UTG INC - Annual Report: 2016 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Commission File Number 0-16867

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (217) 241-6300

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

Common Stock, stated value $.001 per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes [ ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes [ ] No [X]

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 [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulations 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 [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10- K. [  ]

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [ ] No [X]

Documents incorporated by reference: None

UTG, Inc.

Form 10-K

Year Ended December 31, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Forward-Looking Statements

This report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. We have based our forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Our forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as the growth of our business and operations, our business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, plans, future capital expenditures and references to future successes may be considered forward-looking statements. Also, when we use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “probably,” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.

Numerous risks and uncertainties may impact the matters addressed by our forward-looking statements, any of which could negatively and materially affect our future financial results and performance.

Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and, therefore, the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements that are included in this report, our inclusion of this information is not a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, any forward-looking event discussed in this report may not occur.  Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or other developments, unless the securities laws require us to do so.

PART I

Item 1. Business

Business Overview

UTG, Inc. (the "Registrant", “Company” or “UTG”) is an insurance holding company incorporated in the state of Delaware in 2005. Its primary direct subsidiary is Universal Guaranty Life Insurance Company (“UG”). The Registrant and its primary subsidiary have only one significant segment, insurance.  The Company’s dominant business is individual life insurance, which includes the servicing of existing insurance business in-force, the acquisition of other companies in the insurance business, and the administration processing of life insurance business for other entities.

The holding company has no significant business operations of its own and relies on fees, dividends and other distributions from its operating subsidiary as the principal source of cash flows to meet its obligations.  Additional information regarding the cash flow and liquidity needs of the holding company can be found in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations.

UG has several wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries.  The subsidiaries were formed to hold certain real estate and other investments.  The investments were placed into the limited liability companies and partnerships to provide additional protection to the policyholders and to UG.

Increased global IT security threats and more sophisticated and targeted computer crime pose a risk to the security of systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of data.  Although the Company makes efforts to maintain the security and integrity of the networks and systems, there can be no assurance that the security efforts will be effective or that attempted security breaches or disruptions would not be successful or damaging.  In the event a security breach or failure results in the disclosure of sensitive third party data or the transmission of harmful/malicious code to third parties, the Company could be subject to liability claims.  The Company does not currently carry insurance coverage against such liabilities.  Depending on their nature and scope, such threats also could potentially lead to improper use of our systems and networks, manipulation and destruction of data, loss of trade secrets, system downtimes and operational disruptions, which in turn, could adversely affect our reputation, competitiveness and results of operations.

Insurance

UG’s product portfolio consists of a limited number of life insurance product offerings. All of the products are individual life insurance products, with design variations from each other to provide choices to the customer. These variations generally center around the length of the premium paying period, length of the coverage period and whether the product accumulates cash value or not.

While the Company does not actively sell any new policies today, it has the following product available for issue:

Tradition – The Tradition policy is a fixed premium whole life insurance policy. Premiums are level and payable for life.  Issue ages are 0-75. The minimum face amount is the greater of $10,000 or the amount of coverage provided by a $100 annual premium.

Reinsurance

As is customary in the insurance industry, the insurance subsidiary cedes insurance to, and assumes insurance from, other insurance companies under reinsurance agreements.  Reinsurance agreements are intended to limit a life insurer's maximum loss on a large or unusually hazardous risk or to obtain a greater diversification of risk.  The ceding insurance company remains primarily liable with respect to ceded insurance should any reinsurer be unable to meet the obligations assumed by it.  However, it is the practice of insurers to reduce their exposure to loss to the extent that they have been reinsured with other insurance companies.  The Company sets a limit on the amount of insurance retained on the life of any one person.  The Company will not retain more than $125,000, including accidental death benefits, on any one life.

Underwriting

The underwriting procedures of the insurance subsidiary are established by Management.  Insurance policies are issued by the Company based upon underwriting practices established for each market in which the Company operates.  Most policies are individually underwritten.  Applications for insurance are reviewed to determine additional information required to make an underwriting decision, which depends on the amount of insurance applied for and the applicant's age and medical history.  Additional information may include inspection reports, medical examinations, and statements from doctors who have treated the applicant in the past and, where indicated, special medical tests.  After reviewing the information collected, the Company either issues the policy as applied for, issues with an extra premium charge because of unfavorable factors, or rejects the application.  Substandard risks may be referred to reinsurers for full or partial reinsurance of the substandard risk.

Reserves

The applicable insurance laws under which the insurance subsidiary operates require that the insurance company report policy reserves as liabilities to meet future obligations on the policies in-force.  These reserves are the amounts which, with the additional premiums to be received and interest thereon compounded annually at certain assumed rates, are calculated in accordance with applicable laws to be sufficient to meet the various policy and contract obligations as they mature.  These laws specify that the reserves shall not be less than reserves calculated using certain mortality tables and interest rates.

The liabilities for traditional life insurance and accident and health insurance policy benefits are computed using a net level method.  These liabilities include assumptions as to investment yields, mortality, withdrawals, and other assumptions based on the life insurance subsidiary’s experience adjusted to reflect anticipated trends and to include provisions for possible unfavorable deviations.  The Company makes these assumptions at the time the contract is issued or, in the case of contracts acquired by purchase, at the purchase date.  Future policy benefits for individual life insurance and annuity policies are computed using interest rates ranging from 2% to 6% for life insurance and 2.5% to 7.5% for annuities.  Benefit reserves for traditional life insurance policies include certain deferred profits on limited-payment policies that are being recognized in income over the policy term.  Policy benefit claims are charged to expense in the period that the claims are incurred.  The mortality rate assumptions for policies currently issued by the Company are based on 2001 select and ultimate tables.  Withdrawal rate assumptions are based upon Linton B or Linton C, which are industry standard actuarial tables for forecasting assumed policy lapse rates.

Benefit reserves for universal life insurance and interest sensitive life insurance products are computed under a retrospective deposit method and represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges.  Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense include benefit claims in excess of related policy account balances.

Investments

Investments are subject to applicable state insurance laws and regulations, which limit the concentration of investments in any one category or class and further limit the investment in any one issuer.  Generally, these limitations are imposed as a percentage of statutory assets or percentage of statutory capital and surplus of each company.

The Company, from time to time, acquires mortgage loans through participation agreements with FSNB.  FSNB has been able to provide the Company with additional expertise and experience in underwriting commercial and residential mortgage loans, which provide more attractive yields than the traditional bond market.  The Company is able to receive participations from FSNB for three primary reasons:  1) FSNB has already reached its maximum lending limit to a single borrower, but the borrower is still considered a suitable risk; 2) the interest rate on a particular loan may be fixed for a long period that is more suitable for UG given its asset-liability structure; and 3) FSNB’s loan growth might at times outpace its deposit growth, resulting in FSNB participating such excess loan growth rather than turning customers away.  For originated loans, the Company’s Management is responsible for the final approval of such loans after evaluation.  Before a new loan is issued, the applicant is subject to certain criteria set forth by Company Management to ensure quality control.  These criteria include, but are not limited to, a credit report, personal financial information such as outstanding debt, sources of income, and personal equity.  Once the loan is approved, the Company directly funds the loan to the borrower.  The Company bears all risk of loss associated with the terms of the mortgage with the borrower.

Most mortgage loans are first position loans.  Loans issued are generally limited to no more than 80% of the appraised value of the property.

The Company has in place a monitoring system to provide Management with information regarding potential troubled loans.  Letters are sent to each mortgagee when the loan becomes 30 days or more delinquent.  Management is provided with a monthly listing of loans that are 60 days or more past due along with a brief description of what steps are being taken to resolve the delinquency.  All loans 90 days or more past due are placed on a non-performing status and classified as delinquent loans.  Quarterly, coinciding with external financial reporting, the Company reviews each delinquent loan and determines how each delinquent loan should be classified.  Management believes the current internal controls surrounding the mortgage loan selection process provide a quality portfolio with minimal risk of negative financial impact.

Management has conservatively decided to place the loans in the discounted mortgage loan portfolio on a non-accrual status, due to the instability of the borrowers.

On the remainder of the mortgage loan portfolio, interest accruals are analyzed based on the likelihood of repayment.  In no event will interest continue to accrue when accrued interest along with the outstanding principal exceeds the net realizable value of the property.  The Company does not utilize a specified number of days delinquent to cause an automatic non-accrual status.

 

Competition

The insurance business is a highly competitive industry and there are a number of other companies, both stock and mutual, doing business in areas where the Company operates.  Many of these competing insurers are larger, have more diversified and established lines of insurance coverage, have substantially greater financial resources and brand recognition, as well as a greater number of agents.  Other significant competitive factors in the insurance industry include policyholder benefits, service to policyholders, and premium rates.

In recent years, the Company has not placed an emphasis on new business production.  Costs associated with supporting new business can be significant.  Current sales primarily represent sales to existing customers through additional insurance needs or conservation efforts.  The Company currently encourages policy retention as opposed to new sales in an attempt to maintain or improve current persistency levels.

The Company performs administrative work as a third party administrator (TPA) for unaffiliated life insurance companies.  The Company intends to continue to pursue other TPA arrangements. The Company provides TPA services to insurance companies seeking business process outsourcing solutions.

Regulation

Holding Company - States have enacted legislation requiring registration and periodic reporting by insurance companies domiciled within their respective jurisdictions that control or are controlled by other corporations so as to constitute a holding company system. Insurance holding company system statutes and regulations impose various limitations on investments in subsidiaries, and may require prior regulatory approval for material transactions between insurers and affiliates and for the payment of certain dividends and other distributions.

Insurance - Insurance companies are subject to regulation and supervision in the states in which they do business.  Generally the state supervisory agencies have broad administrative powers relating to granting and revoking licenses to transact business, licensing agents, approving policy forms, regulating trade practices, approving certain premium rates, setting minimum reserve and loss ratio requirements, determining the form and content of required financial statements, and prescribing the type and amount of investments permitted.  Insurance companies are also required to file detailed annual reports with supervisory agencies, and records of their business are subject to examination at any time.  Under the rules of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), insurance companies are examined periodically by one or more of the supervisory agencies.

