UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004
or
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 1-13004
CITIZENS, INC.
(512) 837-7100
N/A
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
[X] Yes [ ] No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange.
As of November 1, 2004, the Registrant had 34,954,815 shares of Class A common stock, no par value, outstanding and 874,935 shares of Class B common stock, no par value, outstanding.
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION, CONTINUEDSeptember 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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(Unaudited)
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CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIESCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUEDNine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
In the first quarter of 2003, the Company issued 2,560,994 Class A common shares in connection with the acquisition of First Alliance Corporation. In conjunction with the acquisition, cash and cash equivalents were provided as follows:
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Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities (Continued):
On March 9, 2004, the Company entered into coinsurance agreements, effective January 1, 2004, ceding the majority of its accident and health premiums and corresponding benefits and claims. Due to this cession, the Company ceded its January 1, 2004, deferred policy acquisition costs and cost of customer relationships acquired and increased reinsurance recoverable and funds withheld under coinsurance agreements by $2,197,434, $2,886,060, $14,960,408 and $10,439,830, respectively, resulting in a loss of $634,461 and a deferred gain of $71,545. Of that deferred gain, $23,846 was amortized to earnings in third quarter of 2004. The remaining deferred gain at September 30, 2004, amounting to $23,851, will be amortized to earnings over the remaining settlement period of the accident and health coinsurance agreements.
On July 12, 2004, the Company completed a private placement of $12.5 million of Series A-1 Senior Convertible Preferred Stock to four unaffiliated institutional investors. The Company initially recognized deferred issuance costs of $1,210,655, discounts on beneficial conversion features of $3,073,204 and discounts on fair value of options and warrants of $2,994,150, respectively. The Company has subsequently recognized accretion of those deferrals and discounts amounting to $315,381. These discounts and deferrals have decreased the carrying amount of the Convertible Preferred Stock in the statement of financial position.
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Major categories of premiums and annuity and universal life considerations are summarized as follows:
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The Company has been named as a defendant in various legal actions incidental to its business seeking payments for claims denied by the Company and other monetary damages. In the opinion of management, the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from any contingent liabilities that might arise from litigation are not considered material in relation to the financial position or results of operations of the Company. Liabilities for claims payable are based on the expected claim amount to be paid after a case-by-case review of the facts and circumstances relating to each claim. A contingency exists with regard to these liabilities until the claims are adjudicated and paid.
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ITEM 2
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISOF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Information within this report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the insurance industry, the world economy and the Company itself. Words such as “may,’ “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” or “continue,” or comparable words are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition, all statements other than statements of historical facts that address activities that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed for forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are encouraged to read the SEC filings of the Company, particularly its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, for meaningful cautionary language and discussion of risk factors disclosing why actual results may vary materially from those anticipated by management.
Overview
On October 1, 2004, the Company consummated the acquisition of Security Plan Life Insurance Company (Security Plan), a Louisiana life insurance company with marketing operations primarily in Louisiana. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, Citizens Insurance Company of America (“CICA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, acquired all of the outstanding shares of Security Plan for $85 million. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase. Management believes that the acquisition should enhance premium income and total revenue and augment our domestic marketing program, as well as be accretive to earnings.
During 2004, management has focused on several key areas. The Company’s international life business continues to grow, despite economic problems in some Latin American markets that historically have been large sources of new premiums. During 2003, new marketing organizations were contracted in the Pacific Rim and other locations, which are making contributions to new business in the current year. Management believes that the remainder of 2004 will result in further increases in new production.
In March 2004, the Company entered into a reinsurance arrangement where most of our in force accident and health business was ceded to another reinsurer effective January 1, 2004 (See discussion of Accident and Health business below). As a result, overhead reductions of approximately $1,144,000 have been achieved in the first nine months of 2004 and management expects to achieve overhead reductions of approximately $1.4 million for the 2004 year.
Development of our U.S. marketing operations has continued. Changes were made in the management of this program in late 2003 and early 2004, and senior company executives have taken over the development program. Management believes that the acquisition of Security Plan will expand our U.S. operations significantly.
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Management continues to seek acquisitions that are accretive to the Company. During 2003, two transactions were completed. Because of the growth in the Company’s asset base and level of capital, management expects to seek opportunities for larger acquisition transactions (those in the $30 million to $75 million purchase price range). As discussed above, on October 1, 2004, the Company consummated the acquisition of Security Plan for $85 million. A $30 million line of credit was entered into with Regions Bank during the first quarter of 2004 and was fully drawn down on October 1, 2004 and converted into a term loan due on November 1, 2009, in connection with the purchase of Security Plan. In addition, the Company completed a private placement of $12.5 million of Series A-1 Senior Convertible Preferred Stock to four unaffiliated institutional investors in July 2004. Management utilized both of these capital sources, as well as available cash on hand, to fund the Security Plan acquisition.
Results of Operations
The Company’s operations have historically focused on three areas: international life insurance; U.S. life insurance; and acquisition of other U.S. life insurance companies. Beginning in 2002 with the acquisition of Citizens National (formerly Combined), a new area was added, that of U.S. supplemental accident and health business. As discussed below, the Company significantly decreased its accident and health segment through the cession of most of such business, effective January 1, 2004.
International Operations
The acceptance of applications for U.S. dollar-denominated ordinary whole life insurance from high net worth foreign nationals has been the core business for the Company for more than 30 years. This niche allows the Company to participate in a marketplace where the policies are typically large face amount, the premiums are paid annually, the persistency is high compared to U.S. policies, the mortality is as good as or better than that experienced in the U.S., the caliber of the marketers from whom applications are received for consideration is above the average, and there is no advancing of commissions to producers. Overall, we expect our international operations to continue to expand. The number of independent marketers contracted has grown over the past few years. Historically, the majority of such business was focused on Central and South America. During the past two years, applications have been received from thirty-six countries, with the Pacific Rim representing a growing presence of new applications. Our foreign life insurance business occurs through our primary insurance subsidiary, CICA. Foreign business made up more than 86% of CICA’s premium revenues in 2003.
For the first nine months of 2004, submitted annualized international premiums were $11.1 million or 24.2% higher than $8.9 million for the same period in 2003, reflecting a broad-based increase in new life production. Total premium income from the international market amounted to $42,694,328 during the first nine months of 2004 compared to $36,961,219 for the same period of 2003, an increase of 15.5%. (See Note 6 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for an analysis of the International Life segment.)
Management is pleased with the growth in international production, because two countries from which significant numbers of applications have been received, Argentina and Venezuela, have undergone financial crises over the past few years. These two countries represented more than 18% of the annual premium income of the Company in 2003. During the late 1980’s Argentina
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became the largest source of new business for CICA, particularly as a new middle class emerged in that country’s society. Because of this emerging middle class, CICA (which has historically only focused on the upper income groups) began offering a plan in Argentina that was designed for this group that was popularly received. When the economic crises occurred, the middle class was severely impacted and CICA experienced a decrease in new business and an increase in surrenders. Since that time, management has refocused the marketing organizations in this area on the high net worth individuals that have historically been the core group of insureds. During 2003, international surrenders declined compared to 2002 and have continued to decline for the first nine months of 2004. Management is optimistic that in future years, production will increase from this area as Argentina’s economy recovers. Also during 2003, Venezuela’s economy was dramatically disrupted as the export of oil was halted. This event caused the volume of new business from that country to drop significantly during the year. Management believes that once this situation is resolved, the volume of new business received from that market should improve.
U.S. Operations
The Company’s focus historically has been on the international market because of the key advantages described above. However, throughout the Company’s history, it has always written U.S. business, and through the acquisition of other U.S. life insurers, including the recently consummated acquisition of Security Plan on October 1, 2004. The Company has now accumulated more than $50 million of annual U.S. life premium.
Security Plan has traditionally offered smaller policies primarily designed to fund funeral costs and offered the convenience of home service collection of premiums. Management intends to continue to grow Security Plan’s traditional business and market additional products to its customer base.
Total premium income from the life domestic market amounted to $10,465,511 during the first nine months of 2004 compared to $8,832,111 for the same period of 2003. Given that Security Plan’s annual premium income is approximately $40 million, management expects considerable accretion as Security Plan will be included in operating results after September 30, 2004. Management intends to broaden the portfolio of ordinary whole life products available in the United States to include products similar to those available to overseas clients as well.
Other recent acquisitions, such as our acquisition of Mid-American Alliance Corporation in Missouri (MAAC), have created opportunities to increase U.S. production. Mid American Century Life Insurance Company, a Missouri-domiciled life insurer acquired in the acquisition of MAAC, is writing approximately $1 million of annual life premium. Through this and contacts developed therefrom, marketing operations are being conducted in several states.
Additionally, through the 2002 acquisition of Combined Underwriters Life Insurance Company, (now Citizens National), the Company acquired a “Stipulated Premium” company, which has the capacity to recruit and train marketers and permit them to begin selling based upon a “certificate of authority” issued by the Company. This means that a potential recruit can begin to sell insurance immediately without the delays required by today’s agent licensing requirements. Marketing associates under contract to Citizens National submitted approximately $1 million of new life premium in 2003, and management expects similar production in 2004. Additionally, the Company has a block of Credit Life and Disability business written through furniture stores
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in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. This business is typically single premium, and amounted to more than $850,000 in 2003. During the first nine months of 2004, credit premiums were more than $830,000.
Accident and Health Business
We have historically maintained a small block of U.S. accident and health business primarily through acquisitions in the mid-1990’s that brought other books of accident and health business, including some major medical business. However, the acquisition of Citizens National in 2002, substantially increased both the amount of accident and health business in force, as well as the volume of new business. Most of the accident and health business we have acquired has been unprofitable when we acquired it. Significant rate increases, coupled with the non-renewal of the major medical business, over time would improve the performance of these acquired blocks. The accident and health book of business acquired in the Citizens National acquisition did not result in operating profits either.
Management determined in late 2003 to seek a buyer for the block of accident and health business due to increased costs, regulatory limits on rate increases, a reduced reinsurance market and high administrations costs relating to our accident and health segment. In early 2004, management reached an agreement to transfer most of the in force accident and health business to a Texas-domiciled reinsurer effective January 1, 2004. The consideration for the transfer, which was initially accomplished through a 100% coinsurance arrangement until the various state insurance departments can approve an assumption reinsurance agreement, will be a participation in any future profits on the book of business over a 10-year period.
For the first nine months of 2004, accident and health premium decreased by $10.4 million, compared to the same period in 2003. Upon closing of the transaction, CICA transferred reserves of $8,101,000, and Citizens National transferred reserves of $6,859,000 to the assuming carrier. Management estimates that this action will result in a decrease of approximately $14 million of annual premium income but should improve long-term profitability. We anticipate that overhead savings of more than $1.4 million annually will be achieved through the transfer of this business. (See Note 4 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”.)
