Note 3 - Derivative Instruments (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

We provide a significant portion of our credit protection within our financial guaranty segment in the form of CDS, which are accounted for as derivatives. Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and changes in fair value are recorded as such in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. All of our derivative instruments are recognized in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as either derivative assets or derivative liabilities. In many of our CDS transactions, primarily our corporate CDOs, we are required to make payments to our counterparty above a specified level of subordination, upon the occurrence of credit events related to the borrowings or bankruptcy of obligors contained within pools of corporate obligations or, in the case of pools of mortgage or other asset-backed obligations, upon the occurrence of credit events related to the specific obligations in the pool. When we provide a CDS as credit protection on a specific obligation, we generally guarantee the full and timely payment of principal and interest when due on such obligation.

We record premiums and origination costs related to our CDS and certain other derivative contracts in change in fair value of derivative instruments and policy acquisition costs, respectively, on our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Our classification of these contracts is the same whether we are a direct insurer or we reinsure these contracts.