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CONTRACT SURETY BONDS: UNDERSTANDING TODAY ’ S MARKET. 2013. Surety in the Early 1990s. Strong economy Excess capacity in surety market Low premiums Relaxed underwriting Commercial surety expansion. Surety in the Early 2000s. Sagging economy Significant commercial losses
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Surety in the Early 1990s • Strong economy • Excess capacity in surety market • Low premiums • Relaxed underwriting • Commercial surety expansion
Surety in the Early 2000s • Sagging economy • Significant commercial losses • Heavy contract surety losses • Increased failure rates
Surety in the 2000s Source: BizMiner
Contract Surety Premiums & Losses Source: The Surety & Fidelity Association of America “Twelve-Year Experience Summaries (200`-2012) Surety Countrywide (Preliminary)”
Construction Activity U.S. Census Gains April 2012 – April 2013 www.census.gov/const/www/c30index.html
Outlook for 2013 & Beyond • Increased risk for owners, contractors & sureties caused by current economy • Continued disciplined underwriting, exposure management & project analysis • Stabilized capacity & restored profitability • Construction investments—public or private—are unpredictable.
Outlook for 2013 & Beyond • Optimism about surety capacity & demand • Small, mega markets may remain tight • Surety available for best contractors • Marginal contractors have difficulty obtaining bonding • More competition, fewer projects • Tightened operations for contractors • Increase in contractor failures
Underwriting The 3 “C”s: • Capital • Capacity • Character 4 and 5: • Continuity • Contracts
Underwriting • Capital • Financial statements • Indemnity • Working capital • Work-in-progress
Underwriting • Capacity • Resumes • Contingency plan • Business plan • Equipment
Underwriting • Character • Reputation • Relationships • References
Bond Premiums Geographic Area Contractor Size Type of Construction Premium Still a Bargain Pennies on the dollar
Capacity Small ( < $10 M*) Some sureties SBA Program Medium ($10 M - $100 M) Competitive Surety Market Large ($100 M - $250 M) Competitive Surety Market Mega ( > $250 M) Top 5-6 sureties Joint ventures Partial bonds *These figures represent the amount of contractors’ annual revenue
Capacity Capacity Small ( < $10 M) Some sureties SBA Program Medium ($10 M - $100 M) Competitive Surety Market Large ($100 M - $250 M) Competitive Surety Market Mega ( > $250 M) Top 5-6 sureties Joint ventures Partial bonds *These figures represent the amount of contractors’ annual revenue
Claims Severity&Frequencyof Claims
Advice for Today’s Contractors • Know rights & responsibilities • Stay within capabilities • Manage growth & overhead • Learn why contractors fail
Advice for Today’s Contractors • Communicate • Prepare for economic recovery
Advice for Today’s Contractors • Contract terms • Bond forms • Construction CPA • Adjust overhead • Bank line of credit • Conserve capital • Bond subcontractors • Qualify the surety
Advice for Today’s Contractors Producer Contractor Underwriter
Advice for Today’s Contractors Producer Underwriter Contractor
For More Information Surety Information Office (SIO) www.sio.org | sio@sio.org SIO is a joint initiative of The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) and National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP).