium

     (77,493     31,194  

Reinsurance balances payable

     112,744       (1,342

Funds held under reinsurance agreements

     (140,789     (25,215

Other liabilities

     (58,357     (35,956

Net cash flows provided by (used in) operations

     (191,901     (55,083

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:

    

Cash acquired in Canopius Merger Transaction

     -       134,741  

Purchase of fixed assets

     -       (5,866

Purchase of fixed-maturity securities

     (415,207     (124,322

Purchase of equity securities

     (57,794     (366,141

Change in short-term investments

     3,947       2,746  

Net sales (purchases) of other invested assets

     38,397       (1,155

Sale of fixed-maturity securities

     635,091       123,684  

Maturity of fixed-maturity securities

     14,546       52,233  

Sale of equity securities

     100,940       375,180  

Change in restricted cash

     1,325       1,929  

Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

     321,245       193,029  

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:

    

Decrease in deposit assets

     35,151       -  

Noncontrolling interests - change in ownership interest

     (3,468     -   

Proceeds from convertible senior notes hedge termination

     -       2,380  

Payment for warrants termination

     -       (1,000

Issuance of common stock under stock-based compensation programs

     -       2  

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

     -       1,111  

Treasury stock acquired-net employee share-based compensation

     (49     (5,852

Dividends paid

     -       (7,201

Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     31,634       (10,560

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     160,978       127,386  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     293,898       83,800  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 454,876     $ 211,186  

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 1—Nature of Business

Tower Group International, Ltd. (“TGIL”, the Company” or “Tower”) offers a range of commercial, assumed reinsurance and personal property and casualty insurance products and services through its subsidiaries to businesses and to individuals. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “TWGP”.

Significant Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties

Proposed Merger with ACP Re

On January 3, 2014, Tower entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Original ACP Re Merger Agreement”) with ACP Re Ltd. (“ACP Re”), and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACP Re (“Merger Sub”). Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions therein, it is expected Merger Sub would merge with and into Tower (the “Merger”), with Tower as the surviving corporation in the Merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of ACP Re. ACP Re is a Bermuda based reinsurance company. The controlling shareholder of ACP Re is a trust established by the founder of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (“AmTrust”), National General Holdings Corporation (“NGHC”) and Maiden Holdings, Ltd.

On May 8, 2014, Tower entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ACP Re Amendment”, and, together with the Original ACP Re Merger Agreement, the “ACP Re Merger Agreement”) with ACP Re and Merger Sub. The ACP Re Amendment, among other things, (1) reduces the per share consideration to be received by holders of Tower’s common shares in the Merger from $3.00 per share to $2.50 per share, (2) reduces the termination fee that Tower would, under certain circumstances, be required to pay to ACP Re in the event of a termination of the merger agreement, (3) extends to November 15, 2014 both the date by which Tower must hold its shareholders meeting to vote on the Merger and the deadline for completing the merger before either party can terminate the ACP Re Merger Agreement, (4) excludes from the material adverse effect closing condition any continued adverse results of Tower’s operations or deterioration of its financial condition resulting from (a) losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred under new, renewal or in-force insurance and reinsurance related policies, insurance and reinsurance related contracts, and insurance and reinsurance related binders, (b) operating expenses, including acquisition expenses, associated with the maintenance by Tower of its agency relationships, employees and facilities to operate its business in the ordinary course or (c) the insufficiency of Tower’s loss reserves (including IBNR reserves), (5) also excludes from the material adverse effect closing condition any effect resulting from facts or circumstances disclosed in any of Tower’s previous SEC filings, (6) eliminates the condition in the Original ACP Re Merger Agreement that holders of shares representing more than 15% of Tower’s share capital shall not have exercised dissenter’s rights, (7) provides that the closing condition in the Original ACP Re Merger Agreement requiring that each of Tower’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries shall have risk based capital that is equal to or exceeds its relevant company action level risk based capital will be deemed to have been satisfied if Tower and its subsidiaries have, on a consolidated basis, sufficient capital that could be reallocated among Tower’s insurance subsidiaries so that such condition could be satisfied and (8) provides that all of Tower’s representations and warranties in the ACP Re Merger Agreement will be qualified by disclosures made in Tower’s previous SEC filings.

Notwithstanding any other statement in this Form 10-Q or any other document, many of the conditions for closing the ACP Re Merger Agreement remain outstanding and there can be no assurance that they will be satisfied or that the transaction will be consummated or when it may close.

Pursuant to the terms of the ACP Re Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the merger, each outstanding share of Tower's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Shares”), following the settlement of all outstanding equity awards, will be converted into the right to receive $2.50 in cash, with an aggregate value of approximately $143.3 million.

Each of the parties has made representations and warranties in the ACP Re Merger Agreement. Tower has agreed to certain covenants and agreements, including, among others, (i) to conduct its business in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, during the period between the execution of the ACP Re Merger Agreement and the closing of the merger, (ii) not to solicit alternate transactions, subject to a customary "fiduciary out" provision which allows Tower under certain circumstances to provide information to and participate in discussions with third parties with respect to unsolicited alternative acquisition proposals that Tower's Board of Directors has determined, in its good faith judgment, is appropriate in furtherance of the best interests of Tower, and (iii) to call and hold a special shareholders' meeting and recommend adoption of the ACP Re Merger Agreement.

On the same day as the execution of the Original ACP Re Merger Agreement, the controlling shareholder of ACP Re provided to Tower a guarantee for the payment of the merger consideration, effective upon the closing of the merger.

The ACP Re Merger Agreement was unanimously approved by the respective Boards of Directors of ACP Re and Tower, and is conditioned, among other things, on: (i) the approval of Tower's shareholders, (ii) receipt of governmental approvals, including antitrust and insurance regulatory approvals (on January 30, 2014, the Company was granted early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period which requires persons contemplating certain mergers or acquisitions to give the Federal Trade

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Commission and the Assistant Attorney General advanced notice and to wait designated periods before consummation of such plans), (iii) the absence of any law, order or injunction prohibiting the merger, (iv) the accuracy of each party's representations and warranties (subject to customary materiality qualifiers), and (v) each party's compliance with its covenants and agreements contained in the ACP Re Merger Agreement. In addition, ACP Re's obligation to consummate the merger is subject to the non-occurrence of any material adverse effect on Tower, as well as the absence of any insolvency-related event affecting Tower.

There is no financing condition to consummation of the transactions contemplated by the ACP Re Merger Agreement.

The ACP Re Merger Agreement provides certain termination rights for each of Tower and ACP Re, and further provides that upon termination of the ACP Re Merger Agreement, under certain circumstances, Tower will be obligated to reimburse ACP Re for certain of its transaction expenses, subject to a cap of $2 million, and to pay ACP Re a termination fee of $6.8 million, net of any transaction expenses it has reimbursed.

Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements

On the same day as the execution of the Original ACP Re Merger Agreement, several subsidiaries of Tower entered into two Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements, pursuant to which a subsidiary of AmTrust and a subsidiary of NGHC provide 100% quota share reinsurance and a cut-through endorsement to cover all eligible new and renewal commercial and personal lines business, respectively, and at their option, losses incurred on or after January 1, 2014 on not less than 60% of the in-force business. Tower received confirmation on January 16, 2014 from AmTrust and NGHC that they would exercise such option to reinsure on a cut-through basis losses incurred on or after January 1, 2014 under in-force policies with respect to (1) in the case of AmTrust, approximately 65.7% of Tower’s unearned premium reserves as of December 31, 2013 with respect to its ongoing commercial lines business, and (2) in the case of NGHC, 100% of Tower’s unearned premium reserves as of December 31, 2013 with respect to its personal lines segment business. Tower receives a 20% ceding commission from AmTrust or NGHC on all Tower unearned premiums that are subject to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements and a 22% ceding commission on 2014 ceded premiums.

As a result of the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements, unearned premiums net of reinsurance aggregating $327.7 million at December 31, 2013 (of which $194.0 million and $133.7 million were from the commercial insurance and personal insurance segments, respectively) were transferred to AmTrust and NGHC. The transfer of the unearned premium reserves at December 31, 2013 are recorded as negative written premiums in the first quarter 2014. In the first quarter 2014, net written premiums of $168.1 million were transferred to AmTrust and NGHC for renewal business and new policies issued with policy effective dates in 2014 (of which $114.6 million and $53.5 million were from the commercial insurance and personal insurance segments, respectively).

The accompanying financial statements for 2014 reflect the impact of the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements, and therefore the trends and relationships of net premiums written, premiums earned, acquisition expenses and losses incurred will differ materially from the same period in 2013.

Managing General Agent Agreements

On April 1, 2014, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Tower Risk Management (“TRM”), entered into managing general agent agreements (the “MGA Agreements”), dated as of January 3, 2014, with AmTrust and NGHC pursuant to which TRM serves as underwriting manager on behalf of AmTrust and NGHC with respect to the commercial lines business and personal lines business covered by the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements.

Under the MGA Agreements, TRM solicits, receives, underwrites, accepts, non-renews and cancels insurance risks for certain commercial lines business and personal lines business of AmTrust and NGHC in return for commissions.

The MGA Agreements will terminate on January 2, 2015 unless terminated earlier by TRM, AmTrust or NGHC by mutual agreement or by either of the parties under certain circumstances. With respect to AmTrust and NGHC, they may terminate their respective MGA Agreements if, among other things, the merger as contemplated by the merger agreement is consummated, if TRM or any of its affiliates, including the Company, becomes insolvent or if all or a controlling portion of TRM’s capital stock or all or any portion of its business is sold, transferred or merged into a third party and AmTrust or NGHC believes that such sale, transfer or merger has, or could have, a material adverse impact on AmTrust’s or NGHC’s interests.

Other Reinsurance Agreements

In the third quarter of 2013, Tower entered into agreements with three reinsurers, Arch Reinsurance Ltd. (“Arch”), Hannover Re (Ireland) Plc. (“Hannover”) and Southport Re (Cayman), Ltd. (“Southport Re”). These agreements provided for surplus enhancement and improved certain financial leverage ratios, while increasing the Company's financial flexibility. The agreements with Arch and Hannover each consisted of one reinsurance agreement while the arrangement with Southport Re consisted of several agreements. The agreements with Arch and Hannover covered business written from July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013, as well as unearned premiums at June 30, 2013.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

As a result of the announced merger agreement with ACP Re, it was decided that the Southport treaties should be commuted. As a result of a negotiation between the Company and Southport, the treaties were commuted effective as of February 19, 2014, with the result of the commutation being that all premiums paid to Southport by the Company were returned to the Company, and all liabilities assumed by Southport were cancelled, and such liabilities became the obligation of the Company.

A.M. Best, Fitch and Demotech Downgrade the Company’s Financial Strength and Issuer Credit Ratings

On May 9, 2014, A.M. Best lowered the financial strength ratings of each of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries from “B” (Fair) to “C++” (Marginal), as well as the issuer credit ratings of each of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries from “bb” to “b”. In addition, on May 9, 2014, A.M. Best downgraded the issuer credit rating of Tower Group, Inc. (“TGI”) as well as the debt rating on its $150 million 5.00% senior convertible notes due 2014 (the “Notes”) to “cc” from “b-”. On the same date, A.M. Best also downgraded the financial strength rating of CastlePoint Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (Bermuda) to “C++” (Marginal) from “B-” (Fair) and its issuer credit rating to “b” from “bb” and downgraded the issuer credit rating of Tower Group International, Ltd. to “cc” from “b-”. TGI and each of its insurance subsidiaries currently are and will continue to be under review with developing implications. In downgrading Tower’s ratings, A.M. Best stated that its actions took “into consideration Tower’s most recent Securities and Exchange Commission 10K filing, which included an additional $63 million of prior year reserve development, further reductions in GAAP shareholders’ equity as well as ongoing declines in statutory policyholders’ surplus and risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). These ratings factors are in addition to the diminished shareholder’s equity and reserves actions already taken by Tower during the year. These rating actions also consider the material adverse impact these changes had on all of Tower’s entities in terms of their ability to operate as going concerns. This action also contemplates the amended merger agreement announced by Tower.”

On May 13, 2014, Fitch withdrew all ratings on Tower and its operating subsidiaries due to a lack of robust data to maintain the ratings. Previously, on January 6, 2014, Fitch revised Tower’s rating watch status to “evolving” from “negative” following the ACP Re merger announcement, and stated that “[t]he Evolving Watch reflects that the ratings could go up if the merger closes; however, ratings could be lowered if the merger does not occur and [the Company] is unsuccessful in addressing upcoming debt maturity or if additional reserve deficiencies develop.” On January 2, 2014, Fitch downgraded Tower’s issuer default rating from “B” to “CC” and the insurer strength ratings of its insurance subsidiaries from “BB” to “B”. On October 7, 2013, Fitch downgraded Tower’s issuer default rating to “B” (the sixth highest of 11 such ratings) from “BBB” and the insurer strength ratings of its insurance subsidiaries to “B” (the fifth highest of Fitch Ratings’ nine such ratings) from “A-”. In downgrading such ratings, Fitch stated that it “is concerned that Tower’s competitive position has been materially damaged, negatively impacting the Company’s financial flexibility and ability to write new business” and that “the magnitude of the second quarter charges was large enough to cause several key ratios to fall well outside of previously established ratings downgrade triggers, which resulted in the multi-notch downgrade.”

On December 24, 2013, Demotech, Inc. (“Demotech”) announced the withdrawal of its Financial Stability Ratings® (FSRs) assigned to the following insurance subsidiaries: Kodiak Insurance Company, Massachusetts Homeland Insurance Company, Tower Insurance Company of New York and York Insurance Company of Maine. Concurrently, Demotech advised that the FSRs assigned to Adirondack Insurance Exchange, Mountain Valley Indemnity Company, New Jersey Skylands Insurance Association and New Jersey Skylands Insurance Company remain under review.

Previously, on October 7, 2013, Demotech had lowered its rating on Tower Insurance Company of New York (“TICNY”) and three other U.S. based insurance subsidiaries (Kodiak Insurance Company, Massachusetts Homeland Insurance Company and York Insurance Company of Maine) from A’ (A prime) to A (A exceptional). In addition, Demotech removed its previous A’ (A prime) rating on six other U.S. based insurance subsidiaries (CastlePoint Florida Insurance Company, CastlePoint Insurance Company, CastlePoint National Insurance Company, Hermitage Insurance Company, North East Insurance Company and Preserver Insurance Company). Demotech also affirmed its A ratings on Adirondack Insurance Exchange, New Jersey Skylands Insurance Association, New Jersey Skylands Insurance Company and Mountain Valley Indemnity Company.

Management expects these rating actions, in combination with other items that have impacted the Company in 2013, to result in a significant decrease in the amount of premiums the insurance subsidiaries are able to write. The Company had gross written premiums of $302.7 million and $551.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The majority of the 2014 written premiums were transferred to AmTrust and NGHC pursuant to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements.

In January 2014, Tower’s Board of Directors approved the Merger with ACP Re. In light of the adverse ratings actions, concurrent with entering into the Original ACP Re Merger Agreement Tower entered into cut-through reinsurance treaties with affiliates of ACP Re. As a result of the Merger, and the execution of the cut-through reinsurance treaties, Tower believes its insurance subsidiaries will retain significant portions of their business.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Statutory Capital

The Company is required to maintain minimum capital and surplus for each of its insurance subsidiaries.

U.S. based insurance companies are required to maintain capital and surplus above Company Action Level, which is a calculated capital and surplus number using a risk-based formula adopted by the state insurance regulators. The basis for this formula is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (“NAIC’s”) risk-based capital (“RBC”) system and is designed to measure the adequacy of a U.S. regulated insurer’s statutory capital and surplus compared to risks inherent in its business. If an insurance entity falls into Company Action Level, its management is required to submit a comprehensive financial plan that identifies the conditions that contributed to the financial condition. This plan must contain proposals to correct the financial problems and provide projections of the financial condition, both with and without the proposed corrections. The plan must also outline the key assumptions underlying the projections and identify the quality of, and problems associated with, the underlying business. Depending on the level of actual capital and surplus in comparison to the Company Action Level, the state insurance regulators could increase their regulatory oversight, restrict the placement of new business, or place the company under regulatory control. Bermuda based insurance entities’ minimum capital and surplus requirements are calculated from a solvency formula prescribed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the “BMA”).

Tower has in place several intercompany reinsurance transactions between its U.S. based insurance subsidiaries and its Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries. The U.S. based insurance subsidiaries have historically reinsured on a quota share basis obligations to CastlePoint Reinsurance Company (“CastlePoint Re”), one of its Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries. The obligations that CastlePoint Re assumes from the U.S. based insurance subsidiaries are then retroceded to Tower Reinsurance, Ltd. (“TRL”), Tower’s other Bermuda based insurance subsidiary. On February 5, 2014, the BMA approved the transfer of $167.3 million in unencumbered liquid assets from TRL to CastlePoint Re, allowing CastlePoint Re to increase the funding in the reinsurance trust for the benefit of TICNY. As of March 31, 2014, CastlePoint Re is required to collateralize $603.5 million of its assumed reserves in a reinsurance trust for the benefit of TICNY, the lead pool company of the U.S. insurance companies. As of March 31, 2014, CastlePoint Re held $555.4 million in its reinsurance trust.

Based on RBC calculations as of December 31, 2013, six of Tower’s ten U.S. based insurance subsidiaries had capital and surplus below Company Action Level and did not meet the minimum capital and surplus requirements of their respective state regulators. As a result, management has discussed the ACP Re Merger Agreement and the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements and provided its 2014 RBC forecasts to the regulators to document the Company’s business plan to bring two of these U.S based insurance subsidiaries’ capital and surplus levels above Company Action Level.

As a result of the recognition of the ceding commission relating to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements executed with AmTrust and NGHC in January 2014, the U.S. based insurance subsidiaries’ capital and surplus increased significantly from December 31, 2013 to January 1, 2014, as the U.S. based subsidiaries transferred a significant portion of their commercial lines unearned premium to a subsidiary of AmTrust and all of their personal lines unearned premiums to a subsidiary of NGHC. Accordingly, as of January 1, 2014, the effect of the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements increased the surplus of two of the U.S. based insurance subsidiaries such that their capital and surplus levels exceeded Company Action Level.

In 2013, the New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”) issued orders for seven of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries, subjecting them to heightened regulatory oversight, which includes providing the NYDFS with increased information with respect to the insurance subsidiaries’ business, operations and financial condition. In addition, the NYDFS has placed limitations on payments and transactions outside the ordinary course of business and material changes in the insurance subsidiaries’ management and related matters. Tower’s management and Board of Directors have held discussions with the NYDFS, and Tower has been complying with the orders and oversight.

On April 21, 2014, the NYDFS issued additional orders for two of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries instructing them to provide plans to address weaknesses in such insurance subsidiaries’ risk based capital levels as shown in their statutory annual financial statements, and imposing further enhanced reporting and prior approval requirements and limitations on writings of new business. On the same date, the NYDFS issued a letter pertaining to one of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries requiring the submission of a plan to address weaknesses in risk based capital levels.

On May 7, 2014, the Illinois Department of Insurance (the “IDI”) sent a letter to the Company’s Illinois insurance subsidiary instructing such subsidiary to provide a plan to strengthen its risk based capital level as shown in its statutory annual financial statement. The subsidiary expects to submit such plan to the IDI by June 20, 2014 in accordance with the letter.

