CNA FINANCIAL CORP - FORM 10-Q - May 3, 2011

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EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - CNA FINANCIAL CORPcnaex322033111.htm
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EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - CNA FINANCIAL CORPcnaex312033111.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - CNA FINANCIAL CORPcnaex311033111.htm
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
R QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____ to _____
Commission File Number 1-5823
 
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
36-6169860
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
333 S. Wabash
Chicago, Illinois
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
60604
(Zip Code)
(312) 822-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes R No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer R
 
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No R
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
Outstanding at April 29, 2011
Common Stock, Par value $2.50
 
269,319,444
Item Number
 
Page
Number
 
 
 
 
 
1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.
3.
4.
 
 
1.
6.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CNA Financial Corporation
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
Three months ended March 31
2011
 
2010
(In millions, except per share data)
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
$
1,615
 
 
$
1,615
 
Net investment income
620
 
 
590
 
Net realized investment gains, net of participating policyholders’ interests:
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses
(20
)
 
(90
)
Portion of other-than-temporary impairments recognized in Other comprehensive income
(21
)
 
30
 
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings
(41
)
 
(60
)
Other net realized investment gains
54
 
 
94
 
Net realized investment gains, net of participating policyholders’ interests
13
 
 
34
 
Other revenues
67
 
 
76
 
Total revenues
2,315
 
 
2,315
 
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
 
 
 
Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits
1,364
 
 
1,308
 
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
345
 
 
342
 
Other operating expenses
225
 
 
272
 
Interest
46
 
 
36
 
Total claims, benefits and expenses
1,980
 
 
1,958
 
Income from continuing operations before income tax
335
 
 
357
 
Income tax expense
(102
)
 
(102
)
Income from continuing operations
233
 
 
255
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0 and $0
(1
)
 
—
 
Net income
232
 
 
255
 
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(9
)
 
(10
)
Net income attributable to CNA
$
223
 
 
$
245
 
 
 
 
 
Income Attributable to CNA Common Stockholders
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to CNA
$
224
 
 
$
245
 
Dividends on 2008 Senior Preferred
—
 
 
(25
)
Income from continuing operations attributable to CNA common stockholders
224
 
 
220
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to CNA common stockholders
(1
)
 
—
 
Income attributable to CNA common stockholders
$
223
 
 
$
220
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to CNA Common Stockholders
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to CNA common stockholders
$
0.83
 
 
$
0.82
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to CNA common stockholders
—
 
 
—
 
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to CNA common stockholders
$
0.83
 
 
$
0.82
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Outstanding Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents
 
 
 
Basic
269.2
 
 
269.1
 
Diluted
269.5
 
 
269.2
 
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).

3

CNA Financial Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Three months ended March 31
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax
 
 
 
Changes in:
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains on investments with other-than-temporary impairments
$
38
 
 
$
25
 
Net unrealized gains on other investments
22
 
 
323
 
Net unrealized gains on investments
60
 
 
348
 
Net unrealized gains on discontinued operations and other
1
 
 
7
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
25
 
 
(10
)
Pension and postretirement benefits
1
 
 
1
 
Allocation to participating policyholders
—
 
 
(23
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
87
 
 
323
 
Net income
232
 
 
255
 
Comprehensive income
319
 
 
578
 
Changes in:
 
 
 
Net unrealized (gains) losses on investments attributable to noncontrolling interests
2
 
 
(6
)
Pension and postretirement benefits attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
 
 
(3
)
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
2
 
 
(9
)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(9
)
 
(10
)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(7
)
 
(19
)
Total comprehensive income attributable to CNA
$
312
 
 
$
559
 
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).

4

CNA Financial Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(In millions, except share data)
March 31,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Assets
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities at fair value (amortized cost of $36,960 and $36,427)
$
38,204
 
 
$
37,577
 
Equity securities at fair value (cost of $330 and $422)
356
 
 
440
 
Limited partnership investments
2,460
 
 
2,309
 
Other invested assets
15
 
 
27
 
Mortgage loans
118
 
 
87
 
Short term investments
1,677
 
 
2,215
 
Total investments
42,830
 
 
42,655
 
Cash
81
 
 
77
 
Reinsurance receivables (less allowance for uncollectible receivables of $125 and $125)
6,956
 
 
7,079
 
Insurance receivables (less allowance for uncollectible receivables of $155 and $160)
1,609
 
 
1,557
 
Accrued investment income
469
 
 
425
 
Deferred acquisition costs
1,098
 
 
1,079
 
Deferred income taxes
547
 
 
667
 
Property and equipment at cost (less accumulated depreciation of $555 and $543)
316
 
 
333
 
Goodwill and other intangible assets
141
 
 
141
 
Other assets (includes $140 and $139 due from Loews Corporation)
1,047
 
 
868
 
Separate account business
449
 
 
450
 
Total assets
$
55,543
 
 
$
55,331
 
Liabilities and Equity
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Insurance reserves:
 
 
 
Claim and claim adjustment expenses
$
25,352
 
 
$
25,496
 
Unearned premiums
3,321
 
 
3,203
 
Future policy benefits
8,842
 
 
8,718
 
Policyholders’ funds
165
 
 
173
 
Participating policyholders’ funds
62
 
 
60
 
Short term debt
—
 
 
400
 
Long term debt
2,647
 
 
2,251
 
Other liabilities
2,883
 
 
3,056
 
Separate account business
449
 
 
450
 
Total liabilities
43,721
 
 
43,807
 
Commitments and contingencies (Notes C, D, G, and I)
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock ($2.50 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 273,040,243 shares issued; 269,296,610 and 269,139,198 shares outstanding)
683
 
 
683
 
Additional paid-in capital
2,198
 
 
2,200
 
Retained earnings
8,072
 
 
7,876
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
415
 
 
326
 
Treasury stock (3,743,633 and 3,901,045 shares), at cost
(101
)
 
(105
)
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock
(25
)
 
(26
)
Total CNA stockholders’ equity
11,242
 
 
10,954
 
Noncontrolling interests
580
 
 
570
 
Total equity
11,822
 
 
11,524
 
Total liabilities and equity
$
55,543
 
 
$
55,331
 
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).

5

CNA Financial Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Three months ended March 31
2011
 
2010
(In millions)
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
232
 
 
$
255
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
(Income) loss from discontinued operations
1
 
 
—
 
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment
9
 
 
—
 
Deferred income tax expense
90
 
 
45
 
Trading portfolio activity
6
 
 
99
 
Net realized investment gains, net of participating policyholders’ interests
(13
)
 
(34
)
Equity method investees
(104
)
 
13
 
Amortization of investments
(21
)
 
(33
)
Depreciation
19
 
 
21
 
Changes in:
 
 
 
Receivables, net
71
 
 
264
 
Accrued investment income
(44
)
 
(41
)
Deferred acquisition costs
(19
)
 
(1
)
Insurance reserves
45
 
 
(135
)
Other assets
(4
)
 
(7
)
Other liabilities
(155
)
 
(74
)
Other, net
1
 
 
(3
)
Total adjustments
(118
)
 
114
 
Net cash flows provided by operating activities-continuing operations
$
114
 
 
$
369
 
Net cash flows used by operating activities-discontinued operations
$
(2
)
 
$
(5
)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities-total
$
112
 
 
$
364
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 
 
 
Purchases of fixed maturity securities
$
(3,480
)
 
$
(5,351
)
Proceeds from fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
Sales
1,881
 
 
2,737
 
Maturities, calls and redemptions
965
 
 
846
 
Purchases of equity securities
(34
)
 
(42
)
Proceeds from sales of equity securities
128
 
 
25
 
Origination of mortgage loans
(31
)
 
—
 
Change in short term investments
548
 
 
1,474
 
Change in other investments
(43
)
 
(51
)
Purchases of property and equipment
(11
)
 
(12
)
Other, net
1
 
 
—
 
Net cash flows used by investing activities-continuing operations
$
(76
)
 
$
(374
)
Net cash flows provided by investing activities-discontinued operations
$
2
 
 
$
5
 
Net cash flows used by investing activities-total
$
(74
)
 
$
(369
)
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).

6

Three months ended March 31
 
 
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
 
 
Dividends paid to common stockholders
$
(27
)
 
$
—
 
Dividends paid to Loews Corporation for 2008 Senior Preferred
—
 
 
(25
)
Proceeds from the issuance of debt
396
 
 
—
 
Repayment of debt
(409
)
 
—
 
Stock options exercised
6
 
 
—
 
Other, net
(2
)
 
(13
)
Net cash flows used by financing activities-continuing operations
$
(36
)
 
$
(38
)
Net cash flows provided (used) by financing activities-discontinued operations
$
—
 
 
$
—
 
Net cash flows used by financing activities-total
$
(36
)
 
$
(38
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash-continuing operations
2
 
 
(2
)
Net change in cash
$
4
 
 
$
(45
)
Cash, beginning of year
77
 
 
140
 
Cash, end of period
$
81
 
 
$
95
 
 
 
 
 
Cash-continuing operations
$
81
 
 
$
95
 
Cash-discontinued operations
—
 
 
—
 
Cash-total
$
81
 
 
$
95
 
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).

7

CNA Financial Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited)
Three months ended March 31
2011
 
2010
(In millions)
 
 
 
Preferred Stock
 
 
 
Balance, beginning and end of period
$
—
 
 
$
1,000
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Balance, beginning and end of period
683
 
 
683
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
2,200
 
 
2,177
 
Stock-based compensation
(1
)
 
(1
)
Other
(1
)
 
22
 
Balance, end of period
2,198
 
 
2,198
 
Retained Earnings
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
7,876
 
 
7,264
 
Dividends paid to common stockholders
(27
)
 
—
 
Dividends paid to Loews Corporation for 2008 Senior Preferred
—
 
 
(25
)
Net income attributable to CNA
223
 
 
245
 
Balance, end of period
8,072
 
 
7,484
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
326
 
 
(325
)
Other comprehensive income attributable to CNA
89
 
 
314
 
Balance, end of period
415
 
 
(11
)
Treasury Stock
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
(105
)
 
(109
)
Stock-based compensation and other
4
 
 
2
 
Balance, end of period
(101
)
 
(107
)
Notes Receivable for the Issuance of Common Stock
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
(26
)
 
(30
)
Decrease in notes receivable for the issuance of common stock
1
 
 
—
 
Balance, end of period
(25
)
 
(30
)
Total CNA Stockholders’ Equity
11,242
 
 
11,217
 
Noncontrolling Interests
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
570
 
 
506
 
Net income
9
 
 
10
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(2
)
 
9
 
Other
3
 
 
(18
)
Balance, end of period
580
 
 
507
 
Total Equity
$
11,822
 
 
$
11,724
 
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).

8

CNA Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
Note A. General
Basis of Presentation
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) include the accounts of CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF) and its controlled subsidiaries. Collectively, CNAF and its controlled subsidiaries are referred to as CNA or the Company. CNA’s property and casualty and remaining life and group insurance operations are primarily conducted by Continental Casualty Company (CCC), The Continental Insurance Company (CIC), Continental Assurance Company (CAC) and CNA Surety Corporation (CNA Surety). The Company owned approximately 61% of the outstanding common stock of CNA Surety as of March 31, 2011. Loews Corporation (Loews) owned approximately 90% of the outstanding common stock of CNAF as of March 31, 2011.
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements, including certain financial statement notes, prepared in accordance with GAAP, is not required for interim reporting purposes and has been condensed or omitted. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in CNAF’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the year ended December 31, 2010, including the summary of significant accounting policies in Note A. The preparation of Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
The interim financial data as of March 31, 2011 and for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 is unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Intercompany amounts have been eliminated.
Reinsurance Receivables
The Company has established an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables which relates to both amounts already billed on ceded paid losses as well as ceded reserves that will be billed when losses are paid in the future. The allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables is estimated on the basis of periodic evaluations of balances due from reinsurers, reinsurer creditworthiness, management’s experience and current economic conditions. Financial strength ratings are updated and reviewed on an annual basis or sooner if the Company becomes aware of significant changes related to a reinsurer. Because billed receivables are less than 5% of total reinsurance receivables the age of the reinsurance receivables related to paid losses is not a significant input into the allowance analysis. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, there was no significant change in the Company’s allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables.

9

Note B. Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share attributable to the Company's common stockholders is based on the weighted average number of outstanding common shares. Basic earnings per share excludes the impact of dilutive securities and is computed by dividing net income attributable to CNA by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, approximately 272 thousand and 170 thousand potential shares attributable to exercises under stock-based employee compensation plans were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For those same periods, approximately 1.0 million and 1.3 million potential shares attributable to exercises under stock-based employee compensation plans were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive.

10

 
Note C. Investments
The significant components of net investment income are presented in the following table.
Net Investment Income
Three months ended March 31
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Fixed maturity securities
$
506
 
 
$
510
 
Short term investments
2
 
 
6
 
Limited partnerships
114
 
 
72
 
Equity securities
6
 
 
10
 
Mortgage loans
2
 
 
—
 
Trading portfolio (a)
3
 
 
4
 
Other
2
 
 
2
 
Gross investment income
635
 
 
604
 
Investment expense
(15
)
 
(14
)
Net investment income
$
620
 
 
$
590
 
____________________
(a)
There were no net unrealized gains (losses) related to changes in fair value of trading securities still held included in net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010.
Net realized investment gains are presented in the following table.
Net Realized Investment Gains
Three months ended March 31
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Net realized investment gains:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
Gross realized gains
$
88
 
 
$
98
 
Gross realized losses
(68
)
 
(71
)
Net realized investment gains on fixed maturity securities
20
 
 
27
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
Gross realized gains
5
 
 
4
 
Gross realized losses
(5
)
 
(1
)
Net realized investment gains (losses) on equity securities
—
 
 
3
 
Derivatives
(1
)
 
—
 
Short term investments and other (a) (b)
(6
)
 
4
 
Net realized investment gains, net of participating policyholders’ interests
$
13
 
 
$
34
 
____________________
(a)
The three months ended March 31, 2011 includes a $9 million loss related to the early extinguishment of $400 million of senior notes originally due August 15, 2011.
(b)
The three months ended March 31, 2011 includes net unrealized gains of $1 million related to changes in fair value of securities for which the fair value option has been elected.

11

The components of net other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized in earnings by asset type are summarized in the following table.
Three months ended March 31
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
Asset-backed:
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed
$
28
 
 
$
26
 
Commercial mortgage-backed
—
 
 
2
 
Total asset-backed
28
 
 
28
 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
—
 
 
14
 
Corporate and other bonds
9
 
 
18
 
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
37
 
 
60
 
Equity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
Common stock
3
 
 
—
 
Preferred stock
1
 
 
—
 
Total equity securities available-for-sale
4
 
 
—
 
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings
$
41
 
 
$
60
 
A security is impaired if the fair value of the security is less than its cost adjusted for accretion, amortization and previously recorded OTTI losses, otherwise defined as an unrealized loss. When a security is impaired, the impairment is evaluated to determine whether it is temporary or other-than-temporary.
Significant judgment is required in the determination of whether an OTTI loss has occurred for a security. The Company follows a consistent and systematic process for determining and recording an OTTI loss. The Company has established a committee responsible for the OTTI process. This committee, referred to as the Impairment Committee, is made up of three officers appointed by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. The Impairment Committee is responsible for evaluating all securities in an unrealized loss position on at least a quarterly basis.
The Impairment Committee’s assessment of whether an OTTI loss has occurred incorporates both quantitative and qualitative information. Fixed maturity securities that the Company intends to sell, or it more likely than not will be required to sell before recovery of amortized cost, are considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired and the entire difference between the amortized cost basis and fair value of the security is recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The remaining fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position are evaluated to determine if a credit loss exists. The factors considered by the Impairment Committee include (a) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (b) whether the debtor is current on interest and principal payments, (c) credit ratings of the securities and (d) general market conditions and industry or sector specific outlook. The Company also considers results and analysis of cash flow modeling for asset-backed securities, and when appropriate, other fixed maturity securities. The focus of the analysis for asset-backed securities is on assessing the sufficiency and quality of underlying collateral and timing of cash flows based on scenario tests. If the present value of the modeled expected cash flows equals or exceeds the amortized cost of a security, no credit loss is judged to exist and the asset-backed security is deemed to be temporarily impaired. If the present value of the expected cash flows is less than amortized cost, the security is judged to be other-than-temporarily impaired for credit reasons and that shortfall, referred to as the credit component, is recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The difference between the adjusted amortized cost basis and fair value, referred to as the non-credit component, is recognized as OTTI in Other comprehensive income. In subsequent reporting periods, a change in intent to sell or further credit impairment on a security whose fair value has not deteriorated will cause the non-credit component originally recorded as OTTI in Other comprehensive income to be recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings.

12

The Company performs the discounted cash flow analysis using stressed scenarios to determine future expectations regarding recoverability. For asset-backed securities, significant assumptions enter into these cash flow projections including delinquency rates, probable risk of default, loss severity upon a default, over collateralization and interest coverage triggers, credit support from lower level tranches and impacts of rating agency downgrades.
The Company applies the same impairment model as described above for the majority of non-redeemable preferred stock securities on the basis that these securities possess characteristics similar to debt securities and that the issuers maintain their ability to pay dividends. For all other equity securities, in determining whether the security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Impairment Committee considers a number of factors including, but not limited to: (a) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, (b) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (c) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in value and (d) general market conditions and industry or sector specific outlook.
The following tables provide a summary of fixed maturity and equity securities.
Summary of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
March 31, 2011
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
OTTI
Losses (Gains)
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government agencies
$
120
 
 
$
14
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
134
 
 
$
—
 
Asset-backed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed
6,193
 
 
91
 
 
209
 
 
6,075
 
 
60
 
Commercial mortgage-backed
1,078
 
 
60
 
 
28
 
 
1,110
 
 
(6
)
Other asset-backed
886
 
 
17
 
 
7
 
 
896
 
 
—
 
Total asset-backed
8,157
 
 
168
 
 
244
 
 
8,081
 
 
54
 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
8,552
 
 
176
 
 
400
 
 
8,328
 
 
—
 
Foreign government
631
 
 
15
 
 
1
 
 
645
 
 
—
 
Corporate and other bonds
19,442
 
 
1,562
 
 
50
 
 
20,954
 
 
—
 
Redeemable preferred stock
48
 
 
5
 
 
1
 
 
52
 
 
—
 
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
36,950
 
 
1,940
 
 
696
 
 
38,194
 
 
$
54
 
Total fixed maturity securities trading
10
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
10
 
 
 
Equity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
101
 
 
25
 
 
1
 
 
125
 
 
 
Preferred stock
229
 
 
4
 
 
2
 
 
231
 
 
 
Total equity securities available-for-sale
330
 
 
29
 
 
3
 
 
356
 
 
 
Total
$
37,290
 
 
$
1,969
 
 
$
699
 
 
$
38,560
 
 
 

13

Summary of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
December 31, 2010
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
OTTI
Losses (Gains)
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government agencies
$
122
 
 
$
16
 
 
$
1
 
 
$
137
 
 
$
—
 
Asset-backed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed
6,254
 
 
101
 
 
265
 
 
6,090
 
 
114
 
Commercial mortgage-backed
994
 
 
40
 
 
41
 
 
993
 
 
(2
)
Other asset-backed
753
 
 
18
 
 
8
 
 
763
 
 
—
 
Total asset-backed
8,001
 
 
159
 
 
314
 
 
7,846
 
 
112
 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
8,157
 
 
142
 
 
410
 
 
7,889
 
 
—
 
Foreign government
602
 
 
18
 
 
—
 
 
620
 
 
—
 
Corporate and other bonds
19,492
 
 
1,603
 
 
70
 
 
21,025
 
 
—
 
Redeemable preferred stock
47
 
 
7
 
 
—
 
 
54
 
 
—
 
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
36,421
 
 
1,945
 
 
795
 
 
37,571
 
 
$
112
 
Total fixed maturity securities trading
6
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
6
 
 
 
Equity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
90
 
 
25
 
 
—
 
 
115
 
 
 
Preferred stock
332
 
 
2
 
 
9
 
 
325
 
 
 
Total equity securities available-for-sale
422
 
 
27
 
 
9
 
 
440
 
 
 
Total
$
36,849
 
 
$
1,972
 
 
$
804
 
 
$
38,017
 
 
 

14

The following tables summarize the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities in a gross unrealized loss position by the length of time in which the securities have continuously been in that position.
Securities in a Gross Unrealized Loss Position
 
Less than 12 Months
 
Greater than 12 Months
 
Total
March 31, 2011
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed
$
2,167
 
 
$
73
 
 
$
1,442
 
 
$
136
 
 
$
3,609
 
 
$
209
 
Commercial mortgage-backed
270
 
 
6
 
 
263
 
 
22
 
 
533
 
 
28
 
Other asset-backed
140
 
 
—
 
 
61
 
 
7
 
 
201
 
 
7
 
Total asset-backed
2,577
 
 
79
 
 
1,766
 
 
165
 
 
4,343
 
 
244
 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
2,861
 
 
160
 
 
624
 
 
240
 
 
3,485
 
 
400
 
Foreign government
110
 
 
1
 
 
18
 
 
—
 
 
128
 
 
1
 
Corporate and other bonds
1,920
 
 
28
 
 
335
 
 
22
 
 
2,255
 
 
50
 
Redeemable preferred stock
—
 
 
—
 
 
5
 
 
1
 
 
5
 
 
1
 
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
7,468
 
 
268
 
 
2,748
 
 
428
 
 
10,216
 
 
696
 
Equity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
8
 
 
1
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
8
 
 
1
 
Preferred stock
76
 
 
1
 
 
19
 
 
1
 
 
95
 
 
2
 
Total equity securities available-for-sale
84
 
 
2
 
 
19
 
 
1
 
 
103
 
 
3
 
Total
$
7,552
 
 
$
270
 
 
$
2,767
 
 
$
429
 
 
$
10,319
 
 
$
699
 

15

Securities in a Gross Unrealized Loss Position
 
Less than 12 Months
 
Greater than 12 Months
 
Total
December 31, 2010
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government agencies
$
8
 
 
$
1
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
8
 
 
$
1
 
Asset-backed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed
1,800
 
 
52
 
 
1,801
 
 
213
 
 
3,601
 
 
265
 
Commercial mortgage-backed
164
 
 
3
 
 
333
 
 
38
 
 
497
 
 
41
 
Other asset-backed
122
 
 
1
 
 
60
 
 
7
 
 
182
 
 
8
 
Total asset-backed
2,086
 
 
56
 
 
2,194
 
 
258
 
 
4,280
 
 
314
 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
3,339
 
 
164
 
 
745
 
 
246
 
 
4,084
 
 
410
 
Corporate and other bonds
1,719
 
 
34
 
 
405
 
 
36
 
 
2,124
 
 
70
 
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
7,152
 
 
255
 
 
3,344
 
 
540
 
 
10,496
 
 
795
 
Equity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
175
 
 
5
 
 
70
 
 
4
 
 
245
 
 
9
 
Total equity securities available-for-sale
175
 
 
5
 
 
70
 
 
4
 
 
245
 
 
9
 
Total
$
7,327
 
 
$
260
 
 
$
3,414
 
 
$
544
 
 
$
10,741
 
 
$
804
 
The amount of pretax net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) into earnings was $21 million and $32 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
The following table summarizes the activity for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 related to the pretax credit loss component reflected in Retained earnings on fixed maturity securities still held at March 31, 2011 and 2010 for which a portion of an OTTI loss was recognized in Other comprehensive income.
Three months ended March 31
 
 
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Beginning balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities
$
141
 
 
$
164
 
Additional credit losses for which an OTTI loss was previously recognized
10
 
 
11
 
Credit losses for which an OTTI loss was not previously recognized
1
 
 
5
 
Reductions for securities sold during the period
(25
)
 
(9
)
Reductions for securities the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell
(14
)
 
—
 
Ending balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities
$
113
 
 
$
171
 
Based on current facts and circumstances, the Company has determined that no additional OTTI losses related to the securities in an unrealized loss position presented in the March 31, 2011 Securities in a Gross Unrealized Loss Position table above are required to be recorded. A discussion of some of the factors reviewed in making that determination is presented below.

