CITIZENS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2008 March (Form 10-Q)
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ | Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008
or
o | 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: 000-16509
CITIZENS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Colorado | 84-0755371 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |
incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) | |
400 East Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas | 78752 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(512) 837-7100
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)
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.
þ Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
See the definitions of large
accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
o Accelerated filer
þ
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Act).
o Yes þ No
As of May 8, 2008 the Registrant had 43,096,641 shares of Class A common stock, no par value,
outstanding and 1,001,714 shares of Class B common stock, no par value, outstanding.
INDEX
Page | ||||||||
Number | ||||||||
2 | ||||||||
4 | ||||||||
5 | ||||||||
7 | ||||||||
16 | ||||||||
25 | ||||||||
26 | ||||||||
26 | ||||||||
28 | ||||||||
28 | ||||||||
28 | ||||||||
28 | ||||||||
29 | ||||||||
29 | ||||||||
Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302 | ||||||||
Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302 | ||||||||
Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 906 | ||||||||
Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 906 |
1
Table of Contents
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In thousands)
(In thousands)
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Investments: |
||||||||
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value
(cost: $498,061 and
$502,635 in 2008 and
2007, respectively) |
$ | 496,031 | 500,426 | |||||
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value
(cost: $49,784 and
$36,696 in 2008 and 2007,
respectively) |
45,088 | 35,669 | ||||||
Mortgage loans on real estate |
282 | 291 | ||||||
Policy loans |
26,030 | 25,490 | ||||||
Real estate held for investment
(less $261 and $249
accumulated depreciation
in 2008 and 2007,
respectively) |
5,236 | 5,152 | ||||||
Other long-term investments |
691 | 618 | ||||||
Short-term investments |
17,854 | 17,650 | ||||||
Total investments |
591,212 | 585,296 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
20,728 | 21,123 | ||||||
Accrued investment income |
5,891 | 7,115 | ||||||
Reinsurance recoverable |
12,857 | 13,492 | ||||||
Deferred policy acquisition costs |
101,948 | 100,655 | ||||||
Cost of customer relationships acquired |
30,879 | 31,636 | ||||||
Goodwill |
11,386 | 11,386 | ||||||
Other intangible assets |
1,059 | 1,066 | ||||||
Federal income tax receivable |
1,122 | 715 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
6,610 | 6,795 | ||||||
Due premiums, net
(less $1,919 and $1,780 allowance for
doubtful accounts in 2008 and 2007, respectively) |
7,775 | 7,656 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
1,833 | | ||||||
Other assets |
909 | 974 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 794,209 | 787,909 | |||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
(Continued)
2
Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, Continued
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(In thousands, except share amounts)
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||
Future policy benefit reserves: |
||||||||
Life insurance |
$ | 514,775 | 508,209 | |||||
Annuities |
23,132 | 22,792 | ||||||
Accident and health |
7,920 | 8,293 | ||||||
Premiums paid in advance |
17,514 | 16,140 | ||||||
Policy claims payable |
8,166 | 6,908 | ||||||
Dividend accumulations |
4,801 | 4,825 | ||||||
Other policyholders funds |
4,375 | 4,357 | ||||||
Total policy liabilities |
580,683 | 571,524 | ||||||
Commissions payable |
1,712 | 2,385 | ||||||
Deferred Federal income tax |
5,379 | 4,810 | ||||||
Payable for securities in process of settlement |
3,359 | 7,000 | ||||||
Warrants outstanding |
1,506 | 1,003 | ||||||
Funds held in trust and other liabilities |
10,727 | 10,810 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
603,366 | 597,532 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7) |
||||||||
Cumulative convertible preferred stock Series A
(Series A-1 - $500 stated value per share, 25,000 shares authorized, issued
and outstanding in 2008 and 2007; Series A-2 - $935 stated value per share,
5,000 shares authorized, 4,014 issued and outstanding in 2008 and 2007) |
14,554 | 14,220 | ||||||
Stockholders Equity: |
||||||||
Common stock: |
||||||||
Class A, no
par value,100,000,000 shares
authorized,
46,232,379 shares
issued in 2008 and
46,205,830 shares
issued in 2007,
including shares in
treasury of 3,135,738
in 2008 and 2007 |
225,478 | 225,812 | ||||||
Class B, no
par value,2,000,000 shares
authorized, 1,001,714
shares issued and
outstanding in 2008
and 2007 |
3,184 | 3,184 | ||||||
Retained deficit |
(36,990 | ) | (39,725 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss: |
||||||||
Unrealized losses on securities, net of tax |
(4,372 | ) | (2,103 | ) | ||||
187,300 | 187,168 | |||||||
Treasury stock, at cost |
(11,011 | ) | (11,011 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders equity |
176,289 | 176,157 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
$ | 794,209 | 787,909 | |||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
3
Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||
Premiums: |
||||||||
Life insurance |
$ | 30,850 | 29,840 | |||||
Accident and health insurance |
384 | 422 | ||||||
Property insurance |
1,436 | 1,179 | ||||||
Net investment income |
7,464 | 7,067 | ||||||
Realized gains (losses), net |
16 | (13 | ) | |||||
Increase in fair value of warrants |
(503 | ) | (427 | ) | ||||
Other income |
279 | 352 | ||||||
Total revenues |
39,926 | 38,420 | ||||||
Benefits and expenses: |
||||||||
Insurance benefits paid or provided: |
||||||||
Claims and surrenders |
13,078 | 13,180 | ||||||
Increase in future policy benefit reserves |
6,997 | 6,935 | ||||||
Policyholdersdividends |
1,377 | 1,230 | ||||||
Total insurance benefits paid or provided |
21,452 | 21,345 | ||||||
Commissions |
7,711 | 8,389 | ||||||
Other underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses |
6,911 | 6,900 | ||||||
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs |
(4,855 | ) | (6,124 | ) | ||||
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs |
3,562 | 3,151 | ||||||
Amortization of cost of customer relationships
acquired and other intangibles |
764 | 841 | ||||||
Total benefits and expenses |
35,545 | 34,502 | ||||||
Income before Federal income tax |
4,381 | 3,918 | ||||||
Federal income tax expense |
1,646 | 1,479 | ||||||
Net income |
$ | 2,735 | 2,439 | |||||
Net income applicable to common stock |
$ | 2,223 | 1,936 | |||||
Per Share Amounts: |
||||||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock |
$ | 0.05 | $ | 0.05 | ||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share of Class B common stock |
$ | 0.03 | $ | 0.02 | ||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 2,735 | 2,439 | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Realized losses (gains) on sale of investments
and other assets |
(16 | ) | 13 | |||||
Net deferred policy acquisition costs |
(1,293 | ) | (2,973 | ) | ||||
Amortization of cost of customer relationships
acquired and other intangibles |
764 | 841 | ||||||
Increase in fair value of warrants |
503 | 427 | ||||||
Depreciation |
273 | 199 | ||||||
Amortization of premiums and discounts on
fixed maturities and short-term investments |
(2 | ) | 269 | |||||
Deferred Federal income tax expense (benefit) |
1,791 | (220 | ) | |||||
Change in: |
||||||||
Accrued investment income |
1,224 | 994 | ||||||
Reinsurance recoverable |
635 | 1,495 | ||||||
Due premiums and other receivables |
5 | (173 | ) | |||||
Future policy benefit reserves |
6,460 | 5,626 | ||||||
Other policy liabilities |
2,626 | 626 | ||||||
Federal income tax receivable |
(407 | ) | (695 | ) | ||||
Commissions payable and other liabilities |
(756 | ) | (375 | ) | ||||
Other, net |
(1,893 | ) | (1,657 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
12,649 | 6,836 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||
Sale of fixed maturities, available-for-sale |
| 3,344 | ||||||
Maturity and calls of fixed maturities, available-for-sale |
65,572 | 24,023 | ||||||
Purchase of fixed maturities, available-for-sale |
(64,843 | ) | (25,600 | ) | ||||
Sale of equity securities, available-for-sale |
| 20 | ||||||
Purchase of equity securities, available-for-sale |
(13,088 | ) | (10,016 | ) | ||||
Principal payments on mortgage loans |
9 | 10 | ||||||
Sale of other long-term investments and property
and equipment |
50 | 28 | ||||||
Increase in policy loans |
(540 | ) | (522 | ) | ||||
Purchase of other long-term investments and property and
equipment |
(277 | ) | (2,846 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(13,117 | ) | (11,559 | ) | ||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
(Continued)
5
Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Continued
Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||
Annuity deposits |
$ | 574 | 610 | |||||
Annuity withdrawals |
(501 | ) | (429 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
73 | 181 | ||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(395 | ) | (4,542 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
21,123 | 24,521 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 20,728 | 19,979 | |||||
Supplemental disclosures of operating activities: |
||||||||
Cash paid during the period for income taxes |
$ | 262 | 2,394 | |||||
Supplemental Disclosures of Non-Cash Financing Activities:
Dividends on the Companys Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock, issued in 2004, and Series A-2
Convertible Preferred Stock, issued in 2005, were paid by the Company through the issuance of Class
A common stock to the preferred shareholders in the amounts of $178,000 and $168,000 for the first
three months of 2008 and 2007, respectively. Accretion of deferred issuance costs and discounts on
the Convertible Preferred Stock recorded as a deduction to Class A common stock during the first
three months of 2008 was $334,000 and $335,000 for 2007.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
6
Table of Contents
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2008
(Unaudited)
(1) | Financial Statements | |
The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Citizens, Inc. (Citizens), incorporated in the state of Colorado on November 8, 1977, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, CICA Life Insurance Company of America (CICA), Computing Technology, Inc. (CTI), Funeral Homes of America, Inc. (FHA), Insurance Investors, Inc. (III), Citizens National Life Insurance Company (CNLIC), Security Plan Life Insurance Company (SPLIC), and Security Plan Fire Insurance Company (SPFIC). Citizens and its consolidated subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the Company, we, or our. | ||
The consolidated statement of financial position for March 31, 2008, the consolidated statements of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the three-month periods then ended have been prepared by the Company without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and changes in cash flows at March 31, 2008, and for comparative periods presented have been made. | ||
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States of America (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) have been omitted. It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year. | ||
During the first quarter of 2008, the Company discovered an overstatement of life reserves, due to the use of an incorrect reserve factor going back several years, in the amount of $796,000. The error was corrected during the quarter, resulting in an increase to net income of $517,000. | ||
The Company has previously accounted for the conversion of a policy that goes from premium paying to extended term insurance (ETI) as the surrender of the premium paying policy for its cash value, with the cash value being applied as a single premium to purchase the ETI policy. Thus, premiums and surrenders were overstated by the amount of this single premium. Beginning in the first quarter of 2008, the Company will no longer show the conversion of a premium paying policy to ETI as a surrender of one policy and simultaneous purchase of a single premium policy. To effect this change, prior year life premiums have been reduced by $976,000 with a corresponding reduction in claims and surrenders for the three months ended March 31, 2007. For the full year 2007, the amount was $4,157,000. | ||
(2) | Accounting Pronouncements | |
As of January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Additionally, on January 1, 2008, we elected the partial adoption of SFAS No. 157 under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Staff Position (FSP) FAS 157-2, which amends SFAS No. 157 to allow an entity to delay the application of this statement until January 1, 2009 for certain non-financial assets and liabilities. Under the provisions of the FSP, we will delay the application of SFAS No. 157 for fair value measurements used in the impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets and eligible non-financial assets and liabilities included within a business combination. In January 2008, |
7
Table of Contents
FASB also issued proposed FSP FAS 157-c that would amend SFAS No. 157 to clarify the principles on fair value measurement of liabilities. Management is monitoring the status of this proposed FSP for any impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 6 for additional disclosures about fair value measurement. | ||
As of January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This Statement provides an option, on specified election dates, to report selected financial assets and liabilities, including insurance contracts, at fair value. Subsequent changes in fair value for designated items are reported in income in the current period. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not impact our consolidated financial statements, as no items were elected for measurement at fair value upon initial adoption. We will continue to evaluate eligible financial assets and liabilities on their election dates. Any future elections will be disclosed in accordance with the provisions outlined in the statement. | ||
(3) | Segment Information | |
The Company has three reportable segments: Life Insurance, Home Service Insurance, and Other Non-Insurance Enterprises. The accounting policies of the segments are in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are the same as those used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The Company evaluates profit and loss performance based on U.S. GAAP net income before federal income taxes for its three reportable segments. | ||
The measurement of segment profit and loss and segment assets do not include material transactions between segments. The Company has no reportable differences between segments and consolidated operations. |
8
Table of Contents
The following summary presents the Companys profit (loss) measurement from continuing operations for each reportable segment, along with certain components of that profit (loss) measurement, for the periods indicated. |
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Profit (Loss) Measurement |
||||||||
Income (loss) before federal income tax: |
||||||||
Life Insurance |
$ | 3,092 | 1,808 | |||||
Home Service Insurance |
1,473 | 2,168 | ||||||
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises |
(184 | ) | (58 | ) | ||||
Total consolidated pretax income |
$ | 4,381 | 3,918 | |||||
Selected Components of Profit (Loss) Measurement |
||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||
Life Insurance |
$ | 26,687 | 25,551 | |||||
Home Service Insurance |
13,204 | 13,004 | ||||||
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises |
35 | (135 | ) | |||||
Total consolidated revenue |
$ | 39,926 | 38,420 | |||||
Premiums: |
||||||||
Life Insurance |
$ | 22,551 | 21,610 | |||||
Home Service Insurance |
10,119 | 9,831 | ||||||
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises |
| | ||||||
Total consolidated premiums |
$ | 32,670 | 31,441 | |||||
Net investment income: |
||||||||
Life Insurance |
$ | 4,062 | 3,798 | |||||
Home Service Insurance |
3,084 | 3,167 | ||||||
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises |
318 | 102 | ||||||
Total consolidated net investment income |
$ | 7,464 | 7,067 | |||||
Amortization expense: |
||||||||
Life Insurance |
$ | 3,686 | 3,240 | |||||
Home Service Insurance |
640 | 752 | ||||||
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises |
| | ||||||
Total consolidated amortization expense |
$ | 4,326 | 3,992 | |||||
Realized gains (losses) on sale of
investments and other assets: |
||||||||
Life Insurance |
$ | | (7 | ) | ||||
Home Service Insurance |
(2 | ) | 6 | |||||
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises |
18 | (12 | ) | |||||
Total consolidated realized gains (losses) |
$ | 16 | (13 | ) | ||||
9
Table of Contents
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||
Life Insurance |
$ | 449,465 | 449,719 | |||||
Home Service Insurance |
311,097 | 305,997 | ||||||
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises |
33,647 | 32,193 | ||||||
Total consolidated assets |
$ | 794,209 | 787,909 | |||||
(4) | Total Comprehensive Income |
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Net income |
$ | 2,735 | 2,439 | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax: |
||||||||
Unrealized net gains (losses) on investments
in fixed maturities available for sale and
equity securities |
(2,269 | ) | 1,707 | |||||
Total comprehensive income |
$ | 466 | 4,146 | |||||
(5) | Earnings per Share | |
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and dilutive earnings per share: |
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share: |
||||||||
Numerator: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 2,735 | 2,439 | |||||
Less: Preferred stock dividend |
(178 | ) | (168 | ) | ||||
Accretion of deferred issuance costs and
discounts on preferred stock |
(334 | ) | (335 | ) | ||||
Net income available to common stockholders |
$ | 2,223 | 1,936 | |||||
Net income allocated to Class A common stock |
$ | 2,197 | 1,912 | |||||
Net income allocated to Class B common stock |
26 | 24 | ||||||
Net income available to common stockholders |
$ | 2,223 | 1,936 | |||||
Denominator: |
||||||||
Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding -
basic and diluted |
43,070 | 40,290 | ||||||
Weighted average shares of Class B outstanding -
basic and diluted |
1,002 | 1,002 | ||||||
Total weighted average shares outstanding -
basic and diluted |
44,072 | 41,292 | ||||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share of
Class A common stock |
$ | 0.05 | 0.05 | |||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share of
Class B common stock |
$ | 0.03 | 0.02 | |||||
10
Table of Contents
The effects of Series A-1 and A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock and warrants are anti-dilutive; therefore, diluted income per share is reported the same as basic income per share. The Series A-1 and A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock is anti-dilutive because the amount of the dividend and accretion of deferred issuance costs and discounts for the three months ended March 31, 2008 per Class A common stock share obtainable on conversion exceeds basic income per share available to common stockholders. The warrants are anti-dilutive because the exercise price is in excess of the average Class A common stock market price for the three months ended March 31, 2008. | ||
(6) | Fair Value Measurements | |
As defined in SFAS No. 157, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We hold fixed maturity and equity securities, which are carried at fair value. | ||
Fair value measurements are generally based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our view of market assumptions in the absence of observable market information. We utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. SFAS No. 157 requires all assets and liabilities carried at fair value to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: |
| Level 1 Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. | ||
| Level 2 Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs or whose significant value drivers are observable. | ||
| Level 3 Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable. |
Level 1 primarily consists of financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices such as U. S. Treasury securities and actively traded mutual fund investments. | ||
Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued by independent pricing services or broker quotes. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various inputs, such as interest rate, credit spread and foreign exchange rates for the underlying financial instruments. All significant inputs are observable, or derived from observable information in the marketplace or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Financial instruments in this category primarily include corporate fixed maturity securities, U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities, municipal securities and certain mortgage and asset-backed securities. | ||
Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on non-binding broker prices utilizing significant inputs not based on, or corroborated by, readily available market information. This category consists of two private placement mortgage-backed securities where we cannot corroborate the significant valuation inputs with market observable data. | ||
The following table sets forth our assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the date indicated: |
March 31, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||
Financial Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Fixed Maturities Available-for-Sale: |
$ | 496,031 | 13,249 | 482,082 | 700 | |||||||||||
Equity Securities Available-for-Sale |
45,088 | 45,088 | | | ||||||||||||
Total Financial Assets |
$ | 541,119 | 58,337 | 482,082 | 700 | |||||||||||
11
Table of Contents
The following table presents additional information about fixed maturity securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which we have utilized significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs to determine fair value: |
March 31, 2008 | ||||
(In thousands) | ||||
Beginning balance at December 31, 2007 |
$ | 700 | ||
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): |
||||
Included in net income |
| |||
Included in other comprehensive income |
12 | |||
Principal paydowns |
(12 | ) | ||
Transfer in and (out) of Level 3 |
| |||
Ending balance at March 31, 2008 |
$ | 700 | ||
We review the fair value hierarchy classifications each reporting period. Change in the observability of the valuation attributes may result in a reclassification of certain financial assets. Such reclassifications are reported as transfers in and out of Level 3 at the beginning fair value for the reporting period in which the changes occur. | ||
(7) | Legal Proceedings | |
We are a defendant in a lawsuit originally filed on August 6, 1999 in the Texas District Court, Austin, Texas, now styled Citizens Insurance Company of America, Citizens, Inc., Harold E. Riley and Mark A. Oliver, Petitioners v. Fernando Hakim Daccach, Respondent, in which a class was originally certified by the trial court and affirmed by the Court of Appeals for the Third District of Texas. We appealed the grant of class status to the Texas Supreme Court, which on March 2, 2007, reversed the Court of Appeals affirmation of the trial courts class certification order, decertified the class and remanded the case to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with the Texas Supreme Courts opinion. As a result, no class action is presently certified, and plaintiffs counsel is seeking to recertify the class. In order to recertify the class, the lead plaintiff must establish that he is qualified to represent the purported class and that the res judicata effect of a class action will not have a deleterious effect on the putative class members. The underlying lawsuit alleges that certain life insurance policies that we made available to non-U.S. residents, when combined with a policy feature that allowed certain cash benefits to be assigned to two non-U.S. trusts for the purpose of accumulating ownership of our class A common stock, along with allowing the policyholders to make additional contributions to the trusts, were actually offers and sales of securities that occurred in Texas by unregistered dealers in violation of the Texas securities laws. The remedy sought was rescission and return of the insurance premium payments. We believe the lawsuit is without merit and intend to continue a vigorous defense in any remaining proceedings, including any class recertification. If the class is recertified, we could be exposed to costly and time-consuming litigation, and an adverse judgment could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The case is now before the District Court judge for an analysis of the evidence presented to determine if it warrants recertification of a class. | ||
Our wholly-owned Louisiana property insurer, SPFIC, has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit asserting class allegations, now styled The Master Class Action Insurance Complaint, originally filed in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. Most of the property and casualty insurers in Louisiana were also named in this lawsuit. The suit sought payments for claims denied by SPFIC and other declaratory relief related to Hurricane Katrina. It is unclear from the petition how many plaintiffs are insureds of SPFIC. Presently, the Master Class Action Insurance Complaint is stayed by order of the court. | ||
SPFIC continues to assert that their insurance policies excluded claims for flood damage. On August 2, 2007, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that the flood exclusion language in certain property insurance policies was effective to preclude claims for flood damage by policyholders whose policies include |
12
Table of Contents
such exclusion. On September 30, 2007, the judge presiding over the Master Class Action Insurance Complaint issued a ruling holding that specific named peril policies that do not list flooding as one of the named perils do not provide coverage for flooding. SPFICs policies are named peril policies that do not list flooding as one of the named perils. As such, SPFIC intends to continue to vigorously defend any claims resulting from flood damage on the grounds, among others, that its policies do not cover such damage. The deadline for filing claims against insurers arising out of property damage from Hurricane Katrina was August 29, 2007. On April 8, 2008, the Louisiana Supreme Court similarly ruled that the flood exclusion language in certain property insurance policies was effective to preclude claims for flood damage by policy holders whose policies include such exclusion. This decision is significant as it relates to any individual cases filed against SPFIC in Louisiana state court. | ||
SPFIC is also a defendant in a suit styled The State of Louisiana v. AAA Insurance, or Road Home Litigation, which was filed in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans on August 23, 2007 by the state of Louisiana as subrogee/assignee of the insureds of more than 200 different insurance companies. The suit was filed to recover money that the state of Louisiana paid to certain insureds under the Louisiana Road Home Program for damages resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The suit was removed to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on September 11, 2007 and appeals of the removal have been denied. Responsive pleadings have not yet been filed on behalf of any of the defendant insurers in this case, nor has any discovery been conducted to date. Responsive pleadings are due on June 18, 2008. | ||
SPFIC was also named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans on behalf of Karen Cheneau in August 2006. The Cheneau suit stems from damages Ms. Cheneau sustained during Hurricane Katrina. In November 2007, plaintiff filed a Motion for Leave to File First Amended Petition to Assert Class Allegations Against SPFIC. The purported class consists of Louisiana citizens who purchased homeowners insurance coverage and/or contents insurance coverage from SPFIC, whose homes and/or property covered by said policies were damaged as a result of Hurricane Katrina and who timely submitted claims to SPFIC for their losses, and who either received no recovery or received less than the proper value of their valued policies as a result of their claims. SPFIC has responded to the Amended Petition by filing Exceptions of No Cause of Action, No Right of Action, Vagueness, Prescription and Failure to Meet Class Action Requirements. | ||
The Exceptions have not yet been set for hearing. SPFIC intends to vigorously defend this lawsuit. The Master Class Action Insurance Complaint, the Road Home Litigation and Cheneau are in the early stages of litigation, and no discovery has yet occurred. Therefore, it is not possible to evaluate how many claims in those cases relate to SPFIC, or the potential exposure to SPFIC. However, in the event of an adverse outcome, the potential exposure to SPFIC could be significant. | ||
On November 8, 2005, SPLIC was named as a defendant in a suit styled Lilac Todd vs. Security Plan Life Insurance Company, on behalf of Lilac Todd which alleges that SPLIC failed to pay Ms. Todds claim for medical expenses arising out of the amputation of one of her limbs. On December 20, 2007, a Supplemental and Amended Petition for Damages was filed pursuant to which the plaintiff has asserted class action allegations. The purported class is defined as all Louisiana insureds of SPLIC whose policies contained an incontestability provision identical or similar to Ms. Todds policy, and whose claims were denied within 10 years of the petition filing on the basis of illnesses, injuries or diseases diagnosed or which occurred at any time preceding the incontestability. | ||
SPLIC has responded by filing Exceptions of Vagueness and of Improper Use of the Class Action Procedure, as well as an Answer to the Supplemental and Amended Petition for Damages. SPLIC has also recently filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. The Exceptions and Partial Motion for Summary Judgment have not yet been set for hearing. The Lilac Todd matter is in the early stages of litigation relative to the class allegations and minimal discovery has occurred. Plaintiffs have not established how many, if any, individuals are within the class definition proposed by plaintiff. SPLIC intends to aggressively defend this action. However, in the event of an adverse outcome, the potential exposure to SPLIC could be significant. |
13
Table of Contents
In addition to the legal proceedings described above, we may from time to time be subject to a variety of legal and regulatory actions relating to our future, current and past business operations, including, but not limited to: |
| disputes over insurance coverage or claims adjudication; | ||
| regulatory compliance with insurance and securities laws in the United States and in foreign countries; | ||
| disputes with our marketing firms, consultants and employee agents over compensation and termination of contracts and related claims; | ||
| disputes regarding our tax liabilities; | ||
| disputes relative to reinsurance and coinsurance agreements; and | ||
| disputes relating to businesses acquired and operated by us. |
In the absence of countervailing considerations, we would expect to defend any such claims vigorously. However, in doing so, we could incur significant defense costs, including not only attorneys fees and other direct litigation costs, but also the expenditure of substantial amounts of management time that otherwise would be devoted to our business. If we suffer an adverse judgment as a result of any claim, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. We have not established any reserve account on our consolidated financial statements for the adverse financial impact of any of our litigation matters. | ||
(8) | Convertible Preferred Stock | |
In July 2004, the Company completed a private placement of $12.5 million of Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (Series A-1 Preferred) to four unaffiliated institutional investors. The Company also issued to the investors warrants to purchase 544,000 shares of Class A common stock, at an exercise price of $6.95 per share, and unit warrants to purchase Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock (Series A-2 Preferred). The conversion, exercise and redemption prices set forth in this Note 8, along with the numbers of shares and warrants (except for the 25,000 Series A-1 Preferred shares referenced below), have been adjusted for the respective stock dividends paid December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005. | ||
The 25,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred carry a 4% per annum dividend, payable quarterly in cash or, if certain conditions are met, shares of the Companys Class A common stock. The Company has paid all of the preferred dividends through March 31, 2008 with Class A common stock. | ||
The Company may, at its option, subject to certain conditions, increase the issued Series A-1 Preferred by $12.5 million to $25 million by requiring the investors to make additional payments for their shares of Series A-1 Preferred. Likewise, the investors may, at their option, subject to certain conditions, increase the issued Series A-1 Preferred by $12.5 million. | ||
The Series A-1 Preferred and Series A-2 Preferred are convertible at the option of the investors into shares of Class A common stock at a conversion price of $6.33 per share and a range from $6.11 to $7.26 per share, respectively, and each with a mandatory redemption in five years after their issuance if not converted prior to the redemption date. The Series A-1 Preferred can be converted into an aggregate of 1,975,000 Class A common shares. The Series A-2 Preferred can be converted into an aggregate number of shares based on a variable defined price. | ||
The Series A-1 and A-2 Preferred stock is mandatorily redeemable in 2009. Both may also become redeemable at the option of the holder if certain conditions exist, as described below. Under either scenario, the shares may be redeemed in cash or shares of Class A common stock depending on the circumstances. If redeemed in stock, the redemption price is based on a defined formula. |
14
Table of Contents
The provisions of the Series A Preferred Stock require that if (i) at any time after the original issue date of the stock, the closing price of our Class A common stock for any 42 trading days, including a period not less than 5 consecutive trading days, is less than $4.80, or (ii) we issue Class A common stock or common stock equivalents for less than $6.11 per share, then the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock may require us to redeem their shares of Series A Preferred Stock at a price equal to the amount of the original holders original investment, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon to the date of payment and any applicable penalties. The preferred holders right to require a redemption has not been triggered under clause (i) or clause (ii) above. If the right were to be triggered, that right would terminate if the price per share of Class A common stock exceeds certain defined amounts for certain specified periods of time. Another provision of the Series A Preferred Stock allows the preferred holders to require the Company to repurchase in cash (1) any shares of Series A Preferred Stock still held by the preferred shareholders and (2) any shares of Class A common stock still held by the preferred shareholders pursuant to the provisions of the Preferred Stock if certain defined Events or other conditions occur and are not cured within specified time periods. Those Events or conditions generally relate to the preferred holders ability to resell their Class A common shares. | ||
We will be required to redeem any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock that remain outstanding on July 12, 2009 at a price equal to the amount of the original holders original investment, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon to the date of such payment. If the average price is less than $3.50 per Class A common share, the redemption must be in cash. | ||
The unit warrants, which were also issued in July 2004, entitled the investors to purchase from the Company up to $5 million of Series A-2 Preferred. Three of the four investors exercised their unit warrants, for an exercise price of approximately $3.75 million, before the unit warrants expired in October 2005. The Series A-2 Preferred shares are convertible into Class A common stock at conversion prices equal to 110% of the average market closing prices of the Class A common stock for the 30 trading days before the respective dates of issuance of the Series A-2 Preferred to the three investors. The redemption period for the Series A-2 Preferred expires on July 12, 2009. | ||
On July 7, 2005, the first of the three investors exercised its unit warrant and purchased 1,338 shares of Series A-2 Preferred for $1,250,000, convertible into Class A common stock at $6.11 per common share, and seven-year warrants to purchase 56,000 shares of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $6.72 per share. On September 30, 2005, the second investor exercised its unit warrant, purchasing 1,338 shares of Series A-2 Preferred for $1,250,000, convertible into Class A common stock at $7.26 per common share, and seven-year warrants to purchase 47,000 shares of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $7.99 per share. In October 2005, the third investor exercised its unit warrant, purchasing 1,338 shares of Series A-2 Preferred for $1,250,000, convertible into Class A common stock at $7.20 per common share, and seven-year warrants to purchase 48,000 shares of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $7.92 per share. In October 2005, the remaining series A-2 Preferred Stock and associated warrants expired without the fourth investor exercising its option. | ||
In connection with the issuance of Series A-1 Preferred and associated warrants in July 2004, the finders with respect to these transactions received, as part of the finders compensation, warrants to purchase 99,000 shares of Series A common stock at an exercise price of $6.95 per share. In connection with the issuances of Series A-2 Preferred and associated warrants in 2005, the finders received, as part of the finders compensation, warrants to purchase 28,000 shares of Class A common stock at exercise prices ranging from $6.72 to $7.99. | ||
The Company initially recognized deferred issuance costs in 2004 of $1,486,000, a discount on the beneficial conversion feature of $3,073,000 and discounts on fair values of options and warrants of $2,719,000, respectively, as offsets against the $12.5 million issuance of the Series A-1 Preferred. This feature represents the difference at July 12, 2004 between the fair value of the Class A common stock and the effective conversion price, taking into account embedded warrants based upon the number of shares to be converted. This intrinsic value reduced the carrying value of the Series A-1 Preferred on the statement of financial |
15
Table of Contents
position with an equal amount credited to the Class A common stock These deferred issuance costs and discounts have been amortized to the Class A common stock over the period until redemption using the effective interest method. On July 7, 2005, September 30, 2005 and October 6, 2005, three of the four unaffiliated investors exercised their right to purchase the Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock. The Company recognized deferred issuance costs of $247,000 and a premium of $721,000 related to the liability for the option recorded at the date of the respective exercises. | ||
At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, there was $493,000 and $583,000 in unaccreted deferred issuance costs and $1,205,000 and $1,449,000 in unaccreted net discount costs, respectively. The redemption value of the series A-1 and A-2 convertible stock was $16,251,000 at March 31, 2008. | ||
The initial July 2004 recognition of the beneficial conversion feature and discounts on fair values of options and warrants resulted in $3,073,000 of additional paid-in capital for the Class A common stock and $2,944,000 of liabilities for warrants. Changes in the fair value of warrants are recognized in the statement of operations with a corresponding change in the liabilities for warrants. |
ITEM 2 . MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (the Act), including, without limitation, statements specifically identified as forward-looking statements within this document. Many of these statements contain risk factors as well. In addition, certain statements in future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by or with the approval of the Company which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Examples of forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or non-payment of dividends, capital structure, and other financial items, (ii) statements of our plans and objectives by our management or Board of Directors including those relating to products or services, (iii) statements of future economic performance and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as believes, anticipates, expects, intends, targeted, may, will and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. | ||
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the Companys future results to differ materially from expected results include, but are not limited to: |
| Changes in foreign and U.S. general economic conditions, including the performance of financial markets and interest rates; | ||
| Changes in consumer behavior, which may affect the Companys ability to sell its products and retain business; | ||
| The timely development of and acceptance of new products of the Company and perceived overall value of these products and services by existing potential customers; | ||
| Fluctuations in experience regarding current mortality, morbidity, persistency and interest rates relative to expected amounts used in pricing the Companys products; | ||
| Changes in assumptions related to deferred acquisition costs and the value of business acquired; | ||
| Regulatory, accounting or tax changes that may affect the cost of, or the demand for, the Companys products or services; and |
16
Table of Contents
| A concentration of business from persons residing in Latin America and the Pacific Rim; and, the success of the Company at managing the risks involved in the foregoing. |
Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. | ||
We make available, free of charge, through our Internet website (http://www.citizensinc.com), our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Section 16 reports filed by officers and directors, news releases, and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with, or furnish such reports to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are not including any of the information contained on our website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. | ||
Overview | ||
We are an insurance holding company serving the life insurance needs of individuals in the United States and in more than 35 countries around the world. We pursue a strategy of offering ordinary whole life insurance with a focus on cash accumulation and final expense insurance products in niche markets where we believe we are able to achieve competitive advantages. Our core operations include issuing and servicing: |
| U.S. Dollar-denominated ordinary whole life insurance policies predominantly to high net worth, high income foreign residents, principally in Latin America and the Pacific Rim, through approximately 2,600 independent marketing consultants; | ||
| ordinary whole life insurance policies to middle income households in the Midwest and the southern United States through approximately 600 independent marketing consultants; and | ||
| final expense and limited liability property policies to middle to lower income households in Louisiana through approximately 350 employee agents in our home service distribution channel. | ||
We primarily operate through two segments as follows: | ||
Life Insurance. For more than 30 years, CICA and its predecessors have participated in the foreign marketplace through the issuance of U.S. Dollar-denominated ordinary whole life insurance to foreign nationals. Traditionally, this market has focused on the top 3-5% of the population of a country in terms of income and net worth. In recent years, however, there has been a shift to encompass a broader spectrum of the population, as upper middle classes develop in Latin America and the Pacific Rim. We make our insurance products available using third-party marketing organizations and independent marketing consultants. The number of our producing independent consultants has expanded over the years in this segment to approximately 2,600, and we presently receive applications from more than 35 countries outside of the U.S. Historically, the majority of our international business has come from Latin America. However, in 2004 the Pacific Rim began to represent a meaningful and growing source of new business, and in 2008 continued to be one of the leading sources of new premium income. | ||
In the first three months of 2008, our Life Insurance segment generated revenue of $26.7 million, which accounted for 66.8% of our total revenue, compared to revenue of $25.6 million, or 66.5% of total revenue for the same period in 2007. Our strategy in operating our Life Insurance segment is to increase new business written through our existing marketers as well as recruit new marketers and expand the number of countries from which we receive policy applications. | ||
In 2008, CICA plans introduction of a new set of international life insurance products. We anticipate these new products will be well received in the international market. |
17
Table of Contents
Through the domestic market of our Life Insurance segment, we provide ordinary whole life, credit life insurance, and final expense policies to middle income families or individuals in certain markets in the Midwest and southern U.S. The majority of our revenues in this market are the result of acquisitions of domestic life insurance companies since 1987. | ||
We also realize revenues from our investment portfolio. Life insurance companies earn profits on the investment float, which reflects the investment income earned on the premiums paid to the insurer between the time of receipt and the time benefits are paid out under policies. Changes in interest rates, changes in economic conditions and volatility in the capital markets can all impact the amount of earnings that we realize from our investment portfolio. | ||
Home Service Insurance. Through a subsidiary, SPLIC, we provide final expense ordinary life insurance to middle to lower income individuals in Louisiana and Mississippi. Our policies in this segment are sold and serviced through the home service marketing distribution system utilizing employee-agents who work on a route system to collect premiums and service policyholders. | ||
During the first quarter of 2008, revenue from this segment was $13.2 million, which accounted for 33.1% of our total revenue, compared to revenue from this segment of $13.0 million, or 33.8% of total revenue, during the same period in 2007. Our business strategy in this segment is to continue to serve existing customers in Louisiana as well as expand the business through the acquisition of similar operations. | ||
Marketplace Conditions and Trends | ||
Described below are some of the significant recent events and trends affecting the life insurance industry and the possible effects they may have on our future operations. |
| As an increasing percentage of the world population reaches retirement age, we believe we will benefit from increased demand for living products rather than death products, as aging baby boomers will require cash accumulation to provide expenses to meet their lifetime needs. Our ordinary life products are designed to accumulate cash values to provide for living expenses in a policy owners later years, while continuously providing a death benefit. | ||
| We are exposed to a variety of risks, including the current market conditions as well as the credit crisis and corresponding potential changes in the fair value of our investments. In the normal course of business, we employ established policies and procedures to manage our exposure to fluctuations in the current market and changes in the fair value of our investments. We have not experienced any impairment in the value of our securities due to the current credit crisis in world financial markets. We have no subprime or collateralized debt investments. | ||
| The volatility in the equity markets over the past few years has posed a number of problems for some companies in the life insurance industry. Our equity holdings have been limited to 8% of total invested assets as of March 31, 2008 and 6% at December 31, 2007. | ||
| Corporate bond defaults and credit downgrades, which have resulted in other-than-temporary impairments in the value of some securities, have had a material impact on life insurers in the past few years. We have not incurred significant losses from bond defaults for many years. The majority of our investment portfolio is held in debt instruments carrying the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, or in U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises. Most of the municipal bonds we own are privately insured. We intend to manage our investment portfolio conservatively in the future using these types of debt instruments. | ||
| Because of the trends described above coupled with increasing costs of regulatory compliance such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we believe there is a trend towards consolidation of domestic life insurance companies. We believe this should be a benefit to our acquisition strategy because there should be more complementary acquisition candidates available for us to consider. |
18
Table of Contents
| Many of the events and trends affecting the life insurance industry have had an impact on the life reinsurance industry. These events led to a decline in the availability of reinsurance. While we currently cede a limited amount of our primary insurance business to reinsurers, we may find it difficult to obtain reinsurance in the future, forcing us to seek reinsurers who are more expensive to us. If we cannot obtain affordable reinsurance coverage, either our net exposures will increase or we will have to reduce our underwriting commitments. |
All comparisons below state the 2008 first fiscal quarter first and the 2007 first fiscal quarter second. | ||
Consolidated Results of Operations | ||
The following table sets forth our net income for the periods indicated: |
Three Months Ended | Net Income | Net Income per | Increase (decrease) | |||||||||
March 31, | (In thousands) | Class A Share | from Previous Year | |||||||||
2008 |
$ | 2,735 | $ | 0.05 | 12.1 | % | ||||||
2007 |
2,439 | 0.05 | 138.9 |
As further discussed below, increases in premium income, fueled by increased renewal life insurance premiums and property insurance rate increases, as well as an increase in investment income contributed to a 12.1% increase in earnings during the first quarter of 2008. | ||
Total revenues for the first quarter of 2008 were $39.9 million, a 3.9% increase over the same period in 2007 when revenues were $38.4 million. Total revenues from Home Service were $13.2 million during the first quarter of 2008 and $13.0 million during the same period in 2007. Total revenues from our Life Insurance segment amounted to $26.7 million during the first quarter of 2008, compared to $25.6 million for the same period in 2007, reflecting increased renewal premium on the international business. New business in the Life Insurance segment was down approximately 25% in 2008 compared to 2007, as marketing associates delayed sales of new business in anticipation of new international life products, which were introduced in April 2008. | ||
Premium Income. Premium income during the first quarter of 2008 increased to $32.7 million from $31.4 million during the same period in 2007, or 3.9%. The 2008 increase was attributable to persistency on the international business written in the Life Insurance segment, which had $22.6 million of premium income during the quarter. First year premiums in the Life Insurance segment during the first quarter of 2008 were down from comparable levels in 2007. We expect our new international products to reverse this decrease. Additionally, rate increases on property insurance products added an additional $257,000 to premium income in 2008 over 2007. | ||
Net Investment Income. Net investment income increased 5.6% during the first quarter of 2008 to $7.5 million, compared to $7.1 million during the same period in 2007, due primarily to the growth in our bond portfolio during 2007. Additionally, during 2007 and the first quarter of 2008, we invested $49.8 million in equity mutual funds. We expect to increase this number to 10% of invested assets during 2008. We continue to invest primarily in bonds of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, such as FNMA and FHLMC. | ||
Policyholder Dividends. Policyholder dividends increased 12.0% during the first quarter of 2008 to $1.4 million from $1.2 million during the same quarter in 2007, due to the continued sale and persistency of participating ordinary whole life products in the international market. All of our international policies are participating, and the growth of this block of business has contributed to the growth in dividends. The dividends are factored into the premiums and have no impact on profitability. | ||
Claims and Surrenders. As noted in the table below, claims and surrenders decreased slightly to $13.1 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $13.2 million during the same period in 2007. |
19
Table of Contents
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Death claims |
$ | 5,784 | 6,006 | |||||
Surrender benefits |
3,442 | 3,193 | ||||||
Endowments |
3,130 | 2,903 | ||||||
Property claims |
371 | 523 | ||||||
Other policy benefits |
281 | 448 | ||||||
Accident and health benefits |
70 | 107 | ||||||
Total claims and surrenders |
$ | 13,078 | 13,180 | |||||
Commissions. Commissions during the first quarter of 2008 decreased to $7.7 million
from $8.4 million in 2007, primarily due to the previously mentioned slowdown of new
international premium issued in 2008.
Other Underwriting, Acquisition and Insurance Expenses. Expenses were flat at $6.9
million in 2008 and 2007. However, the allocation of expenses within the Citizens, Inc.
management services agreement was reallocated in the first quarter of 2008 to reflect the
conversion of Security Plans policies to the Companys policy administration system at year
end 2007. Approximately $1.0 million in expenses was reallocated from the Life Insurance
segment to the Home Service segment, which is reflected in the lower segment profit. See Note
3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements herein.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs. Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs
(DAC) decreased 20.7% to $4.9 million from $6.1 million. This was also a direct consequence
of the reduced international new business, as less commissions and expenses were capitalized.
Amortization of these costs was $3.6 million and $3.2 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively.
This increase was due to a slight drop in life insurance persistency.
Federal Income Tax. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2008 was 37.6%,
versus 37.7% in the first quarter of 2007. The rate is in excess of the statutory rate of 35%
because the loss on change in fair value of our Class A common stock warrants totaling
$503,000 and $427,000 in 2008 and 2007, respectively, is not deductible for tax purposes.
20
Table of Contents
Commitments and Contingencies. We have committed to the following contractual
obligations as of March 31, 2008 with the payments due by the period indicated below:
Contractual Obligation | Total | Less than 1 Year | 1 to 3 Years | 3 to 5 Years | More than 5 Years | |||||||||||||||
(In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating leases |
$ | 1,012 | 355 | 551 | 106 | | ||||||||||||||
Other |
44 | 44 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Total operating and other leases |
1,056 | 399 | 551 | 106 | | |||||||||||||||
Future policy benefit reserves: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Life insurance |
514,775 | 191 | 1,074 | 10,080 | 503,430 | |||||||||||||||
Annuities |
23,132 | 12,101 | 5,424 | 2,338 | 3,269 | |||||||||||||||
Accident and health |
7,920 | 7,920 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Total future policy benefit
reserves |
545,827 | 20,212 | 6,498 | 12,418 | 506,699 | |||||||||||||||
Policy claims payable: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Life insurance |
6,135 | 6,135 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Accident and health |
1,358 | 1,358 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Casualty |
673 | 673 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Total policy claims payable |
8,166 | 8,166 | | | | |||||||||||||||
Convertible Preferred Stock |
16,251 | | 16,251 | | | |||||||||||||||
Total contractual obligations |
$ | 571,300 | 28,777 | 23,300 | 12,524 | 506,699 | ||||||||||||||
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity refers to a companys ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the needs of
its operations. Liquidity is managed on insurance operations in seeking to ensure stable and
reliable sources of cash flows to meet obligations and is provided by a variety of sources.
Liquidity requirements of Citizens 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. We historically have not had to liquidate investments to provide cash
flow and did not do so during the first quarter of 2008.
A primary liquidity concern is the risk of an extraordinary level of early policyholder
withdrawals. We include provisions within our 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 largely consistent with our assumptions in
asset liability management, our associated cash outflows have, to date, not had an adverse
impact on our overall liquidity. Individual life insurance policies are less susceptible to
withdrawal than annuity reserves and deposit liabilities because policyholders may incur
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 annually to assist in evaluating liquidity needs and adequacy.
We currently anticipate that available liquidity sources and future cash flows will be
adequate to meet our needs for funds.
Cash flows from our insurance operations have been sufficient to meet current needs. Cash
flows from operating activities were $12.6 million and $6.8 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. We have traditionally also had significant cash flows
from both scheduled and unscheduled
21
Table of Contents
investment security maturities, redemptions, and prepayments. These cash flows, for the most
part, are reinvested in fixed income securities. Net cash outflows from investment activity
totaled $13.1 million and $11.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively. The outflows from investing activities for the three months ended March 31,
2008 and 2007 primarily related to the investment of excess cash and cash equivalents
generated from operations.
Stockholders equity at March 31, 2008 was $176.3 million, compared to $176.2 million at
December 31, 2007. The slight increase in 2008 was largely due to income earned during the
period, offset by an increase in unrealized losses on investments, and the accretion of
deferred issuance costs and discounts on preferred stock of $0.3 million.
Investments increased slightly to $591.2 million at March 31, 2008 from $585.3 million at
December 31, 2007. Fixed maturities are categorized into fixed maturities available-for-sale,
which are carried in our consolidated financial statements at fair value. Fixed maturities
available-for-sale were 83.9% of investments at March 31, 2008 and 85.5% at December 31, 2007.
Policy loans comprised 4.4% of invested assets at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. These
loans, which are secured by the underlying policy values, have yields ranging from 5% to 12%
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 March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. 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. During 2008,
we intend to continue to utilize high grade commercial paper as a cash management tool to
minimize excess cash balances and enhance returns.
In the wake of bankruptcy filings by large corporations several years ago, concern was raised
regarding the use of certain off-balance sheet special purpose entities such as partnerships
to hedge or conceal losses related to investment activity. 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 nature, and we do not use such
investments to hedge our investment positions. The Company has no subprime or collateralized
debt obligations.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has established minimum capital
requirements in the form of Risk-Based Capital (RBC). Risk-based capital factors the type
of business written by an insurance company, the quality of its assets, and various other
aspects of an insurance companys business 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 risk-based capital fall below 200%, a series of actions by the affected company would
begin. At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, all of our insurance subsidiaries were above
required minimum levels.
Parent Company Liquidity and Capital Resources
We are a holding company and have had minimal operations of our own. Our assets consist
primarily of the capital stock of our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our cash flows depend upon
the availability of statutorily permissible payments, primarily payments under management
agreements from our two primary life insurance subsidiaries, CICA and SPLIC. The ability to
make payments is limited by applicable laws and regulations of Colorado, CICAs state of
domicile, and Louisiana, SPLICs state of domicile, which subject insurance operations to
significant regulatory restrictions. These laws and regulations require, among other things,
that these insurance subsidiaries maintain minimum solvency requirements and limit the amount
of dividends these subsidiaries can pay to the holding company. We historically have not
relied upon dividends from subsidiaries for our cash flow needs.
22
Table of Contents
Critical Accounting Policies
Our critical accounting policies are as follows:
Policy Liabilities
Future policy benefit reserves have been computed by the net level premium method with
assumptions as to investment yields, dividends on participating business, mortality and
withdrawals based upon our experience. The preparation of financial statements requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of policy
liabilities and the increase in future policy benefit reserves. Managements judgments and
estimates for future policy benefit reserves provide for possible unfavorable deviation.
At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, certain Security Plan paid-up policies were not
converted to our policy administration system. Because of this, reserves related to these
policies were estimated based on the ratio of statutory reserves at March 31, 2008 and
December 31, 2007 compared to September 30, 2007, multiplied by the GAAP reserves at September
30, 2007.
We continue to use the original assumptions (including a provision for the risk of adverse
deviation) in subsequent periods to determine the changes in the liability for future policy
benefits (the lock-in concept) unless a premium deficiency exists. Management monitors
these assumptions and has determined that a premium deficiency does not exist at March 31,
2008. Management believes that our policy liabilities and increase in future policy benefit
reserves as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are based upon
assumptions, including a provision for the risk of adverse deviation, that do not warrant
revision. The relative stability of these assumptions and managements analysis is discussed
below.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Acquisition costs, consisting of commissions and policy issuance, underwriting and agency
expenses that relate to and vary with the production of new business, are deferred. These
deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized primarily over the estimated premium paying
period of the related policies in proportion to the ratio of the annual premium recognized to
the total premium revenue anticipated, using the same assumptions as were used in computing
liabilities for future policy benefits.
We utilize the factor method to determine the amount of costs to be capitalized and the ending
asset balance. The factor method is based on the ratio of premium revenue recognized for the
policies in force at the end of each reporting period compared to the premium revenue
recognized for policies in force at the beginning of the reporting period. The factor method
ensures that policies that lapsed or surrendered during the reporting period are no longer
included in the deferred policy acquisition costs calculation. The factor method limits the
amount of deferred costs to its estimated realizable value, provided actual experience is
comparable to that contemplated in the factors.
Inherent in the capitalization and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs are
certain management judgments about what acquisition costs are deferred, the ending asset
balance and the annual amortization. Approximately 80% of our capitalized deferred
acquisition costs are attributed to first year excess commissions. The remaining 20% are
attributed to costs that vary with and are directly related to the acquisition of new
insurance business. Those costs generally include costs related to the production,
underwriting and issuance of new business.
A recoverability test that considers, among other things, actual experience and projected
future experience is performed at least annually. These annual recoverability tests initially
calculate the available premium (gross premium less benefit and expense portion of premium)
for the next 30 years. The available premium per policy and the deferred policy acquisition
costs per policy are then calculated. The deferred policy acquisition costs are then evaluated
over two methods utilizing reasonable assumptions and two other methods using pessimistic
assumptions. The two methods using reasonable assumptions illustrate an early-deferred policy
23
Table of Contents
acquisition recoverability period. The two methods utilizing pessimistic assumptions still
support early recoverability of our aggregate deferred policy acquisition costs. Management
believes that our deferred policy acquisition costs and related amortization as of and for the
three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 limits the amount of deferred costs to its
estimated realizable value. This belief is based upon the analysis performed on capitalized
expenses that vary with and are primarily related to the acquisition of new and renewal
insurance business, utilization of the factor method and annual recoverability testing.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) issued Statement of Position
(SOP) 05-1, Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection
with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts (SOP 05-1), which defines an internal
replacement as a modification in product benefits, features, rights, or coverages that occurs
by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement, or rider to a
contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a contract. Under SOP 05-1,
modifications that result in a substantially unchanged contract will be accounted for as a
continuation of the replaced contract. A replacement contract that is substantially changed
will be accounted for as an extinguishment of the replaced contract resulting in a release of
unamortized deferred acquisition costs and unearned inducements associated with the replaced
contract. Also under SOP 05-1, the unamortized deferred acquisition cost is written off when
a policy is reinstated that had previously lapsed.
Valuation of Investments in Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
Our fixed maturities consist primarily of bonds. Fixed maturities that may be sold prior to
maturity to support our investment strategies are considered held as available-for-sale and
carried at fair value as of the balance sheet date. Equity securities (including
non-redeemable preferred stock) are considered available-for-sale and are reported at fair
value.
At March 31, 2008, 69.3% of our fixed maturity securities were invested in U.S.
Government-sponsored enterprises or securities backed by the U.S. Government. We evaluate the
carrying value of our fixed maturity and equity securities at least quarterly. A decline in
the fair value of any fixed maturity or equity security below cost that is deemed
other-than-temporary is charged to earnings resulting in the establishment of a new cost basis
for the security. The new cost basis is not changed for subsequent recoveries in the fair
value of the fixed maturity or equity security. With the exception of Security Plan,
virtually all of our subsidiaries fixed maturity investments are in U.S. Government-sponsored
enterprises or U.S. Government instruments. Security Plan has significant investments in
corporate and municipal bonds. Management believes that our investments in fixed maturity
securities at March 31, 2008 were not impaired, and no other-than-temporary losses needed to
be recorded. This determination is based upon our holdings of fixed maturity securities,
primarily obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored corporations, our intent and ability to
hold temporarily impaired fixed maturities until recovery, and our analysis of whether
declines in fair value below cost are temporary or other-than-temporary. Our equity
securities consist of mutual funds acquired in 2008 and 2007, thus any declines in value are
recent and are currently considered temporary. We will continue to monitor these investments.
At March 31, 2008, there were no other-than-temporary impairments on equity securities.
Premium Revenue and Related Expenses
Premiums on life and accident and health policies are reported as earned when due or, for
short duration contracts, over the contract period on a pro rata basis. Benefits and expenses
are associated with earned premiums so as to result in recognition of profits over the
estimated life of the contracts. This matching is accomplished by means of provisions for
future benefits and the capitalization and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs.
Annuities are accounted for in a manner consistent with accounting for interest bearing
financial instruments. Our primary annuity products do not include fees or other such
charges.
24
Table of Contents
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET RISK
General
The nature of our business exposes us to investment market risk. Market risk is the risk of
loss that may occur when changes in interest rates and public equity prices adversely affect
the value of our invested assets. Interest rate risk is our primary market risk exposure.
Substantial and sustained increases and decreases in market interest rates can affect the fair
value of our investments. The fair value of our fixed maturity portfolio generally increases
when interest rates decrease and decreases when interest rates increase.
Market Risk Related to Interest Rates
Our exposure to interest rate changes results from our significant holdings of fixed maturity
investments, which comprised over 83.9% of our investment portfolio as of March 31, 2008.
These investments are mainly exposed to changes in U.S. Treasury rates. Our fixed maturities
investments include U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, U.S. Government bonds, securities
issued by government agencies, and corporate bonds. Approximately 69.3% of the fixed
maturities we owned at March 31, 2008 are instruments of U.S. Government-sponsored
enterprises, or are backed by U.S. Government agencies.
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:
Decreases in Interest Rates | ||||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
100 Basis Points | 200 Basis Points | 300 Basis Points | ||||||||||
March 31, 2008 |
$ | 15,205 | 28,799 | 44,070 | ||||||||
December 31, 2007 |
$ | 18,594 | 29,582 | 42,812 | ||||||||
Increases in Interest Rates | ||||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
100 Basis Points | 200 Basis Points | 300 Basis Points | ||||||||||
March 31, 2008 |
$ | (11,504 | ) | (47,803 | ) | (76,560 | ) | |||||
December 31, 2007 |
$ | (22,821 | ) | (51,006 | ) | (79,768 | ) | |||||
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.
There are no fixed maturities or other investments that we classify as trading instruments.
At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had no investments in derivative instruments, nor
do we have any subprime or collateralized debt obligation risk.
25
Table of Contents
Market Risk Related to Equity Prices
Changes in the level or volatility of equity prices affect the value of equity securities we
hold as investments. However, our equity investments portfolio was less than 8% of our total
investments at March 31, 2008. Thus, we believe that significant decreases in the equity
markets would not have a material adverse impact on our total investment portfolio.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure, among other things, that
material information relating to our Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made
known to our officers who certify our financial reports and to the other members of our senior
management and the Board of Directors.
Our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are responsible for
establishing and maintaining our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules
13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act)). Based upon an evaluation at the end of the period, the Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective
as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2008 there have been no changes in the Companys internal
controls over financial reporting that materially affect or are reasonably likely to effect,
the Companys internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act).
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are a defendant in a lawsuit originally filed on August 6, 1999 in the Texas District
Court, Austin, Texas, now styled Citizens Insurance Company of America, Citizens, Inc., Harold
E. Riley and Mark A. Oliver, Petitioners v. Fernando Hakim Daccach, Respondent, in which a
class was originally certified by the trial court and affirmed by the Court of Appeals for the
Third District of Texas. We appealed the grant of class status to the Texas Supreme Court,
which on March 2, 2007, reversed the Court of Appeals affirmation of the trial courts class
certification order, decertified the class and remanded the case to the trial court for
further proceedings consistent with the Texas Supreme Courts opinion. As a result, no class
action is presently certified, and plaintiffs counsel is seeking to recertify the class. In
order to recertify the class, the lead plaintiff must establish that he is qualified to
represent the purported class and that the res judicata effect of a class action will not have
a deleterious effect on the putative class members. The underlying lawsuit alleges that
certain life insurance policies that we made available to non-U.S. residents, when combined
with a policy feature that allowed certain cash benefits to be assigned to two non-U.S. trusts
for the purpose of accumulating ownership of our class A common stock, along with allowing the
policyholders to make additional contributions to the trusts, were actually offers and sales
of securities that occurred in Texas by unregistered dealers in violation of the Texas
securities laws. The remedy sought was rescission and return of the insurance premium
payments. We believe the lawsuit is without merit and intend to continue a vigorous defense
in any remaining proceedings, including any class recertification. If the class is
recertified, we could be exposed to costly and time-consuming litigation, and an adverse
judgment could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial
condition. The case is now before the District Court judge for an analysis of the evidence
presented to determine if it warrants recertification of a class.
Our wholly-owned Louisiana property insurer, SPFIC, has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit
asserting class allegations, now styled The Master Class Action Insurance Complaint,
originally filed in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. Most of
the property and casualty insurers in Louisiana were also named in this lawsuit. The suit
sought payments for claims denied by SPFIC and other declaratory
26
Table of Contents
relief related to Hurricane Katrina. It is unclear from the petition how many plaintiffs are
insureds of SPFIC. Presently, the Master Class Action Insurance Complaint is stayed by order
of the court.
SPFIC continues to assert that their insurance policies excluded claims for flood damage. On
August 2, 2007, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that the flood exclusion
language in certain property insurance policies was effective to preclude claims for flood
damage by policyholders whose policies include such exclusion. On September 30, 2007, the
judge presiding over the Master Class Action Insurance Complaint issued a ruling holding that
specific named peril policies that do not list flooding as one of the named perils do not
provide coverage for flooding. SPFICs policies are named peril policies that do not list
flooding as one of the named perils. As such, SPFIC intends to continue to vigorously defend
any claims resulting from flood damage on the grounds, among others, that its policies do not
cover such damage. The deadline for filing claims against insurers arising out of property
damage from Hurricane Katrina was August 29, 2007. On April 8, 2008, the Louisiana Supreme
Court similarly ruled that the flood exclusion language in certain property insurance policies
was effective to preclude claims for flood damage by policy holders whose policies include
such exclusion. This decision is significant as it relates to any individual cases filed
against SPFIC in Louisiana state court.
SPFIC is also a defendant in a suit styled The State of Louisiana v. AAA Insurance, or Road
Home Litigation, which was filed in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans on
August 23, 2007 by the state of Louisiana as subrogee/assignee of the insureds of more than
200 different insurance companies. The suit was filed to recover money that the state of
Louisiana paid to certain insureds under the Louisiana Road Home Program for damages resulting
from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The suit was removed to the United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Louisiana on September 11, 2007 and appeals of the removal have
been denied. Responsive pleadings have not yet been filed on behalf of any of the defendant
insurers in this case, nor has any discovery been conducted to date. Responsive pleadings are
due on June 18, 2008.
SPFIC was also named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in the Civil District Court for the
Parish of Orleans on behalf of Karen Cheneau in August 2006. The Cheneau suit stems from
damages Ms. Cheneau sustained during Hurricane Katrina. In November 2007, plaintiff filed a
Motion for Leave to File First Amended Petition to Assert Class Allegations Against SPFIC.
The purported class consists of Louisiana citizens who purchased homeowners insurance
coverage and/or contents insurance coverage from SPFIC, whose homes and/or property covered by
said policies were damaged as a result of Hurricane Katrina and who timely submitted claims to
SPFIC for their losses, and who either received no recovery or received less than the proper
value of their valued policies as a result of their claims. SPFIC has responded to the
Amended Petition by filing Exceptions of No Cause of Action, No Right of Action, Vagueness,
Prescription and Failure to Meet Class Action Requirements.
The Exceptions have not yet been set for hearing. SPFIC intends to vigorously defend this
lawsuit. The Master Class Action Insurance Complaint, the Road Home Litigation and Cheneau
are in the early stages of litigation, and no discovery has yet occurred. Therefore, it is
not possible to evaluate how many claims in those cases relate to SPFIC, or the potential
exposure to SPFIC. However, in the event of an adverse outcome, the potential exposure to
SPFIC could be significant.
On November 8, 2005, SPLIC was named as a defendant in a suit styled Lilac Todd vs. Security
Plan Life Insurance Company, on behalf of Lilac Todd which alleges that SPLIC failed to pay
Ms. Todds claim for medical expenses arising out of the amputation of one of her limbs. On
December 20, 2007, a Supplemental and Amended Petition for Damages was filed pursuant to which
the plaintiff has asserted class action allegations. The purported class is defined as all
Louisiana insureds of SPLIC whose policies contained an incontestability provision identical
or similar to Ms. Todds policy, and whose claims were denied within 10 years of the petition
filing on the basis of illnesses, injuries or diseases diagnosed or which occurred at any time
preceding the incontestability.
SPLIC has responded by filing Exceptions of Vagueness and of Improper Use of the Class Action
Procedure, as well as an Answer to the Supplemental and Amended Petition for Damages. SPLIC
has also recently filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. The Exceptions and Partial
Motion for Summary Judgment have
27
Table of Contents
not yet been set for hearing. The Lilac Todd matter is in the early stages of litigation
relative to the class allegations and minimal discovery has occurred. Plaintiffs have not
established how many, if any, individuals are within the class definition proposed by
plaintiff. SPLIC intends to aggressively defend this action. However, in the event of an
adverse outcome, the potential exposure to SPLIC could be significant.
In addition to the legal proceedings described above, we may from time to time be subject to a
variety of legal and regulatory actions relating to our future, current and past business
operations, including, but not limited to:
| disputes over insurance coverage or claims adjudication; | ||
| regulatory compliance with insurance and securities laws in the United States and in foreign countries; | ||
| disputes with our marketing firms, consultants and employee agents over compensation and termination of contracts and related claims; | ||
| disputes regarding our tax liabilities; | ||
| disputes relative to reinsurance and coinsurance agreements; and | ||
| disputes relating to businesses acquired and operated by us. |
In the absence of countervailing considerations, we would expect to defend any such claims
vigorously. However, in doing so, we could incur significant defense costs, including not
only attorneys fees and other direct litigation costs, but also the expenditure of
substantial amounts of management time that otherwise would be devoted to our business. If we
suffer an adverse judgment as a result of any claim, it could have a material adverse effect
on our business, results of operations and financial condition. We have not established any
reserve account on our consolidated financial statements for the adverse financial impact of
any of our litigation matters.
Item 1.A Risk Factors
The following risk factor updates the risk factor disclosure in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2007.
Lack of market acceptance of our new insurance policies for our non-U.S. residents could
negatively impact our financial results.
We are in the midst of introducing new insurance policies for non-U.S. residents. Our
new production of insurance from non-U.S. residents slowed in the first quarter of 2008
due to our marketing forces anticipation of selling these new policies. Any lack of
acceptance of these new policies by either our foreign independent marketing consultants
and marketing firms or by non-U.S. residents would reduce our new insurance policy sales
significantly and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and
financial condition. In addition, if our foreign independent marketing consultants and
marketing firms are not able to achieve sales of the new policies consistent with past
levels of policy sales, we may be faced with a decrease in the number of these
consultants and marketing firms, which would hinder our growth objectives.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to our shareholders during the first calendar quarter of 2008.
28
Table of Contents
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit Number | The following exhibits are filed herewith: | |
3.1
|
Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation (a) | |
3.2
|
Bylaws (b) | |
4.1
|
Amendment to State Series A-1 and A-2 Senior Convertible Preferred Stock (c) | |
10.1
|
Self-Administered Automatic Reinsurance Agreement Citizens Insurance Company of America and Riunione Adriatica di Sicurta, S.p.A. (d) | |
10.2
|
Bulk Accidental Death Benefit Reinsurance Agreement between Connecticut General Life Insurance Company and Citizens Insurance Company of America, as amended (e) | |
10.3
|
Coinsurance Reinsurance Agreement, Assumption Reinsurance Agreement, Administrative Services Agreement dated March 9, 2004, between Citizens Insurance Company of America and Texas International Life Insurance Company, Reinsurance Trust Agreement dated March 9, 2004, by and among Citizens Insurance Company of America, Texas International Life Insurance Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (f) | |
10.4
|
Coinsurance Reinsurance Agreement, Assumption Reinsurance Agreement, Administrative Services Agreement dated March 9, 2004, between Combined Underwriters Life Insurance Company and Texas International Life Insurance Company, Reinsurance Trust Agreement dated March 9, 2004, by and among Combined Underwriters Life Insurance Company, Texas International Life Insurance Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (g) | |
10.5(a)
|
Securities Purchase Agreement dated July 12, 2004 among Citizens, Inc., Mainfield Enterprises, Inc., Steelhead Investments Ltd., Portside Growth and Opportunity Fund, and Smithfield Fiduciary LLC (h) | |
10.5(b)
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated July 12, 2004 among Citizens, Inc., Mainfield Enterprises, Inc., Steelhead Investments Ltd., Portside Growth and Opportunity Fund, and Smithfield Fiduciary LLC (h) | |
10.5(c)
|
Unit Warrant dated July 12, 2004, to Mainfield Enterprises, Inc. (h) | |
10.5(d)
|
Unit Warrant dated July 12, 2004, to Steelhead Investments Ltd. (h) | |
10.5(e)
|
Unit Warrant dated July 12, 2004, to Portside Growth and Opportunity Fund (h) | |
10.5(f)
|
Unit Warrant dated July 12, 2004, to Smithfield Fiduciary LLC (h) | |
10.5(g)
|
Warrant to Purchase Class A Common Stock to Mainfield Enterprises, Inc. (h) | |
10.5(h)
|
Warrant to Purchase Class A Common Stock to Steelhead Investments Ltd. (h) | |
10.5(i)
|
Warrant to Purchase Class A Common Stock to Portside Growth and Opportunity Fund (h) |
29
Table of Contents
Exhibit Number | The following exhibits are filed herewith: | |
10.5(j)
|
Warrant to Purchase Class A Common Stock to Smithfield Fiduciary LLC (h) | |
10.5(k)
|
Subordination Agreement among Regions Bank, the Purchasers and Citizens, Inc. dated July 12, 2004 (h) | |
10.6
|
Self-Administered Automatic Reinsurance Agreement between Citizens Insurance Company of America and Converium Reinsurance (Germany) Ltd.(i) | |
10.7
|
Self-Administered Automatic Reinsurance Agreement between Citizens Insurance Company of America and Scottish Re Worldwide (England) (j) | |
11
|
Statement re: Computation of per share earnings (see financial statements) | |
21
|
Subsidiaries of Registrant (k) | |
31.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act* | |
31.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act* | |
32.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act* | |
32.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act* |
* | Filed herewith. | |
(a) | Filed on March 15, 2004 with the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2003 as Exhibit 3.1, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(b) | Filed with the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 1998, as Exhibit 3.2,, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(c) | Filed on July 15, 2004, with the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 4.1, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(d) | Filed as Exhibit 10.8 with the Registration Statement on Form S-4, SEC File No. 333-16163, on November 14, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(e) | Filed on April 9, 1997 as Exhibit 10.9 with the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 1996, Amendment No. I, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(f) | Filed on March 22, 2004 as Exhibit 10.8 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(g) | Filed on March 22, 2004 as Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(h) | Filed on July 15, 2004 as part of Exhibit 10.12 with the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(i) | Filed on March 31, 2005, with the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2004, as Exhibit 10.10(m), and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(j) | Filed on March 31, 2005, with the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2004, as Exhibit 10.10(n), and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(k) | Filed on March 30, 2007 with the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Exhibit 21, and incorporated herein by reference. |
30
Table of Contents
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.
CITIZENS, INC. |
||||
By: | /s/ Harold E. Riley | |||
Harold E. Riley | ||||
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
By: | /s/ Thomas F. Kopetic | |||
Thomas F. Kopetic | ||||
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
||||
Date: May 12, 2008
31
Table of Contents
Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number | The following exhibits are filed herewith: | |
3.1
|
Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation (a) | |
3.2
|
Bylaws (b) | |
4.1
|
Amendment to State Series A-1 and A-2 Senior Convertible Preferred Stock (c) | |
10.1
|
Self-Administered Automatic Reinsurance Agreement Citizens Insurance Company of America and Riunione Adriatica di Sicurta, S.p.A. (d) | |
10.2
|
Bulk Accidental Death Benefit Reinsurance Agreement between Connecticut General Life Insurance Company and Citizens Insurance Company of America, as amended (e) | |
10.3
|
Coinsurance Reinsurance Agreement, Assumption Reinsurance Agreement, Administrative Services Agreement dated March 9, 2004, between Citizens Insurance Company of America and Texas International Life Insurance Company, Reinsurance Trust Agreement dated March 9, 2004, by and among Citizens Insurance Company of America, Texas International Life Insurance Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (f) | |
10.4
|
Coinsurance Reinsurance Agreement, Assumption Reinsurance Agreement, Administrative Services Agreement dated March 9, 2004, between Combined Underwriters Life Insurance Company and Texas International Life Insurance Company, Reinsurance Trust Agreement dated March 9, 2004, by and among Combined Underwriters Life Insurance Company, Texas International Life Insurance Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (g) | |
10.5(a)
|
Securities Purchase Agreement dated July 12, 2004 among Citizens, Inc., Mainfield Enterprises, Inc., Steelhead Investments Ltd., Portside Growth and Opportunity Fund, and Smithfield Fiduciary LLC (h) | |
10.5(b)
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated July 12, 2004 among Citizens, Inc., Mainfield Enterprises, Inc., Steelhead Investments Ltd., Portside Growth and Opportunity Fund, and Smithfield Fiduciary LLC (h) | |
10.5(c)
|
Unit Warrant dated July 12, 2004, to Mainfield Enterprises, Inc. (h) | |
10.5(d)
|
Unit Warrant dated July 12, 2004, to Steelhead Investments Ltd. (h) | |
10.5(e)
|
Unit Warrant dated July 12, 2004, to Portside Growth and Opportunity Fund (h) | |
10.5(f)
|
Unit Warrant dated July 12, 2004, to Smithfield Fiduciary LLC (h) | |
10.5(g)
|
Warrant to Purchase Class A Common Stock to Mainfield Enterprises, Inc. (h) | |
10.5(h)
|
Warrant to Purchase Class A Common Stock to Steelhead Investments Ltd. (h) | |
10.5(i)
|
Warrant to Purchase Class A Common Stock to Portside Growth and Opportunity Fund (h) |
Table of Contents
Exhibit Number | The following exhibits are filed herewith: | |
10.5(j)
|
Warrant to Purchase Class A Common Stock to Smithfield Fiduciary LLC (h) | |
10.5(k)
|
Subordination Agreement among Regions Bank, the Purchasers and Citizens, Inc. dated July 12, 2004 (h) | |
10.6
|
Self-Administered Automatic Reinsurance Agreement between Citizens Insurance Company of America and Converium Reinsurance (Germany) Ltd.(i) | |
10.7
|
Self-Administered Automatic Reinsurance Agreement between Citizens Insurance Company of America and Scottish Re Worldwide (England) (j) | |
11
|
Statement re: Computation of per share earnings (see financial statements) | |
21
|
Subsidiaries of Registrant (k) | |
31.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act* | |
31.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act* | |
32.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act* | |
32.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act* |
* | Filed herewith. | |
(a) | Filed on March 15, 2004 with the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2003 as Exhibit 3.1, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(b) | Filed with the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 1998, as Exhibit 3.2,, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(c) | Filed on July 15, 2004, with the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 4.1, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(d) | Filed as Exhibit 10.8 with the Registration Statement on Form S-4, SEC File No. 333-16163, on November 14, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(e) | Filed on April 9, 1997 as Exhibit 10.9 with the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 1996, Amendment No. I, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(f) | Filed on March 22, 2004 as Exhibit 10.8 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(g) | Filed on March 22, 2004 as Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(h) | Filed on July 15, 2004 as part of Exhibit 10.12 with the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(i) | Filed on March 31, 2005, with the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2004, as Exhibit 10.10(m), and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(j) | Filed on March 31, 2005, with the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2004, as Exhibit 10.10(n), and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(k) | Filed on March 30, 2007 with the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2006 as Exhibit 21, and incorporated herein by reference. |