
Surplus notes are a type of financial instrument that allows companies to raise funds by issuing notes that are backed by their excess cash or other liquid assets.
These notes can be used to finance various business needs, such as expanding operations, paying off debt, or investing in new projects.
Companies can issue surplus notes to investors, who are attracted to their relatively low risk and high liquidity.
Surplus notes can be used for both short-term and long-term financing, making them a versatile option for businesses.
What is a Surplus Note?
A surplus note is a bond-like instrument issued by an insurance company, specifically mutual insurance companies that are owned by their policyholders.
These securities are subordinated obligations, meaning they fall at the very bottom of the operating insurance company's capital structure.
Surplus notes are debt-like in that they pay a coupon and have a finite maturity, but they can be classified as "surplus" or equity by state insurance regulators.
This is because surplus note holders are last in line to make a claim on the company's assets in a default scenario, much like equity holders in a public company.
Mutual companies issue surplus notes to raise surplus or equity in response to new risk-based capital guidelines developed in the early 1990s.
There was no alternative method for mutual companies to raise surplus or equity, since they are owned by policyholders, not shareholders.
Benefits and Uses
A surplus note can be used as a temporary financing solution for businesses, allowing them to receive cash quickly without having to wait for accounts receivable to mature.
It can be issued to customers who have outstanding accounts with the business, giving them a discount for paying early.
This can help reduce the business's accounts receivable and improve its cash flow, making it easier to manage day-to-day operations.
The value of a surplus note is typically based on the customer's outstanding account balance, and it can be sold to third-party investors or used to pay off other debts.
By using surplus notes, businesses can free up working capital and focus on growing their operations, rather than worrying about cash flow.
Advantages
The advantages of this topic are numerous. One of the most significant benefits is improved productivity, which can be achieved by streamlining processes and eliminating unnecessary steps.
Using this approach, you can save a significant amount of time and energy, which can be redirected towards more important tasks. For example, by automating repetitive tasks, you can free up to 30% of your daily workload.
Increased efficiency is another major advantage, which can lead to higher quality results and better outcomes. By minimizing errors and maximizing output, you can achieve a 25% increase in productivity.
Better decision-making is also a key benefit, as it enables you to make more informed choices and avoid costly mistakes. By analyzing data and identifying patterns, you can make decisions that are 90% more likely to succeed.
Overall, the advantages of this topic are clear, and they can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life.
Common Applications

In many industries, the benefits of using a particular technology are well-documented. It's widely used in manufacturing, where it's been shown to increase productivity by up to 30%.
From a practical standpoint, it's also useful in laboratories, where it can be used to analyze data in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional methods. This is particularly important in research settings, where time is often of the essence.
In addition to these applications, it's also used in educational settings to create interactive learning experiences. This can be especially helpful for students who learn best through hands-on activities.
One of the most significant benefits of this technology is its ability to process complex data quickly and accurately. This makes it an invaluable tool in fields like finance, where accuracy is paramount.
It's also worth noting that it can be used to enhance communication between teams and stakeholders. This can be particularly helpful in large-scale projects, where clear and concise communication is crucial.
Credit Ratings and Surplus Notes
Surplus notes are a type of instrument used by insurance entities to raise capital, and they can be reported as capital rather than debt due to their subordinate nature.
These notes require approval from the commissioner of the state of domicile before they can be issued and before interest and principal repayments can be made.
The accounting guidance for surplus notes is provided in SSAP No. 41R, which is monitored by the Statutory Accounting Principles (E) Working Group to ensure accurate measurement and recognition in statutory financial statements.
Surplus notes are insurer-specific, meaning each insurance entity has its own unique surplus notes that are subject to specific regulations and guidelines.
Insurance and Surplus Notes
Surplus notes are insurer-specific instruments issued to provide a source of capital for insurance entities.
These debt-instruments are permitted to be reported as capital, not as debt, due to their subordinate nature.
Surplus notes require approval by the commissioner of the state of domicile before original issuance and before interest and principal repayments can be made.
Accounting guidance for surplus notes is provided in SSAP No. 41R.
The Statutory Accounting Principles (E) Working Group monitors accounting and reporting guidance for surplus notes to ensure appropriate measurement and recognition in the statutory financial statements.
In the United States, a contingent surplus note is a bond-like instrument issued by an insurance company.
These securities are subordinated obligations and fall at the very bottom of the operating insurance company's capital structure.
Surplus notes are primarily issued by mutual insurance companies, which are not public and are owned by their policyholders.
They are debt-like in that they pay a coupon and have a finite maturity.
State insurance regulators have allowed insurance companies to classify the capital raised via surplus notes as “surplus” (which is the statutory equivalent of equity), because surplus note holders are last in line to make a claim on the company's assets in a default scenario.
Mutual companies issue these instruments to raise surplus (or equity) in response to new risk-based capital guidelines developed in the early 1990s.
Surplus note holders have last claim on the assets of the operating insurance company, but this claim is still ahead of holding company obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do surplus notes add to policyholder surplus?
Surplus notes may provide temporary funding, but they do not necessarily add to policyholder surplus. Their impact is often short-term and may not provide a lasting increase in surplus.
What do surplus funds mean in insurance?
A company's surplus funds indicate its financial stability, with more assets than losses, allowing it to pay claims easily. This excess capital helps cover claims that exceed reinsurance coverage.
What is a note on consumer surplus?
Consumer surplus occurs when consumers pay less for a product or service than they're willing to pay, resulting in additional benefits. This surplus measures the extra value consumers gain from paying a lower price than their maximum willingness to pay.
Sources
- https://www.dfs.ny.gov/insurance/ogco2002/rg201232.htm
- https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2024/08/26/789977.htm
- https://content.naic.org/insurance-topics/surplus-notes
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surplus_note
- https://portfolio-strategy.apsec.com/2019/06/21/a-brief-primer-on-insurance-surplus-notes/
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