GWG Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2019 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019

or

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _________ to ________

Commission File Number: 001-36615

GWG HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

220 South Sixth Street, Suite 1200

Minneapolis, MN 55402

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(612) 746-1944

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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. ☒ Yes ☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes ☒ No

As of August 30, 2019, GWG Holdings, Inc. had 33,033,420 shares of common stock outstanding.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC.

Index to Form 10-Q

for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2019

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — CONTINUED

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(unaudited)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019:

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY - CONTINUED

(unaudited)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018:

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

(1) Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business — GWG Holdings, Inc. (“GWG Holdings”) conducts its life insurance secondary market business through a wholly owned subsidiary, GWG Life, LLC (“GWG Life”), and GWG Life’s wholly owned subsidiaries, GWG Life Trust and GWG DLP Funding IV, LLC. GWG Holdings owns a significant equity interest in The Beneficient Company Group, L.P. (“BEN LP,” including all of the subsidiaries it may have from time to time — “Beneficient”). Beneficient is a financial services firm based in Dallas, Texas that provides liquidity solutions for mid-to-high net worth (“MHNW”) individuals and small-to-mid (“STM”) size institutions, which previously had few options to obtain early liquidity for their alternative assets holdings. Beneficient has closed a limited number of these transactions to date, and intends to significantly expand its operations. All of the GWG Holdings’ entities are legally organized in Delaware, other than GWG Life Trust, which is governed by the laws of the state of Utah. GWG Holdings’ wholly owned subsidiary, Life Epigenetics Inc. (formerly named Actüa Life & Annuity Ltd.) (“Life Epigenetics”) was formed to engage in various life insurance related businesses and activities related to its development of epigenetic technology. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, youSurance General Agency, LLC (“youSurance”), GWG Holdings offers life insurance directly to customers from a variety of life insurance carriers. Unless the context otherwise requires or we specifically so indicate, all references in this report to “we,” “us,” “our,” “our Company,” “GWG,” or the “Company” refer to these entities collectively. Our headquarters are currently in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Beneficient was formed in 2003 but began its alternative asset business in September 2017. Beneficient operates primarily through its subsidiaries, which provide Beneficient’s products and services. These subsidiaries include: (i) Beneficient Capital Company, L.L.C. (“BCC”), through which Beneficient offers loans and liquidity products; (ii) Beneficient Administrative and Clearing Company, L.L.C. (“BACC”), through which Beneficient provides services for fund and trust administration and plans to provide custody services; (iii) PEN Indemnity Insurance Company, LTD (“PEN”), through which Beneficient plans to offer insurance services; and (iv) ACE Portal, L.L.C. (“ACE”), through which Beneficient plans to provide an online portal for direct access to Beneficient’s financial services and products. 

In 2018 and early 2019, we consummated a series of transactions (as more fully described below) with Beneficient that has resulted in a significant reorientation of our business and capital allocation strategy in addition to a change in our Board of Directors and executive management team.

The Exchange Transaction 

On August 10, 2018 (the “Initial Transfer Date”), we completed the first of two closings (the “Initial Transfer”) contemplated by a Master Exchange Agreement with BEN LP and certain other parties (the “Seller Trusts”), which governs the strategic exchange of assets among the parties (the “Exchange Transaction”). On the Initial Transfer Date: 

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

On December 28, 2018, the final closing of the transaction occurred and the following actions took place (the “Final Closing” and the date upon which the Final Closing occurs, the “Final Closing Date”):

Description of the Assets Exchanged

Seller Trust L Bonds

On August 10, 2018, in connection with the Initial Transfer, GWG Holdings, GWG Life and Bank of Utah, as trustee, entered into a Supplemental Indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture”) to the Amended and Restated Indenture dated as of October 23, 2017 (the “Amended and Restated Indenture”). GWG Holdings entered into the Supplemental Indenture to add and modify certain provisions of the Amended and Restated Indenture necessary to provide for the issuance of the Seller Trust L Bonds. The maturity date of the Seller Trust L Bonds is August 9, 2023. The Seller Trust L Bonds bear interest at 7.5% per year. Interest is payable monthly in cash.

After the second anniversary of the Final Closing Date, the holders of the Seller Trust L Bonds will have the right to cause GWG to repurchase, in whole but not in part, the Seller Trust L Bonds held by such holder. The repurchase may be paid, at GWG’s option, in the form of cash, a pro rata portion of (i) the outstanding principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest under the Commercial Loan and (ii) BEN LP common units, or a combination of cash and such property.

The Seller Trust L Bonds (see Note 11) are senior secured obligations of GWG, ranking junior only to all senior debt of GWG (see Note 9), pari passu in right of payment and in respect of collateral with all “L Bonds” of GWG (see Note 10), and senior in right of payment to all subordinated indebtedness of GWG. Payments under the Seller Trust L Bonds are guaranteed by GWG Life (see Note 23).

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock

The Series B converted into 5,000,000 shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $10 per share upon the Final Closing.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Commercial Loan

The $192,508,000 principal amount under the Commercial Loan is due on August 9, 2023; however, is extendable for two five-year terms. See Note 6 for a full description of the terms of the Commercial Loan. BEN LP’s obligations under the Commercial Loan are unsecured.

The principal amount of the Commercial Loan bears interest at 5.0% per year. From and after the Final Closing Date, one-half of the interest, or 2.5% per year, is due and payable monthly in cash, and (ii) one-half of the interest, or 2.5% per year, accrues and compounds annually on each anniversary date of the Final Closing Date and becomes due and payable in full in cash on the maturity date.

In accordance with the Supplemental Indenture issuing the Seller Trust L Bonds, upon a redemption event or at the maturity date of the Seller Trust L Bonds, the Company, at its option, may use the outstanding principal amount of the Commercial Loan, and accrued and unpaid interest thereon, as repayment consideration of the Seller Trust L Bonds.

Exchangeable Note

The Exchangeable Note accrued interest at a rate of 12.4% per year, compounded annually. Interest was payable in cash on the earlier to occur of the maturity date or the Final Closing Date; provided that Beneficient had the option to add to the outstanding principal balance under the Commercial Loan the accrued interest in lieu of payment in cash of such accrued interest thereon at the Final Closing Date. At the Final Closing date, the principal amount of the Exchangeable Note was exchanged for 14,822,843 common units of BEN LP, and the accrued interest on the Exchangeable Note was added to the principal balance of the Commercial Loan.

Option Agreement

In connection with the Final Closing, the Company entered into the Option Agreement with BEN LP. The Option Agreement gives us the option to acquire the number of common units in BEN LP that would be received by the holder of NPC-A Prime limited partnership interests of Beneficient Holdings, if such holder were converting on that date. There is no exercise price and the Company may exercise the option at any time until December 27, 2028, at which time the option will automatically settle.

Common Units of BEN LP

In connection with the Initial Transfer and Final Closing, the Seller Trusts and Beneficient delivered to us 40,505,279 common units of BEN LP. This represented an approximate 89.9% interest in the common units of BEN LP as of the Final Closing Date (although, on a fully diluted basis, our ownership interest in common units of BEN LP would be reduced significantly below a majority of those issued and outstanding).

Purchase and Contribution Agreement

On April 15, 2019, Jon R. Sabes, GWG’s former Chief Executive Officer and a former director, and Steven F. Sabes, GWG’s former Executive Vice President and a former director, entered into a Purchase and Contribution Agreement (the “Purchase and Contribution Agreement”) with, among others, Beneficient. Under the Purchase and Contribution Agreement, Jon and Steven Sabes agreed to transfer all 3,952,155 of the shares of GWG’s outstanding common stock held directly or indirectly by them to BCC (a subsidiary of BEN LP) and AltiVerse Capital Markets, L.L.C. (“AltiVerse”). GWG was not a party to the Purchase Agreement; however, the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Contribution Agreement (the “Purchase and Contribution Transaction”) were subject to certain conditions that were dependent upon GWG taking, or refraining from taking, certain actions.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

The closing of the Purchase and Contribution Transaction occurred on April 26, 2019. Prior to or in connection with such closing:

Indemnification Agreements

On April 26, 2019, GWG entered into Indemnification Agreements (the “Indemnification Agreements”) with each of its executive officers and the directors appointed to the Board of Directors on such date. On May 13, 2019, GWG entered into Indemnification Agreement with the three additional directors appointed to the Board of Directors on such date (collectively with the executive officers and directors appointed on April 26, 2019, the “Indemnitees”). The Indemnification Agreements clarify and supplement indemnification provisions already contained in GWG’s bylaws and generally provide that GWG shall indemnify the Indemnitees to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to certain exceptions, against expenses, judgments, fines and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with their service as a director or officer and also provide for rights to advancement of expenses and contribution.