On May 20, 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Insurance (the “MDOI”) entered an amended order of administrative supervision with respect to two of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries (collectively, the “Massachusetts Insurers”). Under the terms of the order, the Massachusetts Insurers are subject to enhanced reporting requirements to the MDOI and are restricted from selling or encumbering assets or incurring debt, making material changes in management, entering into employment agreements, writing any new business other than policies that are 100% reinsured to affiliates of AmTrust and NGHC pursuant to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements that are currently in effect with such entities, declaring or paying dividends, making new investments or changing investment practices, entering into new reinsurance agreements and increasing the compensation of officers or directors, in each case without the consent of the MDOI. Given that substantially all of the new business production of the Massachusetts Insurers is reinsured pursuant to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements referenced above, the Company believes that the order will not have a material impact on the ability of the Massachusetts Insurers to continue to write new

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

business. Also, under the terms of the order, the Company must prepare and submit to the MDOI a preliminary operations plan no later than June 1, 2014. The plan must include detailed information describing the steps the Company is taking to enable it to repay its convertible senior debt holders and continue operations as a going concern in the event its pending merger with ACP Re does not occur. Accordingly, the Company has engaged Greenhill & Co., LLC to advise it in connection with its 5.00% convertible senior notes due September 2014. The Company submitted such plan on May 29, 2014.

The Maine Bureau of Insurance entered a Corrective Order imposing certain conditions on Maine domestic insurers York Insurance Company of Maine (“YICM”) and North East Insurance Company (“NEIC”). The Corrective Order imposes increased reporting obligations on YICM and NEIC with respect to business operations and financial condition and imposes restrictions on payments or other transfers of assets from YICM and NEIC outside the ordinary course of business.

On April 11, 2014, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance imposed an enhanced reporting requirement on the intercompany transactions involving Tower’s two New Jersey domiciled insurance subsidiaries and Tower’s New Jersey managed insurer. Such companies are now required to submit for prior approval any transactions with affiliates, even transactions that would otherwise not be reportable under the applicable holding company act.

On June 4, 2014, Tower National Insurance Company (“TNIC”), a Massachusetts domiciled insurance subsidiary of the Company, received notice from the Ohio Department of Insurance (“ODOI”) in respect of the decrease in TNIC’s statutory capital below Ohio’s minimum capital requirements. Subsequently, TNIC agreed to enter into a consent order with the ODOI on June 11, 2014, the terms of which are still being finalized. The Company expects that the consent order will require TNIC to cease writing any new or renewal insurance business in Ohio until TNIC’s statutory capital deficiency has been resolved to the satisfaction of the ODOI. For the year ended December 31, 2013, TNIC wrote $843 thousand of business in Ohio. TICNY has a license to write business in Ohio, and there have been no restrictions placed against this license.

As of December 31, 2013, TRL and CastlePoint Re had capital and surplus that did not meet the minimum solvency requirements of the BMA. Management has discussed the ACP Re Merger Agreement and provided 2014 solvency forecasts to the BMA.

The BMA has issued directives for TRL and CastlePoint Re, subjecting them to heightened regulatory oversight and requiring BMA approval before certain transactions can be executed. Tower has been complying with the directives issued by the BMA.

Liquidity

TGI is the obligor under the $150 million Convertible Senior Notes due September 15, 2014. The indebtedness of TGI is guaranteed by TGIL.

The Company’s plan to repay the Notes is related to the closing of the ACP Re Merger Agreement. The Company has engaged Greenhill & Co., LLC to advise it in the event that the ACP Re Merger Agreement does not close. The Company would evaluate the use of proceeds from the potential sale of certain assets held at TGI to repay the Notes. The Company can provide no assurance that it would be successful in finalizing the liquidation of the assets held at TGI or that, if it is successful, the proceeds of such liquidation would be sufficient to repay the Notes.

As of March 31, 2014, there were $235.1 million of subordinated debentures outstanding. The subordinated debentures do not have financial covenants that would cause an acceleration of their stated maturities. The earliest stated maturity date is on a $10 million debenture, which matures in May 2033. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the entire principal and the interest accrued on the affected subordinated indenture may be declared to be due and payable immediately. Pursuant to a notice sent to the applicable holders of the subordinated debentures on June 18, 2014, four indirect wholly-owned non-insurance subsidiaries (the “Issuers”) of Tower Group International, Ltd. exercised their respective contractual rights pursuant to an indenture, dated as of December 1, 2006, by and between CastlePoint Management Corp. and Wilmington Trust Company, an indenture, dated as of December 14, 2006, by and between CastlePoint Management Corp. and Wilmington Trust Company, an indenture, dated as of September 27, 2007, by and between CastlePoint Bermuda Holdings, Ltd. and Wilmington Trust Company, an indenture, dated as of January 25, 2007, by and between Tower Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, an indenture, dated as of May 15, 2003, by and between Tower Group, Inc. and U.S. Bank, an indenture, dated as of December 21, 2004, by and between Tower Group, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, an indenture, dated as of December 15, 2004, by and between Tower Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, an indenture, dated as of March 31, 2006, by and between Tower Group, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and an indenture, dated as of May 26, 2004, by and between Preserver Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, to defer the payment of regularly scheduled interest payments on their outstanding junior subordinated debentures issued in connection with outstanding trust preferred securities. Under the terms of such indentures, the Issuers may defer interest payments for twenty consecutive quarterly periods without default or penalty. The interest on these debentures will continue to accrue.

The merger with ACP Re is expected to close in the summer of 2014, and there are contractual termination rights available to each of Tower and ACP Re under various circumstances. There can be no assurance that the merger will close, or that it will close under the same terms and conditions contained in the ACP Re Merger Agreement, or as to when it may close.

Dividends

U.S. state insurance regulations restrict the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to Tower Group International, Ltd. as their ultimate parent (the “Holding Company”). Generally dividends may only be paid out of earned surplus, and the amount of an insurer’s surplus following payment of any dividends must be reasonable in relation to the insurer’s outstanding liabilities and adequate to meet its financial needs. As of March 31, 2014, no dividends may be paid to the Holding Company without the approval of the state regulators or BMA, as appropriate.

Going Concern

There can be no guarantee that the Company will be able to remedy current statutory capital deficiencies in certain of its insurance subsidiaries, maintain adequate levels of statutory capital in the future, or generate sufficient liquidity to repay the Notes due in 2014. Consequently, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Should the Company be unable to successfully execute the merger with ACP Re or generate sufficient funds to repay the Notes and remedy the capital deficiencies, these conditions would have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial position.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Resignation of Tower’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Appointment of new Chairman of the Board and new President and Chief Executive Officer

On February 6, 2014, Tower and Michael H. Lee entered into a Separation and Release Agreement in connection with the resignation of Mr. Lee from his positions as Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective as of February 6, 2014. Mr. Lee’s employment with the Company was terminated effective as of February 6, 2014. In connection with his resignation, Mr. Lee received on March 31, 2014 a severance payment of approximately $3.3 million calculated pursuant to terms of his employment agreement.

Jan R. Van Gorder, who is the lead independent director of the Board and a member of the Board’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, was appointed on February 9, 2014 to succeed Mr. Lee as Chairman of the Board. William W. Fox, Jr., who had served as a member of the Board and of the Board’s Audit Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee until his resignation from the Board on December 31, 2013, succeeded Mr. Lee as President and Chief Executive Officer of Tower, effective as of February 14, 2014.

Other

Tower received a document request from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) dated January 13, 2014, as part of an informal inquiry (the “SEC Request”). The SEC Request asks for documents related to Tower’s financial statements, accounting policies, and analysis. Tower is cooperating with the SEC’s inquiry and has provided the requested information.

The Company and certain of its current and former senior officers have been named as defendants in several class action lawsuits instituted against them by certain shareholders. In addition, the Company and certain of its current and former directors, along with certain other parties, have been named as defendants in a putative class action lawsuit instituted against them by another purported shareholder. See “Note 16 – Contingencies” for additional detail on such litigation.

Note 2—Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The 2013 Canopius Merger Transaction (see “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction” in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed on May 2, 2014 (“the 2013 Form 10-K”)) was accounted for as a reverse acquisition, under which TGI was identified and treated as the accounting acquirer. As such, the Company’s 2013 unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of TGI and its insurance subsidiaries, managing general agencies and management companies as its historical financial statements, with the results of Tower Group International, Ltd., as accounting acquiree, being included from March 13, 2013, the effective date of the Canopius Merger Transaction. The unaudited consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of Adirondack Insurance Exchange, a New York reciprocal insurer, and New Jersey Skylands Insurance Association, a New Jersey reciprocal insurer (together, the “Reciprocal Exchanges”). The Company does not own the Reciprocal Exchanges but manages their business operations through its wholly-owned management companies.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Form 10-Q and Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. The principles for condensed interim financial information do not require the inclusion of all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with 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, results of operations and cash flows. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year’s financial information to conform to the current year presentation.

Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting guidance adopted in 2014

In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) update addressing whether consolidation guidance or foreign currency guidance applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent sells all or a part of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or net assets that are a business (other than a sale of in-substance real estate) within a foreign entity. The guidance also resolves the diversity in practice for the cumulative translation adjustment treatment in business combinations achieved in stages involving foreign entities.

Under this standard, the entire amount of the cumulative translation adjustment associated with the foreign entity should be released into earnings when there has been: (i) a sale of a subsidiary or group of net assets within a foreign entity and the sale represents a complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or the net assets had resided; (ii) a loss of a controlling financial interest in an investment in a foreign entity; or (iii) a change in accounting method from applying the equity method to an investment in a foreign entity to consolidating the foreign entity. The standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and will be applied prospectively. We adopted the standard effective January 1, 2014 with no material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2013, the FASB clarified the applicable guidance for the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. An unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward as long as it is available, at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction, to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position (with certain exceptions). The assessment of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and deferred tax asset that exist at the reporting date and should be made presuming disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. This ASC update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. We adopted the standard effective January 1, 2014 with no material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard that permits the Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes in addition to U.S. Treasury rates and LIBOR. The standard also removes the prohibition on the use of differing benchmark rates when entering into similar hedging relationships. The standard became effective on a prospective basis for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013 to the extent the Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate is used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. The Company will apply this guidance if and when it enters into any new hedging relationships.

Accounting guidance not yet effective

In April 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on reporting discontinued operations. Under this updated guidance, a discontinued operation will include a disposal of a major part of an entity’s operations and financial results such as a separate major line of business or a separate major geographical area of operations. The guidance raises the threshold to be a major operation but no longer precludes discontinued operations presentation where there is significant continuing involvement or cash flows with a disposed component of an entity. The guidance expands disclosures to include cash flows where there is significant continuing involvement with a discontinued operation and the pre-tax profit or loss of disposal transactions not reported as discontinued operations. The updated guidance is effective prospectively for years beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early application permitted. The Company will apply this new guidance in any future disposals and the impacts, if any, on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows will be dependent on the nature of such disposals.

In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance on the recognition of revenue from customers. The FASB notes that the core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

The guidance sets out five steps an entity should undertake to fulfill the core principle of the guidance as follows:

 

   

Identify the contract(s) with a customer.

 

   

Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

 

   

Determine the transaction price.

 

   

Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.

 

   

Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

For a public entity, the amendments in this Update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. While the guidance specifically excludes revenues from insurance contracts, investments and financial instruments from the scope of the new guidance, the guidance will be applicable to the Company’s other forms of revenue not specifically exempted from the guidance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures and is currently unable to estimate the impact of adopting this guidance.

Note 3—Investment in Canopius Group Limited (“Canopius Group”)

See “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction” in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K for further discussion on the March 13, 2013 Canopius Merger transaction.

On December 13, 2013, Tower closed a sale to an investment fund managed by Bregal Capital LLP (“Bregal”) of all of the shares of the capital stock of Canopius Group owned by Tower. The initial purchase price for the Canopius shares was $69.7 million (£42.5 million), which has been paid in full to Tower. In addition, if Bregal subsequently entered into a legally binding contract for the sale or other transfer of shares representing a majority of the voting power of Canopius Group within six months after the date of Tower’s sale of such stock to Bregal, a further cash payment would be made by Bregal to Tower. This additional cash payment would be equivalent to the excess, if any, of (1) one-third of the difference between the amount in British pound sterling paid for the shares previously owned by Tower in such sale and £40.6 million (plus Tower’s share of expenses of such sale), minus (2) £1.95 million (the “Additional Payment”). On May 1, 2014, NKSJ Holdings closed on its acquisition, through its insurance subsidiary Sompo Japan Insurance, Inc. of 100% of the shares of Canopius Group from Bregal. The Additional Payment meets the definition of a derivative. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of this derivative recorded in other assets was $7.8 million and $9.3 million, respectively. The change in fair value has been recorded in net realized losses on the statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014. In May 2014, Tower received $5.8 million of the estimated $7.8 million. Tower expects to receive additional consideration in the second or third quarter of 2014, as the closing balance sheet associated with the sale transaction is completed.

Note 4—Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)

Through its management companies, Tower is the attorney-in-fact for the Reciprocal Exchanges and has the ability to direct their activities. The Reciprocal Exchanges are policyholder-owned insurance carriers organized as unincorporated associations. Each policyholder insured by the Reciprocal Exchanges shares risk with the other policyholders.

In the event of dissolution, policyholders would share any residual unassigned surplus in the same proportion as the amount of insurance purchased but are not subject to assessment for any deficit in unassigned surplus of the Reciprocal Exchanges. Tower receives management fee income for the services provided to the Reciprocal Exchanges. The assets of the Reciprocal Exchanges can be used only to settle the obligations of the Reciprocal Exchanges and general creditors to their liabilities have no recourse to Tower as the primary beneficiary.

In addition, Tower holds the surplus notes issued by the Reciprocal Exchanges when they were originally capitalized. The obligation to repay principal and interest on the surplus notes is subordinated to the Reciprocal Exchanges’ other liabilities including obligations to policyholders and claimants for benefits under insurance policies. Principal and interest on the surplus notes are payable only with regulatory approval. The Company has no ownership interest in the Reciprocal Exchanges.

The Company determined that each of the Reciprocal Exchanges qualifies as a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary as it has both the power to direct the activities of the Reciprocal Exchanges that most significantly impact their economic performance and the risk of economic loss through its ownership of the surplus notes. Accordingly, the Company consolidates these Reciprocal Exchanges and eliminates all intercompany balances and transactions with Tower.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Reciprocal Exchanges recognized total revenues, total expenses and net income (loss) of $49.2 million, $55.0 million and $(5.8) million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Reciprocal Exchanges recognized total revenues, total expenses and net income (loss) of $47.3 million, $58.6 million and $(11.3) million, respectively.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Note 5—Investments

The cost or amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s investments in fixed maturity and equity securities, gross unrealized gains and losses, and other-than-temporary impairment losses (“OTTI”) as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows:

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

($ in thousands)    Cost or
Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value      Unrealized
OTTI
Losses (1)
 

March 31, 2014

             

U.S. Treasury securities

   $       474,654      $ 723      $ (6,272   $         469,105      $ -  

U.S. Agency securities

     107,940        1,557        (258     109,239        -  

Municipal bonds

     255,653        10,035        (2,083     263,605        1  

Corporate and other bonds

             

Finance

     102,801        4,532        (439     106,894        -  

Industrial

     191,901        4,585        (1,023     195,463        -  

Utilities

     30,321        325        (736     29,910        (1

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     100,807        6,245        (948     106,104        (351

Residential mortgage-backed securities

             

Agency backed securities

     70,033        376        (681     69,728        -  

Non-agency backed securities

     18,325        1,989        (28     20,286        (3

Asset-backed securities

     81,239        20        (192     81,067        -  

Total fixed-maturity securities

     1,433,674        30,387        (12,660     1,451,401        (354

Preferred stocks, principally financial sector

     16,120        211        (1,192     15,139        -  

Common stocks, principally financial and industrial sectors

     38,771        9,537        (240     48,068        -  

Short-term investments

     2,000        -        -       2,000        -  

Total, March 31, 2014

   $ 1,490,565      $ 40,135      $ (14,092   $ 1,516,608      $ (354

Tower

   $ 1,284,708      $ 34,181      $ (11,911   $ 1,306,978      $ (353

Reciprocal Exchanges

     205,857        5,954        (2,181     209,630        (1

Total, March 31, 2014

   $ 1,490,565      $ 40,135      $ (14,092   $ 1,516,608      $ (354

December 31, 2013

             

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 370,959      $ 729      $ (7,726   $ 363,962      $ -  

U.S. Agency securities

     110,362        1,420        (561     111,221        -  

Municipal bonds

     277,382        7,981        (6,257     279,106        -  

Corporate and other bonds

             

Finance

     148,132        9,797        (1,028     156,901        -  

Industrial

     316,474        8,286        (3,008     321,752        -  

Utilities

     47,838        1,341        (1,890     47,289        (17

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     189,808        16,852        (1,754     204,906        (634

Residential mortgage-backed securities

             

Agency backed securities

     63,668        891        (1,218     63,341        -  

Non-agency backed securities

     30,228        4,659        (31     34,856        (13

Asset-backed securities

     58,783        681        (103     59,361        -  

Total fixed-maturity securities

     1,613,634        52,637        (23,576     1,642,695        (664

Preferred stocks, principally financial sector

     21,330        54        (2,536     18,848        -  

Common stocks, principally industrial and financial sectors

     76,378        11,432        (28     87,782        -  

Short-term investments

     5,925        -        (28     5,897        -  

Total, December 31, 2013

   $ 1,717,267      $ 64,123      $ (26,168   $ 1,755,222      $ (664

Tower

   $ 1,465,039      $ 56,480      $ (21,369   $ 1,500,150      $ (664

Reciprocal Exchanges

     252,228        7,643        (4,799     255,072        -  

Total, December 31, 2013

   $ 1,717,267      $ 64,123      $ (26,168   $ 1,755,222      $ (664

 

(1) Represents the gross unrealized loss on other-than-temporarily impaired securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

In accordance with Lloyd’s operating guidelines, the Company deposits funds at Lloyd’s to support underwriting operations. These funds are available only to fund claims obligations. These restricted assets consisted of approximately $ 106.6 million of cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. In addition, the Company had $203.9 million and $248.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and investments as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, held by counterparties as collateral or in trusts to support letters of credit issued on the Company’s behalf, reinsurance liabilities on certain assumed reinsurance treaties, collateral posted for certain leases and other purposes.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

The Company also deposits funds with various state and governmental authorities in the U.S. For a discussion of the Company’s deposits with state and governmental authorities, see “Note 5 – Investments” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Major categories of net investment income are summarized as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
($ in thousands)    2014     2013  

Income

    

Fixed-maturity securities

   $ 12,577     $ 20,973  

Equity securities

     1,311       6,484  

Cash and cash equivalents

     50       51  

Other invested assets

     2,382       4,256  

Other

     81       327  

Total

     16,401       32,091  

Expenses

    

Investment expenses

     (1,043     (1,774

Net investment income

   $ 15,358     $ 30,317  

Tower

     14,697       29,980  

Reciprocal Exchanges

     2,315       2,380  

Elimination of interest on Reciprocal Exchange surplus notes

     (1,654     (2,043

Net investment income

   $ 15,358     $ 30,317  

Proceeds from the sale of fixed-maturity securities were $635.1 million and $123.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Proceeds from the sale of equity securities were $100.9 million and $375.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Gross realized gains, losses and impairment write-downs on investments are summarized as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
($ in thousands)    2014     2013  

Fixed-maturity securities

    

Gross realized gains

   $ 28,568     $ 7,364  

Gross realized losses

     (1,564     (190
     27,004       7,174  

Equity securities

    

Gross realized gains

     3,318       4,236  

Gross realized losses

     (3,033     (4,813
     285       (577

Other

    

Gross realized gains

     547       1,755  

Gross realized losses

     (4,666     (812
       (4,119     943  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     23,170       7,540  

Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

    

Fixed-maturity securities

     (907     (164

Equity securities

     -       (525

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

     (907     (689

Total net realized investment gains (losses)

   $ 22,263     $ 6,851  

Tower

   $ 18,800     $ 6,233  

Reciprocal Exchanges

     3,463       618  

Total net realized investment gains (losses)

   $ 22,263     $ 6,851  

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Management may dispose of a particular security due to changes in facts and circumstances related to the invested asset that have arisen since the last analysis supporting management’s determination whether or not it intended to sell the security, and if not, whether it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

Impairment Review

Management regularly reviews the Company’s fixed-maturity and equity portfolios to evaluate the necessity of recording impairment losses for OTTI in accordance with its impairment policy. The determination of OTTI is a subjective process and different judgments and assumptions could affect the timing of loss realization.

