MGIC Investment Corporation is a holding company which, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, is the leading provider of private mortgage insurance coverage in the United States to the home mortgage lending industry. Private mortgage insurance covers residential first mortgage loans and expands home ownership opportunitiesby enabling people to purchase homes with less than 20% down payments. If the home owner defaults, private mortgage insurance reduces and, in some instances, eliminates the loss to the insured institution.