Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Equity investments in which we exercise significant influence, do not control, and are not the primary beneficiary, are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in which we do not exercise significant influence over the investee are accounted for under the cost method.

Reclassifications and Correction of Prior Period Revisions

Our previously issued financial statements have been recast to present our marketing services, consumer services, transportation services and appraisal management company businesses as discontinued operations, as described in Note 18 - Discontinued Operations.

In connection with preparing our 2011 financial statements, we identified errors amounting to approximately $20.6 million relating to years prior to 2011 principally relating to deferred income taxes from continuing and discontinued operations . We assessed the materiality of these errors on our prior period financial statements in accordance with the SEC's Staff Accounting Bulletins (“SAB”) No. 99 and SAB No. 108, and concluded the errors individually and in the aggregate were not material to the results of operations or financial condition for any prior annual or interim period. We also concluded that correcting the errors, on a cumulative basis, as an out-of-period adjustment would be material to our results for the year ended December 31, 2011 and accordingly, determined that we need to revise previously issued financial statements as part of this revision. We also reversed certain previously recorded out-of-period adjustments in discontinued operations that we had concluded were not material to prior periods, and have recorded them in the periods in which the errors originated. Of the $20.6 million, $9.6 million related to years prior to 2007. We have revised our opening retained earnings balance for the period as of January 1, 2009 to correct for this error. The remaining $11.0 million related to 2010 and 2009 related to discontinued operations. The impact of these adjustments for 2010 and 2009 are as follows:



	Increase/(Decrease)
		2010		2009
Balance sheet items:
Assets of Discontinued Operations		$	8,018	$	(3,014	)
Current Assets		8,018		(3,014		)
Total Assets		8,018		(3,014		)
Retained earnings		8,018		(3,014		)
Total CoreLogic stockholders' equity		8,018		(3,014		)

Statement of operations:
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations, net of tax		11,032		(3,014		)
Net (loss)/income		$	11,032	$	(3,014	)

Per share basic and diluted impact:
Basic		$	0.10	$	(0.03	)
Diluted		$	0.10	$	(0.03	)

The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2010 has been revised to correct the classification of $21.1 million in restricted cash from prepaid expenses and other current assets to other assets. In addition, the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and Note 21 - Guarantor Subsidiaries has been revised to correct the classification of liabilities for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties and indemnifications in the amount of $26.6 million and $23.2 million, respectively, from current to non-current liabilities. The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2010 has been revised to correct the classification of $14.8 million in debt issuance costs from cash flow from operating activities to cash flow from financing activities. Furthermore, we have revised Note 18 - Discontinued Operations, to reclassify approximately $6.9 million of income and $2.8 million of losses from marketing services to employer litigation services ("ELI") for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These corrections in classification did not have a material impact on the previously issued financial statements and related notes.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the financial statements. Actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions used.

Cash equivalents

We consider cash equivalents to be all short-term investments that have an initial maturity of 90 days or less and are not restricted.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are generally due from mortgage originators and servicers, financial institutions and other businesses, government and government-sponsored enterprises located throughout the United States and abroad. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition, and generally, collateral is not required.

The allowance for doubtful accounts for all probable uncollectible receivables is based on a combination of historical data, cash payment trends, specific customer issues, write-off trends, general economic conditions and other factors. These factors are continuously monitored by management to arrive at the estimate for the amount of accounts receivable that may be ultimately uncollectible. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, we record a specific allowance for doubtful accounts against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount it reasonably believes will be collected. Management believes that the balances for allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are reasonably stated.

Marketable securities

Debt securities are carried at fair value and consist primarily of investments in obligations of various corporations and mortgage-backed securities. Equity securities are carried at fair value and consist primarily of investments in marketable common and preferred stock. We classify our publicly traded debt and equity securities as available-for-sale and carry them at fair value with unrealized gains or losses classified as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Property and equipment includes computer software acquired or developed for internal use and for use with our products. Software development costs, which include capitalized interest costs and certain payroll-related costs of employees directly associated with developing software, in addition to incremental payments to third parties, are capitalized from the time technological feasibility is established until the software is ready for use.