Management, in conjunction with its outside portfolio managers, analyzes its non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) using default loss models based on the performance of the underlying loans. Performance metrics include delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, anticipated cash flow prepayments and cumulative losses incurred. The expected losses for a mortgage pool are compared to the break-even loss, which represents the point at which the Company’s tranche begins to experience losses.

The commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) holdings are evaluated using analytical techniques and various metrics including the level of subordination, debt-service-coverage ratios, loan-to-value ratios, delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures.

For the non-structured fixed-maturity securities (U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, municipal bonds, and corporate debt), unrealized losses are reviewed to determine whether full recovery of principal and interest will be received. The estimate of expected cash flows is determined by projecting a recovery value and a recovery time frame and assessing whether further principal and interest will be received. The determination of recovery value incorporates an issuer valuation assumption utilizing one or a combination of valuation methods as deemed appropriate by management. The present value of the cash flows is determined by applying the effective yield of the security at the date of acquisition (or the most recent implied rate used to accrete the security if the implied rate has changed as a result of a previous impairment) and an estimated recovery time frame. For securities for which the issuer is financially troubled but not in bankruptcy, that time frame is generally longer. Included in the present value calculation are expected principal and interest payments; however, for securities for which the issuer is classified as bankrupt or in default, the present value calculation assumes no interest payments and a single recovery amount. In situations for which a present value of cash flows cannot be estimated, a write-down to fair value is recorded.

In estimating the recovery value, significant judgment is involved in the development of assumptions related to the issuer including, but not limited to, revenue, margin and earnings projections, the likely market or liquidation values of assets, potential additional debt to be incurred pre- or post- bankruptcy/restructuring, the ability to shift existing or new debt to different priority layers, the amount of restructuring/bankruptcy expenses, the size and priority of unfunded pension obligations, litigation or other contingent claims, the treatment of intercompany claims and the likely outcome with respect to inter-creditor conflicts.

The evaluation of equity securities includes management’s intent and ability to hold the security to recovery. Management will record OTTI in situations where it does not intend to hold the security to recovery or if the security is not expected to recover in value in the near term.

The following table shows the fixed-maturity and equity securities OTTI amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
($ in thousands)    2014     2013  

Municipal bonds

   $ (672   $ -  

Corporate and other bonds

     (99     -  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     (364     (24

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     (123     (140

Equities

     -       (525

Other-than-temporary-impairments

     (1,258     (689

Portion of loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     351       -  

Impairment losses recognized in earnings

   $ (907   $ (689

Tower

   $ (662   $ (689

Reciprocal Exchanges

     (245     -  

Impairment losses recognized in earnings

   $ (907   $ (689

The following table provides a rollforward of the cumulative amounts of credit OTTI for securities held as of March 31, 2014 and 2013 showing the amounts that have been included in earnings on a pretax basis for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
($ in thousands)    2014     2013  

Balance, January 1,

   $ 7,817     $ 4,492  

Additional credit losses recognized during the period, related to securities for which:

    

No OTTI has been previously recognized

     772       164  

OTTI has been previously recognized

     135       -  

Reductions due to:

    

Securities sold during the period (realized)

     (1,209     (140

Balance, March 31,

   $ 7,515     $ 4,516  

Unrealized Losses

There are 313 securities at March 31, 2014, including fixed maturities and equity securities, which account for the gross unrealized loss, none of which is deemed by management to be OTTI. Temporary losses on corporate and other bonds result from purchases made in a lower yield spread environment. In addition, there have been some ratings downgrades on certain of these securities. After analyzing the credit quality, balance sheet strength and company outlook, management believes these securities will recover in value. To the extent projected cash flows on structured securities change adversely, they would be considered OTTI, and an impairment loss would be recognized in the current period. Management considered all relevant factors, including expected recoverability of cash flows, in assessing whether a loss was other-than-temporary. The gross unrealized loss position associated with the fixed-maturity portfolio was $12.7 million as of March 31, 2014, consisting primarily of municipal bonds, corporate and other bonds and U.S. Treasury securities of $10.6 million. The total fixed-maturity portfolio of gross unrealized losses included 302 securities which were, in aggregate, approximately 1.0% below amortized cost. Of the 302 fixed maturity investments identified, 37 have been in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. The total unrealized loss on these investments at March 31, 2014 was $2.0 million. Management does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

In the equity portfolio, there were 11 securities in a loss position at March 31, 2014 totaling $1.4 million. Management evaluated the financial condition of the common stock issuers, the severity and duration of the impairment, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold to recovery. The evaluation consisted of a detailed review, including but not limited to some or all of the following factors for each security: the current S&P rating, analysts’ reports, past earnings trends and analysts’ earnings expectations for the next 12 months, liquidity, near-term financing risk, and whether the company was currently paying dividends on its equity securities. Management does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

The following table presents information regarding invested assets that were in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 by amount of time in a continuous unrealized loss position:

 

     Less than 12 Months     12 Months or Longer     Total  
($ in thousands)   

Fair

Value

     Unrealized
Losses
   

Fair

Value

     Unrealized
Losses
    Aggregate
Fair Value
     Unrealized
Losses
 

March 31, 2014

               

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 343,335      $ (6,272   $ -      $ -     $ 343,335      $ (6,272

U.S. Agency securities

     51,843        (258     -        -       51,843        (258

Municipal bonds

     61,758        (1,836     5,996        (247     67,754        (2,083

Corporate and other bonds

               

Finance

     28,227        (425     345        (14     28,572        (439

Industrial

     72,945        (841     7,078        (182     80,023        (1,023

Utilities

     13,983        (149     7,954        (587     21,937        (736

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     12,097        (238     24,744        (710     36,841        (948

Residential mortgage-backed securities

               

Agency backed

     48,130        (450     5,050        (231     53,180        (681

Non-agency backed

     162        (28     -        -       162        (28

Asset-backed securities

     71,452        (192     -        -       71,452        (192

Total fixed-maturity securities

     703,932        (10,689     51,167        (1,971     755,099        (12,660

Preferred stocks

     8,285        (1,007     2,219        (185     10,504        (1,192

Common stocks

     6,661        (240     -        -       6,661        (240

Short-term investments

     -        -       -        -       -        -  

Total, March 31, 2014

   $ 718,878      $ (11,936   $ 53,386      $ (2,156   $ 772,264      $ (14,092

Tower

   $ 676,838      $ (10,995   $ 22,062      $ (916   $ 698,900      $ (11,911

Reciprocal Exchanges

     42,040        (941     31,324        (1,240     73,364        (2,181

Total, March 31, 2014

   $ 718,878      $ (11,936   $ 53,386      $ (2,156   $ 772,264      $ (14,092

December 31, 2013

               

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 273,217      $ (7,726   $ -      $ -     $ 273,217      $ (7,726

U.S. Agency securities

     51,808        (561     -        -       51,808        (561

Municipal bonds

     109,345        (5,056     4,268        (1,201     113,613        (6,257

Corporate and other bonds

               

Finance

     37,811        (1,005     335        (23     38,146        (1,028

Industrial

     124,869        (2,550     10,023        (458     134,892        (3,008

Utilities

     27,698        (805     7,292        (1,085     34,990        (1,890

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     26,469        (597     20,397        (1,157     46,866        (1,754

Residential mortgage-backed securities

               

Agency backed

     37,660        (925     5,166        (293     42,826        (1,218

Non-agency backed

     1,027        (19     182        (12     1,209        (31

Asset-backed securities

     32,461        (103     -        -       32,461        (103

Total fixed-maturity securities

     722,365        (19,347     47,663        (4,229     770,028        (23,576

Preferred stocks

     10,538        (2,285     6,154        (251     16,692        (2,536

Common stocks

     7,125        (28     -        -       7,125        (28

Short-term investments

     3,897        (28     -        -       3,897        (28

Total, December 31, 2013

   $ 743,925      $ (21,688   $ 53,817      $ (4,480   $ 797,742      $ (26,168

Tower

   $ 663,127      $ (19,335   $ 23,096      $ (2,034   $ 686,223      $ (21,369

Reciprocal Exchanges

     80,798        (2,353     30,721        (2,446     111,519        (4,799

Total, December 31, 2013

   $ 743,925      $ (21,688   $ 53,817      $ (4,480   $ 797,742      $ (26,168

Management evaluated the severity of the impairment in relation to the carrying values for the securities referred to above and considered all relevant factors in assessing whether the loss was other-than-temporary.

Fixed-Maturity Investment—Time to Maturity

The following table shows the amortized cost and fair value of the fixed-maturity portfolio by contractual time to maturity at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

     Tower      Reciprocal Exchanges      Total  
($ in thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Fair Value      Amortized
Cost
     Fair Value      Amortized
Cost
     Fair Value  

March 31, 2014

                 

Remaining Time to Maturity

                 

Less than one year

   $ 29,834      $ 30,223      $ 7,762      $ 7,850      $ 37,596      $ 38,073  

One to five years

     587,613        591,857        24,245        24,615        611,858        616,472  

Five to ten years

     338,210        342,185        64,639        65,442        402,849        407,627  

More than 10 years

     72,583        73,697        38,384        38,347        110,967        112,044  

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

     202,328        206,533        68,076        70,652        270,404        277,185  

Total, March 31, 2014

   $ 1,230,568      $ 1,244,495      $ 203,106      $ 206,906      $ 1,433,674      $ 1,451,401  

December 31, 2013

                 

Remaining Time to Maturity

                 

Less than one year

   $ 33,305      $ 33,727      $ 7,866      $ 8,021      $ 41,171      $ 41,748  

One to five years

     507,388        513,841        39,469        41,381        546,857        555,222  

Five to ten years

     459,070        459,251        82,003        81,515        541,073        540,766  

More than 10 years

     100,977        102,801        41,069        39,693        142,046        142,494  

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

     263,417        280,526        79,070        81,939        342,487        362,465  

Total, December 31, 2013

   $   1,364,157      $   1,390,146      $   249,477      $   252,549      $   1,613,634      $   1,642,695  

Other Invested Assets

The following table shows the composition of the other invested assets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

($ in thousands)    March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Limited partnerships, equity method

   $ 35,829      $ 46,521  

Real estate, amortized cost

     -        6,054  

Securities reported under the fair value option

     18,778        43,580  

Other

     -        -  

Total

   $   54,607      $   96,155  

Other invested assets reported under the fair value option include six securities, which contain embedded derivatives and other features. The significant inputs used to determine fair value are considered Level 3 pursuant to the fair value hierarchy. See “Note 6 – Fair Value Measurements” below.

As of March 31, 2014, the Company and its insurance companies had future funding commitments of $44.6 million including but not limited to the limited partnerships.

Note 6—Fair Value Measurements

GAAP establishes a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded, including during periods of market disruption, and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The levels of the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets. Included are those equity securities that are traded on active exchanges, such as the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

Level 2 — Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs. Included are investments in U.S. Treasury and Agency securities and, together with municipal bonds, corporate debt securities, commercial mortgages, residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. Additionally, interest-rate swap contracts utilize Level 2 inputs in deriving fair values.

Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable in the market for the asset or liability and are significant to the fair value measurement. Material assumptions and factors considered in pricing investment securities may include projected cash flows, collateral performance including delinquencies, defaults and recoveries, and any market clearing activity or liquidity circumstances in the security or similar securities that may have occurred since the prior pricing period.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

The availability of observable inputs varies and is affected by a wide variety of factors. When the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires significantly more judgment. The degree of judgment exercised by management in determining fair value is greatest for investments categorized as Level 3. For investments in this category, management considers prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date. In periods of market dislocation, as characterized by current market conditions, the ability to observe stable prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause a security to be reclassified between levels.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

As at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value are allocated among levels as follows:

 

($ in thousands)    Level 1      Level 2     Level 3      Total  

March 31, 2014

          

Fixed-maturity securities

          

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ -      $ 469,105     $ -      $ 469,105  

U.S. Agency securities

     -        109,239       -        109,239  

Municipal bonds

     -        263,605       -        263,605  

Corporate and other bonds

     -        328,841       3,426        332,267  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     -        106,104       -        106,104  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

          

Agency

     -        69,728       -        69,728  

Non-agency

     -        20,286       -        20,286  

Asset-backed securities

     -        81,067       -        81,067  

Total fixed-maturities

     -        1,447,975       3,426        1,451,401  

Equity securities

     63,207        -       -        63,207  

Short-term investments

     -        2,000       -        2,000  

Total investments at fair value

     63,207        1,449,975       3,426        1,516,608  

Other invested assets (1)

     -        -       18,778        18,778  

Other assets

             -  

Additional Payment derivative

     -        -       7,843        7,843  

Other liabilities

             -  

Interest rate swap contracts

     -        (5,408     -        (5,408

Debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased

     -        (11,033     -        (11,033

Total, March 31, 2014

   $ 63,207      $ 1,433,534     $ 30,047      $ 1,526,788  

Tower

   $ 60,483      $ 1,226,628     $ 30,047      $ 1,317,158  

Reciprocal Exchanges

     2,724        206,906       -        209,630  

Total, March 31, 2014

   $ 63,207      $ 1,433,534     $ 30,047      $ 1,526,788  

December 31, 2013

          

Fixed-maturity securities

          

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ -      $ 363,962     $ -      $ 363,962  

U.S. Agency securities

     -        111,221       -        111,221  

Municipal bonds

     -        279,106       -        279,106  

Corporate and other bonds

     -        522,516       3,426        525,942  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     -        204,906       -        204,906  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     -        -       -        -  

Agency

     -        63,341       -        63,341  

Non-agency

     -        34,856       -        34,856  

Asset-backed securities

     -        59,361       -        59,361  

Total fixed-maturities

     -        1,639,269       3,426        1,642,695  

Equity securities

     106,630        -       -        106,630  

Short-term investments

     -        5,897       -        5,897  

Total investments at fair value

     106,630        1,645,166       3,426        1,755,222  

Other invested assets (2)

     -        -       43,580        43,580  

Other assets

          

Additional Payment derivative

     -        -       9,343        9,343  

Other liabilities

          

Interest rate swap contracts

     -        (6,066     -        (6,066

Debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased

     -        (11,099     -        (11,099

Total, December 31, 2013

   $ 106,630      $ 1,628,001     $ 56,349      $ 1,790,980  

Tower

   $ 104,107      $ 1,375,452     $ 56,349      $ 1,535,908  

Reciprocal Exchanges

     2,523        252,549       -        255,072  

Total, December 31, 2013

   $     106,630      $     1,628,001     $     56,349      $     1,790,980  

(1) $18.8 million of the $54.6 million Other invested assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2014 is reported at fair value. The remaining $35.8 million of Other invested assets is reported under the equity method of accounting or at amortized cost.

(2) $43.6 million of the $96.2 million Other invested assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 is reported at fair value. The remaining $52.6 million of Other invested assets is reported under the equity method of accounting or at amortized cost.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

As of March 31, 2014, substantially all of the investment portfolio recorded at fair value was priced based upon quoted market prices or other observable inputs. For investments in active markets, the Company used the quoted market prices provided by the outside pricing services to determine fair value. In circumstances where quoted market prices were unavailable, the Company used fair value estimates based upon other observable inputs including matrix pricing, benchmark interest rates, market comparables and other relevant inputs. When observable inputs were adjusted to reflect management’s best estimate of fair value, such fair value measurements are considered a lower level measurement in the GAAP fair value hierarchy.

The Company’s process to validate the market prices obtained from the outside pricing sources includes, but is not limited to, periodic evaluation of model pricing methodologies and analytical reviews of certain prices. The Company also periodically performs testing of the market to determine trading activity, or lack of trading activity, as well as market prices. Several securities sold during the quarter were “back-tested” (i.e., the sales price is compared to the previous month end reported market price to determine reasonableness of the reported market price). If management believes that the price provided from the pricing source is distressed, management will use a valuation method that reflects an orderly transaction between market participants, generally a discounted cash flow method that incorporates relevant interest rate, risk and liquidity factors.

The ability to observe stable prices and inputs may be reduced for highly-customized and illiquid instruments which had been the case for certain non-agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities in previous periods.

Substantially all of the portfolio valuations at March 31, 2014, classified as Level 1 or Level 2 in the above table are determined utilizing several independent pricing services that provide a price quote for each security. There were no adjustments made to the prices obtained from the independent pricing sources and dealers on securities classified as Level 1 or Level 2.

In 2014 and 2013, there were no transfers of investments between Level 1 and Level 2 or between Level 2 and Level 3.

The fair values of the interest rate swaps were derived using an industry standard swap valuation model with market based inputs for swaps having similar characteristics.

The fair values of the debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased were derived using quoted prices for similar securities in active markets. These instruments resulted in gross realized gains and losses of $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, respectively.

The Company holds six securities which are reported in other invested assets and have been classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Management utilizes a discounted cash flow analysis to derive the fair values. One of the six securities is an investment in a credit linked note which matures in 2017, and whose cash flows are supported by underlying short-term loans. The significant unobservable inputs include the underlying short-term loans’ probability of default and loss severity, and a discount for the security’s lack of marketability. Increases in the probability of default and loss severity assumptions (which generally move directionally with each other) would have the effect of decreasing the fair value of this security. The Company obtains credit ratings on the underlying short-term loans quarterly and considers these ratings when updating its assumptions.

Four securities are preferred equity interests in limited partnerships that invest in leisure hotels. The preferred interests pay a stated quarterly dividend with residual equity incentives payable after the General Partner’s minimum return thresholds are met. The significant unobservable inputs include the market discount rate and the instruments’ lack of marketability. These four preferred equity interest investments are carried at fair value and are modeled quarterly using discounted market yields from similar hotel properties.

The Company has one fixed-maturity security classified as Level 3. This security, a privately placed corporate convertible bond, is valued by management using a liquidation pricing methodology.

Management is responsible for the determination of the value of the investments carried at fair value and the supporting methodologies and assumptions. Management has reviewed the pricing techniques and methodologies of the independent pricing sources and believes that their policies adequately consider market activity, either based on specific transactions for the issue valued or based on modeling of securities with similar credit quality, duration, yield and structure that were recently traded. Management monitors security-specific valuation trends and discusses material changes or the absence of expected changes with the portfolio managers to understand the underlying factors and inputs and to validate the reasonableness of pricing. Management also back-tests the prices on numerous sales of securities during the year to validate the previous pricing provided as well as utilizes other pricing sources to validate the pricing provided by the Company’s primary provider of the majority of the non-U.S. Treasury securities and non-agency securities included in Level 2.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes activity in Level 3 assets measured at fair value for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 for Tower (the Reciprocal Exchanges have no Level 3 assets):

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2014     2013  
($ in thousands)   

Other

Invested

Assets

    Fixed
Maturity
Securities  (1)
     Additional
Payment
Derivative
    Total    

Other

Invested

Assets

 

Beginning balance, January 1

   $ 43,580     $ 3,426      $ 9,343     $ 56,349     $ 25,000  

Total gains (losses)-realized / unrealized

           

Included in net income

     58       -        (1,500     (1,442     -  

Settlements

     (24,860     -        -       (24,860     -  

Ending balance, March 31,

   $ 18,778     $ 3,426      $ 7,843     $ 30,047     $ 25,000  

(1) Comprised of corporate and other bonds

Note 7—Reinsurance

The Company utilizes various excess of loss, quota share and catastrophe reinsurance programs to limit its exposure to a maximum loss on any one risk.

