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Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Radian Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions, and intercompany profits and losses, have been eliminated. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.
We refer to Radian Group Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries as “Radian,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our,” unless the context requires otherwise. We generally refer to Radian Group Inc. alone, without its consolidated subsidiaries, as “Radian Group.” Unless otherwise defined in this report, certain terms and acronyms used throughout this report are defined in the Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms included as part of this report.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the
financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. While the amounts included in our consolidated financial statements include our best estimates and assumptions, actual results may vary materially.
Investments
We group fixed-maturity securities in our investment portfolio into one of three main categories: held to maturity, available for sale or trading securities. Fixed-maturity securities for which we have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, if any, are classified as held to maturity and are reported at amortized cost. Trading securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of income. Investments in fixed-maturity securities not classified as held to maturity or trading securities are classified as available for sale and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses (net of tax) reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Equity securities consist of holdings in common stock, preferred stock and exchange traded funds, which, effective January 1, 2018, are all recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in income. Prior to the implementation of the update to the standard for the accounting of financial instruments effective January 1, 2018, the unrealized gains (losses) associated with equity securities that were available for sale were classified in accumulated other comprehensive income. Short-term investments consist of money market instruments, certificates of deposit and highly liquid, interest-bearing instruments with an original maturity of 12 months or less at the time of purchase. Amortization of premium and accretion of discount are calculated principally using the interest method over the term of the investment. Realized gains and losses on investments are recognized using the specific identification method. See Notes 5 and 6 for further discussion on investments.
We record an other-than-temporary impairment adjustment on a security with an unrealized loss if we intend to sell the impaired security, if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the impaired security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, or if the present value of cash flows we expect to collect is less than the amortized cost basis of the security. If a sale is likely, the security is classified as other-than-temporarily impaired and the full amount of the impairment is recognized as a loss in the statement of operations. Otherwise, losses on securities that are other-than-temporarily impaired are separated into: (i) the portion of loss that represents the credit loss and (ii) the portion that is due to other factors. The credit loss portion is recognized as a loss in the statement of operations, while the loss due to other factors is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes. A credit loss is determined to exist if the present value of discounted cash flows expected to be collected from the security is less than the amortized cost basis of the security. The present value of discounted cash flows is determined using the original yield of the security. In evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary, we consider several factors in addition to the above, including, but not limited to, the following:
the extent and the duration of the decline in value;
the reasons for the decline in value (e.g., credit event, interest-related or market fluctuations); and
the financial position, access to capital and near term prospects of the issuer, including the current and future impact of any specific events.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Our estimated fair value measurements are intended to reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on the best information available. Assumptions include the risks inherent in a particular valuation technique (such as a pricing model) and the risks inherent in the inputs to the model. Changes in economic conditions and capital market conditions, including but not limited to, credit spread changes, benchmark interest rate changes, market volatility and changes in the value of underlying collateral, could cause actual results to differ materially from our estimated fair value measurements. We define fair value as the current amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
In accordance with GAAP, we established a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements based on the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level I measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level III measurements). The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined below:
Level I
—    Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level II
—    Prices or valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; and
Level III
—    Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. Level III inputs are used to measure fair value only to the extent that observable inputs are not available.
For markets in which inputs are not observable or are limited, we use significant judgment and assumptions that a typical market participant would use to evaluate the market price of an asset or liability. Given the level of judgment necessary, another market participant may derive a materially different estimate of fair value. These assets and liabilities are classified in Level III of our fair value hierarchy.
Available for sale securities, trading securities, equity securities and certain other assets are recorded at fair value as described in Note 5. All changes in fair value of trading securities, equity securities (effective January 1, 2018) and certain other assets are included in our consolidated statements of operations.
Restricted Cash
Included in our restricted cash balances as of December 31, 2019 were cash funds held in trusts for the benefit of: a mortgage insurance reserve policy held in escrow for any future duties, rights and liabilities; certain policyholders; servicer liabilities; and title services obligations.
Accounts and Notes Receivable
Accounts and notes receivable primarily consist of accrued premiums receivable due from our Mortgage Insurance customers, amounts billed and due from our Services customers for services our Services segment has performed, and profit commission receivable, if any, related to our reinsurance transactions. See Note 8 for details. Accounts and notes receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts, net of any allowance for doubtful accounts, and are periodically evaluated for collectability based on past payment history and current economic conditions. Accounts and notes receivable exclude unbilled receivables totaling $13.8 million, which represent receivables for services performed that are not yet billed. Unbilled receivables are presented in other assets.
Income Taxes
We provide for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of the accounting standard regarding accounting for income taxes. As required under this standard, our deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are recognized under the balance sheet method, which recognizes the future tax effect of temporary differences between the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements and the tax bases of these amounts. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which the deferred tax asset or deferred tax liability is expected to be realized or settled. In regards to accumulated other comprehensive income, the Company’s policy for releasing disproportionate income tax effects is to release the effects as individual items are sold.
We are required to establish a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. At each balance sheet date, we assess our need for a valuation allowance. Our assessment is based on all available evidence, both positive and negative. This requires management to exercise judgment and make assumptions regarding whether our deferred tax assets will be realized in future periods.
Our provision for income taxes for interim financial periods is based on an estimate of our annual effective tax rate for the full year. When estimating our full year effective tax rates, we adjust our forecasted pre-tax income for gains and losses on our investments, changes in the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, changes in our beginning of year valuation allowance, and other adjustments. The impact of these items is accounted for as Discrete Items at the applicable federal tax rate.
Reserve for Losses and LAE
We establish reserves to provide for losses and LAE, which include the estimated costs of settling claims in our Mortgage Insurance segment, in accordance with the accounting standard regarding accounting and reporting by insurance enterprises (ASC 944). Although this standard specifically excludes mortgage insurance from its guidance relating to the reserve for losses, because there is no specific guidance for mortgage insurance, we establish reserves for mortgage insurance as described below, using the guidance contained in this standard supplemented with other accounting guidance.
In our mortgage insurance business, the default and claim cycle begins with the receipt of a default notice from the loan servicer. Case reserves for losses are established upon receipt of notification from servicers that a borrower has missed two monthly payments, which is when we consider a loan to be in default for financial statement and internal tracking purposes. We also establish reserves for associated LAE, consisting of the estimated cost of the claims administration process, including legal and other fees and expenses associated with administering the claims process.
With respect to loans that are in default, considerable judgment is exercised as to the adequacy of reserve levels. We use an actuarial projection methodology referred to as a “roll rate” analysis that uses historical claim frequency information to determine the projected ultimate Default to Claim Rates based on the Stage of Default and Time in Default as well as the date that a loan goes into default. The Default to Claim Rate also includes our estimates with respect to expected Rescissions and Claim Denials, which have the effect of reducing our Default to Claim Rates.
After estimating the Default to Claim Rate, we estimate Claim Severity based on the average of recently observed severity rates within product type, type of insurance, and Time in Default cohorts. These average severity estimates are then applied to individual loan coverage amounts to determine reserves.
Estimating our case reserve for losses involves significant reliance upon assumptions and estimates with regard to the likelihood, magnitude and timing of each potential loss, including an estimate of the impact of our Loss Mitigation Activities. The models, assumptions and estimates we use to establish loss reserves may prove to be inaccurate, especially during an extended economic downturn or a period of extreme market volatility and uncertainty. As such, we cannot be certain that our reserve estimate will be adequate to cover ultimate losses on incurred defaults. This uncertainty requires management to use considerable judgment in estimating the rate at which these loans will result in claims.
We also establish reserves for defaults that we estimate have been incurred but have not been reported (“IBNR”) to us on a timely basis by the servicer, as well as for previous Rescissions, Claim Denials, and Claim Curtailments that we estimate will be reinstated and subsequently paid. We generally give the policyholder up to 30 days to challenge our decision to rescind coverage before we consider a policy to be rescinded and remove it from our defaulted inventory. We currently expect a significant percentage of claims that were denied to be resubmitted as a perfected claim and ultimately paid. All estimates are periodically reviewed and adjustments are made as they become necessary.
The impact to our reserve due to estimated future Loss Mitigation Activities incorporates our expectations regarding the number of policies that we expect to be reinstated as a result of our claims rebuttal process. Rescissions, Claim Denials and Claim Curtailments may occur for various reasons, including, without limitation, underwriting negligence, fraudulent applications and appraisals, breach of representations and warranties and inadequate documentation, primarily related to our insurance written in years prior to and including 2008.
We do not establish reserves for loans that are in default if we believe that we will not be liable for the payment of a claim with respect to that default. We generally do not establish loss reserves for expected future claims on insured mortgages that are not in default. See “—Reserve for Premium Deficiency below for an exception to these general principles.
Unless a liability associated with such activities or discussions becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated, we consider our claim payments and our Rescissions, Claim Denials and Claim Curtailments to be resolved for financial reporting purposes. Under the accounting standard regarding contingencies, an estimated loss is accrued only if we determine that the loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. For populations of disputed Rescissions, Claim Denials and Claim Curtailments where we determine that a settlement is probable and that a loss can be reasonably estimated, we reflect our best estimate of the expected loss related to the populations under discussion in our financial statements, primarily as a component of our IBNR reserve. While our reserves include our best estimate of such losses, the outcome of the discussions or potential legal proceedings that could ensue is uncertain, and it is reasonably possible that a loss exists in excess of the amount accrued.
Reserve for Premium Deficiency
Insurance enterprises are required to establish a PDR if the net present value of the expected future losses and expenses for a particular product line exceeds the net present value of expected future premiums and existing reserves for that product line. We reassess our expectations for premiums, losses and expenses for our mortgage insurance business at least quarterly and update our premium deficiency analyses accordingly. For our mortgage insurance business, we group our mortgage insurance products into two categories: first-lien and second-lien mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the combination of the net present value of our expected future premiums and existing reserves (net of reinsurance recoverables) significantly exceeded the net present value of our future expected losses and expenses associated with our first lien mortgage insurance portfolio. Our second-lien PDR, which was $0.2 million and $0.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018,
respectively, is recorded as a component of other liabilities.
Revenue Recognition—Insurance Premiums
Mortgage Insurance
Premiums on mortgage insurance products are written on a recurring basis, either as monthly or annual premiums, or on a multi-year basis as a single premium. Monthly premiums written are earned as coverage is provided each month. For certain monthly policies where the billing is deferred for the first month’s coverage period, currently to the end of the policy, we record a net premium receivable representing the present value of such deferred premiums that we estimate will be collected at that future date. As of December 31, 2019, this net premium receivable was $17.4 million, representing the present value of $78.4 million in contractual deferred monthly premiums, after adjustments for the estimated collectability and timing of future billing. We recognize changes in this receivable based on changes in the estimated amount and timing of such collections, including as a result of changes in observed trends as well as our periodic review of our operations and collections practices. Annual premiums written are initially recorded as unearned premiums and amortized on a monthly, straight-line basis.
Single premiums written are initially recorded as unearned premiums and earned over time based on the anticipated claim payment pattern, which includes historical industry experience and is updated periodically. During 2019, we updated the amortization rates due to the continuing increase in the significance of borrower-paid Single Premium Policies in our portfolio following our rate reductions on borrower-paid Single Premium Policies in 2018. Under HPA, most borrower-paid policies must be canceled automatically on the date the LTV is scheduled to reach 78% of the original value (or, if the loan is not current on that date, on the subsequent date that the loan becomes current). As a result, given the shift in our mix of Single Premium Policies toward more borrower-paid Single Premium Policies than lender-paid, the average anticipated term of our Single Premium IIF is declining compared to historical levels. We updated our analysis to reflect not only this anticipated effect of HPA cancellations on borrower-paid policies, but also changes in observed and projected loss patterns for both borrower-paid and lender-paid policies. Our results for 2019 include a $32.9 million increase in net premiums earned and a $0.12 increase in net income per share, resulting from a cumulative adjustment related to the updated amortization rates used to recognize revenue for Single Premium Policies.
When we rescind insurance coverage on a loan, we refund all premiums received in connection with such coverage. When insurance coverage on a loan is canceled due to claim payment, we refund all premiums received since the date of delinquency. When insurance coverage is cancelled for a reason other than Rescission or claim payment, all premium that is nonrefundable is immediately earned. Premium revenue is recognized net of our accrual for estimated premium refunds due to Rescissions or other factors, which accrual is presented in other liabilities.
With respect to our reinsurance transactions, ceded premiums written on an annual or multi-year basis are initially set up as prepaid reinsurance and are amortized in a manner consistent with the recognition of income on direct premiums.
Title Insurance
Title insurance premiums are typically due and earned in full when the real estate transaction is closed. Premiums generally are calculated with reference to the policy amount. The premium charged by a title insurer or an agent is subject to regulation in most areas. Such regulations vary from state to state.
Revenue Recognition—Services
The FASB issued an update to the accounting standard regarding revenue recognition, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from our contracts with customers to provide services. We adopted this update effective January 1, 2018,
using the modified retrospective approach. The principle of this update requires an entity to recognize revenue representing the transfer of services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those services, recognized as the performance obligations are satisfied.
This update is primarily applicable to revenues from our Services segment. This update did not change revenue recognition principles related to our investments and insurance products, which together represented the majority of our total revenue for 2018 and are subject to other GAAP guidance discussed elsewhere within our disclosures. See Note 1 “—Services” for information about the services we offer.
Revenue expected to be recognized in any future period related to remaining performance obligations, such as contracts where revenue is recognized as invoiced and contracts with variable consideration related to undelivered performance obligations, is not material.
Fee-for-Service Contracts
Generally, our contracts with our Services clients do not include minimum volume commitments and can be terminated at any time by our clients. Although some of our contracts and assignments are recurring in nature, and include repetitive monthly assignments, a portion of our engagements are transactional in nature. Due to the transactional nature of our business, our Services segment revenues may fluctuate from period to period as transactions are commenced or completed. We do not recognize revenue or expense related to amounts advanced by us and subsequently reimbursed by clients for maintenance or repairs, because we do not take control of the service prior to the client taking control. We record an expense if an advance is made by us that is not in accordance with a client contract, and the client is not obligated to reimburse us.
Due to the nature of the services provided, our Services arrangements with customers may include fixed price contracts, and to a lesser extent, percentage-of-sale contracts.
Fixed-Price Contracts. Following the Clayton sale, we use fixed-price contracts in our real estate valuation and asset management business activities, our title and closing services, as well as our services related to single family rental services and contract underwriting. Prior to the Clayton sale, we also used fixed-price contracts in our surveillance business for our servicer oversight services and RMBS surveillance services. Under fixed-price contracts we agree to perform the specified services and deliverables for a pre-determined per-unit or per-file price or day rate. Each service qualifies as a separate performance obligation and revenue is recognized as the service performed is made available to the client.
Percentage-of-Sale Contracts. Under percentage-of-sale contracts, we are paid a contractual percentage of the sale proceeds upon the sale of each property. These contracts are only used for a portion of our REO management services and our real estate brokerage services. In addition, through the use of our proprietary technology, property leads are sent to select clients. Revenue attributable to services provided under a percentage-of-sale contract is recognized over time and measured based on the progress to date and typically coincides with the client’s successful closing on the property. The revenue recognized for these transactions is based on a percentage of the sale.
In certain instances, fees are received at the time that an asset is assigned to Radian for management. These fees are recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized over time based on progress to date and the availability to customers.
Cost of Services
Cost of services consists primarily of costs paid to outside vendors, including real estate agents that provide valuation and related services, as well as data acquisition costs and other compensation-related expenses to maintain software application platforms that directly support our businesses. Cost of services also includes employee compensation and related payroll benefits, as well as corresponding travel and related expenses incurred in providing such services to clients in our Services segment. Cost of services does not include an allocation of overhead costs.
Leases
We determine if an arrangement includes a lease at inception, and if it does, we recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheet. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and are recognized net of any payments made or received from the lessor. Lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease and are based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. In determining the net present value of lease payments, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date or as of our date of adoption, January 1, 2019.
Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. For lease agreements entered into after the adoption of a new accounting standard in 2019, lease and non-lease components are generally not accounted for separately. For more information regarding this new accounting standard, see “—Recent Accounting PronouncementsAccounting Standards Adopted During 2019” below. We have elected the short-term exemption for contracts with lease terms of 12 months or less.
Our lease agreements primarily relate to operating leases for office space we use in our operations. Certain of our leases include renewal options and/or termination options that we did not consider in the determination of the right-of-use asset or the lease liability as we did not believe it was reasonably certain that we would exercise such options. Our lease agreements do not contain any variable lease payments, material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
Reinsurance
We cede insurance risk through the use of reinsurance contracts and follow reinsurance accounting for those transactions where significant risk is transferred. Loss reserves and unearned premiums are established before consideration is given to amounts related to our reinsurance agreements.
In accordance with the terms of the Single Premium QSR Program, rather than making a cash payment or transferring investments for ceded premiums written, Radian Guaranty holds the related amounts to collateralize the reinsurers’ obligations and has established a corresponding funds withheld liability. Any loss recoveries and any potential profit commission to Radian Guaranty will be realized from this account. The reinsurers’ share of earned premiums is paid from this account on a quarterly basis. This liability also includes an interest credit on funds withheld, which is recorded as ceded premiums at a rate specified in the agreement and, depending on experience under the contract, may be paid to either Radian Guaranty or the reinsurers. The ceding commission earned for premiums ceded pursuant to this transaction is attributable to other underwriting costs (including any related deferred policy acquisition costs). The unamortized portion of the ceding commission in excess of our related acquisition cost is reflected in other liabilities. Ceded premiums written are recorded on the balance sheet as prepaid reinsurance premiums and amortized to ceded premiums earned in a manner consistent with the recognition of income on direct premiums. See Note 8 for further discussion of our reinsurance transactions.
Variable Interest Entity
In connection with our reinsurance programs for our mortgage insurance business, we may enter into contracts with variable interest entities (“VIEs”). VIEs include corporations, trusts or partnerships in which: (i) the entity has insufficient equity at risk to allow it to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or (ii) at-risk equity holders, as a group, do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest.
We perform an evaluation to determine whether we are required to consolidate the VIE’s assets and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements, based on whether we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the variable interest holder that is determined to have the controlling financial interest as a result of having both: (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits from the VIE that potentially could be significant to the VIE. See Note 8 for additional information.
Goodwill and Other Acquired Intangible Assets, Net
Goodwill and other acquired intangible assets were established in connection with acquisitions. Goodwill is an asset representing the estimated future economic benefits arising from the assets we have acquired that were not individually identified and separately recognized, and includes the value of discounted expected future cash flows of the entities acquired, the workforce, and expected synergies with our other affiliates and other unidentifiable intangible assets. Goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite useful life and is subject to review for impairment annually, or more frequently, whenever circumstances indicate potential impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit represents a business for which discrete financial information is available; more than one reporting unit may be aggregated into a single reporting unit if they have similar economic characteristics. We have concluded that we have one reporting unit, the Services segment, for purposes of our goodwill impairment assessment. Events that could result in an interim assessment of goodwill impairment and/or a potential impairment charge include, but are not limited to: (i) a more-likely-than-not expectation of selling or disposing of all, or a portion, of a reporting unit; (ii) significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results; (iii) significant changes in the strategy for the Services segment; (iv) significant negative industry or economic trends; and (v) a decline in Radian’s market capitalization below book value if such decline is attributable to the Services segment. Management
regularly updates certain assumptions related to our projections, including the likelihood of achieving the assumed potential revenues from new initiatives and business strategies, and if these or other items have a significant negative impact on the reporting unit’s projections we may perform additional analysis to determine whether an impairment charge is needed. Lower earnings over sustained periods also can lead to impairment of goodwill, which could result in a charge to earnings. The value of goodwill is primarily supported by revenue projections, which are mostly driven by projected transaction volume and margins.
Acquired intangible assets, other than goodwill, primarily consist of customer relationships and represents the value of the specifically acquired customer relationships and are valued using the excess earnings approach using estimated client revenues, attrition rates, implied royalty rates and discount rates. The excess earnings approach estimates the present value of expected earnings in excess of a traditional return on business assets. For financial reporting purposes, intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their applicable estimated useful lives in a manner that approximates the pattern of expected economic benefit from each intangible asset.
The calculation of the estimated fair value of goodwill and other acquired intangibles is performed primarily using an income approach and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions that are highly subjective in nature, such as attrition rates, discount rates, future expected cash flows and market conditions. The most significant assumptions relate to the valuation of customer relationships. Our estimates are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. For more information on our accounting for goodwill and other acquired intangibles, including our impairment analysis policy, see Note 7.
Internal-use software, Property and Equipment
We capitalize certain costs associated with the development of internal-use software and the purchase of property and equipment. Software, property and equipment are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Amortization and depreciation commence during the month of our placement of the assets into use. Amortization and depreciation are calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the respective assets, typically from three to seven years, unless factors indicate a shorter useful life. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the asset improved or the remaining term of the lease. See Note 9 for additional information.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Incremental, direct costs associated with the successful acquisition of mortgage insurance policies, consisting of compensation, premium tax, and other policy issuance and underwriting expenses, are initially deferred and reported as deferred policy acquisition costs. Consistent with industry accounting practice, amortization of these costs for each underwriting year book of business is recognized in proportion to estimated gross profits over the estimated life of the policies.
Estimated gross profits are composed of earned premium, interest income, losses and LAE. Estimates of expected gross profit, including the Persistency Rate and loss development assumptions for each underwriting year used as a basis for amortization, are evaluated quarterly and the total amortization recorded to date is adjusted by a charge or credit to our consolidated statements of operations if actual experience or other evidence suggests that previous estimates should be revised. Considerable judgment is used in evaluating these estimates and the assumptions on which they are based. The use of different assumptions may have a significant effect on the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. Ceding commissions received under our reinsurance arrangements related to these costs are also deferred and accounted for using similar assumptions. See Notes 8 and 9 for additional information.
Earnings per Share
Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, while diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and the weighted-average number of dilutive potential common shares. Dilutive potential common shares relate primarily to our share-based compensation arrangements. For all calculations, the determination of whether potential common shares are dilutive or anti-dilutive is based on net income.
Accounting for Share-Based Compensation
The stock-based compensation cost related to share-based equity instruments is measured based on the grant-date fair value at the date of issuance. For share-based awards with performance conditions related to our own operations, the expense
recognized is dependent on the probability of the performance measure being achieved. Compensation cost is generally recognized over the periods that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. See Note 15 for further information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Adopted During 2019
We adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases, on January 1, 2019. Most significantly, this update requires a lessee to recognize, as of the lease commencement date, a liability to make lease payments and an asset with respect to its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. Upon adoption for contracts in effect as of January 1, 2019, we recorded a lease liability of $73.5 million within other liabilities, and a right-of-use asset of $49.4 million within other assets, corresponding to the lease liability as adjusted for deferred rent and unamortized allowances and incentives of $24.1 million. We elected the optional transition method and the practical expedients for transitioning existing leases to the new standard as of the effective date. As a result of applying the practical expedients: (i) we did not reassess expired or existing contracts to determine if they contain additional leases; (ii) we did not reassess the lease classification for expired and existing leases; and (iii) we did not reassess initial direct costs for existing leases. Prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under previous lease guidance. We do not have material sublease agreements. As of December 31, 2019, there were no leases that had not yet commenced but that created significant rights and obligations for us. See Note 13 for more information about our lease agreements.
We adopted ASU 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, on January 1, 2019. The new standard requires certain premiums on purchased callable debt securities to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amortization period for callable debt securities purchased at a discount will not be impacted. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software. This ASU requires the capitalization of implementation costs for activities performed in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The new standard aligns the accounting for implementation costs of hosting arrangements that are service contracts with the accounting for capitalizing internal-use software. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We elected to early adopt this update effective December 31, 2019. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance. This ASU and the associated subsequent amendments require that financial assets measured at their amortized cost basis be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Credit losses relating to our available-for-sale debt securities are to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses, rather than a write-down of the asset, with the amount of the allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is less than amortized cost. This allowance method will allow reversals of credit losses if the estimate of credit losses declines. This ASU will also affect certain of our accounts and notes receivable, including premiums receivable, and certain of our other assets, including reinsurance recoverables. However, this ASU is not applicable to the accounting for insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses. Due to the nature of our assets affected by this update, we do not expect it to have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures. This update is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We will adopt this standard effective January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective adoption approach. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-12, Financial Services-Insurance. The new standard: (i) requires that assumptions used to measure the liability for future policy benefits be reviewed at least annually; (ii) defines and simplifies the measurement of market risk benefits; (iii) simplifies the amortization of deferred acquisition costs; and (iv) enhances the required disclosures about long-duration contracts. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact on our financial statements and future disclosures as a result of this update.
In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements related to Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Derivatives and Hedging, and Financial Instruments. This update to the accounting standards regarding financial instruments and derivatives and hedging clarifies the accounting treatment for the measurement of credit losses and provides further clarification on previously issued updates. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We will adopt this standard effective January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective adoption approach. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.