Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Debt

Debt

NOTE 6. Debt

OneBeacon’s debt outstanding as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 consisted of the following:

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	($ in millions)
Senior unsecured notes, at face value	$	269.9		$	419.9
Unamortized original issue discount	(0.2		)	(0.3		)
Senior unsecured notes, carrying value	$	269.7		$	419.6

Senior Notes

In May 2003, OBH issued $700.0 million face value of senior unsecured debt through a public offering, at an issue price of 99.7% (the “Senior Notes”) and received $693.4 million of proceeds. The Senior Notes bear an annual interest rate of 5.875%, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15, until maturity on May 15, 2013, and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by White Mountains pursuant to a separation agreement. Refer to “Note 16. Related Party Disclosures” of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K. OBH incurred $7.3 million in expenses related to the issuance of the Senior Notes (including the $4.5 million underwriting discount), which have been deferred and are being recognized into interest expense over the life of the Senior Notes. Taking into effect the amortization of the original issue discount and all underwriting and issuance expenses, the Senior Notes have an effective yield to maturity of approximately 6.0% per annum. At September 30, 2011, OBH was in compliance with all of the covenants under the Senior Notes.

On March 24, 2011, OBH commenced a cash tender offer for up to $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at a price of $1,045 per $1,000 principal amount. The cash tender offer, which was not subject to the tender of any minimum principal amount of Senior Notes, expired on April 20, 2011. Holders of Senior Notes who tendered on or before April 6, 2011 received an early tender payment of $30 for every $1,000 principal amount of Senior Notes validly tendered. Payment for the Senior Notes included accrued and unpaid interest up to the settlement date. OBH accepted and retired $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes for $161.6 million, which resulted in a $12.0 million pre-tax loss, including transaction fees.

On May 3, 2010, OBH commenced a cash tender offer for up to $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at a price of $1,027.50 per $1,000 principal amount. The cash tender offer, which was not subject to the tender of any minimum principal amount of Senior Notes, expired on May 28, 2010. Holders of Senior Notes who tendered on or before May 14, 2010 received an early tender payment of $30 for every $1,000 principal amount of Senior Notes validly tendered. Payment for the Senior Notes included accrued and unpaid interest up to the settlement date. OBH accepted and retired $156.4 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes, of which $155.2 million was tendered by the early tender deadline, for purchase for $165.4 million, which resulted in a $9.6 million pre-tax loss, including transaction fees.

During the second quarter of 2010, OBH repurchased and retired $18.2 million of outstanding Senior Notes for $18.9 million, which resulted in a $0.7 million loss. During the first quarter of 2010, OBH repurchased and retired $11.5 million of outstanding Senior Notes for $11.9 million, which resulted in a $0.5 million loss. During the first quarter of 2010, OBIC purchased $1.1 million of outstanding Senior Notes for $1.1 million.

Other Debt of Operating Subsidiaries

In connection with the acquisition of Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company on March 31, 2004, OneBeacon issued a $20.0 million ten-year note to the seller (the “Atlantic Specialty Note”). OneBeacon was required to repay $2.0 million of principal on the Atlantic Specialty Note each year, commencing in January 2007. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, OneBeacon repaid $14.0 million on the Atlantic Specialty Note, representing the outstanding principal on the note.