 

Risk-Based Capital - The NAIC requires a risk-based capital formula be applied to all life and health insurers. The risk-based capital formula is a threshold formula rather than a target capital formula. It is designed only to identify companies that require regulatory attention and is not to be used to rate or rank companies that are adequately capitalized. UTG’s insurance subsidiary, UG, is more than adequately capitalized under the risk-based capital formula.

Guaranty Assessments – State guaranty laws provide for assessments from insurance companies to be placed into a fund which is used, in the event of failure or insolvency of an insurance company, to fulfill the obligations of that company to its policyholders.  The amount which a company is assessed is determined according to the extent of these unsatisfied obligations in each state.  Assessments are recoverable to a great extent as offsets against state premium taxes.

Personnel

Item 1A. Risk Factors

As a smaller reporting company, as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, the Company has elected to comply with certain scaled disclosure reporting obligations, and therefore does not have to provide the information required by this item.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

Item 2. Properties

The Company owns an office complex in Springfield, Illinois, which houses a portion of the insurance operations.  The office buildings in this complex contain 57,000 square feet of office and warehouse space. Excess space in Springfield, IL is currently being marketed for lease.

As part of the administrative transition of the Company from Springfield, IL to Stanford, KY, the Company leases space in the Stanford, KY from an affiliate, FSNB, to house insurance operations.  The Company rents approximately 8,000 square feet of office space and pays $2,000 per month in rent.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business the Company is involved, from time to time, in various legal actions and other state and federal proceedings. Management is of the opinion that the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Registrant is a public company whose common stock is traded in the over-the-counter market.  Over-the-counter quotations can be obtained using the UTGN stock symbol.

The following table shows the high and low closing prices for each quarterly period during the past two years, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.  The quotations below were acquired from the Yahoo Finance web site, which also provides quotes for over-the-counter traded securities such as UTG.

Purchases of Equity Securities

Stock Performance Graph

As a smaller reporting company, as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, the Company has elected to comply with certain scaled disclosure reporting obligations, and therefore does not have to provide the information required by this item.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

As a smaller reporting company, as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, the Company has elected to comply with certain scaled disclosure reporting obligations, and therefore does not have to provide the information required by this item.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. We have based our forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Our forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as the growth of our business and operations, our business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, plans, future capital expenditures and references to future successes may be considered forward-looking statements. Also, when we use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “probably,” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.

Numerous risks and uncertainties may impact the matters addressed by our forward-looking statements, any of which could negatively and materially affect our future financial results and performance.

Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and, therefore, the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements that are included in this report, our inclusion of this information is not a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, any forward-looking event discussed in this report may not occur.  Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or other developments, unless the securities laws require us to do so.

 

Overview

UTG, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a life insurance holding company.  The Company’s dominant business is individual life insurance, which includes the servicing of existing insurance policies in-force, the acquisition of other companies in the life insurance business, the acquisition of blocks of business and the administration and processing of life insurance business for other entities.

UTG has a strong philanthropic program.  The Company generally allocates a portion of its earnings to be used for its philanthropic efforts primarily targeted to Christ-centered organizations or organizations that help the weak or poor.  The Company also encourages its staff to be involved on a personal level through monetary giving, volunteerism and use of their talents to assist those less fortunate than themselves.  Through these efforts, the Company hopes to make a positive difference in the local community, state, nation and world.

Critical Accounting Policies

Valuation of Securities – The Company’s investment portfolio consists of fixed maturities, equity securities, trading securities, mortgage loans and real estate to provide funding of future policy contractual obligations.  The Company’s fixed maturities and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale.  Available-for-sale investments are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company’s trading securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Fair value is the price that the Company would expect to receive upon sale of the asset in an orderly transaction.

Mortgage loans on real estate are carried at their unpaid principal balances, adjusted for amortization of premium or discount and valuation allowances. Valuation allowances are established for impaired loans when it is probable that contractual principal and interest will not be collected. A portion of the mortgage loan balance consists of discounted mortgage loans that were purchased at deep discounts through an auction process led by the Federal Government.  In general, the discounted mortgage loans are non-performing and there is a significant amount of uncertainty surrounding the timing and amount of cash flows to be received by the Company.  Accordingly, the Company records its investment in the discounted mortgage loans at its original purchase price adjusted for any principal receipts received.

Investment real estate held for sale is reported at the lower of cost or fair value less cost to sell. Expenses to maintain the property are expensed as incurred.

Notes receivable are reported at their unpaid principal balances, adjusted for valuation allowances. Valuation allowances are established for impaired loans when it is probable that contractual principal and interest will not be collected. Interest accruals are analyzed based on the likelihood of repayment. The Company does not utilize a specified number of days delinquent to cause an automatic non-accrual status.

Results of Operations

Revenues

 

During 2016, the Company recognized a small amount of income from trading securities. In the prior year the Company recognized a loss from trading securities as a result of a decline in the value of the exchange-traded equity security that was reclassified as available for sale during the second half of 2015.

Investment income from equity securities, mortgage loans and short-term investments was down in 2016 as compared to 2015 results.  While income from equity securities was less in 2016, as compared to 2015, overall, it appears reasonable and comparable to the prior year. Income from the mortgage loan portfolio was down approximately 68%, when comparing 2016 and 2015 activity.  This is the result of the continued pay off of loans within the portfolio, particularly the discounted mortgage loans that in recent periods provided significant earnings.

In summary, the Company’s basis for future revenue is expected to come from the following primary sources: Conservation of business currently in-force, the maximization of investment earnings and the acquisition of other companies or policy blocks in the life insurance business. Management has placed a significant emphasis on the development of these revenue sources to enhance these opportunities.

Expenses

Changes in policyholder reserves, or future policy benefits, also impact this line item.  Reserves are calculated on an individual policy basis and generally increase over the life of the policy as a result of additional premium payments and acknowledgement of increased risk as the insured continues to age.

The short-term impact of policy surrenders is negligible since a reserve for future policy benefits payable is held which is, at a minimum, equal to and generally greater than the cash surrender value of a policy.  The benefit of fewer policy surrenders is primarily received over a longer time period through the retention of the Company’s asset base.

As mentioned above in the Overview section of the Management Discussion and Analysis, UTG has a strong philanthropic program.  The Company generally allocates a portion of its earnings to be used for its philanthropic efforts primarily targeted to Christ-centered organizations or organizations that help the weak or poor.  Charitable contributions made by the Company are expected to vary from year to year depending on the earnings of the Company.

During 2015, Management determined it was in the Company’s best long term interest to relocate its main operations from Springfield, Illinois to Stanford, Kentucky. The Company’s majority shareholder, Jess Correll, headquarters his other operating entities in Stanford, Kentucky.  Management believes this move will provide the Company with significant synergies, improve efficiencies and reduce overall operating expenses.  The relocation was substantially complete as of December 31, 2016.

Effective January 1, 2017, the Company and FSNB began sharing certain services. The shared services focuses on departments commonly utilized by both organizations such as Financial Accounting, Human Resources and Information Technology.

Management continues to place significant emphasis on expense monitoring and cost containment. Maintaining administrative efficiencies directly impacts net income.

Financial Condition

Investment Information

Investments are the largest asset group of the Company.  The Company's insurance subsidiary is regulated by insurance statutes and regulations as to the type of investments they are permitted to make, and the amount of funds that may be used for any one type of investment.

The Company's investments are generally managed to match related insurance and policyholder liabilities.  The comparison of investment return with insurance or investment product crediting rates establishes an interest spread.  Interest crediting rates on adjustable rate policies have been reduced to their guaranteed minimum rates, and as such, cannot be lowered any further.  Policy interest crediting rate changes and expense load changes become effective on an individual policy basis on the next policy anniversary.  Therefore, it takes a full year from the time the change was determined for the full impact of such change to be realized.  If interest rates decline in the future, the Company will not be able to lower rates and both net investment income and net income will be impacted negatively.

Management continues to view the Company’s investment portfolio with utmost priority. Significant time has been spent internally researching the Company’s risk and communicating with outside investment advisors about the current investment environment and ways to ensure preservation of capital and mitigate losses.  Management has put extensive efforts into evaluating the investment holdings.  Additionally, members of the Company’s Board of Directors and investment committee have been solicited for advice and provided with information.  Management reviews the Company’s entire portfolio on a security level basis to be sure all understand our holdings, potential risks and underlying credit supporting the investments.  Management intends to continue its close monitoring of its bond holdings and other investments for additional deterioration or market condition changes.  Future events may result in Management’s determination that certain current investment holdings may need to be sold which could result in gains or losses in future periods.  Such future events could also result in other than temporary declines in value that could result in future period impairment losses.

There are a number of significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the process of monitoring impairments and determining if impairment is other-than-temporary. These risks and uncertainties related to Management’s assessment of other-than-temporary declines in value include but are not limited to: the risk that Company's assessment of an issuer's ability to meet all of its contractual obligations will change based on changes in the credit characteristics of that issuer; the risk that the economic outlook will be worse than expected or have more of an impact on the issuer than anticipated; the risk that fraudulent information could be provided to the Company's investment professionals who determine the fair value estimates.

Liquidity

Liquidity provides the Company with the ability to meet on demand the cash commitments required by its business operations and financial obligations.  The Company’s liquidity is primarily derived from a portfolio of marketable securities and line of credit facilities.  The Company has two principal needs for cash – the insurance company’s contractual obligations to policyholders and the payment of operating expenses.

Parent Company Liquidity

Insurance Subsidiary Liquidity

Sources of cash flows for the insurance subsidiary primarily consist of premium and investment income.  Cash outflows from operations include policy benefit payments, administrative expenses, taxes and dividends to the Parent company.

