Investments | Investments The Company’s available-for-sale fixed maturity securities are summarized as follows: Cost or Gross Gross Fair (in thousands) September 30, 2024 Fixed maturity securities: State and municipal $ 222,272 $ 1,332 $ (20,546) $ 203,058 Residential mortgage-backed 350,155 2,230 (14,275) 338,110 Corporate 479,653 4,188 (20,135) 463,706 Commercial mortgage and asset-backed 195,925 306 (7,005) 189,226 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government 21,413 35 (304) 21,144 Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale $ 1,269,418 $ 8,091 $ (62,265) $ 1,215,244 December 31, 2023 Fixed maturity securities: State and municipal $ 273,462 $ 1,834 $ (26,459) $ 248,837 Residential mortgage-backed 336,064 1,243 (19,379) 317,928 Corporate 530,408 4,167 (28,847) 505,728 Commercial mortgage and asset-backed 235,302 78 (12,527) 222,853 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government 29,900 8 (778) 29,130 Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale $ 1,405,136 $ 7,330 $ (87,990) $ 1,324,476 The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale investments in fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2024 are summarized, by contractual maturity, as follows: Cost or Fair (in thousands) One year or less $ 19,640 $ 19,456 After one year through five years 329,396 327,214 After five years through ten years 239,132 222,779 After ten years 135,170 118,459 Residential mortgage-backed 350,155 338,110 Commercial mortgage and asset-backed 195,925 189,226 Total $ 1,269,418 $ 1,215,244 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 Months 12 Months or More Total Fair Gross Fair Gross Fair Gross (in thousands) September 30, 2024 Fixed maturity securities: State and municipal $ 7,903 $ (113) $ 153,391 $ (20,433) $ 161,294 $ (20,546) Residential mortgage-backed 76,799 (211) 150,760 (14,064) 227,559 (14,275) Corporate 50,176 (244) 232,435 (19,891) 282,611 (20,135) Commercial mortgage and asset-backed 4,700 (6) 116,043 (6,999) 120,743 (7,005) U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government — — 12,409 (304) 12,409 (304) Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale $ 139,578 $ (574) $ 665,038 $ (61,691) $ 804,616 $ (62,265) December 31, 2023 Fixed maturity securities: State and municipal $ 30,196 $ (287) $ 168,517 $ (26,172) $ 198,713 $ (26,459) Residential mortgage-backed 68,497 (1,256) 145,954 (18,123) 214,451 (19,379) Corporate 55,970 (532) 290,308 (28,315) 346,278 (28,847) Commercial mortgage and asset-backed 24,048 (151) 182,295 (12,376) 206,343 (12,527) U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government 7,961 (71) 19,889 (707) 27,850 (778) Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale $ 186,672 $ (2,297) $ 806,963 $ (85,693) $ 993,635 $ (87,990) At September 30, 2024, the Company held fixed maturity securities of 397 issuers that were in an unrealized loss position with a total fair value of $804.6 million and gross unrealized losses of $62.3 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, 2024, 99.9% 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. The Company holds one fixed maturity security that is not rated by Standard & Poor's or another nationally recognized rating agency with a fair value of $151,000. The Company reviews its available-for-sale fixed maturities to determine whether unrealized losses 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 n et realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments . Unrealized losses that are not credit-related are 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, 2024, December 31, 2023, or September 30, 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, management recognized an impairment loss of $207,000 for one fixed maturity security due to the Company’s inability to hold the security until a recovery in its value to the amortized cost basis. For the remainder of securities in an unrealized loss position, management does not intend to sell the securities, 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. The Company elected the fair value option to account for bank loan participations. 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 the income statement as net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. 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, 2024, the Company's bank loan portfolio had an aggregate fair value of $149.1 million and unpaid principal of $157.3 million. Investment income on bank loan participations included in net investment income was $4.1 million and $13.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively ( $4.3 million and $7.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively) . Net realized and unrealized losses on bank loan participations were $2.0 million and $3.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively (gains of $2.6 million and $4.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively) . For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, management concluded that $654,000 and $2.5 million of the net realized and unrealized losses were due to credit-related impairments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , management concluded that $153,000 of the net realized and unrealized losses 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, 2024 or December 31, 2023. The Company’s net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are summarized as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2024 2023 2024 2023 (in thousands) Fixed maturity securities: Gross realized gains $ 46 $ — $ 1,589 $ — Gross realized losses (152) (307) (2,804) (334) (106) (307) (1,215) (334) Bank loan participations: Gross realized gains 135 140 666 182 Gross realized losses (1,186) (577) (2,447) (3,286) Changes in fair values of bank loan participations (922) 3,007 (1,316) 7,740 (1,973) 2,570 (3,097) 4,636 Equity securities: Gross realized gains 1,087 349 2,634 1,280 Gross realized losses (2) (2) (179) (269) Changes in fair values of equity securities 5,145 (1,897) 8,286 (2,809) 6,230 (1,550) 10,741 (1,798) Short-term investments and other: Gross realized gains — — — 2 Gross realized losses — (1) — (19) Changes in fair values of short-term investments and other (1) — (1) — (1) (1) (1) (17) Total $ 4,150 $ 712 $ 6,428 $ 2,487 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 private debt. Carrying Value Investment Income September 30, December 31, Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 (in thousands) Renewable energy LLCs (a) Excess and Surplus Lines $ 7,454 $ 8,382 $ 548 $ 98 $ 1,210 $ 796 Corporate & Other — — — — 293 170 7,454 8,382 548 98 1,503 966 Renewable energy notes receivable ( b) Excess and Surplus Lines — 608 — 18 61 90 Corporate & Other — 761 — 23 77 113 — 1,369 — 41 138 203 Limited partnerships (c) Excess and Surplus Lines 13,971 11,914 1,050 (171) 1,452 450 Corporate & Other 464 664 — — — — 14,435 12,578 1,050 (171) 1,452 450 Private Debt (d) Excess and Surplus Lines 14,043 10,805 158 59 427 231 Corporate & Other — — — — — — 14,043 10,805 158 59 427 231 Total other invested assets Excess and Surplus Lines 35,468 31,709 1,756 4 3,150 1,567 Corporate & Other 464 1,425 — 23 370 283 $ 35,932 $ 33,134 $ 1,756 $ 27 $ 3,520 $ 1,850 (a) The Company's Excess and Surplus Lines segment owns equity interests ranging from 3.7% to 5.1% in various LLCs whose principal objective is capital appreciation and income generation from owning and operating renewable energy production facilities (wind and solar). The Company's former Non-Executive Chairman 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. The Company received cash distributions from these investments totaling $439,000 and $50,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the underlying projects in two of our LLCs were sold at the manager's discretion. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company received additional proceeds from the sales of $1.2 million comprised of $984,000 in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and $170,000 in the Corporate and Other segment. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company received additional proceeds from the sale of $2.0 million comprised of $1.7 million in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and $293,000 in the Corporate and Other segment. (b) The Company's Excess and Surplus Lines and Corporate and Other segments invested in two notes receivable for renewable energy projects. Interest on the notes was fixed at 12%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 , the Company received final principal repayments of $608,000 and $761,000 on the notes receivable in the Company's Excess and Surplus Lines segment and Corporate and Other segment, respectively. (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, specialty private credit, and tranches of distressed home loans. Income f rom the partnerships is recognized under the equity method of accounting. At September 30, 2024, the Company’s Excess and Surplus Lines segment has outstanding commitments to invest another $5.0 million in the limited partnerships. (d) The Company's Excess and Surplus Lines segment has invested in two notes receivable for structured private specialty credit. Interest on the notes, which mature in 2031, is fixed at 4.25% and 5.25%. At September 30, 2024, the Company’s Excess and Surplus Lines segment has outstanding commitments to invest another $2.3 million in these notes. Previously, the Company's Excess and Surplus Lines segment held $4.5 million of subordinated notes issued by a bank holding company for which the former Non-Executive Chairman of the Company was previously the Lead Independent Director and an investor. T he notes matured on August 12, 2023. Interest on the notes was fixed at 7.6% per annum. |