Claudia Merkle, born in 1961, has been a significant player in the mortgage insurance industry for over 25 years. She joined NMI Holdings Inc. in 2012 as the Senior Vice President of Underwriting Fulfillment and Risk Operations and quickly climbed...

Claudia Merkle, born in 1961, has been a significant player in the mortgage insurance industry for over 25 years. She joined NMI Holdings Inc. in 2012 as the Senior Vice President of Underwriting Fulfillment and Risk Operations and quickly climbed the ranks. By 2018, she was named CEO, succeeding Bradley Shuster. Her career has spanned various leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and President. Claudia is known for her focus on performance-based compensation and aligning executive interests with stockholder goals, which reflects her responsibility towards the company's growth. In 2020, she earned a total compensation of $3.88 million, which included a salary of $750,000 and a performance-based bonus. She has also overseen significant business operations at NMI, emphasizing underwriting, marketing, and sales operations. Claudia's expertise lies in business development and operations within the mortgage and insurance fields, and she has built a reputation for driving the financial success of the company during her tenure.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other NMI Holdings Inc. CEOs

N

Claudia Merkle

Ex-CEO of NMI Holdings Inc.

Education

Not specified

Field of Expertise

Finance & Banking - Insurance

Sector of Economy

Financial Services

Born

January 1, 1959 - 66 years ago

CEO of NMI Holdings Inc. for

3 years 2 months (Jan 2019 - Mar 2022)

Previous Experience

President, COO, EVP and Chief of Insurance Operations at NMI Holdings

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Claudia Merkle

M

Timothy J. Mattke

CEO of MGIC Investment Corp.

2023 Compensation

Stock

$1.25M

Salary

$600.00K

Bonus

$180.00K

Other

$50.00K

Total Holdings

$22.27M

W

Timothy S. Crane

CEO of Wintrust Financial

2023 Compensation

Stock

$276.30K

Salary

$1.00M

Bonus

$1.14M

Other

$33.85K

Total Holdings

$8.91M

F

Vincent J. Delie, Jr.

CEO of F.N.B. Corporation

2023 Compensation

Stock

$11.00M

Salary

$1.19M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$649.18K

Total Holdings

$24.80M

F

Orlando Berges-Gonzalez

CEO of First BanCorp

2023 Compensation

Stock

$655.06K

Salary

$600.00K

Bonus

$1.20K

Other

$13.96K

Total Holdings

$5.10M

E

Robin M. Raju

CEO of Equitable Holdings

2022 Compensation

Stock

$10.60M

Salary

$1.25M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$953.42K

Total Holdings

$7.77M

Holdings

See how much did Claudia Merkle make over time.

During her time as CEO at NMI Holdings, Claudia Merkle experienced notable fluctuations in her investments. At her peak, her holdings represented a significant share of her wealth. As of 2019, she had 48,991 vested shares worth approximately $1.63 million...

During her time as CEO at NMI Holdings, Claudia Merkle experienced notable fluctuations in her investments. At her peak, her holdings represented a significant share of her wealth. As of 2019, she had 48,991 vested shares worth approximately $1.63 million in NMI Holdings stock. However, as of 2021, after her departure, her holdings were subject to performance metrics and unlocking conditions that potentially altered their value. Claudia’s approach to stock ownership reflected her alignment with shareholder interests, showcasing her commitment to the company's long-term performance. The company's share price saw considerable activity during her tenure, impacting her overall wealth tied to NMI Holdings.

Mar 18, 2025

N

shares

NMIH @ $35.29

Total Stock Sold

$7.65M

NMIH

$7.65M

336,686 NMIH shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Claudia Merkle didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra NMIH336,686 shares worth $6.59M.
This is -13.91% and $1.06M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Claudia Merkle.

NMIH

$820.23K

NMIH at $24.60/share

Mar 11, 2021

Sale

NMIH

$218.17K

NMIH at $24.52/share

Mar 2, 2021

Sale

NMIH

50,347 shares

NMIH

Feb 10, 2021

Received

NMIH

$1.74M

NMIH at $23.57/share

Nov 16, 2020

Sale

NMIH

33,870 shares

NMIH

Feb 12, 2020

Received

NMIH

$402.96K

NMIH at $33.58/share

Nov 26, 2019

Sale

NMIH

$2.10M

NMIH at $24.31/share

Mar 1, 2019

Sale

NMIH

48,991 shares

NMIH

Feb 13, 2019

Received

NMIH

$1.62M

NMIH at $21.26/share

Sep 5, 2018

Sale

NMIH

$500.02K

NMIH at $16.98/share

Jun 5, 2018

Sale

Compensation History

See how much did Claudia Merkle make over time.

In her role as CEO, Claudia Merkle's compensation package has shown significant variation reflecting her responsibilities and the company's performance. In 2020, she received a total compensation of $3.88 million, which was comprised of a base salary of $750,000 and a discretionary bonus of $39,000 based on her performance metrics for the year. In 2019, her compensation totaled $3.46 million, which included a remarkable $1.3 million bonus opportunity tied to her performance. Her compensation philosophy emphasizes performance metrics such as adjusted return on equity and adjusted operating income, ensuring that executive rewards align closely with company success. This approach highlights her commitment to driving the company’s growth while also aligning her interests with those of the shareholders, making her a strategic leader in the insurance sector.

Year

2020

Total Compensation

$856.16K

Salary

$750.00K

Board Justification

The compensation program is designed to attract, retain, and motivate executives while aligning their interests with those of stockholders through performance-based compensation.

Bonus

$39.00K

Board Justification

Discretionary bonus based on performance metrics for the year 2020, awarded in 2021.

Other

$67.16K

Board Justification

Includes executive cash allowances, matching 401(k) contributions, and other benefits.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 RSUs and PRSUs)

Board Justification

No stock vested in 2020; all stock awards are subject to future performance metrics and vesting schedules.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics included adjusted return on equity, adjusted operating income, new insurance written, and adjusted expense ratio.

Other NMI Holdings Inc. CEOs

Here are other CEOs of NMI Holdings Inc.

Adam S. Pollitzer

CEO of NMI Holdings Inc.

March 2022 - Present