In addition, as disclosed in “Note 1 – Nature of the Business,” as a result of the 2013 significant business developments and the execution of the ACP Re Merger Agreement, Tower had entered into two Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements, pursuant to which a subsidiary of AmTrust and a subsidiary of NGHC agreed to provide 100% quota share reinsurance and a cut-through endorsement to cover all eligible new and renewal commercial and personal lines business, respectively, and at their option, losses incurred on or after January 1, 2014 of not less than 60% of the in-force business. Tower received confirmation on January 16, 2014 from AmTrust and NGHC that they would exercise such option to reinsure on a cut -through basis losses incurred on or after January 1, 2014 under in-force policies with respect to (1) in the case of AmTrust, 65.7% of Tower’s unearned premium reserves as of December 31, 2013 with respect to its ongoing commercial lines business, and (2) in the case of NGHC, 100% of Tower’s unearned premium reserves as of December 31, 2013 with respect to its personal lines segment business. Tower received a 20% ceding commission from AmTrust and NGHC on all Tower unearned premiums that were subject to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements and a 22% ceding commission on 2014 ceded premiums.

Impact of Reinsurance on Premiums

The table below shows direct, assumed and ceded premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
($ in thousands)    Direct     Assumed     Ceded -
Other
    Ceded - Cut-
Through
    Net  

2014

          

Premiums written

   $ 281,202     $ 21,459     $ 67,528     $ 495,778  (1)    $ (260,645

Change in unearned premiums

     82,946       (5,453     38,212       (332,908     372,189  

Premiums earned

   $ 364,148     $ 16,006     $ 105,740     $ 162,870     $ 111,544  

2013

          

Premiums written

   $ 445,715     $ 105,514     $ 98,032     $ -     $ 453,197  

Change in unearned premiums

     (16,128     (44,389     (29,206     -       (31,311

Premiums earned

   $ 429,587     $ 61,125     $ 68,826     $ -     $ 421,886  

(1) Includes $327.7 million of unearned premiums transferred on January 1, 2014 under the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Note 8—Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending consolidated balances for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2014     2013  
           Reciprocal                 Reciprocal        
($ in thousands)    Tower     Exchanges     Total     Tower     Exchanges     Total  

Balance at January 1,

   $ 1,973,972     $ 107,313     $ 2,081,285     $ 1,759,888     $ 135,791     $ 1,895,679  

Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses

     (555,468     (15,392     (570,860     (407,068     (52,389     (459,457
     1,418,504       91,921       1,510,425       1,352,820       83,402       1,436,222  

Net reserves, at fair value, of acquired entities

     -       -       -       161,886       -       161,886  

Change in net reserves for ADC (i)

     313,229        -       313,229        -       -       -  

Incurred related to:

            

Current year

     64,674       30,872       95,546       239,210       28,827       268,037  

Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development

     7,955       (940 )     7,015       1,124       6,571       7,695  

Total incurred

     72,629       29,932       102,561       240,334       35,398       275,732  

Paid related to:

            

Current year

     85,130        23,403       108,533        103,324       17,721       121,045  

Prior years

     149,064       12,970       162,034       171,026       707       171,733  

Total paid

     234,194        36,373       270,567        274,350       18,428       292,778  

Net balance at end of period

     1,570,168        85,480       1,655,648        1,480,690       100,372       1,581,062  

Add reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses

     373,614       15,025       388,639       822,634       27,554       850,188  

Balance at March 31,

   $     1,943,782     $     100,505     $     2,044,287     $     2,303,324     $     127,926     $     2,431,250  

(i) In the first quarter of 2014, Tower terminated the Southport Re ADCs (see "Note 1 - Nature of the Business" for further description). The termination of the Southport Re ADCs resulted in a direct increase to net loss reserves.

The consolidated net loss ratio, which includes the Reciprocal Exchanges, was 91.9% and 65.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, the net loss ratio was 99.9% and 63.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Incurred losses and LAE for the three months ended March 31, 2014 attributable to events of prior years were $7.0 million including the Reciprocal Exchanges and $8.0 million excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges.

Prior year development is based upon numerous estimates by line of business and accident year. The Company’s management continually monitors claims activity to assess the appropriateness of carried case and incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves, giving consideration to Company and industry trends.

Note 9—Shareholders’ Equity

Shares of Common Stock Issued

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 0 and 240,293 new common shares, respectively, were issued as the result of the Company’s restricted stock grants. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, no new common shares were issued as the result of employee stock option exercises.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 17,364 and 340,707 shares, respectively, of common stock were purchased from employees in connection with the vesting of restricted stock issued under the Company’s equity compensation plans. The shares were withheld at the direction of employees as permitted under the equity compensation plans in order to pay the expected amount of tax liability owed by the employees from the vesting of those shares. In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 52,834 and 6,848 shares, respectively, of common stock were surrendered as a result of restricted stock forfeitures.

Share Repurchase Program

As part of Tower’s capital management strategy, Tower’s Board of Directors approved a $50 million share repurchase program on May 7, 2013. Purchases under this program can be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. In the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, no shares of common stock were purchased under this program.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Dividends Declared

On November 14, 2013, the Company announced that its Board of Directors determined that it would not declare and pay a dividend to shareholders beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, no dividends were declared or paid. There can be no assurance that we will resume paying dividends in the future even if the necessary financial conditions are met and if sufficient cash is available for distribution.

Dividends on common stock and participating unvested restricted stock of $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 were declared and paid.

Note 10—Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table provides a summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, by component, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, with all amounts reflected net of income taxes and noncontrolling interest:

 

($ in thousands)    Unrealized
gains (losses)
on available for
sale securities
    Gains
(losses) on
cash flow
hedges
    Cumulative
translation
adjustments
    Total  

Balance at December 31, 2012

   $ 87,412     $ (5,860   $ 1,204     $ 82,756  

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax

     906       514       (2,347     (927

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

     (4,051     533       -       (3,518

Net current period other comprehensive income

     (3,145     1,047       (2,347     (4,445

Balance at March 31, 2013

   $ 84,267     $ (4,813   $ (1,143   $ 78,311  

Balance at December 31, 2013

   $ (15,528   $ (3,979   $ -     $ (19,507

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax

     5,697       (425     -       5,272  

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

     (18,816     853       -       (17,963

Net current period other comprehensive income

     (13,119     428       -       (12,691

Balance at March 31, 2014

   $ (28,647   $ (3,551   $ -     $ (32,198

The following provides a summary of the items that have been reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income in their entirety during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, including the line item on the consolidated statement of operations on which the impact is reflected. Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income when a security is sold or when a non-credit impairment is recorded. Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income when the related hedged item (subordinated debentures floating rate interest payments) are recorded in the statement of operations.

 

($ in thousands)
Accumulated other comprehensive income components    Amounts reclassified
from accumulated other
comprehensive income
    Affected line item in the consolidated statement of
operations
     Three Months Ended March 31,      
      2014     2013      

Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities

   $ (18,816   $ (6,232   Other net realized investment gains
     -       2,181     Income tax expense
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
   $ (18,816   $ (4,051   Total net of income taxes
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges interest rate swaps

   $ 853     $ 820     Interest expense
     -       (287)      Income tax expense
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
   $ 853     $ 533     Total net of income taxes
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Note 11—Debt

The Company’s borrowings consisted of the following at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

       March 31, 2014        December 31, 2013  
       Carrying        Fair        Carrying        Fair  
($ in thousands)      Value        Value        Value        Value  

Convertible senior notes

     $ 148,506        $ 142,875        $ 147,712        $ 129,525  

Subordinated debentures

       235,058          116,991          235,058          114,900  

Total

     $ 383,564        $ 259,866        $ 382,770        $ 244,425  

The fair value of the convertible senior notes is determined utilizing recent transaction prices for these securities between third-party market participants. The fair value of the subordinated debentures is based on discounted cash flow analysis. The significant inputs used for fair value are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Total interest expense incurred, including interest expense on the funds held liabilities, was $7.0 million and $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Subordinated Debentures

The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have issued trust preferred securities through wholly-owned Delaware statutory business trusts. The trusts use the proceeds of the sale of the trust preferred securities and common securities that the Company acquired from the trusts to purchase junior subordinated debentures from the Company with terms that match the terms of the trust preferred securities. Interest on the junior subordinated debentures and the trust preferred securities is payable quarterly. In some cases, the interest rate is fixed for an initial period of five years after issuance and then floats with changes in the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and in other cases the interest rate floats with LIBOR without any initial fixed-rate period. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding par of $ 235.1million relating to the subordinated debentures.

Interest Rate Swaps

In October 2010, the Company entered into interest rate swap contracts (the “Swaps”) with $190 million notional value to manage interest costs and cash flows associated with the floating rate subordinated debentures. The Swaps have terms of five years. The Swaps convert the subordinated debentures to rates ranging from 5.1% to 5.9%. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Swaps had a fair value of $5.4 million and $6.1million in a liability position, respectively, and are reported in Other Liabilities.

The Company has designated and accounts for the Swaps as cash flow hedges. The Swaps are considered to have no ineffectiveness and changes in their fair values are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), net of tax. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, $0.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively, were reclassified from AOCI to interest expense for the effects of the hedges. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had collateral on deposit with the counterparty amounting to $5.5 million pursuant to a Credit Support Annex.

Convertible Senior Notes

In September 2010, TGI issued $150.0 million principal amount of 5.0% convertible senior notes (“the Notes”), which mature on September 15, 2014. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing March 15, 2011. The original terms of the Notes allowed Holders to convert their Notes into cash or common shares, at TGI’s option, at any time on or after March 15, 2014 or earlier under certain circumstances determined by: (i) the market price of TGI’s stock, (ii) the trading price of the Notes, or (iii) the occurrence of specified corporate transactions. Upon conversion, TGI intends to settle its obligation either entirely or partially in cash. Upon completion of the Canopius Merger Transaction, the change in control provision of the Indenture was triggered and the Holders were allowed, at their option, to convert their notes into cash or common shares of Tower Group International, Ltd. at a make-whole exchange ratio. As required by the terms of the Indenture, TGI delivered a Fundamental Company Change Notice (“Change Notice”) to the Holders on March 23, 2013. The Change Notice provided Holders the option to convert the Notes into cash or common shares of TGIL at a fundamental make-whole exchange ratio up to and including April 26, 2013. There were no bonds tendered or converted as a result of the Change Notice delivery.

The adjusted conversion rate at March 31, 2014 is 39.7769 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes (equivalent to a conversion price of $25.14 per share), subject to further adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, including the following: if Tower issues shares of common stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of the common stock , or if Tower effects a share split or share combination; if Tower issues to all or substantially all holders of common stock any rights, options or warrants entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sales price of the common stock for the ten consecutive trading day period ending on the date of announcement of such issuance; if Tower distributes shares of its capital stock, other indebtedness, other assets or property of Tower or rights, options or warrants to

 

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Table of Contents

Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

acquire capital stock or other securities of Tower, to all or substantially all holders of capital stock; if any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of the common stock, other than a regular quarterly cash dividend that does not exceed $0.110 per share; if Tower makes a payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer for common stock, and the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of common stock exceeds the last reported sale price of the common stock on the trading day next succeeding the last day on which the tenders or exchange may be made.

The proceeds from the issuance of the Notes were allocated to the liability component and the embedded conversion option, or equity component. The equity component was reported as an adjustment to paid-in-capital, net of tax, and is reflected as an original issue discount (“OID”). After considering the contractual interest payments and amortization of the original issue discount, the Notes’ effective interest rate is 7.2%. Transaction costs of $0.4 million associated with the equity component were netted with the equity component in paid-in-capital. Interest expense, including amortization of deferred origination costs, recognized on the Notes was $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

The following table shows the amounts recorded for the Notes as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

     March 31,     December 31,  
($ in thousands)    2014     2013  

Liability component

    

Outstanding principal

   $ 150,000     $ 150,000  

Unamortized OID

     (1,494     (2,288

Liability component

     148,506       147,712  

Equity component, net of tax

   $ 7,469     $ 7,469  

To the extent the market value per share of the Company’s common stock exceeds the conversion price, the Company will use the “treasury stock” method in calculating the dilutive effect on earnings per share.

Convertible Senior Notes Hedge and Warrant Transactions

In connection with the offering of the Notes, TGI also entered into convertible senior notes hedge transactions (the “Note Hedges” or “purchased call options”) and warrant transactions (the “Warrants”) with respect to its common stock with financial institutions. The Note Hedges and Warrants were intended generally to reduce the potential dilution of TGI’s common stock and to offset potential cash payments in excess of the principal of the Notes upon conversion. The Note Hedges and Warrants were separate transactions, entered into by TGI with the financial institutions, and were not part of the terms of the Notes.

In March 2013, as a result of the Canopius Merger Transaction, TGI terminated the Note Hedges and Warrants. The Company received $2.4 million and paid $1.0 million to terminate the Note Hedges and Warrants, respectively. The effects of the terminations and an associated tax adjustment of $0.8 million were recorded directly to paid-in-capital in shareholders’ equity.

Note 12—Stock Based Compensation

2008 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan (“2008 LTEP”)

In 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted and its shareholders approved the 2008 LTEP, which amended and revised the 2004 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan.

The 2008 LTEP provides for the granting of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, performance shares and other cash or share-based awards. The maximum amount of share-based awards authorized is 2,325,446 of which 126,275 are available for future grants as of March 31, 2014.

2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2013 LTIP”)

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors established, beginning in 2013 a new Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2013 LTIP”), to replace the Company’s existing 2008 LTEP. The 2013 LTIP was approved by the shareholders in May 2013. The maximum amount of share-based awards authorized is 2,150,000 of which 2,147,531 are available for future grants as of March 31, 2014.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Restricted Stock

The following table provides an analysis of restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (historical share counts and fair values have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio, as discussed more fully in “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction” in the 2013 Form 10-K):

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2014      2013  
           Weighted            Weighted  
           Average            Average  
     Number of     Grant Date      Number of     Grant Date  
     Shares     Fair Value      Shares     Fair Value  

Outstanding, January 1

     235,586     $ 17.98        1,015,902     $ 20.19  

Granted

     -       -        240,293       18.08  

Vested

     (42,670     18.07        (950,773     20.44  

Forfeitures

     (52,834     18.12        (6,848     20.51  

Outstanding, March 31,

     140,082     $ 17.89        298,574     $ 17.67  

On March 13, 2013, 525,548 shares vested as a result of the Canopius Merger Transaction.

Stock Options

The following table provides an analysis of stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (historical share counts and fair values have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio, as discussed more fully in “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction” in the 2013 Form 10-K):

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2014      2013  
           Average             Average  
     Number of     Exercise      Number of      Exercise  
     Shares     Price      Shares      Price  

Outstanding, January 1

     955,804     $ 17.75        969,307      $ 17.78  

Exercised

     -       -        -        -  

Forfeitures and expirations

     (691,162     17.00        -        -  

Outstanding, March 31

     264,642     $ 19.73        969,307      $ 17.78  

Exercisable, March 31

     264,642     $ 19.73        969,307      $ 17.78  

Stock Based Compensation Expense

The following table provides an analysis of stock based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,  
($ in thousands)    2014      2013  

Restricted stock

     

Expense, net of tax

   $ 8      $ 7,982  

Value of shares vested

     959        9,485  

Value of unvested shares

     378        5,509  

Stock options

     

Intrinsic value of outstanding options

     -        1,149  

Intrinsic value of vested outstanding options

     -        1,149  

Unrecognized compensation expense

     

Unvested restricted stock, net of tax

     414        5,509  

Weighted average years over which expense will be recognized (in years)

     2.9        3.9  

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Note 13—Income Taxes

Under current Bermuda Law the Company is not required to pay any taxes on Bermuda based income or capital gains. The Company has received an undertaking from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda that in the event of such taxes being imposed, the Company will be exempted from taxation until the year 2035 pursuant to the Bermuda Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act of 1966. The Company’s United States-based subsidiaries are subject to federal, state and local taxes, as applicable, on income and capital gains earned by those subsidiaries.

The Company and TRL, its Bermuda reinsurance subsidiary, are deemed to have permanent establishments in Bermuda. The Bermuda companies have not and do not expect to conduct business that is through a permanent establishment in the U.S. All transactions between Tower’s U.S.-based subsidiaries and the Bermuda companies are subject to transfer pricing rules. The Company has executed certain reinsurance treaties and service agreements between its U.S.-based subsidiaries and TRL and management believes these arrangements to be conducted at current market rates and in accordance with transfer pricing rules.

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, Tower’s U.S. taxed subsidiaries (excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges) recognized pre-tax losses of approximately $(23.0) million. This resulted in $187.7 million of net operating loss carryforwards in the deferred tax inventory and a net deferred tax asset, before any valuation allowance, of $277.7 million (excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges) as of March 31, 2014. Including the Reciprocal Exchanges, the net deferred tax asset, before any valuation allowance, was $277.8 million.

At March 31, 2014, a full valuation allowance was recorded against the deferred tax assets. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, $5.2 million of the valuation allowance was recorded in income tax expense (benefit) in the statement of operations.

In 2013, management in its judgment concluded that a full valuation allowance was required for Tower’s U.S. taxed subsidiaries after its consideration of the cumulative three-year pre-tax loss in its U.S. taxed subsidiaries resulting from the 2013 and 2012 pre-tax losses. Management believed that the negative evidence associated with the realizability of its net deferred tax asset, including a cumulative three-year pre-tax loss outweighed the positive evidence that the deferred tax assets, including the net operating loss carryforward, would be realized, and recorded the full valuation allowance.

The Company’s effective tax rate of (1.9)% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 reflects the recording of the full valuation allowance in the three months ended March 31, 2014. In the first quarter of 2013, Tower calculated an estimated annual effective tax rate on its U.S. taxed subsidiaries that differed from the U.S. statutory rate due to costs associated with tax exempt interest and dividends received deductions.

Note 14—Earnings (Loss) per Share

Undistributed net earnings (net income less dividends declared during the period) are allocated to both common stock and unvested share-based payment awards (“unvested restricted stock”). Because the common shareholders and unvested restricted stock holders share in dividends on a 1:1 basis, the earnings per share on undistributed earnings is equivalent, however, undistributed losses are allocated only to common stock holders. Undistributed earnings are allocated to all outstanding share-based payment awards, including those for which the requisite service period is not expected to be rendered.

The following table shows the computation of the earnings per share:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,  
(in thousands, except per share amounts)    2014     2013  

Numerator

    

Net income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.