Short-Term Borrowings

The Company expects to have readily available funds for the foreseeable future to conduct its operations and to maintain target capital ratios in the insurance subsidiary through internally generated cash flow and the credit facilities.  In the unlikely event that more liquidity is needed, the Company could generate additional funds through such sources as a short-term credit facility and intercompany borrowing.

Consolidated Liquidity

Management believes the overall sources of liquidity available will be sufficient to satisfy its financial obligations.

Capital Resources

The NAIC's risk-based capital requirements require insurance companies to calculate and report information under a risk-based capital formula.  The risk-based capital (RBC) formula measures the adequacy of statutory capital and surplus in relation to investment and insurance risks such as asset quality, mortality and morbidity, asset and liability matching and other business factors.  The RBC formula is used by state insurance regulators as an early warning tool to identify, for the purpose of initiating regulatory action, insurance companies that potentially are inadequately capitalized.

As mentioned in Note 7 above, on July 22, 2016 the Company entered in to an agreement to acquire 300,000 shares of its outstanding common stock from a shareholder that owned approximately 8% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The purchase price per share was $14.50 was derived through private negotiation. The purchase was paid with cash and the issuance of promissory notes.

The Company's investments provide sufficient return to cover future obligations. The Company carries all of its fixed maturity holdings as available for sale, which are reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements at their fair value.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, financing activities or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons.

Contractual Obligations

As a smaller reporting company, as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, the Company has elected to comply with certain scaled disclosure reporting obligations, and therefore does not have to provide the information required by this item.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As a smaller reporting company, as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, the Company has elected to comply with certain scaled disclosure reporting obligations, and therefore does not have to provide the information required by this item.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and

Shareholders of UTG, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Springfield, Illinois

St. Louis, Missouri

March 28, 2017

UTG, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015

See accompaning notes.

 

UTG, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015

See accompanying notes.

UTG, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

See accompanying notes.

UTG, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity

See accompanying notes.

UTG, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015

See accompanying notes.

UTG, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Business – UTG, Inc. is an insurance holding company. The Company’s dominant business is individual life insurance, which includes the servicing of existing insurance in-force and the acquisition of other companies in the life insurance business. UTG and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company”.

This document at times will refer to the Registrant’s largest shareholder, Mr. Jesse T. Correll and certain companies controlled by Mr. Correll.  Mr. Correll holds a majority ownership of First Southern Funding, LLC (“FSF”), a Kentucky corporation, and First Southern Bancorp, Inc. (“FSBI”), a financial services holding company.  FSBI operates through its 100% owned subsidiary bank, First Southern National Bank (“FSNB”).  Banking activities are conducted through multiple locations within south-central and western Kentucky.  Mr. Correll is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of UTG and is currently UTG’s largest shareholder through his ownership control of FSF, FSBI and affiliates.  At December 31, 2016, Mr. Correll owns or controls directly and indirectly approximately 63.75% of UTG’s outstanding stock.

UTG’s life insurance subsidiary has several wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. The subsidiaries were formed to hold certain real estate and other investments. The investments were placed into the limited liability companies and partnerships to provide additional protection to the policyholders and to UG.

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), under guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).  The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Principles of Consolidation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Registrant and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated during consolidation.

Business Segments – The Company has only one business segment – life insurance.

Investments – The Company reports its investments as follows:

Fixed Maturity Investments – The Company classifies its fixed maturity investments, which include bonds, as available for sale. Investments classified as available for sale are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected directly in accumulated other comprehensive income.  Premiums and discounts on debt securities purchased at other than par value are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, using the constant yield method over the period to maturity.  Net realized gains and losses on sales of available for sale securities, and unrealized losses considered to be other-than-temporary, are recorded to net realized investment gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Equity Securities – Investments in equity securities, which include common and preferred stocks, are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected directly in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Trading Securities – Trading security investments are reported at fair value with gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Trading securities include exchange traded equities and exchange traded options.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate – Mortgage loans on real estate are reported at their unpaid principal balances, adjusted for amortization of premium or discount and valuation allowances. Valuation allowances are established for impaired loans when it is probable that contractual principal and interest will not be collected. Included in the mortgage loans balance is discounted mortgage loans on real estate. Discounted mortgage loans on real estate are loans that the Company purchased at a deep discount through an auction process led by the Federal Government or other intermediary.  In general, the discounted loans are non-performing and there is a significant amount of uncertainty surrounding the timing and amount of cash flows to be received by the Company.  Accordingly, the Company records its investment in the discounted loans at its original purchase price adjusted for any principal receipts received.  Management works with the borrower to reach a settlement on the loan or they foreclose on the underlying collateral which is primarily commercial real estate.  For cash payments received during the work out process, the Company records these payments to interest income on a cash basis.  For loan settlements reached, the Company records the amount in excess of the carrying amount of the loan as a discount accretion to investment income at the closing date.  Management reviews the discount loan portfolio regularly for impairment.  If an impairment is identified (after consideration of the underlying collateral), the Company records an impairment to earnings in the period the information becomes known.

Investment Real Estate – Investment real estate held for sale is reported at the lower of cost or fair value less cost to sell. Expenses to maintain the property are expensed as incurred.