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the SEC requirements for interim reporting, which allows certain footnotes and other financial information normally required by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (GAAP) to be condensed or omitted. In our opinion, the condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Principles of Consolidation — The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GWG Holdings, Inc. and all its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

The Company has interests in various entities including corporations and limited partnerships. For each such entity, the Company evaluates its ownership interest to determine whether the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and, if so, whether it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company would consolidate any entity for which it was the primary beneficiary, regardless of its ownership or voting interests. Upon inception of a variable interest or the occurrence of a reconsideration event, the Company makes judgments in determining whether entities in which it invests are VIEs. If so, the Company makes judgments to determine whether it is the primary beneficiary and is thus required to consolidate the entity.

If it is concluded that an entity is not a VIE, then the Company considers its proportional voting interests in the entity. The Company consolidates majority-owned subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. A controlling financial interest is determined by majority ownership and the absence of significant third-party participating rights. Ownership interests in entities for which the Company has significant influence that are not consolidated under the Company’s consolidation policy are accounted for as equity method investments. SEC Staff Announcement: Accounting for Limited Partnership Investments (codified in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 323-30-S99-1) guidance requires the use of the equity method unless the investor’s interest “is so minor that the limited partner may have virtually no influence over partnership operating and financial policies.” The SEC staff’s position is that investments in limited partnerships of greater than 3% to 5% are considered more than minor and, therefore, should be accounted for using the equity method.

Related party transactions between the Company and its equity method investee have not been eliminated.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue during the reporting period. We regularly evaluate estimates and assumptions, which are based on current facts, historical experience, management’s judgment, and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from our estimates. The most significant estimates with regard to these condensed consolidated financial statements relate to (1) the determination of the assumptions used in estimating the fair value of our investments in life insurance policies, (2) the assessment of potential impairment of our equity method investment and our equity security investment and determination of the allowance for credit losses on our financing receivables, and (3) the value of our deferred tax assets and liabilities. Periodically, we make significant estimates in assessing the fair value of assets acquired and consideration given in return for those assets, which are used to establish the initial recorded values of such assets in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Under ASC 805, the consideration paid in an asset acquisition is allocated among the assets acquired based on their relative fair values at acquisition date. In relation to the Exchange Transaction, relative fair values obtained from a third-party valuation firm were used to calculate the amounts recorded for the Commercial Loan, the Exchangeable Note, the equity method investment and the option agreement at their acquisition dates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — We consider cash in demand deposit accounts and temporary investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We maintain our cash and cash equivalents with highly rated financial institutions. The balances in our bank accounts may exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits. We periodically evaluate the risk of exceeding insured levels and may transfer funds as we deem appropriate.

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows include cash and cash equivalents of $71.6 million and restricted cash of $5.3 million as of June 30, 2019, and $124.4 million and $6.7 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2018.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Life Insurance Policies — ASC 325-30, Investments in Insurance Contracts, permits a reporting entity to account for its investments in life insurance policies using either the investment method or the fair value method. We elected to use the fair value method to account for our life insurance policies. We initially record our purchase of life insurance policies at the purchase price, which is the amount paid for the policy, inclusive of all external fees and costs associated with the purchase. At each subsequent reporting period, we re-measure the investment at fair value in its entirety and recognize the change in fair value as unrealized gain or loss in the current period, net of premiums paid, within gain (loss) on life insurance policies, net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

In a case where our acquisition of a policy is not complete as of a reporting date, but we have nonetheless advanced direct costs and deposits for the acquisition, those costs and deposits are recorded as other assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets until the acquisition is complete and we have secured title to the policy. On both June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, none of our other assets comprised direct costs and deposits that we had advanced for life insurance policy acquisitions.

We also recognize realized gain (or loss) from a life insurance policy upon one of the two following events: (1) our receipt of notice or verified mortality of the insured; or (2) our sale of the policy (upon filing of change-of-ownership forms and receipt of payment). In the case of mortality, the gain (or loss) we recognize is the difference between the policy benefits and the carrying value of the policy once we determine that collection of the policy benefits is realizable and reasonably assured. In the case of a policy sale, the gain (or loss) we recognize is the difference between the sale price and the carrying value of the policy on the date we receive sale proceeds.

Life Insurance Policy Benefits Receivable, Net — Our policy benefit receivables represent amounts due from insurance carriers for claims submitted on matured life insurance policies. Policy benefit receivables are recorded at the policy benefit amounts less reserves for estimated uncollectible amounts. Uncollectible policy benefits can result from challenges by the insurance carrier to the legal validity of the policy, typically related to the concept of insurable interest, or from liquidity or solvency problems at the insurance carrier (although policy benefits are senior to any other obligations of a carrier).

We reserve for policy benefits when it becomes probable that we will not collect the full amount of the policy benefit. The reserve requirements are based on the best facts available to us and are re-evaluated and adjusted as additional information becomes available. Uncollectible policy benefits are written off against the reserves when it is deemed that a policy amount is uncollectible. As of June 30, 2019, the balance of the allowance for uncollectible receivables was $4.3 million, relating to a single life insurance policy claim where collection is doubtful.

Other Assets — Included in other assets at June 30, 2019 are $38.6 million of equity security investment (see below), $6.5 million of prepaid expenses, $1.4 million of net fixed assets, $0.6 million of security deposits with states for life settlement provider licenses, $0.1 million net secured merchant cash advances and $3.9 million of other miscellaneous assets. At December 31, 2018, other assets included $38.6 million of equity security investment, $1.2 million of prepaid expenses, $1.5 million of net fixed assets, $0.6 million of security deposits with states for life settlement provider licenses, $0.5 million net secured merchant cash advances and $3.1 million of other miscellaneous assets.

In December 2018, in connection with the Final Closing of the Exchange Transaction, the Company entered into an Option Agreement with Beneficient. The agreement gives GWG the option to acquire the number of common units in BEN LP that would be received by the holder of NPC-A Prime limited partnership interests of Beneficient Holdings. There is no exercise price and the Company may exercise the option at any time until December 27, 2028, at which time the option will automatically settle. The Option Agreement is recorded in other assets at a value of $38.6 million at both June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The Option Agreement is considered an equity security investment and the Company has elected the measurement alternative for equity securities without a readily determinable fair value. Under this measurement alternative, we record the Option Agreement at its cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investments of Beneficient. As at June 30, 2019, there were no indications of impairment. The instrument earns a preferred return that we accrue to the investment balance and record in interest and other income in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. 

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Financing Receivables — ASC 310, Receivables, provides guidance for receivables and notes that arise from credit sales, loans or other transactions. Financing receivables includes loans and notes receivable. Originated loans we hold for which we have the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or to maturity (or payoff) are classified as held for investment. Financing receivables held for investment are reported in our condensed consolidated balance sheets at the outstanding principal balance adjusted for any write-offs, allowance for loan losses, deferred fees or costs, and any unamortized premiums or discounts. Interest income is accrued on outstanding principal as earned. Unamortized discounts and premiums are amortized using the effective interest method with the amortization recognized as part of interest income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Losses on financing receivables are recognized when they are incurred, which requires us to make our best estimate of probable losses. Specific allowances are recorded for individually impaired loans to the extent we determine it is probable we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to original contractual terms of the loan agreement. Certain loans classified as impaired may not require an allowance for loan loss because we believe we will ultimately collect the unpaid balance (through collection or collateral repossession). The method for calculating the best estimate of losses depends on the type and risk characteristics of the related financing receivables. Such an estimate requires consideration of historical loss experience, adjusted for current conditions, and judgments about the probable effects of relevant observable data, including present economic conditions such as delinquency rates, financial health of market sectors, and the present and expected future levels of interest rates. The underlying assumptions, estimates and assessments we use to provide for losses are updated periodically to reflect our view of current conditions. Changes in such estimates can significantly affect the allowance and provision for losses. It is possible we will experience credit losses that are different from our current estimates. We have no allowance for losses at June 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018. Write-offs are deducted from the allowance for losses when we judge the principal to be uncollectible and subsequent recoveries are added to the allowance at the time cash is received on a written-off account.