   $ (46,478   $ 12,917  

Less: Allocation of income for unvested participating restricted stock

     -       (37

Less: Dividends on unvested participating restricted stock

     -       (166

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders - Basic

     (46,478     12,714  

Reallocation of income for unvested participating restricted stock

     -       -  

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders - Diluted

     (46,478     12,714  

Denominator

    

Basic earnings per share denominator

     57,150       45,614  

Effect of dilutive securities:

     -       74  

Diluted earnings per share denominator

     57,150       45,688  

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. - Basic

    

Common stock:

    

Distributed earnings

   $ -     $ 0.17  

Undistributed earnings

     (0.81     0.11  

Total - basic

     (0.81     0.28  

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. - Diluted

   $ (0.81   $ 0.28  

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

The computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share excludes outstanding options and other common stock equivalents in periods where inclusion of such potential common stock instruments would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, 268,100 options to purchase Company shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because the exercise price of the options was greater than the average market price. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, 190,500 options to purchase Company shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because the exercise price of the options was greater than the average market price.

Note 15—Segment Information

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in TGIL’s summary of significant accounting policies in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

As disclosed in “Note 1 – Nature of Business”, in the third quarter of 2013, the Company revised its business segments to present Commercial Insurance, Assumed Reinsurance and Personal Insurance segments. The Company has restated prior period segments to be consistent with the current presentation.

Segment performance is evaluated based on segment profit, which excludes investment income, realized gains and losses, interest expense, income taxes, goodwill and fixed asset impairments and corporate expenses. The Company’s assets and liabilities are not allocated to segments because they are considered in total by management for decision-making purposes.

The Personal Insurance segment, which includes the Reciprocal Exchanges and the management companies, reports the management fees earned by Tower from the Reciprocal Exchanges for underwriting, investment management and other services as a reduction to other underwriting expenses. The effects of these management fees between Tower and the Reciprocal Exchanges are eliminated in consolidation to derive consolidated net income. However, the management fee income is reported in net income attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. and included in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Business segment results are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,  
($ in thousands)    2014     2013  

Commercial Insurance Segment

    

Revenues

    

Premiums earned

   $ 55,773     $ 258,419  

Ceding commission revenue

     2,379       449  

Policy billing fees

     1,276       1,370  

Total revenues

     59,428       260,238  

Expenses

    

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

     63,971       177,003  

Underwriting expenses

     51,021       92,284  

Total expenses

     114,992       269,287  

Underwriting profit (loss)

   $ (55,564   $ (9,049

Assumed Reinsurance Segment

    

Revenues

    

Premiums earned

   $ 16,033     $ 49,365  

Ceding commission revenue

     -       -  

Total revenues

     16,033       49,365  

Expenses

    

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

     2,408       19,360  

Underwriting expenses

     872       17,793  

Total expenses

     3,280       37,153  

Underwriting profit (loss)

   $ 12,753     $ 12,212  

Personal Insurance Segment

    

Revenues

    

Premiums earned

   $ 39,738     $ 114,102  

Ceding commission revenue

     8,423       4,990  

Policy billing fees

     1,400       1,780  

Total revenues

     49,561       120,872  

Expenses

    

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

     36,182       79,369  

Underwriting expenses

     39,579       52,112  

Total expenses

     75,761       131,481  

Underwriting profit (loss)

   $ (26,200   $ (10,609

Tower

   $ (16,284   $ 2,018  

Reciprocal Exchanges

     (9,916     (12,627

Total underwriting profit (loss)

   $ (26,200   $ (10,609

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

The following table reconciles revenue by segment to consolidated revenues:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,  
($ in thousands)    2014      2013  

Commercial Insurance segment

   $ 59,428      $ 260,238  

Assumed Reinsurance segment

     16,033        49,365  

Personal Insurance segment

     49,561        120,872  

Total segment revenues

     125,022        430,475  

Net investment income

     15,358        30,317  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments, including other-than-temporary impairments

     22,263        6,851  

Insurance services revenue

     565        128  

Consolidated revenues

   $ 163,208      $ 467,771  

The following table reconciles the results of the Company's individual segments to consolidated income before income taxes:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,  
($ in thousands)    2014     2013  

Commercial Insurance segment underwriting profit (loss)

   $ (55,564   $ (9,049

Assumed Reinsurance segment underwriting profit (loss)

     12,753       12,212  

Personal Insurance segment underwriting profit (loss)

     (26,200     (10,609

Net investment income

     15,358       30,317  

Net realized gains on investments, including other-than-temporary impairments

     22,263       6,851  

Corporate and other

     (11,889     (2,940

Acquisition-related transaction costs

     (646     (19,056

Interest expense

     (7,010     (7,808

Equity income in unconsolidated affiliate

     -       128  

Income before income taxes

   $ (50,935   $ 46  

Note 16—Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

On August 20, 2013, Robert P. Lang, a purported shareholder of Tower Group International Ltd. (“Tower”), filed a purported class action complaint (the “Lang Complaint”) against Tower and certain of its current and former officers in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Lang Complaint purports to be asserted on behalf of a class of persons who purchased Tower stock between July 30, 2012 and August 8, 2013. The Lang Complaint alleges that Tower and certain of its current and former officers violated federal securities laws and seeks unspecified damages. On September 3, 2013, a second purported shareholder class action complaint was filed by Dennis Feighay, another purported Tower shareholder, containing similar allegations to those set forth in the Lang Complaint (the “Feighay Complaint”). The Feighay Complaint purports to be asserted on behalf of a class of persons who purchased Tower stock between May 9, 2011 and August 7, 2013. On October 4, 2013, a third complaint was filed by Sanju Sharma (the “Sharma Complaint”). The Sharma Complaint names as defendants Tower and certain of its current and former officers, and purports to be asserted on behalf of a plaintiff class who purchased Tower stock between May 10, 2011 and September 17, 2013. On October 18, 2013, an amended complaint was filed in the Sharma case (the “Sharma Amended Complaint”). The Sharma Amended Complaint alleges additional false and misleading statements, and purports to be asserted on behalf of a plaintiff class who purchased Tower stock between March 1, 2011 and October 7, 2013. On October 21, 2013, a number of motions were filed seeking to consolidate the shareholder class actions into one matter and for appointment of a lead plaintiff. On June 17, 2014, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order consolidating the Lang, Feighay, and Sharma actions (hereinafter the “Consolidated Securities Action”) and appointing Adar Enhanced Investment Fund, Ltd. and Adar Investment Fund, Ltd. (the “Adar Funds”) and Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund, Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System, and the Kansas City, Missouri Employees’ Retirement System (the “Public Pension Funds”) as co-lead plaintiffs in the Consolidated Securities Action and Bernstein Liebhard LLP, Saxena White P.A., and Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP as co-lead counsel. The Company believes that it is not probable that the Consolidated Securities Action will result in a loss, and if it would result in a loss, that the amount of any such loss cannot reasonably be estimated.

On October 18, 2013, Cinium Financial Services Corporation (“Cinium”) and certain other affiliated parties (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) commenced an action against, among others, Tower, CastlePoint Insurance Company (“CastlePoint”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Tower, and certain officers of Tower (the “New York Action”) in New York State Supreme Court. CastlePoint is a party to a Securityholders’ Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2012 (the “Securityholders’ Agreement”), among

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

certain parties including Plaintiffs, and is also the holder of a senior note issued by Cinium dated May 15, 2012 that is convertible into shares of Cinium common stock (the “Senior Note”). On October 29, 2013, Plaintiffs filed a complaint which revised their initial pleading (the “Complaint”). Plaintiffs seek, among other things, (i) a declaratory judgment that CastlePoint has no right to exercise any control over Cinium under the Securityholders’ Agreement or to convert the Senior Note without prior regulatory approval; (ii) rescission of the Senior Note and Securityholders’ Agreement based on alleged fraudulent misrepresentations by Tower at the time these agreements were entered into; and (iii) damages of $150 million for alleged breach of fiduciary duties to Cinium and its shareholders by certain directors, and for alleged lender liability and fraudulent misrepresentation by the Company.

On April 22, 2014, counsel for Plaintiffs notified counsel for defendants of its intent to file a stipulation of discontinuance without prejudice of the New York Action within thirty days. On June 2, 2014, counsel for Plaintiffs filed a notice of discontinuance without prejudice against all defendants in the New York Action.

Tower received a document request from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) dated January 13, 2014, as part of an informal inquiry (the “SEC Request”). The SEC Request asks for documents related to Tower’s financial statements, accounting policies, and analysis. Tower is cooperating with the SEC’s inquiry and has provided the requested information.

On January 14, 2014, Derek Wilson, a purported shareholder of Tower, filed a purported class action complaint (the “Wilson Complaint”) against Tower, certain of its current and former directors, ACP Re Ltd. (“ACP Re”), London Acquisition Company Limited (“Merger Sub”), and AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (“AmTrust”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Wilson Complaint alleges that the members of the Company’s Board of Directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to the shareholders of Tower under Bermuda law by approving Tower’s entry into the ACP Re Merger Agreement and failing to take steps to maximize the value of Tower to its public shareholders, and that Tower, ACP Re, Merger Sub, and AmTrust aided and abetted such breaches of fiduciary duties. The Wilson Complaint also alleges, among other things, that the proposed transaction undervalues Tower, that the process leading up to the ACP Re Merger Agreement was flawed, and that certain provisions of the ACP Re Merger Agreement improperly favor ACP Re and discourage competing offers for the Company. The Wilson Complaint further alleges oppressive conduct by the directors against Tower’s shareholders in violation of Bermuda law. The Wilson Complaint seeks, among other things, declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the alleged fiduciary breaches, injunctive relief prohibiting the defendants from consummating the proposed transaction, rescission of the ACP Re Merger Agreement to the extent already implemented, and other forms of equitable relief. On February 27, 2014, the same purported shareholder filed an amended complaint alleging, in addition, that the Company and the directors disseminated a materially false and misleading preliminary proxy statement regarding the ACP Re Merger Agreement in violation of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder (the “Wilson Amended Complaint”).

On March 3, 2014, another purported shareholder filed a purported class action complaint against the Company, certain of its current and former officers and directors, ACP Re, Merger Sub, and AmTrust, also in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Raul Complaint”). The Raul Complaint alleges that the defendants disseminated a materially false and misleading preliminary proxy statement regarding the ACP Re Merger Agreement in violation of sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9.

On May 12, 2014, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order consolidating the Wilson and Raul actions (hereinafter the “Consolidated Federal Action”). On May 22, 2014, the Court issued an order appointing Wilson and George Strum, another purported shareholder of the Company, as co-lead plaintiffs in the Consolidated Federal Action and appointing Robbins Arroyo LLP and WeissLaw LLP as co-lead counsel.

On March 24, 2014, two purported shareholders of the Company filed a purported class action and shareholder derivative complaint against the Company, certain of its current and former officers and directors, and Tower Group, Inc., in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York (the “Bekkerman Complaint” and, together with the Wilson Amended Complaint and the Raul Complaint, the “Merger Complaints”). The Bekkerman Complaint alleges, among other things, that the members of the Company’s board of directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to the shareholders of the Company by failing to exercise appropriate oversight over the conduct of the Company’s business, awarding Michael Lee excessive compensation, approving the Company’s entry into the ACP Re Merger Agreement, failing to take steps to maximize the value of the Company to its public shareholders, and misrepresenting or omitting material information in connection with the proposed transaction, and that the Company and Tower Group, Inc. aided and abetted such breaches of fiduciary duties. The Bekkerman Complaint also alleges, among other things, that Lee was unjustly enriched as a result of the compensation he received while allegedly breaching his fiduciary duties and by selling stock while in the possession of material, adverse, non-public information. The Bekkerman Complaint seeks, among other things, an award of money damages, declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the alleged fiduciary breaches, injunctive relief prohibiting the defendants from consummating the proposed transaction, rescission of the ACP Re Merger Agreement to the extent already implemented, and other forms of equitable relief. On May 16, 2014, the defendants removed the Bekkerman action to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and requested that it be designated as related to the Consolidated Federal Action. On June 3, 2014, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York accepted the designation of the Bekkerman Complaint as related to the Consolidated Federal Action.

 

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Tower Group International, Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

The Company believes that it is not probable that the Merger Complaints will result in a loss, and if they would result in a loss, that the amount of any such loss cannot reasonably be estimated.

From time to time, the Company is involved in other various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the resolution of any currently pending legal proceedings, either individually or taken as a whole, will have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

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

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements under “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business” and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q may include forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These statements include forward-looking statements both with respect to us specifically and to the insurance sector in general. Statements that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “will” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the Federal securities laws or otherwise.

All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are, or will be, important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” and the following:

 

   

changes in our financial strength or credit ratings could impact our ability to write new business, the cost of, and our ability to obtain, capital or our ability to attract and retain brokers, agents and customers;

 

   

further decreases in the capital and surplus of our insurance subsidiaries and their ability to meet minimum capital and surplus requirements;

 

   

changes in our ability to access our credit facilities or raise additional capital;

 

   

the implementation and effectiveness of our capital improvement strategy;

 

   

Tower’s ability to continue operating as a going concern;

 

   

changes in our ability to meet ongoing cash requirements and pay dividends;

 

   

greater frequency or severity of claims and loss activity, including as a result of natural or man-made catastrophic events, than our underwriting, reserving or investment practices anticipate based on historical experience or industry data;

 

   

changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance and failure of our reinsurers to pay claims timely or at all;

 

   

changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance or retrocessional coverage;

 

   

decreased demand for our insurance or reinsurance products;

 

   

increased competition on the basis of pricing, capacity, coverage terms or other factors;

 

   

ineffectiveness or obsolescence of our business strategy due to changes in current or future market conditions;

 

   

currently pending or future litigation or governmental proceedings;

 

   

developments that may delay or limit our ability to enter new markets as quickly as we anticipate;

 

   

loss of the services of any of our executive officers or other key personnel;

 

   

changes in acceptance of our products and services, including new products and services;

 

   

developments in the world’s financial and capital markets that could adversely affect the performance of our investments;

 

   

the effects of acts of terrorism or war;

 

   

changes in general economic conditions, including inflation, interest rates and other factors which could impact our performance and the performance of our investment portfolio;

 

   

changes in accounting policies or practices;

 

   

changes in legal theories of liability under our insurance policies;

 

   

changes in rating agency policies or practices;

 

   

declining demand for reinsurance due to increased retentions by cedents and other factors;

 

   

a lack of opportunities to increase writings in Tower’s reinsurance lines of business and in specific areas of the reinsurance market;

 

   

changes in the percentage of our premiums written that we cede to reinsurers;

 

   

changes in regulations or laws applicable to us, our subsidiaries, brokers or customers, including regulatory limitations and restrictions on the declaration and payment of dividends and capital adequacy standards;

 

   

the Bermudian regulatory system, and potential changes thereto;

 

   

risks and uncertainties associated with technology, data security or outsourced services that could negatively impact our ability to conduct our business or adversely impact our reputation;

 

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the effects of mergers, acquisitions or divestitures;

 

   

disruptions in Tower’s business arising from the integration of acquired businesses into Tower and the anticipation of potential or pending acquisitions or mergers; and

 

   

any changes concerning the conditions, terms, termination, or closing of the merger with ACP Re.

The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we project. Any forward-looking statements you read in this Form 10-Q reflect our views as of the date of this Form 10-Q with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or individuals acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Before making an investment decision, you should specifically consider all of the factors identified in this Form 10-Q that could cause actual results to differ.

Overview

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to assist readers in understanding the interim consolidated results of operations and financial condition of Tower Group International, Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Tower”) and should be read in conjunction with the interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, as well as the MD&A contained in Tower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”). References to “we,” “our,” “us” or similar terms refer to the business of Tower.

Tower, through its subsidiaries, offers a range of general commercial, specialty commercial and personal property and casualty insurance products and services to businesses in various industries and to individuals throughout the United States. We provide these products on both an admitted and an excess and surplus (“E&S”) lines basis. Insurance companies writing on an admitted basis are licensed by the states in which they sell policies and are required to offer policies using premium rates and forms that are filed with state insurance regulators. Non-admitted carriers writing in the E&S market are not bound by most of the rate and form regulations imposed on standard market companies, allowing them the flexibility to change the coverage offered and the rate charged without the time constraints and financial costs associated with the filing process.

See “Note 1 – Nature of Business, Significant Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion on significant events impacting Tower’s results of operations.

Critical Accounting Estimates

As of March 31, 2014, there were no material changes to our accounting policies on critical accounting estimates; refer to the Company’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete discussion of critical accounting estimates.

Critical Accounting Policies and New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

See “Note 2 – Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation” for information related to our significant accounting policies, including details of policies that were adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

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Consolidating Supplemental Information

The following tables present the consolidating financial statements as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and for three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     March 31, 2014  
($ in thousands)    Tower     Reciprocal
Exchanges
    Eliminations     Total  

Assets

        

Investments

        

Available-for-sale investments, at fair value:

        

Fixed-maturity securities

   $ 1,244,495     $ 206,906     $ -     $ 1,451,401  

Equity securities

     60,483       2,724       -       63,207  

Short-term investments

     2,000       -       -       2,000  

Other invested assets

     131,807       -       (77,200     54,607  

Total investments

     1,438,785       209,630       (77,200     1,571,215  

Cash and cash equivalents

     410,586       44,290       -       454,876  

Investment income receivable

     35,330       1,826       (25,050     12,106  

Premiums receivable

     229,859       46,321       (2,029     274,151  

Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses

     36,319       1,674       (1,160     36,833  

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

     373,614       24,137       (9,112     388,639  

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     459,488       25,590       (3,906     481,172  

Deferred acquisition costs, net

     13,855       8,312       -       22,167  

Intangible assets

     73,463       6,221       -       79,684  

Funds held by reinsured companies

     88,349       -       -       88,349  

Other assets

     318,785       2,088       (11,452     309,421  

Total assets

   $ 3,478,433     $ 370,089     $ (129,909   $ 3,718,613  

Liabilities

        

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 1,943,782     $ 109,617     $ (9,112   $ 2,044,287  

Unearned premium

     580,619       108,906       (3,906     685,619  

Reinsurance balances payable

     197,969       7,785       (3,190     202,564  

Funds held under reinsurance agreements

     81,347       23       -       81,370  

Other liabilities

     240,029       54,148       (36,701     257,476  

Deferred income taxes

     10,507       19,181       -       29,688  

Debt

     383,564       77,000       (77,000     383,564  

Total liabilities

     3,437,817       376,660       (129,909     3,684,568  

Shareholders’ equity

        

Common stock

     574       -       -       574  

Treasury stock

     (88     -       -       (88

Paid-in-capital

     814,899       9,400       (9,400     814,899  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     (32,198     2,617       (2,617     (32,198

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

     (747,074     (18,588     18,588       (747,074

Noncontrolling interests

     4,503       -       (6,571     (2,068

Total shareholders’ equity

     40,616       (6,571     -       34,045  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 3,478,433     $ 370,089     $ (129,909   $ 3,718,613  

 

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Table of Contents
     December 31, 2013  
($ in thousands)    Tower     Reciprocal
Exchanges
    Eliminations     Total  

Assets

        

Investments

        

Available-for-sale investments, at fair value:

        

Fixed-maturity securities

   $ 1,390,146     $ 252,549     $ -     $ 1,642,695  

Equity securities

     104,107       2,523       -       106,630  

Short-term investments

     5,897       -       -       5,897  

Other invested assets

     173,355       -       (77,200     96,155  

Total investments

     1,673,505       255,072       (77,200     1,851,377  

Cash and cash equivalents

     288,214       5,684       -       293,898  

Investment income receivable

     38,564       2,325       (23,396     17,493  

Premiums receivable

     267,151       44,878       (2,530     309,499  

Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses

     66,974       3,028       (1,039     68,963  

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

     555,468       25,208       (9,816     570,860  

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     164,250       26,514       (4,288     186,476  

