Essent entered the market in 2010 as the first new mortgage insurance company in over a decade. Its entry has reaffirmed the value and role of private mortgage insurance in advancing safe and affordable home lending. Essent serves the housing finance industry by providing private capital to bear mortgage credit risk for lenders and mortgage investors, enabling them to make mortgage financing available for homeowners.

The company’s capital strength comes from $600 million in invested and committed equity funding from a group of premier investors, including Pine Brook Road Partners, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, PartnerRe, and RenaissanceRe Ventures Ltd. By guarding lenders and investors against the risk of credit losses, Essent demonstrates a commitment to—and confidence in—U.S. homebuyers and the evolving housing finance system.

Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, with operations centered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Essent is licensed to write insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and is approved by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.