16

The classification between investment grade and non-investment grade presented in the discussion below is based on a ratings methodology that takes into account ratings from two major providers, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) in that order of preference. If a security is not rated by these providers, the Company formulates an internal rating. For securities with credit support from third party guarantees, the rating reflects the greater of the underlying rating of the issuer or the insured rating.
Asset-Backed Securities
The fair value of total asset-backed holdings at March 31, 2011 was $8,081 million which was comprised of 2,071 different securities. The fair value of these securities does not tend to be influenced by the credit of the issuer but rather the characteristics and projected cash flows of the underlying collateral. Each security has deal-specific tranche structures, credit support that results from the unique deal structure, particular collateral characteristics and other distinct security terms. As a result, seemingly common factors such as delinquency rates and collateral performance affect each security differently. Of these securities, 147 have underlying collateral that is either considered sub-prime or Alt-A in nature. The exposure to sub-prime residential mortgage (sub-prime) collateral and Alternative A residential mortgages that have lower than normal standards of loan documentation (Alt-A) collateral is measured by the original deal structure.
Residential mortgage-backed securities include 159 non-agency structured securities that have at least one trade lot in a gross unrealized loss position. In addition, there were 99 agency mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. Government that have at least one trade lot in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the gross unrealized loss for residential mortgage-backed securities was approximately 5% of amortized cost.
Commercial mortgage-backed securities include 49 securities that have at least one trade lot in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the gross unrealized loss was approximately 5% of amortized cost.
Other asset-backed securities include 16 securities that have at least one trade lot in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the gross unrealized loss was approximately 3% of amortized cost.
The following table summarizes asset-backed securities in a gross unrealized loss position by ratings distribution at March 31, 2011.
Gross Unrealized Losses by Ratings Distribution
March 31, 2011
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
(In millions)
 
 
U.S. Government Agencies
$
1,758
 
 
$
1,698
 
 
$
60
 
AAA
1,281
 
 
1,233
 
 
48
 
AA
406
 
 
377
 
 
29
 
A
158
 
 
152
 
 
6
 
BBB
223
 
 
195
 
 
28
 
Non-investment grade and equity tranches
761
 
 
688
 
 
73
 
Total
$
4,587
 
 
$
4,343
 
 
$
244
 
The Company believes the unrealized losses are primarily attributable to broader economic conditions, changes in interest rates and wider than historical bid/ask spreads, and are not indicative of the quality of the underlying collateral. The Company has no current intent to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost. Generally, non-investment grade securities consist of investments which were investment grade at the time of purchase but have subsequently been downgraded and primarily consist of holdings senior to the equity tranche. Additionally, the Company believes that the unrealized losses on these securities were not due to factors regarding the ultimate collection of principal and interest, collateral shortfalls, or substantial changes in future cash flow expectations; accordingly, the Company has determined that there are no additional OTTI losses to be recorded at March 31, 2011.
 

17

States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions
The fair value of total states, municipalities and political subdivisions holdings at March 31, 2011 was $8,328 million. These holdings consist of both tax-exempt and taxable bonds, 71% of which are special revenue and assessment bonds, followed by general obligation political subdivision bonds at 20% and state general obligation bonds at 9%.
The unrealized losses on the Company's investments in this category are primarily due to the impact of interest rate increases, as well as market conditions for tax-exempt bonds. Securities with maturity dates that exceed 20 years comprise 69% of the gross unrealized losses. The holdings for all securities in this category include 534 securities that have at least one trade lot in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the total gross unrealized losses was approximately 10% of amortized cost.
The following table summarizes the ratings distribution of states, municipalities and political subdivisions securities in a gross unrealized loss position at March 31, 2011.
Gross Unrealized Losses by Ratings Distribution
March 31, 2011
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
(In millions)
 
 
AAA
$
752
 
 
$
705
 
 
$
47
 
AA
2,126
 
 
1,885
 
 
241
 
A
908
 
 
811
 
 
97
 
BBB
70
 
 
57
 
 
13
 
Non-investment grade
29
 
 
27
 
 
2
 
Total
$
3,885
 
 
$
3,485
 
 
$
400
 
The largest exposures at March 31, 2011 as measured by gross unrealized losses were several separate issues of Puerto Rico sales tax revenue bonds with gross unrealized losses of $104 million and several separate issues of New Jersey transit revenue bonds with gross unrealized losses of $56 million. All of these securities are rated investment grade.
The Company has no current intent to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost. Additionally, the Company believes that the unrealized losses on these securities were not due to factors regarding the ultimate collection of principal and interest; accordingly, the Company has determined that there are no additional OTTI losses to be recorded at March 31, 2011.
Contractual Maturity
The following table summarizes available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single date are allocated based on weighted average life.
Contractual Maturity
 
March 31, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
(In millions)
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
Due in one year or less
$
1,553
 
 
$
1,564
 
 
$
1,515
 
 
$
1,506
 
Due after one year through five years
11,449
 
 
11,908
 
 
11,198
 
 
11,653
 
Due after five years through ten years
9,861
 
 
10,279
 
 
10,022
 
 
10,425
 
Due after ten years
14,087
 
 
14,443
 
 
13,686
 
 
13,987
 
Total
$
36,950
 
 
$
38,194
 
 
$
36,421
 
 
$
37,571
 
 

18

Commercial Mortgage Loans
Mortgage loans are commercial in nature and are carried at unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized fees and any valuation allowance. Mortgage loans are considered to be impaired loans when it is probable that contractual principal and interest payments will not be collected. A valuation allowance is established for impaired loans to the extent that the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate is less than the carrying value of the loan. Interest income from mortgage loans is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective yield method. Accrual of income is generally suspended for mortgage loans that are impaired and collection of principal and interest payment is unlikely. Mortgage loans are considered past due when full principal or interest payments have not been received according to contractual terms.
Risks related to the recoverability of loan balances include declines in the estimated cash flows from underlying property leases, declines in the fair value of collateral, and creditworthiness of tenants of credit tenant loan properties, where lease payments directly service the loan. As of March 31, 2011, 29% of the carrying value of mortgage loans related to credit tenant loans. The Company identifies loans for evaluation of impairment primarily based on the collection experience of each loan. As of March 31, 2011, there were no loans past due or in non-accrual status, and no valuation allowance was recorded.
Investment Commitments
As of March 31, 2011, the Company had committed approximately $193 million to future capital calls from various third-party limited partnership investments in exchange for an ownership interest in the related partnerships.
The Company invests in various privately placed debt securities, including bank loans, as part of its overall investment strategy and has committed to additional future purchases and sales. The purchase and sale of these investments are recorded on the date that the legal agreements are finalized and cash settlements are made. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had commitments to purchase $208 million and sell $131 million of such investments.
As of March 31, 2011, the Company had mortgage loan commitments of $56 million representing signed loan applications received and accepted. The mortgage loans are recorded once funded.
 
 

19

Note D. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivatives in the normal course of business, primarily in an attempt to reduce its exposure to market risk (principally interest rate risk, equity price risk and foreign currency risk) stemming from various assets and liabilities and credit risk (the ability of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or interest). The Company's principal objective under such risk strategies is to achieve the desired reduction in economic risk, even if the position does not receive hedge accounting treatment.
The Company's use of derivatives is limited by statutes and regulations promulgated by the various regulatory bodies to which it is subject, and by its own derivative policy. The derivative policy limits the authorization to initiate derivative transactions to certain personnel. Derivatives entered into for hedging, regardless of the choice to designate hedge accounting, shall have a maturity that effectively correlates to the underlying hedged asset or liability. The policy prohibits the use of derivatives containing greater than one-to-one leverage with respect to changes in the underlying price, rate or index. The policy also prohibits the use of borrowed funds, including funds obtained through securities lending, to engage in derivative transactions.
The Company has exposure to economic losses due to interest rate risk arising from changes in the level of, or volatility of, interest rates. The Company attempts to mitigate its exposure to interest rate risk in the normal course of portfolio management which includes rebalancing its existing portfolios of assets and liabilities. In addition, various derivative financial instruments are used to modify the interest rate risk exposures of certain assets and liabilities. These strategies include the use of interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and floors, options, futures, forwards and commitments to purchase securities. These instruments are generally used to lock interest rates or market values, to shorten or lengthen durations of fixed maturity securities or to hedge (on an economic basis) interest rate risks associated with investments and variable rate debt.
The Company has exposure to equity price risk as a result of its investment in equity securities and equity derivatives. Equity price risk results from changes in the level or volatility of equity prices, which affect the value of equity securities, or instruments that derive their value from such securities. The Company attempts to mitigate its exposure to such risks by limiting its investment in any one security or index. The Company may also manage this risk by utilizing instruments such as options, swaps, futures and collars to protect appreciation in securities held.
The Company has exposure to credit risk arising from the uncertainty associated with a financial instrument obligor's ability to make timely principal and/or interest payments. The Company attempts to mitigate this risk by limiting credit concentrations, practicing diversification and frequently monitoring the credit quality of issuers and counterparties. In addition, the Company may utilize credit derivatives such as credit default swaps (CDS) to modify the credit risk inherent in certain investments. CDS involve a transfer of credit risk from one party to another in exchange for periodic payments.
Foreign currency risk arises from the possibility that changes in foreign currency exchange rates will impact the fair value of financial instruments denominated in a foreign currency. The Company's foreign transactions are primarily denominated in British pounds, Euros and Canadian dollars. The Company typically manages this risk via asset/liability currency matching and through the use of foreign currency forwards.
In addition to the derivatives used for risk management purposes described above, the Company may also use derivatives for purposes of income enhancement. Income enhancement transactions are entered into with the intention of providing additional income or yield to a particular portfolio segment or instrument. Income enhancement transactions are limited in scope and primarily involve the sale of covered options in which the Company receives a premium in exchange for selling a call or put option.
The Company will also use CDS to sell credit protection against a specified credit event.  In selling credit protection, CDS are used to replicate fixed income securities when credit exposure to certain issuers is not available or when it is economically beneficial to transact in the derivative market compared to the cash market alternative.  Credit risk includes both the default event risk and market value exposure due to fluctuations in credit spreads.  In selling CDS protection, the Company receives a periodic premium in exchange for providing credit protection on a single name reference obligation or a credit derivative index.  If there is an event of default as defined by the CDS agreement, the Company is required to pay the counterparty the referenced notional amount of the CDS contract and in exchange, the Company is entitled to receive the referenced defaulted security or the cash equivalent.

20

The tables below summarize open CDS contracts where the Company sold credit protection as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The fair value of the contracts represents the amounts that the Company would receive or pay at those dates to exit the derivative positions. The maximum amount of future payments assumes no residual value in the defaulted securities that the Company would receive as part of the contract terminations and is equal to the notional value of the CDS contracts.
Credit Ratings of Underlying Reference Obligations
March 31, 2011
Fair Value of
Credit Default
Swaps
 
Maximum Amount of
Future Payments under Credit Default Swaps
 
Weighted
Average Years
to Maturity
(In millions)
 
 
BB rated
$
1
 
 
$
5
 
 
2.2
 
B rated
—
 
 
3
 
 
1.2
 
Total
$
1
 
 
$
8
 
 
1.9
 
Credit Ratings of Underlying Reference Obligations
December 31, 2010
Fair Value of
Credit Default
Swaps
 
Maximum Amount of
Future Payments under Credit Default Swaps
 
Weighted
Average Years
to Maturity
(In millions)
 
 
BB rated
$
1
 
 
$
5
 
 
2.5
 
B rated
—
 
 
3
 
 
1.5
 
Total
$
1
 
 
$
8
 
 
2.1
 
Credit exposure associated with non-performance by the counterparties to derivative instruments is generally limited to the uncollateralized fair value of the asset related to the instruments recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company attempts to mitigate the risk of non-performance by monitoring the creditworthiness of counterparties and diversifying derivatives to multiple counterparties. The Company generally requires that all over-the-counter derivative contracts be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement, and exchanges collateral under the terms of these agreements with its derivative investment counterparties depending on the amount of the exposure and the credit rating of the counterparty. The Company does not offset its net derivative positions against the fair value of the collateral provided. The fair value of cash collateral provided by the Company was $2 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The fair value of cash collateral received from counterparties was $1 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
Derivative securities are recorded at fair value. See Note E for information regarding the fair value of derivatives securities. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not held in a trading portfolio are reported in Net realized investment gains (losses) on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Changes in the fair value of derivatives held for trading purposes are reported in Net investment income on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

21

A summary of the recognized losses related to derivative financial instruments follows.
Recognized Losses
Three months ended March 31
 
 
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Without hedge designation
 
 
 
Currency forwards
$
(1
)
 
$
—
 
Total without hedge designation
(1
)
 
—
 
Trading activities
 
 
 
Futures sold, not yet purchased
—
 
 
(3
)
Total
$
(1
)
 
$
(3
)
A summary of the aggregate contractual or notional amounts and gross estimated fair values related to derivative financial instruments reported as Other invested assets or Other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets follows. The contractual or notional amounts for derivatives are used to calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and may not be representative of the potential for gain or loss on these instruments.
Derivative Financial Instruments
March 31, 2011
Contractual/
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated Fair Value
(In millions)
 
Asset
 
(Liability)
Without hedge designation
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps — purchased protection
$
20
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
(2
)
Credit default swaps — sold protection
8
 
 
1
 
 
—
 
Currency forwards
10
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
Equity warrants
3
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
Total without hedge designation
41
 
 
1
 
 
(2
)
Trading activities
 
 
 
 
 
Futures sold, not yet purchased
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
Total
$
41
 
 
$
1
 
 
$
(2
)

22

Derivative Financial Instruments
December 31, 2010
Contractual/
Notional
Amount
 
Estimated Fair Value
(In millions)
 
Asset
 
(Liability)
Without hedge designation
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps — purchased protection
$
20
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
(2
)
Credit default swaps — sold protection
8
 
 
1
 
 
—
 
Currency forwards
18
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
Equity warrants
3
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
Total without hedge designation
49
 
 
1
 
 
(2
)
Trading activities
 
 
 
 
 
Futures sold, not yet purchased
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
Total
$
49
 
 
$
1
 
 
$
(2
)
During the three months ended March 31, 2011, new derivative transactions entered into totaled approximately $341 million in notional value while derivative termination activity totaled approximately $349 million. This activity was primarily attributable to interest rate futures and foreign currency forwards. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, new derivative transactions entered into totaled approximately $203 million in notional value while derivative termination activity totaled approximately $323 million. This activity was primarily attributable to interest rate futures, credit default swaps and forward commitments for mortgage-backed securities.