Deferred acquisition costs, net

     85,485       9,611       -       95,096  

Intangible assets

     73,599       6,337       -       79,936  

Goodwill

     -       -       -       -  

Funds held by reinsured companies

     98,816       -       -       98,816  

Other assets

     391,258       1,395       (9,522     383,131  

Total assets

   $ 3,703,284     $ 380,052     $ (127,791   $ 3,955,545  

Liabilities

        

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 1,973,970     $ 117,131     $ (9,816   $ 2,081,285  

Unearned premium

     657,045       110,355       (4,288     763,112  

Reinsurance balances payable

     84,948       8,441       (3,569     89,820  

Funds held under reinsurance agreements

     222,137       22       -       222,159  

Other liabilities

     268,937       50,352       (33,118     286,171  

Deferred income taxes

     10,327       19,181       -       29,508  

Debt

     382,770       77,000       (77,000     382,770  

Total liabilities

     3,600,134       382,482       (127,791     3,854,825  

Shareholders’ equity

        

Common stock

     574       -       -       574  

Treasury stock

     (39     -       -       (39

Paid-in-capital

     815,119       9,400       (9,400     815,119  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (19,507     1,338       (1,338     (19,507

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

     (700,596     (13,168     13,168       (700,596

Noncontrolling interests

     7,599       -       (2,430     5,169  

Total shareholders’ equity

     103,150       (2,430     -       100,720  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 3,703,284     $ 380,052     $ (127,791   $ 3,955,545  

 

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Table of Contents
     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2014     2013  
($ in thousands)    Tower     Reciprocal
Exchanges
    Elimina-
tions
    Total     Tower     Reciprocal
Exchanges
    Elimina-
tions
    Total  

Net premiums written

   $ (298,996   $ 38,351     $ -     $ (260,645   $ 416,071     $ 37,126     $ -     $ 453,197  

Revenues

                

Net premiums earned

   $ 72,669     $ 38,875     $ -     $ 111,544     $ 380,884     $ 41,002     $ -     $ 421,886  

Ceding commission revenue

     8,722       2,478       (398     10,802       4,516       2,216       (1,293     5,439  

Insurance services revenue

     7,918       -       (7,353     565       7,289       -       (7,161     128  

Policy billing fees

     2,572       104       -       2,676       2,847       303       -       3,150  

Net investment income

     14,697       2,315       (1,654     15,358       29,584       2,380       (1,647     30,317  

Total net realized investment gains (losses)

     18,800       3,463       -       22,263       6,233       618       -       6,851  

Total revenues

     125,378       47,235       (9,405     163,208       431,353       46,519       (10,101     467,771  

Expenses

                

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

     72,628       29,933       -       102,561       240,334       35,398       -       275,732  

Commission expense

     17,500        7,947       (398     25,049       76,123       7,691       (1,293     82,521  

Other operating expenses

     72,736       13,494       (7,353     78,877       76,838       13,059       (7,161     82,736  

Acquisition-related transaction costs

     646       -       -       646       19,056       -       -       19,056  

Interest expense

     7,010       1,654       (1,654     7,010       7,803       1,652       (1,647     7,808  

Total expenses

     170,520       53,028       (9,405     214,143       420,154       57,800       (10,101     467,853  

Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliate

     -       -       -       -       128       -       -       128  

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (45,142     (5,793     -       (50,935     11,327       (11,281     -       46  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     963       -       -       963       (1,590     -       -       (1,590

Net income (loss)

   $ (46,105   $ (5,793   $ -     $ (51,898   $ 12,917     $ (11,281   $ -     $ 1,636  

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to Noncontrolling interests

     373       (5,793     -       (5,420     -       (11,281     -       (11,281

Net income (loss) attributable to Tower Group, International, Ltd.

   $ (46,478   $ -     $ -     $ (46,478   $ 12,917     $ -     $ -     $ 12,917  

Ratios

                                                                

Net loss and LAE

     99.9     77.0       91.9     63.1     86.3       65.4

Net underwriting expenses

     81.4     48.5       69.9     35.5     44.5       36.4

Net Combined

     181.3     125.5       161.8     98.6     130.8       101.8

Return on Average Equity

     -44.6                             5.0                        

Insurance Ratios

Net loss ratio. The net loss ratio is the ratio of losses and LAE incurred to net premiums earned and measures the underwriting results of a company’s insurance business. Our net loss ratio is meaningful in evaluating our financial results, which are net of ceded reinsurance, as reflected in our consolidated financial statements. In addition, we use accident year and calendar year loss ratios to measure our underwriting performance. An accident year loss ratio measures losses and LAE for insured events occurring in a particular year, regardless of when they are reported, as a percentage of premiums earned during that particular accident year. A calendar year loss ratio measures losses and LAE for insured events occurring during a particular year and the changes in estimates in loss and LAE reserves from prior accident years as a percentage of premiums earned during that particular calendar year.

Net underwriting expense ratio. We calculate our net underwriting expense ratio after the effect of ceded reinsurance and policy billing fees. Ceding commission revenue and policy billing fees are applied to reduce our underwriting expenses in our insurance company operation. As discussed below, this is a non-GAAP measure.

Net combined ratio. We use the net combined ratio to measure our underwriting performance. The net combined ratio is the sum of the net loss ratio and the net underwriting expense ratio. If the net combined ratio is at or above 100%, an insurance company is not underwriting profitably and may not be profitable unless investment income is sufficient to offset underwriting losses. As discussed below, this is a non-GAAP measure.

Non-GAAP measures. The net underwriting expense ratio and net combined ratio are considered non-GAAP financial measures under applicable SEC rules because a component of those ratios, net underwriting expense, is calculated by reducing our underwriting expenses in our insurance companies’ operations with ceding commission revenues and policy billing fees. As discussed above, the Company uses these ratios to evaluate financial performance against historical results and establish targets on a consolidated basis. Other companies may calculate these measures differently, and, therefore, their measures may not be comparable to those used by the Company.

Consolidated Results of Operations

Our results of operations are discussed below in two parts, consolidated results of operations and the results of each of our three segments.

Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

Total revenues. Total revenues decreased by 65.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. This decrease is primarily attributable to the significant decline in net premiums earned offset by an increase in ceding commission revenues. Tower has reinsured the majority of its business to AmTrust and NGHC through the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements.

Premiums earned. Net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were $111.5 million and $421.9 million, respectively. The decrease of 73.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 is directly attributable to $162.9 million of earned premiums ceded to AmTrust and NGHC as a result of the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement and to $42.2 million of earned premiums ceded relating to the quota share reinsurance agreements executed in the third and fourth quarters of 2013 with other unaffiliated entities. In addition, as a result of the rating agency downgrades, Tower’s premiums written have declined in the fourth quarter 2013 and first quarter 2014, resulting in a reduction in gross premiums earned.

Commission and fee income. Commission and fee income, comprised of ceding commission revenue, insurance services revenue and policy billing fees, increased by $5.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. The increase is due primarily to ceding commission revenue earned on the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements.

Net investment income and net realized gains (losses). For the three months ended March 31, 2014, net investment income decreased $15.0 million compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to lower investment balances in 2014 compared to

 

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2013. Investment balances have declined due to the previously discussed significant events that impacted Tower in 2013. In addition, the Company has disposed of certain of its invested assets in the first quarter of 2014, generating net realized gains but reducing net investment income.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, $0.9 million of OTTI losses were recorded in net income compared to $0.7 million in 2013. The OTTI for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is related mostly to securities in the Company’s equity security portfolio.

Net realized investment gains (losses) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were $22.3 million and $6.8 million, respectively. These gains are a function of the invested assets selected for sale when cash needs arise in the ordinary course of business or when market dictates disposals pursuant to our investment policy.

Loss and loss adjustment expenses. The consolidated net loss ratio, which includes the Reciprocal Exchanges, was 91.9% and 65.4 % for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, the net loss ratio was 99.9% and 63.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Reciprocal Exchanges’ net loss ratio was 77.0% and 86.3% for the three months ended March 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The current accident year net loss ratio excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges for the period ending March 31, 2014 increased as compared to the same period in 2013 due to a significant increase in the unallocated loss expense ratio. This was caused by the substantial reduction in net earned premium due to increased cessions to quota share reinsurance including the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements. A portion of this increase was offset by ceding commission revenue.

Incurred losses and LAE for the three months ended March 31, 2014 attributable to insured events of prior years were $7.0 million. Excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, the incurred losses and LAE from prior accident years were $8.0 million and increased the calendar year loss ratio by 11 points. Excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges there was adverse loss development of $11.4 million in the Commercial Insurance segment, favorable loss development of $3.6 million in the Assumed Reinsurance segment and adverse loss development of $0.1 million in the Personal Insurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Incurred losses and LAE for the three months ended March 31, 2013 attributable to insured events of prior years were unfavorable by $7.7 million. Excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, the incurred losses and LAE from prior accident years were $1.1 million. Excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, there was net adverse loss development of $5.7 million in the Commercial Insurance segment, favorable loss development of $0.9 million in Assumed Reinsurance segment and a favorable loss development of $3.7 million in the Personal Insurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Commission and Operating expenses. Operating expenses, which include commission expenses and other operating expenses, were $103.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $61.3 million or 37.1% compared to the same period in 2013. This decrease is primarily due to a $57.5 million, or 69.6%, decrease in commission expense from 2013 to 2014, and is attributable to the decline in direct and assumed earned premiums in the first quarter of 2014 resulting from the rating agency downgrades and commission expense reimbursements under the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements. Other underwriting expenses (“OUE”), which includes boards, bureaus and taxes (“BB&T”), decreased by $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013 as a result the reduction in direct and assumed business written in 2014, and BB&T expense reimbursements under the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements. As a result of the reduction in premiums written, the number of the Company’s full time employees decreased to 1,204 at March 31, 2014 from 1,391 and 1,457 full-time employees as of December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013, respectively.

The consolidated gross underwriting expense ratio decreased to 34.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 from 34.2% in the same period in 2013. The commission portion of the gross underwriting expense ratio decreased to 15.1% for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 compared to 18.3% in 2013. The gross other underwriting expenses (“OUE”) ratio was 18.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 15.9% in the prior year. The decrease in the consolidated gross underwriting expense ratios is directly related to the decline in the net earned premiums in the three months ended 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. This decline in net earned premiums is directly attributable to the increase in ceded earned premiums.

Acquisition-related transaction costs. Acquisition-related transaction costs for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $0.6 million compared to $19.1 million in the same period in 2013. Acquisition–related transaction costs in 2013 related primarily to costs associated with the Canopius Merger Transaction which was completed on March 13, 2013.

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased by $0.8 million in the first quarter 2014, as there were no borrowings under the credit facility in 2014 as compared to borrowings of $70.0 million outstanding under the credit facility for all three months of the first quarter of 2013.

 

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Income tax expense. Tower is liable for federal income tax on its U.S. taxed insurance subsidiaries.

Tower, excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, for the three months ended March 31, 2014, had pre-tax losses of $45.1 million. These losses resulted in net operating loss carryforwards of $187.7 million as of March 31, 2014. In addition, Tower had net deferred tax assets, before any valuation allowances, of $277.7 million at March 31, 2014.

Management in its judgment concluded that a full valuation allowance was required for the net deferred tax assets after its consideration of the cumulative three-year pre-tax loss in its U.S. taxed subsidiaries resulting from certain 2012 and 2013 pre-tax losses.

The Reciprocal Exchanges had pre-tax income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2014, of $(5.8) million. A full valuation had previously been recorded on the Reciprocal Exchanges. The Reciprocal Exchanges’ valuation allowance as of March 31, 2014 was $19.3 million.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, Tower’s effective tax rate on U.S. income before taxes including the Reciprocal Exchanges was (0.8)%. Tower’s U.S. based income had an effective tax rate of 10.3% in the first quarter of 2013.

Net income (loss) and return on average equity. Net loss attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. and annualized return on average equity were $(46.5) million and (44.6%) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to net income of $12.9 million and annualized return on average equity of 5.0% for the same period in 2013. The return on average equity is calculated by dividing annualized net income by average shareholders’ equity. Average shareholders’ equity was $416.7 million and $1,032.8 million at March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The net loss in the first quarter of 2014 is related primarily to the decline in revenues, as discussed above.

 

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Commercial Insurance Segment Results of Operations

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
($ in thousands)    2014      2013      Change     Percent  

Net premiums written

   $ (184,910   $ 277,153      $ (462,063     -166.7

Revenues

        

Net premiums earned

   $ 55,773      $ 258,419      $ (202,646     -78.4

Ceding commission revenue

     2,379        449        1,930        429.8

Policy billing fees

     1,276        1,370        (94     -6.9

Total revenue

     59,428        260,238        (200,810     -77.2

Expenses

        

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses

     63,971        177,003        (113,032     -63.9

Underwriting expenses

        

Commission expenses

     18,262        44,335        (26,073     -58.8

Other underwriting expenses

     32,759        47,949        (15,190     -31.7

Total underwriting expenses

     51,021        92,284        (41,263     -44.7

Underwriting profit (loss)

   $ (55,564   $ (9,049   $ (46,515     514.0

Ratios

                                

Net loss and LAE

     114.7     68.5    

Net underwriting expenses

     84.9     35.0    

Net Combined

     199.6     103.5                

Commercial Insurance Segment Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

Premiums. Net premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased $462.1 million and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased $202.6 million compared to the same period in 2013. These changes are attributed primarily to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement executed in the first quarter of 2014 and the transfer of the December 31, 2013 unearned premium reserve of $194.0 million. (The unearned premiums reserve of $194.0 million was recorded as gross premiums written in 2013, and ceded premiums written in 2014.) In addition, as a result of the rating agency downgrades, Tower’s premiums written and earned premiums have declined in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

Ceding commission revenue. Ceding commission revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2014 by $1.9 million compared to the same period in 2013 as a result of (i) the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement and (ii) the new reinsurance contracts entered into on July 1, 2013.

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses. The net calendar year loss ratios were 114.7% and 68.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The accident year loss ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were 94.3% and 66.3%, respectively. The net loss ratio for the period ending March 31, 2014 was impacted by the substantial reduction in net earned premium due to increased cessions to quota share reinsurance including the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement, and by an increase to the net unallocated loss adjustment expense ratio which is partially offset by ceding commission revenue. Incurred losses and LAE attributable to insured events of prior years were $11.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, due to increases in ultimate loss estimates from the Company’s reserve study completed during the quarter. The increase in ultimate loss estimates arose primarily from the commercial auto liability lines of business. The net loss ratio for the period ending March 31, 2014 was impacted by the low premium volume remaining within the segment which resulted from the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement that was in place for the quarter.

Underwriting expenses. Underwriting expenses, which include direct commissions and other underwriting expenses, decreased by $41.3 million, or 44.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. The net underwriting expense ratio increased 49.9 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2014 from the same period in 2013. The increase in the underwriting expense ratio is primarily attributed to the reduction in net premiums earned resulting from the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement.

The gross underwriting expense ratio, which excludes the effect of the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement, was 32.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 33.0% in the same period in 2013. The commission portion of the gross underwriting expense ratio, which is expressed as a percentage of gross premiums earned, was 15.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 16.4% for the same period in 2013. The OUE ratio, including BB&T, was 17.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 16.6% for the same period in 2013. The increase in the OUE ratio is due to a decline in direct earned premium. Direct earned premiums declined as a result of the rating agency downgrades in the fourth quarter of 2013 and first quarter of 2013. In addition, many of the OUE expenses are fixed costs, and did not decline in proportion to the decline in earned premiums.

 

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Underwriting profit (loss) and combined ratio. The underwriting loss and net combined ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $(55.6) million and 199.6%, respectively, compared to $(9.0) million and 103.5%, respectively, for the same period in 2013. The increase in underwriting losses and combined ratio in the first quarter of 2014 is primarily attributed to the decline in premiums earned, offset slightly by an increase in ceding commission revenue, as discussed above.

 

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Assumed Reinsurance Segment Results of Operations

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
($ in thousands)    2014     2013     Change     Percent  

Net premiums written

   $ 24,640     $ 101,170     $ (76,530     -75.6

Revenues

        

Net premiums earned

   $ 16,033     $ 49,365     $ (33,332     -67.5

Total revenue

     16,033       49,365       (33,332     -67.5

Expenses

        

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses

     2,408       19,360       (16,952     -87.6

Underwriting expenses

        

Commission expenses

     (2,297     17,167       (19,464     -113.4

Other underwriting expenses

     3,169       626       2,543       406.2

Total underwriting expenses

     872       17,793       (16,921     -95.1

Underwriting profit (loss)

   $ 12,753     $ 12,212     $ 541       4.4

Ratios

                                

Net loss and LAE

     15.0     39.2    

Net underwriting expenses

     5.4     36.0    

Net Combined

     20.4     75.2                

Assumed Reinsurance Segment Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

Premiums. Net premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased $76.5 million and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased $33.3 million compared to the same period in 2013. The decrease in the three months ended March 31, 2014 net premiums written and earned is attributable to the reduction in Lloyd’s Syndicate assumed reinsurance agreements executed by Tower in 2014. This is a result of the significant business developments that impacted Tower in 2013, including the rating agency downgrades which resulted in Tower not having the financial flexibility to continue to support this business. All of the Lloyd’s Syndicate assumed reinsurance business requires Tower to fund collateral in proportion to premiums assumed under the treaties, and currently Tower is unable to secure many treaties that it may still find attractive from an underwriting basis.

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses. The net calendar year loss ratios were 15.0% and 39.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The accident year loss ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were 37.4% and 41.0%, respectively. Incurred losses and LAE attributable to insured events of prior years had a favorable loss development of $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The favorable development was primarily attributed to reduced ultimate loss estimates on several assumed reinsurance contracts covering property risks.

Underwriting expenses. Underwriting expenses, which include assumed commissions and other underwriting expenses, decreased by $16.9 million, or 95.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. The net underwriting expense ratio decreased 30.6 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2014 from the same period in 2013. The decline in expense ratio is directly attributed to the decline in earned premiums. Nearly all of the assumed reinsurance segment expenses are commission related, and directly related to the volume of business earned. The assumed reinsurance segment has relatively low OUE and fixed overhead costs.

The underwriting expense ratio was 5.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 36.0% in the same period in 2013. The assumed commission portion of the gross underwriting expense ratio, which is expressed as a percentage of assumed premiums earned, was (10.9)% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 34.8% for the same period in 2013. The assumed commission expense in the fourth quarter of 2014 includes favorable movement for the change in estimate for prior period profit commission calculations and a reversal of an accrual for federal excise taxes for certain premiums that were returned from our Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries back to our U.S. based subsidiaries. These premiums were ceded to our Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries in 2013.

Underwriting profit (loss) and combined ratio. The underwriting gain and net combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $12.8 million and 20.4%, respectively, compared to $12.2 million and 75.2%, respectively, for the same period in 2013. The decline in the underwriting gain is a result of the reduced net premiums earned in 2014.

 

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Personal Insurance Segment Results of Operations

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2014      2013               
($ in thousands)    Tower     Reciprocal
Exchanges
    Total     Tower     Reciprocal
Exchanges
    Total     Change     Percent  

Net premiums written

   $ (138,727   $ 38,350      $ (100,377   $ 37,748      $ 37,126      $ 74,874      $ (175,251     -234.1

Revenues

                

Net premiums earned

   $ 863      $ 38,875      $ 39,738      $ 73,100      $ 41,002      $ 114,102      $ (74,364     -65.2

Ceding commission revenue

     6,343        2,080        8,423        4,066        924        4,990        3,433        68.8

Policy billing fees

     1,296        104        1,400        1,477        303        1,780        (380     -21.3

Total revenue

     8,502        41,059        49,561        78,643        42,229        120,872        (71,311     -59.0

Expenses

                

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses

     6,250        29,932        36,182        43,971        35,398        79,369        (43,187     -54.4

Underwriting expenses

                

Commission expenses

     1,535        7,549        9,084        14,622        6,399        21,021        (11,937     -56.8

Other underwriting expenses

     17,001        13,494        30,495        18,032        13,059        31,091        (596     -1.9

Total underwriting expenses

     18,536        21,043        39,579        32,654        19,458        52,112        (12,533     24.1

Underwriting profit (loss)

   $ (16,284   $ (9,916   $ (26,200   $ 2,018       $ (12,627   $ (10,609   $ (15,591     147.0

Ratios

                                                                

Net loss and LAE

     724.2 %      77.0     91.1     60.2     86.3     69.6    

Net underwriting expenses

     1262.7     48.5     74.9     37.1     44.5     39.7    

Net Combined

     1986.9     125.5     166.0     97.3     130.8     109.3                

Personal Insurance Segment Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

Premiums. Net premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased $175.3 million and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased $74.4 million compared to the same period in 2013. These declines are attributed primarily to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement executed in the first quarter of 2014 and the transfer of the December 31, 2013 unearned premium reserve of $133.7 million. (The unearned premiums reserve of $133.7 million was recorded as gross premiums written in 2013, and ceded premiums written in 2014.) In addition, as a result of the rating agency downgrades, Tower’s premiums written and earned premiums have declined in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

Ceding commission revenue. Ceding commission revenue increased by $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. The increase was the result of (i) the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement and (ii) a new homeowners quota share treaty executed in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses. For Personal Insurance, including the Reciprocal Exchanges, the net calendar year loss ratios were 91.1% and 69.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The accident year loss ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were 93.1% and 67.0%, respectively. The net loss ratio excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges for the period ending March 31, 2014 was impacted by the substantial reduction in net earned premium due to increased cessions to quota share reinsurance including the Cut Through Reinsurance Agreements, and by an increase to the net unallocated loss adjustment expense ratio which is partially offset by ceding commission revenue. Estimates of prior accident year loss and loss expenses decreased by $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

For Tower personal lines, excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, the net calendar year loss ratios were 724.2% and 60.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The accident year loss ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were 708.1% and 65.2%, respectively. Estimates of prior accident year loss and loss expenses increased by $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The net loss ratio for the period ending March 31, 2014 was impacted by the low premium volume remaining within the segment which resulted from the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement that was in place for the quarter. The Reciprocal Exchanges’ net calendar year loss ratios were 77.0% and 86.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The accident year loss ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were 79.4% and 70.3%, respectively. Estimates of prior accident year loss and loss adjustment expenses decreased by $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Underwriting expenses. Underwriting expenses, which include direct commissions and other underwriting expenses, decreased $12.5 million or 24.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. The net underwriting expense ratio increased 35.2 percentage points in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. The increase in the underwriting expense ratio is primarily attributed to the reduction in net premiums earned resulting from the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement.

 

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The gross underwriting expense ratio, which excludes the effect of the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement, was 39.7% and 35.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The commission portion of the gross underwriting expense ratio was 17.7% and 16.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The gross OUE ratio, which includes BB&T, was 22.0% and 19.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in the OUE ratio is due to a decline in direct earned premiums. Direct earned premiums declined as a result of the rating agency downgrades in the fourth quarter of 2013 and first quarter of 2014.

Underwriting profit (loss) and combined ratio. The underwriting loss and net combined ratio was $(26.2) million and 166.0%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $(10.6) million and 109.3%, respectively, for the same period in 2013. The increase in underwriting losses and combined ratio in the first quarter of 2014 is primarily attributed to the decline in premiums earned, offset slightly by an increase in ceding commission revenue, as discussed above. The net combined ratio for Tower, excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, for the three months ended March 31, 2014, is attributable to the relatively low level of earned premiums without a corresponding decline in underwriting expenses resulting from certain fixed expenses that do not vary directly with changed in earned premium volume.

 

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Investments

Portfolio Summary

The following table presents a breakdown of the amortized cost, aggregate fair value and unrealized gains and losses by investment type as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

     Cost or      Gross      Gross Unrealized Losses            % of  
($ in thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Unrealized
Gains
     Less than 12
Months
    More than 12
Months
    Fair
Value
     Fair
Value
 

March 31, 2014

               

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 474,654      $ 723      $ (6,272   $ -     $ 469,105        30.9

U.S. Agency securities

     107,940        1,557        (258     -       109,239        7.2

Municipal bonds

     255,653        10,035        (1,836     (247     263,605        17.4

Corporate and other bonds

     325,023        9,442        (1,415     (783     332,267        21.9

Commercial, residential and asset-backed securities

     270,404        8,630        (908     (941     277,185        18.3

Total fixed-maturity securities

     1,433,674        30,387        (10,689     (1,971     1,451,401        95.7

Equity securities

     54,891        9,748        (1,247     (185     63,207        4.2

Short-term investments

     2,000        -        -       -       2,000        0.1

Total, March 31, 2014

   $ 1,490,565      $ 40,135      $ (11,936   $ (2,156   $ 1,516,608        100.0

Tower

   $ 1,284,708      $ 34,181      $ (10,995   $ (916   $ 1,306,978     

Reciprocal Exchanges

     205,857        5,954        (941     (1,240     209,630     

Total, March 31, 2014

   $ 1,490,565      $ 40,135      $ (11,936   $ (2,156   $ 1,516,608     

December 31, 2013,

               

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 370,959      $ 729      $ (7,726   $ -     $ 363,962        20.7

U.S. Agency securities

     110,362        1,420        (561     -       111,221        6.3

Municipal bonds

     277,382        7,981        (5,056     (1,201     279,106        15.9

Corporate and other bonds

     512,444        19,424        (4,360     (1,566     525,942        30.0

Commercial, residential and asset-backed securities

     342,487        23,083        (1,644     (1,462     362,464        20.7

Total fixed-maturity securities

     1,613,634        52,637        (19,347     (4,229     1,642,695        93.6

Equity securities

     97,708        11,486        (2,313     (251     106,630        6.1

Short-term investments

     5,925        -        (28     -       5,897        0.3

Total, December 31, 2013

   $ 1,717,267      $ 64,123      $ (21,688   $ (4,480   $ 1,755,222        100.0

Tower

   $ 1,465,039      $ 56,480      $ (19,335   $ (2,034   $ 1,500,150     

Reciprocal Exchanges

     252,228        7,643        (2,353     (2,446     255,072     

Total, December 31, 2013

   $ 1,717,267      $ 64,123      $ (21,688   $ (4,480   $ 1,755,222     

Credit Rating of Fixed-Maturity Securities

The average credit rating of our fixed-maturity securities, using ratings assigned to securities by Standard & Poor’s, was AA- and A+ at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The following table shows the ratings distribution of our fixed-maturity portfolio:

 

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     Tower     Reciprocal Exchanges  
($ in thousands)    Fair Value      Percentage
of Fair
Value
    Fair Value      Percentage
of Fair
Value
 

March 31, 2014

          

Rating

          

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 455,820        36.6   $ 13,286        6.4

AAA

     102,169        8.2     34,581        16.7

AA

     411,988        33.1     19,965        9.6

A

     184,987        14.9     67,056        32.5

BBB

     47,014        3.8     41,056        19.8

Below BBB

     42,517        3.4     30,962        15.0

Total

   $ 1,244,495        100.0   $ 206,906        100.0

December 31, 2013

          

Rating

          

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 347,897        25.0   $ 16,065        6.4

AAA

     100,429        7.2     44,157        17.5

AA

     429,975        31.0     32,617        12.8

A

     229,774        16.5     75,911        30.1

BBB

     131,596        9.5     51,028        20.2

Below BBB

     150,475        10.8     32,771        13.0

Total

   $ 1,390,146        100.0   $ 252,549        100.0

Municipal Bonds

As of March 31, 2014, our municipal bonds consisted of state general obligations, municipal general obligations and special revenue bonds. Municipal bonds by state at March 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

     State General      Municipal General     Special         
     Obligations      Obligations     Revenue Bonds      Total  
     Amortized      Fair      Amortized      Fair     Amortized      Fair      Amortized      Fair  
($ in thousands)    Cost      Value      Cost      Value     Cost      Value      Cost      Value  

Texas

   $ 4,354      $ 4,654      $ 500      $ 542     $ 30,600      $ 32,171      $ 35,454      $ 37,367  

New York

     4,536        4,543        9,237        9,567       16,971        17,467        30,744        31,577  

California

     12,562        13,515        11,336        11,159       2,758        2,824        26,656        27,498  

New Jersey

     -        -        5,223        5,072       7,502        8,023        12,725        13,095  

Arizona

     4,435        4,834        -        (1     8,762        9,303        13,197        14,136  

Wisconsin

     10,129        10,147        1,422        1,472       250        259        11,801        11,878  

Florida

     -        -        -        -       10,942        11,944        10,942        11,944  

Washington

     7,250        7,070        1        -       1,748        1,768        8,999        8,838  

Indiana

     -        -        -        -       7,420        7,925        7,420        7,925  

Massachusetts

     -        -        -        -       8,816        8,854        8,816        8,854  

Illinois

     802        806        6,698        6,882       399        395        7,899        8,083  

Other

     28,375        28,992        24,216        24,121       28,409        29,297        81,000        82,410  

Total

   $ 72,443      $ 74,561      $ 58,633      $ 58,814     $ 124,577      $ 130,230      $ 255,653      $ 263,605  

No one jurisdiction within “Other” in the table above exceeded 3.0% of the total fair value of municipal bonds. As of March 31, 2014, the special revenue bonds are supported primarily by water and sewer utilities, electric utilities, college revenues and highway tolls.

 

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Fair Value Consideration

Under GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants (an “exit price”). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between inputs based on market data from independent sources (“observable inputs”) and a reporting entity’s internal assumptions based upon the best information available when external market data are limited or unavailable (“unobservable inputs”). The fair value hierarchy in GAAP prioritizes fair value measurements into three levels based on the nature of the inputs. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets have the highest priority (“Level 1”), followed by observable inputs other than quoted prices including prices for similar but not identical assets or liabilities (“Level 2”), and unobservable inputs, including the reporting entity’s estimates of the assumption that market participants would use, having the lowest priority (“Level 3”).

As of March 31, 2014, substantially all of the investment portfolio recorded at fair value was priced based upon quoted market prices or other observable inputs. For investments in active markets, we used the quoted market prices provided by the outside pricing services to determine fair value. In circumstances where quoted market prices were unavailable, we used fair value estimates based upon other observable inputs including matrix pricing, benchmark interest rates, market comparables and other relevant inputs. When observable inputs were adjusted to reflect management’s best estimate of fair value, such fair value measurements are considered a lower level measurement in the GAAP fair value hierarchy.

Our process to validate the market prices obtained from the outside pricing sources includes, but is not limited to, periodic evaluation of model pricing methodologies and analytical reviews of certain prices. We also periodically perform testing of the market to determine trading activity, or lack of trading activity, as well as market prices. Several securities sold during the year were “back-tested” (i.e., the sales price is compared to the previous month end reported market price to determine reasonableness of the reported market price).

In certain instances, we deemed it necessary to utilize Level 3 pricing over prices available through pricing services used throughout 2013 and 2012. The ability to observe stable prices and inputs may be reduced for highly-customized an illiquid instruments as currently is the case for certain non-agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities.

At March 31, 2014, securities with a fair value of $18.8 million included in other invested assets and 1 private convertible bond with a fair value of $3.4 million included in fixed maturity investments were priced in Level 3.

As more fully described in “Note 5 – Investments, — Impairment Review,” to our consolidated financial statements, we completed a detailed review of all our securities in a continuous loss position, including but not limited to residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, and concluded that the unrealized losses in these asset classes are the result of a decrease in value due to technical spread widening and broader market sentiment.

Unrealized Losses

The fair value of our fixed maturity portfolio is directly affected by changes in interest rates and credit spreads. We regularly review both our fixed-maturity and equity portfolios to evaluate the necessity of recording impairment losses for other-than temporary declines in the fair value of investments.

For those fixed-maturity investments deemed not to be in an OTTI position, we believe that the gross unrealized investment loss was primarily caused by purchases made in a lower yield environment. We expect existing cash balances and cash flows from operations to be sufficient to meet our liquidity requirements and, therefore, we do not intend to sell these fixed maturity securities and we do not believe that we will be required to sell these securities before recovering their cost basis. For equity securities not considered OTTI, we believe we have the ability to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value to our cost basis.

 

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The following table presents information regarding our invested assets that were in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 by amount of time in a continuous unrealized loss position:

 

     Less than 12 Months     12 Months or Longer     Total  
     Fair      Unrealized     Fair      Unrealized     Aggregate      Unrealized  
($ in thousands)    Value      Losses     Value      Losses     Fair Value      Losses  

March 31, 2014

               

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 343,335      $ (6,272   $ -      $ -     $ 343,335      $ (6,272

U.S. Agency securities

     51,843        (258     -        -       51,843        (258

Municipal bonds

     61,758        (1,836     5,996        (247     67,754        (2,083

Corporate and other bonds

               

Finance

     28,227        (425     345        (14     28,572        (439

Industrial

     72,945        (841     7,078        (182     80,023        (1,023

Utilities

     13,983        (149     7,954        (587     21,937        (736

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     12,097        (238     24,744        (710     36,841        (948

Residential mortgage-backed securities

               

Agency backed

     48,130        (450     5,050        (231     53,180        (681

Non-agency backed

     162        (28     -        -       162        (28

Asset-backed securities

     71,452        (192     -        -       71,452        (192

Total fixed-maturity securities

     703,932        (10,689     51,167        (1,971     755,099        (12,660

Preferred stocks

     8,285        (1,007     2,219        (185     10,504        (1,192

Common stocks

     6,661        (240     -        -       6,661        (240

Short-term investments

     -        -       -        -       -        -  

Total, March 31, 2014

   $ 718,878      $ (11,936   $ 53,386      $ (2,156   $ 772,264      $ (14,092

Tower

   $ 676,838      $ (10,995   $ 22,062      $ (916   $ 698,900      $ (11,911

Reciprocal Exchanges

     42,040        (941     31,324        (1,240     73,364        (2,181

Total, March 31, 2014

   $ 718,878      $ (11,936   $ 53,386      $ (2,156   $ 772,264      $ (14,092

December 31, 2013

               

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 273,217      $ (7,726   $ -      $ -     $ 273,217      $ (7,726

U.S. Agency securities

     51,808        (561     -        -       51,808        (561

Municipal bonds

     109,345        (5,056     4,268        (1,201     113,613        (6,257

Corporate and other bonds

               

Finance

     37,811        (1,005     335        (23     38,146        (1,028

Industrial

     124,869        (2,550     10,023        (458     134,892        (3,008

Utilities

     27,698        (805     7,292        (1,085     34,990        (1,890

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     26,469        (597     20,397        (1,157     46,866        (1,754

Residential mortgage-backed securities

               

Agency backed

     37,660        (925     5,166        (293     42,826        (1,218

Non-agency backed

     1,027        (19     182        (12     1,209        (31

Asset-backed securities

     32,461        (103     -        -       32,461        (103

Total fixed-maturity securities

     722,365        (19,347     47,663        (4,229     770,028        (23,576

Preferred stocks

     10,538        (2,285     6,154        (251     16,692        (2,536

Common stocks

     7,125        (28     -        -       7,125        (28

Short-term investments

     3,897        (28     -        -       3,897        (28

Total, December 31, 2013

   $ 743,925      $ (21,688   $ 53,817      $ (4,480   $ 797,742      $ (26,168

Tower

   $ 663,127      $ (19,335   $ 23,096      $ (2,034   $ 686,223      $ (21,369

Reciprocal Exchanges

     80,798        (2,353     30,721        (2,446     111,519        (4,799

Total, December 31, 2013

   $ 743,925      $ (21,688   $ 53,817      $ (4,480   $ 797,742      $ (26,168

 

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The following table shows the fair value, unrealized loss amount and percentage below amortized cost and the ratio of fair value by security rating as of March 31, 2014:

 

            Unrealized Loss                                
                  Percent of     Fair Value by Security Rating  
($ in thousands)   

Fair

Value

     Amount     Amortized
Cost
    AAA     AA     A     BBB     BB or
Lower
 

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 343,335      $ (6,272     -2     0     100     0     0     0

U.S. Agency securities

     51,843        (258     -1     0     100     0     0     0

Municipal bonds

     67,754        (2,083     -3     12     70     15     0     3

Corporate and other bonds

     130,532        (2,198     -2     0     15     61     17     7

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     36,841        (948     -3     46     0     43     11     0

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     53,342        (709     -1     0     100     0     0     0

Asset-backed securities

     71,452        (192     0     96     0     0     4     0

Equities

     17,165        (1,432     -8     0     0     22     68     10

NR indicates that equity securities are not rated

See “Note 5—Investments” in our consolidated financial statements for further information about impairment testing and other-than-temporary impairments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows

The primary sources of consolidated cash flows are from the insurance subsidiaries’ gross premiums collected, ceding commissions from quota share reinsurers, loss payments by reinsurers, investment income and proceeds from the sale or maturity of investments. Funds are used by the insurance subsidiaries for loss payments and loss adjustment expenses. The insurance subsidiaries also use funds for ceded premium payments to reinsurers, which are paid on a net basis after subtracting losses paid on reinsured claims and reinsurance commissions on our net business, commissions to producers, salaries and other underwriting expenses as well as to purchase investments, fixed assets and to pay dividends to the Holding Company. The management companies’ primary sources of cash are management fees for acting as the attorneys-in-fact for the Reciprocal Exchanges.

The reconciliation of net income to cash provided from operations is generally influenced by the collection of premiums in advance of paid losses, the timing of reinsurance, issuing company settlements and loss payments.

Cash flow and liquidity are categorized into three sources: (1) operating activities; (2) investing activities; and (3) financing activities, which are shown in the following table:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
($ in thousands)    2014     2013  

Cash provided by (used in):

    

Operating activities

   $ (191,901   $ (55,083

Investing activities

     321,245       193,029  

Financing activities

     31,634       (10,560

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     160,978       127,386  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     293,898       83,800   

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 454,876     $ 211,186  

Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, net cash used in operating activities was $191.9 million compared to cash used in operations of $55.1 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in cash used by operating activities in the first quarter of 2014 is attributable to the payment of losses associated with periods prior to December 31, 2013 and to the reinsurance of substantially all of the Company’s business in 2014 resulting from the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements. The Company’s operating expenses are greater than the ceding commissions generated from the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements and the net investment income earned on the investment portfolio. Paid losses from years prior to 2014 were $162.0 million, and these paid losses are uses of operating cash.

Net cash flows provided by investing activities were $321.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $193.0 million provided in the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase in cash provided by investing activities is the result of Tower disposing of securities to transfer cash pursuant to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements.

 

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The net cash flows provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are primarily the result of the return of assets under cancelled Southport Re Quota Share treaty. The Company used deposit accounting for this treaty, and, as such, changes in the deposit account are reflected as financing activities. In the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company’s financing cash outflows reflected $7.2 million of dividends paid and $5.8 million for treasury-stock acquired in share-based compensation plans.

Current cash flow needs at the Holding Company level are primarily for interest and principal payments on the outstanding debt, the repurchase of common shares from employees to satisfy employee withholding taxes for share-based compensation programs, and other administrative expenses incurred by the Holding Company.