Notes Receivable – Notes receivable are reported at their unpaid principal balances, adjusted for valuation allowances. Valuation allowances are established for impaired loans when it is probable that contractual principal and interest will not be collected. Interest accruals are analyzed based on the likelihood of repayment. The Company does not utilize a specified number of days delinquent to cause an automatic non-accrual status.

Policy Loans – Policy loans are reported at their unpaid balances, including accumulated interest, but not in excess of the cash surrender value of the related policy.

Short-Term Investments – Short-term investments are reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Gains and Losses – Realized gains and losses include sales of investments and investment impairments.  If any, other-than-temporary impairments in fair value are recognized in net income on the specific identification basis.

Current accounting guidance states that if an entity intends to sell or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell an impaired security prior to recovery of its cost basis, the security is to be considered other-than-temporarily impaired and the full amount of impairment must be charged to earnings.  Otherwise, losses on fixed maturities which are other-than-temporarily impaired are separated into two categories, the portion of the loss which is considered credit loss and the portion of the loss which is due to other factors.  The credit loss portion is charged to earnings while the loss due to other factors is charged to other comprehensive income.

Cash Equivalents – The Company considers certificates of deposit and other short-term instruments with an original purchased maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Cash – Cash consists of balances on hand and on deposit in banks and financial institutions.

Reinsurance - In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to limit its exposure to loss on any single insured and to recover a portion of benefits paid by ceding reinsurance to other insurance enterprises or reinsurers under excess coverage and coinsurance contracts.  The Company retains a maximum of  $125,000 of coverage per individual life.

Reinsurance receivables are recognized in a manner consistent with the liabilities relating to the underlying reinsured contracts. The cost of reinsurance related to long-duration contracts is accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies.

Cost of Insurance Acquired - When an insurance company is acquired, the Company assigns a portion of its cost to the right to receive future cash flows from insurance contracts existing at the date of the acquisition.  The cost of policies purchased represents the actuarially determined present value of the projected future profits from the acquired policies.  Cost of insurance acquired is amortized with interest in relation to expected future profits, including direct charge-offs for any excess of the unamortized asset over the projected future profits.  The amortization is adjusted retrospectively when estimates of current or future gross profits to be realized from a group of products are revised.

Property and Equipment - Company-occupied property, data processing equipment and furniture and office equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation of  $4,779,216 and $4,327,549 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis for financial reporting purposes using estimated useful lives of 3 to 30 years.  Depreciation expense was $451,667 and $459,218 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Future Policy Benefits and Expenses - The liabilities for traditional life insurance and accident and health insurance policy benefits are computed using a net level method. These liabilities include assumptions as to investment yields, mortality, withdrawals, and other assumptions based on the life insurance subsidiary’s experience adjusted to reflect anticipated trends and to include provisions for possible unfavorable deviations. The Company makes these assumptions at the time the contract is issued or, in the case of contracts acquired by purchase, at the purchase date.  Future policy benefits for individual life insurance and annuity policies are computed using interest rates ranging from 2% to 6% for life insurance and 2.5% to 7.5%  for annuities. Benefit reserves for traditional life insurance policies include certain deferred profits on limited-payment policies that are being recognized in income over the policy term. Policy benefit claims are charged to expense in the period that the claims are incurred. The mortality rate assumptions for policies currently issued by the Company are based on 2001 select and ultimate tables.  Withdrawal rate assumptions are based upon Linton B or C, which are industry standard actuarial tables for forecasting assumed policy lapse rates.

Benefit reserves for universal life insurance and interest sensitive life insurance products are computed under a retrospective deposit method and represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges.  Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense include benefit claims in excess of related policy account balances.  Interest crediting rates for universal life and interest sensitive products range from 3% to 6% as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Policy Claims and Benefits Payable - Policy and contract claims include provisions for reported claims in process of settlement, valued in accordance with the terms of the policies and contracts, as well as provisions for claims incurred and unreported. The estimate of incurred and unreported claims is based on prior experience. The Company makes an estimate after careful evaluation of all information available to the Company.  There is no certainty the stated liability for policy claims and benefits payable, including the estimate for incurred but unreported claims, will be the Company’s ultimate obligation.

Earnings Per Share – The objective of both basic earnings per share (“EPS”) and diluted EPS is to measure the performance of an entity over the reporting period.  The Company presents basic and diluted EPS on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS is calculated by adding to shares outstanding the additional net effect of potentially dilutive securities or contracts, such as stock options, which could be exercised or converted into common shares.