23

Note E. Fair Value
 
Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The following fair value hierarchy is used in selecting inputs, with the highest priority given to Level 1, as these are the most transparent or reliable.
Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.
Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable.
The Company attempts to establish fair value as an exit price in an orderly transaction consistent with normal settlement market conventions. The Company is responsible for the valuation process and seeks to obtain quoted market prices for all securities. When quoted market prices in active markets are not available, the Company uses a number of methodologies to establish fair value estimates including: discounted cash flow models, prices from recently executed transactions of similar securities, or broker/dealer quotes, utilizing market observable information to the extent possible. In conjunction with modeling activities, the Company may use external data as inputs. The modeled inputs are consistent with observable market information, when available, or with the Company's assumptions as to what market participants would use to value the securities. The Company also uses pricing services as a significant source of data. The Company monitors all the pricing inputs to determine if the markets from which the data is gathered are active. As further validation of the Company's valuation process, the Company samples past fair value estimates and compares the valuations to actual transactions executed in the market on similar dates.

24

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below.
March 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
Assets/(Liabilities)
at Fair Value
(In millions)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government agencies
$
74
 
 
$
60
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
134
 
Asset-backed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed
—
 
 
5,337
 
 
738
 
 
6,075
 
Commercial mortgage-backed
—
 
 
1,022
 
 
88
 
 
1,110
 
Other asset-backed
—
 
 
451
 
 
445
 
 
896
 
Total asset-backed
—
 
 
6,810
 
 
1,271
 
 
8,081
 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
—
 
 
8,140
 
 
188
 
 
8,328
 
Foreign government
118
 
 
527
 
 
—
 
 
645
 
Corporate and other bonds
—
 
 
20,387
 
 
577
 
 
20,964
 
Redeemable preferred stock
3
 
 
49
 
 
—
 
 
52
 
Total fixed maturity securities
195
 
 
35,973
 
 
2,036
 
 
38,204
 
Equity securities
203
 
 
123
 
 
30
 
 
356
 
Derivative and other financial instruments, included in Other invested assets
—
 
 
5
 
 
10
 
 
15
 
Short term investments
1,190
 
 
460
 
 
27
 
 
1,677
 
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets
—
 
 
—
 
 
127
 
 
127
 
Discontinued operations investments, included in Other liabilities
13
 
 
56
 
 
—
 
 
69
 
Separate account business
28
 
 
382
 
 
39
 
 
449
 
Total assets
$
1,629
 
 
$
36,999
 
 
$
2,269
 
 
$
40,897
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments, included in Other liabilities
$
—
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(2
)
Total liabilities
$
—
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(2
)

25

December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
Assets/(Liabilities)
at Fair Value
(In millions)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government agencies
$
76
 
 
$
61
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
137
 
Asset-backed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed
—
 
 
5,323
 
 
767
 
 
6,090
 
Commercial mortgage-backed
—
 
 
920
 
 
73
 
 
993
 
Other asset-backed
—
 
 
404
 
 
359
 
 
763
 
Total asset-backed
—
 
 
6,647
 
 
1,199
 
 
7,846
 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
—
 
 
7,623
 
 
266
 
 
7,889
 
Foreign government
115
 
 
505
 
 
—
 
 
620
 
Corporate and other bonds
—
 
 
20,407
 
 
624
 
 
21,031
 
Redeemable preferred stock
3
 
 
48
 
 
3
 
 
54
 
Total fixed maturity securities
194
 
 
35,291
 
 
2,092
 
 
37,577
 
Equity securities
288
 
 
126
 
 
26
 
 
440
 
Derivative and other financial instruments, included in Other invested assets
—
 
 
—
 
 
27
 
 
27
 
Short term investments
1,214
 
 
974
 
 
27
 
 
2,215
 
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets
—
 
 
—
 
 
129
 
 
129
 
Discontinued operations investments, included in Other liabilities
11
 
 
60
 
 
—
 
 
71
 
Separate account business
28
 
 
381
 
 
41
 
 
450
 
Total assets
$
1,735
 
 
$
36,832
 
 
$
2,342
 
 
$
40,909
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments, included in Other liabilities
$
—
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(2
)
Total liabilities
$
—
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(2
)
 

26

The tables below present a reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
Level 3
(In millions)
Balance at
January 1,
2011
 
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income*
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Transfers into
Level 3
 
Transfers out
of Level 3
 
Balance at
March 31,
2011
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at March 31, 2011 recognized in net income*
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed
$
767
 
 
$
1
 
 
$
2
 
 
$
47
 
 
$
(26
)
 
$
(22
)
 
$
—
 
 
$
(31
)
 
$
738
 
 
$
—
 
Commercial mortgage-backed
73
 
 
3
 
 
16
 
 
—
 
 
(4
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
88
 
 
—
 
Other asset-backed
359
 
 
4
 
 
—
 
 
200
 
 
(87
)
 
(31
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
445
 
 
—
 
Total asset-backed
1,199
 
 
8
 
 
18
 
 
247
 
 
(117
)
 
(53
)
 
—
 
 
(31
)
 
1,271
 
 
—
 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
266
 
 
—
 
 
1
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
(79
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
188
 
 
—
 
Corporate and other bonds
624
 
 
4
 
 
(5
)
 
42
 
 
(20
)
 
(27
)
 
9
 
 
(50
)
 
577
 
 
—
 
Redeemable preferred stock
3
 
 
3
 
 
(3
)
 
—
 
 
(3
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
Total fixed maturity securities
2,092
 
 
15
 
 
11
 
 
289
 
 
(140
)
 
(159
)
 
9
 
 
(81
)
 
2,036
 
 
—
 
Equity securities
26
 
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
15
 
 
(9
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
30
 
 
(3
)
Derivative and other financial instruments, net
25
 
 
2
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
(19
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
8
 
 
1
 
Short term investments
27
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
12
 
 
—
 
 
(2
)
 
—
 
 
(10
)
 
27
 
 
—
 
Life settlement contracts
129
 
 
3
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
(5
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
127
 
 
(1
)
Separate account business
41
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
(2
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
39
 
 
—
 
Total
$
2,340
 
 
$
19
 
 
$
10
 
 
$
316
 
 
$
(170
)
 
$
(166
)
 
$
9
 
 
$
(91
)
 
$
2,267
 
 
$
(3
)

27

Level 3
(In millions)
Balance at
January 1,
2010
 
Net realized investment gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net income*
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in other comprehensive income
 
Purchases,
sales,
issuances
and
settlements
 
Transfers into
Level 3
 
Transfers out
of Level 3
 
Balance at
March 31,
2010
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on Level 3 assets and liabilities held at March 31, 2010 recognized in net income*
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed
$
629
 
 
$
(10
)
 
$
26
 
 
$
42
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
(8
)
 
$
679
 
 
$
(11
)
Commercial mortgage-backed
123
 
 
(1
)
 
(4
)
 
(5
)
 
7
 
 
(8
)
 
112
 
 
(2
)
Other asset-backed
348
 
 
4
 
 
21
 
 
(5
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
368
 
 
—
 
Total asset-backed
1,100
 
 
(7
)
 
43
 
 
32
 
 
7
 
 
(16
)
 
1,159
 
 
(13
)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
756
 
 
—
 
 
2
 
 
(21
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
737
 
 
—
 
Corporate and other bonds
609
 
 
2
 
 
29
 
 
59
 
 
9
 
 
(24
)
 
684
 
 
—
 
Redeemable preferred stock
2
 
 
—
 
 
2
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
4
 
 
—
 
Total fixed maturity securities
2,467
 
 
(5
)
 
76
 
 
70
 
 
16
 
 
(40
)
 
2,584
 
 
(13
)
Equity securities
11
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
2
 
 
(5
)
 
8
 
 
—
 
Derivative financial instruments, net
(11
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
7
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
(4
)
 
—
 
Short term investments
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
1
 
 
—
 
 
1
 
 
—
 
Life settlement contracts
130
 
 
10
 
 
—
 
 
(9
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
131
 
 
3
 
Discontinued operations investments
16
 
 
—
 
 
1
 
 
(2
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
15
 
 
—
 
Separate account business
38
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
2
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
40
 
 
—
 
Total
$
2,651
 
 
$
5
 
 
$
77
 
 
$
68
 
 
$
19
 
 
$
(45
)
 
$
2,775
 
 
$
(10
)
 

28

* Net realized and unrealized gains and losses shown above are reported in Net income (loss) as follows:
Major Category of Assets and Liabilities
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Line Items
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale
 
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Fixed maturity securities trading
 
Net investment income
Equity securities
 
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Derivative financial instruments held in a trading portfolio
 
Net investment income
Derivative financial instruments not held in a trading portfolio and fair value option financial instruments
 
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Life settlement contracts
 
Other revenues
Securities shown in the Level 3 tables on the previous pages may be transferred in or out of Level 3 based on the availability of observable market information used to verify pricing sources or used in pricing models. The availability of observable market information varies based on market conditions and trading volume and may cause securities to move in and out of Level 3 from reporting period to reporting period. There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2011. The Company's policy is to recognize transfers between levels at the beginning of quarterly reporting periods.
The following section describes the valuation methodologies used to measure different financial instruments at fair value, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which the instruments are generally classified.
Fixed Maturity Securities
Level 1 securities include highly liquid government bonds and securities issued by foreign governments for which quoted market prices are available. The remaining fixed maturity securities are valued using pricing for similar securities, recently executed transactions, cash flow models with yield curves, broker/dealer quotes and other pricing models utilizing observable inputs. The valuation for most fixed maturity securities is classified as Level 2. Level 2 securities may also include securities that have firm sale commitments and prices that are not recorded until the settlement date. Securities are generally assigned to Level 3 in cases where broker/dealer quotes are significant inputs to the valuation and there is a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace. Level 3 securities also include tax-exempt and taxable auction rate certificates. Fair value of auction rate securities is determined utilizing a pricing model with three primary inputs. The interest rate and spread inputs are observable from like instruments while the maturity date assumption is unobservable due to the uncertain nature of the principal prepayments prior to maturity.
Equity Securities
Level 1 securities include publicly traded securities valued using quoted market prices. Level 2 securities are primarily non-redeemable preferred stocks and common stocks valued using pricing for similar securities, recently executed transactions, broker/dealer quotes and other pricing models utilizing observable inputs. Level 3 securities are priced using internal models with inputs that are not market observable.

29

Derivative and Other Financial Instruments
Exchange traded derivatives, primarily futures, are valued using quoted market prices and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 2 derivatives primarily include currency forwards valued using observable market forward rates. Over-the-counter derivatives, principally interest rate swaps, total return swaps, credit default swaps, equity warrants and options, are valued using inputs including broker/dealer quotes and are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy due to a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace. Other financial instruments consist of Level 3 securities which contain embedded derivatives for which the fair value option has been elected and are priced using either broker/dealer quotes or internal models with inputs that are not market observable.
Short Term Investments
The valuation of securities that are actively traded or have quoted prices are classified as Level 1. These securities include money market funds and treasury bills. Level 2 primarily includes commercial paper, for which all inputs are observable. Level 3 securities include fixed maturity securities purchased within one year of maturity where broker/dealer quotes are significant inputs to the valuation and there is a lack of transparency to the market inputs used.
Life Settlement Contracts
The fair values of life settlement contracts are determined as the present value of the anticipated death benefits less anticipated premium payments based on contract terms that are distinct for each insured, as well as the Company's own assumptions for mortality, premium expense, and the rate of return that a buyer would require on the contracts, as no comparable market pricing data is available.
Discontinued Operations Investments
Assets relating to the Company's discontinued operations include fixed maturity securities and short term investments. The valuation methodologies for these asset types have been described above.
Separate Account Business
Separate account business includes fixed maturity securities, equities and short term investments. The valuation methodologies for these asset types have been described above.
Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value
The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company's financial instrument assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are listed in the table below.
 
