UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| (Mark One) | |||
| ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||
| For the fiscal year ended December 31, | |||
| or | |||
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-10685
Midwest Holding Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Nebraska | 20-0362426 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |
| incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) | |
| 2900 S. 70th, Suite 400, Lincoln, NE | 68506 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:(402) 489-8266
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Voting Common Stock, $0.001 par value
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☐No ☒
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 ☒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 Regulation S-T (§ 232.405232.c405 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of thischapter)this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitivedefinitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to thisForm 10-K.☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer☐ | Accelerated | |
| Non-accelerated filer☐ | Smaller reporting company☒ | |
| (Do not check if a | ||
| smaller reporting company) |
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 reviewed 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 by Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the shares of the registrant'sregistrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates as of the last business day of the registrantsregistrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $13.5 million.$39,444 calculated by reference to the average of the bid and ask price of such common stock on June 30, 2017.
As of March 1, 2017,2018, there were 22,558,95622,860,701 shares of voting common stock, par value $0.001 per share, issued and outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed for its2017None Annual Meeting of Shareholders, scheduled to be held, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
MIDWEST HOLDING INC.
FORM 10-K10
-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PART III
PART I.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Form 10-K constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “could,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “intend,” or “continue,” the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology used in connection with any discussion of future operating results or financial performance. These statements are only predictions, and reflect our management’s present expectation of future events and are subject to a number of important factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
General Information
Midwest Holding Inc. (OTCQB: MDWT) (“Midwest”,Midwest,” the “Company”,“Registrant”, “we”, “our”,“Company,” “Registrant,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) was formed in Nebraska in 2003 to become a financial services holding company.The Company’s sole operating subsidiary, American Life & Security Corp. (“American Life”), was formed in 2009 as a Nebraska-domiciled life insurance company.
The principal executive offices for Midwest and American Life are at 2900 South 70th Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506, phone number is (402) 489-8266.
Development of Our Business
We raised approximately $18.0 million of capital to build Midwest through various exempt intra-state offerings between 2003 and 2009. Since that time, Midwest has acquired eight other small holding company/life insurance companies and consolidated them with Midwest and American Life such that commencing December 31, 2016, Midwest operated its life insurance business exclusively through American Life.
In 2009, American Life began conducting life insurance business in Nebraska. As of December 31, 2016,2017, statutory capital and surplus of American Life was approximately $3.8$3.0 million. For the years ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, American Life generated approximately $5.2 million and $5.9 million, and $6.4 millionrespectively, in premium revenue on a statutory accounting reporting basis, respectively.basis.
Acquisitionsand Divestitures Since 2014
On July 21, 2014, we consummated an exchange agreement with Great Plains Financial Corporation, a South Dakota corporation (“Great Plains”) and Security Capital Corporation, an Arkansas corporation (“Security Capital”), acquiring the outstanding shares of each company held by their shareholders (other than those shares already held by us). Shortly thereafter, Great Plains and Security Capital were merged into us. We issued a total of 4,120,000 voting common shares pursuant to these transactions. On December 1, 2016, the former principal subsidiary of Great Plains, Great Plains Life Assurance Company (“Great Plains Life”), a life insurance company, was merged into American life.
On October 27, 2015, we acquired the shares of First Wyoming Capital Corporation, not already owned by us, a Wyoming corporation (“First Wyoming”), not already owned by us by issuing approximately 4,767,000 shares to the former shareholders of First Wyoming. Subsequent to the closing, First Wyoming merged into us. On September 1, 2016, the former principal subsidiary of First Wyoming, First Wyoming Life Insurance Company (“First Wyoming Life”), was merged into American Life.
On March 15, 2016, we acquired the outstanding shares of Northstar Financial Corp., a Minnesota corporation (“Northstar”). We issued approximately4,553,000 shares in the transaction. Northstar’s primary asset at the time we acquired it was cash of approximately $2.4 million.
On August 29, 2016, we sold Capital Reserve to an unaffiliated party for $50,000 plus statutory capital and surplus.
Effective September 30, 2017, American Life entered into an indemnity coinsurance transaction with US Alliance and Security Company (“US Alliance”) to transfer 100% of the risk related to the Great Plains Life and First Wyoming Life blocks of business. The purpose of this transaction was to provide statutory capital and surplus for American Life and had minimal effect on accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) financials. We paid no commissions or brokerage fees for this transaction and the proceeds of the transaction were based upon valuations prepared by our third party actuary. Under the indemnity coinsurance, US Alliance assumed certain liabilities and obligations. As we are not relieved of our legal liability to the policyholders; the liabilities and obligations associated with the reinsured blocks of business remain on our Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding reinsurance receivable from US Alliance, which totaled $8,928,223 as of September 30, 2017. We transferred $9,629,623 of GAAP net adjusted reserves to US Alliance for cash of $7,078,223 which was net of a ceding allowance of $1,850,000 was treated as an increase to surplus on a statutory basis. As a result of the transaction, in addition to the reserves, American Life ceded approximately $883,000 of annual GAAP revenues and $1,758,250 of statutory revenues. US Alliance assumed all responsibilities for incurred claims, surrenders and commission from the effective date. See Note 6.
Life Insurance
General
American Life, as it exists today, is primarily the product of a merger in 2010 of Old Reliance and American Life with Old Reliance surviving and being renamed American Life, the contribution of Great Plains Life to American Life in 2014 (which was merged into American Life on December 1, 2016), and the merger with First Wyoming Life into American Life on September 1, 2016of life insurance products.2016. American Life is authorized to underwrite and market life insurance products within the State of Nebraska, and in 1413 other states.
Insurance Policies
American Life initially offered two insurance products, the “American Accumulator”, which is a multi-benefit life insurance policy that combines cash value ordinary life insurance with a tax deferred annuity and the “Future Cornhusker Plan”“Protect America’s Future”, a single premium convertible term life product offered for children aged three months to 15 years. The Protect America’s Future Cornhusker Plan is available in annual premium amounts of $125 or $250 and carries an initial face amount of $5,000 or $10,000. The American Accumulator is sold in annual premium units of $2,000. The average annual premium is approximately $2,000 with an average face amount of $66,000.$62,000. Premiums may be higher based upon the age and health of the insured.
Three new products have beenwere introduced over the past twoyears:in 2014: (i) the “Accelerator”, which is a participating whole life insurance policy with guaranteed level death benefits and premiums; (ii) the “American Protector”, a 7-year pay participatingnon-participating whole life insurance policy with an embedded flexible annuity and modified death and premiums; and (iii) the “Accumulator X”, a 10-year pay non-participating whole life insurance policy with an embedded flexible annuity and modified death benefit and premiums. The Accelerator premiums vary according to issue age, gender, and smoking classification with a minimum face amount of $25,000. Its premiums are substantially higher than the other products in the portfolio. The American Protector premiums are payable for seven years, during which time the face amount remains level. After the seven years the policy face amount gradually decreases to the ultimate amount which is equal to 50% of the issued policy face amount. Annual premiums per unit are $1,000 with a minimum of ½ a unit and maximum of ten units. After the first year, 30% of the annual premiums are allocated to the flexible annuity. The Accumulator X premiums are payable for ten years, during which time the policy face amount remains level. After ten years, the policy face amount gradually decreases to the ultimate amount which is equal to 50% of the issued policy face amount. Annual premiums per unit are $1,000 with a minimum of ½ a unit and maximum of ten units. After the first year, 40% of the annual premiums are allocated to the flexible premium annuity.
Product Pricing
Our products have been approved by the appropriate insurance regulatory authorities and incorporate the following features:
| ● | Provide a competitively priced product to the insurance consumer; |
| ● | Provide sufficient gross margins to us based upon achieving projected levels of volume to allow the insurance subsidiary to achieve operating profits comparable to the life insurance industry as a whole; and |
| ● | Provide sufficient first year and renewal commission structures necessary to attract and retain career-oriented insurance agents. |
All of our products were developed using the services of an independent qualified consulting actuary, Miller and Newberg,, Inc., of Kansas City, Missouri. In addition to product development, Miller and Newberg, Inc., serves as valuation actuary to American Life. The Company utilizes a third party firm, First Consulting Inc. of Kansas City, Missouri, for product compliance and filings with various regulatory authorities.
Underwriting Standards
Underwriting guidelines have a direct impact on the operating results of American Life. If the underwriting standards that are established are not adequate, desired operating results will not be realized. Generally, when underwriting standards are less restrictive, more mortality claims and lower persistency will result. Underwriting standards have a direct impact on the pricing structure of a product. The less restrictive the underwriting standards, the higher the product needs to be priced in order to allow for higher incidence of mortality. This higher incidence of mortality is also reflected in greater policy reserves being established.
American Life utilizes information from applications and, in some cases, telephone interviews with applicants, inspection reports, doctors’ statements and/or medical examinations to determine whether a policy should be issued in accordance with an application, with a different rating, with a rider, with reduced coverage or rejected. In addition to an applicant’s medical history, the companyAmerican Life also considers other factors such as financial profile, foreign travel, vocations and alcohol, drug and tobacco use. Requests for coverage are reviewed on their merits and a policy is not issued unless the particular risk has been examined and approved by our underwriters.Miller and Newberg, Inc., and reinsurers assistAmerican Life in establishing its underwriting standards. The underwriting for American Life is performed by its third party administrator, Midwest. The Company’s Chief Underwriter has more than 20 years’ experience in such business.
Marketing
The insurance products of American Life are marketed using a personal, face-to-face marketing concept. The insurance agents use the shareholder base and the current policyholders of ours and their referrals as potential clients for life insurance products. For most of 2016,2017, we were unable to generate a significant amount of new life insurance sales due to the lack of excess capital and surplus. We focused on new policy sales after our life insurance subsidiaries were consolidated withsurplus of American Life. During the final two months of 2016, new annualized premiums totaling more than $75,000 were submitted.
Candidate agents that lack insurance experience must complete a multiple interview process. These individuals are secured through a recruiting agency, referrals from shareholders, newspaper advertisements, and solicitation through the use of on-line job sites. If hired to sell insurance, the candidate must complete a 40-hour training course conducted by a third party as well as pass the applicable state examination. Once licensed, each agent must complete a week long product and sales training class. Following course completion, each agent has a training week where his or her manager will work side by side with the agent by conducting sales meetings.
Operating Results
There are certain factors unique to the life insurance business in which we operate which have an adverse effect on our operating results. One factor is that the cost of putting a new policy in force is usually greater than the first year’s policy premium and, accordingly, in the early years of a new life insurance company, these initial costs and the required provisions for reserves have an adverse effect on operating results. American Life, as is common among relatively young life insurance companies, may be expected to sustain losses for several years until such time as the block of business matures and the profit stream offsets the cost of new business. The aggregate cost of writing new life insurance includes such significant, nonrecurring items such as first year commissions, medical and investigation expenses, and other expenses incidental to the issuance of new policies, together with the initial reserves required to be established. For our ordinary life products, the costs to cover expenses and the policyholder liability that must be set up at policy issuance exceed the first year premium by approximately 35%. Additionally, there is no excess of costs to cover expenses and the policyholder liability for the Protect America’s Future Cornhusker product. However, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”),GAAP, incremental direct costs that result directly from and are essential to a life insurance company acquisition transaction and would not have been incurred by us had the transaction not occurred, are capitalized and amortized over the life of the premiums produced.
Our operating results are reported in accordancewith GAAP for stock life companies; although American Life will also prepareprepares financial statements in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by its state of domicile (statutory basis of accounting) for the purpose of reporting to insurance regulatory authorities. The statutory basis of accounting has many significant differences to GAAP. For example, the incremental direct costs for acquiring new business, which are capitalized under GAAP, as discussed in the preceding paragraph, are expensed immediately under the statutory basis of accounting. In addition, under GAAP, assumptions used in calculating reserves are less conservative than those used under the statutory basis, thereby further reducing adverse effects on operating results.
Administration
We commenced ourthird party administration ("TPA"administrative (“TPA”) services in 2012 by first offering theas an additional revenue source. These services were offered to our life insurance subsidiariesAmerican Life through February 28, 2017, and otherto non-consolidated entities. These agreements, for various levels of administrative services on behalf of each company, generate fee income for us. Services provided to each company vary based on their needs and can include some or all aspects of back-office accounting and policy administration. We have been able to perform our TPA services using our existing in-house resources. Management does not expect such service to be a significant source of future revenue.
Investments
The type and amount of investments which can be made by a life insurance company are specifically controlled by applicable state statutes and rules and regulations of the respective state departments of insurance. American Life has adopted investment policies in compliance with the insurance laws of the State of Nebraska.
As an unseasoned company ages, investment income will increase as a percent of total income due to investment of policy reserves; therefore, it is critical that an insurer invests its assets conservatively to ensure that investment income can become a significant component of total revenue. Accordingly, American Life has developed a conservative investment policy in an effort to minimize investment risk. Our investments are managed by our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), who has over 30 years of portfolio management experience. He consults with a number of investment bankers and traders in the management of our portfolio. Trades are cleared through a common broker after competitive bids are solicited.