Accounting guidance requires that we capitalize interest costs incurred and certain payroll-related costs of employees directly associated with developing software in addition to incremental payments to third parties.

Depreciation on buildings and on furniture and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 25 to 40, and 3 to 10 years, respectively. Capitalized software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 3 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over useful lives that are consistent with the lease terms.

Capitalized data and database development costs, net

Database development costs represent our cost to develop the proprietary databases of information for customer usage. The costs are capitalized from the time technological feasibility is established until the information is ready for use. These costs are amortized using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 7 to 20 years.

The carrying value for the flood zone certification database, included as geospatial data in Note 5 – Capitalized Data and Database Development Costs, Net, as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is $52.9 million. Because properly maintained flood zone databases have indefinite lives and do not diminish in value with the passage of time, no provision has been made for depreciation or amortization. We periodically analyze our indices for impairment. This analysis includes, but is not limited to, the effects of obsolescence, duplication, demand and other economic factors.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash is comprised of certificates of deposit that are pledged for various letters of credit secured by the Company; we deem the carrying value to be a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the nature of these instruments.

Purchase accounting

The purchase method of accounting requires companies to assign values to assets and liabilities acquired based upon their fair values. In most instances there are not readily defined or listed market price for individual assets and liabilities acquired in connection with a business, including intangible assets. The determination of fair value for assets and liabilities in many instances requires a high degree of estimation. The valuation of intangible assets, in particular is very subjective. We generally obtain third-party valuations to assist us in estimating fair values. The use of different valuation techniques and assumptions could change the amounts and useful lives assigned to the assets and liabilities acquired, including goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets and related amortization expense.

Goodwill

We perform an annual impairment test for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for each reporting unit every fourth quarter. In addition to our annual impairment test, we periodically assess whether events or circumstances occurred that potentially indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be recoverable. This test utilizes a variety of valuation techniques, all of which require us to make estimates and judgments. Fair value is determined by employing an expected present value technique, which utilizes multiple cash flow scenarios that reflect a range of possible outcomes and an appropriate discount rate. The use of comparative market multiples (the “market approach”) compares the reporting unit to other comparable companies (if such comparables are present in the marketplace) based on valuation multiples to arrive at a fair value. We also use certain of these valuation techniques in accounting for business combinations, primarily in the determination of the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities. In assessing the fair value, we utilize the results of the valuations (including the market approach to the extent comparables are available) and consider the range of fair values determined under all methods and the extent to which the fair value exceeds the book value of the equity. Our reporting units are data and analytics, mortgage origination services, and default services. Our policy is to perform an annual impairment test for each reporting unit in the fourth quarter, or sooner, if circumstances indicate a possible impairment.

Management’s impairment testing process may include two steps. The first step (“Step 1”) compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its book value. The fair value of each reporting unit is determined by using discounted cash flow analysis and market approach valuations. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its book value, then goodwill is not considered impaired and no additional analysis is required. However, if the book value is greater than the fair value, a second step (“Step 2”) must be completed to determine if the fair value of the goodwill exceeds the book value of the goodwill.

Step 2 involves calculating an implied fair value of goodwill for each reporting unit for which Step 1 indicated impairment. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to the amount of goodwill calculated in a business combination, by measuring the excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in the Step 1, over the aggregate estimated fair values of the individual assets, liabilities and identifiable intangibles as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying value of goodwill assigned to the reporting unit, there is no impairment. If the carrying value of goodwill assigned to a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recorded for the excess. An impairment loss cannot exceed the carrying value of goodwill assigned to a reporting unit, and the loss establishes a new basis in the goodwill. Subsequent reversal of goodwill impairment losses is not permitted. The valuation of goodwill requires assumptions and estimates of many critical factors including revenue growth, cash flows, market multiples and discount rates. Forecasts of future operations are based, in part, on operating results and our expectations as to future market conditions. These types of analysis contain uncertainties because they require us to make assumptions and to apply judgments to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to an additional impairment loss that could be material. See further discussion in Note 7 – Goodwill.

Other intangible assets

Our intangible assets consist of covenants not to compete, customer lists, and trade names. Each of these intangible assets is amortized on a straight-line basis over its useful life ranging from 2 to 20 years and is subject to impairment tests on a periodic basis.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Long-lived assets held and used include investment in affiliates, property and equipment, capitalized software, and other intangible assets. Management uses estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and excluding interest) to measure the recoverability of long-lived assets held and used whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be fully recoverable. If the undiscounted cash flow analysis indicates a long-lived asset is not recoverable, the impairment loss recorded is the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value.

In addition, we carry long-lived assets held for sale at the lower of cost or market as of the date that certain criteria have been met.

Revenue recognition

We derive our revenues principally from U.S. mortgage originators and servicers with good credit worthiness. Our product and service deliverables are generally comprised of data or other related services. Our revenue arrangements with our customers generally include a work order or written agreement specifying the data products or services to be delivered and related terms of sale including payment amounts and terms. The primary revenue recognition-related judgments we exercise are to determine when all of the following criteria have been met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) our price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

For products or services where delivery occurs at a point in time, we recognize revenue upon delivery. These products or services include sales of tenancy data and analytics, credit solutions for mortgage and automotive industries, under-banked credit services, flood data and services, real estate owned asset management, claims management, default services, broker price opinions, and field services where we perform property preservation services.

For products or services where delivery occurs over time, we recognize revenue ratably on a subscription basis over the contractual service period once initial delivery has occurred. Generally these service periods range from one to three years. Products or services recognized on a license or subscription basis include information and analytic products, flood database licenses, Realtor solutions, and lending solutions.

Tax service revenues are comprised of periodic loan fees and life-of-loan fees. For periodic loans, we generate monthly fees at a contracted fixed rate for as long as we service the loan. Loans serviced with a one-time, life-of-loan fee are billed once the loan is boarded to our tax servicing system in accordance with a customer tax servicing agreement. Life-of-loan fees are then deferred and recognized ratably over the expected service period. The rates applied to recognize revenues assume a 10-year contract life and are adjusted to reflect prepayments. We review the tax service contract portfolio quarterly to determine if there have been changes in contract lives, expected service period, and/or changes in the number and/or timing of prepayments. Accordingly, we may adjust the rates to reflect current trends.

External cost of revenue

External cost of revenue represents the direct incremental costs paid to outside parties to obtain information and/or services necessary to generate specific revenues, representing the variable costs associated with our revenues. We currently do not include any component of salaries and wages or depreciation and amortization in our external cost of revenues.

Prior to the Separation, we operated primarily as a title insurance company regulated under Article 7 of Regulation S-X and were not subject to the requirements of Article 5 of Regulation S-X. Rule 5-03 of Regulation S-X requires Article 5 companies, such as us, to classify expenses in a functional manner. We intend to classify external cost of revenues, salaries and benefits and other operating expenses into cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses. We are gathering the financial information and expect to present our income statement under this classification with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and all periods presented therein. We believe classifying these expenses on a functional basis will not be material to the financial statements as a whole, as there will be no impact to total expenses previously reported, nor will it impact the statement of operations in terms of overall revenues, operating income, net income or earnings per share. In addition, there will be no impact on our balance sheets or statements of cash flow.

Income taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We evaluate the need to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets based upon the amount of existing temporary differences, the period in which they are expected to be recovered and expected levels of taxable income. A valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets is established when it is “more likely than not” that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

We recognize income tax positions only if sustaining those positions is “more likely than not.” Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which a change in judgment occurs. We recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in tax expense.

Comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity except those resulting from investments by owners and distribution to owners. Specifically, foreign currency translation adjustments, amounts related to supplemental benefit plans, unrealized gains and losses on interest rate swap transactions and unrealized gains and losses on investment are recorded in other comprehensive (loss) income.

Stock-based compensation

We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award. We used the binomial lattice option-pricing model to estimate the fair value for any options granted after December 31, 2005 through December 31, 2009. For the options granted subsequent to December 31, 2009, we used the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value. We utilize the straight-line single option method of attributing the value of stock-based compensation expense unless another expense attribution model is required. As stock-based compensation expense recognized in results of operations is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, stock-based compensation expense has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. We apply the long-form method for determining the pool of windfall tax benefits.

In connection with the Separation, we awarded performance-based restricted stock units and stock options to certain key employees and expect to continue to use these forms of equity-based compensation for key employees.

