For further information, see Part II, Item 8, “ Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 6, Reinsurance. ” Enterprise Risk Management We have established enterprise wide policies, procedures and processes to allow us to identify, assess, monitor and manage credit market and operational risks in our business, as well as other risks discussed below in Item 1A, " Risk Factors ." Management of these risks is an interdepartmental endeavor including specific operational responsibilities and ongoing senior management and compliance personnel oversight.
For further information, see Part II, Item 8, “ Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 6, Reinsurance. ” Enterprise Risk Management We have established enterprise wide policies, procedures and processes to allow us to identify, assess, monitor and manage credit market and operational risks in our business, as well as other risks discussed below in Item 1A, “ Risk Factors .” Management of these risks is an interdepartmental endeavor including specific operational responsibilities and ongoing senior management and compliance personnel oversight.
The risk-based required asset amount is a function of the risk profile of an approved insurer's RIF, assessed on a loan-by-loan basis and considered against certain risk-based factors derived from tables set out in the PMIERs to gross RIF, which is then adjusted on an aggregate basis for reinsurance transactions approved by the GSEs, such as with respect to our ILN Transactions, QSR Transactions and XOL Transactions.
The risk-based required asset amount is a function of the risk profile of an approved insurer's RIF, assessed on a loan-by-loan basis and considered against certain risk-based factors derived from tables set out in the PMIERs to gross RIF, which is then adjusted on an aggregate basis for reinsurance transactions approved by the GSEs, such as with respect to our QSR Transactions, XOL Transactions and ILN Transactions.
Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgage Rules The CFPB issued final regulations, effective in 2014 and subsequently revised, requiring a residential mortgage loan originator to make a good faith determination, at the time a loan is originated, that the consumer has a reasonable ability to repay the loan (ATR).
Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgage Rules The CFPB issued final regulations, effective in 2014 and subsequently revised, requiring a residential mortgage loan originator to make a good faith determination, at the time a loan is originated, that the consumer has a reasonable ATR the loan.
Credit Market Risk We have implemented a complementary range of strategies to actively monitor and manage the credit performance of our insured portfolio, including: • establishing prudential underwriting standards and loan-level eligibility matrices which describe the maximum LTV, minimum FICO, maximum borrower DTI ratio, maximum loan size, property type and occupancy status of loans that we will insure, and memorializing these standards and eligibility matrices in our underwriting guidelines; • conducting diligence of our lender customers before and after we formally engage with them to ensure they have appropriate financial resources, operational capabilities, management experience and a track record of strong origination quality, and subjecting them to well-defined parameters regarding underwriting delegation status, credit guideline requirements and, on a more limited basis, variances; • implementing a quality control process to ensure ongoing adherence with our underwriting guidelines and eligibility criteria, under which our quality control group performs audits of insured loans identified on a random, 13 high risk and targeted basis to measure the quality of the underwriting decision and loan closing process, and specifically assess the accuracy and adequacy of the information and documentation used to underwrite our MI; • setting concentration limits to regulate the aggregation of loan-level risks in our overall portfolio and manage our overall portfolio exposure to certain risk classes that typically experience greater volatility and loss during periods of economic and housing market downturns, such as higher LTV loans, loans with higher borrower DTIs, investor loans, cash-out refinances, certain state concentration levels and several other borrower or loan attributes; • individually underwriting the majority of the loans we insure through our non-delegated platform and DAR validation process, in order to evaluate borrower and loan-level risk characteristics on an individual policy level, and monitor and assess the manufacturing capabilities of our lender customers in order to provide them feedback to help enhance their own production and control processes; • designing, developing and deploying Rate GPS ® , our proprietary risk-based pricing platform, to dynamically consider a granular set of risk attributes in our policy pricing process and assign individualized premium rates based on the relative risk and anticipated performance of each loan we insure; • further utilizing Rate GPS ® to actively manage the flow of business into our portfolio and target loans with higher quality risk characteristics that typically experience lower volatility and loss across market cycles; and • securing reinsurance coverage under quota share and excess-of-loss transactions that are structured to absorb losses in periods of economic and/or housing market stress and, in doing so, mitigate the impact of credit volatility on our financial results.
Credit Market Risk We have implemented a complementary range of strategies to actively monitor and manage the credit performance of our insured portfolio, including: • establishing prudential underwriting standards and loan-level eligibility matrices which describe the maximum LTV, minimum FICO, maximum borrower DTI ratio, maximum loan size, property type and occupancy status of loans that we will insure, and memorializing these standards and eligibility matrices in our underwriting guidelines; • conducting diligence of our lender customers before and after we formally engage with them to ensure they have appropriate financial resources, operational capabilities, management experience and a track record of strong origination quality, and subjecting them to well-defined parameters regarding underwriting delegation status, credit guideline requirements and, on a more limited basis, variances; • implementing a quality control process to ensure ongoing adherence with our underwriting guidelines and eligibility criteria, under which our quality control group performs audits of insured loans identified on a random, high risk and targeted basis to measure the quality of the underwriting decision and loan closing process, and specifically assess the accuracy and adequacy of the information and documentation used to underwrite our MI; • setting concentration limits to regulate the aggregation of loan-level risks in our overall portfolio and manage our overall portfolio exposure to certain risk classes that typically experience greater volatility and loss during periods of economic and housing market downturns, such as higher LTV loans, loans with higher borrower DTIs, investor loans, cash-out refinances, certain state concentration levels and several other borrower or loan attributes; 15 • individually underwriting the majority of the loans we insure through our non-delegated platform and DAR validation process, in order to evaluate borrower and loan-level risk characteristics on an individual policy level, and monitor and assess the manufacturing capabilities of our lender customers in order to provide them feedback to help enhance their own production and control processes; • designing, developing and deploying Rate GPS ® , our proprietary risk-based pricing platform, to dynamically consider a granular set of risk attributes in our policy pricing process and assign individualized premium rates based on the relative risk and anticipated performance of each loan we insure; • further utilizing Rate GPS ® to actively manage the flow of business into our portfolio and target loans with higher-quality risk characteristics that typically experience lower volatility and loss across market cycles; and • securing reinsurance coverage under quota share and excess-of-loss transactions that are structured to absorb losses in periods of economic and/or housing market stress and, in doing so, mitigate the impact of credit volatility on our financial results.
Among other things, these laws and their implementing regulations prohibit payments for referrals of real estate settlement service business, require fairness and non-discrimination in granting or facilitating the granting of credit and insurance, govern the circumstances under which companies may obtain and use consumer credit information, establish standards for cancellation of BPMI, define the manner in which companies may pursue collection activities, require disclosures of the cost of credit and provide for other consumer protections.
Among other things, these laws and their implementing regulations prohibit payments for referrals of real estate settlement service business, require fairness and non-discrimination in granting or facilitating the granting of credit, govern the circumstances under which companies may obtain and use consumer credit information, establish standards for cancellation of BPMI, define the manner in which companies may pursue collection activities, require disclosures of the cost of credit and provide for other consumer protections.
In general, state insurance regulation of our business relates to: • licenses to transact business; • producer licensing; • policy forms; • premium rates; • insurable loans; • annual and quarterly financial reports prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles; • determination of loss, unearned premium and contingency reserves; • minimum capital levels and adequacy ratios; • affiliate transactions; • reinsurance transactions and related requirements; • limitations on the types of investment instruments which may be held in an investment portfolio; • the size of risks and limits on coverage of individual risks which may be insured; • special deposits of securities; • stockholder dividends; 18 • insurance policy sales practices; • privacy and cybersecurity; • enterprise risk management; • advertising compliance; • restrictions on transactions that have the effect of inducing lenders to place business with NMIC; and • claims handling.
In general, state insurance regulation of our business relates to: • licenses to transact business; • producer licensing; • policy forms; • premium rates; • insurable loans; • annual and quarterly financial reports prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles; • determination of loss, unearned premium and contingency reserves; • minimum capital levels and adequacy ratios; • affiliate transactions; • reinsurance transactions and related requirements; • limitations on the types of investment instruments which may be held in an investment portfolio; • the size of risks and limits on coverage of individual risks which may be insured; • special deposits of securities; • stockholder dividends; • insurance policy sales practices; 20 • privacy and cybersecurity; • enterprise risk management; • advertising compliance; • restrictions on transactions that have the effect of inducing lenders to place business with NMIC; and • claims handling.
On March 16, 2022, the FHFA adopted the final rule (effective May 16, 2022) (2022 ERCF amendment) that amended the enterprise regulatory capital framework by refining the prescribed leverage buffer amount and credit risk transfer (CRT) securitization framework for the GSEs, which reduced the amount of capital the GSEs are required to hold, including by increasing the capital credit the GSEs receive for the credit risk that they distribute.
On March 16, 2022, the FHFA adopted the final rule (effective May 16, 2022) (2022 ERCF amendment) that amended the enterprise regulatory capital framework by refining the prescribed leverage buffer amount and CRT securitization framework for the GSEs, which reduced the amount of capital the GSEs are required to hold, including by increasing the capital credit the GSEs receive for the credit risk that they distribute.
We intend to continue to promote legislative and regulatory policies that support a viable and competitive private MI industry and a well-functioning U.S. housing finance system. We are a member of U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI ® ), an organization formed to promote the use of private MI as a credit risk mitigant in the U.S. residential mortgage market.
We intend to continue to promote legislative and regulatory policies that support a viable and competitive private MI industry and a well-functioning U.S. housing finance system. We are a member of USMI ® , an organization formed to promote the use of private MI as a credit risk mitigant in the U.S. residential mortgage market.
We have adopted certain policies and procedures, and risk management and security practices designed to facilitate our compliance with these federal and state privacy and information security laws. 25 Fair Credit Reporting Act FCRA imposes restrictions on the permissible use of credit report information. The CFPB and FTC each have authority to enforce FCRA.
We have adopted certain policies and procedures, and risk management and security practices designed to facilitate our compliance with these federal and state privacy and information security laws. Fair Credit Reporting Act FCRA imposes restrictions on the permissible use of credit report information. The CFPB and FTC each have authority to enforce FCRA.
We also review the qualifications of each individual underwriter assigned by our USPs to service our account and provide them with NMI specific systems and guideline training to ensure they have the necessary training to render underwriting decisions consistent with our underwriting guidelines and credit policies.
We also review the qualifications of each individual underwriter assigned by our USPs to service our account and 11 provide them with NMI specific systems and guideline training to ensure they have the necessary training to render underwriting decisions consistent with our underwriting guidelines and credit policies.
There are, however, a number of National Account lenders who opt for a decentralized approach and a number of Regional Account lenders who opt for a centralized approach. 8 The GSEs, as major purchasers of conventional mortgage loans in the U.S., are the primary beneficiaries of our mortgage insurance coverage.
There are, however, a number of National Account lenders who opt for a decentralized approach and a number of Regional Account lenders who opt for a centralized approach. The GSEs, as major purchasers of conventional mortgage loans in the U.S., are the primary beneficiaries of our mortgage insurance coverage.
The incidence of default is affected by a variety of factors, many of which are unforeseen, including a borrowers' loss of income, unemployment, divorce, illness or death. Defaults that are not cured result in a claim to us.
The incidence of default is 13 affected by a variety of factors, many of which are unforeseen, including a borrowers' loss of income, unemployment, divorce, illness or death. Defaults that are not cured result in a claim to us.
The amendments also imposed specific conditions required for the GSEs to exit conservatorship, including the resolution or settlement of all material litigation relating to the conservatorship, and each GSE achieving common equity tier 1 capital of at least 3% of its total assets. 21 On September 14, 2021, the FHFA together with the Treasury Department announced the suspension of certain portions of the 2021 PSPA amendments, specifically those limiting certain GSE lending activities, and that would, among other things, reduce the amount of capital the GSEs are required to hold.
The amendments also imposed specific conditions required for the GSEs to exit conservatorship, including the resolution or settlement of all material litigation relating to the conservatorship, and each GSE achieving common equity tier 1 capital of at least 3% of its total assets. 23 On September 14, 2021, the FHFA together with the Treasury Department announced the suspension of certain portions of the 2021 PSPA amendments, specifically those limiting certain GSE lending activities, and that would, among other things, reduce the amount of capital the GSEs are required to hold.
Private industry participants include national and regional mortgage banks, money center banks, mortgage brokers, community banks, builder-owned mortgage lenders, internet-sourced lenders, commercial, regional and investment banks, savings 5 institutions, credit unions, real estate investment trusts and other financial institutions.
Private industry participants include national and regional mortgage banks, money center banks, mortgage brokers, community banks, builder-owned mortgage lenders, internet-sourced lenders, commercial, regional and investment banks, savings institutions, credit unions, real estate investment trusts and other financial institutions.
We understand that the primary purpose underlying this restriction, which is referred to in the industry as a "monoline" requirement, is to make it easier for regulators to assess the overall risk in a mortgage insurer's insurance portfolio, to determine its capital adequacy under varying economic scenarios and to prevent the depletion of capital due to the diversion of financial resources in support of non-MI lines of business.
We understand that the primary purpose underlying this restriction, which is referred to in the industry as a “monoline” requirement, is to make it easier for regulators to assess the overall risk in a mortgage insurer's insurance portfolio, to determine its capital adequacy under varying economic scenarios and to prevent the depletion of capital due to the diversion of financial resources in support of non-MI lines of business.
The passage of FHA reform legislation in either the House or Senate, and how differences in proposed reforms between the House and Senate might be resolved in any final legislation, remain uncertain. 22 The Dodd-Frank Act The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act) amended certain provisions of TILA, RESPA and other statutes that have had a significant impact on our business and the residential mortgage market.
The passage of FHA reform legislation in either the House or Senate, and how differences in proposed reforms between the House and Senate might be resolved in any final legislation, remain uncertain. 24 The Dodd-Frank Act The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act) amended certain provisions of TILA, RESPA and other statutes that have had a significant impact on our business and the residential mortgage market.
Fluctuations in refinancing volume (driven by changes in prevailing mortgage rates) may serve to mute or magnify the seasonal effect of home purchase patterns on mortgage insurance NIW. Independent Validation and Rescission Relief We offer post-close underwriting reviews, which we refer to as "independent validations," for both non-delegated and delegated loans, as described below.
Fluctuations in refinancing volume (driven by changes in prevailing mortgage rates) may serve to mute or magnify the seasonal effect of home purchase patterns on mortgage insurance NIW. Independent Validation and Rescission Relief We offer post-close underwriting reviews, which we refer to as “independent validations,” for both non-delegated and delegated loans, as described below.
An asset charge is calculated for each insured loan based on its risk profile. In general, higher quality loans carry lower charges. 17 Under the PMIERs, approved insurers must maintain available assets that equal or exceed minimum required assets , which is an amount equal to the greater of (i) $400 million or (ii) a total risk-based required asset amount.
An asset charge is calculated for each insured loan based on its risk profile. In general, higher-quality loans carry lower charges. Under the PMIERs, approved insurers must maintain available assets that equal or exceed minimum required assets , 19 which is an amount equal to the greater of (i) $400 million or (ii) a total risk-based required asset amount.
MI plays a critical role in the U.S. housing market by mitigating mortgage credit risk and facilitating the secondary market sale of high loan-to-value (LTV) ( i.e., above 80%) residential loans to the GSEs, who are otherwise restricted by their charters from purchasing or guaranteeing high-LTV mortgages that are not covered by certain credit protections.
MI plays a critical role in the U.S. housing market by mitigating mortgage credit risk and facilitating the secondary market sale of high-LTV ( i.e., above 80%) residential loans to the GSEs, who are otherwise restricted by their charters from purchasing or guaranteeing high-LTV mortgages that are not covered by certain credit protections.
Information contained or referenced on our website is not incorporated by reference into, and does not form a part of, this report. 16 U.S. MORTGAGE INSURANCE REGULATION As discussed below, private mortgage insurers operating in the U.S. are subject to comprehensive state and federal regulation and to significant oversight by the GSEs, the primary beneficiaries of our insurance coverage.
Information contained or referenced on our website is not incorporated by reference into, and does not form a part of, this report. 18 U.S. MORTGAGE INSURANCE REGULATION As discussed below, private mortgage insurers operating in the U.S. are subject to comprehensive state and federal regulation and to significant oversight by the GSEs, the primary beneficiaries of our insurance coverage.
These are typically referred to as “risk-to-capital (RTC) requirements.” While formulations of minimum capital may vary in certain jurisdictions, the most common measure applied allows for a maximum permitted RTC ratio of 25:1. Wisconsin has formula-based limits that generally result in RTC limits slightly higher than the 25:1 ratio. We compute the RTC ratio for NMIC.
These are typically referred to as “RTC requirements.” While formulations of minimum capital may vary in certain jurisdictions, the most common measure applied allows for a maximum permitted RTC ratio of 25:1. Wisconsin has formula-based limits that generally result in RTC limits slightly higher than the 25:1 ratio. We compute the RTC ratio for NMIC.
If BPMI coverage is not canceled at the borrower's request or by the automatic termination provision, the mortgage servicer must terminate such BPMI coverage by the first day of the month following the date that is the midpoint of the loan's amortization, assuming the borrower is current on the required mortgage payments. 24 Section 8 of RESPA Section 8 of RESPA applies to most residential mortgages insured by us.
If BPMI coverage is not canceled at the borrower's request or by the automatic termination provision, the mortgage servicer must terminate such BPMI coverage by the first day of the month following the date that is the midpoint of the loan's amortization, assuming the borrower is current on the required mortgage payments. 26 Section 8 of RESPA Section 8 of RESPA applies to most residential mortgages insured by us.
Government participants include government agencies such as the government MIs ( e.g. , FHA, USDA and VA) and Ginnie Mae, as well as government-sponsored enterprises, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Government participants include 7 government agencies such as the government MIs ( e.g. , FHA, USDA and VA) and Ginnie Mae, as well as government-sponsored enterprises, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
We certified to the GSEs by April 15, 2024 that NMIC was in full compliance with the PMIERs as of December 31, 2023. NMIC also has an ongoing obligation to immediately notify the GSEs in writing upon discovery of a failure to meet one or more PMIERs requirements. We continuously monitor NMIC's compliance with the PMIERs.
We certified to the GSEs by April 15, 2025 that NMIC was in full compliance with the PMIERs as of December 31, 2024. NMIC also has an ongoing obligation to immediately notify the GSEs in writing upon discovery of a failure to meet one or more PMIERs requirements. We continuously monitor NMIC's compliance with the PMIERs.
Revenues from our customers have been generated in the U.S. only. Customers exceeding 10% of consolidated revenues No individual customer accounted for greater than 10% of our consolidated revenues in 2024. Sales and Marketing Our sales and marketing efforts are designed to help us establish and maintain high-quality customer relationships.
Revenues from our customers have been generated in the U.S. only. 10 Customers exceeding 10% of consolidated revenues No individual customer accounted for greater than 10% of our consolidated revenues in 2025. Sales and Marketing Our sales and marketing efforts are designed to help us establish and maintain high-quality customer relationships.
Policies with premium payments made by the borrower are referred to as borrower-paid mortgage insurance (BPMI) and those with premium payments made by the lender are referred to as lender-paid mortgage insurance (LPMI). Lenders may structure loans to recover LPMI premiums from borrowers, including through increases in mortgage note rates or higher origination fees.
Policies with premium payments made by the borrower are referred to as BPMI and those with premium payments made by the lender are referred to as LPMI. Lenders may structure loans to recover LPMI premiums from borrowers, including through increases in mortgage note rates or higher origination fees.
On September 9, 2022, the U.S. banking regulators announced their intent to revise U.S. 23 regulatory capital requirements to align them with Basel IV. On July 27, 2023, the U.S. banking regulators jointly issued a proposed rule that would revise large bank capital requirements.
On September 9, 2022, the U.S. banking regulators announced their intent to revise U.S. regulatory capital requirements to align them with Basel IV. On July 27, 2023, the U.S. banking regulators jointly issued a 25 proposed rule that would revise large bank capital requirements.
In addition, our insurance subsidiaries may make or 19 pay “extraordinary” stockholder dividends ( i.e. , amounts in excess of ordinary dividends) only with the prior approval of the Wisconsin OCI. In addition to Wisconsin, other states may limit or restrict our insurance subsidiaries' ability to pay stockholder dividends.
In addition, our insurance subsidiaries may make or pay “extraordinary” stockholder dividends ( i.e. , amounts in excess of ordinary dividends) only with the prior approval of the Wisconsin OCI. 21 In addition to Wisconsin, other states may limit or restrict our insurance subsidiaries' ability to pay stockholder dividends.
The Dodd-Frank Act provides for a statutory presumption that a borrower will have the ability to repay a loan if the loan has the characteristics of a qualified mortgage (QM) as defined in the CFPB’s regulations, which has defined several types of QMs.
The Dodd-Frank Act provides for a statutory presumption that a borrower will have the ability to repay a loan if the loan has the characteristics of a QM as defined in the CFPB’s regulations, which has defined several types of QMs.
Our premiums are based on statutory rating rules and rates that we file with various state insurance departments. We establish our premium rates based on models that assess risk across a spectrum of variables, including coverage percentages, LTV ratios, loan and property attributes, borrower debt-to-income (DTI) and credit score profiles, and market and macroeconomic conditions.
Our premiums are based on statutory rating rules and rates that we file with various state insurance departments. We establish our premium rates based on models that assess risk across a spectrum of variables, including coverage percentages, LTV ratios, loan and property attributes, borrower DTI and credit score profiles, and market and macroeconomic conditions.
Such credit protection and secondary market sales allow lenders to increase their capacity for mortgage commitments and expand financing access to existing and prospective homeowners. NMI Holdings, Inc. (NMIH), a Delaware corporation, was incorporated in May 2011, and we began start-up operations in 2012 and wrote our first MI policy in 2013.
Such credit protection and secondary market sales allow lenders to increase their capacity for mortgage commitments and expand financing access to existing and prospective homeowners. NMIH, a Delaware corporation, was incorporated in May 2011, and we began start-up operations in 2012 and wrote our first MI policy in 2013.
Our 2020 Master Policy provides for a "closing document exception," which permits eligible non-delegated lenders to obtain early rescission relief without post-close independent validations of qualifying loans, if the borrower makes the first 12 mortgage payments from their own funds in a timely manner.
Our 2020 Master Policy provides for a “closing document exception,” which permits eligible non-delegated lenders to obtain early rescission relief without post-close independent validations of qualifying loans, if the borrower makes the first 12 mortgage payments from their own funds in a timely manner.
Copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and can be viewed at sec.gov.
Copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC, and can be viewed at sec.gov.
The PMIERs financial requirements prescribe a risk-based methodology whereby the amount of assets required to be held against each insured loan is determined based on certain risk characteristics, such as FICO, vintage (year of origination), performing vs. non-performing ( i.e. , current vs. delinquent), LTV and other risk features.
The PMIERs financial requirements prescribe a risk-based methodology whereby the amount of assets required to be held against each insured loan is determined based on certain risk characteristics, such as credit score, vintage (year of origination), performing vs. non-performing ( i.e. , current vs. delinquent), LTV and other risk features.
The private MI industry is highly competitive and currently consists of six active participants, including us, Arch Capital Group Ltd., Essent Group Ltd. (Essent), Enact Holdings, Inc., MGIC Investment Corporation (MGIC), and Radian Group Inc. (Radian).
The private MI industry is highly competitive and currently consists of six approved participants, including us, Arch Capital Group Ltd., Essent Group Ltd. (Essent), Enact Holdings, Inc., MGIC Investment Corporation (MGIC), and Radian Group Inc. (Radian).
We refer to such accelerated agreement as "early rescission relief." Our Master Policies generally provide us with the ability to rescind coverage of a loan if there are material misrepresentations, significant underwriting defects and/or fraud later identified in the origination process of such loan.
We refer to such accelerated agreement as “early rescission relief.” Our Master Policies generally provide us with the ability to rescind coverage of a loan if there are material misrepresentations, significant underwriting defects and/or fraud later identified in the origination process of such loan.
A borrower who has a "good payment history," as defined by HOPA, may generally request cancellation of BPMI when the LTV is first scheduled to reach 80% of the home's original value or when actual payments reduce the loan balance to 80% of the home's original value, whichever occurs earlier.
A borrower who has a “good payment history,” as defined by HOPA, may generally request cancellation of BPMI when the LTV is first scheduled to reach 80% of the home's original value or when actual payments reduce the loan balance to 80% of the home's original value, whichever occurs earlier.
Since formation, we have sought to establish customer relationships with a broad group of mortgage lenders and build a diversified, high-quality insured portfolio. As of December 31, 2024, we had issued master policies with 2,086 customers, including national and regional mortgage banks, money center banks, credit unions, community banks, builder-owned mortgage lenders, internet-sourced lenders and other non-bank lenders.
Since formation, we have sought to establish customer relationships with a broad group of mortgage lenders and build a diversified, high-quality insured portfolio. As of December 31, 2025, we had issued master policies with 2,193 customers, including national and regional mortgage banks, money center banks, credit unions, community banks, builder-owned mortgage lenders, internet-sourced lenders and other non-bank lenders.
We deem a reduction in the claim amount to be a "curtailment." Under our Master Policies, insureds, typically through their servicers, must obtain prior approval from us before executing a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, short sale or loan modification.
We deem a reduction in the claim amount to be a “curtailment.” Under our Master Policies, insureds, typically through their servicers, must obtain prior approval from us before executing a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, short sale or loan modification.
Competition Our competition includes other private mortgage insurers, government MIs and other alternatives designed to eliminate the need for MI, such as piggy-back loans or front-end risk sharing arrangements that do not require private MI on loans sold to the GSEs.
Competition Our competition includes other private mortgage insurers, government-run MI programs, and other alternatives designed to eliminate the need for MI, such as piggy-back loans or front-end risk sharing arrangements that do not require private MI on loans sold to the GSEs.
We have adopted an investment policy that defines, among other things, eligible and ineligible investments, concentration limits for asset types, industry sectors, single issuers, and certain credit ratings, and includes benchmarks for asset duration. Our investments are rated by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations.
Treasury Bills and commercial paper. We have adopted an investment policy that defines, among other things, eligible and ineligible investments, concentration limits for asset types, industry sectors, single issuers, and certain credit ratings, and includes benchmarks for asset duration. Our investments are rated by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations.
In December 2017, the Basel Committee published final revisions to Basel III (informally known as "Basel IV") with target implementation by each participating country by January 1, 2022, later extended to January 1, 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In December 2017, the Basel Committee published final revisions to Basel III (informally known as “Basel IV”) with target implementation by each participating country by January 1, 2022, later extended to January 1, 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Great Place to Work ® is a global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and leadership, and partners with FORTUNE magazine to produce the annual FORTUNE "100 Best Companies to Work For” list. 15 Available Information Our principal office is located at 2100 Powell Street, 12th floor, Emeryville, CA 94608.
Great Place to Work ® is a global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and leadership, and partners with FORTUNE magazine to produce the annual FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. 17 Available Information Our principal office is located at 2100 Powell Street, 12th floor, Emeryville, CA 94608.
The GLBA and related state and federal regulations implementing its privacy and safeguarding provisions impose privacy and information security requirements on financial institutions, including obligations to protect and safeguard consumers' non-public personal information. GLBA and its implementing regulations are enforced by state insurance regulators and state attorneys general, and by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the CFPB.
The GLBA and related state and federal regulations implementing its privacy and safeguarding provisions impose privacy and information security requirements on financial institutions, including obligations to protect and safeguard consumers' non-public personal information. GLBA and its implementing regulations are enforced by state insurance regulators and state attorneys general, and by the FTC and the CFPB.
Since the initial development of AXIS, we have continued to upgrade and enhance our systems and technical capabilities, including: • deploying technology that enables our customers to transact business faster and easier, whether via a secure internet connection or through a secure system-to-system interface; • integrating our platform with third-party technology providers used by our customers in their loan origination process to price and order our MI and in their servicing processes for servicing and maintaining their MI policies; • implementing advanced document and business process management software that focuses on improving our underwriting productivity and that may also be used to improve our quality assurance and loss management functions; 14 • launching our award-winning mobile applications, which enable customers to view and access information through mobile devices, including our premium rate calculators, guideline updates and other resources and information notices; and • designing, developing and deploying Rate GPS ® , our risk-based pricing platform, which allows us to dynamically consider a granular set of risk attributes in our policy pricing process and assign individualized rates based on the relative risk and anticipated performance of each loan we insure.
Since the initial development of AXIS, we have continued to upgrade and enhance our systems and technical capabilities, including: • deploying technology that enables our customers to transact business faster and easier, whether via a secure internet connection or through a secure system-to-system interface; • integrating our platform with third-party technology providers used by our customers in their loan origination process to price and order our MI and in their servicing processes for servicing and maintaining their MI policies; • implementing advanced document and business process management software that focuses on improving our underwriting productivity and that may also be used to improve our quality assurance and loss management functions; • launching our award-winning mobile applications, which enable customers to view and access information through mobile devices, including our premium rate calculators, guideline updates and other resources and information notices; and • designing, developing and deploying Rate GPS ® , our risk-based pricing platform, which allows us to dynamically consider a granular set of risk attributes in our policy pricing process and assign individualized rates based on the relative risk and anticipated performance of each loan we insure. 16 We utilize and develop technology that enhances our current operating capabilities and supports future growth, while allowing us to realize current efficiencies.
We expect that most lenders will continue to be reluctant to make loans that do not qualify as QMs because, absent full compliance with the ATR rule, such loans will not be entitled to a "safe-harbor" presumption of compliance with the ability-to-pay requirements.
We expect that most lenders will continue to be reluctant to make loans that do not qualify as QMs because, absent full compliance with the ATR rule, such loans will not be entitled to a “safe-harbor” presumption of compliance with the ability-to-pay requirements.
Subject to limited exceptions, Section 8 of RESPA prohibits persons from giving or accepting anything of value pursuant to an agreement or understanding to refer a "settlement service." MI generally may be considered to be a "settlement service" for purposes of Section 8 of RESPA under applicable regulations.
Subject to limited exceptions, Section 8 of RESPA prohibits persons from giving or accepting anything of value pursuant to an agreement or understanding to refer a “settlement service.” MI generally may be considered to be a “settlement service” for purposes of Section 8 of RESPA under applicable regulations.
While in conservatorship, each GSE has been subject to the terms of Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements, as amended, with the Treasury Department (PSPAs). Pursuant to the PSPAs, the Treasury Department committed to invest in the GSEs to the extent required for each to maintain a positive net worth.
While in conservatorship, each GSE has been subject to the terms of Senior PSPAs, as amended, with the Treasury Department. Pursuant to the PSPAs, the Treasury Department committed to invest in the GSEs to the extent required for each to maintain a positive net worth.
Our Master Policies require our insureds, typically through their servicers, to regularly provide us with reports regarding the statuses of their insured loans, including information on both current and delinquent loans. Generally, servicers submit reports to us on a monthly basis. We are currently integrated with the two largest third-party mortgage servicing systems, Black Knight Financial Services and FiServ.
Our Master Policies require our insureds, typically through their servicers, to regularly provide us with reports regarding the statuses of their insured loans, including information on both current and delinquent loans. Generally, servicers submit reports to us on a monthly basis. We are currently integrated with the two largest third-party mortgage servicing systems, ICE Mortgage Technology and FiServ.
Since 2016, we have entered into the following types of reinsurance transactions which provide risk protection on both a retrospective and prospective basis: • fully collateralized ILN coverage on mortgage insurance policies that we have already issued with special purpose insurers funding such reinsurance obligations through the issuance of insurance-linked notes; • XOL reinsurance arrangements with third party reinsurers on mortgage insurance policies that we have already issued; and • QSR arrangements in which third party reinsurers agree to prospectively reinsure a portion of the risk on mortgage insurance policies that we write.
We currently have both quota share and excess of loss reinsurance agreements in place. 14 Since 2016, we have entered into the following types of reinsurance transactions which provide risk protection on both a retrospective and prospective basis: • QSR arrangements in which third-party reinsurers agree to prospectively reinsure a portion of the risk on mortgage insurance policies that we write; • XOL reinsurance arrangements with third-party reinsurers on mortgage insurance policies that we have already issued; and • fully collateralized ILN coverage on mortgage insurance policies that we have already issued with special purpose insurers funding such reinsurance obligations through the issuance of insurance-linked notes.
Federal Reserve, the U.S. residential mortgage market is one of the largest in the world, with approximately $13 trillion of mortgage debt outstanding as of December 31, 2024, and includes both primary and secondary components.
Federal Reserve, the U.S. residential mortgage market is one of the largest in the world, with approximately $14 trillion of mortgage debt outstanding as of December 31, 2025, and includes both primary and secondary components.
Anti-Discrimination Laws ECOA requires creditors and insurers to handle applications for credit and for insurance in accordance with specified requirements and prohibits discrimination in lending or insurance based on prohibited factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, age and familial status.
We provide such notices when required. Anti-Discrimination Laws ECOA requires creditors and insurers to handle applications for credit and for insurance in accordance with specified requirements and prohibits discrimination in lending or insurance based on prohibited factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, age and familial status.
NMIS utilizes third-party service providers to conduct individual loan reviews . NMIS third parties have represented and warranted to NMIS that they comply with the requirements of the federal Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act) in all applicable jurisdictions. See “ Business - U.S. Mortgage Insurance Regulation - Other U.S. Regulation - SAFE Act ,” below.
NMIS utilizes third-party service providers to conduct individual loan reviews . NMIS third parties have represented and warranted to NMIS that they comply with the requirements of the SAFE Act in all applicable jurisdictions. See “ Business - U.S. Mortgage Insurance Regulation - Other U.S. Regulation - SAFE Act ,” below.
Customers Since our inception, we have sought to establish customer relationships with a broad group of mortgage lenders. As of December 31, 2024, we had issued Master Policies with 2,086 customers.
Customers Since our inception, we have sought to establish customer relationships with a broad group of mortgage lenders. As of December 31, 2025, we had issued Master Policies with 2,193 customers.
Human Capital Management As of December 31, 2024, we had 230 full-time and part-time employees, and engaged third-party vendors to provide additional IT, underwriting and other support services.
Human Capital Management As of December 31, 2025, we had 225 full-time and part-time employees, and engaged third-party vendors to provide additional IT, underwriting and other support services.
The federal Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (HOPA) also requires the automatic termination of BPMI on most current loans when the LTV ratio (based on the original value of the underlying property and original amortization schedule of the loan) is first scheduled to reach 78%.
HOPA also requires the automatic termination of BPMI on most current loans when the LTV ratio (based on the original value of the underlying property and original amortization schedule of the loan) is first scheduled to reach 78%.
We refer to our independent validation of delegated loans as our "Delegated Assurance Review" or "DAR" process. Through DAR, we assess and validate the MI underwriting process and decisions made by our delegated customers on an 10 individual loan level basis.
We refer to our independent validation of delegated loans as our “DAR” process. Through DAR, we assess and validate the MI underwriting process and decisions made by our delegated customers on an individual loan level basis.
Mortgage Insurance Tax Deduction In 2006, Congress enacted a private mortgage insurance tax deduction on a temporary basis through the end of 2011. Upon expiration in 2011, Congress temporarily extended the deduction for each tax year from 2012 through 2021. Congress has not extended the deduction to the 2022 and 2023 tax years.
Mortgage Insurance Tax Deduction In 2006, Congress enacted a private mortgage insurance tax deduction on a temporary basis through the end of 2011. Upon expiration in 2011, Congress temporarily extended the deduction for each tax year from 2012 through 2021. Congress did not extend the deduction to the 2022 to 2025 tax years.
Our investment policies and strategies are subject to change depending upon regulatory, economic and market conditions, and our existing or anticipated financial condition and operating requirements. We engage a third-party investment manager Allspring Global Investments, formerly Wells Capital Management, Inc., to assist with day-to-day management of our portfolio and implementation of our investment policy.
Our investment policies and strategies are subject to change depending upon regulatory, economic and market conditions, and our existing or anticipated financial condition and operating requirements. We engage a third-party investment manager to assist with implementation of our investment policy and day-to-day management of our portfolio.
We are also integrated directly with certain lender customers who manage their own servicing systems. These parties' servicing platforms are used by the majority of our larger servicing accounts to exchange billing, payment and certificate level information on a daily or monthly basis.
We are also integrated directly with certain lender customers who manage their own servicing systems. These parties' servicing platforms are used by the majority of our larger servicing accounts to exchange billing, payment and certificate level information on a daily or monthly basis. Servicers may also use our own external facing servicing website to process their servicing transactions.
FCRA has been interpreted by some FTC staff and federal courts to require mortgage insurers to provide "adverse action" notices to consumers if an application for mortgage insurance is declined or offered at higher than the best available rate for the program applied for on the basis of a review of the consumer's credit. We provide such notices when required.
FCRA has been interpreted by some FTC staff and federal courts to require mortgage insurers to provide “adverse action” notices to consumers if an application for mortgage insurance is declined or offered at higher than the best 27 available rate for the program applied for on the basis of a review of the consumer's credit.
FHA Reform We compete with the single-family MI programs of the FHA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). During the financial crisis, the FHA captured an increasing share of the high-LTV MI market as incumbent private MIs came under significant financial stress.
FHA Reform We compete with the single-family MI programs of the FHA, which is part of the HUD. During the financial crisis, the FHA captured an increasing share of the high-LTV MI market as incumbent private MIs came under significant financial stress.
We aim to achieve diversification as to type, quality, maturity, industry and issuer. At December 31, 2024, our investment portfolio was comprised of investment grade fixed maturity securities, including U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies, municipal debt securities, corporate debt securities, and asset-backed securities. We also held short-term investments, such as U.S. Treasury Bills and commercial paper.
We aim to achieve diversification as to type, quality, maturity, industry and issuer. At December 31, 2025, our investment portfolio was comprised of investment grade fixed maturity securities, including U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies, municipal debt securities, corporate debt securities, U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities. We also hold short-term investments, such as U.S.
We value collaboration as a company and believe that different perspectives promote innovation and are crucial to the long-term success of our business. As of December 31, 2024, 83% of our employee population identified as members of a diverse group, including 55% as women and 34% as racial/ethnic minorities.
We value collaboration as a company and believe that different perspectives promote innovation and are crucial to the long-term success of our business. As of December 31, 2025, 71% of our employee population identified as members of a diverse group, including 54% as women and 35% as racial/ethnic minorities.
The CFPB has brought a number of enforcement actions under Section 8 of RESPA, including settlements with several private mortgage insurers. The CFPB's interpretation and enforcement of Section 8 of RESPA presents regulatory risk for many providers of "settlement services," including private mortgage insurers.
The CFPB has brought a number of enforcement actions under Section 8 of RESPA, including settlements with several private mortgage insurers. Enforcement of Section 8 of RESPA presents regulatory risk for many providers of “settlement services,” including private mortgage insurers.
Our pricing approach targets through-the-cycle returns that exceed our cost of capital. We believe that Rate GPS ® provides us with a more granular and analytical approach to evaluating and pricing risk, and that it enhances our ability to continue building a high-quality mortgage insurance portfolio and delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns.
We believe that Rate GPS ® provides us with a more granular and analytical approach to evaluating and pricing risk, and that it enhances our ability to continue building a high-quality mortgage insurance portfolio and delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns.
Under Wisconsin law, the Wisconsin OCI has substantial flexibility to restructure an insurance company in a receivership proceeding. The Wisconsin OCI is obligated to maximize the value of an insolvent insurer's estate for the benefit of its policyholders. In all insurance receiverships under state insurance law, policyholder claims are prioritized relative to the claims of stockholders. Other U.S.
The Wisconsin OCI is obligated to maximize the value of an insolvent insurer's estate for the benefit of its policyholders. In all insurance receiverships under state insurance law, policyholder claims are prioritized relative to the claims of stockholders. Other U.S.
Rate GPS ® considers a broad range of variables, including property type, type of loan product, borrower credit characteristics, and lender and market factors, and provides us with the ability to set and charge premium rates commensurate with the underlying risk of each loan that we insure.
Rate GPS ® considers a broad range of individual and layered risk variables, including borrower credit, loan-level, product and lender attributes, as well as market and geographic factors, and provides us with the ability to set and charge premium rates commensurate with the underlying risk of each loan that we insure.
Generally, our Master Policies require our insureds to notify us after a loan is two payments in arrears. We include a loan in our default population and establish claim reserves on such loan when we have received notice from the servicer that as of a particular payment date, the borrower has missed the preceding two or more consecutive monthly payments.
We include a loan in our default population and establish claim reserves on such loan when we have received notice from the servicer that as of a particular payment date, the borrower has missed the preceding two or more consecutive monthly payments.
See “ Business - Underwriting ,” below for a description of our underwriting processes. Our MI coverage attaches at a loan level and remains in effect whether a mortgage is retained by the originating lender or sold, assigned or otherwise transferred in the secondary market.
Our MI coverage attaches at a loan level and remains in effect whether a mortgage is retained by the originating lender or sold, assigned or otherwise transferred in the secondary market.
Re One remains a wholly-owned, licensed insurance subsidiary; however, it does not currently have active insurance exposures. MI protects lenders and investors from default-related losses on a portion of the unpaid principal balance of a covered mortgage.
Such requirements have been repealed and the reinsurance coverage provided by Re One to NMIC has been commuted. Re One remains a wholly-owned, licensed insurance subsidiary; however, it does not currently have active insurance exposures. MI protects lenders and investors from default-related losses on a portion of the unpaid principal balance of a covered mortgage.
We have discretion under our rates and rating rules to flex our premium rates to a limited degree, and we may choose 7 to do so for lenders or programs that meet certain criteria. We generally cannot change premium rates on insured loans after coverage is established.
We have discretion under our rates and rating rules to flex our premium rates to a limited degree, and we may choose to do so for lenders or programs that meet certain criteria.
State insurance receivership law, not federal bankruptcy law, would govern any insolvency or financially hazardous condition of our insurance subsidiaries. The Wisconsin OCI has substantial authority to issue orders or seek to control a state insurance receivership proceeding to address the insolvency or financially hazardous condition of an insurance company that it regulates.
The Wisconsin OCI has substantial authority to issue orders or seek to control a state insurance receivership proceeding to address the insolvency or financially hazardous condition of an insurance company that it regulates. Under Wisconsin law, the Wisconsin OCI has substantial flexibility to restructure an insurance company in a receivership proceeding.
For example, Wisconsin prohibits mortgage insurers from allowing any commission, fee, remuneration, or other compensation to be paid to, or received by, any insured lender, including any subsidiary 20 or affiliate, officer, director, or employee of any insured, any member of their immediate family, any corporation, partnership, trust, trade association in which any insured is a member, or other entity in which any insured or any such officer, director, or employee or any member of their immediate family has a financial interest.
For example, Wisconsin prohibits mortgage insurers from allowing any commission, fee, remuneration, or other compensation to be paid to, or received by, any insured lender, including any subsidiary or affiliate, officer, director, or employee of any insured, any member of their immediate family, any corporation, partnership, trust, trade association in which any insured is a member, or other entity in which any insured or any such officer, director, or employee or any member of their immediate family has a financial interest. 22 MI premium rates are subject to prior approval in certain states, which requirement is designed to protect policyholders against rates that are excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory.
Policy Servicing Our Policy Servicing Department is responsible for various servicing activities related to our Master Policies and certificate administration, premium billing and payment processing. Our Policy Servicing Department primarily interfaces with our insureds' mortgage loan servicers. Some insureds retain the servicing rights and responsibilities for their own loan originations, while others transfer such rights and responsibilities to third-party servicers.
Our Policy Servicing Department primarily interfaces with our insureds' mortgage loan servicers. Some insureds retain the servicing rights and responsibilities for their own loan originations, while others transfer such rights and responsibilities to third-party servicers.
Additionally, Wisconsin has also adopted the annual enterprise risk reporting and “Corporate Governance Annual Disclosure” requirements of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) model laws. Wisconsin has adopted the NAIC’s amendments to the model holding company act that implement the filing requirement for the group capital calculation (GCC).
Additionally, Wisconsin has also adopted the annual enterprise risk reporting and “Corporate Governance Annual Disclosure” requirements of the NAIC model laws. Wisconsin has adopted the NAIC’s amendments to the model holding company act that implement the filing requirement for the GCC. The GCC uses a risk-based capital aggregation methodology for all entities in an insurance holding company system.
If the Basel Committee revises the Basel IV framework to reduce or eliminate the capital benefit banks receive from insuring low down payment loans with private MI, our current and future business may be adversely affected. Mortgage Servicing Rules Residential mortgage servicing rules under RESPA and TILA, promulgated by the CFPB, went into effect in 2014.
If the Basel Committee revises the Basel IV framework to reduce or eliminate the capital benefit banks receive from insuring low down payment loans with private MI, our current and future business may be adversely affected.
We recognize the valuable contributions of key leaders across our organization and engage in regular succession planning efforts in collaboration with the Board of Directors to ensure business continuity and provide ongoing employee development opportunities.
We recognize the valuable contributions of key leaders across our organization and engage in regular succession planning efforts in collaboration with our Board to ensure business continuity and provide ongoing employee development opportunities. In 2025, we continued to focus on our talented, innovative and dedicated people, investing in our culture with a focus on collaboration, performance and employee education.
These state laws obligate us to protect social security numbers, maintain a comprehensive information security program, submit annual compliance certifications regarding such programs (or an exemption thereto) and notify insurance regulators if a security breach results in a reasonable belief that unauthorized persons may have obtained access to consumer non-public personal information.
These state laws obligate us to protect social security numbers, make disclosures regarding our privacy practices, limit the manner in which we share personal information, honor some requests for the deletion of personal data, submit annual compliance certifications regarding such programs (or an exemption thereto) and notify insurance regulators if a security breach results in a reasonable belief that unauthorized persons may have obtained access to consumer non-public personal information.
Our underwriters are located remotely, providing us the ability to efficiently service our customers nationwide across different time zones. We also engage third-party underwriting service providers (USPs) who provide us with incremental underwriting capacity.
Our underwriters are located remotely, providing us the ability to efficiently service our customers nationwide across different time zones. We also engage third-party USPs who provide us with incremental underwriting capacity. We train and require our USPs to follow the same processes and underwriting guidelines that our own employees follow when rendering insurance decisions.