Recognition of Revenues and Related Expenses - Premiums for traditional life insurance products, which include those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits, consist principally of whole life insurance policies, and certain annuities with life contingencies are recognized as revenues when due. Limited payment life insurance policies defer gross premiums received in excess of net premiums, which is then recognized in income in a constant relationship with insurance in-force. Accident and health insurance premiums are recognized as revenue pro rata over the terms of the policies. Benefits and related expenses associated with the premiums earned are charged to expense proportionately over the lives of the policies through a provision for future policy benefit liabilities and through deferral and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. For universal life and investment products, generally there is no requirement for payment of premium other than to maintain account values at a level sufficient to pay mortality and expense charges. Consequently, premiums for universal life policies and investment products are not reported as revenue, but as deposits. Policy fee revenue for universal life policies and investment products consists of charges for the cost of insurance and policy administration fees assessed during the period. Expenses include interest credited to policy account balances and benefit claims incurred in excess of policy account balances.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment – The amendments included in ASU 2017-04 eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test.  The annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit should be considered when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The amendments also eliminate the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU 2017-04 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash – The amendments included in ASU 2016-18 require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments do not provide a definition of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. ASU 2016-18 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Interests Held through Related Parties that are Under Common Control – The amendments included in ASU 2016-17 change the evaluation of whether a reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity by changing how a reporting entity that is a single decision maker of a variable interest entity treats indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity.  If a reporting entity satisfies the first characteristic of a primary beneficiary (such that it is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity), the amendments require that reporting entity, in determining whether it satisfies the second characteristic of a primary beneficiary, to include all of its direct variable interests in a variable interest entity and, on a proportionate basis, its indirect variable interests in a variable interest entity held through related parties, including related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity.  ASU 2016-17 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory – The amendments included in ASU 2016-16 require an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The amendments eliminate the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. The amendments do not include new disclosure requirements; however, existing disclosure requirements might be applicable when accounting for the current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. ASU 2016-16 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments – The amendments included in ASU 2016-15 provide cash flow statement classification guidance for debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective Interest Rate of the Borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. ASU 2016-15 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update (ASU 2016-13), Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments – The amendments included in ASU 2016-13 require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better evaluate their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. ASU 2016-13 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update (ASU 2016-07), Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting – The amendments included in ASU 2016-07 eliminate the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. Therefore, upon qualifying for the equity method of accounting, no retroactive adjustment of the investment is required. The amendments require that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. ASU 2016-07 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – The amendments included in ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.  Requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes.  ASU 2016-01 also requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables).  The guidance eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. ASU 2016-01 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-17, Income Taxes: Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes – The amendments included in ASU 2015-17 eliminate the current requirement for organizations to present deferred tax liabilities and assets as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Instead, organizations will be required to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. ASU 2015-17 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 – Investments

Available for Sale Securities – Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities

The following tables provide a summary of fixed maturities available for sale and equity securities by original or amortized cost and estimated fair value:

The following table provides a summary of fixed maturities by contractual maturity as of  December 31, 2016. Actual maturities could differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment provisions:

By insurance statute, the majority of the Company's investment portfolio is invested in investment grade securities to provide ample protection for policyholders.

Below investment grade debt securities generally provide higher yields and involve greater risks than investment grade debt securities because their issuers typically are more highly leveraged and more vulnerable to adverse economic conditions than investment grade issuers.  In addition, the trading market for these securities is usually more limited than for investment grade debt securities.  Debt securities classified as below-investment grade are those that receive a Standard & Poor's rating of BB+ or below.

The Company held below investment grade investments with an estimated market value of $33,064,563 and $13,352,934 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The investments are all classified as “All other corporate bonds”.

The fair value of investments with sustained gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

The following table provides additional information regarding the number of securities that were in an unrealized loss position for greater than or less than twelve months:

Trading Securities

Securities designated as trading securities are reported at fair value, with gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value recognized in net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Trading securities include exchange-traded equities and exchange-traded options.  Trading securities carried as liabilities are securities sold short. A gain, limited to the price at which the security was sold short, or a loss, potentially unlimited in size, will be recognized upon the termination of the short sale.  The fair value of derivatives included in trading security assets and trading security liabilities as of  December 31, 2016 was $2,500 and $(1,439), respectively. The fair value of derivatives included in trading security assets and trading security liabilities as of December 31, 2015 was $0 and $(28,609), respectively.  Earnings from trading securities are classified in cash flows from operating activities.  The derivatives held by the Company are for income generation purposes only.

The following table reflects trading securities revenue charged to net investment income for the periods ended December 31:

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate

The Company, from time to time, acquires mortgage loans through participation agreements with FSNB.  FSNB has been able to provide the Company with additional expertise and experience in underwriting commercial and residential mortgage loans, which provide more attractive yields than the traditional bond market.  The Company is able to receive participations from FSNB for three primary reasons:  1) FSNB has already reached its maximum lending limit to a single borrower, but the borrower is still considered a suitable risk; 2) the interest rate on a particular loan may be fixed for a long period that is more suitable for UG given its asset-liability structure; and 3) FSNB’s loan growth might at times outpace its deposit growth, resulting in FSNB participating such excess loan growth rather than turning customers away.  For originated loans, the Company’s Management is responsible for the final approval of such loans after evaluation.  Before a new loan is issued, the applicant is subject to certain criteria set forth by Company Management to ensure quality control.  These criteria include, but are not limited to, a credit report, personal financial information such as outstanding debt, sources of income, and personal equity.  Once the loan is approved, the Company directly funds the loan to the borrower.  The Company bears all risk of loss associated with the terms of the mortgage with the borrower.