Currently, our primary means of stock-based compensation is granting restricted stock units (“RSUs”). The fair value of any RSU grant is based on the market value of our shares on the date of grant and is generally recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period. RSUs granted to certain key employees have graded vesting and have a service and performance requirement and are therefore expensed using the accelerated multiple-option method to record stock-based compensation expense. All other RSU awards have graded vesting and service is the only requirement to vest in the award and are therefore generally expensed using the straight-line single option method to record stock-based compensation expense.

In addition to stock options and RSUs, we have an employee stock purchase plan that allows eligible employees to purchase common stock of the Company at 85.0% of the closing price on the last day of each month. We recognize an expense in the amount equal to the discount. The employee stock purchase plan expired in September 2011.

See Note 14 –Stock-based Compensation Plans for additional information related to stock options and restricted stock units.

Foreign currency

The functional currencies of our foreign subsidiaries are their respective local currencies. The financial statements of the foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars for consolidation as follows: assets and liabilities at the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date, stockholders’ equity at the historical rates of exchange, and income and expense amounts at average rates prevailing throughout the period. Translation adjustments resulting from the translation of the subsidiaries’ accounts are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss),” a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included within “Other operating expenses” and are not material to the results of operations.

Earnings/(loss) per share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to our stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to the computation of basic earnings per share, except that the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive stock options had been exercised and RSUs were vested. The dilutive effect of stock options and unvested RSUs is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes any proceeds that could be obtained upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs would be used to purchase shares of common stock at the average market price for the period. The assumed proceeds include the purchase price the grantee pays, the hypothetical windfall tax benefit that we receive upon assumed exercise or vesting and the hypothetical average unrecognized compensation expense for the period. We calculate the assumed proceeds from excess tax benefits based on the “as-if” deferred tax assets calculated under stock-based compensation standards.

Escrow Administration Arrangements

We administer escrow deposits as a service to our customers in connection with our tax services business. These deposits are maintained in segregated accounts for the benefit of our customers. Escrow deposits totaled $593.9 million at December 31, 2011 and $225.5 million at December 31, 2010. Escrow deposits held on behalf of our customers are not our funds and, therefore, are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Under our contracts with our customers, if we make a payment in error or fail to pay a taxing authority when a payment is due, we could be held liable to our customers for all or part of the financial loss they suffer as a result of our act or omission. We maintained reserves relating to incorrect disposition of assets of $16.0 million and $16.7 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Escrow deposits are generally held by the Company for a period of two to five business days and we invest these funds in highly-rated, liquid investments, such as bank deposit products or AAA-rated money market funds. We earn interest income from these investments and bear the risk of any losses. However, we have not historically incurred any investment losses and do not anticipate incurring any future investment losses. As a result, we do not maintain any reserves for losses in value of these investments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated guidance related to the presentation of offsetting (netting) assets and liabilities in the financial statements. The guidance requires the disclosure of both gross information and net information on instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. This scope would include derivatives, sale and repurchase agreements and reverse sale and repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending arrangements. The updated guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. Management does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance related to the testing of goodwill for impairment. The guidance provides that an entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. The updated guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Management does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance related to the presentation of comprehensive income. The guidance provides that an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Retroactive application of the presentation requirements has been provided herein. Except for the required change in presentation, the adoption of the updated guidance related to the presentation of comprehensive income had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance related to fair value measurements and disclosures. The update provides amendments to achieve common fair value measurements and disclosure requirements in GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments in this update explain how to measure fair value. They do not require additional fair value measurements and are not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting. The updated guidance is effective during interim and annual financial reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Management does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance which addresses diversity in practice about the interpretation of the pro forma revenue and earnings disclosure requirements for business combinations. The amendments specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The amendments are effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance related to when to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. The guidance amends the criteria for performing Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts and requires performing Step 2 if qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance related to fair value measurements and disclosures, which requires a reporting entity to disclose separately the amounts of material unobservable inputs (Level 3) information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (that is, on a gross basis rather than one net number). The updated guidance is effective for interim or annual financial reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within the fiscal year. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.