Due to the cession of most of the accident and health business effective January 1, 2004, the operations related to our domestic health segment decreased significantly as discussed below. During the first nine months of 2004, premium revenues from accident and health business were $521,000 compared to $10,931,000 in the first nine months of 2003. Claims expenses totaled $195,000 in the first nine months of 2004 compared to $7,058,000 for the same period in 2003. Commission expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 were $167,000 compared to $2,098,000 for the comparable period in 2003. Administrative expenses were approximately $288,000 in the first nine months of 2004 compared to $2,630,000 in the first nine months of 2003. Additionally, due to the high lapsation experienced in Citizens National’s accident and health block of business during the first nine months of 2003, the amortization of cost of customers relationships acquired in the acquisition accelerated. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, $3.6 million of such cost was amortized. Due to the cession, the Company reduced its January 1, 2004 deferred policy acquisition costs, cost of customer relationships acquired and policy benefit reserves of approximately $2.2 million, $2.9 million and $15.0 million, respectively, and recorded an initial amount payable to the reinsurer of $10.4 million (settled in June 2004), resulting in a charge of approximately $634,000 and a deferred gain of
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approximately $72,000 that will be amortized to earnings over the remaining settlement period of the accident and health coinsurance agreements.
Three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
The following table sets forth the Company’s net income for periods indicated:
As further discussed below, an increase in life premiums and decrease in the fair value of options and warrants and decreases in claims and general insurance expenses offset by decreased net investment income and the impact of coinsurance agreements effective January 1, 2004 contributed to the earnings in third quarter 2004 compared to third quarter 2003.
The Company entered into coinsurance agreements, effective January 1, 2004, and ceded approximately $15 million of its annual accident and health premium and corresponding benefits and claims. In consideration for these cessions, the Company made a closing settlement payment of $10,440,000 to the reinsurer in June 2004. Due to this cession, the Company also reduced its January 1, 2004 deferred policy acquisition costs, cost of customer relationships acquired and policy benefit reserves by $2,197,000, $2,886,000 and $14,960,000, respectively, and recorded an initial amount payable to the reinsurer of $10,440,000, resulting in a first quarter 2004 charge of $634,000 and a deferred gain of $72,000. Of that deferred gain, $24,000 was amortized to earnings in third quarter 2004. The remaining deferred gain at September 30, 2004, amounting to $24,000, will be amortized to earnings over the settlement period of the agreements. The coinsurance agreements provide that this ceded business will revert to the reinsurer when parallel assumption reinsurance agreements are approved by the various state insurance departments holding jurisdiction. Such approval is expected during 2004. The Company also participates in future profits on the accident and health business subject to the coinsurance agreements over a 10-year period.
Total revenues for third quarter 2004 were $23,534,000 compared to $25,014,000 in 2003, a decrease of 5.9%. The cession of the majority of our accident and health premiums decreased revenues for the third quarter of 2004 by $3,587,000 compared to the comparable period of 2003, while the acquisition of Mid-American increased third quarter 2004 revenues by $751,000. New life premiums increased 4.6%, renewal life premiums increased 11.0%, and net investment income decreased by 7.4%. The increase in new life revenues was due to the continued expansion of both the international and domestic markets. The increase in renewal life premiums was due to improved persistency. Third quarter 2004 revenues also increased $631,000 due to the quarterly decrease in the fair value of the Series A-1 and Series A-2 options and warrants associated with the issuance of the convertible preferred stock on July 12, 2004.
Premiums and annuity and universal life considerations for the three-month period decreased 8.4% from $20,532,000 in 2003 to $18,809,000 in 2004. The 2004 decrease resulted from the $3,587,000 decrease in accident and health premiums due to the coinsurance cession discussed
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above. The acquisition of Mid-American increased life premiums and annuity and universal life considerations for third quarter 2004 by $698,000 compared to third quarter 2003. Annualized new life insurance premiums written by CICA increased 10.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to third quarter 2003, due to a broad based international and domestic production increases. Management is optimistic about the prospects for the remainder of 2004; however, there is no assurance such increase can be maintained throughout the year. Additionally, as discussed above, renewal life insurance premiums increased 11.0% from third quarter 2003 to third quarter 2004 because of improving persistency.
Net investment income decreased 7.4% during third quarter 2004 to $3,444,000 from $3,720,000 during third quarter 2003. The decline reflected a decrease in our invested asset base from $266,105,000 at September 30, 2003 to $230,817,000 at September 30, 2004. During the second and third quarters of 2004, approximately $50 million of bonds were sold or matured to provide cash for the Security Plan acquisition. In addition, approximately $10 million of bonds were sold or matured so that cash in an amount equal to the accident and health reserves and claims payable could be transferred to the assuming reinsurers under the coinsurance agreements described above.
A majority of new investment activity over the past three years has focused on the acquisition of bonds issued by public agencies that carry the implied full faith and credit of the Federal government, such as FNMA and FHLMC. These bonds typically have stated maturities of 15 years, but will carry a call feature (at par) that varies between three months and two years. All bonds purchased are at par or at a discount, so that the yield to call will be equal to or greater than the yield to maturity. By choosing to invest in these securities, the Company is exposed to reinvestment risk in the event that interest rates fall for an extended period because the securities will typically be called and the likelihood of increases in market value above par is unlikely because the expectation is that the bond will be called. Such events may require reinvestment of the proceeds at levels lower than the yields of the called bonds.
During 2003, such a period occurred; however, in many cases, the Company was able to reinvest in bonds at levels at or near those of the called bonds. These recently purchased bonds offer yields of 100 to 200 basis points above the Treasury curve and carry minimal credit risk. Recent scrutiny and concern expressed over the levels of mortgages owned by the various government backed corporations (FNMA and FHLMC) has not resulted in decreases in the credit ratings of such entities and management continues to make investments in these bonds in 2004.
The change in future policy benefit reserves increased from $2,694,000 in third quarter 2003 to $4,334,000 in third quarter 2004. CICA’s life reserves increased $4.1 million in third quarter 2004 compared to an increase of $3.1 million in third quarter 2003 predominantly due to increased persistency. Due to the cession of the majority of the accident and health business, CICA has experienced a minimal change in accident and health reserves for the three months ended September 30, 2004.
Citizens National’s life reserves increased approximately $6,000 in the third quarter of 2004 compared to an increase of approximately $34,000 in third quarter 2003. These increases are primarily related to sales of newly developed whole life products that carry increased reserves contrasted with the existing life business that was in force at the acquisition date. Due to the cession of the majority of its accident and health business, Citizens National had no change in its accident and health reserves for the three months ended September 30, 2004. Citizens National’s
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accident and health reserves, however, decreased by approximately $308,000 in third quarter 2003. The decrease in third quarter 2003 was the result of Citizens National experiencing high lapsation on new accident and health policies issued.
The remaining change in future policy benefit reserves primarily relates to $40,000 decrease in the change in First Alliance’s life reserves comparing third quarter 2003 and 2004 and a $329,000 increase in Mid-American’s reserves in third quarter 2004. First Alliance’s decrease was primarily related to increased surrender activity. The Mid-American increase is primarily related to the sales production and persistency of its life insurance block.
Policyholder dividends increased 16.7% during third quarter 2004 to $1,142,000 from 2003 third quarter dividends of $979,000 due to increased persistency. Virtually all of CICA’s overseas policies are participating, representing approximately 48% of our business in-force. Policyholder dividends are factored into premiums and as such dividend increases should have no adverse impact on profitability.
As noted in the table below, claims and surrenders decreased 17.6% from $10,137,000 for third quarter 2003 to $8,351,000 for third quarter 2004. The 2004 decrease primarily related to the cession of most of our accident and health business as discussed above.
Death benefits decreased 4.7% from $1,501,000 in 2003 to $1,431,000 in 2004 primarily due to improved mortality. CICA has historically adhered to an underwriting policy that requires thorough medical examinations including x-rays and electrocardiograms on all applicants who are foreign residents, except children, regardless of age or face amount of the policy applied for. On all policies of $150,000 or more, inspection reports are required which detail the background, resources and lifestyle of the applicant. CICA has developed numerous contacts with which our underwriters can validate information contained in applications and inspection and medical reports. CICA also retains the first $100,000 of risk and cedes to other reinsurers the excess.
Accident and health benefits decreased for the three-month period from $1,865,000 in 2003 to $56,000 in 2004 due to the cession of most of the Company’s accident and health business in force, as discussed above, pursuant to coinsurance agreements effective January 1, 2004.
Endowment benefits increased 9.2% from $1,779,000 in third quarter of 2003 to $1,943,000 in the comparable period of 2004. CICA has a series of international policies that carry an immediate endowment benefit of an amount elected by the policyowner. This endowment is factored into the premium of the policy and is paid annually. Like policy dividends, endowments are factored into the premium and as such the increase should have no adverse impact on profitability.
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Policy surrenders increased 2.2% from $4,661,000 in 2003 to $4,765,000 in 2004 but decreased as a percentage of business in force due to higher persistency of policies.
During the three months ended September 30, 2004, commissions increased 2.6% to $4,896,000 from $4,773,000 in third quarter 2003 primarily due to the 10.4% increase in production of new life premiums discussed above. Accident and health commissions on the business ceded in 2004 were approximately $725,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2003. In addition, the acquisitions of First Alliance and Mid-American contributed an additional $356,000 of commissions to the third quarter 2004 increase.
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses decreased 15.0% to $4,206,000 in third quarter 2004 compared to $4,949,000 in third quarter 2003 due primarily to economies of scale being achieved in the administration of the business of First Alliance and Citizens National. The third quarter of 2003 also included severance related expenses from the acquisitions of First Alliance and Citizens National. Administration costs on the ceded accident and health business in third quarter 2004 were reduced by $381,000. The acquisition of Mid-American contributed $257,000 to these third quarter 2004 expenses. Management expects to achieve expense reductions over the balance of 2004 due to the accident and health business being assumed by a reinsurer as discussed above.
Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs increased 3.4% from $4,808,000 in third quarter 2003 to $4,974,000 in third quarter 2004. Due to the cession of the accident and health business, capitalization of accident and health related deferred policy and acquisition costs were minimal in 2004, compared to $463,000 during third quarter of 2003. Amortization of these costs was $2,626,000 and $3,562,000, respectively, in the third quarter of 2004 and 2003. During third quarter 2003, the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs on accident and health policies was $366,000. Amortization of these costs in 2004 was minimal due to the cession of the majority of the accident and health business discussed above.
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired and other intangibles decreased from $882,000 in the third quarter of 2003 to $728,000 in the third quarter of 2004. With most of the accident and health business ceded in 2004, amortization of these costs was minimal in third quarter 2004. During the three months ended September 30, 2003, $579,000 of these accident and health costs were amortized. The acquisitions of First Alliance and Mid-American contributed an additional $299,000 of amortization of these costs in 2004. Amortization of other intangibles was $68,000 during third quarter 2004.
For the three months ended September 30, 2004, the Company’s effective tax rate increased to 33.6% from the 28.8% effective tax rate of the comparable 2003 period due to the Company no longer being eligible for the small life insurance company deduction available under the Internal Revenue Code due to the October 1, 2004 acquisition of Security Plan discussed above. The Company’s policy is to make its best estimate of the effective tax rate it expects to be applicable for the full year in its provision for income taxes on an interim basis. The acquisition of Security Plan will result in the life insurance company assets of the Company’s life insurance controlled group exceeding $500 million, making it ineligible for the small life insurance company deduction going forward.
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Nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
The following table sets forth the Company’s net income (loss) for periods indicated:
As further discussed below, increases in life premiums and net investment income and decreases in claims, general insurance expenses and amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired in excess of losses on the accident and health business related to the impact of coinsurance agreements effective January 1, 2004 contributed to the increased earnings in first nine months of 2004 compared to first nine months of 2003.
The Company entered into coinsurance agreements, effective January 1, 2004 as discussed above under “Three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.”
Total revenues for the first nine months of 2004 were $65,525,000 compared to $68,236,000 in 2003, a decrease of 4.0%. The cession of most of our accident and health premiums decreased revenues for the first nine months of 2004 by $10,410,000 compared to the comparable period of 2003, while the acquisition of Mid-American increased 2004 revenues by $2,351,000. New life premiums increased 19.3%, renewal life premiums increased 12.7%, and net investment income increased by 5.6%. The increase in new life revenues was due to the continued expansion of both the international and domestic markets. The increase in renewal life premiums was due to increased persistency. During 2004 revenues also increased $631,000 due to a decrease in the fair value of the Series A-1 and Series A-2 options and warrants for the period ended September 30, 2004 associated with the issuance of the convertible preferred stock on July 12, 2004.
Premiums and annuity and universal life considerations for the nine-month period decreased 6.3% from $56,115,000 in 2003 to $52,569,000 in 2004. The decrease resulted from a $10,410,000 decrease in accident and health premiums. The acquisition of Mid-American increased life premiums and annuity and universal life considerations for the first nine months of 2004 by $2,142,000. Annualized new life insurance premiums written by CICA increased 22.9% for the first nine months of 2004 compared to the first nine months of 2003, due to broad based international and domestic production increases. Management is optimistic about the prospects for the remainder of 2004; however, there is no assurance such increase can be maintained throughout the year. Additionally, as discussed above, renewal life insurance premiums increased 12.7% from 2003 to 2004 because of improved persistency.
Net investment income increased 5.6% during first nine months of 2004 to $11,109,000 from $10,522,000 during the first nine months of 2003. The increase reflected expansion of our asset base from $369,698,000 at September 30, 2003 to $413,595,750 at September 30, 2004. The 2003 acquisition of Mid-American increased 2004 net investment income by $203,000. During the second and third quarters of 2004, approximately $50 million of bonds were sold or matured to provide cash for the Security Plan acquisition. In addition, approximately $10 million of
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bonds were sold or matured so that cash in an amount equal to the accident and health reserves and claims payable could be transferred.
As discussed above, a majority of our new investment activity over the past three years has focused on the acquisition of bonds issued by public agencies that carry the implied full faith and credit of the Federal government, such as FNMA and FHLMC.
The change in future policy benefit reserves increased from $4,736,000 in the first nine months of 2003 to $11,574,000 in the first nine months of 2004. CICA’s life reserves increased $10.8 million in first nine months of 2004 compared to an increase of $7.0 million in first nine months of 2003 predominantly due to increased persistency on the Company’s business. Due to the cession of the majority of the accident and health business, CICA experienced a minimal change in accident and health reserves for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.
Citizens National’s life reserves increased approximately $282,000 in the first nine months of 2004 compared to a decrease of approximately $445,000 in the first nine months of 2003 due primarily to sales of newly developed whole life products that carry increased reserves contrasted with the existing life business that was in force at the acquisition date. Due to the cession of all of its accident and health business, Citizens National had no change in its accident and health reserves for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Citizens National’s accident and health reserves, however, decreased by approximately $2.8 million in first nine months of 2003. The non-renewal of the major medical block of accident and health business accounted for $1.2 million of the 2003 decrease. In addition, during the first nine months of 2003, Citizens National experienced high lapsation on new accident and health policies issued.
The remaining change in future policy benefit reserves primarily related to a $1.6 million decrease in the change in First Alliance’s life reserves between the first nine months of 2003 and 2004 and a $1.0 million increase in Mid-American’s reserves in 2004. The First Alliance decrease in the change in reserves was primarily related to the high surrender activity discussed below. The Mid-American increase was primarily related to the sales production and persistency of its life insurance block.
Policyholder dividends increased 12.2% during the first nine months of 2004 to $2,872,000 from 2003 dividends of $2,559,000 due to improved persistency.Virtually all of CICA’s overseas policies are participating, and participating policies represent approximately 48% of our business in-force. Policyholder dividends are factored into the premium and as such the increase should have no adverse impact on profitability.
As noted in the table below, claims and surrenders decreased 17.1% from $29,734,000 for the first nine months of 2003 to $24,640,000 for the first nine months of 2004. The 2004 decrease primarily related to the cession of most of our accident and health business as discussed above.
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Death benefits increased 1.3% from $4,671,000 in 2003 to $4,733,000 in 2004. The impact of the Mid-American acquisition increased death claims by $98,000. As discussed above, CICA has historically adhered to an underwriting policy, which requires thorough medical examinations on all applicants who are foreign residents.
Accident and health benefits decreased for the nine-month period from $7,058,000 in 2003 to $195,000 in 2004 as discussed above due to the cession of most of the Company’s accident and health business in force pursuant to coinsurance agreements effective January 1, 2004.
Endowment benefits increased 14.5% from $4,631,000 in the first nine months of 2003 to $5,301,000 in the comparable period of 2004. CICA has a series of international policies that carry an immediate endowment benefit of an amount elected by the policyowner. This endowment is factored into the premium of the policy and is paid annually. Like policy dividends, endowments are factored into the premium and as such the increase should have no adverse impact on profitability.
Policy surrenders increased 9.2% from $12,752,000 in 2003 to $13,930,000 in 2004. The 2004 increase was primarily related to the acquisitions of First Alliance and Mid-American, discussed above, which generated $1,397,000 in additional surrenders. First Alliance has experienced significantly higher surrender activity since its acquisition in 2003 due to the actions of former marketing associates of First Alliance placing numerous policies with other companies. Surrenders of our international business declined during the period by 2.5%. While the dollar value of international policy surrenders declined slightly, the amount of surrender benefits as a percentage of business in force declined.
During 2004, commissions increased 4.7% to $13,159,000 from $12,564,000 in 2003 primarily due to the 22.9% increase in the production of new life premiums during the first nine months of 2004 discussed above. Accident and health commissions on the business that has been ceded in 2004 were approximately $2,098,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. In addition, the acquisitions of First Alliance and Mid-American contributed an additional $635,000 of commissions to the 2004 increase.
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses decreased 19.4% to $11,825,000 in 2004 compared to $14,676,000 in 2003 due primarily to the economies of scale being achieved in the administration of the business of First Alliance and Citizens National. In addition, the first nine months of 2003 included severance related expenses from the acquisitions of First Alliance and Citizens National. Administration costs on the ceded accident and health business in 2004 reduced expenses by $1,144,000. Management expects to achieve expense reductions over the balance of 2004 due to the accident and health business being assumed by a reinsurer.
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Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs increased 10.7% from $11,718,000 in the first nine months of 2003 to $12,972,000 in the first nine months of 2004 primarily due to the 22.9% increase in new life production discussed above. Due to the cession of the accident and health business, capitalization of accident and health related deferred policy and acquisition costs was minimal in 2004, compared to $1,176,000 during the first nine months of 2003. Amortization of these costs was $7,595,000 and $9,223,000, respectively, in the first nine months of 2004 and 2003. During the first nine months of 2003, the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs on accident and health policies was $990,000. Amortization of these costs in 2004 was minimal due to the cession of the majority of the accident and health business discussed above.
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired and other intangibles decreased from $5,147,000 in the first nine months of 2003 to $2,088,000 in the first nine months of 2004. With most of the accident and health business ceded effective January 1, 2004, amortization of these costs was minimal in the first nine months of 2004. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, $3,610,000 of these accident and health costs were amortized. The acquisitions of First Alliance and Mid-American contributed an additional $565,000 of amortization of these costs in 2004. Amortization of other intangibles was $353,000 during the first nine months of 2004.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company’s effective tax rate increased to 33.9% from the 28.4% effective tax rate of the comparable 2003 period due to the Company no longer being eligible for the small life insurance company deduction available under the Internal Revenue Code due to the October 1, 2004 acquisition of Security Plan discussed above. The Company’s policy is to make its best estimate of the effective tax rate it expects to be applicable for the full year in its provision for income taxes on an interim basis. The acquisition of Security Plan will result in the life insurance company assets of the Company’s life insurance controlled group exceeding $500 million, making it ineligible for the small life insurance company deduction going forward.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity refers to a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the needs of its operations. Liquidity is managed on insurance operations to ensure stable and reliable sources of cash flows to meet all obligations and is provided by a variety of sources.
Liquidity requirements are met primarily by funds provided from operations. Premium deposits and revenues, investment income and investment maturities are the primary sources of funds while investment purchases, policy benefits, and operating expenses are the primary uses of funds. Although the Company historically has not been put in the position of liquidating invested assets to provide cash flow, its investments consist primarily of marketable debt securities that could be readily converted to cash for liquidity needs.
A primary liquidity concern is the risk of an extraordinary level of early policyholder withdrawals. The Company includes provisions within its annuity and universal life insurance policies, such as surrender charges, that help limit and discourage early withdrawals. Since these contractual withdrawals, as well as the level of surrenders experienced, were consistent with the Company’s assumptions in asset liability management, the associated cash outflows did not have an adverse impact on overall liquidity. Individual life insurance policies are less susceptible to withdrawal than annuity reserves and deposit liabilities because policyholders may incur
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surrender charges and undergo a new underwriting process in order to obtain a new insurance policy. Cash flow projections and cash flow tests under various market interest rate scenarios are also performed to assist in evaluating liquidity needs and adequacy. The Company currently expects available liquidity sources and future cash flows to be adequate to meet the demand for funds.
In the past, cash flows from the Company’s insurance operations have been sufficient to meet current needs. Cash flows from operating activities were $1.4 million and $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Company also has traditionally had significant cash flows from both scheduled and unscheduled investment security maturities, redemptions, and prepayments. These cash flows totaled $39.9 million and $(17.7) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The cash outflow for investment activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 primarily related to the investment of excess cash and cash equivalents generated from operations during 2003.
Stockholders’ equity increased from $127,027,000 at December 31, 2003 to $130,875,000 at September 30, 2004 primarily due to $2,750,000 of income earned during the period and recognition of a $2,940,000 beneficial conversion feature, net of accretion, in excess of unrealized losses, net of tax, of $(1,659,000) for the first nine months of 2004. Decreases in the market value of our bond portfolio caused by lower bond prices resulted in the increase in unrealized losses since December 31, 2003.
Invested assets decreased to $230,817,000 at September 30, 2004 from $275,188,000 at December 31, 2003, a decrease of 16.1%. The decrease relates to sales and call activity in the first nine months of 2004 increasing cash on hand. The increase in cash on hand at September 30, 2004 ($68 million versus $15 million at December 31, 2003) was generated through the sale and maturity of fixed maturities to fund the purchase for $85 million in cash of Security Plan that closed on October 1, 2004. The excess cash on hand was invested in cash equivalents throughout third quarter 2004 with maturities of approximately 30 days. A 16.4% decrease in fixed maturities available-for-sale from $237,506,000 at December 31, 2003 to $198,463,000 at September 30, 2004 was the primary reason for the decrease in invested assets. Fixed maturities are categorized into two classifications: fixed maturities held-to-maturity, which are valued at amortized cost, and fixed maturities available-for-sale, which are valued at fair value. Fixed maturities available-for-sale and fixed maturities held-to-maturity were 86.0% and 3.2%, respectively, of invested assets at September 30, 2004. Fixed maturities held-to-maturity, amounting to $7,485,000 at September 30, 2004, consist of U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency securities. Management has the intent and believes we have the ability to hold the held-to-maturity securities to maturity.
Policy loans comprised 9.1% of invested assets at September 30, 2004 compared to 7.9% at December 31, 2003. These loans, which are secured by the underlying policy values, have annual yields ranging from 5% to 10% percent and maturities that are related to the maturity or termination of the applicable policies.Management believes that we maintain adequate liquidity despite the uncertain maturities of these loans.
Our cash balances at our primary depositories were significantly in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation coverage at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003. Management monitors the solvency of all financial institutions in which we have funds to minimize the exposure for loss.Management does not believe we are at significant risk for such a loss.
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During 2004, we intend to continue to utilize callable securities issued by Federal agencies as cash management tools to minimize excess cash balances and enhance returns except for the excess cash that is being generated to fund the acquisition of Security plan as discussed above. During 2003, the Company transferred its primary banking relationship from JP Morgan Chase to Regions Bank.
We do not utilize special purpose entities as investment vehicles. Nor are there any such entities in which we have an investment that engage in speculative activities of any description, and we do not use such investments to hedge our investment positions.
The NAIC has established minimum capital requirements in the form of Risk-Based Capital (“RBC”), which factors the type of business written by an insurance company, the quality of its assets, and various other factors into account to develop a minimum level of capital called “authorized control level risk-based capital” and compares this level to an adjusted statutory capital that includes capital and surplus as reported under Statutory Accounting Principles, plus certain investment reserves. Should the ratio of adjusted statutory capital to control level RBC fall below 200%, a series of actions by the affected company would begin. At September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, all of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries were above required minimum levels.
Effective January 1, 2001, the NAIC implemented codified rules for statutory accounting. These rules were approved and implemented by each state in which all of our insurance subsidiaries operations are domiciled. CICA is domiciled in Colorado, Citizens National is domiciled in Texas, FAIC in Kentucky, MACLIC in Missouri, SAIC in Arkansas and CUSA in Illinois. CICA follows certain Colorado state laws that differ from NAIC’s codified rules. The primary difference between the Colorado statutes and the codified rules involve the establishment of a liability for future policy dividends payable. Under codification such reserve is mandated; however, Colorado has an exception if the difference between the premium charged and the mortality factor included in the premium on participating policies exceeds the reserve that would be established. Such is the case for CICA. As a result, CICA did not establish a reserve of approximately $3 million in its statutory financial statements as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and for the year ended December 31, 2003. Texas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri and Arkansas codified rules must be followed unless the Commissioner of Insurance permits specific practices that differ from codified rules. None of our insurance subsidiaries has requested any permission to deviate from NAIC codified rules.
During March 2004, the Company’s shareholders approved amendments to the Articles of Incorporation increasing the number of authorized Class A and Class B shares and authorizing preferred stock that could be issued upon approval of the Board of Directors.
On July 12, 2004, the Company completed a private placement of $12.5 million of Series A-1 Senior Convertible Preferred Stock to four unaffiliated institutional investors. The terms and conditions of the Series A-1 Senior Convertible Preferred Stock are discussed in Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements. The initial recognition of the beneficial conversion feature and discounts on fair values of options and warrants issued in connection with the private placement resulted in $3,073,204 of additional paid-in capital for the Class A common stock and $2,994,150 of liabilities for options and warrants. Changes in the fair value of options and warrants are recognized in the statement of operations with a corresponding change in the liabilities for options and warrants. For the period ended September 30, 2004, there was a
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decrease in fair value of options and warrants of $630,571 and corresponding decrease in the related liabilities.
On September 30, 2004, the Company declared and paid a 4% quarterly dividend to the Series A-1 Senior Convertible Preferred Stock shareholders. The Company paid the dividend by issuing 19,396 shares of its Class A common stock valued at $115,794.
The Company signed a revolving line of credit agreement from Regions Bank for a $30 million credit facility for use in acquisitions in March 2004. As of September 30, 2004, no amounts have been borrowed under this revolving line of credit. However, on October 1, 2004, the Company entered into a Second Amendment to the Loan Agreement that converted into a term loan its $30 million advance against the line of credit made in connection with the acquisition of Security Plan. Under the term loan, the Company is to repay the principal portion of the loan in ten semi-annual installments of $3,000,000 beginning on May 1, 2005, with the final installment of principal and any accrued and unpaid interest on November 1, 2009. Interest on the unpaid principal balance of the loan is to be paid on the fifth day of each month following the end of the fiscal quarter of the Company. the interest rate is equal to a 30-day LIBOR (London InterBank Offered Rate) plus 1.8% per year.
Because the maximum borrowing authorized on the Company’s line of credit is $30 million, the line has been drawn down to zero. Under the Amended Loan Agreement, upon any prepayment or repayment of the term loan described above, the line of credit is to be reinstated to an aggregate amount equal to the difference between (a) $30 million minus (b) the aggregate outstanding principal amount under the term loan.
In connection with the Security Plan acquisition, funds borrowed by the Company were re-loaned to CICA. CICA has issued to the Company a Subordinated Debenture in the principal amount of $30 million plus interest equal to 30-day LIBOR plus 1.8% per year. Because CICA is an insurance company formed under the laws of Colorado, under the subordinated debenture, any principal and accrued interest is not a legal liability of CICA until repayment of interest or principal has received the prior written approval of the Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Colorado.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“the Act”) established significant new guidelines for corporate governance. Subsequently, the New York Stock Exchange adopted new rules that relate to such matters as the composition of listed companies’ Boards of Directors and various committees thereof, the need to adopt specific policies as well as the establishment of a Code of Ethics. The Company’s Board of Directors, Compensation Committee and Audit Committee were already configured in such a way as to comply with the Act. Citizens has operated under a “Principles, Purposes, Philosophy and Beliefs” for numerous years that sets forth the manner in which the Company and its officers, directors and employees are expected to function. However, the Board of Directors has implemented a formal Code of Ethics applicable to all officers, directors and employees.
Additionally, the Act imposes a duty upon public companies to document and test all internal controls and have such audited by independent auditors. The Company has begun the process of documenting all such control procedures and expects to complete the documentation and testing in 2004.
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The Company has committed to the following contractual obligations as of September 30, 2004 with the payments due by the period indicated below:
Financial Accounting Standards
See Note 9 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently promulgated accounting standards and interpretations, which we have adopted, and our estimates of their impact upon us.
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ITEM 3
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURESABOUT MARKET RISK
Our exposure to interest rate changes results from our significant holdings of fixed maturity investments, mortgage loans on real estate and policy loans, all of which comprised almost 99% of our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2004. These investments are mainly exposed to changes in treasury rates. Our fixed maturities investments include U.S. government bonds, securities issued by government agencies, and corporate bonds. Approximately 97% of the fixed maturities we owned at September 30, 2004 are instruments of the United States government or are backed by U.S. government agencies or private corporations carrying the implied full faith and credit backing of the U.S. government.
To manage interest rate risk, we perform periodic projections of asset and liability cash flows to evaluate the potential sensitivity of our investments and liabilities. We assess interest rate sensitivity with respect to our available-for-sale fixed maturities investments using hypothetical test scenarios that assume either upward or downward 100 basis point shifts in the prevailing interest rates. The following tables set forth the potential amount of unrealized gains (losses) that could be caused by 100 basis point upward and downward shifts on our available-for-sale fixed maturities investments as of the dates indicated:
While the test scenario is for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect our expectations regarding future interest rates or the performance of fixed-income markets, it is a near-term change that illustrates the potential impact of such events. Due to the composition of our book of insurance business, we believe it is unlikely that we would encounter large surrender activity due an interest rate increase that would force us to dispose of our fixed maturities at a loss.
The Company’s bond portfolio is more sensitive to sharp increases in interest rates because of the large number of callable securities in the Company’s portfolio. As interest rates fall, the presumption is that higher-yielding securities will be called, rather than appreciating in value.
There are no fixed maturities or other investments that we classify as trading instruments.
Market Risk Related to Equity Prices
Changes in the level or volatility of equity prices affect the value equity securities we hold as investments. However, our equity investments portfolio was less than 1% of our total investments at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003. Thus, we believe that significant decreases in the equity markets would have an immaterial impact on our total investment portfolio.See also Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
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ITEM 4
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and President and Treasurer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures over financial reporting pursuant to Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our President and Treasurer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures over financial reporting are adequate and effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and implemented, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving an entity’s disclosure objectives. The likelihood of achieving such objectives is affected by limitations inherent in disclosure controls and procedures. These limitations include the fact that human judgment in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns in internal control can occur because of human failures such as simple errors or mistakes or because of intentional circumvention of the established process.
During the period covered by this report, there have been no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors, which could significantly affect internal controls over financial reporting, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies or material weaknesses.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 9, 2004
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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