March 31, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
(In millions)
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock
$
25
 
 
$
24
 
 
$
26
 
 
$
26
 
Mortgage loans
118
 
 
119
 
 
87
 
 
86
 
Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premium deposits and annuity contracts
$
103
 
 
$
105
 
 
$
104
 
 
$
105
 
Short term debt
—
 
 
—
 
 
400
 
 
411
 
Long term debt
2,647
 
 
2,844
 
 
2,251
 
 
2,376
 

30

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of these financial assets and liabilities.
The fair values of notes receivable for the issuance of common stock were estimated using discounted cash flows utilizing interest rates currently offered for obligations securitized with similar collateral.
The fair values of mortgage loans were based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the current interest rate for origination of similar quality loans.
Premium deposits and annuity contracts were valued based on cash surrender values, estimated fair values or policyholder liabilities, net of amounts ceded related to sold business.
The Company's senior notes and debentures were valued based on observable quoted market prices. The fair value for other debt was estimated using discounted cash flows based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar borrowing arrangements.
The carrying amounts reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for Cash, Accrued investment income and certain other assets and other liabilities approximate fair value due to the short term nature of these items. These assets and liabilities are not listed in the table above.
 

31

Note F. Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
The Company's property and casualty insurance claim and claim adjustment expense reserves represent the estimated amounts necessary to resolve all outstanding claims, including claims that are incurred but not reported (IBNR) as of the reporting date. The Company's reserve projections are based primarily on detailed analysis of the facts in each case, the Company's experience with similar cases and various historical development patterns. Consideration is given to such historical patterns as field reserving trends and claims settlement practices, loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and product mix, as well as court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes. All of these factors can affect the estimation of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves.
Establishing claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, including claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for catastrophic events that have occurred, is an estimation process. Many factors can ultimately affect the final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the necessary reserve. Changes in the law, results of litigation, medical costs, the cost of repair materials and labor rates can all affect ultimate claim costs. In addition, time can be a critical part of reserving determinations since the longer the span between the incidence of a loss and the payment or settlement of the claim, the more variable the ultimate settlement amount can be. Accordingly, short-tail claims, such as property damage claims, tend to be more reasonably estimable than long-tail claims, such as workers' compensation, general liability and professional liability claims. Adjustments to prior year reserve estimates, if necessary, are reflected in the results of operations in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined. There can be no assurance that the Company's ultimate cost for insurance losses will not exceed current estimates.
Catastrophes are an inherent risk of the property and casualty insurance business and have contributed to material period-to-period fluctuations in the Company's results of operations and/or equity. The Company reported catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, of $55 million and $40 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. Catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2011 related primarily to the Japanese event and domestic winter storms.
Net Prior Year Development
The following tables and discussion include the net prior year development recorded for CNA Specialty, CNA Commercial and Corporate & Other Non-Core. Unfavorable net prior year development of $7 million was recorded in the Life & Group Non-Core segment for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared to favorable net prior year development of $9 million for the same period in 2010. The 2010 favorable net prior year development included favorable reserve development of $24 million arising from a commutation of an assumed reinsurance agreement.
Net Prior Year Development
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
CNA
Specialty
 
CNA Commercial
 
Corporate
& Other
Non-Core
 
Total
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development
$
(15
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
3
 
 
$
(19
)
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development
(7
)
 
(8
)
 
(1
)
 
(16
)
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development
$
(22
)
 
$
(15
)
 
$
2
 
 
$
(35
)
 
Net Prior Year Development
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
CNA
Specialty
 
CNA Commercial
 
Corporate
& Other
Non-Core
 
Total
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development
$
(25
)
 
$
(28
)
 
$
2
 
 
$
(51
)
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development
(4
)
 
21
 
 
(1
)
 
16
 
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development
$
(29
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
1
 
 
$
(35
)

32

CNA Specialty
The following table provides further detail of the net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development (development) recorded for the CNA Specialty segment for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
Three months ended March 31
 
2011
 
2010
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development:
 
 
 
 
Medical Professional Liability
 
$
(14
)
 
$
(4
)
Other Professional Liability
 
6
 
 
(23
)
Surety
 
—
 
 
(2
)
Warranty
 
(10
)
 
—
 
Other
 
3
 
 
4
 
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development
 
$
(15
)
 
$
(25
)
2011
Favorable development for medical professional liability was primarily due to favorable loss emergence in aging services, physicians and excess institutions in accident years 2007 and prior.
Favorable development in warranty was driven by favorable policy year experience on an aggregate stop loss treaty covering the Company's non-insurance warranty subsidiary.
2010
Favorable development was primarily due to favorable incurred loss emergence in several professional liability lines of business primarily in accident years 2007 and prior. This favorability was partially offset by unfavorable development in the employee practices liability line driven by higher unemployment, primarily in accident years 2008 and 2009.

33

CNA Commercial
The following table provides further detail of the development recorded for the CNA Commercial segment for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
Three months ended March 31
 
2011
 
2010
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development:
 
 
 
 
Commercial Auto
 
$
10
 
 
$
(9
)
General Liability
 
22
 
 
(43
)
Workers Compensation
 
8
 
 
10
 
Property and Other
 
(47
)
 
14
 
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development
 
$
(7
)
 
$
(28
)
2011
Favorable development for property and marine coverages was due to lower than expected frequency in commercial multi-peril coverages primarily in accident year 2010 and a favorable settlement on an individual claim in accident year 2003 in the equipment breakdown book.
The unfavorable development in the general liability coverages is primarily due to two large claim outcomes on umbrella claims in accident year 2001.
2010
Favorable development was recorded in general liability primarily due to favorable emergence in the Company's European casualty programs in accident years 2000 through 2003. Additional favorable development was recorded in commercial multi-peril coverages, primarily in accident year 2009.
Unfavorable development for property and marine coverages was due to non-catastrophe related commercial multi-peril coverages, primarily in accident year 2009. Favorable development was recorded due to favorable experience in non-catastrophe related property coverages in accident years 2007 and prior.
 
 
 
 
 
 

34

Note G. Legal Proceedings and Contingent Liabilities
Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation
In August 2005, CNAF and certain insurance subsidiaries were joined as defendants, along with other insurers and brokers, in multidistrict litigation pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, Civil No. 04-5184 (GEB). The plaintiffs' consolidated class action complaint alleges bid rigging and improprieties in the payment of contingent commissions in connection with the sale of insurance that violated federal and state antitrust laws, the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and state common law. After discovery, the District Court dismissed the federal antitrust claims and the RICO claims, and declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims. The plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of their complaint to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. In August 2010, the Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court's dismissal of the antitrust claims and the RICO claims against CNAF and certain insurance subsidiaries, but vacated the dismissal of one portion of those claims against some other parties and remanded them for further proceedings on motions to dismiss. The Court of Appeals also vacated and remanded the dismissal of the state law claims against CNAF and certain insurance subsidiaries and other parties to allow for further proceedings relating to motions to dismiss before the District Court. In November 2010, CNAF and certain insurance subsidiaries filed in the district court a motion to dismiss the remaining state law claims pending against them. In March 2011, CNAF and certain insurance subsidiaries, along with certain other defendants, entered into a memorandum of settlement understanding with the plaintiffs to settle all claims asserted, or which could have been asserted, in the class action lawsuit. The settlement is subject to negotiation of additional terms, execution of a settlement agreement and court approval of the settlement. As currently structured, the settlement will not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations.
Other Litigation
The Company is also a party to routine litigation incidental to its business, which, based on the facts and circumstances currently known, is not material to the business or financial condition of the Company.
 

35

Note H. Benefit Plans
The components of net periodic cost (benefit) are presented in the following table.
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)
Three months ended March 31
 
 
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Pension cost
 
 
 
Service cost
$
4
 
 
$
4
 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
37
 
 
38
 
Expected return on plan assets
(43
)
 
(41
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
6
 
 
6
 
Net periodic pension cost
$
4
 
 
$
7
 
 
 
 
 
Postretirement benefit
 
 
 
Service cost
$
—
 
 
$
1
 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
1
 
 
2
 
Amortization of prior service credit
(5
)
 
(4
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
1
 
 
—
 
Net periodic postretirement benefit
$
(3
)
 
$
(1
)

36

Note I. Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company holds an investment in a real estate joint venture. In the normal course of business, the Company, on a joint and several basis with other unrelated insurance company shareholders, has committed to continue funding the operating deficits of this joint venture. Additionally, the Company and the other unrelated shareholders, on a joint and several basis, have guaranteed an operating lease for an office building, which expires in 2016. The guarantee of the operating lease is a parallel guarantee to the commitment to fund operating deficits; consequently, the separate guarantee to the lessor is not expected to be triggered as long as the joint venture continues to be funded by its shareholders which provide liquidity to make its annual lease payments.
In the event that the other parties to the joint venture are unable to meet their commitments in funding the operations of this joint venture, the Company would be required to assume the obligation for the entire office building operating lease. The Company does not believe it is likely that it will be required to do so.  However, the maximum potential future lease payments and other related costs at March 31, 2011 that the Company could be required to pay under this guarantee were approximately $178 million. If the Company were required to assume the entire lease obligation, the Company would have the right to pursue reimbursement from the other shareholders and the right to all sublease revenues.
The Company has entered into a limited number of contracts with minimum payments, primarily related to outsourced services and software. Estimated future minimum payments under these contracts, which amounted to approximately $25 million at March 31, 2011, were $24 million in 2011 and $1 million in 2012.
Guarantees
In the course of selling business entities and assets to third parties, the Company has agreed to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representation and warranties with respect to the business entities or assets being sold, including, in certain cases, losses arising from undisclosed liabilities or certain named litigation. Such indemnification provisions generally survive for periods ranging from nine months following the applicable closing date to the expiration of the relevant statutes of limitation. As of March 31, 2011, the aggregate amount of quantifiable indemnification agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third party loans was $719 million.
In addition, the Company has agreed to provide indemnification to third party purchasers for certain losses associated with sold business entities or assets that are not limited by a contractual monetary amount. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding unlimited indemnifications in connection with the sales of certain of its business entities or assets that included tax liabilities arising prior to a purchaser's ownership of an entity or asset, defects in title at the time of sale, employee claims arising prior to closing and in some cases losses arising from certain litigation and undisclosed liabilities. These indemnification agreements survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire, or until the agreed upon contract terms expire.
As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had recorded liabilities of approximately $16 million related to indemnification agreements and management believes that it is not likely that any future indemnity claims will be significantly greater than the amounts recorded.
 
 

37

Note J. Business Segments
 
The Company's core property and casualty commercial insurance operations are reported in two business segments: CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial. The Company's non-core operations are managed in two segments: Life & Group Non-Core and Corporate & Other Non-Core.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note A of the Consolidated Financial Statements within CNAF's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Company manages most of its assets on a legal entity basis, while segment operations are conducted across legal entities. As such, only insurance and reinsurance receivables, insurance reserves and deferred acquisition costs are readily identifiable by individual segment. Distinct investment portfolios are not maintained for each segment; accordingly, allocation of assets to each segment is not performed. Therefore, net investment income and realized investment gains or losses are allocated primarily based on each segment's net carried insurance reserves, as adjusted. All significant intrasegment income and expense has been eliminated. Income taxes have been allocated on the basis of the taxable income of the segments.
In the following tables, certain financial measures are presented to provide information used by management to monitor the Company's operating performance. Management utilizes these financial measures to monitor the Company's insurance operations and investment portfolio. Net operating income, which is derived from certain income statement amounts, is used by management to monitor performance of the Company's insurance operations. The Company's investment portfolio is monitored by management through analysis of various factors including unrealized gains and losses on securities, portfolio duration and exposure to interest rate, market and credit risk. Based on such analyses, the Company may recognize an OTTI loss on an investment security in accordance with its policy, or sell a security, which may produce realized gains and losses.
Net operating income (loss) is calculated by excluding from net income (loss) attributable to CNA the after-tax effects of 1) net realized investment gains or losses, 2) income or loss from discontinued operations and 3) any cumulative effects of changes in accounting guidance. The calculation of net operating income excludes net realized investment gains or losses because net realized investment gains or losses are largely discretionary, except for losses related to OTTI, and are generally driven by economic factors that are not necessarily consistent with key drivers of underwriting performance, and are therefore not considered an indication of trends in insurance operations.
The significant components of the Company's continuing operations and selected balance sheet items are presented in the following tables.
 