Reinsurance
American Life reinsures with other companies (reinsurers) portions of the life insurance risks it underwrites. The primary purpose of reinsurance is to allow a company to reduce the amount of its risk on any particular policy by transferring a portion of the risk to the reinsurers. However, American Life remains contingently liable for the risk in the event any reinsurer is not able to meet its obligations under the applicable reinsurance agreements. Further, when life insurance risks are ceded to another insurer, the ceding company must pay a reinsurance premium to the reinsurance company as consideration for the risk being transferred. The payment of this reinsurance premium to the reinsurer represents a reduction of the premium revenue received by American Life. This reduction in premium income has a direct impact on the profitability of the ceding company. The types of reinsurance treaties utilized are yearly renewable term based. As such,based and indemnity coinsurance. For the yearly renewable term, we pay the assuming carrier an annual premium based upon “term life” rates which are typically lower than those we charge. The indemnity coinsurance reinsurer receives 100% of the premiums and benefits.
The average face amount of all of our life insurance policies in force is approximately $34,000, with the American Accumulator averaging $63,000,$62,000, Protect America’s Future Cornhusker Plan averaging $9,000, the Accelerator averaging $81,000, the AmericanProtector averaging $10,000, the Accumulator X averaging $79,000,$77,000, and death benefit policies acquired averaging $9,000. With respect to the new policies written, American Life retains $40,000 of risk on any one life. As of December 31, 2016,2017, approximately 22%36% of our gross outstanding life insurance policies in force are reinsured with third parties. Overall, ceded premium represents approximately $11.34$14.00 of premium per year for each $1,000 of gross life insurance in force. All accidental death benefits are reinsured.
Reserves
American Life establishes as liabilities actuarially computed reserves to meet the obligations on the policies it writes, in accordance with the insurance laws and the regulations of Nebraska, for statutory accounting and GAAP. Reserves, whether calculated under statutory accounting practices prescribed by various state insurance regulators or GAAP, do not represent an exact calculation of exposure, but instead represent our best estimates based on the relevant basis of accounting, generally involving actuarial projections, of what we expect claims will be based on mortality assumptions. The various actuarial factors are determined from mortality tables and interest rates in effect when the policies are issued and are applied against policy in force amounts. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) has proposedadopted reserve rules to be used for Statutory Accounting purposesAccounting. As of January 31, 2017, 46 states adopted the revised model laws. The new method, referred to as Principle-Based Reserving (“PBR”) replaces the current formula approach on determining policy reserves to an approach that are based solelyreflects the risk of highly complex products. American Life did not report life insurance reserves on company experience. However, these proposeda PBR basis at December 31, 2017 and is deferring to implement under the transitional rules must be adopted by a majoritystated in Section II of states before implementation.the Valuation Manual until January 1, 2020 for new policies written. We have not yet performed an analysis to determine the effects ofeffect these rules. All of our reserves are established in conjunction with and certified annually by an independent actuary.new rules may have on us.
Competition
The life insurance industry is fiercely competitive. Many of the life insurance companies authorized to do business in states that we conduct business in are well-established companies with good reputations, offer a broader line of insurance products, have larger selling organizations, and possessing significantly greater financial resources than Midwest and American Life. American Life is not rated by industry analysts and likely will not be rated for the foreseeable future. This has a negative impact on the ability of American Life to compete with rated insurance companies.
There is also considerable competition among insurance companies in obtaining qualified sales agents, which might require American Life to pay higher commissions to attract such agents. We feel that we are uniquely positioned to serve our client base – primarily rural areas of the Midwest where competition from large companies is less intense due to geographic and economic constraints.
Possible AcquisitionsTable of Other CompaniesContents
We may acquire one or more life insurance or insurance-related companies in the future. Our acquisition strategy, should this avenue continue to be pursued, will be to identify one or more established insurance companies which have developed viable marketing networks for their products and which are or could be managed from our Lincoln, Nebraska administrative office. In selecting target insurance companies that constitute suitable acquisition candidates, we will consider factors including, but not limited to, the target company’s financial statements and operating history (including surplus adequacy and underwriting standards); the price and features of insurance products sold and the markets serviced; the competency and loyalty of its agents; certain income tax considerations; and the purchase price.
The primary reasons we may acquire an existing life insurance company or insurance-related company are: (i) administrative, accounting and data processing systems that would allow us to expand; (ii) to provide additional revenue streams to us through additional marketing expansion or ancillary services; and (iii) to provide additional profits through more effective cost management of an existing company as many companies within the insurance industry have excessive administrative cost levels relative to premium income.
Certain Relationships and Affiliations
The Company and certain of our directors and officers have current or past relationships and affiliations with businesses that operate, once operated, or plan to operate in the life insurance industry and that have conducted public and private stock offerings in connection with their operations. Additional information on these relationships and affiliations, organized by company, is as follows:
Pacific Northwest:Pacific Northwest was incorporated in Idaho in October 2010 with the purpose of organizing a life insurance subsidiary in that state. Pacific Northwest is a dormant company with an insignificant amount of assets. There is no plan at this time to raise more capital or pursue forming a life insurance subsidiary. We own approximately24.7% 24.7%, or 850,000 shares, of Pacific Northwest common stock. Mark A. Oliver, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Midwest, is Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of Pacific Northwest and owns 100,000 shares of capital stock of Pacific Northwest. Todd C. Boeve, an officer of Midwest, is Secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of Pacific Northwest and owns 25,000 shares of capital stock of Pacific Northwest. Pacific Northwest is a dormant company with an insignificant amount ofassets. There is no plan at this time to raise more capital or pursue forming a life insurance subsidiary.
New Mexico Capital:New Mexico Capital was incorporated in New Mexico in November 2010 with the purpose of organizing a life insurance subsidiary in that state. New Mexico Capital is a dormant company with an insignificant amount of assets. There is no plan at this time to raise more capital or pursue forming a life insurance subsidiary. Midwest owns 500,000 shares or approximately 11.5% of New Mexico Capital. Mark A. Oliver, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Midwest, is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of New Mexico Capital and owns 186,667 shares of its common stock or 4.3% of the outstanding common shares. Other of Midwest’s present and former officers and directors also own 391,667381,667 shares of common stock of New Mexico Capital, or 9.0% of the outstanding shares. New Mexico Capital is a development stage company that has not conducted operations apart from raising capital. It needs to raise significant capital before it may seek to form a life insurance subsidiary.
Regulation
American Life is subject to the regulation and supervision of the insurance regulatory authorities of Nebraska, and other state insurance regulators where it is licensed to do business. Such regulation is primarily for the benefit of policyholders rather than shareholders. These regulators possess broad administrative powers, including the power to grant and revoke licenses to transact business, to approve the form of insurance contracts, to regulate capital requirements, to regulate the character of permitted investments, and to require deposits for the protection of investments. These insurance laws require the filing of a detailed annual report with the department of insurance in each state, as do other states’ laws. The business and financial accounts of American Life are subject to examination by the Nebraska Department ofInsurance,, as well as insurance departments of any other states in which we may do business.
As the holder of a controlling interest in American Life, we are also subject to regulation as an insurance holding company system under the insurance laws of the state of Nebraska. The provisions of these laws generally provide for restrictions on a change in control of the insurance holding company, requires the filing of certain reports with the relevant department of insurance, and limits the amount of dividends which may be received by the holding company.
On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) became law. The Dodd-Frank Act reshapes financial regulations in the United States by creating new regulators, regulating new markets and firms, and providing new enforcement powers to regulators. Virtually all major areas of the Dodd-Frank Act will be subject to regulatory interpretation and implementation rules requiring rulemaking that may take several years to complete. Although the ultimate outcome of the regulatory rulemaking proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder will have a material impact on our consolidated financial results or financial condition.
Employees and Agents
As of December 31, 2016,2017, we had 1920 full-time employees as well as approximately 9079 insurance agents who operate as independent contractors.
MARKET FOR MIDWEST’S COMMON STOCK
Market Information
Our voting common stock became eligible for trading on the OTCQB in mid-2016 where it trades under the ticker symbol: MDWT. At December 31, 2016, there were approximately 11,900 shareholders of record of our common stock.
Dividends
We have not paid cash dividends on our voting common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Instead, we intend to retain any future earnings for reinvestment in our business. Any future determination to pay cash dividends on our voting common stock will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.
The stated annual dividend on the Class B preferred shares is 7% which commenced in 2015. The Board of Directors approved the payment of dividends of $43,120 and $56,057 during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
We face many significant risks in the operating of our business and may face significant unforeseen risks as well. An investment in our voting common stock should be considered speculative. Our significant material risks are set forth below.
Ownership of shares of Midwest voting common stock involves substantial risk,Our financial statements are presently unaudited and the entire value of those shares may be lost.subject to material audit adjustments.
SharesWe have not been able to obtain and assimilate all information required to complete the required independent audit of our voting common stock constitute a high-risk investmentfinancial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Hence our financial statements set forth in a developing business that has incurred substantial losses to-dateItem 8 of this Report on Form 10-K are unaudited. As we undertake and expects to continue to incur substantial losses for several years. No assurance or guaranty cancomplete the audit process, certain adjustments may be given that any of the potential benefits envisioned by our business plan will proverequired to be available to our shareholders, nor can any assurance or guaranty be given as to the actual amount of financial return, if any,made which may result from ownership of our voting common shares.The entire value of your shares of Midwest voting common stock may be lost.
We expect significant operating losses for a number of years.
We commenced life insurance operations in 2009, and we expect to incur significant losses for a number of years. American Life, as is common among unseasoned life insurance companies, likely will incur significant losses for a number of years because the costs of administration and the substantial nonrecurring costs of writing new life insurance. The costs of writing new business, which are deferred and amortized in accordance with our deferred acquisition policy, include first year commissions payable to insurance agents, medical and investigation expenses, and other expenses incidentalmaterial changes to the issuance of new policies, together with the initial reserves required to be established for each policy. We have a significant accumulated deficit attributable primarily to our organization and capital raising efforts and to our expensive entry into the life insurance business.
Capital constraints prevented us from writing any significant amounts of new life insurance business in 2016 and 2015, which adversely affects our future prospects for profitability.
At present, we do not have sufficient capital and surplus for American Life in order for it to seek to sell a significant amount of new life insurance products. Our new life insurance product sales were limited in 2015 and in 2016. As a result, our agency force hasbeen depleted. We intend to commence marketing efforts in 2017 and have begun to recruit new agents, which is an expensive and time consuming process. We cannot assure that in the event we are able to alleviate our capital constraints, we will be successful in retaining agents who are successful in selling significant new insurance policies for American Life in a cost efficient manner for us. A continued lack of new insurance policy sales will have a negative long-term impact on our revenues, results of operations and financial viability.
Midwest is a holding company and has no ability to generate revenues other than payments from American Life, which are presently not adequate to fund the operations of Midwest.
Midwest is a holding company whose only operating subsidiary is American Life. Midwest depends on reimbursement of costs from American Life but has no other source of revenue from American Life, particularly at this time, since American Life has limitedcapital as well. These payments are not adequate to cover the costs of Midwest’s operations. Lack of available funds of Midwest could restrict its operations significantly and without additional capital, Midwest could be forced to curtail its operations significantly. This would likely have an adverse effect on Midwest and itsliquidity and financialresults.
We intend to raise additional equity capital which will likely dilute the ownership interests of our existing shareholders.
In order to fund the capital and surplus required for American Life and to seek to grow assets and revenue to support our business plan, we plan to seek to raise additional capital, which we envision will sought to be raised through the issuance of additional shares of our voting common stockand/or preferred stock which would be convertible into voting common stock. If additional shares are issued, the ownership interests of existing shareholders will be diluted. We cannot assure we will obtain additional equity capital, or if any capital is raised, it will be on terms beneficial to our shareholders or to us.
We have alimited operating historyand amount of assets.
We have alimited operating history and have incurred substantial losses every year since we were organized. We face all of the risks inherent in establishing an unseasoned business, including limited capital, uncertain product markets, lack of significant revenues, as well as fierce competition from better capitalized and more seasoned companies. We have no control over general economic conditions, competitors’ products or their pricing, customer demand and costs of marketing or advertising to build and expand our life insurance business. There can be no assurance that our life insurance operations will be successful or result in any significant revenues to the extent that we achieve profits and, the likelihood of any success must be considered in light significant operating losses incurred to date and lack of capital to pursue expansion and significant policy sales. These risks and the lack of a seasoned operating history make it difficult to predict our future revenues or results of operations. As a result, our financial results may fluctuate and fall below expectations. This could cause the value of our voting common stock to decline.
We may not be able to execute an acquisition strategy with any degree of success, which could cause our business and future growth prospects to suffer.
We intend to continue to pursue acquisitions of insurance related companies. However, suitable acquisition candidates may not be available on terms and conditions that are economic to us, particularly with our limited capital resources. In pursuing acquisitions, we will compete with other companies, most of which have greater financial and other resources than us. Further, if we succeed in consummating acquisitions, our business, financial conditionposition and results of operations may be negatively affected because:
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Our insurance marketing efforts may fail to achieve their proposed business plan.
American Life markets its insurance products through the services of licensed insurance agents. New agents are recruited through a staffing agency, referrals from shareholders, newspaper advertisements, and solicitation through use of on-line job sites. Most of these agents do not become successful life insurance agents. Our agency force may not be successfulpresented in generating any significant insurance policy sales on cost efficient terms for us.
Also, insurance products have been marketed by us using a face-to-face, referral based marketing concept. Historically our insurance agents have used our shareholder base and their referrals as potential clients for our life insurance products. We cannot predict how marketing efforts will succeed when our agents conduct general public solicitation regarding insurance products.
It should be expected that many of our agents will have little or no prior insurance selling experience and, accordingly, this lack of experience may have a negative impact on the amount of premium volume we write. The extent of this negative impact on the premium volume written will depend primarily on our ability to timely and adequately train agents to sell insurance products and the effectiveness of the face-to-face marketing concept used by us.
Table of Contentsunaudited financial statements included herein.
American Life may fail as a result of being inadequately capitalized.
American Life must have adequate capital and surplus capital, calculated in accordance with statutory accounting principles prescribed by state insurance regulatory authorities to meet regulatory requirements in Nebraska. American Life was granted a certificate of authority by the Nebraska Department of Insurance based on initial capital and surplus (based upon statutory accounting principles) of approximately $3.5 million to American Life; as a result,$3.5. American Life had approximately $3.8$3.0 million of capital and surplus (based upon statutory accounting principles) at December 31, 2016.2017. The Nebraska Department of Insurance may require additional amounts of capital and surplus to support the business of American Life going forward. The amount of capital and surplus ultimately required will be based on certain “risk-based capital” standards established by statute and regulation and administered by the Nebraska Department of Insurance. The “risk-based capital” system establishes a framework for evaluating the adequacy of the minimum amount of capital and surplus, calculated in accordance with statutory accounting principles, necessary for an insurance company to support its overall business operations. It identifies insurers that may be inadequately capitalized by reviewing certain inherent risks of each insurer’s assets and liabilities and its mix of net premiums written. Insurers falling below a calculated threshold may be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action, including supervision, rehabilitation, or liquidation. If American Life fails to maintain required capital levels, in accordance with the “risk-based capital” system, its ability to conduct business would be compromised and our ability to seek to expand our insurance business would be significantly reduced absent a prompt infusion of capital into American Life.
Ownership of shares of Midwest voting common stock involves substantial risk, and the entire value of those shares may be lost.
Shares of our voting common stock constitute a high-risk investment in a business that has incurred substantial losses to-date and expects to continue to incur substantial losses in the foreseeable future. No assurance can be given that any of the potential benefits envisioned by our business plan will prove to be available to our shareholders, nor can any assurance be given as to the financial return, if any, which may result from ownership of our voting common shares.The entire value of your shares of Midwest voting common stock may be lost.
We expect significant operating losses in the foreseeable future.
We commenced life insurance operations in 2009, and we expect to incur significant losses in the foreseeable future. American Life, as is common among unseasoned life insurance companies, has incurred significant losses since its inception because the costs of administration and the substantial nonrecurring costs of writing new life insurance. The costs of writing new business, which are deferred and amortized in accordance with our deferred acquisition policy, include first year commissions payable to insurance agents, medical and investigation expenses, and other expenses incidental to the issuance of new policies, together with the initial reserves required to be established for each policy. We have a significant accumulated deficit attributable primarily to our organization and capital raising efforts and to our expensive entry into the life insurance business.
Capital constraints prevented us from writing any significant amounts of new life insurance business in 2016 and 2017, which adversely affects our future prospects for profitability.
At present, we do not have sufficient capital and surplus in American Life for it to sell a significant amount of new life insurance products. Our new life insurance product sales were limited in 2016 and in 2017. As a result, our agency force has been depleted. We cannot assure that in the event we are able to alleviate our capital constraints, we will be successful in attracting or retaining agents who are successful in selling significant new insurance policies for American Life in a cost efficient manner. A continued lack of new insurance policy sales will have a negative long-term impact on our revenues, results of operations and financial viability.
Midwest is a holding company and has no ability to generate revenues other than payments from American Life, which are presently not adequate to fund the operations of Midwest.
Midwest is a holding company whose only operating subsidiary is American Life. Midwest depends on reimbursement of costs from American Life but has no other source of revenue from American Life, particularly at this time, since American Life has limited capital as well. These payments are not adequate to cover the costs of Midwest’s operations. Lack of available funds of Midwest could restrict its operations significantly and without additional capital, Midwest could be forced to curtail its operations even further. This would likely have an adverse effect on Midwest and its liquidity and financial results.
We intend to seek to raise additional equity capital which will likely dilute the ownership interests of our existing shareholders very substantially.
In order to fund the capital and surplus required for American Life and to grow assets and revenue to support our business plan, we intend to seek to raise additional capital, which we believe will sought to be raised through the issuance of additional shares of our voting common stock and/or preferred stock which would be convertible into voting common stock. If additional shares are issued, the ownership interests of existing shareholders will be diluted very substantially. We cannot assure you that we can obtain additional equity capital, or if any capital is raised, it will be on terms beneficial to our shareholders or to us. Unless we are able to successfully obtain significant additional equity capital, our ability to continue as a going concern will be in substantial jeopardy.
We have a limited operating history and amount of assets.
We have a limited operating history and have incurred substantial losses every year since we were organized. We continue to face all of the risks inherent in establishing an unseasoned business, including limited capital, uncertain product markets, lack of significant revenues, as well as fierce competition from better capitalized and more seasoned companies. We have no control over general economic conditions, competitors’ products or their pricing, customer demand and limited control over necessary costs of marketing and advertising to build and expand our life insurance business. There can be no assurance that our life insurance operations will be successful or result in any significant revenues to the extent that we achieve profits and, the likelihood of any success must be considered in light of very significant operating losses incurred to date and lack of capital to pursue significant expansion and policy sales. These risks and the lack of a seasoned operating history make it difficult to predict our future revenues or results of operations. This could cause the value of our voting common stock to decline or become worthless.
We may not be able to execute an acquisition strategy with any degree of success, which could cause our business and future growth prospects to suffer.
We may continue to pursue acquisitions of insurance related companies. However, suitable acquisition candidates may not be available on terms and conditions that are economic to us, particularly with our limited capital resources. In pursuing acquisitions, we will compete with other companies, most of which have greater financial and other resources than us. Further, if we succeed in consummating acquisitions, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be negatively affected because:
| ● | Some of the acquired businesses may not achieve anticipated revenues, earnings or cash flows; |
| ● | We may assume liabilities that were not disclosed or exceed estimates; |
| ● | We may be unable to integrate acquired businesses successfully and realize anticipated economic, operational and other benefits in a timely manner; |
| ● | Acquisitions could disrupt our on-going business, distract our management and divert our financial and human resources; |
| ● | We may experience difficulties operating in markets in which we have no or only limited direct experience; and |
| ● | There is the potential for loss of customers and key employees of any acquired company. |
Our insurance marketing efforts have not been successful.
American Life has marketed its insurance products through the services of licensed insurance agents. New agents are recruited through a staffing agency, referrals from shareholders, newspaper advertisements, and solicitation through use of on-line job sites. Most of these agents do not become successful life insurance agents. Our agency force has not been successful in generating significant insurance policy sales on cost efficient terms for us. Many of our agents have little or no prior insurance selling experience and, accordingly, this lack of experience has had a negative impact on the amount of premium volume we have written.
Also, insurance products have been marketed by us using a face-to-face, referral based marketing concept. Historically our insurance agents have used our shareholder base and their referrals as potential clients for our life insurance products. Our marketing efforts have not generally been successful when our agents conducted general public solicitation regarding insurance products.
The insurance industry is subject to numerous laws and regulations, and compliance costs and/or changes in the regulatory environment could adversely affect our business.
Our insurance operations are subject to government regulation in each of the states in which we conduct business. Such regulatory authority is vested in state agencies having broad administrative power dealing with all aspects of the insurance business, including premium rates, policy forms, and capital adequacy, and is concerned primarily with the protection of policyholders rather than shareholders. During the past several years, increased scrutiny has been placed upon the insurance regulatory framework, and certain state legislatures have considered or enacted laws that alter, and in many cases increase, state authority to regulate insurance companies and insurance holding companysystems. The NAIC and state insurance regulators reexamine existing laws and regulations on an ongoing basis, and focus on insurance company investments and solvency issues, risk-based capital guidelines, interpretations of existing laws, the development of new laws, the implementation of non-statutory guidelines and the circumstances under which dividends may be paid. Future NAIC initiatives, and other regulatory changes, could have a material adverse impact on our insurance business. There can be no assurance that American Life will be able to satisfy the regulatory requirements of the Nebraska Department of Insurance or a similar department in any other state in which it may wish to transact business.
Individual state guaranty associations assess insurance companies to pay benefits to policyholders of insolvent or failed insurance companies. The impact of such assessments may be partly offset by credits against future state premium taxes. We cannot predict the amount of any future assessments, nor have we attempted to estimate the amount of assessments to be made from known insolvencies.
On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law financial regulatory reform legislation, known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act reshapes financial regulations in the United States by creating new regulators, regulating new markets and firms, and providing new enforcement powers to regulators. Virtually all major areas of the Dodd-Frank Act will be subject to regulatory interpretation and implementation rules requiring rulemaking that may take several years to complete.
Impairment or negative performance of other financial institutions could adversely affect us
We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry. The operations of U.S. and global financial services institutions are interconnected and a decline in the financial condition of one or more financial services institutions may expose us to credit losses or defaults, limit our access to liquidity or otherwise disrupt our business operations.
We operate in a highly competitive industry, and our business will suffer if we are unable to compete effectively.
The operating results of life insurance companies are subject to significant fluctuations due to competition, economic conditions, interest rates, investment performance, maintenance of insurance ratings from rating agencies such as A.M. Best and other factors. The life insurance business is fiercely competitive. Our ability to compete with other insurance companies is dependent upon, among other things, our ability to attract and retain agents to market insurance products, our ability to develop competitive and profitable products and our ability to obtain acceptable ratings. In connection with the development and sale of products, American Life encounters competition from other insurance companies, most of whom have financial and human resources substantially greater than American Life’s, as well as competition from other investment alternatives available to potential policyholders. We do not anticipate that American Life will beis not rated, by industry analysts for several years. This will likely havewhich has a negative impact on its ability to compete with rated insurance companies.
American Life competes with up to 800 other life insurance companies in the United States. Most life insurance companies have greater financial resources, longer business histories, and more diversified lines of insurance coverage than American Life. These larger companies also generally have large sales forces. We also face competition from direct mail and email sales campaigns.
We are highly dependent upon our Chief Executive Officer, and the loss this officer could materially and adversely affect our business.
Our ability to operate successfully is dependent primarily upon the efforts of Mark A. Oliver, our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Executive Officer of American Life. The loss of the services of Mr. Oliver could have a material adverse effect on our ability to executepursue our business plan.and the business of American Life. The Company has executed an employment agreement with Mr. Oliver with a term ending ofin 2019.
Development of life insurance products involves the use of certain assumptions, and the inaccuracy of these assumptions could adversely affect profitability.
In our life insurance business, we must make certain assumptions as to expected mortality, lapse rates and other factors in developing the pricing and other terms of life insurance products. These assumptions are based on industry experience and are reviewed and revised regularly to reflect actual experience on a current basis. However, variation of actual experience from that assumed in developing such terms may affect a product’s profitability or sales volume and in turn adversely impact our revenues.
If we underestimate our liability for future policy benefits, our results of operations could suffer.
Liabilities established for future life insurance policy benefits are based upon a number of factors, including certain assumptions, such as mortality, morbidity, lapse rates and crediting rates. If we underestimate future policy benefits, we would incur additional expenses at the time we become aware of the inadequacy. As a result, our losses would increase and our ability to achieve profits would suffer.
Fluctuations in interest rates could adversely affect our business and profitability.business.
Interest rate fluctuations could impair an insurance company’s ability to pay policyholder benefits with operating and investment cash flows, cash on hand and other cash sources. Our annuity product exposes us to the risk that changes in interest rates will reduce any spread, or the difference between the amounts that American Life is required to pay under the contracts and the amounts American Life is able to earn on its investments intended to support its obligations under the contracts. Spread is a key component of revenues.
To the extent that interest rates credited are less than those generally available in the marketplace, policyholder lapses, policy loans and surrenders, and withdrawals of life insurance policies and annuity contracts may increase as contract holders seek to purchase products with perceived higher returns. This process may result in cash outflows requiring that American Life sell investments at a time when the prices of those investments are adversely affected by the increase in market interest rates, which may result in realized investment losses.
Increases in market interest rates may also negatively affect profitability. In periods of increasing interest rates, we may not be able to replace invested assets with higher yielding assets needed to fund the higher crediting rates that may be necessary to keep interest sensitive products competitive. American Life therefore may have to accept a lower spread and thus lower profitability or face a decline in sales and greater loss of existing contracts.
Our investments are subject to risks of default and reductions in market values.
We are subject to credit risk in our investment portfolio. Defaults by third parties in the payment or performance of their obligations under these securities, bankruptcy filings and other events could reduce our investment income and realized investment gains or result in the recognition of investment losses and restrict our access to cash and investments. The value of our investments may be materially adversely affected by increases in interest rates, downgrades in bonds included in our portfolio, financial market performance, general economic conditions, and by other factors that may result in the recognition of other-than-temporary impairments. Each of these events may cause us to reduce the carrying value of our investment portfolio and may adversely affect our results of operations.
Reinsurers with which we do business may not honor their obligations, leaving us liable for the reinsured coverage, and our reinsurers could increase their premium rates.
American Life cedes a substantial amount of its insurance to other insurance companies. However, it remains liable with respect to ceded insurance should any reinsurer fail to meet the obligations assumed by the reinsurer. The cost of reinsurance is, in some cases, reflected in its premium rates. Under certain reinsurance agreements, the reinsurer may increase the rate it charges American Life for the reinsurance. However, if the cost of reinsurance were to increase with respect to policies for whichAmerican Life has guaranteed the rates, the costs to American Life would increase could be adversely affected, which would in turn adversely affect our profitability.results of operations.
Changes in the tax laws could adversely affect our business.
Congress has from time to time considered possible legislation that would eliminate the deferral of taxation on the accretion of value within certain annuities and life insurance products. This and similar legislation, including a simplified “flat tax” income tax structure with an exemption from taxation for investment income, could adversely affect the sale of life insurance compared with other financial products if such legislation were to be enacted. There can be no assurance as to whether such legislation will be enacted or, if enacted, whether such legislation would contain provisions with possible adverse effects on any annuity and life insurance products that we and our operatingsubsidiary develop.
Table of Contents develops.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, income taxes payable by policyholders on investment earnings is deferred during the accumulation period of certain life insurance and annuity products. This favorable tax treatment may give certain insurance products a competitive advantage over other non-insurance products. To the extent that the Internal Revenue Code may be revised to reduce the tax-deferred status of life insurance and annuity products, or to increase the tax-deferred status of competing products, all life insurance companies, including those owned by us, would be adversely affected with respect to their ability to sell products. Also, depending on grandfathering provisions, the surrenders of existing annuity contracts and life insurance policies might increase. In addition, life insurance products are often used to fund estate tax obligations. We cannot predict what future tax initiatives may be proposed with respect to the estate tax or other taxes which may adversely affect us.
We do not intend to declare cash dividends on shares of our common stock for the foreseeable future.
We have never paid a cash dividend on our voting common stock and we do not anticipate paying dividends for the foreseeable future. We intend to retain available funds to be used for operations. Future dividend policy will depend on earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other relevant factors. Moreover, we are a holding company without independent operations and generate limited cash flow from our operations.
Because we do not intend to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future, shareholders will benefit from an investment in Midwest voting common stock only if the stock appreciates in value.
Because we do not expect to pay any cash dividends on our voting common stock for the foreseeable future, the success of any investment in our voting common stock will depend upon any future appreciation in our value. We cannot assure that our voting common stock will appreciate in value or even achieve or maintain a value equal to the price at which shares were purchased, particularly since we expect to incur losses.
Policy lapses in excess of those actuarially anticipated would have a negative impact on our financial performance.
Our profitability would likely be reduced if our lapse and surrender rates were to exceed the assumptions upon which we priced our insurance policies. Policy sales costs are deferred and recognized over the life of a policy. Excess policy lapses, however, cause the immediate expensing or amortizing of deferred policy sales costs.
The insurance industry is highly regulated and our activities are restricted as a result. We expendspend substantial amounts of time and incur significant expenses in connection with complying with applicable regulations, and we are subject to the risk that more burdensome regulations could be imposed on us.
Compliance with insurance regulation by us is costly and time consuming. Insurance companies in the U.S. are subject to extensive regulation in the states where they do business. This regulation primarily protects policyholders rather than stockholders. The regulations require:
| ● | prior approval of acquisitions of insurance companies; |
| ● | certain solvency standards; licensing of insurers and their agents; |
| ● | investment limitations; |
| ● | deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders; |
| ● | approval of policy forms and premium rates; |
| ● | periodic examinations; and |
| ● | reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other matters. |
American Life is subject to this regulation in each state in the U.S. in which it is licensed to do business. This regulation involves significant costs and restricts operations. We cannot predict the form of any future regulatory initiatives.
In addition, as the owner of a life insurance subsidiary, Midwest is regulated by various state insurance regulatory agencies under the uniform insurance holding company act. Certain "extraordinary" intercorporate transfers of assets and dividend payments from American Life require prior approval by the applicable state insurance regulator. We also file detailed annual reports with theNebraska Department of Insurance and all of the states in which we are licensed. The business and accounts ofAmerican Life are subject to examination by theNebraska Department of Insurance, as well as inquiries and follow up, including investigations of the various insurance regulatory authorities of the states in whichAmerican Life is licensed.
There are a substantial numberTable of shares of Midwest common stock eligible for future sale in the public market. The sale of a large number of these shares could cause the market price of our common stock to fall.Contents
There were 22,558,956 shares of our voting common stock outstanding as ofMarch 28, 2017. As of that date, nearly all outstanding shares may be sold without restriction. Sale of a substantial number of these shares would likely have a significant negative effect on the market price of our voting common stock, particularly if the sales are made over a short period of time. If our shareholders sell a large number of shares of our voting common stock, the market price of shares of our voting common stock could decline significantly.
Breaches of security or interference with our technology infrastructure could harm our business
Our business is reliant upon technology systems and networks to process, transmit and store information and to conduct many of our business activities and transactions. Maintaining the integrity of our systems and networks is critical to the success of our business operations and to the protection of our proprietary information and our clients' personal information. Any such breaches or interference that may in the future occur could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Moreover, any unauthorized access to or the disclosure or loss of our proprietary information or our clients' personal information may result in legal claims, damage to reputation, the incurrence of costs to eliminate or mitigate further exposure, or other damage to our business. Despite measures taken to address and mitigate these risks, we cannot assure that our systems and networks will not be subject to breaches or interference. We maintain insurance for Data Breach covering the cost of any such breach.
There are a substantial number of shares of Midwest common stock eligible for future sale in the public market.
There were 22,860,701 shares of our voting common stock outstanding as of April 16, 2018. As of that date, nearly all outstanding shares may be sold without restriction. The potential sale of these shares, called market overhang, likely has a significant negative and depressive effect on the market price of our voting common stock, particularly given the lack of demand for our stock.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.
We currently lease approximately 13,00710,131 square feet office space at 2900 South 70th Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506. This lease was executed October 17, 2013 and expires on January 31, 2024. We executed an amendment to the above lease for the additional 2,876 square feet of office space in Suite 450 on October 23, 2015, which will expireexpired on May 31, 2017, which we do not plan to renew.2017.
We are involved in litigation incidental to our operations from time to time. We are not presently a party to any legal proceedings other than litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business, and we are not aware of any claims that could materially affect our financial position or results of operations.
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.
Market Information
Our voting common stock began trading on the OTCQB as of mid-2016 where it trades under the ticker symbol: MDWT. SharesOur shares do not actively trade. Bid and ask information by quarter is shown below:
As of March 28, 2017,April 16, 2018, we had issued and outstanding 22,558,95622,860,701 shares of our voting common stock, 74,159 shares of Class A preferred non-voting stock, and 102,669 shares of Class B preferred non-voting stock.common. No other equity securities of the Company are outstanding.
The following table shows the high and low bid prices of our voting common stock as reported by the OTCQB. This reported information does not constitute an established trading market and does not necessarily reflect actual transactions. Any trading in our voting common stock has been volatile and sporadic.
| Bid Price | ||||||||
| Period | Year | High | Low | |||||
| Third Quarter | 2016 | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.20 | |||
| Fourth Quarter | 2016 | 0.35 | 0.25 | |||||
| First Quarter | 2017 | 0.36 | 0.20 | |||||
| Second Quarter | 2017 | 0.37 | 0.081 | |||||
| Third Quarter | 2017 | 0.10 | 0.06 | |||||
| Fourth Quarter | 2017 | 0.10 | 0.0619 | |||||
| First Quarter | 2018 | 0.08 | 0.02 | |||||
Holders of Record
As ofMarch 28, 2017,April 16, 2018, there were approximately 11,90011,920 holders of record of our voting common stock.
Dividends
We have not paid cash dividends on our voting common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Instead, we intend to retain any future earnings for reinvestment in our business.
The stated annual dividend rate on our Class B preferred shares was 7%, which commenced in 2015. Dividends of $30,544 and $43,120 were paid during 2017 and 2016, respectively. On June 15, 2017, the Class B preferred shares is7%, which commenced in 2015. Dividends of $43,120 and $56,057 were paid during 2016 and 2015, respectively.converted to voting common shares by the Company. No further dividends are required to be paid.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Underunder Equity Compensation Plans
We have not established any equity compensation plans or granted any equity awards under such plans. As a result, there are no securities authorized for issuance under such plans.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
As a “smallersmaller reporting company,” we are not required to provide disclosure pursuant to this Item.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
We have not been able to obtain and assimilate all information required to complete the required independent audit of our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Hence our financial statements set forth in Item 8 of this Report are unaudited. As we undertake and complete the audit process, certain adjustments may be required which may result in material changes to our financial position, results of operations and the discussion and analysis presented below.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Except for certain historical information contained herein, this report contains certain statements that may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such statements are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including without limitation: any projections of revenues, earnings, cash flows, capital expenditures, or other financial items; any statement of plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed acquisition plans, new services, or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; and any statements of belief and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “believe,” “may,” “could,” “expects,” “hopes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” and “likely,” and variations of these words, or similar expressions, terms, or phrases, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, assumptions, and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, which could cause future events and actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors,Factors.” along with any supplements in Part II below.
All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The CompanyWe expressly disclaimsdisclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’sour expectations with regard thereto or any change in the events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Overview
We were formed on October 31, 2003 for the primary purpose of becoming a financial services company. We presently conduct our business through our sole life insurance subsidiary, American Life & Security Corp. (“American Life”). In 2009, American Life was issued a certificate of authority to conduct life insurance business in Nebraska. For the years ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, we generated approximately $3.5$3.0 million and $3.4$3.5 million in premium revenue, respectively.
We have incurred losses since inception that resulted primarily from costs incurred while raising capital and establishing and operating American Life and other entities. We expect to continue to incur operating losses until American Life achieves a volume of in-force life insurance policies that provides premiums that are sufficient to cover our operating expenses.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States of America. Preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. The following is a summary of our significant accounting policies and estimates. These accounting policies inherently require significant judgment and assumptions and actual operating results could differ significantly from management’s estimates determined using these policies. We believe the following accounting policies, judgments and estimates are the most critical to the understanding of our results of operations and financial position. A detailed discussion of significant accounting policies is provided in this report in Note 1 — Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Report.
Valuation of Investments
Our principal investments are in fixed maturities. Fixed maturities, which are classified as available for sale,available-for-sale, are carried at their fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, with unrealized gains or losses recorded in comprehensive income (loss). We utilize external independent third-party pricing services to determine the fair values on investment securities available for sale.available-for-sale. We have processes, and controls in place to review prices received from service providers for reasonableness and unusual fluctuations in prices. In the event that a price is not available from a third-party pricing service, we pursue external pricing from brokers. Generally, we pursue and utilize only one broker quote per security. In doing so, we solicit only brokers which have previously demonstrated knowledge and experience of the subject security.
Additionally, we have minor investments in development stage entities. These equity securities approximate carrying value and are invested in privately-held, development stage holding companies. These securities have no active trading. The fair value for these securities is determined through the use of unobservable assumptions about market participants.
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We have a policy and process in place to identify securities that could potentially have an impairment that is other-than-temporary. The assessment of whether impairments have occurred is based on a case-by-case evaluation of underlying reasons for the decline in fair value. We consider severity of impairment, duration of impairment, forecasted recovery period, industry outlook, financial condition of the issuer, issuer credit ratings and whether we intend to sell a security or it is more likely than not that we would be required to sell a security prior to the recovery of the amortized cost.
The recognition of other-than-temporary impairment losses on debt securities is dependent on the facts and circumstances related to the specific security. If we intend to sell a security or it is more likely than not that we would be required to sell a security prior to recovery of the amortized cost, the difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized in the income statement as another-than-temporaryan other-than-temporary impairment. As it relates to debt securities, if we do not expect to recover the amortized basis, do not plan to sell the security and if it is not more likely than not that we would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, the recognition of the other-than- temporary impairment is bifurcated. We recognize the credit loss portion through earnings in the income statement and the noncredit loss portion in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment is determined by comparing the net present value of projected cash flows with the amortized cost basis of the debt security. The net present value is calculated by discounting our best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the fixed income security at the date of acquisition. Cash flow estimates are driven by assumptions regarding probability of default, including changes in credit ratings, and estimates regarding timing and amount of recoveries associated with a default.
Deferred Acquisition Costs
Incremental direct costs, net of amounts ceded to reinsurers, that result directly from and are essential to a life insurance contract acquisition transaction and would not have been incurred by us had the contract acquisition not occurred, are capitalized, to the extent recoverable, and amortized over the life of the life insurance premiums produced. Recoverability of deferred acquisition costs is evaluated periodically by comparing the current estimate of the present value of expected pretax future profits to the unamortized asset balance. If this current estimate is less than the existing balance, the difference is charged to expense.
Value of Business Acquired
Value of business acquired (VOBA) represents the estimated value assigned to purchased companies or insurance in force of the assumed policy obligations at the date of acquisition of a block of policies. At least annually, a review is performed of the models and the assumptions used to develop expected future profits, based upon management’s current view of future events. VOBA is reviewed on an ongoing basis to determine that the unamortized portion does not exceed the expected recoverable amounts. Management’s view primarily reflects our experience but can also reflect emerging trends within the industry. Short-term deviations in experience affect the amortization of VOBA in the period, but do not necessarily indicate that a change to the long-term assumptions of future experience is warranted. If it is determined that it is appropriate to change the assumptions related to future experience, then an unlocking adjustment is recognized for the block of business being evaluated. Certain assumptions, such as interest spreads and surrender rates, may be interrelated. As such, unlocking adjustments often reflect revisions to multiple assumptions. The VOBA balance is immediately impacted by any assumption changes, with the change reflected through the statements of comprehensive income as an unlocking adjustment in the amount of VOBA amortized. These adjustments can be positive or negative with adjustments reducing amortization limited to amounts previously deferred plus interest accrued through the date of the adjustment.
In addition, we may consider refinements in estimates due to improved capabilities resulting from administrative or actuarial system upgrades. We consider such enhancements to determine whether and to what extent they are associated with prior periods or simply improvements in the projection of future expected gross profits due to improved functionality. To the extent they represent such improvements, these items are applied to the appropriate financial statement line items in a manner similar to unlocking adjustments.
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VOBA is also reviewed on an ongoing basis to determine that the unamortized portion does not exceed the expected recoverable amounts. If it is determined from experience that the premium margins or gross profits are less than unamortized deferred acquisition costs, then the asset will be adjusted downward with the adjustment recorded as an expense in the current period.
Goodwill and Intangibles
Goodwill represents the excess of the amounts paid to acquire other businesses over the fair value of their net assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or circumstances change that would indicate that a triggering event has occurred.
The Company elected to forgo the qualitative impairment analysis and performed the first step of the goodwill quantitative analysis to determine if the fair value of the reporting unit was in excess of the carrying value. As of December 31, 2016, the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit was less than the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit therefore the Company was required to perform further testing for impairment. Management’s determination of the fair value of the reporting unit incorporated assumptions that market participants would make in valuing the reporting unit. Based upon our fair value analysis, the Company determined that the full amount of the goodwill should be written off as of December 31, 2016.
We assess the recoverability of indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually or whenever events or circumstances suggest that the carrying value of an identifiable indefinite-lived intangible asset may exceed the sum of the future discounted cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset.
We compared the carrying value of our identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets to the sum of the future discounted cash flows. As of December 31, 2016,2017, the sum of the future discounted cash flows exceeded the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets. The assumptions and estimates used to determine future values are complex and subjective. They can be affected by various factors, including external factors such as industry and economic trends, and internal factors such as changes in our business strategy and our revenue forecasts.
Reinsurance
In the normal course of business, we seek to limit aggregate and single exposure to losses on large risks by purchasing reinsurance. The amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets as reinsurance recoverable include amounts billed to reinsurers on losses paid as well as estimates of amounts expected to be recovered from reinsurers on insurance liabilities that have not yet been paid. Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses are estimated based upon assumptions consistent with those used in establishing the liabilities related to the underlying reinsured contracts. Insurance liabilities are reported gross of reinsurance recoverable. Management believes the recoverables are appropriately established. We generally strive to diversify our credit risks related to reinsurance ceded. Reinsurance premiums are generally reflected in income in a manner consistent with the recognition of premiums on the reinsured contracts. Reinsurance does not extinguish our primary liability under the policies written.
Future Policy Benefits
We establish liabilities for amounts payable under insurance policies, including traditional life insurance and annuities. Generally, amounts are payable over an extended period of time. Liabilities for future policy benefits of traditional life insurance have been computed by using a net level premium method based upon estimates at the time of issue for investment yields, mortality and withdrawals. These estimates include provisions for experience less favorable than initially expected. Mortality assumptions are based on industry experience expressed as a percentage of standard mortality tables. Such liabilities are reviewed quarterly by an independent consulting actuary.
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Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets are recorded based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates. The principal assets and liabilities giving rise to such differences are investments, insurance reserves, and deferred acquisition costs. A deferred tax asset valuation allowance is established when there is uncertainty that such assets would be realized. We have no uncertain tax positions that we believe are more-likely-than not that the benefit will not to be realized.
Recognition of Revenues
Revenues on traditional life insurance products consist of direct and assumed premiums reported as earned when due.
Amounts received as payment for annuities and/or non-traditional contracts such as interest sensitive whole life contracts, single payment endowment contracts, single payment juvenile contracts and other contracts without life contingencies are recognized as deposits to policyholder account balances and included in future insurance policy benefits. Revenues from these contracts are comprised of fees earned for administrative and contract-holder services, which are recognized over the period of the contracts, and included in revenue. Deposits are shown as a financing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
Amounts received under our multi-benefit policy form are allocated to the life insurance portion of the multi-benefit life insurance arrangement and the annuity portion based upon the signed policy.
New Accounting Standards
A discussion of new accounting standards is provided in Note 1 — Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Net Loss: Theincrease decrease in net lossin 20162017 compared to 20152016 was due to the one-time impairment of the goodwill of $1,129,824 in 2016, the loss of $420,720 on the revised valuation of Midwest'sMidwest’s equity method investment in FirstWyoming mentioned below the net loss of $185,000 as a result of the inclusion of First Wyoming Life. the decline in premium revenue,2016, the increase in investment income and realized gains, the decrease in interest credited and benefit reserves, and the decrease of approximately $1,000,000 in salaries and other operating expenses. These were offset by the bargain purchase gain on the revised valuation of the Midwest and First Wyoming merger of $1,326,526. Midwest engaged a third party to prepare a valuation of Midwest and First Wyoming. The total bargain purchase gain recorded based upon the final valuation was $2,231,104. Of that amount, $904,578 was recognized$1,326,526 in the fourth quarter of 2015on a provisional basis, with the remainder recorded in 2016.2016. There were also lowerhigher death benefits decrease in reserves, and decreasean increase in amortization of deferred acquisition costsin2016. in 2017.
Insurance revenues are primarily generated from premium revenues and investment income. Insurance revenues are summarized in the table below. Unless the context requires otherwise, all references compare 20162017 to 2015.2016.
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||
| Premiums | $ | 3,517,458 | $ | 3,424,377 | $ | 2,972,870 | $ | 3,517,458 | |||||||
| Investmentincome, net of expenses | 878,991 | 663,968 | 949,415 | 878,991 | |||||||||||
| Loss on equity method investment | (420,720 | ) | (357,437 | ) | - | (420,720 | ) | ||||||||
| Net realized gains(losses) on investments | 31,504 | (117,364 | ) | 47,290 | 31,504 | ||||||||||
| Extinguishment of Hot Dot payable | 486,361 | - | |||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous income | 107,015 | 171,571 | 82,235 | 107,015 | |||||||||||
| $ | 4,114,248 | $ | 3,785,115 | $ | 4,538,171 | $ | 4,114,248 | ||||||||
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Premium revenue:Premium revenue increaseddecreased primarily due to theinclusion of $322,000 ceding of premiums attributable to the acquisition US Alliance and Optimum RE of First Wyomingin late 2015; such premiumsof $49,000 were only recognized for two months in 2015. This increase was offset by our decision to significantly reduce new life insurance policy sales in 2015 and selling efforts in 2016 in order to preserve the regulatory capital and surplus of American Life. We expect to have limited production of new insurance business in 2017 in order to continue to preservesurplus, although new sales resulted in $75,000 of new annual premium written in the fourth quarter of 2016.$336,000. The essential flat revenue numberdecrease was also due to GAAP accounting for premiums from our Accumulator life insurance product (our primary product). We recognize 100% of the first year payments received for our Accumulator life insurance products as premiums earned when due. In subsequent years, 50% of the payments received on the Accumulator life insurance products are applied toward the traditional life insurance premium and the other 50% of the payments received are applied towards the annuity premium which is recognized as deposits to policyholder account balances and included in future insurance policy benefits rather than in revenues. These decreases were offset by an increase in production of $42,000.
Investment income, net of expenses:The components of net investmentincome for 2017 and 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
| Year Ended December | Year Ended December | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities | $ | 889,860 | $ | 681,999 | $ | 951,077 | $ | 889,860 | ||||||||
| Equity securities | 1,434 | 186 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 58,849 | 44,870 | 63,380 | 60,283 | ||||||||||||
| 950,143 | 727,055 | 1,014,457 | 950,143 | |||||||||||||
| Less investment expenses | (71,152 | ) | (63,087 | ) | (65,042 | ) | (71,152 | ) | ||||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses | $ | 878,991 | $ | 663,968 | $ | 949,415 | $ | 878,991 | ||||||||
The increase in investment income was due primarily to the increased size of our bond portfolio usingportfolio. Management was more aggressive in investing excess cash during late 2016, resulting in larger invested assets and interest income in 2017. Effective September 30, 2017, American Life entered into a partcoinsurance agreement with US Alliance to cede 100% of the $2.4 million of cash received from our acquisition of Northstar in early 2016, the consolidation ofGreat Plains Life and First Wyoming Life and its investment incomeblocks of $122,000forbusiness. This transaction resulted in American Life disposing of approximately $6,700,000 of bonds to finance the full yeartransaction. As a result, the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to $22,000 which only included twomonths2017 saw a slight decrease in 2015. interest income. Policy loan interest real estate investments, and miscellaneous investment income is included in the “Other” line item above.
Loss on equity method investment:Theincrease decrease ininvestment loss for equity method investments was due to the final valuation by a third party of Midwest’s investment in First Wyoming.Wyoming in 2016. The original investment in First Wyoming was $810,500. The preliminary valuation prepared for us by the third party was determined to be $642,150 which resulted in a loss of $168,350 for the year ended December 31, 2015. The final valuation by the third party valued First Wyoming at $221,430 resulting in the $420,720 loss for the year ended December 31, 2016, offset by2016. There was no loss on equity method investments for the gain as discussed above.year ended December 31, 2017.
Net realized gains(losses) on investments:The slight increase was due primarily to improved market conditions on sale of bonds.bonds offset by the sale of one bond for a loss of $32,000 and other smaller losses which were realized on the sale of bonds for the coinsurance transaction mentioned above.
Extinguishment of Hot Dot payable:The increase was due to the agreement between Midwest and Hot Dot to waive the repayment of any and all amounts otherwise payable.
Miscellaneous income:Miscellaneous income decreased due to our TPA fee income decline as we acquired two companiesa company in 2015 and 2016for whom which we were performing TPAservices. We have three customers for whomwhich we performedperform these services.services currently. We do not expect such service to be a significant source of future revenue. Fees earned during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $71,680 and 2015 were $63,500, and $154,670, respectively.
Expenses are summarized in the table below.
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December | |||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||
| Death and other benefits | $ | 803,091 | $ | 908,658 | $ | 897,839 | $ | 803,091 | ||||
| Interest credited | 776,541 | 533,646 | 748,918 | 776,541 | ||||||||
| Increase in benefit reserves | 751,743 | 777,111 | 698,018 | 751,743 | ||||||||
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 367,235 | 469,674 | 404,110 | 367,235 | ||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | 2,345,311 | 1,940,345 | 2,143,449 | 2,175,519 | ||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | 1,129,824 | - | - | 1,129,824 | ||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 3,114,951 | 2,578,288 | 2,365,361 | 3,284,743 | ||||||||
| $ | 9,288,696 | $ | 7,207,722 | $ | 7,257,695 | $ | 9,288,696 | |||||
Death and other benefits:Death and other benefits decreasedincreased due primarily to a decreasethe cash value of surrendered claims, increase in our pendingpaid claims, and an increase in incurred but not reported claims for American Life.and pending claims. Death benefits are expected to continue at current levels on our older block of business as a result of the age of the block. We maintain policy reserves to offset the effect of all claims. We expect overall death claims and other benefits to decrease as a result of the coinsurance agreement between American Life and US Alliance to cede 100% of the Great Plains Life and First Wyoming Life blocks of business. American Life has a 94% retention rate for all policies which is above the industry average.
Interest credited: Interest credited decreased due to the coinsurance agreement between US Alliance and American life effective September 30, 2017 to cede 100% of the Great Plains Life and First Wyoming Life blocks of business. The interest credit portion attributed to the coinsurance agreement was $59,000. Interest rates of the deposit-type contracts was reduced from 5.75% to 4.0% in the third quarter of 2017 which also attributed to the decrease. These decreases were offset by $30,000 of claims relating to the inclusion of First Wyoming Lifefor the full year of 2016 compared to $4,000 for only two months of 2015.
Interest credited:Interest creditedincreased as a result of the increase in the annuity deposits and the inclusion of First Wyoming Life which added$950,000 of annuity deposits and$49,000 of interest creditedfor the full year of 2016 compared to $7,000 for only two months of 2015.deposit-type contract liability.
Increase in benefit reserves: The decrease in benefit reserves reflectsis primarily the decrease in new business writtenresult of the coinsurance agreement between US Alliance and American Life effective September 30, 2017. The fourth quarter reserve change of $51,000 for the increase in surrenders. These decreases were offset by the inclusion ofGreat Plains and First Wyoming Life which added$72,000 forblocks of business were recorded as an increase on the full year of 2016 compared to$15,500 for only two monthsconsolidated balance sheet in 2015 and the maturity of our in-force block of business.“Amounts recoverable from reinsurers” line.
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs: The declineincrease was due primarily to the declineincrease in new business writtenfees when the third party agreement between Midwest and American was terminated on February 28, 2017. Through the cost share agreement, the actual salaries of individuals directly responsible for the acquisition of new business are included in the first nine months of 2016 to conserve capital and surplus. Newnew business was written in the fourth quarter of 2016 of $75,000 of annual premiums.fees. American Life also put on 46 new policies during 2017.
Salaries and benefits:The increasedecrease was due to the inclusionreduction of First Wyoming salaries and benefits of$390,000for the full year of 2016 compared to $75,500 for only two months of 2015 andsimilar costs after the merger of Northstar of $225,000personnel in March 2016. These were offset by personnel reductions.2017. We expect further salary and benefit reductions of approximately $166,000in 2017 compared to 2016 and $184,000$220,000 in 2018 compared to 2017 and $200,000 in 2019 compared to 2018 due to former employees and cost cutting efforts at the end of 2017. The reductions were offset by a one-time recruiting fee and the increase in vacation accrual.
Goodwill impairment:During our goodwill analysis in 2016, we determined that we neededwere required to impair the wholeentire balance of $1,129,824.
Other operating expenses: Other operating expenses increased due tothe inclusion of First Wyoming Lifedecreased significantly by one-time expenses of $354,000$380,000 in 2016 for the full yearwrite-off of 2016 compared to $37,000 for only two months of 2015,investments and loans in unconsolidated subsidiaries, expenses related to Northstar and First Wyoming mergers and the redomestication and merger of ourformer life subsidiaries of $289,159, and an increaseconsulting fees associated with former employees, rent expenses of $120,000 due to termination of leases during 2017, decrease in travel and legal expenses due to capital raising efforts of $82,000;$63,000, decrease in our VOBA amortization due to the coinsurance agreement between US Alliance and American Life where the VOBA associated with the Great Plains Life and First Wyoming Life was written off in the transaction. These decreases were offset by the reimbursement for Great Plains Life 2015 regulatory examinationNebraska Department of Insurance exam fees of $67,000.$140,000, the addition of the director’s and officer’s insurance policy of $79,000, and legal fees associated with the private placement memorandum for a new Series B stock offering. We expect to continue to see reductions in other operating expenses due to our cost cutting initiatives.
Investments
Our overall investment philosophy is reflected in the allocation of our investments. We emphasize investment grade debt securities, with smaller holdings in equity securities, real estate held for investment, policy loans, and other investments. The following table shows the carrying value of our investments by investment category and cash and cash equivalents, and the percentage of each to total invested assets.
| December 31, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying | Percent | Carrying | Percent | Carrying | Percent | Carrying | Percent | |||||||||||||||||
| Value | of Total | Value | of Total | Value | of Total | Value | of Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | $ | 3,224,219 | 11.0 | % | $ | 3,193,499 | 12.5 | % | $ | 2,030,098 | 8.9 | % | $ | 3,224,219 | 11.0 | % | ||||||||
| States and political subdivisions - general | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| obligation | 381,395 | 1.3 | 995,051 | 3.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-back securities | 1,318,581 | 5.8 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions - general obligation | 269,987 | 1.2 | 381,395 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions - special revenue | 277,735 | 0.9 | 273,336 | 1.1 | 25,385 | 0.1 | 277,735 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | 23,855,590 | 81.3 | 18,809,391 | 73.5 | 17,361,856 | 75.7 | 23,855,590 | 81.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturity securities | 27,738,939 | 94.5 | 23,271,277 | 91.0 | 21,005,907 | 91.7 | 27,738,939 | 94.5 | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 661,545 | 2.3 | 1,192,336 | 4.8 | 951,527 | 4.2 | 661,545 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities, at cost | - | - | 140,250 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate, held for investment | 517,729 | 1.8 | 529,769 | 2.1 | 505,688 | 2.2 | 517,729 | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||||
| Policy loans | 412,583 | 1.4 | 420,775 | 1.6 | 435,196 | 1.9 | 412,583 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 29,330,796 | 100.0 | % | $ | 25,554,407 | 100.0 | % | $ | 22,898,318 | 100.0 | % | $ | 29,330,796 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
IncreasesDecreases in fixed maturity securities primarily resulted from the purchasesale of additional bonds from normal operating activities.to fund the coinsurance transaction between American Life and US Alliance to cede 100% of the Great Plains Life’s and the First Wyoming Life’s blocks of business effective September 30, 2017.
The following table shows the distribution of the credit ratings of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities by carrying value as of December 31, 20162017 and 2015.2016.
| December 31, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying | Carrying | Carrying | Carrying | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Value | Percent | Value | Percent | Value | Percent | Value | Percent | |||||||||||||||||
| AAA and U.S. Government | $ | 4,301,163 | 15.5 | % | $ | 3,406,770 | 14.7 | % | $ | 3,146,782 | 15.0 | % | $ | 4,301,163 | 15.5 | % | ||||||||
| AA | 1,612,897 | 5.8 | 1,711,366 | 7.4 | 2,979,616 | 14.2 | 1,612,897 | 5.8 | ||||||||||||||||
| A | 8,319,121 | 30.1 | 6,341,991 | 27.1 | 6,797,613 | 32.4 | 8,319,121 | 30.1 | ||||||||||||||||
| BBB | 12,827,754 | 46.2 | 11,534,042 | 49.6 | 7,573,843 | 36.0 | 12,827,754 | 46.2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total investment grade | 27,060,935 | 97.6 | 22,994,169 | 98.8 | 20,497,854 | 97.6 | 27,060,935 | 97.6 | ||||||||||||||||
| BB and other | 678,004 | 2.4 | 277,108 | 1.2 | 508,053 | 2.4 | 678,004 | 2.4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 27,738,939 | 100.0 | % | $ | 23,271,277 | 100.0 | % | $ | 21,005,907 | 100.0 | % | $ | 27,738,939 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
Reflecting the quality of securities maintained by us, 97.6% and 98.8% of all fixed maturity securities were investment grade as of December 31, 20162017 and 2015, respectively.2016. Due to the low interest rate environment, we have invested in bonds with “A” ratings at the time the investment was made.
Market Risks of Financial Instruments
We hold a diversified portfolio of investments that primarily includes cash, bonds, stocks, real estate, held for investment, and notes receivable. Each of these investments is subject to market risks that can affect their return and their fair value. A majority of the investments are fixed maturity securities including debt issues of corporations, U.S. Treasury securities, or securities issued by government agencies. The primary market risks affecting the investment portfolio are interest rate risk, credit risk, and equity risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk arises from the price sensitivity of investments to changes in interest rates. Interest and dividend income represent the greatest portion of an investment’s return for most fixed maturity securities in stable interest rate environments. The changes in the fair value of such investments are inversely related to changes in market interest rates. As interest rates fall, the interest and dividend streams of existing fixed-rate investments become more valuable and fair values rise. As interest rates rise, the opposite effect occurs. We attempt to mitigate our exposure to adverse interest rate movements through staggering the maturities of the fixed maturity investments and through maintaining cash and other short term investments to assure sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations and to address reinvestment risk considerations. Due to the composition of our book of insurance business, we believe it is unlikely that we would encounter large surrender activity due to an interest rate increase that would force the disposal of fixed maturities at a loss.
Credit Risk
We are exposed to credit risk through counterparties and within the investment portfolio. Credit risk relates to the uncertainty associated with an obligor’s ability to make timely payments of principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of an instrument or contract. We manage our credit risk throughdiversification of investments amongst many corporations and numerous industries. Additionally, our investment policy limits the size of holding in any particular issuer.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2016, we2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents totaling$661,545. $951,527. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund the anticipated operating expenses and capital expenditures for atleast twelvemonths when combined with the level of maturing securities and the liquidity associated with our investmentportfolio. The However, most of the Company’s liquid assets are held in an insurance subsidiary and under existing insurance law, the subsidiary cannot make significant payments up to the parent company, which is the Company. Accordingly, unless the Company is also lookingable to raise substantial additional capital in the near term, its ability to continue as a going concern will be in jeopardy. Management has been seeking to raise additional capital in 2017.order to help fund the liquidity issues that the Company faces, but cannot assure that such additional capital will be raised in 2018. The Company has based this estimate upon assumptions that may prove to be wrong and we could use our capital resources sooner than theywe currently expect.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) has established minimum capital requirements in the form of Risk-Based Capital (“RBC”). RBC factors the type of business written by an insurance company, the quality of its assets and various other aspects of an insurance company’s business to develop a minimum level of capital called “authorized control level risk-based capital” and compares this level to adjusted statutory capital that includes capital and surplus as reported under statutory accounting principles, plus certain investment reserves. Should the ratio of adjusted statutory capital to control level RBC fall below 200%, a series of remedial actions by the affected company would be required. Our RBC at December 31, 2017 was 533.907%.
Effective September 30, 2017, American Life entered into an indemnity coinsurance transaction with US Alliance to transfer 100% of the risk related to the Great Plains Life and First Wyoming Life blocks of business. The purpose of this transaction was to provide statutory capital and surplus for American Life and has minimal effect on GAAP financials. We paid no commissions or brokerage fees for this transaction and the proceeds of the transaction were based upon valuations prepared by our third party actuary. Under the indemnity coinsurance, US Alliance assumed certain liabilities and obligations. As we are not relieved of our legal liability to the policyholders; the liabilities and obligations associated with the reinsured blocks of business remain on our Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding reinsurance receivable from US Alliance, which totaled $8,928,223 as of September 30, 2017. We transferred $9,629,623 of GAAP net adjusted reserves to US Alliance for cash of $7,078,223 which was net of a ceding allowance of $1,850,000 which is treated as an increase to surplus on a statutory basis. As a result of the transaction, in addition to the reserves, American Life will cede approximately $883,000 of annual GAAP revenues and $1,758,250 of statutory revenues. US Alliance assumes all responsibilities for incurred claims, surrenders and commission from the effective date.
Our surplus notes forof $300,000 and $250,000 matured on August 1, 2016 and September 1, 2016, respectively. Due to the nature of surplus notes a repayment cannot be made without the prior approval of the Nebraska regulators and they have not approved any repayment to date.
Since inception, our operations have been financed primarily through the sale of voting common stock and preferred stock. Our operations have generated significant operating losses since we were incorporated in 2003. We expect significantto continue to incur losses for several years.at least the foreseeable future.
Aside from raising capital, which has funded the vast majority of our operations, premium income, deposits to policyholder account balances, and investment income are the primary sources of funds while withdrawals of policyholder account balances, investment purchases, policy benefits in the form of claims, and operating expenses are the primary uses of funds. To ensure we will be able to meet future commitments, the funds received as premium payments and deposits are invested in primarily fixed income securities. Funds are invested with the intent that the income from investments, plus proceeds from maturities, will in the future meet our ongoing cash flow needs. The approach of matching asset and liability durations and yields requires an appropriate mix of investments. Our investments consist primarily of marketable debt securities that could be readily converted to cash for liquidity needs. Cash flow projections and cash flow tests under various market interest scenarios are also performed annually to assist in evaluating liquidity needs and adequacy. We currently anticipate that available liquidity sources and future cash flows will be adequate to meet our needs for funds for 2017.
Net cash used by operating activities was$927,125 $8,555,530 for 2016,the year ended December 31, 2017, which was comprised primarily of the coinsurance transaction between American Life and US Alliance Life of $7,445,678 and net loss of$3,847,922 $2,719,524; partially offset by an increase in policy liabilities of $939,095.$2,289,872. Net cash used inprovided by investing activities from was907,664.. $7,264,748. The primary source of cash was from sales of availableavailable-for-sale securities for sale securities, the sale of an inactive subsidiary,coinsurance agreement between American Life and the acquisition of Northstar.US Alliance. Offsetting this source of cash was our purchases of investments in available-for-sale securities and the purchase of property and equipment. Net cash provided by financing activities was $1,303,998.$1,580,764. The primary source of cash wasnet receipts on deposit-type contracts, offset by dividends paid to Class B Preferred Stock shareholders.
Table of ContentsManagement’s focus is on raising additional capital from outside investors. We cannot assure that additional capital will be raised, or if raised, on terms that will be economical to us. Unless we are able to successfully issue substantial additional equity capital, our ability to continue as a going concern will be in substantial jeopardy.
Impact of Inflation
Insurance premiums are established before the amount of losses and loss adjustment expenses, or the extent to which inflation may affect such losses and expenses, are known. We attempt, in establishing premiums, to anticipate the potential impact of inflation. If, for competitive reasons, premiums cannot be increased to anticipate inflation, this cost would be absorbed by us. Inflation also affects the rate of investment return on the investment portfolio with a corresponding effect on investment income.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
Contractual Obligations
As a “smallersmaller reporting company”company we are not required to provide the table of contractual obligations required pursuant to this Item.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
As a “smallersmaller reporting company”company, we are not required to provide disclosure pursuant to this item.Item.
ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
We have not been able to obtain and assimilate all information required to complete the required independent audit of our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Hence our financial statements set forth in this Item 8 are unaudited. As we undertake and complete the audit process, certain adjustments may be required to be made which may result in material changes to our financial position and results of operations presented below. When our audited financial statements are completed, they will be filed under an amendment to this Report on Form 10-K.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements are included as a part of this report beginning on page F-1.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting(a) Conclusions Regarding Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The information contained in this section addresses management's evaluation of ourWe have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure, among other things, material information relating to our Company, including our consolidated subsidiary, is made known to our officers who certify our financial reports and our assessmentto the other members of our internal control over financial reporting forsenior management and the year ended December 31, 2016.Board of Directors.
Evaluation of Disclosure ControlsAs required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b), our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Procedures
Management (with the participation of our principal executive officer/principal financial officer), carried outChief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)Rules 13a-15(e). Based on thisupon an evaluation our principal executive officer/principal financial officer concluded that, because of the material weakness described below, as ofat the end of the period, covered in this report, our disclosure controlsthe Chief Executive Officer and procedures along with the related internal controls over financial reporting were not effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer/principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Our management, including the principal executive officer/principal financial officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Our controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that our control system’s objective will be met and our principal executive officer/principal financial officer hasFinancial Reporting Manager concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective atin timely alerting them to material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries required to be disclosed in our periodic reports under the reasonable assurance level. The design of a control system must reflect that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by individual acts of persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in partExchange Act.
(b) Management’s Assessment on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls in future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequateeffective internal control over financial reporting, (asas defined in RuleExchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures by us are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer/principal financial officer, weManagement has conducted an evaluation of the effectivenessassessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of the period covered by this reportat December 31, 2017 based on the criteria for effective internal control describedestablished in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).(COSO) in 2013. Based on our assessment under the resultscriteria of management’s assessment and evaluation, principal executive officer/principal financial officerthis framework, Management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective due to the material weaknesses described below.
Table of Contentsat December 31, 2017.
This report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the SEC applicable to smaller reporting companies.
(c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our efforts to improve our internal controls are ongoing and focused on expanding our organizational capabilities to improve our control environment and on implementing processThere were no changes to strengthen our internal control and monitoring activities. In addition, although we are implementing remedial measures to address all of the identified material weaknesses as discussed below, our assessment of the impact of these measures have not been completed as of the filing date of this report.
Material Weaknesses
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. A number of significant audit adjustments were made to our consolidated financial statements as ofdefined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) during the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the year then ended, resulting in material changes2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to net loss and stockholders’ equity. The audit adjustments related primarily to complex nonrecurring transactions with our investees and how assets are evaluated for collectability and impairment. The material weakness resulted from the Company not utilizing sufficient technical accounting capabilities in recording and analyzing these transactions.
Remediation
Management is developing certain remediation steps to address the material weaknesses discussed above and to improvematerially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. If not remediated, these control deficiencies could result in material misstatements to our future financial statements. Our management and our Board of Directors take the control and integrity of our financial statements seriously and believe that the remediation steps described below are essential to maintaining an effective internal control environment. The following remediation steps will be implemented by us as soon as practicable with respect to the material weaknesses described herein and particularly with respect to future complex non-routine transactions:
We believe that these remediation actions will result in significant improvements in our controls. We intend to perform such procedures and commit such resources as necessary to continue to allow us to overcome or mitigate the above material weaknesses such that we can make materially and accurate quarterly and annual SEC financial filings.
None.
PART III.Table of Contents
PART III.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Board Leadership Structure
Midwest does not have a formal policy regarding the separation of its Chairman and CEO (principal executive officer) positions. Our Board is responsible for the control and direction of the Company. The Board represents the Company's shareholders, and its primary purpose is to build long-term shareholder value. Mr. Oliver serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Board believes that Mr. Oliver is best situated to serve as Chairman because he is the director most familiar with the Company's business and industry and is also the person most capable of effectively identifying strategic priorities and leading the discussion and execution of corporate strategy. In this combined role, Mr. Oliver is able to foster clear accountability and effective decision making. The Board believes that the combined role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer strengthens the communication between the Board and management and provides a clear roadmap for shareholder communications. Further, as the individual with primary responsibility for managing day-to-day operations, Mr. Oliver is best positioned to chair regular Board meetings and ensure that key business issues and risks are brought to the attention of our Board and Audit Committee. We therefore believe that the creation of a lead independent director position is not necessary at this time.
Board's Role in Risk Oversight
The informationBoard of Directors as a whole has responsibility for risk oversight. The oversight responsibility of the Board is enabled by management reporting processes that are designed to provide visibility to the Board about the identification, assessment and management of critical risks. This reporting is designed to focus on areas that include strategic, operational, financial and reporting, compensation, compliance and other risks. For example, the Board of Directors regularly receives reports regarding the investments and securities held by Midwest's insurance subsidiaries, as well as other reports regarding their insurance business.
Director Independence
Presently, we are not required to comply with the director independence requirements of any securities exchange. In determining whether our directors are independent, however, we intend to adhere to the rules of the NYSE MKT with respect to independent directors. The NYSE MKT listing standards define an "independent director" generally as a person, other than an executive officer or employee of a company, who does not have a relationship with the company that would interfere with the director's exercise of independent judgment.
The NYSE MKT listing requirements state that a majority of a company's board of directors must be independent. Our Board of Directors includes six independent directors, namely, Steve Conner, John Hompe, Scott Morrison, Jack Theeler, Firman Leung and Dana Stapleton. These six independent directors constitute a majority of the Board of Directors.
Audit Committee
Due to the size and structure of Midwest and its Board of Directors, the Board has not historically had a standing Audit Committee. The functions that would be performed by Item 10the Audit Committee have historically been performed by the entire Board of Directors. At a meeting on March 29, 2016, the Board established an Audit Committee and appointed John T. Hompe, Scott Morrison and Jack Theeler to serve on the Audit Committee.
Mr. Hompe was designated the Committee Chair and Financial Expert. The Board subsequently adopted an Audit Committee Charter that details the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to be as follows: (i) review recommendation of independent registered accountants concerning Midwest's accounting principles, internal controls and accounting procedures and practices; (ii) review the scope of the annual audit; (iii) approve or disapprove each professional service or type of service other than standard auditing services to be provided by the independent registered public accountants; and (iv) review and discuss with the independent registered public accountants the audited financial statements. The Committee met 4 times in 2017. Our Audit Committee charter is incorporated into Part IIIavailable on our website atwww.midwestholding.com.
Compensation Committee
Due to the size and structure of Midwest and its Board of Directors, the Board does not currently have a standing Compensation Committee. As a result, it does not have a Compensation Committee charter. The functions that would be performed by the Compensation Committee, including consideration of executive officer and director compensation, are performed by the entire Board of Directors.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Executive officers, directors and “beneficial owners” of more than ten percent of Midwest’s voting common stock must file initial reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC under Section l6(a) of the Exchange Act. SEC regulations require these reporting persons to furnish us with copies of all Forms 3, 4 and 5, and amendments thereto, that they file with the SEC. We believe that during 2017 and through the date of this filing, all of our officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners complied with all filing requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.
Code of Ethics
Midwest has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our officers, directors and employees in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. A copy of the Code of Ethics was filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meetingfiscal year ended December 31, 2012. These documents may be reviewed by accessing Midwest’s public filings at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of Stockholders.
We have adopted athe Code of Ethics for Officers, Directors and Employees. Thewill be provided to any shareholder without charge upon request. Midwest intends to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of its Code of Ethics in a Current Report on Form 8-K.
Information Concerning Executive Officers and Director
Information concerning the names, ages, positions with Midwest, tenure as a director, and business experience of our executive officers and director nominees is availableset forth below. All executive officers are appointed annually by the Board of Directors.
| Name | Age | Position | Director Since | |||
| Steve Conner | 65 | Director | 2015 | |||
| John T. Hompe | 57 | Director | 2015 | |||
| Mark A. Oliver | 59 | Chairman of the Board / CEO / Treasurer and Director | 2010 | |||
| Firman Leung | 60 | Director | 2016 | |||
| Scott Morrison | 44 | Director | 2015 | |||
| Jack Theeler | 72 | Director | 2012 | |||
| Dana Stapleton | 50 | Director | 2015 | |||
| Todd Boeve | 50 | V.P., Corporate Secretary, Director | 2017 | |||
| Debra Havranek | 61 | V.P. Financial Reporting | 2015 | |||
| Joel Mathis | 79 | Senior Vice President, Investor Relations | 2010 |
STEVE CONNER:Mr. Conner served as a director of Rocky Mountain Capital Corp., a company whose successor was acquired by Midwest, from 2010 to 2015. He was appointed to the Board of First Wyoming in 2015 and served on our websitethat board until that company was acquired by Midwest in 2015. He served as a Consultant to Midwest PMS, Inc., an agricultural feed supplement manufacturer, from 1975 to 2016. Mr. Conner also serves on the Board of American Life.
JOHN T. HOMPE:Mr. Hompe is the Managing Partner and co-founder of J.P. Charter Oak Advisors LLC, a private investment firm focused on the financial services industry. Mr. Hompe has worked in the financial services sector for more than 30 years. He has held numerous board positions with insurance companies during his career. From 2003 through 2012, Mr. Hompe worked in investment banking and asset management (KBW Asset Management from 2011 through 2012 as a Managing Director and Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Inc. from 2003 to 2011 as Co-Head of Insurance and Asset Management Investment Banking). Mr. Hompe serves as an observer on the board of directors of International Planning Group, Ltd., an international life insurance broker, and Preparis Inc., a provider of business continuity services. From 2010 to 2012, he was an independent director of Island Capital, a Bermuda investment company. He also was a director and a member of the executive committee of Island's predecessor company, EIC Corporation Ltd., a Bermuda-domiciled insurance holding company, and Exporters Insurance Company, a New York-based trade credit insurer from 2005 to 2010. He was an outside director of North American Insurance Leaders, Inc. (NASDAQ: NAIL), a special purpose acquisition corporation focused on the insurance distribution sector in 2007. He also served as a director of FIHC, a Barbados-domiciled insurance holding company, and Facility Insurance Company, a Texas workers compensation company from 2001 to 2003. Mr. Hompe is also a Board Member of American Life
MARK A. OLIVER:Mr. Oliver is currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of American Life. He has served as CEO since that company received its Certificate of Authority from the Nebraska Department of Insurance on September l, 2009. He was elected Chairman of American Life in March, 2017. Mr. Oliver also serves as Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer and as a member of the Board of Directors of Midwest. From 1984 until June 2007 Mr. Oliver was employed by Citizens, Inc., a life insurance holding company with principal offices in Austin, Texas, serving as its President and in various other executive capacities since 1997. He serves as a Director and Treasurer of Pacific Northwest. Additionally, he serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Board of New Mexico Capital Corp. (“New Mexico Capital”).
FIRMAN LEUNG:Mr. Leung has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry as an Investment and Capital Markets Banker in New York, London and Hong Kong. Since 2016, he has served as the Managing Principal of Columbus Circle Capital, LLC in New York and the Executive Managing Director of Investment Banking and Capital Markets at http://www.midwestholding.com.American Capital Partners, LLC, also in New York. From 2012 to 2015, he served as Managing Director, Investment Banking and Capital Markets at RCS Capital Corporation, New York. From 2002 to 2012, he was Managing Director, Capital Raising at Sandler O’ Neill & Partners, L.P., New York. Mr. Leung received his BS in Economics from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania and his MBA degree from The Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College. He has also been a product speaker at the Las Vegas MoneyShow in the main forum: “Building a Durable Income Portfolio.” Mr. Leung is also a Board Member of American Life.
SCOTT MORRISON:Since 2006, Mr. Morrison has been Managing Partner of Oaks, Hartline & Daly law firm in Austin, Texas. Mr. Morrison is Texas board certified in estate planning and probate law. He practices law in the areas of estate administration and planning, probate and general business law. He has been named a "Texas Rising Star" by both Law and Politics Media, Inc. and Texas Monthly magazine. Mr. Morrison is also a Board Member of American Life.
JACK THEELER: Mr. Theeler is a partner in the Morgan Theeler law firm of Mitchell, South Dakota where he has been employed since 1971. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting (1968) and a law degree (1971) from the University of South Dakota. In law school he was Editor in Chief of the South Dakota Law Review and graduated magna cum laude. He was the first Chairman of the South Dakota Lottery Commission, serving from 1986 to 1992. He is a member of American Bar Association, the State Bar of South Dakota, the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, the South Dakota Defense Lawyers Association and an associate in the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mr. Theeler has served on numerous boards and commissions including Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell Area Development Corporation and the Mitchell YMCA. Mr. Theeler has been inducted into the University of South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame, the Mitchell Area Ducks Unlimited Hall of Fame, and his high school basketball team has been inducted into the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame. Jack and Nancy Theeler received the 2007 Community Service Award presented annually by the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce. A founding Board Member of Great Plains Financial Corp. and Great Plains Life Assurance, he is also a Board Member of American Life.
DANA STAPLETON:Mr. Stapleton has been a farmer/rancher in Sisseton, South Dakota for over the past 30 years. In 2001 he was named the South Dakota Farmer of the Year and the 2002 National Farmer of the Year. He was a founding Board Member of Great Plains Financial Corp. and Great Plains Life Assurance Co. He is also a Board Member of American Life.
TODD BOEVE:Mr. Boeve is currently Vice President, COO and Corporate Secretary for Midwest and has worked for Midwest since January 2010. He was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board in April. Mr. Boeve currently serves on the Board of Directors and is the Secretary of Pacific Northwest Capital and for New Mexico Capital. Additionally, he is the Secretary/Treasurer and a member of the Board of Big Sky Capital, a Montana Holding Co. He previously worked in the funeral industry for ten years as a licensed funeral director and was a PGA Golf Professional for nine years.
DEBRA HAVRANEK:Ms. Havranek is currently Vice President of Financial Reporting and has worked for Midwest since 2014. She has more than 20 years of experience in Corporate Reporting in the life insurance, banking, and consumer packaged goods industries.
JOEL MATHIS:Mr. Mathis is currently Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and has worked with Midwest since 2010. He has over 40 years of experience in Management and Consulting, a majority in the insurance industry. A Member of the Association of Insurance and Financial Analysts, National Investor Relations Institute, and the Public Relations Society of America.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the compensation paid or accrued in the years indicated by Midwest to its Principal Executive Officer ("PEO"), Mark A. Oliver, Midwest's former PEO, Rick D. Meyer, and to certain other executive offices of Midwest. Our Board of Directors reviews senior officer compensation on an annual basis.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE(1)
| Name and | All Other | ||||||||||||||
| Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Compensation | Total | ||||||||||
| Mark A. Oliver, | 2017 | $ | 328,857 | $ | - | $ | 17,000 | (2) | $ | 345,857 | |||||
| CEO/Treasurer, | 2016 | 323,626 | - | 17,000 | (2) | 340,626 | |||||||||
| Chairman(4) | 2015 | 223,618 | - | 17,000 | (2) | 240,618 | |||||||||
| Rick D. Meyer | 2017 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
| Former Chairman(3) | 2016 | - | - | 35,000 | (7) | 35,000 | |||||||||
| 2015 | 158,393 | - | 34,000 | (2) | 192,393 | ||||||||||
| Debra Havranek | 2017 | $ | 127,350 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 127,350 | ||||||
| Vice President, | 2016 | 118,262 | - | - | 118,262 | ||||||||||
| Financial Reporting | 2015 | 115,602 | - | - | 115,602 | ||||||||||
| Manager(5) | |||||||||||||||
| Todd C. Boeve | 2017 | $ | 122,310 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 122,310 | ||||||
| Vice President, COO | 2016 | 114,805 | - | 114,805 | |||||||||||
| Secretary, Director(6) | 2015 | 103,583 | - | - | 103,583 | ||||||||||
(1) In 2015, 2016 and 2017 none of the names executive officers received stock awards, option awards, non-equity incentive plan compensation of non-qualified deferred compensations earnings as defined in Item 402 of Regulation S-K.
(2) Automobile allowance and life insurance policy reimbursement.
(3) Resigned October 1, 2015.
(4) Elected Chairman on December 15, 2015.
(5) Appointed to an Executive Officer position on December 15, 2015.
(6) Appointed to an Executive Officer position on December 15, 2015. Appointed to Board April 2017.
(7) Paid by Northstar Financial Corp. commensurate with merger with Midwest.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
Midwest has not established any equity compensation plans or granted any equity awards under such plans to its named executive officers. As a result, none of its named executive officers had any unexercised options, unvested stock or equity incentive plan awards outstanding as of the end of its last completed fiscal year.
Employment Agreements
Midwest has an employment agreement with Mark A. Oliver, our Chairman and CEO/Treasurer. This agreement was effective on June 8, 2011 and was for a three-year term, subject to termination upon notice. The Board may extend the agreement for additional year(s). Our Board extended this agreement inDecember 2016 and that unless otherwise extended by the board the agreement will expire in June 2019. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Oliver is entitled to receive:
| ● | a base salary of $300,000 (as of October, 2015) with an annual 4% cost of living increase, which amount may be adjusted by our Board of Directors in subsequent years; | ||
| ● | fringe benefits provided by us to our employees in the normal course of business, including insurance coverage; | ||
| ● | a car allowance of $1,000 per month; and | ||
| ● | reimbursement for reasonable and necessary business expenses. |
If Midwest terminates Mr. Oliver without "cause" as defined in the employment agreement, Midwest will be required to pay him his base salary and provide certain benefits for the duration of the remaining term of the employment agreement or six months, whichever is greater. This payment would be made in exchange for an agreement not to engage in certain competitive activities with Midwest during that period.
Director Compensation
Directors who are not employees received $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors they attended in person and $350 per meeting they attend via telephone. Directors received an annual retainer of $5,000. Directors also are reimbursed for reasonable expenses related to their personal attendance at meetings. Our Board of Directors reviews director compensation on an annual basis.
The information requiredfollowing table sets forth the compensation paid or accrued by Item 11 is incorporated into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K by referenceMidwest to our definitive Proxy Statementits directors, other than directors who are also named executive officers, for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.last completed fiscal year.
| Fees Earned or | All Other | ||||||||||
| Name | Year | Paid in Cash | Compensation | Total | |||||||
| Jack Theeler | 2017 | $ | 9,700 | $ | - | $ | 9,700 | ||||
| Steve Conner | 2017 | 7,700 | - | $ | 7,700 | ||||||
| Dana Stapleton | 2017 | 7,000 | - | $ | 7,000 | ||||||
| John Hompe | 2017 | 9,700 | - | $ | 9,700 | ||||||
| Scott Morrison | 2017 | 9,700 | - | $ | 9,700 | ||||||
| Firman Leung(l) | 2017 | 6,700 | - | $ | 6,700 | ||||||
| Todd Boeve(2) | 2017 | 5,000 | - | $ | 5,000 | ||||||
| Total | $ | 55,500 | $ | - | $ | 55,500 | |||||
| (1) | Appointed December 7, 2016. |
| (2) | Appointed April 2017. |
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information as of April 16, 2018, regarding the number and percentage of outstanding shares of voting common stock of Midwest beneficially owned by each person known by Midwest to beneficially own more than 5% of such stock, by each of its executive officers and director nominee, and by all of its directors and executive officers as a group.
| Percent of | ||||
| Name and Business Address of Beneficial Owner(l) | Shares of Common Stock | Class | ||
| Directors and executive officers: | ||||
| Mark A. Oliver | 251,191 | 1.1% | ||
| Jack Theeler | 54,180 | * | ||
| Steve Conner | 9,340 | * | ||
| Dana Stapleton | 33,863 | * | ||
| John T. Hompe | - | * | ||
| Scott Morrision | 5,000 | * | ||
| Firman Leung | - | * | ||
| Joel Mathis | - | * | ||
| Todd Boeve | 40,862 | * | ||
| Debra Havranek | - | * | ||
| All directors and executive officers as a group (10) persons | 394,436 | 2.1% |
*Less than one percent.
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of the persons named in the above table is care of Midwest Holding Inc., 2900 South 70th Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, NE 68506
Five percent shareholders:
None
The information required by Item 12 is incorporated into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information requiredMidwest and certain of its directors and officers have current or past relationships and affiliations with businesses that operate, or once operated, in the life insurance industry and that have conducted public and private stock offerings in connection with their operations.
These past and present relationships with similar businesses could result in a potential conflict of interest should Midwest decide to offer life insurance products in any of the states in which these companies do business to the extent that a relationship with the other companies is on-going. In addition, a potential conflict of interest could arise if any of those companies chose to do business in Nebraska to the extent that a relationship with the other companies is on-going. For that reason, any decision relating to such business will be made by Item 13 is incorporated into Part IIIthe disinterested members of this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual MeetingBoard of Stockholders.Directors and any member of the Board having an interest in another company will recuse himself or herself from voting or discussing the matter.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANTACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information requiredprincipal registered public accounting firm utilized by Item 14 is incorporated into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-KMidwest during 2016 and 2017 was RSM US LLP ("RSM", formerly "McGladrey"). RSM has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since December, 2009.
The aggregate fees billed by referenceRSM to our definitive Proxy StatementMidwest for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.and 2016 were as follows:
| RSM | RSM | |||||
| Fiscal 2017 | Fiscal 2016 | |||||
| Audit Fees(1) | $ | 230,680 | $ | 279,616 | ||
| Audit-Related Fees(2) | - | - | ||||
| Tax Fees(3) | 20,370 | 17,500 | ||||
| All Other Fees(4) | - | - | ||||
| $ | 251,050 | $ | 297,116 | |||
| (1) | Represents the aggregate fees billed and expenses for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and services that are normally provided by an independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory or regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years. | |
| (2) | Represents the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under "audit fees." | |
| (3) | Represents the aggregate fees billed for professional services provided by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. | |
| (4) | Represents the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than audit fees, audit-related fees and tax fees. |
PART IV.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
| (a) | 1. Consolidated Financial Statements: | |
The list of financial statements filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is provided on page F-1. | ||
2. Financial Statement Schedules: | ||
The list of financial statement schedules filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is provided on page FS-1. | ||
| (b) | Exhibits: |
| EXHIBIT | ||
| NUMBER | DESCRIPTION | |
| 2.1 | Plan and Agreement of Merger – First Wyoming Capital Corporation, Midwest Holding Inc. and Midwest Acquisition, Inc. dated July 31, 2015. (Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Registration Statement on Form S-4, field on August 26, 2015.) | |
| 2.2 | Plan and Agreement of Exchange – Midwest Holding Inc., Northstar Financial Corporation dated December 18, 2015. (Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Registration Statement on FormS-4, filed on January 8, 2016.) | |
| 3.1 | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, dated March 29, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) | |
| 3.2 | Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, dated May 6, 2010. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) | |
| 3.3 | Amended and Restated Bylaws. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) | |
| 3.4 | Articles of Amendment to the amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of MidwestHolding Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filedMay 15, 2014.) | |
| 3.5 | American Life & Security Corp. State of Nebraska Department of Insurance Amended Certificate of Authority, issued August 3, 2011. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 Registration Statement, filed March 20, 2012.) | |
| 10.1 | Coinsurance Agreement – American Life & Security Corporation and US Alliance Life and Security Company dated September 30, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed October 6, 2017 | |
| 10.2 | Consulting and Advisory Agreement, dated September 1, 2009, by and between Midwest Holding Inc. and Bison Capital Corp. (f/k/a Corporate Development Inc.). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) | |
Administrative Services Agreement, dated August 17, 2009, by and between American Life & Security Corp. and Investors Heritage Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) | ||
Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 2011, by and between Midwest Holding Inc. and Mark Oliver. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) | ||
Automatic Reinsurance Agreement, dated August 1, 2009, by and between American Life & Security Corp. and Optimum Re Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) |
| Exhibit | ||
| Number | Description | |
Amendment Number One to Automatic Reinsurance Agreement, dated August 1, 2009, by and between American Life & Security Corp. and Optimum Re Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) | ||
Amendment Number Two to Automatic Reinsurance Agreement, dated August 1, 2009, by and between American Life & Security Corp. and Optimum Re Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) | ||
Bulk Reinsurance Agreement, dated September 1, 2009, by and between American Life & Security Corp. and Optimum Re Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) | ||
Amendment to all Reinsurance Agreements, dated August 4, 2011, by and between American Life & Security Corp. and Optimum Re Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) | ||
Automatic Reinsurance Agreement, dated August 1, 2009, by and between American Life & Security Corp. and Investors Heritage Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) | ||
Reinsurance Agreement, dated January 1, 2010, by and between American Life and Security National Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, filed December 12, 2011.) | ||
Master Reinsurance Agreement, dated December 20, 1999, by and between Old Reliance Insurance Company and American Founders Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 Registration Statement, filed February 3, 2012.) | ||
Amendment Number One to Master Reinsurance Agreement, dated December 20, 1999, by and between Old Reliance Insurance Company and American Founders Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 Registration Statement, filed February 3, 2012.) | ||
Reinsurance Agreement Number One, dated December 31, 1999, by and between Old Reliance Insurance Company and American Founders Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 Registration Statement, filed February 3, 2012.) | ||
Amendment Number One to Reinsurance Agreement Number One, dated December 31, 1999, by and between Old Reliance Insurance Company and American Founders Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 Registration Statement, filed February 3, 2012.) | ||
Master Reinsurance Agreement, dated April 1, 2000, by and between Old Reliance Insurance Company and American Founders Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 Registration Statement, filed February 3, 2012.) | ||
Reinsurance Agreement Number One, dated April 1, 2000, by and between Old Reliance Insurance Company and American Founders Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 Registration Statement, filed February 3, 2012.) |
| Exhibit | ||
| Number | Description | |
| 14.1 | Code of Ethics (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K, filed April 2, 2012.) | |
| 21.1* | List of Subsidiaries. | |
| 31.1* | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 31.2* | Certification of Principal Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 32* | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 101.INS ** | XBRL Instance Document. | |
| 101.SCH ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |
| 101.CAL ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | |
| 101.LAB ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | |
| 101.PRE ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | |
| 101.DEF ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
| * | Filed herewith. |
ITEM 16. FORMForm 10-K SUMMARYSummary.
None.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: March28,2017April 16, 2018
| MIDWEST HOLDING INC. | ||||
| By: | /s/ | |||
| Mark A. Oliver | ||||
| Name: Mark A. Oliver | ||||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||||||
| /s/ Mark A. Oliver | Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer, | |||||||
| Mark A. Oliver | Chairman of the Board | |||||||
| (Principal Executive Officer, | ||||||||
| Principal Financial Officer) | ||||||||
| /s/ Dana Stapleton | Director | |||||||
| Dana Stapleton | ||||||||
| /s/ Jack Theeler | Director | |||||||
| Jack Theeler | ||||||||
| /s/ Scott Morrison | Director | |||||||
| Scott Morrison | ||||||||
| /s/ Firman Leung | Director | |||||||
| Firman Leung | ||||||||
| /s/ John T. Hompe | Director | |||||||
| John T. Hompe | ||||||||
| /s/ Steve Connor | Director | |||||||
| Steve Connor | ||||||||
| /s/ Todd Boeve | