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MBIA INC

For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Feb 27, 2025.

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About this filing

A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2024 · Filed Feb 27, 2025

MBI$4.62+3.6%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

What changed in Risk Factors?

Read the current filing

Previous report: 10-K

Period ended 2023-12-31; filed 2024-02-28.

0000950170-24-022129

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Current report: 10-K

Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-02-27.

0000950170-25-029081

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.

Compared 77 previous paragraphs and 74 current paragraphs.

65 unchanged; 9 reworded; 0 added; 2 removed; 1 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.

Tables are not compared: 0 previous and 0 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.

A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.

Removed paragraphs (2)

Previous report

Further, a number of our debt issuances and financial investments are indexed to an interbank offered rate, including the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), and the assets or liabilities related to insured credit transactions may be indexed to LIBOR, as the applicable reference rate. In July 2017, The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that after 2021, it will no longer persuade or require banks to submit rates for LIBOR. Subsequently, on November 30, 2020, ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator for LIBOR, announced plans to cease publication (i) immediately after December 31, 2021 of one week and two month USD LIBOR settings and (ii) immediately following the LIBOR publication on June 30, 2023 of the remaining USD LIBOR settings i.e., overnight and one, three, six and twelve month settings. On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed legislation into law that includes the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act (the “LIBOR Act”) to establish a clear and uniform process for replacing LIBOR in existing contracts and preclude litigation, among other things. As a general matter, the LIBOR Act provides that on the first London banking day after June 30, 2023, a benchmark replacement recommended by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Board”) will automatically replace the USD LIBOR benchmark in existing contracts that (after disregarding certain types of fallback provisions invalidated by the LIBOR Act) contain no LIBOR fallback provisions or contain LIBOR fallback provisions that identify neither a benchmark replacement nor a person with authority to determine a benchmark replacement. The Board-recommended benchmark replacement will be based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, including any recommended spread adjustment and benchmark replacement conforming changes. The Federal Reserve Board adopted a final rule in December 2022 that implements the LIBOR Act by identifying benchmark rates based on SOFR that will replace LIBOR in certain financial contracts after June 30, 2023. Pursuant to the LIBOR Act and the regulations, the Board has identified (i) the one-, three, six-, or 12-month CME Term SOFR plus (ii) the applicable tenor spread adjustment specified in the LIBOR Act, as the board selected benchmark replacement for references to the corresponding one-, three-, six-, and 12-month LIBOR in contracts governing a cash transaction that is not a consumer loan, an FHFA-regulated-entity contract or a FFELP ABS, as referenced in the LIBOR Regulations.

Previous report

These announcements, among other developments, about the discontinuance of LIBOR as a benchmark rate may adversely affect the value of, return on and trading market for our financial assets and liabilities that are based on or are linked to LIBOR. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that we and other market participants will be adequately prepared for the discontinuation of LIBOR which could have an unpredictable impact on contractual mechanics that could also produce an adverse economic impact.
Reworded paragraphs (9)

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, National had $896 million of debt service outstanding related to Puerto Rico. During 2023, PREPA defaulted on scheduled debt service for National insured bonds and National paid gross claims in the aggregate of $137 million. On January 1, 2024 PREPA also defaulted on scheduled debt service for National insured bonds and National paid gross claims in the aggregate of $16 million. On August 25, 2023, National and the Oversight Board entered into a First Amendment to the Plan Support Agreement, resolving National's claims in the PREPA Title III case (the "PREPA PSA"). On November 17, 2023, the Court approved the Disclosure Statement for the Third Amended Plan of Adjustment for PREPA and on December 29, 2023, the Oversight Board filed the Corrected Fourth Amended Title III Plan (the "Amended Plan"), including the PREPA PSA. The Amended PSA remains subject to a number of conditions, including (but not limited to) the Title III Court’s confirmation and effectiveness of the Amended Plan, as it may be further amended with the Court’s approval. Confirmation is currently scheduled to begin March 4, 2024. There is no assurance that the Amended Plan or a plan that is substantially similar in the treatment of National's claims and rights will ultimately be confirmed and become effective.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, National had $745 million of debt service outstanding related to Puerto Rico. During 2024, PREPA defaulted on scheduled debt service for National insured bonds and National paid gross claims in the aggregate of $137 million. On January 1, 2025 PREPA also defaulted on scheduled debt service for National insured bonds and National paid gross claims in the aggregate of $13 million.

Previous wording

On January 29, 2024, the First Circuit Court of Appeals heard argument on the appeal of Judge Swain's ruling on the scope of the bondholder liens and the allowed amount of the under-secured portion of the bondholders' unsecured claim. While a ruling by the First Circuit that overturns portions of Judge Swain's order would not have an impact on National's settlement with the Oversight Board, a reversal on certain substantive grounds related to the scope of the liens may have an adverse impact on the timing or implementation of the Plan.

Current wording

On January 29, 2024, the First Circuit Court of Appeals heard argument on the appeal of Judge Swain's ruling on the scope of the bondholder liens and the allowed amount of the under-secured portion of the bondholders' unsecured claim. On June 12, 2024, the First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Judge Swain's prior rulings and supported bondholder liens and claim amounts (the "Appeal Decision"). On June 26, 2024, the Oversight Board filed a petition for a First Circuit panel rehearing, and the Unsecured Creditors Committee ("UCC") filed anen banc appeal. On November 13, 2024, the First Circuit affirmed the Appeal Decision. On November 27, 2024, the Oversight Board filed a petition for further rehearing, and on December 31, 2024, the First Circuit denied the rehearing request. Following a status conference held on July 10, 2024, the Court imposed a 60-day stay of all litigation and other filings related to the amended Plan, which stay was subsequently extended until March 24, 2025, and ordered the parties into mediation. Following the Appeal Decision, the Oversight Board informed the Court, National and other parties that it intended to modify National’s settlement in a forthcoming amended Plan. Thereafter, National provided notice to the Oversight Board that National did not support the board's actions and that such actions constituted a breach and termination of the PREPA RSA, as amended. There is no assurance that a plan that is substantially similar in the treatment of National's claims and rights will ultimately be confirmed and become effective.

Previous wording

We cannot be certain that we will not identify control deficiencies or material weaknesses in the future. If we fail to remediate a material weakness or fail to otherwise maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, such failure could result in a material misstatement of our annual or quarterly financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis and which could cause investors and other users to lose confidence in our financial statements, limit our ability to raise capital and have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock. Additionally, failure to remediate a material weakness or otherwise failing to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and reputation, and could impair our ability to timely file our periodic reports with the SEC, subject us to litigation and regulatory actions and cause us to incur substantial additional costs in future periods relating to the implementation of remedial measures.

Current wording

We cannot be certain that we will not identify control deficiencies or material weaknesses in the future. Ineffective internal controls over entities (including any entities the Company controls, is affiliated with or exercises significant influence over as a result of the Zohar Recoveries or otherwise) could result in failure to ensure that such entities comply with applicable laws. If we fail to remediate a material weakness or fail to otherwise maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, such failure could result in a material misstatement of our annual or quarterly financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis and which could cause investors and other users to lose confidence in our financial statements, limit our ability to raise capital and have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock. Additionally, failure to remediate a material weakness or otherwise failing to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and reputation, and could impair our ability to timely file our periodic reports with the SEC, subject us to litigation and regulatory actions and cause us to incur substantial additional costs in future periods relating to the implementation of remedial measures.

Previous wording

Consequently, our inability to maintain access to capital on favorable terms could have an adverse impact on our ability to pay losses and debt obligations, to pay dividends on our capital stock, to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness, to pay our operating expenses and to make capital investments in our subsidiaries. In addition, future capital raises for equity or equity-linked securities could result in dilution to the Company's shareholders. Also, some securities that the Company could issue, such as preferred stock or securities issued by the Company's operating subsidiaries may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of its common shares.

Current wording

Consequently, National's inabilities to pay dividends or our inability to access capital from external sources on favorable terms could have an adverse impact on our ability to pay losses and debt obligations, to pay dividends on our capital stock, to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness, to pay our operating expenses and to make capital investments in our subsidiaries. In addition, future capital raises for equity or equity-linked securities could result in dilution to the Company's shareholders. Also, some securities that the Company could issue, such as preferred stock or securities issued by the Company's operating subsidiaries may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of its common shares.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, MBIA Inc. had $497 million of medium-term note liabilities, $278 million of Senior Notes liabilities and $221 million of investment agreement liabilities. Our substantial indebtedness and other liabilities could have material consequences because:

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, MBIA Inc. had $440 million of medium-term note liabilities, $278 million of Senior Notes liabilities and $204 million of investment agreement liabilities. Our substantial indebtedness and other liabilities could have material consequences because:

Previous wording

The level of interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, and the discontinuance of certain interbank offered rates, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition.

Current wording

The level of interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates could materially and adversely affect our financial condition.

Previous wording

Increases in prevailing interest rate levels can adversely affect the value of our investment portfolios and, therefore, our financial condition. In the event that investments must be sold in order to make payments on insured exposures or other liabilities, such investments would likely be sold at discounted prices. Increases in interest rates also adversely affect the values of investments collateralizing our investment agreement liabilities in our corporate operations, which would require the Company to post additional collateral to its counterparties. In the insurance operations, with respect to credit risk, increasing interest rates could lead to increased stress on transactions in our insured portfolio with floating rate liabilities. Increasing interest rates could also result in a lower present value of salvage reserves while declining interest rates could result in a higher present value of future loss payments.

Current wording

Increases in prevailing interest rate levels can adversely affect the value of our investment portfolios and, therefore, our financial condition. In the event that investments must be sold in order to make payments on insured exposures or other liabilities, such investments would likely be sold at discounted prices. Increases in interest rates also adversely affect the values of investments collateralizing our investment agreement liabilities in our corporate operations, which would require the Company to post additional collateral to its counterparties. In the insurance operations, with respect to credit risk, increasing interest rates could lead to increased stress on transactions in our insured portfolio with floating rate liabilities. Increasing interest rates could also result in a lower present value of salvage reserves while declining interest rates could result in a higher present value of future loss payments. Lower interest rates can result in lower net interest income since a substantial amount of assets are now held in cash and cash equivalents given the increased focus on liquidity.

Previous wording

MBIA Insurance Corporation is particularly sensitive to the risk that it will not have sufficient capital or liquid resources to meet contractual payment obligations when due or to make settlement payments in order to terminate insured exposures to avoid losses. While management’s expected liquidity and capital forecasts for MBIA Insurance Corporation reflect adequate resources to pay expected claims, there are risks to the capital and liquidity forecasts as MBIA Insurance Corporation’s remaining insured exposures and its expected salvage recoveries are potentially volatile. Such volatility exists in salvage that MBIA Insurance Corporation may collect, including in particular recoveries on loans and equity interests related to the claims it paid in respect of the insured notes issued by Zohar collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) 2003-1, Limited and Zohar II 2005-1 CDO (collectively, the “Zohar Recoveries”), and the exposure in its remaining insured portfolio, which could deteriorate and result in significant additional loss reserves and claim payments, including claims on insured exposures that in some cases may require large bullet payments.

Current wording

MBIA Insurance Corporation is particularly sensitive to the risk that it will not have sufficient capital or liquid resources to meet contractual payment obligations when due or to make settlement payments in order to terminate insured exposures to avoid losses. While management’s expected liquidity and capital forecasts for MBIA Insurance Corporation reflect adequate resources to pay expected claims, there are risks to the capital and liquidity forecasts as MBIA Insurance Corporation’s remaining insured exposures and its expected salvage recoveries are potentially volatile. Such volatility exists in salvage that MBIA Insurance Corporation may collect, including in particular recoveries on loans and equity interests related to the claims it paid in respect of the insured notes issued by Zohar collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) 2003-1, Limited and Zohar II 2005-1 CDO (collectively, the “Zohar Recoveries”), and the exposure in its remaining insured portfolio, which could deteriorate and result in significant additional loss reserves and claim payments, including claims on insured exposures that in some cases may require large bullet payments. In addition, if we fail to maintain effective internal controls over entities (including any entities the Company controls, is affiliated with or exercises significant influence over as a result of the Zohar Recoveries or otherwise), this could result in failure to ensure that such entities comply with applicable laws.

Previous wording

MBIA Corp. insures certain structured finance transactions that remain volatile and could result in additional losses, which could be substantial. MBIA Corp. has also recorded significant loss reserves on its residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) exposures, and there can be no assurance that these reserves will be sufficient, in particular if the economy deteriorates. These transactions are also subject to servicer risk, which relates to problems with the transaction’s servicer that could adversely affect performance of the underlying assets. As of December 31, 2023, MBIA Corp. recorded expected RMBS recoveries of $57 million, including recoveries related to consolidated VIEs, on our RMBS transactions, in reimbursement of our past and future expected claims. Of this amount, $24 million is included in “Insurance loss recoverable” and $33 million is included in “Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. RMBS recoveries relate to structural features within the trust structures that allow for the Company to be reimbursed for prior claims paid. These reimbursements for specific trusts include recoveries that are generated from the excess spread of the transactions. Excess spread within insured RMBS securitizations is the difference between interest inflows on mortgage loan collateral and interest outflows on the insured RMBS notes. There can be no assurance that this recovery will be received in its entirety or in the expected timeframe.

Current wording

MBIA Corp. insures certain structured finance transactions that remain volatile and could result in additional losses, which could be substantial. MBIA Corp. has also recorded significant loss reserves on its residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), and there can be no assurance that these reserves will be sufficient, in particular if the economy deteriorates. These transactions are also subject to servicer risk, which relates to problems with the transaction’s servicer that could adversely affect performance of the underlying assets. As of December 31, 2024, MBIA Corp. recorded expected RMBS recoveries of $52 million, including recoveries related to consolidated VIEs, on our RMBS transactions, in reimbursement of our past and future expected claims. Of this amount, $23 million is included in “Insurance loss recoverable” and $29 million is included in “Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. RMBS recoveries relate to structural features within the trust structures that allow for the Company to be reimbursed for prior claims paid. These reimbursements for specific trusts include recoveries that are generated from the excess spread of the transactions. Excess spread within insured RMBS securitizations is the difference between interest inflows on mortgage loan collateral and interest outflows on the insured RMBS notes. There can be no assurance that this recovery will be received in its entirety or in the expected timeframe.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (1)

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

Lower interest rates can result in lower net interest income since a substantial amount of assets are now held in cash and cash equivalents given the increased focus on liquidity.