38

Three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2011
CNA
Specialty
 
CNA
Commercial
 
Life &
Group
Non-Core
 
Corporate
& Other
Non-Core
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
$
669
 
 
$
802
 
 
$
144
 
 
$
1
 
 
$
(1
)
 
$
1,615
 
Net investment income
160
 
 
261
 
 
188
 
 
11
 
 
—
 
 
620
 
Other revenues
54
 
 
14
 
 
(2
)
 
1
 
 
—
 
 
67
 
Total operating revenues
883
 
 
1,077
 
 
330
 
 
13
 
 
(1
)
 
2,302
 
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net incurred claims and benefits
430
 
 
603
 
 
323
 
 
7
 
 
—
 
 
1,363
 
Policyholders’ dividends
—
 
 
—
 
 
1
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
1
 
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
161
 
 
178
 
 
6
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
345
 
Other insurance related expenses
44
 
 
83
 
 
38
 
 
1
 
 
(1
)
 
165
 
Other expenses
40
 
 
16
 
 
6
 
 
44
 
 
—
 
 
106
 
Total claims, benefits and expenses
675
 
 
880
 
 
374
 
 
52
 
 
(1
)
 
1,980
 
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax
208
 
 
197
 
 
(44
)
 
(39
)
 
—
 
 
322
 
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)
(70
)
 
(66
)
 
26
 
 
12
 
 
—
 
 
(98
)
Net operating (income) loss, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests
(8
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
(8
)
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNA
130
 
 
131
 
 
(18
)
 
(27
)
 
—
 
 
216
 
Net realized investment gains (losses), net of participating policyholders’ interests
8
 
 
17
 
 
(4
)
 
(8
)
 
—
 
 
13
 
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)
(3
)
 
(6
)
 
1
 
 
4
 
 
—
 
 
(4
)
Net realized investment (gains) losses, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
 
 
(1
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
(1
)
Net realized investment gains (losses) attributable to CNA
5
 
 
10
 
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
—
 
 
8
 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNA
$
135
 
 
$
141
 
 
$
(21
)
 
$
(31
)
 
$
—
 
 
$
224
 
March 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance receivables
$
920
 
 
$
1,941
 
 
$
1,487
 
 
$
2,733
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
7,081
 
Insurance receivables
$
589
 
 
$
1,163
 
 
$
11
 
 
$
1
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
1,764
 
Deferred acquisition costs
$
344
 
 
$
325
 
 
$
429
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
1,098
 
Insurance reserves
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Claim and claim adjustment expenses
$
6,888
 
 
$
12,383
 
 
$
2,757
 
 
$
3,324
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
25,352
 
Unearned premiums
1,625
 
 
1,547
 
 
150
 
 
1
 
 
(2
)
 
3,321
 
Future policy benefits
—
 
 
—
 
 
8,842
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
8,842
 
Policyholders’ funds
16
 
 
9
 
 
140
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
165
 
 

39

Three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2010
CNA
Specialty
 
CNA
Commercial
 
Life &
Group
Non-Core
 
Corporate
& Other
Non-Core
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
$
654
 
 
$
816
 
 
$
145
 
 
$
1
 
 
$
(1
)
 
$
1,615
 
Net investment income
147
 
 
221
 
 
175
 
 
47
 
 
—
 
 
590
 
Other revenues
52
 
 
18
 
 
4
 
 
2
 
 
—
 
 
76
 
Total operating revenues
853
 
 
1,055
 
 
324
 
 
50
 
 
(1
)
 
2,281
 
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net incurred claims and benefits
402
 
 
604
 
 
281
 
 
19
 
 
—
 
 
1,306
 
Policyholders’ dividends
1
 
 
1
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
2
 
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
155
 
 
183
 
 
4
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
342
 
Other insurance related expenses
47
 
 
107
 
 
51
 
 
2
 
 
(1
)
 
206
 
Other expenses
44
 
 
17
 
 
6
 
 
35
 
 
—
 
 
102
 
Total claims, benefits and expenses
649
 
 
912
 
 
342
 
 
56
 
 
(1
)
 
1,958
 
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax
204
 
 
143
 
 
(18
)
 
(6
)
 
—
 
 
323
 
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss)
(68
)
 
(43
)
 
19
 
 
2
 
 
—
 
 
(90
)
Net operating (income) loss, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests
(8
)
 
(2
)
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
(10
)
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNA
128
 
 
98
 
 
1
 
 
(4
)
 
—
 
 
223
 
Net realized investment gains (losses), net of participating policyholders’ interests
13
 
 
21
 
 
(4
)
 
4
 
 
—
 
 
34
 
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses)
(4
)
 
(7
)
 
—
 
 
(1
)
 
—
 
 
(12
)
Net realized investment (gains) losses, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
Net realized investment gains (losses) attributable to CNA
9
 
 
14
 
 
(4
)
 
3
 
 
—
 
 
22
 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNA
$
137
 
 
$
112
 
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
—
 
 
$
245
 
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance receivables
$
906
 
 
$
1,973
 
 
$
1,502
 
 
$
2,823
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
7,204
 
Insurance receivables
$
654
 
 
$
1,050
 
 
$
9
 
 
$
4
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
1,717
 
Deferred acquisition costs
$
330
 
 
$
315
 
 
$
434
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
1,079
 
Insurance reserves
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Claim and claim adjustment expenses
$
6,793
 
 
$
12,522
 
 
$
2,739
 
 
$
3,442
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
25,496
 
Unearned premiums
1,543
 
 
1,526
 
 
132
 
 
2
 
 
—
 
 
3,203
 
Future policy benefits
—
 
 
—
 
 
8,718
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
8,718
 
Policyholders’ funds
16
 
 
13
 
 
144
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
 
173
 
 

40

The following table provides revenue by line of business for each reportable segment. Revenues are comprised of operating revenues and net realized investment gains and losses, net of participating policyholders’ interests.
Revenues by Line of Business
Three months ended March 31
 
 
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
CNA Specialty
 
 
 
International
$
51
 
 
$
51
 
Professional & Management Liability
660
 
 
631
 
Surety
111
 
 
114
 
Warranty & Alternative Risks
69
 
 
70
 
CNA Specialty revenues
891
 
 
866
 
CNA Commercial
 
 
 
Business Insurance
144
 
 
141
 
CNA Select Risk
71
 
 
64
 
Commercial Insurance
752
 
 
716
 
International
127
 
 
155
 
CNA Commercial revenues
1,094
 
 
1,076
 
Life & Group Non-Core
 
 
 
Health
270
 
 
254
 
Life & Annuity
56
 
 
64
 
Other
—
 
 
2
 
Life & Group Non-Core revenues
326
 
 
320
 
Corporate & Other Non-Core revenues
5
 
 
54
 
Eliminations
(1
)
 
(1
)
Total revenues
$
2,315
 
 
$
2,315
 

41

Note K. Subsequent Event
As discussed in Note A, as of March 31, 2011 the Company owned approximately 61% of CNA Surety, which is publicly-traded. CNA Surety is included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, with the minority common shareholders proportionate share of CNA Surety’s net income and net equity presented as noncontrolling interests. The noncontrolling interest included in the Company's equity was $425 million at March 31, 2011. On April 21, 2011, the Company announced that it signed a definitive merger agreement with CNA Surety pursuant to which it will commence a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of CNA Surety that are not currently owned by the Company for $26.55 per share in cash. Based on the offer price of $26.55, the aggregate purchase price will be approximately $475 million. The amount paid to acquire the common shares of CNA Surety not owned by the Company above the noncontrolling interest included in the Company’s equity will be reflected as an adjustment to Total CNA stockholders’ equity. The tender offer will be conditioned upon, among other things, acceptance by the holders of a majority of the publicly held shares of CNA Surety. Subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing, it is currently anticipated that the transaction will be completed by the end of the second quarter.

42

CNA Financial Corporation
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
The following discussion highlights significant factors impacting the Company. References to “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms refer to the business of CNA. Based on 2009 statutory net written premiums, we are the seventh largest commercial insurance writer and the 13th largest property and casualty insurance organization in the United States of America. References to net operating income (loss), net realized investment gains (losses) and net income (loss) used in this MD&A reflect amounts attributable to CNA, unless otherwise noted.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q and Item 1A Risk Factors and Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2010.
We utilize the net operating income financial measure to monitor our operations. Net operating income is calculated by excluding from net income (loss) attributable to CNA the after-tax effects of 1) net realized investment gains or losses, 2) income or loss from discontinued operations and 3) any cumulative effects of changes in accounting guidance. See further discussion regarding how we manage our business in Note J of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1. In evaluating the results of our CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial segments, we utilize the loss ratio, the expense ratio, the dividend ratio and the combined ratio. These ratios are calculated using GAAP financial results. The loss ratio is the percentage of net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses to net earned premiums. The expense ratio is the percentage of insurance underwriting and acquisition expenses, including the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, to net earned premiums. The dividend ratio is the ratio of policyholders' dividends incurred to net earned premiums. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss, expense and dividend ratios.
Changes in estimates of claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves and premium accruals, net of reinsurance, for prior years are defined as net prior year development within this MD&A. These changes can be favorable or unfavorable. Net prior year development does not include the impact of related acquisition expenses. Further information on our reserves is provided in Note F of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1.
 
 

43

CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
Results of Operations
The following table includes the consolidated results of our operations. For more detailed components of our business operations and the net operating income financial measure, see the segment discussions within this MD&A.
Three months ended March 31
 
 
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
$
1,615
 
 
$
1,615
 
Net investment income
620
 
 
590
 
Other revenues
67
 
 
76
 
Total operating revenues
2,302
 
 
2,281
 
Claims, Benefits and Expenses
 
 
 
Net incurred claims and benefits
1,363
 
 
1,306
 
Policyholders’ dividends
1
 
 
2
 
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs
345
 
 
342
 
Other insurance related expenses
165
 
 
206
 
Other expenses
106
 
 
102
 
Total claims, benefits and expenses
1,980
 
 
1,958
 
Operating income from continuing operations before income tax
322
 
 
323
 
Income tax expense on operating income
(98
)
 
(90
)
Net operating (income) loss, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests
(8
)
 
(10
)
Net operating income from continuing operations attributable to CNA
216
 
 
223
 
Net realized investment gains, net of participating policyholders’ interests
13
 
 
34
 
Income tax expense on net realized investment gains
(4
)
 
(12
)
Net realized investment (gains) losses, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests
(1
)
 
—
 
Net realized investment gains attributable to CNA
8
 
 
22
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to CNA
224
 
 
245
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to CNA
(1
)
 
—
 
Net income attributable to CNA
$
223
 
 
$
245
 
Net income decreased $22 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010. This decrease was due to lower net realized investment results and net operating results.
Net realized investment results decreased $14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.
Net operating income decreased $7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010. Net operating income improved $35 million for our core segments, CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial. This improvement was primarily due to higher net investment income, driven by favorable limited partnership income, and decreased expenses. Expenses in 2010 were unfavorably impacted by costs associated with our Information Technology (IT) Transformation as discussed below. Partially offsetting these favorable items were higher catastrophe losses in the current period. Net operating results decreased $42 million for our non-core segments, primarily due to lower net investment income, the favorable impact in 2010 of reserve development arising from a commutation of an assumed reinsurance agreement and less favorable performance on our remaining pension deposit business.

44

In 2010 we commenced a program to significantly transform our IT organization and delivery model. A key initiative was moving to a managed services model which involved outsourcing our infrastructure and application development functions to selected vendors that have proven skills and scale. The IT Transformation is expected to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of IT delivery in support of our businesses. Total anticipated costs are $37 million, of which $36 million were incurred in 2010. Costs incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2011 were not significant. The costs by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were as follows.
IT Transformation Costs by Segment
 
Three months ended March 31
 
(In millions)
2010
CNA Specialty
$
5
 
CNA Commercial
11
 
Life & Group Non-Core
7
 
Corporate & Other Non-Core
2
 
Total IT Transformation Costs
$
25
 
We anticipate the savings resulting from this program will be invested in IT and other investments necessary to support our business strategies.
Favorable net prior year development of $35 million was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 related to our CNA Specialty, CNA Commercial and Corporate & Other Non-Core segments. Further information on net prior year development for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 is included in Note F to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1.
 

45

Critical Accounting Estimates
 
The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the amounts of revenues and expenses reported during the period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. We continually evaluate the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In general, our estimates are based on historical experience, evaluation of current trends, information from third party professionals and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the known facts and circumstances.
The accounting estimates below are considered by us to be critical to an understanding of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as their application places the most significant demands on our judgment.
•
Insurance Reserves
•
Reinsurance and Insurance Receivables
•
Valuation of Investments and Impairment of Securities
•
Long Term Care Products and Payout Annuity Contracts
•
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations
•
Income Taxes
Due to the inherent uncertainties involved with these types of judgments, actual results could differ significantly from estimates and may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or equity. See the Critical Accounting Estimates section of our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for further information.
 
 

46

SEGMENT RESULTS
The following discusses the results of continuing operations for our operating segments.
CNA SPECIALTY
The following table details the results of operations for CNA Specialty.
Results of Operations
 
Three months ended March 31
 
(In millions, except ratios)
2011
 
2010
Net written premiums
$
739
 
 
$
656
 
Net earned premiums
669
 
 
654
 
Net investment income
160
 
 
147
 
Net operating income
130
 
 
128
 
Net realized investment gains, after-tax
5
 
 
9
 
Net income
135
 
 
137
 
Ratios
 
 
 
Loss and loss adjustment expense
64.2
%
 
61.5
%
Expense
30.6
 
 
30.8
 
Dividend
0.1
 
 
0.2
 
Combined
94.9
%
 
92.5
%
Net written premiums for CNA Specialty increased $83 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010. This increase was primarily driven by new business across our Professional & Management Liability lines of business. Net earned premiums increased $15 million as compared to the same period in 2010, consistent with modest increases in net written premiums in recent quarters.
CNA Specialty's average rate was flat for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared to a decrease of 1% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 for the policies that renewed in each period. Retention rates of 85% and 86% were achieved for those policies that were available for renewal in each period.
Net income decreased $2 million and net operating income improved $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.
The combined ratio increased 2.4 points for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010. The loss ratio increased 2.7 points, primarily due to the impact of a higher current accident year loss ratio and decreased favorable net prior year development. The expense ratio decreased 0.2 points, primarily due to the impact of IT Transformation costs incurred in the first quarter of 2010.
Favorable net prior year development of $22 million was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared to favorable net prior year development of $29 million for the same period in 2010. Further information on CNA Specialty's net prior year development for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 is included in Note F to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1.

47

The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 for CNA Specialty.
Gross and Net Carried
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
 
 
 
(In millions)
March 31,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Gross Case Reserves
$
2,304
 
 
$
2,341
 
Gross IBNR Reserves
4,584
 
 
4,452
 
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
$
6,888
 
 
$
6,793
 
Net Case Reserves
$
1,971
 
 
$
1,992
 
Net IBNR Reserves
4,025
 
 
3,926
 
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
$
5,996
 
 
$
5,918
 
 

48

CNA COMMERCIAL
The following table details the results of operations for CNA Commercial.
Results of Operations
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31
 
 
 
(In millions, except ratios)
2011
 
2010
Net written premiums
$
828
 
 
$
829
 
Net earned premiums
802
 
 
816
 
Net investment income
261
 
 
221
 
Net operating income
131
 
 
98
 
Net realized investment gains, after-tax
10
 
 
14
 
Net income
141
 
 
112
 
Ratios
 
 
 
Loss and loss adjustment expense
75.3
 %
 
74.1
%
Expense
32.6
 
 
35.6
 
Dividend
(0.2
)
 
0.1
 
Combined
107.7
 %
 
109.8
%
Net written premiums for CNA Commercial decreased $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010. Although premiums written continue to be impacted by decreased insured exposures, including negative audit premium, the trend has improved. However, these conditions, along with the competitive market, may continue to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels and the expense ratio. Net earned premiums decreased $14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010, for the same reasons listed above.
CNA Commercial's average rate increased 2% for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared with an increase of 1% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 for the policies that renewed in each period. Retention rates of 79% and 78% were achieved for those policies that were available for renewal in each period.
Net income improved $29 million and net operating income improved $33 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010. The increase in net operating income was primarily due to higher net investment income, driven by favorable limited partnership income, and decreased expenses, partially offset by higher catastrophe losses.
The combined ratio improved 2.1 points for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010. The loss ratio increased 1.2 points, primarily due to increased catastrophe losses and less favorable impacts from development-related items, partially offset by an improved current accident year non-catastrophe loss ratio. Catastrophe losses were $53 million, or 6.6 points of the loss ratio, for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared to $38 million, or 4.7 points of the loss ratio, for the same period in 2010. Catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2011 related primarily to the Japanese event and domestic winter storms.
The expense ratio improved 3.0 points for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010, primarily due to the favorable impact of recoveries on insurance receivables written off in prior years and the impact of IT Transformation costs incurred in the first quarter of 2010.
Favorable net prior year development of $15 million was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared to favorable net prior year development of $7 million for the same period in 2010. Further information on CNA Commercial net prior year development for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 is included in Note F to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1.

49

The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 for CNA Commercial.
Gross and Net Carried
 
 
 
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
 
 
 
(In millions)
March 31,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
Gross Case Reserves
$
6,413
 
 
$
6,390
 
Gross IBNR Reserves
5,970
 
 
6,132
 
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
$
12,383
 
 
$
12,522
 
Net Case Reserves
$
5,412
 
 
$
5,349
 
Net IBNR Reserves
5,156
 
 
5,292
 
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
$
10,568
 
 
$
10,641
 
 

50

LIFE & GROUP NON-CORE
The following table summarizes the results of operations for Life & Group Non-Core.
Results of Operations
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31
 
 
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Net earned premiums
$
144
 
 
$
145
 
Net investment income
188
 
 
175
 
Net operating income (loss)
(18
)
 
1
 
Net realized investment losses, after-tax
(3
)
 
(4
)
Net loss
(21
)
 
(3
)
Net earned premiums for Life & Group Non-Core decreased $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010. Net earned premiums relate primarily to the individual and group long term care businesses.
Net loss increased $18 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010. This increase was primarily due to the $15 million after-tax favorable impact in 2010 of reserve development arising from a commutation of an assumed reinsurance agreement and less favorable performance on our remaining pension deposit business, partially offset by lower expenses. In 2010, expenses were unfavorably impacted by IT transformation costs.
Certain of the separate account investment contracts related to our pension deposit business guarantee principal and an annual minimum rate of interest, for which we may record an additional pretax liability in Policyholders' funds based on the results of the investments supporting this business. During the first quarter of 2010, we decreased this pretax liability by $13 million. During the first quarter of 2011, we decreased this pretax liability by $2 million. As of March 31, 2011, there was no additional liability in Policyholders' funds for these separate account investment contracts.
 
 
 
 
 

51

 
CORPORATE & OTHER NON-CORE
The following table summarizes the results of operations for the Corporate & Other Non-Core segment, including asbestos and environmental pollution (A&EP) and intrasegment eliminations.
Results of Operations
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31
 
 
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Net investment income
$
11
 
 
$
47
 
Net operating loss
(27
)
 
(4
)
Net realized investment gains (losses), after-tax
(4
)
 
3
 
Net loss
(31
)
 
(1
)
Net loss increased $30 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010, driven by lower net investment income partially offset by lower net incurred claims, both resulting from the Loss Portfolio Transfer consummated in the third quarter of 2010. Under the Loss Portfolio Transfer we ceded approximately $1.6 billion of net A&EP claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves under a retroactive reinsurance agreement. As a result of that transaction, the investment income allocated to the Corporate & Other Non-Core segment decreased because of the lower net reserve base and associated risk capital. Claim adjustment expenses are lower because the counterparty to the Loss Portfolio Transfer is responsible for A&EP claim handling.
Additionally, net loss increased due to higher interest expense and decreased net realized investment results. The increase in interest expense primarily relates to the use of debt to fund a portion of the 2010 redemption of our preferred stock.
Unfavorable net prior year development of $2 million was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared to unfavorable net prior year development of $1 million for the same period of 2010.
The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 for Corporate & Other Non-Core.
Gross and Net Carried
 
 
 
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
 
 
 
(In millions)
March 31,
2011
 
 
December 31,
2010
 
Gross Case Reserves
$
1,390
 
 
$
1,430
 
Gross IBNR Reserves
1,934
 
 
2,012
 
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
$
3,324
 
 
$
3,442
 
Net Case Reserves
$
457
 
 
$
461
 
Net IBNR Reserves
244
 
 
257
 
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
$
701
 
 
$
718
 
 
 
 

52

INVESTMENTS
Net Investment Income
The significant components of net investment income are presented in the following table.
Net Investment Income
Three months ended March 31
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Fixed maturity securities
$
506
 
 
$
510
 
Short term investments
2
 
 
6
 
Limited partnerships
114
 
 
72
 
Equity securities
6
 
 
10
 
Mortgage loans
2
 
 
—
 
Trading portfolio
3
 
 
4
 
Other
2
 
 
2
 
Gross investment income
635
 
 
604
 
Investment expense
(15
)
 
(14
)
Net investment income
$
620
 
 
$
590
 
Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased $30 million as compared with the same period in 2010. The increase was primarily driven by improved results from limited partnership investments. Limited partnership investments generally present greater volatility, higher illiquidity and greater risk than fixed income investments.
The fixed maturity investment portfolio and short term investments provided a pretax effective income yield of 5.3% and 5.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. Tax-exempt municipal bonds generated $56 million of net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with $78 million of net investment income for the same period in 2010.
Net Realized Investment Gains
The components of net realized investment results are presented in the following table.
Net Realized Investment Gains
Three months ended March 31
 
 
 
(In millions)
2011
 
2010
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
Asset-backed
$
(15
)
 
$
(5
)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
(21
)
 
(3
)
Foreign government
—
 
 
2
 
Corporate and other bonds
53
 
 
33
 
Redeemable preferred stock
3
 
 
—
 
Total fixed maturity securities
20
 
 
27
 
Equity securities
—
 
 
3
 
Derivative securities
(1
)
 
—
 
Short term investments and other
(6
)
 
4
 
Net realized investment gains, net of participating policyholders’ interests
13
 
 
34
 
Income tax expense on net realized investment gains
(4
)
 
(12
)
Net realized investment (gains) losses, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests
(1
)
 
—
 
Net realized investment gains attributable to CNA
$
8
 
 
$
22
 

53

Net realized investment results decreased $14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with the same period in 2010. Results in 2011 include a $6 million after-tax loss on the early extinguishment of debt. Further information on our realized gains and losses, including our OTTI losses and impairment decision process, is set forth in Note C to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1.
Our fixed maturity portfolio consists primarily of high quality bonds, 91% of which were rated as investment grade (rated BBB- or higher) at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The classification between investment grade and non-investment grade is based on a ratings methodology that takes into account ratings from two major providers, S&P and Moody's, in that order of preference. If a security is not rated by these providers, we formulate an internal rating. For securities with credit support from third party guarantees, the rating reflects the greater of the underlying rating of the issuer or the insured rating.
The following table summarizes the ratings of our fixed maturity portfolio at carrying value.
Fixed Maturity Ratings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
March 31,
2011
 
%
 
December 31,
2010
 
%
U.S. Government and Agencies
$
3,700
 
 
10
%
 
$
3,534
 
 
9
%
AAA rated
4,599
 
 
12
 
 
4,419
 
 
12
 
AA and A rated
16,068
 
 
42
 
 
15,665
 
 
42
 
BBB rated
10,333
 
 
27
 
 
10,425
 
 
28
 
Non-investment grade
3,504
 
 
9
 
 
3,534
 
 
9
 
Total
$
38,204
 
 
100
%
 
$
37,577
 
 
100
%
Non-investment grade fixed maturity securities, as presented in the table below, include high-yield securities rated below BBB- by bond rating agencies and other unrated securities that, according to our analysis, are below investment grade. Non-investment grade securities generally involve a greater degree of risk than investment grade securities. The amortized cost of our non-investment grade fixed maturity bond portfolio was $3,382 million and $3,490 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The following table summarizes the ratings of this portfolio at carrying value.
Non-investment Grade
(In millions)
March 31,
2011
 
%
 
December 31,
2010
 
%
BB
$
1,548
 
 
44
%
 
$
1,492
 
 
42
%
B
1,173
 
 
33
 
 
1,163
 
 
33
 
CCC — C
694
 
 
20
 
 
801
 
 
23
 
D
89
 
 
3
 
 
78
 
 
2
 
Total
$
3,504
 
 
100
%
 
$
3,534
 
 
100
%
Included within the fixed maturity portfolio are securities that contain credit support from third party guarantees from mono-line insurers. At March 31, 2011, $440 million of the carrying value of the fixed maturity portfolio had a third party guarantee that increased the underlying average rating of those securities from AA- to AA+. Of this amount, over 92% was within the states, municipalities and political subdivisions securities sector.
At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, approximately 98% of the fixed maturity portfolio was issued by the U.S. Government and Agencies or was rated by S&P or Moody's. The remaining bonds were rated by other rating agencies or internally.
The carrying value of fixed maturity and equity securities that trade in illiquid private placement markets at March 31, 2011 was $317 million, which represents approximately 0.7% of our total investment portfolio. These securities were in a net unrealized gain position of $9 million at March 31, 2011.