Statutory Capital

See “Note 1 – Nature of Business, Statutory Capital” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information relating to significant business developments and risks and uncertainties impacting Tower’s U.S. based and Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries.

Capital

Our capital resources consist of funds deployed or available to be deployed to support our business operations. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our capital resources were as follows:

 

($ in thousands)    March 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Subordinated debentures

   $ 235,058     $ 235,058  

Convertible Senior Notes

     148,506       147,712  

Tower Group International, Ltd. shareholders' equity

     36,113       95,551  

Total capitalization

   $ 419,677     $ 478,321  

Ratio of debt to total capitalization

     91.4     80.0

The Company’s total capitalization declined $58.6 million, or 12%, from December 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014. This decline is primarily a result of Towers net loss due to the decline in earned premium in addition to $12.7 million of available-for-sale investments unrealized losses recognized in the first quarter of 2014.

The Company has entered into the ACP Re Merger Agreement to address the 2013 and 2014 reduction in capital. In the event that the ACP Re Merger Agreement does not close, Tower’s production of new and renewal business will continue to be unfavorably impacted. See “Note 1 – Nature of Business, Proposed Merger with ACP Re” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail.

The Company’s plan to repay TGI’s $150 million Convertible Senior Notes (due September 2014) is related to the closing of the ACP Re Merger Agreement with ACP Re. The Company has engaged Greenhill & Co. to advise it in the event that the ACP Re Merger Agreement does not close. The Company would evaluate the use of proceeds from the potential sale of certain assets held at TGI to repay the Notes. The Company can provide no assurance that it would be successful in finalizing the liquidation of the assets held at TGI or that, if it is successful, the proceeds of such liquidation would be sufficient to repay the Notes.

On June 18, 2014, the Company sent notices informing holders of the subordinated indentures that the Company will defer interest payments. See “Note 1 – Nature of Business” for further discussion.

As discussed above in “Note 1 – Nature of Business, Statutory Capital” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the insurance subsidiaries capital and surplus levels are below Company Action Level. There are no guarantees the Company will be able to remedy the capital and surplus deficiencies in certain of these insurance subsidiaries or maintain adequate levels of capital in the future.

 

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Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of accounting standards, see “Note 2 – Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market risk is the risk that we will incur losses in our investments due to adverse changes in market rates and prices. Market risk is directly influenced by the volatility and liquidity in the market in which the related underlying assets are invested. We believe that the way we manage them, and sensitivity to changes in interest rates, changes in credit quality of issuers of investment securities, and changes in equity price risks are summarized in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as of December 31, 2013, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. There have been no material changes in the three months ended March  31, 2014.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as described in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered under this report. Based on their evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO concluded that, as of March 31, 2014, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting described below.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The Company did not maintain effective monitoring controls. Specifically, the Company did not maintain effective ongoing and separate evaluation controls to monitor performance of certain other control activities. Ongoing and separate evaluation monitoring controls were not effective to achieve appropriate remediation of identified control deficiencies. This material weakness also contributed to the following material weaknesses:

 

(1) We did not maintain effective controls over the effectiveness of the loss reserve estimation process. Specifically, although the Company’s loss reserve committee evaluated the majority of methods, the Company did not maintain effective controls to effectively review and approve all significant assumptions, methodologies and data used to determine the actuarial central estimate.

 

(2) We did not maintain effective controls over the premium receivable account reconciliation. Specifically, although the majority of items identified in premiums receivable account analysis were evaluated and resolved, the Company did not maintain effective controls to effectively investigate and resolve reconciling items on a timely basis.

 

(3) We did not maintain effective controls over the impairment process of the long-lived tangible and intangible assets. Specifically, the Company did not evaluate all the triggering events indicating that the carrying value of its long-lived tangible and intangible assets may not be recoverable during 2013. The long-lived tangible and intangible assets include furniture, leasehold improvements, computer equipment, software, including internally developed software, and agency force lists.

 

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(4) We did not maintain effective controls over the effectiveness of the tax valuation allowance estimation process. Specifically, the Company did not determine and monitor its valuation allowance of net deferred tax asset and the accuracy of its deferred taxes.

 

(5) We did not maintain effective control over certain information technology general controls. Specifically, the Company did not design and maintain effective controls with respect to segregation of duties, restricted access to programs and data, and change management activities. Consequently, controls that were dependent on the effective operation of information technology were not effectively designed to include adequate review of system generated data used in the operation of the controls and were determined not to be operating effectively.

 

(6) We did not maintain effective controls over the period-end financial reporting process. Specifically, the Company did not maintain sufficient personnel to perform its period-end financial reporting process effectively, including preparation and review of account reconciliations and evaluation of the accounting requirements resulting from recent events and circumstances. This in turn affected the timely preparation and review of interim and annual consolidated financial statements.

These deficiencies resulted in audit adjustments to the consolidated financial statements line items described above. Additionally, these deficiencies could have resulted in a material misstatement to the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not have been prevented or detected, and accordingly the Company’s CEO and CFO, in consultation with the Audit Committee, concluded that these control deficiencies constituted material weaknesses as of December 31, 2013.

The Company’s CEO and CFO, in consultation with the Audit Committee, has concluded that as a result of control deficiencies listed above, and the fact that these control deficiencies could result in misstatements of the aforementioned accounts that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected, that these control deficiencies constitute material weaknesses and as a result that its internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of March 31, 2014.

Management’s Plan for Remediation

Management is implementing measures to remediate the material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting described above. Specifically, management is seeking to improve communications among its actuarial, underwriting, financial, and claims personnel involved on the loss reserve committee regarding the importance of documentation of its assessments and conclusions of its meetings, as well as supporting analyses. Management also continues to improve its systems to facilitate the gathering of underlying data used in the actuarial reserving process. Until such time as management and the Board have concluded that this process is performing effectively, management intends to engage external consulting resources to assist the Company in estimating its loss reserves, and reviewing and critiquing the loss reserve documentation during the financial reporting process.

In addition,

 

(i) the Company has obtained additional resources and enhanced the production of key reports to improve the accuracy of the elements used in its premiums receivable reconciliation process and timely evaluation and disposal of the reconciling items noted during the premiums reconciliation process, and

 

(ii) Management is designing enhanced controls to ensure long-lived tangible and intangible assets are evaluated timely for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable.

 

(iii) Management is developing a more formal recertification process for its information technology group that encompasses privilege at a financially significant level rather that at an application level.

 

(iv) Management will explicitly incorporate the duration of tax assets and liabilities into its valuation allowance calculation and will work to improve the accuracy of the reconciliations of tax bases and statutory/GAAP bases.

 

(v) Management is evaluating and realigning the resource allocation within the financial processes, including the use of consulting specialists, to ensure appropriate and timely completion and review of account reconciliations and the evaluation of unique accounting situations that arise from recent events.

 

(iv)

On January 3, 2014, Tower entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“ACP Re Merger Agreement”) with ACP Re Ltd. (“ACP Re”), and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACP Re (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions therein, it is expected that Merger Sub will merge with and into Tower, with Tower as the surviving corporation in the merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of ACP Re. The transaction is expected to close in the summer of 2014, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions contained in the ACP Re Merger

 

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  Agreement. ACP Re is a Bermuda based reinsurance company. The controlling shareholder of ACP Re is a trust established by the founder of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (“AmTrust”), National General Holdings Corporation (“NGHC”) and Maiden Holdings, Ltd. Upon the consummation of the merger agreement, the Company believes it will have an enhanced ability to attract financial and operations personnel.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, except for the following:

 

(i) Changes management has begun to implement to address the material weaknesses, as discussed in “Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures” above. The implementation of the remediation activities began with minimal changes to the control activities during the first quarter of 2014

 

(ii) On January 3, 2014, Tower entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“ACP Re Merger Agreement”) with ACP Re Ltd. (“ACP Re”), and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACP Re (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions therein, it is expected that Merger Sub will merge with and into Tower, with Tower as the surviving corporation in the merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of ACP Re. The transaction is expected to close in the summer of 2014, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions contained in the ACP Re Merger Agreement. ACP Re is a Bermuda based reinsurance company. The controlling shareholder of ACP Re is a trust established by the founder of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (“AmTrust”), National General Holdings Corporation (“NGHC”) and Maiden Holdings, Ltd. Since the merger announcement, the Company has experienced more significant turnover in its accounting and operations units than in recent history, and it has found replacing such personnel to be difficult because the merger agreement is still pending completion.

Part II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On August 20, 2013, Robert P. Lang, a purported shareholder of Tower Group International Ltd. (“Tower”), filed a purported class action complaint (the “Lang Complaint”) against Tower and certain of its current and former officers in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Lang Complaint alleges that Tower and certain of its current and former officers violated federal securities laws and seeks unspecified damages. On September 3, 2013, a second purported shareholder class action complaint was filed by Dennis Feighay, another purported Tower shareholder, containing similar allegations to those set forth in the Lang Complaint (the “Feighay Complaint”). On October 4, 2013, a third complaint was filed by Sanju Sharma (the “Sharma Complaint”). The Sharma Complaint names as defendants Tower and certain of its current and former officers, and purports to be asserted on behalf of a plaintiff class who purchased Tower stock between May 10, 2011 and September 17, 2013. On October 18, 2013, an amended complaint was filed in the Sharma case (the “Sharma Amended Complaint”). The Sharma Amended Complaint alleges additional false and misleading statements, and purports to be asserted on behalf of a plaintiff class who purchased Tower stock between March 1, 2011 and October 7, 2013. On October 21, 2013, a number of motions were filed seeking to consolidate the shareholder class actions into one matter and for appointment of a lead plaintiff. On June 17, 2014, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order consolidating the Lang, Feighay, and Sharma actions (hereinafter the “Consolidated Securities Action”) and appointing Adar Enhanced Investment Fund, Ltd. and Adar Investment Fund, Ltd. (the “Adar Funds”) and Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund, Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System, and the Kansas City, Missouri Employees’ Retirement System (the “Public Pension Funds”) as co-lead plaintiffs in the Consolidated Securities Action and Bernstein Liebhard LLP, Saxena White P.A., and Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP as co-lead counsel. The Company believes that it is not probable that the Consolidated Securities Action will result in a loss, and if it would result in a loss, that the amount of any such loss cannot reasonably be estimated.

On October 18, 2013, Cinium Financial Services Corporation (“Cinium”) and certain other affiliated parties (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) commenced an action against, among others, Tower, CastlePoint Insurance Company (“CastlePoint”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Tower, and certain officers of Tower (the “New York Action”) in New York State Supreme Court. CastlePoint is a party to a Securityholders’ Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2012 (the “Securityholders’ Agreement”), among certain parties including Plaintiffs, and is also the holder of a senior note issued by Cinium dated May 15, 2012 that is convertible into shares of Cinium common stock (the “Senior Note”). On October 29, 2013, Plaintiffs filed a complaint which revised their initial pleading (the “Complaint”). Plaintiffs seek, among other things, (i) a declaratory judgment that CastlePoint has no right to exercise any control over Cinium under the Securityholders’ Agreement or to convert the Senior Note without prior regulatory approval; (ii) rescission of the Senior Note and Securityholders’ Agreement based on alleged fraudulent misrepresentations by Tower at the time these agreements were entered into; and (iii) damages of $150 million for alleged breach of fiduciary duties to Cinium and its shareholders by certain directors, and for alleged lender liability and fraudulent misrepresentation by the Company.

On April 22, 2014, counsel for Plaintiffs notified counsel for defendants of its intent to file a stipulation of discontinuance without prejudice of the New York Action within thirty days. On June 2, 2014, counsel for Plaintiffs filed a notice of discontinuance without prejudice against all defendants in the New York Action.

 

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Tower received a document request from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) dated January 13, 2014, as part of an informal inquiry (the “SEC Request”). The SEC Request asks for documents related to Tower’s financial statements, accounting policies, and analysis. Tower is cooperating with the SEC’s inquiry and has provided the requested information.

On January 14, 2014, Derek Wilson, a purported shareholder of Tower, filed a purported class action complaint (the “Wilson Complaint”) against Tower, certain of its current and former directors, ACP Re Ltd. (“ACP Re”), London Acquisition Company Limited (“Merger Sub”), and AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (“AmTrust”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Wilson Complaint alleges that the members of the Company’s Board of Directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to the shareholders of Tower under Bermuda law by approving Tower’s entry into the ACP Re Merger Agreement and failing to take steps to maximize the value of Tower to its public shareholders, and that Tower, ACP Re, Merger Sub, and AmTrust aided and abetted such breaches of fiduciary duties. The Wilson Complaint also alleges, among other things, that the proposed transaction undervalues Tower, that the process leading up to the ACP Re Merger Agreement was flawed, and that certain provisions of the ACP Re Merger Agreement improperly favor ACP Re and discourage competing offers for the Company. The Wilson Complaint further alleges oppressive conduct by the directors against Tower’s shareholders in violation of Bermuda law. The Wilson Complaint seeks, among other things, declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the alleged fiduciary breaches, injunctive relief prohibiting the defendants from consummating the proposed transaction, rescission of the ACP Re Merger Agreement to the extent already implemented, and other forms of equitable relief. On February 27, 2014, the same purported shareholder filed an amended complaint alleging, in addition, that the Company and the directors disseminated a materially false and misleading preliminary proxy statement regarding the ACP Re Merger Agreement in violation of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder (the “Wilson Amended Complaint”).

On March 3, 2014, another purported shareholder filed a purported class action complaint against the Company, certain of its current and former officers and directors, ACP Re, Merger Sub, and AmTrust, also in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Raul Complaint”). The Raul Complaint alleges that the defendants disseminated a materially false and misleading preliminary proxy statement regarding the ACP Re Merger Agreement in violation of sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9.

On May 12, 2014, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order consolidating the Wilson and Raul actions (hereinafter the “Consolidated Federal Action”). On May 22, 2014, the Court issued an order appointing Wilson and George Strum, another purported shareholder of the Company, as co-lead plaintiffs in the Consolidated Federal Action and appointing Robbins Arroyo LLP and WeissLaw LLP as co-lead counsel.

On March 24, 2014, two purported shareholders of the Company filed a purported class action and shareholder derivative complaint against the Company, certain of its current and former officers and directors, and Tower Group, Inc., in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York (the “Bekkerman Complaint” and, together with the Wilson Amended Complaint and the Raul Complaint, the “Merger Complaints”). The Bekkerman Complaint alleges, among other things, that the members of the Company’s board of directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to the shareholders of the Company by failing to exercise appropriate oversight over the conduct of the Company’s business, awarding Michael Lee excessive compensation, approving the Company’s entry into the ACP Re Merger Agreement, failing to take steps to maximize the value of the Company to its public shareholders, and misrepresenting or omitting material information in connection with the proposed transaction, and that the Company and Tower Group, Inc. aided and abetted such breaches of fiduciary duties. The Bekkerman Complaint also alleges, among other things, that Lee was unjustly enriched as a result of the compensation he received while allegedly breaching his fiduciary duties and by selling stock while in the possession of material, adverse, non-public information. The Bekkerman Complaint seeks, among other things, an award of money damages, declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the alleged fiduciary breaches, injunctive relief prohibiting the defendants from consummating the proposed transaction, rescission of the ACP Re Merger Agreement to the extent already implemented, and other forms of equitable relief. On May 16, 2014, the defendants removed the Bekkerman action to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and requested that it be designated as related to the Consolidated Federal Action. On June 3, 2014, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York accepted the designation of the Bekkerman Complaint as related to the Consolidated Federal Action.

The Company believes that it is not probable that the Merger Complaints will result in a loss and if they would result in a loss, that the amount of any such loss cannot reasonably be estimated.

From time to time, the Company is involved in other various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the resolution of any currently pending legal proceedings, either individually or taken as a whole, will have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

The Company’s Risk Factors are described under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of Tower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”).

Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business, financial condition or results of operations. Any of the risks described in the 2013 Form 10-K could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, and a corresponding decline in the market price of our common shares and other securities.

This Form 10-Q also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks described in the 2013 Form 10-K. See “Business—Note on Forward-Looking Statements.”

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company purchased 17,364 shares of its common stock from employees in connection with the vesting of restricted stock issued in connection with its 2008 Long Term Equity Compensation Plan (the “2008 LTEP”). The shares were withheld at the direction of the employees as permitted under the 2008 LTEP in order to pay the minimum amount of tax liability owed by the employee from the vesting of those shares.

On May 7, 2013, Tower’s Board of Directors approved a $50 million share repurchase program. No shares of common stock have been purchased under this program.

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock repurchases for the three months ended March 31, 2014:

 

Period    Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)
     Average
Price Paid
per Share (2)
    

Total Number

of Shares
Purchased as Part

of Publically
Announced Repurchase
Plans or Programs

     Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May Yet
be Purchased Under
the Repurchase Plans
 

First quarter

           

January 1 - 31, 2014

     -      $ -        -      $ 50,000,000  

February 1 - 28, 2014

     -        -        -        50,000,000  

March 1 - 31, 2014

     17,364        2.78        -        50,000,000  

Subtotal first quarter

     17,364      $ 2.78        -      $ 50,000,000  

 

(1)  Includes 17,364 shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding amounts due from employees upon the receipt of previously restricted shares.
(2)   Including commissions.

Item 5. Other Information

As disclosed in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 9, 2014, on May 9, 2014, the Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”) of the Board of Directors of Tower Group International, Ltd. (“Tower” or the “Company”) dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

PwC’s reports on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles except that the reports of PwC on the Company’s financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 contained an explanatory paragraph which noted that there was substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the subsequent period through May 9, 2014, there were no disagreements with PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of PwC, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its reports on the consolidated financial statements for such years.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the subsequent period through May 9, 2014, there were “reportable events” (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K) related to the material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Annual Report”) and Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 (the “2012 Annual Report”). As disclosed in the 2012 Annual Report, the Company concluded that material weaknesses existed as of December 31, 2012 related to (i) the loss reserve estimation process and (ii) the premium receivables accounts reconciliation process. Additionally, a material weakness related to recording an out of period income tax adjustment arising from prior acquisitions also existed during the year ended December 31, 2012. As disclosed in the 2013 Annual Report, the Company concluded that material weaknesses existed as of December 31, 2013 related to (i) the monitoring of other control activities, (ii) the loss reserve estimation process, (iii) the premiums receivable accounts reconciliation process, (iv) the impairment process of the long-lived tangible and intangible assets, (v) information technology general controls with respect to segregation of duties, restricted access to programs and data, and change management activities, (vi) the income tax valuation allowance estimation process and (vii) the period-end financial reporting process. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The Audit Committee has discussed the material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting with PwC and has authorized PwC to respond fully to the inquiries of BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”) concerning such material weaknesses.

On May 9, 2014, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of BDO as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm beginning with its first quarter ending March 31, 2014. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and through May 9, 2014, the Company did not consult with BDO with respect to (a) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might have been rendered on the Company’s consolidated financial statements; or (b) any matters that were either the subject of a disagreement (as that term is used in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or a reportable event (as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 31.1    Chief Executive Officer - Certification pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Section 302
Exhibit 31.2    Chief Financial Officer - Certification pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Section 302
Exhibit 32    Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer - Certification pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Section 906
EX-101    INSTANCE DOCUMENT
EX-101    SCHEMA DOCUMENT
EX-101    CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101    LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101    PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101    DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

    Tower Group International, Ltd.
   

Registrant

Date: June 19, 2014

    /s/ William W. Fox, Jr.
    President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: June 19, 2014

    /s/ William E. Hitselberger
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer