Note 2. Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of presentation

The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements at June 30, 2019, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements present the consolidated results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries and those entities in which the Company has control and a majority economic interest as well as those variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that meet the requirements for consolidation. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

These Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements do not include all disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be read in conjunction with the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes for the year ended December 31, 2018. The consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2018 included herein has been derived from the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2018.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of 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. In the opinion of management, the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normally recurring accruals) necessary for a fair statement of results on an interim basis. Tabular dollar amounts are in millions, with the exception of share and per share amounts. All amounts are reported in U.S. dollars, except where noted otherwise.

Recently adopted changes in accounting principles

Leases

Effective January 1, 2019, Sirius Group adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842) which requires lessees to recognize lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for both operating and financing leases, with the exception of leases with an original term of 12 months or less. Under previous guidance, recognition of lease assets and liabilities was not required for operating leases. The new guidance requires that lease assets and liabilities to be recognized and measured initially based on the present value of the lease payments. Sirius Group adopted the new guidance using the simplified transition option that allows companies to apply the new lease standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Sirius Group also made the following elections:

Sirius Group elected the package of practical expedients to not reassess prior conclusions related to contracts containing leases, lease classification and initial direct costs for all leases upon transition.

Sirius Group did not elect the hindsight practical expedient upon transition, for all leases.

Sirius Group elected the short-term lease measurement and recognition exemption, resulting in lease payments being recorded as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Sirius Group elected to include both lease and non-lease components as a single component for all leases.

Sirius Group did not elect the land easement practical expedient as it was not applicable.

As a result of the adoption of the new guidance, Sirius Group recognized a lease liability of $36.8 million, which represents the present value of our remaining lease payments and a right-of-use asset of $34.4 million as of January 1, 2019. The adoption of this guidance did not materially impact our results of operations or cash flows. Due to the adoption of the standard using the retrospective cumulative-effect adjustment method, there are no changes to our previously reported results prior to January 1, 2019. Lease expense is not expected to change materially as a result of the adoption of the new guidance. (See Note 18.)

Premium amortization on callable debt securities

Effective January 1, 2019, Sirius Group adopted ASU 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (ASC 310-20), which changes the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities. Under the new guidance, for investments in callable debt securities held at a premium, the premium will be amortized over the period to the earliest call date. The new guidance does not change the amortization period for callable debt securities held at a discount. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant effect on our financial statements.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Credit losses

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASC 326), which establishes new guidance for the recognition of credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost. The new guidance, which applies to financial assets that have the contractual right to receive cash, including reinsurance receivables and recoverables, requires reporting entities to estimate the credit losses expected over the life of a credit exposure using historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the financial asset. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Sirius Group is evaluating the expected impact of this new guidance.