54

The gross unrealized loss on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities was $696 million at March 31, 2011. The following table provides the maturity profile for these available-for-sale fixed maturity securities. Securities not due at a single date are allocated based on weighted average life.
Maturity Profile
Percent of
Fair Value
 
Percent of
Unrealized Loss
Due in one year or less
5
%
 
2
%
Due after one year through five years
21
 
 
11
 
Due after five years through ten years
29
 
 
21
 
Due after ten years
45
 
 
66
 
Total
100
%
 
100
%
Duration
A primary objective in the management of the fixed maturity and equity portfolios is to optimize return relative to underlying liabilities and respective liquidity needs. Our views on the current interest rate environment, tax regulations, asset class valuations, specific security issuer and broader industry segment conditions, and the domestic and global economic conditions, are some of the factors that enter into an investment decision. We also continually monitor exposure to issuers of securities held and broader industry sector exposures and may from time to time adjust such exposures based on our views of a specific issuer or industry sector.
A further consideration in the management of the investment portfolio is the characteristics of the underlying liabilities and the ability to align the duration of the portfolio to those liabilities and to meet future liquidity needs, minimize interest rate risk and maintain a level of income sufficient to support the underlying insurance liabilities. For portfolios where future liability cash flows are determinable and typically long term in nature, we segregate investments for asset/liability management purposes. The segregated investments support liabilities primarily in the Life & Group Non-Core segment including annuities, structured benefit settlements and long term care products.
The effective durations of fixed maturity securities, short term investments, non-redeemable preferred stocks and interest rate derivatives are presented in the table below. Short term investments are net of accounts payable and receivable amounts for securities purchased and sold, but not yet settled.
Effective Durations
 
March 31, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
(In millions)
Fair Value
 
Effective
Duration
(In years)
 
Fair Value
 
Effective
Duration
(In years)
Segregated investments
$
11,700
 
 
11.2
 
 
$
11,516
 
 
10.9
 
Other interest sensitive investments
28,394
 
 
4.6
 
 
28,405
 
 
4.6
 
Total Fair Value
$
40,094
 
 
6.6
 
 
$
39,921
 
 
6.4
 
The investment portfolio is periodically analyzed for changes in duration and related price change risk. Additionally, we periodically review the sensitivity of the portfolio to the level of foreign exchange rates and other factors that contribute to market price changes. A summary of these risks and specific analysis on changes is included in the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

55

Asset-Backed Exposure
Asset-Backed Distribution
March 31, 2011
Security Type
(In millions)
RMBS (a)
 
CMBS (b)
 
Other ABS (c)
 
Total
U.S. Government Agencies
$
3,521
 
 
$
45
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
3,566
 
AAA
1,195
 
 
228
 
 
659
 
 
2,082
 
AA
156
 
 
260
 
 
130
 
 
546
 
A
152
 
 
250
 
 
64
 
 
466
 
BBB
198
 
 
145
 
 
35
 
 
378
 
Non-investment grade and equity tranches
853
 
 
182
 
 
8
 
 
1,043
 
Total Fair Value
$
6,075
 
 
$
1,110
 
 
$
896
 
 
$
8,081
 
Total Amortized Cost
$
6,193
 
 
$
1,078
 
 
$
886
 
 
$
8,157
 
Sub-prime (included above)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value
$
435
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
435
 
Amortized Cost
$
455
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
455
 
Alt-A (included above)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value
$
627
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
627
 
Amortized Cost
$
649
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
—
 
 
$
649
 
____________________
(a)
Residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS)
(b)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS)
(c)
Other asset-backed securities (Other ABS)
The exposure to sub-prime collateral and Alt-A collateral is measured by the original deal structure. Of the securities with sub-prime exposure, approximately 76% were rated investment grade, while 83% of the Alt-A securities were rated investment grade. At March 31, 2011, $6 million of the carrying value of the sub-prime and Alt-A securities carried a third-party guarantee.
Pretax OTTI losses of $20 million for securities with sub-prime and Alt-A exposure were included in the $28 million of pretax OTTI losses related to asset-backed securities recognized in earnings on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011. If additional deterioration in the underlying collateral occurs beyond our current expectations, additional OTTI losses may be recognized in earnings. See Note C to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1 for additional information related to unrealized losses on asset-backed securities.
Short Term Investments
The carrying value of the components of the short term investment portfolio is presented in the following table.
Short Term Investments
March 31,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
(In millions)
 
Short term investments available-for-sale:
 
 
 
Commercial paper
$
444
 
 
$
686
 
U.S. Treasury securities
846
 
 
903
 
Money market funds
117
 
 
94
 
Other
270
 
 
532
 
Total short term investments
$
1,677
 
 
$
2,215
 
 
 

56

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows
Our principal operating cash flow sources are premiums and investment income from our insurance subsidiaries. Our primary operating cash flow uses are payments for claims, policy benefits and operating expenses. Additionally, cash may be paid or received for income taxes.
For the three months ended March 31, 2011, net cash provided by operating activities was $112 million as compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $364 million for the same period in 2010. Cash provided by operating activities was unfavorably impacted by decreased investment income receipts in the first quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010. The first quarter of 2010 included significant receipts relating to returns on limited partnerships. Additionally, paid losses were higher in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010. Because cash receipts and cash payments resulting from purchases and sales of trading securities are reported as cash flows related to operating activities, during 2011 operating cash flows were increased by $6 million related to net cash inflows primarily from sales of trading securities as compared to an increase of $99 million during 2010.
Cash flows from investing activities include the purchase and sale of available-for-sale financial instruments. Additionally, cash flows from investing activities may include the purchase and sale of businesses, land, buildings, equipment and other assets not generally held for resale.
For the three months ended March 31, 2011, net cash used by investing activities was $74 million as compared with net cash used by investing activities of $369 million for the same period in 2010. Investing cash flows related principally to purchases and sales of fixed maturity securities and short term investments. The cash flow from investing activities is impacted by various factors such as the anticipated payment of claims, financing activity, asset/liability management and individual security buy and sell decisions made in the normal course of portfolio management.
Cash flows from financing activities include proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities, outflows for dividends or repayment of debt and outlays to reacquire equity instruments.
For the three months ended March 31, 2011, net cash used by financing activities was $36 million as compared with $38 million for the same period in 2010. In the first quarter of 2011 we issued $400 million of 5.75% senior notes due August 15, 2021 and used the net proceeds of the offering, together with cash on hand, to redeem the outstanding $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00% senior notes due August 15, 2011, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, along with a call premium.
Dividends
On March 2, 2011, we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share to stockholders of record on February 16, 2011. On April 29, 2011, we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, payable June 1, 2011 to stockholders of record on May 16, 2011. The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on many factors, including our earnings, financial condition, business needs, and regulatory constraints.
Liquidity
We believe that our present cash flows from operations, investing activities and financing activities are sufficient to fund our current and expected working capital and debt obligation needs and we do not expect this to change in the near term. There are currently no amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility, which provides for a total commitment of up to $250 million.
We have an effective automatic shelf registration statement under which we may issue debt, equity or hybrid securities.

57

CNA Surety
As discussed in Note K to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1, on April 21, 2011, we announced that we signed a definitive merger agreement with CNA Surety pursuant to which we will commence a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of CNA Surety that are not currently owned by us for $26.55 per share in cash. Based on the offer price of $26.55 per share, the aggregate purchase price will be approximately $475 million. We anticipate funding the acquisition of these shares of common stock with available funds. The tender offer will be conditioned upon, among other things, acceptance by the holders of a majority of the publicly held shares of CNA Surety. Subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing, it is currently anticipated that the transaction will be completed by the end of the second quarter.
 
 

58

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains a number of forward-looking statements which relate to anticipated future events rather than actual present conditions or historical events. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and generally include words such as “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this report include any and all statements regarding expected developments in our insurance business, including losses and loss reserves for asbestos and environmental pollution and other mass tort claims which are more uncertain, and therefore more difficult to estimate than loss reserves respecting traditional property and casualty exposures; the impact of routine ongoing insurance reserve reviews we are conducting; our expectations concerning our revenues, earnings, expenses and investment activities; volatility in investment returns; expected cost savings and other results from our expense reduction activities; and our proposed actions in response to trends in our business. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to a variety of inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected in the forward-looking statement. We cannot control many of these risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Company-Specific Factors
•
the risks and uncertainties associated with our loss reserves, as outlined in the Critical Accounting Estimates and the Reserves - Estimates and Uncertainties sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the sufficiency of the reserves and the possibility for future increases;
•
the risk that the other parties to the transaction in which, subject to certain limitations, we ceded our legacy A&EP liabilities will not fully perform their obligations to CNA, the uncertainty in estimating loss reserves for A&EP liabilities and the possible continued exposure of CNA to liabilities for A&EP claims that are not covered under the terms of the transaction;
•
the performance of reinsurance companies under reinsurance contracts with us; and
•
the consummation of contemplated transactions.
Industry and General Market Factors
•
the impact of competitive products, policies and pricing and the competitive environment in which we operate, including changes in our book of business;
•
product and policy availability and demand and market responses, including the level of ability to obtain rate increases and decline or non-renew under priced accounts, to achieve premium targets and profitability and to realize growth and retention estimates;
•
general economic and business conditions, including recessionary conditions that may decrease the size and number of our insurance customers and create additional losses to our lines of business, especially those that provide management and professional liability insurance, as well as surety bonds, to businesses engaged in real estate, financial services and professional services, and inflationary pressures on medical care costs, construction costs and other economic sectors that increase the severity of claims;
•
conditions in the capital and credit markets, including continuing uncertainty and instability in these markets, as well as the overall economy, and their impact on the returns, types, liquidity and valuation of our investments;
•
conditions in the capital and credit markets that may limit our ability to raise significant amounts of capital on favorable terms, as well as restrictions on the ability or willingness of Loews to provide additional capital support to us; and
•
the possibility of changes in our ratings by ratings agencies, including the inability to access certain markets or distribution channels and the required collateralization of future payment obligations as a result of such changes, and changes in rating agency policies and practices.
Regulatory Factors
•
regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, judicial interpretations within the regulatory framework, including interpretation of policy provisions, decisions regarding coverage and theories of liability, trends in litigation and the outcome of any litigation involving us, and rulings and changes in tax laws and regulations;

59

•
regulatory limitations, impositions and restrictions upon us, including the effects of assessments and other surcharges for guaranty funds and second-injury funds, other mandatory pooling arrangements and future assessments levied on insurance companies as well as the new federal financial regulatory reform of the insurance industry established by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act;
•
increased operating costs and underwriting losses arising from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the related amendments in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, as well as health care reform proposals at the state level; and
•
regulatory limitations and restrictions, including limitations upon our ability to receive dividends from our insurance subsidiaries imposed by state regulatory agencies and minimum risk-based capital standards established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Impact of Catastrophic Events and Related Developments
•
weather and other natural physical events, including the severity and frequency of storms, hail, snowfall and other winter conditions, natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as climate change, including effects on weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain and snow;
•
regulatory requirements imposed by coastal state regulators in the wake of hurricanes or other natural disasters, including limitations on the ability to exit markets or to non-renew, cancel or change terms and conditions in policies, as well as mandatory assessments to fund any shortfalls arising from the inability of quasi-governmental insurers to pay claims;
•
man-made disasters, including the possible occurrence of terrorist attacks and the effect of the absence or insufficiency of applicable terrorism legislation on coverages;
•
the unpredictability of the nature, targets, severity or frequency of potential terrorist events, as well as the uncertainty as to our ability to contain our terrorism exposure effectively; and
•
the occurrence of epidemics.
Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statement, even if our expectations or any related events or circumstances change.
 

60

CNA Financial Corporation
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There were no material changes in our market risk components for the three months ended March 31, 2011. See the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included in Item 7A on our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2010 for further information. Additional information related to portfolio duration is discussed in the Investments section of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in Part I, Item 2.
 

61

CNA Financial Corporation
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), including this report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. These disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management on a timely basis to allow decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of March 31, 2011, the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2011.
There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 

62

CNA Financial Corporation
Part II. Other Information
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Information on our legal proceedings is set forth in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1.
 

63

Item 6. Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.
 

64

CNA Financial Corporation
Part II. Other Information
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
CNA Financial Corporation
 
 
Dated:
May 3, 2011
By  
/s/ D. Craig Mense  
 
 
 
 
D. Craig Mense 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer 
 
 

65

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
 
Description of Exhibit
Exhibit Number
 
 
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer of CNA Financial Corporation Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (As adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
 
 
 
 
Written Statement of the Chief Financial Officer of CNA Financial Corporation Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (As adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
 

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