Arch U.S. MI, the U.S. subsidiary of
Arch Capital Group Ltd.
(
ACGL
) intends to foray into the U.S. Mortgage Insurance market. It
has announced that it will acquire CMG Mortgage Insurance Company
(CMG MI) from PMI Mortgage Insurance Company for $300 million.
PMI has been under review of the Arizona Department of Insurance
and CMFG Life Insurance Company (CUNA Mutual). It had a 50%
equity ownership in CMG Mortgage Insurance Company and CMG
Mortgage Assurance Company.
The deal is expected to culminate within a year, pending
regulatory approval. Though the purchase consideration is
estimated to be $300 million, additional amounts are payable
depending on CMG MI's pre-closing portfolio over a pre-decided
period. We believe the strong cash position of the company to be
sufficient to support the transaction.
Per the transaction, Arch Capital will take over the entire
capital stock of CMG MI and its associates and also PMI's
mortgage Insurance operating platform and related assets.
Moreover, Arch U.S. MI also expects to enter into a contract with
CUNA Mutual, under which the latter will continue serving the
credit union clients for the company. It is expected to
strengthen its credit union market operations.
Additionally, an Arch U.S. MI affiliate would be responsible for
reinsuring the run-off of in-force insurance on current,
non-delinquent loans within PMI's primary mortgage insurance of
2009-2011 without any risk obligation. According to the deal, it
will also provide quota share reinsurance to CMG MI.
Thus the deal will not only entail Arch Capital to penetrate the
U.S. mortgage insurance market but also will help it obtain
mortgage insurance license throughout the nation, thereby
diversifying its business portfolio and providing a global
operating platform. The company also expects to employ the
competent senior management team of PMI to enhance its operating
efficiency.
Management expects the deal to complement its objective to expand
and capitalize on new specialty lines of business. The company is
optimistic about the incorporation of PMI's staff strength as
this will entail it to serve more clients more efficiently.
Last month, another financial services company,
Fidelity National Financial
(
FNF
), acquired America's leading employee benefits platform Digital
Insurance, Inc. (Digital) to expand its existing employee
benefits market rapidly.
Arch Capital group currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Others from the industry, like
Cincinnati Financial
(
CINF
),
RLI Corp.
(
RLI
) as well as Fidelity National carry a favorable Zacks Rank #1
(Strong Buy) and are worth noting.
ARCH CAP GP LTD (ACGL): Free Stock Analysis
Report
CINCINNATI FINL (CINF): Free Stock Analysis
Report
FIDELITY NAT FI (FNF): Free Stock Analysis
Report
RLI CORP (RLI): Free Stock Analysis Report
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