Equity Method Investment — We account for investments in common stock or in-substance common stock in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not own a controlling financial interest, under the equity method of accounting. Investments within the scope of the equity method of accounting are initially measured at cost, including the cost of the investment itself and direct transaction costs incurred to acquire the investment. After the initial recognition of the investment at cost, we recognize income and losses from our investment by adjusting upward or downward the balance of our equity method investment on our condensed consolidated balance sheet with such adjustments, if any, flowing through earnings (loss) from equity method investment on our condensed consolidated statement of operations, in all cases adjusted to reflect amortization of basis differences, if any, and the elimination of intercompany gains and losses, if any. Cash distributions received from equity method investees are recorded as reductions to the investment balance and classified on the statement of cash flows using the cumulative earnings approach.

Our equity method investment is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable. These circumstances can include, but are not limited to: evidence that we do not have the ability to recover the carrying amount, the inability of the investee to sustain earnings, a current fair value of the investment that is less than the carrying amount, and other investors ceasing to provide support or reducing their financial commitment to the investee. If the fair value of the investment is less than the carrying amount, and the investment will not recover in the near term, then an other-than-temporary impairment may exist. We recognize a loss in value of an investment deemed other-than-temporary in the period the conclusion is made.

The Company reports its share of the income or loss of the equity method partner companies on a one-quarter lag where we do not expect financial information to be consistently available on a timely basis.

For more information on equity method investment, see Note 7.

Leases – The Company currently has one significant lease relating to office space that is classified as an operating lease. We assess whether an arrangement is a lease at inception. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. We have elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all assets. Operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities are calculated based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the lease start date. As our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease start date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease asset is increased by any lease payments made at or before the lease start date and reduced by lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. The lease term includes options to renew or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. The depreciable life of lease assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Stock-Based Compensation — We measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payments at fair value on the grant date over the requisite service period. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options and stock appreciation rights. For restricted stock grants (including restricted stock units), fair value is determined as of the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded in general and administrative expenses based on the classification of the employee or vendor. The determination of fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant is affected by our stock price and a number of subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and the expected duration of the awards. We account for the effects of forfeitures as they occur.

The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected life at grant date. Volatility is based on the standard deviation of the average continuously compounded rate of return of five selected companies.

Deferred Financing and Issuance Costs — Loans advanced to us under our amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation, as described in Note 9, are reported net of financing costs, including issuance costs, sales commissions and other direct expenses, which are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the facility. The L Bonds, as described in Note 10, are reported net of financing costs, which are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of those borrowings. Selling and issuance costs of Redeemable Preferred Stock (“RPS”) and Series 2 Redeemable Preferred Stock (“RPS 2”), described in Notes 12 and 13, are netted against additional paid-in capital, until depleted, and then against the outstanding balance of the preferred stock. The offerings of our RPS and RPS 2 closed in March 2017 and April 2018, respectively. There were no issuance costs associated with the August 2018 issuance of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, described in Note 14.

Earnings (Loss) per Share — Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders are calculated using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the reported period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated based on the potential dilutive impact of our RPS, RPS 2, restricted stock units, warrants and stock options. Due to our net loss attributable to common shareholders for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, there are no dilutive securities.

Reclassification — Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations. See Note 23 for an explanation of certain reclassifications we recorded in comparative periods on the guarantor financial statements.

Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements — On January 1, 2019, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with a term greater than twelve months. We elected to adopt the standard using the modified retrospective method, without restatement of prior periods’ financial information. The impact to the balance sheet was the addition of approximately $0.9 million in right-of-use assets, a reduction to deferred rent of $0.7 million, and a net increase to lease liabilities of $1.6 million for our operating lease. The adoption of the new standard did not materially affect our condensed consolidated statements of operations, condensed consolidated statements of cash flows or condensed consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities and loans. The standard requires entities to use a new, forward-looking “expected loss” model that is expected to generally result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years, but early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Certain of the amendments require prospective application, while the remainder require retrospective application. Early adoption is allowed either for the entire standard or only the provisions that eliminate or modify the requirements. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

(2) Correction of an Immaterial Error

In the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, we have separated the gross borrowings and repayments on our senior credit facility with LNV Corporation that were previously erroneously reported on a net basis in cash flows from financing activities.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, we previously reported net repayments of senior debt of $29.1 million and $32.1 million, respectively. We have revised the comparative information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 to report gross borrowings on senior debt of $3.3 million and $12.9 million, respectively, and gross repayments of senior debt of $32.3 million and $45.0 million, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. This revision had no effect on the total cash flows from financing activities.

(3) Restrictions on Cash

Under the terms of our amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation (discussed in Note 9), we are required to maintain collection and payment accounts that are used to collect policy benefits from pledged policies, pay annual policy premiums, interest and other charges under the facility, and distribute funds to pay down the facility.

The agents for the lender authorize the disbursements from these accounts. At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there was a balance of $4,719,000 and $4,164,000, respectively, in these collection and payment accounts.

To fund the Company’s acquisition of life insurance policies, we are required to maintain escrow accounts. Distributions from these accounts are made according to life insurance policy purchase contracts. At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there was a balance of $617,000 and $6,685,000, respectively, in the Company’s escrow accounts.

(4) Investment in Life Insurance Policies

Our investments in life insurance policies are valued based on unobservable inputs that are significant to their overall fair value. Changes in the fair value of these policies, net of premiums paid, are recorded in gain (loss) on life insurance policies, net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Fair value is determined on a discounted cash flow basis that incorporates life expectancy assumptions generally derived from reports obtained from widely accepted life expectancy providers (other than insured lives covered under small face amount policies — those with $1 million in face value benefits or less — which utilize either a single fully underwritten, or simplified report based on self-reported medical interview), assumptions relating to cost-of-insurance (premium) rates and other assumptions. The discount rate we apply incorporates current information about the discount rates observed in the life insurance secondary market, fixed income market interest rates, the estimated credit exposure to the insurance companies that issued the life insurance policies and management’s estimate of the operational risk premium a purchaser would require to receive the future cash flows derived from our portfolio as a whole. Management has significant discretion regarding the combination of these and other factors when determining the discount rate. As a result of management’s analysis, a discount rate of 8.25% was applied to our portfolio as of both June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Portfolio Information

Our portfolio of life insurance policies, owned by our subsidiaries as of June 30, 2019, is summarized below:

Life Insurance Portfolio Summary

A summary of our policies, organized according to their estimated life expectancy dates as of the reporting date, is as follows:

We recognized life insurance benefits of $22,998,000 and $27,623,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to policies with a carrying value of $5,344,000 and $6,148,000, respectively, and as a result recorded realized gains of $17,655,000 and $21,475,000. We recognized life insurance benefits of $53,457,000 and $42,127,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to policies with a carrying value of $14,045,000 and $11,232,000, respectively, and as a result recorded realized gains of $39,412,000 and $30,895,000.

A reconciliation of gain (loss) on life insurance policies is as follows:

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Estimated premium payments and servicing fees required to maintain our current portfolio of life insurance policies in force for the next five years, assuming no mortalities, are as follows: 

Management anticipates funding the majority of the premium payments and servicing fees estimated above from cash flows realized from life insurance policy benefits, and to the extent necessary, with additional borrowing capacity created as the premiums and servicing costs of pledged life insurance policies become due, under the amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation as described in Note 9, and the net proceeds from our offering of L Bonds as described in Note 10. Management anticipates funding premiums and servicing costs of non-pledged life insurance policies with cash flows realized from life insurance policy benefits from our portfolio of life insurance policies and net proceeds from our offering of L Bonds. The proceeds of these capital sources may also be used for the purchase, policy premiums and servicing costs of additional life insurance policies, working capital and financing expenditures including paying principal, interest and dividends.

