Radnor, Pa., November 21, 2014 – Essent Guaranty, Inc., a nationwide provider of private mortgage insurance (MI) and a subsidiary of Essent Group Ltd. (NYSE: ESNT), today announced that Chief Executive Officer Mark Casale was named as the national winner in the financial services category of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2014 Award at its annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California.

The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which is a leading business award for entrepreneurs, encourages entrepreneurial activity and recognizes leaders and visionaries who demonstrate innovation, financial success and personal commitment as they create and build world‐class businesses.   Mr. Casale was recognized by EY for his exceptional leadership skills in founding Essent during an unfavorable economic climate and growing the company into a successful mortgage insurer.

Mr. Casale was chosen for the national award from a pool of accomplished executive leaders who won their respective regions throughout the nation. Prior to winning the national award, Mr. Casale won the 2014 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Greater Philadelphia Region in the financial services category in June, a prerequisite to advance to the national level.   

“This award recognizes the entrepreneurial initiative that drives each of us, and I am honored to have been chosen as the national financial services winner. Essent’s success was made possible by the vision of our founding investors, the dedication of our employees and the strong relationships we have formed with our customers,” said Mr. Casale.   “I am very proud of the Essent story and commend the EY Entrepreneur of the Year program for the support and recognition it provides to entrepreneurs throughout the world.”  

Award winners in several national categories, as well as the EY National Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall Award winner, were announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on Nov. 15, 2014. The awards are the culminating event of the EY Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high‐growth, market‐leading companies. More information on the EY awards may be found at ey.com/us/eoy.  

About the Company
Essent Guaranty, Inc., a wholly‐owned subsidiary of Essent Group Ltd. (collectively, “Essent”), offers private mortgage insurance for single‐family mortgage loans in the United States. Essent provides private capital to mitigate mortgage credit risk, allowing lenders to make additional mortgage financing available to prospective homeowners. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Essent Guaranty, Inc. is licensed to write mortgage insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and is approved by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.   Additional information regarding Essent may be found at www.essentgroup.com or www.essent.us.