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Investments
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Investments [Abstract]  
Investments Investments
The Company’s available-for-sale fixed maturity securities are summarized as follows:
 Cost or
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
 (in thousands)
September 30, 2021    
Fixed maturity securities:    
State and municipal
$324,050 $13,032 $(1,447)$335,635 
Residential mortgage-backed
258,302 3,877 (1,104)261,075 
Corporate
698,454 31,511 (4,093)725,872 
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed
307,223 6,899 (964)313,158 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government
85,252 1,032 (297)85,987 
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale$1,673,281 $56,351 $(7,905)$1,721,727 
December 31, 2020    
Fixed maturity securities:    
State and municipal
$277,241 $19,203 $(39)$296,405 
Residential mortgage-backed
286,104 7,784 (40)293,848 
Corporate
715,145 52,098 (421)766,822 
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed
314,911 12,611 (803)326,719 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government
97,489 2,360 (1)99,848 
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale$1,690,890 $94,056 $(1,304)$1,783,642 
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale investments in fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2021 are summarized, by contractual maturity, as follows:
 Cost or
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
 (in thousands)
One year or less$103,777 $104,859 
After one year through five years458,454 477,708 
After five years through ten years303,453 310,034 
After ten years242,072 254,893 
Residential mortgage-backed258,302 261,075 
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed307,223 313,158 
Total$1,673,281 $1,721,727 
 
Actual maturities may differ for some securities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.
The following table shows the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value for available-for-sale securities aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
 Less Than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotal
 Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 (in thousands)
September 30, 2021      
Fixed maturity securities:      
State and municipal$85,803 $(1,402)$1,155 $(45)$86,958 $(1,447)
Residential mortgage-backed126,424 (1,100)311 (4)126,735 (1,104)
Corporate160,709 (3,186)9,060 (907)169,769 (4,093)
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed110,471 (956)2,438 (8)112,909 (964)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government
24,600 (297)— — 24,600 (297)
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale$508,007 $(6,941)$12,964 $(964)$520,971 $(7,905)
December 31, 2020      
Fixed maturity securities:      
State and municipal$7,193 $(39)$— $— $7,193 $(39)
Residential mortgage-backed3,649 (40)— — 3,649 (40)
Corporate28,607 (421)— — 28,607 (421)
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed18,427 (447)38,802 (356)57,229 (803)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government
2,291 (1)— — 2,291 (1)
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale$60,167 $(948)$38,802 $(356)$98,969 $(1,304)
 
At September 30, 2021, the Company held fixed maturity securities of 200 issuers that were in an unrealized loss position with a total fair value of $521.0 million and gross unrealized losses of $7.9 million. None of the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses has ever missed, or been delinquent on, a scheduled principal or interest payment. At September 30, 2021, 99.4% of the Company’s fixed maturity security portfolio was rated “BBB-” or better (“investment grade”) by Standard & Poor’s or received an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating agency. Fixed maturity securities with ratings below investment grade by Standard & Poor’s or another nationally recognized rating agency at September 30, 2021 had an aggregate fair value of $10.0 million and an aggregate net unrealized gain of $96,000.
The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments on January 1, 2020. This update changed the impairment model for available-for-sale fixed maturities and requires the Company to determine whether unrealized losses on available-for-sale fixed maturities are due to credit-related factors. An allowance for credit losses is established for any credit-related impairments, limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in earnings and included in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. Unrealized losses that are not credit-related continue to be recognized in other comprehensive income.
The Company considers the extent to which fair value is below amortized cost in determining whether a credit-related loss exists. The Company also considers the credit quality rating of the security, with a special emphasis on securities downgraded below investment grade. A comparison is made between the present value of expected future cash flows for a security and its amortized cost. If the present value of future expected cash flows is less than amortized cost, a credit loss is presumed to exist and an allowance for credit losses is established. Management may conclude that a qualitative analysis is sufficient to support its conclusion that the present value of the expected cash flows equals or exceeds a security’s amortized cost. As a result of this review, management concluded that there were no credit-related impairments of fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2021, December 31, 2020, or September 30, 2020. Management does not intend to sell the securities in an unrealized loss position, and it is not “more likely than not” that the Company will be required to sell these securities before a recovery in their value to their amortized cost basis occurs.
In connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company elected the fair value option in accounting for bank loan participations effective January 1, 2020. The targeted transition relief offered by ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief was applied to elect the fair value option to account for bank loan participations already held at the January 1, 2020 date of adoption. Under the fair value option, bank loan participations are measured at fair value, and changes in unrealized gains and losses in bank loan participations are reported in our income statement as net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. At adoption on January 1, 2020, the Company applied the amendments on a modified retrospective basis, reducing the carrying value of its bank loan portfolio to fair value through an $8.4 million adjustment with a $7.8 million (net of tax) cumulative effect adjustment to reduce retained earnings.
Applying the fair value option to the bank loan portfolio increases volatility in the Company's financial statements, but management believes it is less subjective and less burdensome to implement and maintain than ASU 2016-13, which would have otherwise been required. At September 30, 2021, the Company's bank loan portfolio had an aggregate fair value of $155.0 million and unpaid principal of $158.5 million. Investment income on bank loan participations included in net investment income was $2.8 million and $8.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively ($2.4 million and $9.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively). Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments includes gains of $375,000 and $6.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, related to changes in unrealized gains and losses on bank loan participations (gains of $9.7 million and losses of $7.6 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, management concluded that none of the unrealized losses were due to credit-related impairments. Management concluded that $437,000 and $8.2 million of unrealized losses in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, were due to credit-related impairments. Losses due to credit-related impairments are determined based upon consultations and advice from the Company's specialized investment manager and consideration of any adverse situations that could affect the borrower's ability to repay, the estimated value of underlying collateral, and other relevant factors.
Bank loan participations generally provide a higher yield than our portfolio of fixed maturities and have a credit rating that is below investment grade (i.e. below “BBB-” for Standard & Poor’s) at the date of purchase. These bank loans are primarily senior, secured floating-rate debt rated “BB”, “B”, or “CCC” by Standard & Poor’s or an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating agency. These bank loans include assignments of, and participations in, performing and non-performing senior corporate debt generally acquired through primary bank syndications and in secondary markets. Bank loans consist of, but are not limited to, term loans, the funded and unfunded portions of revolving credit loans, and other similar loans and investments. Management believed that it was probable at the time that these loans were acquired that the Company would be able to collect all contractually required payments receivable.
Interest income on bank loan participations is accrued on the unpaid principal balance, and discounts and premiums on bank loan participations are amortized to income using the interest method. Generally, the accrual of interest on a bank loan participation is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectability of principal or interest. A bank loan participation may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured. Generally, bank loan participations are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time, and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. Interest received on nonaccrual loans generally is reported as investment income. There were no bank loans on nonaccrual status at September 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020.
The Company’s net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are summarized as follows:
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2021202020212020
 (in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities:    
Gross realized gains$3,170 $386 $4,361 $906 
Gross realized losses(3)— (27)(1)
 3,167 386 4,334 905 
Bank loan participations:    
Gross realized gains130 24 448 357 
Gross realized losses(310)(3,506)(1,093)(14,484)
Changes in fair values of bank loan participations375 9,741 6,626 (7,636)
 195 6,259 5,981 (21,763)
Equity securities:    
Gross realized gains— 13 111 13 
Gross realized losses(2)— (497)(170)
Changes in fair values of equity securities643 2,374 3,803 (6,895)
 641 2,387 3,417 (7,052)
Short-term investments and other:    
Gross realized gains70 27 75 76 
Gross realized losses(150)— (150)(1)
Changes in fair values of short-term investments and other60 (130)81 (50)
 (20)(103)25 
Total$3,983 $8,929 $13,738 $(27,885)
  
Realized investment gains or losses are determined on a specific identification basis.
The Company invests selectively in private debt and equity opportunities. These investments, which together comprise the Company’s other invested assets, are primarily focused in renewable energy, limited partnerships, and bank holding companies.
 Carrying ValueInvestment Income
 September 30,December 31,Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 202120202021202020212020
 (in thousands)
Renewable energy LLCs (a)
Excess and Surplus Lines$25,471 $— $634 $— $634 $— 
Corporate & Other2,762 30,145 14 (526)(772)320 
28,233 30,145 648 (526)(138)320 
Renewable energy notes receivable (b)
Excess and Surplus Lines4,000 — 120 — 344 — 
Corporate & Other5,000 — 150 547 430 814 
9,000 — 270 547 774 814 
Limited partnerships (c)
Excess and Surplus Lines12,349 4,096 699 125 1,115 
Corporate & Other3,662 7,807 58 301 920 100 
16,011 11,903 757 426 2,035 102 
Bank holding companies (d)
Excess and Surplus Lines4,500 — 85 — 114 — 
Corporate & Other— 4,500 — 86 143 258 
4,500 4,500 85 86 257 258 
Total other invested assets
Excess and Surplus Lines46,320 4,096 1,538 125 2,207 
Corporate & Other11,424 42,452 222 408 721 1,492 
$57,744 $46,548 $1,760 $533 $2,928 $1,494 
 
(a)The Company's Excess and Surplus Lines and Corporate and Other segments own equity interests ranging from 2.6% to 32.6% in various LLCs whose principal objective is capital appreciation and income generation from owning and operating renewable energy production facilities (wind and solar). The LLCs are managed by an entity for which two former directors served as officers, and the Company’s Non-Executive Chairman has invested in certain of these LLCs. The equity method is used to account for the Company’s LLC investments. Income for the LLCs primarily reflects adjustments to the carrying values of investments in renewable energy projects to their determined fair values. The fair value adjustments are included in revenues for the LLCs. Expenses for the LLCs are not significant and are comprised of administrative and interest expenses. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company transferred $26.3 million of its investments in the LLCs from the Corporate and Other segment to the Excess and Surplus Lines segment. The Company received cash distributions from these investments totaling $1.8 million and $1.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(b)The Company's Excess and Surplus Lines and Corporate and Other segments have invested in notes receivable for renewable energy projects. At September 30, 2021, the Company held two notes issued by an entity for which two of our former directors serve as officers. Interest on the notes, which mature in 2025, is fixed at 12%.
(c)The Company owns investments in limited partnerships that invest in concentrated portfolios including publicly-traded small cap equities, loans of middle market private equity sponsored companies, private equity general partnership interests, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and tranches of distressed home loans. Income from the partnerships is recognized under the equity method of accounting. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company transferred $5.1 million of its investments in the limited partnerships from the Corporate and Other segment to the Excess and Surplus Lines segment. At September 30, 2021, the Company’s Excess and Surplus Lines segment has outstanding commitments to invest another $6.1 million in these limited partnerships.
(d)The Company's Excess and Surplus Lines segment holds $4.5 million of subordinated notes issued by a bank holding company for which the Company’s Non-Executive Chairman was previously the Lead Independent Director and an investor and for which one of the Company’s directors was an investor and is currently a holder of the subordinated notes (the "Bank Holding Company"). During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company transferred ownership of the subordinated notes from the Corporate and Other segment to the Excess and Surplus Lines segment. Interest on the notes, which mature on August 12, 2023, is fixed at 7.6% per annum.
At December 31, 2020, the Company held an investment in a CLO where one of the underlying loans was issued by the Bank Holding Company. The investment, with a carrying value of $520,000 at December 31, 2020, was classified as an available-for-sale fixed maturity. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company received the final principal repayment for the investment.