(5) Fair Value Definition and Hierarchy

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework that prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of investment, the characteristics specific to the investment and the state of the marketplace, including the existence and transparency of transactions between market participants. Assets and liabilities with readily available and actively quoted prices, or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices in an orderly market, generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.

ASC 820 maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring the use of observable inputs whenever available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect assumptions about how market participants price an asset or liability based on the best available information. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (a non-distressed transaction in which neither seller nor buyer is compelled to engage in the transaction). A sale of the portfolio or a portion of the portfolio in an other than orderly transaction would likely occur at less than the fair value of the respective life insurance policies.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the observability of inputs as follows:

The availability of observable inputs can vary by types of assets and liabilities and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, whether an instrument is established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by management in determining fair value is greatest for assets and liabilities categorized in Level 3.

Level 3 Valuation Process

The estimated fair value of our portfolio of life insurance policies is determined on a quarterly basis by management taking into consideration a number of factors, including changes in discount rate assumptions, estimated premium payments and life expectancy estimate assumptions, as well as any changes in economic and other relevant conditions. The discount rate incorporates current information about discount rates observed in the life insurance secondary market, fixed income market interest rates, the estimated credit exposure to the insurance company that issued the life insurance policy and management’s estimate of the operational risk premium a purchaser would require to receive the future cash flows derived from our portfolio as a whole. Management has significant discretion regarding the combination of these and other factors when determining the discount rate.

These inputs are then used to estimate the discounted cash flows from the portfolio using the ClariNet LS probabilistic and stochastic portfolio pricing model from ClearLife Limited, which estimates the expected cash flows using various mortality probabilities and scenarios. The valuation process includes a review by senior management as of each quarterly valuation date. We also engage ClearLife Limited to prepare a net present value calculation of our life insurance portfolio using the inputs we provide on a quarterly basis.

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending fair value of our Level 3 investments in our portfolio of life insurance policies for the periods ended June 30, as follows:

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Historically, for life insurance policies with face amounts greater than $1 million and that are not pledged as collateral under our amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation (approximately 25.0% of our portfolio by face amount of policy benefits), we attempted to obtain updated life expectancy reports on a continuous rotating three year cycle. For life insurance policies that are pledged under our amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation (approximately 62.8% of our portfolio by face amount of policy benefits), we are presently required to begin to update the life expectancy estimates every two years beginning from the closing date of the amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation. For the remaining small face insurance policies (i.e., a policy with $1 million in face value benefits or less), we historically employed other methods and timeframes to update life expectancy estimates.

With the adoption of the Longest Life Expectancy method in the fourth quarter of 2018 (as described under “Fair Value Components — Life Expectancies” within the Management Discussion and Analysis section), we discontinued the practice of obtaining updated life expectancy reports (or updating specific life expectancies in any manner) except as may be required by lenders to comply with existing and future covenants within credit facilities. This change was accounted for as a change in accounting estimate and affects current and future periods. To the extent such updated life expectancy reports are available, we do not expect to incorporate these life expectancy reports into our revised valuation methodology; however, we will monitor this data to determine over time if there exists any additive predictive value in relation to the basis of its mortality projections.

The following table summarizes the inputs utilized in estimating the fair value of our portfolio of life insurance policies:

Life expectancy estimates and market discount rates for a portfolio of life insurance policies are inherently uncertain and the effect of changes in estimates may be significant. For example, if the life expectancy estimates were increased or decreased by four and eight months on each outstanding policy, and the discount rates were increased or decreased by 1% and 2%, with all other variables held constant, the fair value of our investment in life insurance policies would increase or decrease as summarized below:

Change in Fair Value of the Investment in Life Insurance Policies

Other Fair Value Considerations

The carrying value of policy benefit receivables, prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities and low credit risk. Using the income-based valuation approach, the estimated fair value of our L Bonds and Seller Trust L Bonds, largely containing the same terms, having an aggregate face value of $1,164,810,000 as of June 30, 2019, is approximately $1,231,921,000 based on a weighted-average market interest rate of 6.30%.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

The Commercial Loan receivable from BEN LP has a below-market interest rate of 5.0% per year; provided that the accrued interest from the date of the Initial Transfer to the Final Closing Date of the Exchange Transaction was added to the principal balance of the Commercial Loan. From and after the Final Closing Date, one-half of the interest, or 2.5% per year, is due and payable monthly in cash, and (ii) one-half of the interest, or 2.5% per year, accrues and compounds annually on each anniversary date of the Final Closing Date and becomes due and payable in full in cash on the maturity date. Utilizing an implied yield of 6.75%, we estimate the fair value of the Commercial Loan to be approximately $187,047,000 as of June 30, 2019 based on a market yield analysis for similar instruments with similar credit profiles. The Commercial Loan had an outstanding principal amount of $192,508,000 as of June 30, 2019. 

The Promissory Note receivable from the LiquidTrusts (see Note 6) earns interest at 7.0% per year, payable upon maturity in 2023. Utilizing an implied yield of 7.0%, we estimate the fair value of the Promissory Note to be approximately $49,100,000 as of June 30, 2019 based on a market yield analysis for similar instruments with similar credit profiles. The Promissory Note had an outstanding principal balance of $50,000,000 as of June 30, 2019.

The carrying value of the amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation reflects interest charged at 12-month LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The margin represents our credit risk, and the strength of the portfolio of life insurance policies collateralizing the debt. The overall rate reflects the current interest rate market, and the carrying value of the facility approximates fair value.

GWG MCA Capital, Inc. (“GWG MCA”) participated in the merchant cash advance industry by directly advancing sums to merchants and lending money, on a secured basis, to companies that advance sums to merchants. Each quarter, we review the carrying value of these cash advances, determine if an impairment exists and establish or adjust an allowance for loan loss as necessary. At June 30, 2019, one of our secured cash advances was impaired. Specifically, the secured loan to Nulook Capital LLC had an outstanding balance of $1,879,000 and an allowance for loan loss of $1,879,000 at June 30, 2019. We deem fair value to be the estimated collectible value on each loan or advance made from GWG MCA. Secured merchant cash advances, net of allowance for loan loss, of $121,000 and $547,000 are included within other assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Where we estimate the collectible amount to be less than the outstanding balance, we record an allowance for the difference. Provision for merchant cash advances are recorded within other expenses on our condensed consolidated statements of operations (see Note 18). GWG MCA no longer advances cash to merchants, nor does it lend money to companies that advance sums to merchants.

Certain assets are subject to periodic impairment testing by comparing the respective carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value. In the event we determine these assets to be impaired, we would recognize an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the impaired asset exceeds its estimated fair value. These periodic impairment tests utilize company-specific assumptions involving significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3, in the fair value hierarchy.

The following table summarizes outstanding common stock warrants (discussed in Note 16) as of June 30, 2019:

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

(6) Financing Receivables from Affiliates

Commercial Loan

On August 10, 2018, in connection with the Initial Transfer of the Exchange Transaction, GWG Life, as lender, and BEN LP, as borrower, entered into the Commercial Loan Agreement. On December 28, 2018, the Final Closing Date of the Exchange Transaction, the agreement was amended to adjust the principal to $192,508,000. The principal amount under the Commercial Loan is due on August 9, 2023, but is extendable for two five-year terms under certain circumstances. The extensions are available to the borrower provided that (a) in the event BEN LP completes at least one public offering of its common units raising at least $50,000,000, which on its own or together with any other public offering of BEN LP’s common units results in Beneficient raising at least $100,000,000, then the maturity date will be extended to August 9, 2028; and (b) in the event that BEN LP (i) completes at least one public offering of its common units raising at least $50,000,000, which on its own or together with any other public offering of BEN LP’s common units results in Beneficient raising at least $100,000,000 and (ii) at least 75% of Beneficient Holding’s total outstanding NPC-B limited partnership interests, if any, have been converted to shares of BEN LP’s common units, then the maturity date will be extended to August 9, 2033.

Repayment of the Commercial Loan is subordinated in right of payment to other Beneficient obligations, including (i) Beneficient’s exiting senior debt obligations, (ii) any of Beneficient’s commercial bank debt and (iii) any Beneficient obligations that may arise in connection with the issuance of Preferred Series B Unit Accounts of Beneficient Holdings. BEN LP’s obligations under the Commercial Loan Agreement are unsecured.

The Commercial Loan Agreement contains negative covenants that limit or restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the incurrence of liens and indebtedness by Beneficient, fundamental changes to its business and transactions with affiliates. The Commercial Loan Agreement also contains customary affirmative covenants, including, but not limited to, preservation of corporate existence, compliance with applicable law, payment of taxes, notice of material events, financial reporting and keeping of proper books of record and account.

The Commercial Loan Agreement includes customary events of default, including, but not limited to, non-payment of principal or interest, failure to comply with covenants, failure to pay other indebtedness when due, cross-acceleration to other debt, material adverse effects, events of bankruptcy and insolvency, and unsatisfied judgments. The borrower was in violation of certain of its financial reporting covenants in the Commercial Loan Agreement as of June 30, 2019. GWG Life agreed to a forbearance of its rights and remedies under the Commercial Loan Agreement relating to such noncompliance until July 31, 2019. As of the date of this filing, the borrower is current on its financial reporting covenants.

The principal amount of the Commercial Loan bears interest at 5.00% per year from the Final Closing Date. One-half of the interest, or 2.50% per year, is due and payable monthly in cash, and (ii) one-half of the interest, or 2.50% per year, accrues and compounds annually on each anniversary date of the Final Closing Date and becomes due and payable in full in cash on the maturity date. The accrued interest from the Initial Transfer to the Final Closing Date was added to the principal amount of the Commercial Loan. The Commercial Loan was recorded at a discount as a result of the relative fair value allocations for the assets received in the Initial Transfer of the Exchange Transaction. Under ASC 805, Business Combinations, the consideration paid in an asset acquisition is allocated among the assets acquired based on their relative fair values at acquisition date. The discount is being amortized to interest income over the term of the loan.

In accordance with the Supplemental Indenture issuing the Seller Trust L Bonds, upon a redemption event or at the maturity date of the Seller Trust L Bonds, the Company, at its option, may use the outstanding principal amount of the Commercial Loan, and accrued and unpaid interest thereon, as repayment consideration of the Seller Trust L Bonds (see Note 11).

Promissory Note

On May 31, 2019, GWG Life entered into a Promissory Note (the “Promissory Note”), made by Jeffrey S. Hinkle and Dr. John A. Stahl, not in their individual capacity but solely as trustees of The LT-1 LiquidTrust, The LT-2 LiquidTrust, The LT-5 LiquidTrust, The LT-7 LiquidTrust, The LT-8 LiquidTrust and The LT-9 LiquidTrust (collectively, the “LiquidTrust Borrowers”) in the principal amount of $65,000,000. Pursuant to the terms of the Promissory Note, GWG Life will fund a term loan to the LiquidTrust Borrowers in an aggregate principal amount of $65,000,000 (the “Loan”), which Loan is to be funded in two installments as described below. The Loan was made pursuant to GWG’s strategy to further diversify into alternative assets (beyond life insurance) and ancillary businesses and was intended to better position Beneficient’s balance sheet, working capital and liquidity profile to satisfy anticipated state of Texas regulatory requirements.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

The LiquidTrust Borrowers are common law trusts established as part of alternative asset financings extended by a subsidiary of BEN LP, of which the Company owns approximately 90% of the issued and outstanding common units of BEN LP (although, on a fully diluted basis, our ownership interest in common units of BEN LP would be reduced significantly below a majority of those issued and outstanding). Although each Borrower is allocated a portion of the Loan equal to approximately 16.7% of the aggregate outstanding principal of the Loan, the Loan constitutes the joint and several obligations of the LiquidTrust Borrowers.

An initial advance in the principal amount of $50,000,000 was funded on June 3, 2019 and, subject to satisfaction of certain customary conditions, it is anticipated that the second advance, in the principal amount of $15,000,000, will be funded no sooner than September 15, 2019 and no later than December 31, 2019. The Loan bears interest at 7.0% per annum, with interest payable at maturity, and matures on June 30, 2023. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreements (as defined below), the Loan can be prepaid at the LiquidTrust Borrowers’ election without premium or penalty.

The Loan is unsecured and is subject to certain covenants (including a restriction on the incurrence of any indebtedness senior to the Loan other than existing senior loan obligations to each of HCLP Nominees, L.L.C. (“HCLP”) and Beneficient Holdings, Inc. (“BHI”, and together with HCLP, the “Senior Lenders”), as lenders) and events of default. The Senior Lenders are directly or indirectly associated with one of Beneficient’s founders, who is also Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Intercreditor Agreements

In connection with the Promissory Note, the Company also entered into two intercreditor and subordination agreements: (1) an Intercreditor Agreement between the GWG Life and HCLP and (2) an Intercreditor Agreement between the GWG Life and BHI (the “Intercreditor Agreements”). Under the Intercreditor Agreements, GWG Life agrees to subordinate the Loan to the secured obligations of Beneficient and its affiliates outstanding to the Senior Lenders (the “Senior Loan Obligations”), agrees to not take any liens to secure the Loan (and to subordinate such liens, if any, to the liens of the Senior Lenders), and agrees not to take enforcement actions under the Promissory Note until such Senior Loan Obligations are paid in full. The Intercreditor Agreements establish various other inter-lender and subordination terms, including, without limitation, with respect to permitted actions by each party, permitted payments, waivers, voting arrangements in bankruptcy, application of certain proceeds and limitations on amendments of the respective loan obligations of the parties. The Senior Lenders have agreed not to extend the maturity of their respective loan obligations beyond June 30, 2023 or increase the outstanding principal of the loans made by the Senior Lenders without the written consent of GWG Life. GWG Life has agreed not to transfer, assign, pledge, grant a security interest in or otherwise dispose of (including, without limitation, pursuant to a foreclosure) the Promissory Note except with the written consent of the Senior Lenders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) or to the Company or direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries thereof. 

The following table summarizes outstanding principal, discount and accrued interest balances of the financing receivables:

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

(7) Equity Method Investment

During 2018, in connection with the Initial Transfer and Final Closing of the Exchange Transaction, we acquired 40.5 million common units of BEN LP for a total limited partnership interest in the common units of BEN LP of approximately 89.9% as of December 31, 2018 (although, on a fully diluted basis, our ownership interest in common units of BEN LP would be reduced significantly below a majority of those issued and outstanding). On June 12, 2019, we acquired an additional 1 million common units of BEN LP from a third party for a cash investment of $10 million. The common units of BEN LP are not publicly traded on a stock exchange.

Our investment in the common units of BEN LP is presented in equity method investment on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Our proportionate share of earnings or losses from our investee is recognized in earnings (loss) from equity method investment in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. We record our share of the income or loss of Beneficient on a one-quarter lag.

Financial information pertaining to Beneficient is summarized in the table below:

(1) Our portion of Beneficient's net earnings (loss) from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019.

(2) Our portion of Beneficient's net earnings (loss) from October 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019.

Due to our accounting election to record the equity earnings of Beneficient on a one quarter-lag, for the three months ended June 30, 2019, we recorded earnings of $600,000 for our share of the net earnings of Beneficient for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2019, and for the six months ended June 30, 2019, we recorded a loss of $1,327,000 for the period from October 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. For the period from October 1 to December 28, 2018, we owned 13.9% of the common units of BEN LP. Effective December 28, 2018, as a result of the Final Closing of the Exchange Transaction, our ownership of BEN LP common units increased to approximately 89.9%. As a result of common unit issuances by BEN LP in the first quarter of 2019, our ownership dropped to 88.1% as of March 31, 2019. Effective June 12, 2019, we acquired an additional 1 million common units of BEN LP, which increased our ownership to 90.2% (although, on a fully diluted basis, our ownership interest in common units of BEN LP would be reduced significantly below a majority of those issued and outstanding).

A substantial majority of the net assets of Beneficient are currently represented by intangible assets and goodwill. As such, we believe substantially all of our equity method investment is characterized as equity method goodwill as of June 30, 2019. We do not believe conditions exist indicating an other-than-temporary loss in the value of our investment and no impairment has been recorded to our equity method investment as of June 30, 2019.

Beneficient has certain share classes outstanding other than and senior to the BEN LP common units, namely Class S Ordinary units and Non-Participating Convertible Series A units issued by a subsidiary of BEN LP. These units are classified as noncontrolling interest and redeemable noncontrolling interest, respectively, on the consolidated statements of financial position of Beneficient and their share of the net income of Beneficient is classified as net income attributable to noncontrolling interests on the consolidated statements of operations of Beneficient. These units are exchangeable or convertible into common units of BEN LP. 

Beneficient Adoption of Equity Incentive Plan 

The board of directors of Beneficient Management, L.L.C., Beneficient’s general partner, adopted an equity incentive plan (“Beneficient’s Equity Incentive Plan”) in September 2018. Under the Beneficient Equity Incentive Plan, Beneficient is permitted to grant equity awards representing ownership interests in BEN LP common units. Vested awards under the Beneficient Equity Incentive Plan dilute BEN LP’s common unitholders, including GWG. The total number of common units that may be issued under the Beneficient Equity Incentive Plan is equivalent to 15% of the number of fully diluted common units outstanding, subject to annual adjustment. 

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

In April 2019, initial equity awards in the form of Beneficient restricted equity units (“Beneficient REUs”) were granted under Beneficient’s Equity Incentive Plan. These awards are generally subject to service-based vesting of a three year period from the date of grant, though some of the awards are fully vested upon grant date. All awards are subject to performance - conditions pertaining to entry into certain transactions with GWG Holdings or a change of control event prior to July 1, 2021. While providing services to Beneficient, if applicable, certain of these awards are subject to minimum retained ownership rules requiring the award recipient to continuously hold BEN LP common unit equivalents equal to at least 15% of their cumulatively vested awards that have the minimum retained ownership requirement. 

For the Beneficient REUs awarded under the Beneficient Equity Incentive Plan, Beneficient will recognize expense associated with the vesting of these awards based on the fair value of the BEN LP common units on the date of grant, discounted for the lack of participation rights in the expected distributions on unvested units and discounted for the lack of marketability associated with the post-vesting transfer restrictions. Beneficient will recognize expense when it is probable that the performance condition will be met, which will be upon entering into certain transactions with GWG Holdings or upon a change of control. A cumulative catch up of expense will be recognized by Beneficient at the time of entering into certain transactions with GWG Holdings or a change of control for the portion of awards that are vested at the time the performance condition is met. The remaining unrecognized compensation cost for these awards would be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The remaining unrecognized compensation expense will be recognized on a straight-line basis using the graded vesting method over the life of the award and forfeitures will be accounted for at the time that such forfeitures occur. 

A total of 3.4 million Beneficient REUs have been approved for granting in 2019 that will vest upon the grant date, subject to the performance condition vesting described above. A total of 6.1 million Beneficient REUs have been approved for granting in 2019 that will vest over the completion of a 3-year service period beginning on the grant date, subject to the performance condition described above. All awards are anticipated to be classified in equity. Based on the grant date fair value, the estimated total Beneficient compensation expense attributable to these awards, assuming all vest, is approximately $90 to $100 million. 

The expense, when recognized by Beneficient, will impact the earnings at BEN LP and GWG’s equity earnings from our equity method investment in Beneficient. The Beneficient REUs, when settled – commencing July 1, 2021 over a three-year period, will convert to BEN LP common units and will be dilutive to the existing BEN LP common unitholders, including GWG.

Amendment of Beneficient Holdings Limited Partner Agreement Governing Beneficient Noncontrolling Interests 

BEN LP is a holding company of capital and financial services companies, the general partner of Beneficient Holdings, and owns 100% of the Class A Subclass 1 and Subclass 2 Units of Beneficient Holdings. Beneficient Holdings is a Delaware limited partnership formed on July 1, 2010. Beneficient Holdings is the holding company that directly or indirectly receives all active and passive income from its subsidiaries and allocates that income among its issued units. 

As of December 31, 2018, Beneficient Holdings has issued general partnership Class A Units (Subclass 1 and Subclass 2) — the class of units owned by BEN LP — and Class S Ordinary Units, FLP Unit accounts (Subclass 1 and Subclass 2) and Preferred Series A Subclass 1 Unit accounts (formerly referred to as Non-Participating Convertible Series A Units), which are owned by entities associated with BEN LP’s management and founders, including our Chairman, and certain of our directors, along with our Chief Executive Officer. 

At December 31, 2018, there was $1,013,693,448 of Preferred Series A Subclass 1 Unit accounts (the “Preferred Series A”) and $58,129,760 of Class S Ordinary Units issued.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

The rights of all partners of Beneficient Holdings are governed by a Limited Partnership Agreement (“BCH LPA”). On April 26, 2019, the BCH LPA was amended. Under the amendment, the preferred return to be paid to Preferred Series A holders is limited through December 31, 2019 by a quarterly rate cap that is based on the annualized revenues of Beneficient Holdings. Further, under the amendment, the Preferred Series A holders can convert up to 20% of the sub-capital balance in any calendar year into Class S Ordinary Units on or after January 1, 2021. Upon such an election, a holder of Preferred Series A will be issued Class S Ordinary Units necessary to provide the holder with a number of Class S Ordinary Units that, in the aggregate, equal (a) the balance of the holder’s capital account associated with the Preferred Series A Subclass 1 Unit accounts being converted divided by (b) $8.50.

The amendment affects several areas that could impact the value of our ownership in BEN LP such as allocations or distributions of income to the various classes of units issued by Beneficient Holdings, including the Class A Units (Subclass 1 and Subclass 2) owned by BEN LP, preferred returns paid to the holders of Class S Preferred Units, FLP Units and Preferred Series A Units (collectively, “BCH Preferred Units”), distribution of proceeds from the sale of assets, and future issuance of dilutive securities and future debt issuances, among other changes. The impact of the BCH LPA amendment on our investment in BEN LP may vary depending on multiple factors, including, among other things, (1) the economic performance of BEN LP, (2) the value of BEN LP’s common units, and (3) the timing, price and amount of any conversions of BCH Preferred Units or Class S Ordinary Units.

(8) Variable Interest Entities

In accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation, the Company assesses whether it has a variable interest in legal entities in which it has a financial relationship and, if so, whether or not those entities are variable interest entities (“VIEs”). For those entities that qualify as VIEs, ASC 810 requires the Company to determine if the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, and if so, to consolidate the VIE.

We have determined that Beneficient is a VIE, but that we are not the primary beneficiary of the investment. GWG does not have the power to direct any activities of Beneficient, or any of its related parties, that most significantly impact Beneficient’s economic performance. GWG has no board representation at BEN LP or at its general partner. The general partner is exclusively assigned all management powers over the business and affairs of Beneficient, and the limited partners do not have the ability to remove the general partner. BEN LP’s limited partnership agreement specifies that any person or group that acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of BEN LP’s common limited partnership units (including us) forfeits all voting rights associated with all of its common units and such common units may not be voted on any matter. Therefore, we do not consolidate the results of Beneficient in our consolidated financial statements. The Company’s exposure to risk of loss in Beneficient is generally limited to its investment in the common units of BEN LP, its financing receivable from Beneficient and its equity security investment in the Option Agreement to purchase additional common units of BEN LP.

We have determined that the LiquidTrust Borrowers are VIEs, but that we are not the primary beneficiary of the variable interests. We do not have the power to direct any activities of the LiquidTrust Borrowers that most significantly impact the Borrower’s economic performance. The Company’s exposure to risk of loss in the LiquidTrust Borrowers is limited to its financing receivable from the LiquidTrust Borrowers.

The following table shows the classification, carrying value and maximum exposure to loss with respect to the Company’s unconsolidated VIEs at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

(9) Credit Facility — LNV Corporation

On September 27, 2017, we entered into an amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation as lender through our subsidiary GWG DLP Funding IV, LLC (“DLP IV”). The amended and restated senior credit facility makes available a total of up to $300,000,000 in credit with a maturity date of September 27, 2029. Additional advances are available under the amended and restated senior credit facility at the LIBOR rate as herein defined. Advances are available as the result of additional borrowing base capacity, created as the premiums and servicing costs of pledged life insurance policies become due. Interest will accrue on amounts borrowed under the amended and restated senior credit facility at an annual interest rate, determined as of each date of borrowing or quarterly if there is no borrowing, equal to (a) the greater of 12-month LIBOR or the federal funds rate (as defined in the agreement) plus one-half of one percent per annum, plus (b) 7.50% per annum. The effective rate at June 30, 2019 was 10.22%. Interest payments are made on a quarterly basis.

As of June 30, 2019, approximately 62.8% of the total face value of our life insurance policies portfolio is pledged to LNV Corporation. The amount outstanding under this facility was $138,640,000 and $158,209,000 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Obligations under the amended and restated senior credit facility are secured by a security interest in DLP IV’s assets, for the benefit of the lenders, through an arrangement under which Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. serves as securities intermediary. The life insurance policies owned by DLP IV do not serve as direct collateral for the obligations of GWG Holdings under the L Bonds and Seller Trust L Bonds. The difference between the amount outstanding and the carrying amount on our condensed consolidated balance sheets is due to netting of unamortized debt issuance costs.

The amended and restated senior credit facility has certain financial and nonfinancial covenants. Due to our failure to deliver GWG Life, LLC audited financial statements for 2018 to LNV Corporation within 90 days after the end of the year, and our failure to comply with a similar requirement to issue GWG Life, LLC unaudited financial statements to LNV Corporation for the first quarter of 2019 within 45 days after March 31, 2019, we were in violation of our debt covenants as of June 30, 2019. CLMG Corp., as administrative agent for LNV Corporation, issued a forbearance extending the delivery date for those financial statements until July 22, 2019. The covenant violations were cured during the forbearance period and we are in compliance with the debt covenants as of the date of this filing.

(10) L Bonds

We began publicly offering and selling L Bonds in January 2012 under the name “Renewable Secured Debentures”. These debt securities were re-named “L Bonds” in January 2015. L Bonds are publicly offered and sold on a continuous basis under a registration statement permitting us to sell up to $1.0 billion in principal amount of L Bonds through January 2018. On December 1, 2017, an additional public offering was declared effective permitting us to sell up to $1.0 billion in principal amount of L Bonds on a continuous basis until December 2020. The new offering is a follow-on to the previous L Bond offering and contains the same terms and features. We are party to an indenture governing the L Bonds dated October 19, 2011, as amended (“Indenture”), under which GWG Holdings is obligor, GWG Life is guarantor, and Bank of Utah serves as indenture trustee. On October 23, 2017, the parties entered into the Amended and Restated Indenture in connection with the new offering. On March 27, 2018, GWG L Bond holders approved Amendment No.1 to the Amended and Restated Indenture. This amendment expands the definition of Total Coverage to include, without duplication, the value of all of our other assets as reflected on our most recently available balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Amended and Restated Indenture contains certain financial and non-financial covenants, and we were in compliance with these covenants at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

We publicly offer and sell L Bonds under a registration statement declared effective by the SEC and have issued Seller Trust L Bonds under a Supplemental Indenture, as described in Note 11. We temporarily suspended the offering of our L Bonds on May 1, 2019 as a result of our delay in filing certain periodic reports with the SEC. We recommenced our L Bond offering on August 8, 2019. The L Bonds and Seller Trust L Bonds are secured by substantially all the assets of GWG Holdings, a pledge of all our common stock held by BCC, an indirect subsidiary of BEN LP and AltiVerse (which together represent approximately 12% of our outstanding common stock), and by a guarantee and corresponding grant of a security interest in substantially all the assets of GWG Life⁽¹⁾. As a guarantor, GWG Life has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment of principal and interest on the L Bonds and Seller Trust L Bonds. GWG Life’s assets, including its equity in DLP IV⁽²⁾ and its beneficial interest in GWG Life Trust (“Life Trust”), serve as collateral for our L Bond and Seller Trust L Bond obligations. The life insurance policies held by DLP IV and Life Trust, which comprise a substantial majority of our life insurance policies, do not serve as direct collateral for the L Bonds. Further, the life insurance policies held by DLP IV are pledged as direct collateral securing the obligations under our amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation. 

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

The bonds have renewal features under which we may elect to permit their renewal, subject to the right of bondholders to elect to receive payment at maturity. Interest is payable monthly or annually depending on the election of the investor.

At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the weighted-average interest rate of our L Bonds was 7.12% and 7.10%, respectively. The principal amount of L Bonds outstanding was $797,918,000 and $662,152,000 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The difference between the amount of outstanding L Bonds and the carrying amount on our condensed consolidated balance sheets is due to netting of unamortized deferred issuance costs, cash receipts for new issuances and payments of redemptions in process. Amortization of deferred issuance costs was $3,158,000 and $2,139,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $5,994,000 and $4,138,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Future expected amortization of deferred financing costs as of June 30, 2019 is $30,278,000 in total over the next seven years.

Future contractual maturities of L Bonds, and future amortization of their deferred financing costs, at June 30, 2019 are as follows:

(11) Seller Trust L Bonds

On August 10, 2018, in connection with the Initial Transfer of the Exchange Transaction, GWG Holdings, GWG Life and Bank of Utah, as trustee, entered into a Supplemental Indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture”) to the Amended and Restated Indenture. GWG Holdings entered into the Supplemental Indenture to add and modify certain provisions of the Amended and Restated Indenture necessary to provide for the issuance of a new class of securities titled “Seller Trust L Bonds”. The maturity date of the Seller Trust L Bonds is August 9, 2023. The Seller Trust L Bonds bear interest at 7.50% per year. Interest is payable monthly in cash.

GWG issued Seller Trust L Bonds in the amount of $366,892,000 to the various related trusts (the “Seller Trusts”) in connection with the Exchange Transaction on August 10, 2018.

After the second anniversary of the Final Closing, the holders of the Seller Trust L Bonds will have the right to cause GWG to repurchase, in whole but not in part, the Seller Trust L Bonds held by such holder. The repurchase may be paid, at GWG’s option, in the form of cash, a pro rata portion of (i) the outstanding principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest under the Commercial Loan Agreement and (ii) BEN LP common units, or a combination of cash and such property.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

Our L Bonds are offered and sold under a registration statement declared effective by the SEC, as described in Note 10 and we have issued Seller Trust L Bonds under a Supplemental Indenture. We temporarily suspended the offering of our L Bonds on May 1, 2019 as a result of our delay in filing certain periodic reports with the SEC. We recommenced our L Bond offering on August 8, 2019. The L Bonds and Seller Trust L Bonds are secured by substantially all the assets of GWG Holdings, a pledge of all our common stock held by BCC and AltiVerse (which together represent approximately 12% of our outstanding common stock), and by a guarantee and corresponding grant of a security interest in substantially all the assets of GWG Life⁽¹⁾. As a guarantor, GWG Life has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment of principal and interest on the L Bonds and Seller Trust L Bonds. GWG Life’s assets, including its equity in DLP IV⁽²⁾ and its beneficial interest in Life Trust, serve as collateral for our L Bond and Seller Trust L Bond obligations. The life insurance policies held by DLP IV and Life Trust, which comprise a substantial majority of our life insurance policies, do not serve as direct collateral for the L Bonds. Further, the life insurance policies held by DLP IV are pledged as direct collateral securing the obligations under our amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation.

The principal amount of Seller Trust L Bonds outstanding was $366,892,000 at both June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

(12) Redeemable Preferred Stock

On November 30, 2015, our public offering of up to 100,000 shares of RPS at $1,000 per share was declared effective. Holders of RPS are entitled to cumulative dividends at the rate of 7% per annum, paid monthly. Dividends on the RPS are recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital, if any, then to the outstanding balance of the preferred stock if additional paid-in capital has been exhausted. Under certain circumstances described in the Certificate of Designation for the RPS, additional shares of RPS may be issued in lieu of cash dividends.

The RPS ranks senior to our common stock and pari passu with our RPS 2 and entitles its holders to a liquidation preference equal to the stated value per share (i.e., $1,000) plus accrued but unpaid dividends. Holders of RPS may presently convert their RPS into our common stock at a conversion price equal to the volume-weighted average price of our common stock for the 20 trading days immediately prior to the date of conversion, subject to a minimum conversion price of $15.00 and in an aggregate amount limited to 15% of the stated value of RPS originally purchased from us and still held by such purchaser.

Holders of RPS may request that we redeem their RPS at a price equal to their stated value plus accrued but unpaid dividends, less an applicable redemption fee, if any, as specified in the Certificate of Designation. Nevertheless, the Certificate of Designation for RPS permits us in our sole discretion to grant or decline redemption requests. Subject to certain restrictions and conditions, we may also redeem shares of RPS without a redemption fee upon a holder’s death, total disability or bankruptcy. In addition, after one year from the date of original issuance, we may, at our option, call and redeem shares of RPS at a price equal to their liquidation preference.

In March 2017, we closed the RPS offering to additional investors having sold 99,127 shares of RPS for an aggregate gross consideration of $99,127,000 and incurred approximately $7,019,000 of related selling costs.

At the time of its issuance, we determined that the RPS contained two embedded features: (1) optional redemption by the holder, and (2) optional conversion by the holder. We determined that each of the embedded features met the definition of a derivative; however, based on our assessment under Accounting Standards Codification 470, Debt, (“ASC 470”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, (“ASC 815”), we do not believe bifurcation of either the holder’s redemption or conversion feature is appropriate. 

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

(13) Series 2 Redeemable Preferred Stock

On February 14, 2017, our public offering of up to 150,000 shares of RPS 2 at $1,000 per share was declared effective. Holders of RPS 2 are entitled to cumulative dividends at the rate of 7% per annum, paid monthly. Dividends on the RPS 2 are recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital, if any, then to the outstanding balance of the preferred stock if additional paid-in capital has been exhausted. Under certain circumstances described in the Certificate of Designation for the RPS 2, additional shares of RPS 2 may be issued in lieu of cash dividends.

The RPS 2 ranks senior to our common stock and pari passu with our RPS and entitles its holders to a liquidation preference equal to the stated value per share (i.e., $1,000) plus accrued but unpaid dividends. Holders of RPS 2 may, less an applicable conversion discount, if any, convert their RPS 2 into our common stock at a conversion price equal to the volume-weighted average price of our common stock for the 20 trading days immediately prior to the date of conversion, subject to a minimum conversion price of $12.75 and in an aggregate amount limited to 10% of the stated value of RPS 2 originally purchased from us and still held by such purchaser.

Holders of RPS 2 may request that we redeem their RPS 2 shares at a price equal to their liquidation preference, less an applicable redemption fee, if any, as specified in the Certificate of Designation. Nevertheless, the Certificate of Designation for RPS 2 permits us in our sole discretion to grant or decline requests for redemption. Subject to certain restrictions and conditions, we may also redeem shares of RPS 2 without a redemption fee upon a holder’s death, total disability or bankruptcy. In addition, we may, at our option, call and redeem shares of RPS 2 at a price equal to their liquidation preference (subject to a minimum redemption price, in the event of redemptions occurring less than one year after issuance, of 107% of the stated value of the shares being redeemed).

In April 2018, we closed the RPS 2 offering to additional investors having sold 149,979 shares of RPS 2 for an aggregate gross consideration of $149,979,000 and incurred approximately $10,284,000 of related selling costs.

At the time of its issuance, we determined that the RPS 2 contained two embedded features: (1) optional redemption by the holder, and (2) optional conversion by the holder. We determined that each of the embedded features met the definition of a derivative; however, based on our assessment under ASC 470 and ASC 815, we do not believe bifurcation of either the holder’s redemption or conversion feature is appropriate. 

(14) Series B Convertible Preferred Stock

On August 10, 2018, GWG Holdings issued 5,000,000 shares of Series B, par value $0.001 per share and having a stated value of $10.00 per share, to BEN LP for cash consideration of $50,000,000 as part of the Initial Transfer.

On December 28, 2018, the Series B converted into 5,000,000 shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $10.00 per share immediately following the Final Closing of the Exchange Transaction.

(15) Income Taxes

We had no current income tax liability as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The components of our income tax expense (benefit) and the reconciliation at the statutory federal tax rate to our actual income tax expense (benefit) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following: 

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred income taxes were as follows:

At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of $36,103,000 and $36,501,000, respectively, and aggregate state NOL carryforwards of approximately $36,076,000 and $36,475,000, respectively. The NOL carryforwards will begin to expire in 2031. Future utilization of NOL carryforwards is subject to limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. This section generally relates to a more than 50 percent change in ownership over a three-year period. As a result of the Exchange Transaction, it is believed that a change in ownership for income tax purposes only has occurred as of December 28, 2018. As such, the annual utilization of our net operating losses generated prior to the ownership change is limited. Based on the estimated value of the Company prior to the Exchange Transaction, utilization of pre-ownership change net operating losses are subject to an annual limitation of approximately $7,564,000.

We provide for a valuation allowance when it is not considered “more likely than not” that our deferred tax assets will be realized. As of June 30, 2019, based on all available evidence, we have provided a valuation allowance against our total net deferred tax asset of $50,712,000 due to uncertainty as to the realization of our deferred tax assets during the carryforward periods.

ASC 740, Income Taxes, requires the reporting of certain tax positions that do not meet a threshold of “more-likely-than-not” to be recorded as uncertain tax benefits. It is management’s responsibility to determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation, based upon the technical merits of the position. Management has reviewed all income tax positions taken or expected to be taken and has determined that the income tax positions are appropriately stated and supported. We do not anticipate that the total unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change prior to December 31, 2019. 

Under our accounting policies, interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits, as well as interest received from favorable tax settlements are recognized as components of income tax expense. At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we recorded no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

Our income tax returns for tax years ended December 31, 2014 through 2017, and 2018, when filed, remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and various state taxing jurisdictions. Our income tax return for tax year ended December 31, 2013 also remains open to examination by various state taxing jurisdictions.

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

(16) Common Stock

In September 2014, we consummated an initial public offering of our common stock resulting in the sale of 800,000 shares of common stock at $12.50 per share, and net proceeds of approximately $8.6 million after the payment of underwriting commissions, discounts and expense reimbursements. In connection with this offering, we listed our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “GWGH.”

In conjunction with the initial public offering, we issued warrants to purchase 16,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $15.63 per share. As of June 30, 2019, none of these warrants had been exercised. The remaining life of these warrants at June 30, 2019 was 0.3 years.

On August 10, 2018, the Company declared a special dividend of $4.30 per share of common stock payable to shareholders of record on August 27, 2018.

On December 28, 2018, the Series B converted into 5,000,000 shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $10.00 per share immediately following the Final Closing of the Exchange Transaction.

On December 28, 2018, in connection with the Exchange Transaction, we issued 22,013,516 shares of common stock to the Seller Trusts at a market value of approximately $203.4 million in exchange for BEN LP common units. The shares were offered and sold in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The common shares issued to the Seller Trusts were initially subject to a Stockholders Agreement between GWG and the Seller Trusts, under which the Seller Trusts, as long as they own at least 10% of the voting shares of GWG, agree to vote their shares in proportion to the votes cast by all other voting securities of GWG. In addition, the Seller Trusts agree, for the period of one year after the Final Closing, not to seek or propose to influence or control the management, Board or policies of GWG. The Stockholders Agreement was terminated in connection with the closing of the Purchase and Contribution Transaction on April 26, 2019.

In addition, GWG and the Seller Trusts entered into a registration rights agreement and an orderly marketing agreement. Under these agreements, GWG and the Seller Trusts agreed to take steps to allow for the orderly marketing and resale of the common shares issued to Seller Trusts as part of the Exchange Transaction, and Seller Trusts agreed to sell their common share of GWG only as permitted under these agreements.

On November 15, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program pursuant to which the Company was permitted, from time to time, to purchase shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price not to exceed $1,500,000. Stock repurchases were able to be executed through various means, including, without limitation, open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The stock repurchase program did not obligate the Company to purchase any shares, and expired on April 30, 2019.

The following table includes information about the stock repurchase program for the six months ended June 30, 2019: