Essent Group Ltd

In these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements, “Essent”, “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to Essent Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

Note 1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Essent Group Ltd. (“Essent Group”) is a Bermuda-based holding company, which, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, offers private mortgage insurance and reinsurance for mortgages secured by residential properties located in the United States. Mortgage insurance facilitates the sale of low down payment (generally less than 20%) mortgage loans into the secondary mortgage market, primarily to two government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The primary mortgage insurance operations are conducted through Essent Guaranty, Inc. (“Essent Guaranty”), which is domiciled in the state of Pennsylvania. Essent Guaranty is headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania and maintains an operations center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Essent Guaranty is approved as a qualified mortgage insurer by the GSEs and is licensed to write mortgage insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Essent Guaranty reinsures new insurance written ("NIW") to Essent Reinsurance Ltd. (“Essent Re”), an affiliated Bermuda domiciled Class 3B Insurer licensed pursuant to Section 4 of the Bermuda Insurance Act 1978 that provides insurance and reinsurance coverage of mortgage credit risk. In April 2021, Essent Guaranty and Essent Re agreed to increase the quota share reinsurance coverage provided by Essent Re from 25% to 35% effective January 1, 2021. The quota share reinsurance coverage provided for Essent Guaranty’s NIW prior to January 1, 2021 will continue to be 25%, the quota share percentage in effect at the time NIW was first ceded. Essent Re also provides insurance and reinsurance to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. In 2016, Essent Re formed Essent Agency (Bermuda) Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary, which provides underwriting consulting services to third-party reinsurers. In accordance with certain state law requirements, Essent Guaranty also reinsures that portion of the risk that is in excess of 25% of the mortgage balance with respect to any loan insured prior to April 1, 2019, after consideration of other reinsurance, to Essent Guaranty of PA, Inc. (“Essent PA”), an affiliate domiciled in the state of Pennsylvania.

In addition to offering mortgage insurance, we provide contract underwriting services on a limited basis through CUW Solutions, LLC ("CUW Solutions"), a Delaware limited liability company, that provides, among other things, mortgage contract underwriting services to lenders and mortgage insurance underwriting services to affiliates. CUW Solutions is headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania and it maintains an operations center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that is subleased from Essent Guaranty.

We also offer title insurance products and title and settlement services through our subsidiaries Agents National Title Insurance Company and Boston National Holdings LLC. Our title insurance operations are headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, and we operate our title agency operations in Charlotte, North Carolina and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

We have prepared the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the statements include all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) required for a fair statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, including Note 1 and Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which discloses the principles of consolidation and a summary of significant accounting policies. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. We evaluated the need to recognize or disclose events that occurred subsequent to September 30, 2024 prior to the issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 2. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Adopted During the Period

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. This update clarifies the guidance in ASC 820 on the fair value measurement of an equity security that is subject to a contractual sale restriction and requires specific disclosures related to such an equity security. The update clarifies that a contractual sale restriction prohibiting the sale of an equity security is a characteristic of the reporting entity holding the equity security and is not included in the equity security's unit of account. Accordingly, an entity should not consider the contractual sale restriction when measuring the equity security’s fair value. The update also requires specific disclosures related to equity securities that are subject to contractual sale restrictions, including (1) the fair value of such equity securities reflected in the balance sheet, (2) the nature and remaining duration of the corresponding restrictions, and (3) any circumstances that could cause a lapse in the restrictions. The ASU was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated operating results or financial position.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires public entities to disclose information about their reportable segments’ significant expenses on an interim and annual basis. The ASU requires that public entities disclose significant expense categories and amounts for each reportable segment, which are derived from expenses that are 1) regularly reported to an entity’s chief operating decision-maker ("CODM") and 2) included in a segment’s reported measures of profit or loss. Public entities must also disclose an amount for “other segment items,” representing the difference between 1) segment revenue less significant segment expenses and 2) the reportable segment’s profit or loss measures. A description of the composition of “other segment items” also is required as well as the title and position of the CODM and entities must explain how the CODM uses the reported measures of profit or loss to assess segment performance. The ASU also requires interim disclosure of certain segment-related disclosures that previously were required only on an annual basis and clarifies that entities with a single reportable segment are subject to both new and existing segment reporting requirements under Topic 280. It also clarifies that an entity is permitted to disclose multiple measures of segment profit or loss, provided that certain criteria are met. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Entities must adopt the changes to the segment reporting guidance on a retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The standard requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid, including taxes paid by jurisdiction. The ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The guidance will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 3. Investments

Investments available for sale consist of the following:

The amortized cost and fair value of investments available for sale at September 30, 2024, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Because most U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, residential and commercial mortgage securities and asset-backed securities provide for periodic payments throughout their lives, they are listed below in separate categories.

The components of realized investment (losses) gains, net on the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income were as follows:

The fair value of investments available for sale in an unrealized loss position and the related unrealized losses for which no allowance for credit loss has been recorded were as follows:

At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we held 1,930 and 2,256 individual investment securities, respectively, that were in an unrealized loss position. We assess our intent to sell these securities and whether we will be required to sell these securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis when determining whether to record an impairment on the securities in an unrealized loss position. In assessing whether the decline in the fair value at September 30, 2024 of any of these securities resulted from a credit loss or other factors, we made inquiries of our investment managers to determine that each issuer was current on its scheduled interest and principal payments. We reviewed the credit rating of these securities noting that approximately 99% of the securities at September 30, 2024 had investment-grade ratings. We concluded that gross unrealized losses noted above were primarily associated with the changes in interest rates subsequent to purchase rather than due to credit impairment. We recorded impairments of $0.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and impairments of $0.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to our intent to sell securities in an unrealized loss position.

The Company's other invested assets at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 totaled $294.9 million and $277.2 million, respectively. Other invested assets are principally comprised of limited partnership interests which are generally accounted for under the equity method or fair value using net asset value (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. Our proportionate share of earnings or losses or changes in fair value are reported in income from other invested assets on the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. For entities accounted for under the equity method that follow industry-specific guidance for investment companies, our proportionate share of earnings or losses includes changes in the fair value of the underlying assets of these entities. Due to the timing of receiving financial information from these partnerships, the results are generally reported on a one month or quarter lag.

Other invested assets that are accounted for at fair value using the net asset value (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient totaled $137.1 million as of September 30, 2024. The majority of these investments were in limited partnerships invested in real estate or consumer credit. At September 30, 2024, maximum future funding commitments were $43.9 million. For limited partnership investments that have a contractual expiration date, we expect the liquidation of the underlying assets to occur over the nextone tonine years. For certain of these investments, the Company does not have the contractual option to redeem but receives distributions based on the liquidation of the underlying assets. In addition, the Company generally does not have the ability to sell or transfer these investments without the consent from the general partner of individual limited partnerships.

The fair value of investments deposited with insurance regulatory authorities to meet statutory requirements was $9.4 million at September 30, 2024 and $9.2 million at December 31, 2023. In connection with its insurance and reinsurance activities, Essent Re is required to maintain assets in trusts for the benefit of its contractual counterparties. The fair value of the investments on deposit in these trusts was $1.0 billion at September 30, 2024 and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2023. Essent Guaranty is also required to maintain assets on deposit for the benefit of the sponsor of a fixed income investment commitment. The fair value of the assets on deposit was $9.8 million at September 30, 2024 and $9.2 million at December 31, 2023.

Net investment income consists of:

Note 4. Reinsurance

In the ordinary course of business, our insurance subsidiaries may use reinsurance to provide protection against adverse loss experience and to expand our capital sources. Reinsurance recoverables are recorded as assets and included in other assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, predicated on a reinsurer's ability to meet their obligations under the reinsurance agreements. If the reinsurers are unable to satisfy their obligations under the agreements, our insurance subsidiaries would be liable for such defaulted amounts.

The effect of reinsurance on net premiums written and earned is as follows:

(1)Net of profit commission.

Quota Share Reinsurance

Essent Guaranty has entered into quota share reinsurance agreements with panels of third-party reinsurers ("QSR" agreements). Each of the third-party reinsurers has an insurer financial strength rating of A- or better by S&P Global Ratings, A.M. Best Ratings Services, Inc. or both. Under each QSR agreement, Essent Guaranty will cede premiums earned on all eligible policies written during a specified period, in exchange for reimbursement of ceded claims and claims expenses on covered policies, a specified ceding commission, and a profit commission that varies directly and inversely with ceded claims. Essent Guaranty has certain termination rights under each QSR agreement, including the option to terminate each QSR agreement subject to a termination fee.

The following table summarizes Essent Guaranty's quota share reinsurance agreements as of September 30, 2024:

(1)Under QSR-2019, Essent Guaranty cedes 40% of premiums on singles policies and 20% on all other policies.

(2)The original profit commission on QSR-2019 was up to 60%; however because Essent Guaranty did not exercise its option to terminate the QSR Agreement on December 31, 2021, the maximum profit commission that Essent Guaranty could earn increased to 63% in 2022 through June 30, 2024. Effective July 1, 2024, Essent Guaranty renegotiated the terms extending the termination date for QSR-2019 through December 31, 2027. The renegotiated terms increased the ceding commission from 20% to 26% and decreased the maximum profit commission from 63% to 62.5%.

Total RIF ceded under the QSR agreements was $8.6 billion as of September 30, 2024.

Excess of Loss Reinsurance

Essent Guaranty has entered into fully collateralized reinsurance agreements ("Radnor Re Transactions") with unaffiliated special purpose insurers domiciled in Bermuda. For the reinsurance coverage periods, Essent Guaranty and its affiliates retain the first layer of the respective aggregate losses, and a Radnor Re special purpose insurer will then provide second layer coverage up to the outstanding reinsurance coverage amount. Essent Guaranty and its affiliates retain losses in excess of the outstanding reinsurance coverage amount. The reinsurance premium due to each Radnor Re special purpose insurer is calculated by multiplying the outstanding reinsurance coverage amount at the beginning of a period by a coupon rate, which is the sum of one-month SOFR plus a risk margin, and then subtracting actual investment income collected on the assets in the related reinsurance trust during that period. The aggregate excess of loss reinsurance coverage decreases over aten-year period as the underlying covered mortgages amortize. Essent Guaranty has rights to terminate the Radnor Re Transactions. The Radnor Re entities collateralized the coverage by issuing mortgage insurance-linked notes ("ILNs") in an aggregate amount equal to the initial coverage to unaffiliated investors. The notes haveten-year legal maturities and are non-recourse to any assets of Essent Guaranty or its affiliates. The proceeds of the notes were deposited into reinsurance trusts for the benefit of Essent Guaranty and will be the source of reinsurance claim payments to Essent Guaranty and principal repayments on the ILNs.

Essent Guaranty has also entered into reinsurance agreements with panels of reinsurers that provide aggregate excess of loss coverage immediately above or pari-passu to the coverage provided by the Radnor Re Transactions. The aggregate excess of loss reinsurance coverage decreases over aten-year period as the underlying covered mortgages amortize. Essent Guaranty has rights to terminate these reinsurance agreements.

Essent Guaranty has entered into reinsurance agreements with panels of reinsurers that provides excess of loss coverage on new insurance written from January 1, 2018 through August 31, 2019 and from October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2024. For the reinsurance coverage periods, Essent Guaranty and its affiliates retain the first layer of the respective aggregate losses, and the reinsurance panels will then provide second layer coverage up to the outstanding reinsurance coverage amounts. Essent Guaranty and its affiliates retain losses in excess of the outstanding reinsurance coverage amounts.

The following table summarizes Essent Guaranty's excess of loss coverages and retentions provided by insurance linked notes as of September 30, 2024:

The following table summarizes Essent Guaranty's excess of loss reinsurance coverages and retentions provided by panels of reinsurers as of September 30, 2024:

The amount of monthly reinsurance premiums ceded to the Radnor Re entities will fluctuate due to changes in one-month SOFR and changes in money market rates that affect investment income collected on the assets in the reinsurance trusts. As the reinsurance premium will vary based on changes in these rates, we concluded that the Radnor Re Transactions contain embedded derivatives that will be accounted for separately like freestanding derivatives. The change in the fair value of the embedded derivatives is reported in earnings and included in other income.

In connection with the Radnor Re Transactions, we concluded that the risk transfer requirements for reinsurance accounting were met as each Radnor Re entity is assuming significant insurance risk and a reasonable possibility of a significant loss. In addition, we assessed whether each Radnor Re entity was a variable interest entity ("VIE") and the appropriate accounting for the Radnor Re entities if they were VIEs. A VIE is a legal entity that does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or is structured such that equity investors lack the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights or do not substantively participate in the gains and losses of the entity. A VIE is consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has both (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to the VIE. While also considering these factors, the consolidation conclusion depends on the breadth of the decision-making ability and ability to influence activities that significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE. We concluded that the Radnor Re entities are VIEs. However, given that Essent Guaranty (1) does not have the unilateral power to direct the activities that most significantly affect their economic performance and (2) does not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to these entities, the Radnor Re entities are not consolidated in these financial statements.

The following table presents total assets of each Radnor Re special purpose insurer as well as our maximum exposure to loss associated with each Radnor Re entity, representing the fair value of the embedded derivatives, using observable inputs in active markets (Level 2), included in other assets (other accrued liabilities) on our condensed consolidated balance sheet and the estimated net present value of investment earnings on the assets in the reinsurance trusts, each as of September 30, 2024:

Note 5. Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve balances for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) for the nine months ended September 30:

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, $17.1 million was paid for incurred claims and claim adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior years. There has been $83.9 million of favorable prior year development during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Reserves remaining as of September 30, 2024 for prior years are $135.0 million as a result of re-estimation of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $7.5 million was paid for incurred claims and claim adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior years. There was $89.6 million of favorable prior year development during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Reserves remaining as of September 30, 2023 for prior years were $104.7 million as a result of re-estimation of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. In both periods, the favorable prior years' loss development was the result of a re-estimation of amounts ultimately to be paid on prior year defaults in the default inventory, including the impact of previously identified defaults that cured. Original estimates are increased or decreased as additional information becomes known regarding individual claims.

The Federal Reserve increased the target federal funds rate several times during 2022 and 2023 in an effort to reduce consumer price inflation. As a result of progress on inflation, in September 2024, the Federal Reserve reduced the target federal funds rate by 50 basis points. Mortgage interest rates remain elevated which may lower home sale activity and affect the options available to delinquent borrowers. It is reasonably possible that our estimate of losses could change in the near term as a result of changes in the economic environment, the impact of elevated mortgage interest rates on home sale activity, housing inventory and home prices.

On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall and caused property damage in certain counties in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. On October 9, 2024, Hurricane Milton made landfall causing damage in certain counties in Florida. We believe these hurricanes could have an impact on our insured portfolio’s performance and expect to experience increased defaults in these areas beginning in the fourth quarter of 2024. As of October 31, 2024, our insurance in force in counties with Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declarations due to hurricanes Helene and Milton is approximately 12.5% of our total insurance in force. It is too early to tell how many claims we ultimately may have to pay associated with any defaults in the hurricane impacted areas. There are many factors contributing to the uncertainty surrounding these insured loans. Under our master policy, loan servicers are not required to notify us of a default until the borrower has missed two consecutive minimum payments. Also, the level of damage being reported in these areas varies significantly from region to region. Further, under our master policy, our exposure may be limited on hurricane-related claims. For example, we are permitted to exclude a claim entirely where damage to the property underlying a mortgage was the proximate cause of the default and adjust a claim where the property underlying a mortgage in default is subject to unrestored physical damage. These events have not materially affected our reserves as of September 30, 2024.

Note 6. Debt Obligations

Credit Facility

Through June 30, 2024, Essent Group and its subsidiaries, Essent Irish Intermediate Holdings Limited and Essent US Holdings, Inc. (collectively, the "Borrowers"), were parties to afive-year secured credit facility with a committed capacity of $825 million (the "Existing Credit Facility"). The Existing Credit Facility also provided for up to $175 million aggregate principal amount of uncommitted incremental term loan and/or revolving credit facilities that may be exercised at the Borrowers’ option so long as the Borrowers receive commitments from the lenders. Borrowings under the Existing Credit Facility may have been used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, capital contributions to Essent’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. Borrowings accrued interest at a floating rate tied to a standard short-term borrowing index, selected at the Company’s option, plus an applicable margin. A commitment fee was due quarterly on the average daily amount of the undrawn revolving commitment. The applicable margin and the commitment fee were based on the senior unsecured debt rating or long-term issuer rating of Essent Group to the extent available, or the insurer financial strength rating of Essent Guaranty. The obligations under the Existing Credit Facility were secured by certain assets of the Borrowers, excluding the stock and assets of its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. The Credit Facility contained several covenants, including financial covenants relating to minimum net worth, capital and liquidity levels, maximum debt to capitalization level and Essent Guaranty's compliance with the PMIERs (see Note 14). As of June 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with the covenants and $425 million had been borrowed under the term loan portion of the Existing Credit Facility with a weighted average interest rate of 7.07%. As of December 31, 2023, $425 million had been borrowed with a weighted average interest rate of 7.11%.

On July 1, 2024, Essent Group completed an underwritten public offering of $500 million principal amount of 6.25% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Senior Notes"). Interest on the Senior Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2025. The Senior Notes will mature on July 1, 2029. At any time prior to June 1, 2029 (one month prior to the maturity date), the Company may redeem the Senior Notes, at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price described in the Supplemental Indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time and from time to time on or after June 1, 2029, the Company may redeem, at its option, in whole or in part, the Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. The net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, were approximately $495.3 million. The Company used the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes to repay all of the borrowings outstanding under the term loan portion of the Existing Credit Facility described above, and intends to use the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes.

On July 1, 2024, concurrently with the closing of the Offering of the Senior Notes and the repayment of all of the borrowings outstanding under the term loan portion of its Existing Credit Agreement, the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”) became effective and amends and restates the Existing Credit Facility. Under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Refinancing Agreement Revolving Lenders (as defined therein) agreed to provide the Company with afive-year unsecured revolving credit facility of up to $500 million of senior unsecured revolving loans (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). A commitment fee is due quarterly on the average daily amount of the undrawn revolving commitment. The annual commitment fee rate at September 30, 2024 was 0.225%. The Revolving Credit Facility also provides for an aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million in uncommitted incremental revolving credit facilities that may be exercised at the Company’s option, so long as the Company receives sufficient commitments from the bank lenders.

The Senior Notes are presented on the condensed consolidated balance sheets net of an unamortized issuance discount of $1.8 million and deferred issuance costs of $4.6 million as of September 30, 2024. Included in interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 is a $3.2 million loss on debt extinguishment for the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs on the Existing Credit Facility borrowings repaid on July 1, 2024.

Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies

Obligations under Guarantees

Under the terms of CUW Solutions' contract underwriting agreements with lenders and subject to contractual limitations on liability, we agree to indemnify certain lenders against losses incurred in the event that we make an error in determining whether loans processed meet specified underwriting criteria, to the extent that such error materially restricts or impairs the salability of such loan, results in a material reduction in the value of such loan or results in the lender repurchasing the loan. The indemnification may be in the form of monetary or other remedies. We paid less than $0.1 million in remedy payments in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and we madeno remedy payments in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2024, management believes any potential claims for indemnification related to contract underwriting services through September 30, 2024 are not material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In addition to the indemnifications discussed above, in the normal course of business, we enter into agreements or other relationships with third parties pursuant to which we may be obligated under specified circumstances to indemnify the counterparties with respect to certain matters. Our contractual indemnification obligations typically arise in the context of agreements entered into by us to, among other things, purchase or sell services, finance our business and business transactions, lease real property and license intellectual property. The agreements we enter into in the normal course of business generally require us to pay certain amounts to the other party associated with claims or losses if they result from our breach of the agreement, including the inaccuracy of representations or warranties. The agreements we enter into may also contain other indemnification provisions that obligate us to pay amounts upon the occurrence of certain events, such as the negligence or willful misconduct of our employees, infringement of third-party intellectual property rights or claims that performance of the agreement constitutes a violation of law. Generally, payment by us under an indemnification provision is conditioned upon the other party making a claim, and typically we can challenge the other party’s claims. Further, our indemnification obligations may be limited in time and/or amount, and in some instances, we may have recourse against third parties for certain payments made by us under an indemnification agreement or obligation. As of September 30, 2024, contingencies triggering material indemnification obligations or payments have not occurred historically and are not expected to occur. The nature of the indemnification provisions in the various types of agreements and relationships described above are believed to be low risk and pervasive, and we consider them to have a remote risk of loss or payment. We have not recorded any provisions on the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to indemnifications.

Note 8. Capital Stock

Our authorized share capital consists of 233.3 million shares of a single class of common shares. The common shares have no preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for additional shares, and no rights of redemption, conversion or exchange. Under certain circumstances and subject to the provisions of Bermuda law and our bye-laws, we may be required to make an offer to repurchase shares held by members. The common shares rank pari passu with one another in all respects as to rights of payment and distribution. In general, holders of common shares will haveone vote for each common share held by them and will be entitled to vote, on a non-cumulative basis, at all meetings of shareholders. In the event that a shareholder is considered a 9.5% Shareholder under our bye-laws, such shareholder's votes will be reduced by whatever amount is necessary so that after any such reduction the votes of such shareholder will not result in any other person being treated as a 9.5% shareholder with respect to the vote on such matter. Under these provisions certain shareholders may have their voting rights limited to less thanone vote per share, while other shareholders may have voting rights in excess ofone vote per share.

Dividends

The following table presents the amounts declared and paid per common share each quarter:

In October 2024, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per common share payable on December 11, 2024 to shareholders of record on December 2, 2024.

Share Repurchase Plan

In October 2023, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase plan that authorizes the Company to repurchase $250 million of common shares in the open market between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025. Through September 30, 2024, the Company repurchased 662,403 common shares at a cost of $36.7 million under the 2023 plan, leaving $213.3 million remaining unused under the authorized repurchase plan as of September 30, 2024.

Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation

In 2013, Essent Group's Board of Directors adopted, and Essent Group's shareholders approved, the Essent Group Ltd. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "2013 Plan"), which was effective upon completion of the initial public offering. The 2013 Plan was most recently amended effective upon shareholder approval in May 2023 to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the 2013 Plan by 2 million shares. The types of awards available under the 2013 Plan include nonvested shares, nonvested share units, non-qualified share options, incentive stock options, share appreciation rights, and other share-based or cash-based awards. Nonvested shares and nonvested share units granted under the 2013 Plan have rights to dividends, which entitle holders to the same dividend value per share as holders of common shares in the form of dividend equivalent units ("DEUs"). DEUs are subject to the same vesting and other terms and conditions as the corresponding nonvested shares and nonvested share units. DEUs vest when the underlying shares or share units vest and are forfeited if the underlying share or share units forfeit prior to vesting. The maximum number of shares and share units available for issuance is 7.5 million under the 2013 Plan, as amended. As of September 30, 2024, there were 3.3 million common shares available for future grant under the 2013 Plan.

The following table summarizes nonvested common share, nonvested common share unit and DEU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024:

In February and July 2024, certain members of senior management were granted nonvested common shares under the 2013 Plan that are subject to time-based and performance-based vesting. The time-based share awards granted in February and July 2024 vest annually inthree equal installments commencing on March 1 of the year following the grant year. The performance-based share awards granted in February and July 2024 vest based upon our compounded annual book value per share growth percentage and relative total shareholder return during athree-year performance period that commenced on January 1, 2024, and they vest on March 1, 2027. Shares were issued at the maximum 200% of target. The portion of these nonvested performance-based share awards that will be earned is as follows:

In the event that the compounded annual book value per share growth or the relative total shareholder return falls between the performance levels shown above, the nonvested common shares earned will be determined on a straight-line basis between the respective levels shown.

In February 2024, nonvested common share units were issued to certain vice president and staff level employees and are subject to time-based vesting intwo equal installments on January 6, 2025 and 2026. Also in February 2024, time-based share units were granted to certain vice president and staff level employees that vest inthree equal installments on March 1, 2027, 2028 and 2029. In connection with our incentive program covering bonus awards for performance year 2023, in February 2024, time-based share units were issued to certain employees that vest inthree equal installments on March 1, 2025, 2026 and 2027.

Quoted market prices are used for the valuation of common shares granted that do not contain a market condition under ASC 718. The performance-based share awards granted in February 2022, 2023 and 2024 contain a market condition and were valued based on analysis provided by a third-party valuation firm using a risk-neutral simulation taking into effect the vesting conditions of the grant.

The total fair value on the vesting date of nonvested shares, share units or DEUs that vested was $24.4 million and $14.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, there was

$31.2 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested shares or share units outstanding at September 30, 2024 and we expect to recognize the expense over a weighted average period of 2.58 years.

Employees have the option to tender shares to Essent Group to pay the minimum employee statutory withholding taxes associated with shares upon vesting. Common shares tendered by employees to pay employee withholding taxes totaled 158,333 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The tendered shares were recorded at cost and included in treasury stock. All treasury stock has been cancelled as of September 30, 2024.

Compensation expense, net of forfeitures, and related tax effects recognized in connection with nonvested shares and share units was as follows:

Note 10. Dividends Restrictions

Our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are subject to certain capital and dividend rules and regulations as prescribed by jurisdictions in which they are authorized to operate. Under the insurance laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Essent Guaranty and Essent PA may pay dividends during any 12-month period in an amount equal to the greater of (i) 10% of the preceding year-end statutory policyholders' surplus or (ii) the preceding year's statutory net income. The Pennsylvania statute also specifies that dividends and other distributions can be paid out of positive unassigned surplus without prior approval. At September 30, 2024, Essent Guaranty had unassigned surplus of approximately $362.8 million and Essent PA had unassigned surplus of approximately $22.2 million. In three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 Essent Guaranty paid dividends of $58.0 million and $165.5 million, respectively, to its parent, Essent US Holdings, Inc. In three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, Essent Guaranty paid dividends of $60 million and $240 million to its parent, Essent US Holdings, Inc. Essent PA didnot pay a dividend in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 or 2023. As of September 30, 2024, Essent Guaranty and Essent PA could pay additional ordinary dividends in 2024 of $261.8 million and $5.4 million, respectively.

Essent Re is subject to certain dividend restrictions as prescribed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and under certain agreements with counterparties. In connection with the quota share reinsurance agreement with Essent Guaranty, Essent Re has agreed to maintain a minimum total equity of $100 million. As of September 30, 2024, Essent Re had total equity of $1.8 billion. At September 30, 2024, our insurance subsidiaries were in compliance with these rules, regulations and agreements.

Note 11. Earnings per Share (EPS)

The following table reconciles the net income and the weighted average common shares outstanding used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per common share:

There were 2,842 and 65,435 antidilutive shares for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and 69,021 and 64,108 antidilutive shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Nonvested performance-based share awards are considered contingently issuable for purposes of the EPS calculation. The 2024, 2023, and 2022 performance-based share awards vest based upon our compounded annual book value per share growth percentage and relative total shareholder return during athree-year performance period. The following table summarizes the performance-based shares issuable if the reporting date was the end of the contingency period.

(1) The 2021 performance based awards vested at 133% relative to target on March 1, 2024.

Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table presents the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

(1)Included in net realized investment losses on our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Note 13. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We carry certain of our financial instruments at fair value. We define fair value as the current amount that would be exchanged to sell an asset or transfer a liability, other than in a forced liquidation.

Fair Value Hierarchy

ASC No. 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. The level within the fair value hierarchy to measure the financial instrument shall be determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

•Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets accessible at the measurement date.

•Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets. Inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

•Level 3 — Valuations derived from one or more significant inputs that are unobservable.

Determination of Fair Value

When available, we generally use quoted market prices to determine fair value and classify the financial instrument in Level 1. In cases where quoted market prices for similar financial instruments are available, we utilize these inputs for valuation techniques and classify the financial instrument in Level 2. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using discounted cash flows, present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rates and estimates of future cash flows and we classify the financial instrument in Level 3. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.

We used the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair values of financial instruments:

•Investments available for sale — Investments available for sale are valued using quoted market prices in active markets, when available, and those investments are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 1 investments available for sale include investments such as U.S. Treasury securities and money market funds. Investments available for sale are classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy if quoted market prices are not available and fair values are estimated using quoted prices of similar securities or recently executed transactions for the securities. U.S. agency securities, U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, municipal debt securities, non-U.S. government securities, corporate debt securities, residential and commercial mortgage securities and asset-backed securities are classified as Level 2 investments.

We use independent pricing sources to determine the fair value of securities available for sale in Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. We use one primary pricing service to provide individual security pricing based on observable market data and receive one quote per security. To ensure securities are appropriately classified in the fair value hierarchy, we review the pricing techniques and methodologies of the independent pricing service and believe that their policies adequately consider market activity, either based on specific transactions for the issue valued or based on modeling of securities with similar credit quality, duration, yield and structure that were recently traded. U.S. agency securities, U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, municipal debt securities, non-U.S. government securities and corporate debt securities are valued by our primary vendor using recently executed transactions and proprietary models based on observable inputs, such as interest rate spreads, yield curves and credit risk. Residential and commercial mortgage securities and asset-backed securities are valued by our primary vendor using proprietary models based on observable inputs, such as interest rate spreads, prepayment speeds and credit risk. As part of our evaluation of investment prices provided by our primary pricing service, we obtained and reviewed their pricing methodologies which include a description of how each security type is evaluated and priced. We review the reasonableness of prices received from our primary pricing service by comparison to prices obtained from additional pricing sources. We have not made any adjustments to the prices obtained from our primary pricing service.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

All assets measured at fair value are categorized in the table below based upon the lowest level of significant input to the valuations. All fair value measurements at the reporting date were on a recurring basis.

(1)Does not include the fair value of embedded derivatives, which we have accounted for separately as freestanding derivatives and included in other assets or other accrued liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. See Note 4 for more information.

(2)Does not include certain other invested assets that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient, as applicable accounting standards do not provide for classification within the fair value hierarchy.

Assets and Liabilities Not Carried at Fair Value

Our senior notes are carried at amortized cost, net of issuance costs, on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The carrying amount and estimated fair value of our senior notes was $493.7 million and $521.9 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2024. The fair value of our senior notes is estimated based on quoted market prices.

Note 14. Statutory Accounting

Our U.S. insurance subsidiaries prepare statutory-basis financial statements in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by their respective state’s department of insurance, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than GAAP. We did not use any prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices (individually or in the aggregate) that resulted in reported statutory surplus or capital that was significantly different from the statutory surplus or capital that would have been reported had National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ statutory accounting practices been followed. The following tables present Essent Guaranty’s and Essent PA’s statutory net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 as well as statutory surplus and contingency reserve liability at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

Net income determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices differs from GAAP. In 2024 and 2023, the more significant differences between net income determined under statutory accounting practices and GAAP for Essent Guaranty and Essent PA relate to policy acquisition costs and income taxes. Under statutory accounting practices, policy acquisition costs are expensed as incurred while such costs are capitalized and amortized to expense over the life of the policy under GAAP. We are eligible for a tax deduction, subject to certain limitations for amounts required by state law or regulation to be set aside in statutory contingency reserves when we purchase non-interest-bearing United States Mortgage Guaranty Tax and Loss Bonds (“T&L Bonds”) issued by the Treasury Department. Under statutory accounting practices, this deduction reduces the tax provision recorded by Essent Guaranty and Essent PA and, as a result, increases statutory net income and surplus as compared to net income and equity determined in accordance with GAAP.

At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the statutory capital of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries, which is defined as the total of statutory surplus and contingency reserves, was in excess of the statutory capital necessary to satisfy their regulatory requirements.

Effective December 31, 2015, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, at the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, implemented new coordinated Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements, which we refer to as the "PMIERs." The PMIERs represent the standards by which private mortgage insurers are eligible to provide mortgage insurance on loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The PMIERs include financial strength requirements incorporating a risk-based framework that require approved insurers to have a sufficient level of liquid assets from which to pay claims. The PMIERs also include enhanced operational performance expectations and define remedial actions that apply should an approved insurer fail to comply with these requirements. In 2018, the GSEs released revised PMIERs framework ("PMIERs 2.0") which became effective on March 31, 2019. As of September 30, 2024, Essent Guaranty, our GSE-approved mortgage insurance company, was in compliance with PMIERs 2.0.

Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles No. 58, Mortgage Guaranty Insurance, requires mortgage insurers to establish a special contingency reserve for statutory accounting purposes included in total liabilities equal to 50% of earned premium for that year. This reserve is required to be maintained for a period of 120 months to protect against the effects of adverse economic cycles. After 120 months, the reserve is released to unassigned funds. In the event an insurer’s loss ratio in any calendar year exceeds 35%, however, the insurer may, after regulatory approval, release from its contingency reserves an amount equal to the excess portion of such losses. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Essent Guaranty increased its contingency reserve by $144.3 million and Essent PA decreased its contingency reserve by $7.0 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, Essent Guaranty released contingency reserves of $69.9 million and $38.2 million, respectively, and Essent PA released contingency reserves of $7.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively, to unassigned funds upon completion of the 120 month holding period.

Under The Insurance Act 1978, as amended, and related regulations of Bermuda (the "Insurance Act"), Essent Re is required to annually prepare statutory financial statements and a statutory financial return in accordance with the financial reporting provisions of the Insurance Act, which is a basis other than GAAP. The Insurance Act also requires that Essent Re maintain minimum share capital of $1 million and must ensure that the value of its general business assets exceeds the amount of its general business liabilities by an amount greater than the prescribed minimum solvency margins and enhanced capital requirement pertaining to its general business. At December 31, 2023, all such requirements were met.

Essent Re's statutory capital and surplus was $1.8 billion as of September 30, 2024 and $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2023. Essent Re's statutory net income was $248.8 million and $227.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Statutory capital and surplus as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and statutory net income in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices were not significantly different than the amounts determined under GAAP.

Note 15. Acquisitions

Effective July 1, 2023, Essent Holdings acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Agents National Title Holding Company (“Agents National Title”) and the issued and outstanding membership interests of Boston National Holdings LLC (“Boston National Title”) for $92.6 million in cash in a single settlement with the seller. The purchase price was subject to further customary post-closing adjustments as described in a securities purchase agreement among the parties to the transaction, in which a post closing adjustment of $1.3 million was paid by the seller to Essent Holdings. The acquisition provides complementary products and services to our mortgage insurance business, adding a team of seasoned title professionals to Essent and providing a platform to leverage our capital, lender network and operational expertise in a well-established, adjacent real estate sector.

The acquired businesses contributed revenues of $59.4 million, principally comprised of $49.6 million of net premiums earned and $6.1 million of settlement services revenues, which are included in other income, and pre-tax net losses of $11.8 million to our results for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The following unaudited pro forma summary presents consolidated information for Essent as if the business combination had occurred on January 1, 2023.

We did not have any material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. These pro forma amounts have been calculated after applying our accounting policies and adjusting the results of Agents National Title and Boston National Title to reflect the additional amortization that would have been charged to earnings assuming the fair value adjustments for the intangible assets acquired had been applied from January 1, 2023, including consequential income tax effects.

We incurred $0.2 million and $4.4 million of acquisition-related costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. These expenses are included in other underwriting and operating expenses on our condensed consolidated income statement and are reflected in pro forma earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 in the table above.

The acquisition of Agents National Title and Boston National Title was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration transferred were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of consideration transferred over the fair value of net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill. The Company allocated the goodwill to its Title operating segment.

The following table summarizes the consideration transferred to acquire Agents National Title and Boston National Title and the amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including purchase accounting adjustments that have been recorded by Essent during the measurement period:

Adjustments to Goodwill were primarily related to the fair value of claims reserve liabilities, agency relationship intangible assets and other assets. The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as resulting goodwill, were finalized as of June 30, 2024.

The amount of goodwill recorded reflects the increased market share and related synergies that are expected to result from the acquisition, and represents the excess purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired from Agents National Title and Boston National Title. As of September 30, 2024, intangible assets were $21.1 million, net of $1.8 million of accumulated amortization.