Approximately 12% and 30% of the mortgage loan portfolio consists of discounted commercial mortgage loans as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company began purchasing discounted commercial mortgage loans in 2009.  Management has extensive background and experience in the analysis and valuation of commercial real estate. The discounted loans are available through the FDIC’s sale of assets of closed banks and from banks wanting to reduce their loan portfolios.  The loans are available on a loan by loan bid process.  Once a loan has been acquired, contact is made with the appropriate individuals to begin a dialog with a goal of determining the borrower’s willingness to work together.  There are generally three paths a discounted loan will take:  the borrowers pay as required; a settlement is reached with the loan being paid off at a discounted value; or the loan is foreclosed.

During 2016 and 2015, the Company acquired $6,935,273 and $13,774,698 in mortgage loans, respectively, including both regular participation mortgage loans as well as discounted mortgage loans.  FSNB services the majority of the Company’s mortgage loan portfolio. The Company pays FSNB a .25% servicing fee on these loans and a one-time fee at loan origination of .50% of the original loan cost to cover costs incurred by FSNB relating to the processing and establishment of the loan.

During 2016 and 2015, the maximum and minimum lending rates for mortgage loans were:

Most mortgage loans are first position loans.  Loans issued are generally limited to no more than 80% of the appraised value of the property.

The Company has in place a monitoring system to provide Management with information regarding potential troubled loans.  Letters are sent to each mortgagee when the loan becomes 30 days or more delinquent.  Management is provided with a monthly listing of loans that are 60 days or more past due along with a brief description of what steps are being taken to resolve the delinquency.  All loans 90 days or more past due are placed on a non-performing status and classified as delinquent loans.  Quarterly, coinciding with external financial reporting, the Company reviews each delinquent loan and determines how each delinquent loan should be classified.  Management believes the current internal controls surrounding the mortgage loan selection process provide a quality portfolio with minimal risk of foreclosure and/or negative financial impact.

Changes in the current economy could have a negative impact on the loans, including the financial stability of the borrowers, the borrowers’ ability to pay or to refinance, the value of the property held as collateral and the ability to find purchasers at favorable prices.  Given the uncertainty of the current market, Management has taken a conservative approach with the discounted mortgage loans and has classified all discounted mortgage loans held as non-accrual.  In such status, the Company is not recording any accrued interest income nor is it recording any accrual of discount on the loans held.  The Company records repayments on loans as discount accrual when the loan basis has been paid in full.

On the remainder of the mortgage loan portfolio, interest accruals are analyzed based on the likelihood of repayment.  In no event will interest continue to accrue when accrued interest along with the outstanding principal exceeds the net realizable value of the property.  The Company does not utilize a specified number of days delinquent to cause an automatic non-accrual status.

A mortgage loan reserve is established and adjusted based on Management's quarterly analysis of the portfolio and any deterioration in value of the underlying property which would reduce the net realizable value of the property below its current carrying value.  The Company acquired the discounted mortgage loans at below contract value, and believes that it will fully recover its carrying value upon disposal, therefore no reserve for delinquent loans is deemed necessary.  Those not currently paying are being vigorously worked by Management.  The current discounted commercial mortgage loan portfolio has an average price of  32% and 39% of face value as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.   Management has determined that this deep discount provides a financial cushion or built in allowance for any of the loans that are not currently performing within the portfolio of loans purchased.  The mortgage loan reserve was  $0 at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

The following table summarizes the number of loans held in the discounted mortgage loan portfolio and the carrying value of the loans:

The following table summarizes the mortgage loan holdings of the Company for the periods ended December 31:

Investment Real Estate

Real estate acquired through foreclosure, consisting of properties obtained through foreclosure proceedings or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, is reported on an individual asset basis at the lower of cost or fair value, less disposal costs. Fair value is determined on the basis of current appraisals, comparable sales, and other estimates of value obtained principally from independent sources. When properties are acquired through foreclosure, any excess of the loan balance at the time of foreclosure over the fair value of the real estate held as collateral is recognized and charged to the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Based upon Management’s evaluation of the real estate acquired through foreclosure, additional expense is recorded when necessary in an amount sufficient to reflect any declines in estimated fair value. Gains and losses recognized on the disposition of the properties are recorded as realized gains and losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Notes Receivable

Before a new note is issued, the applicant is subject to certain criteria set forth by Company Management to ensure quality control.  Once the note is approved, the Company directly funds the note to the borrower. Several of the notes have participation agreements in place, whereas the Company has reduced its investment in the note receivable by participating a portion of the note to a third party.

Similar to the mortgage loans, FSNB services several of the notes receivable. The Company, and the participants in the notes, share in the risk of loss associated with the terms of the note with the borrower, based upon their ownership percentage in the note.  The Company has in place a monitoring system to provide Management with information regarding potential troubled loans. 

Analysis of Investment Operations

The following table reflects the Company’s net investment income for the periods ended December 31:

The following table reflects the Company’s net realized investments gains and losses for the periods ended December 31: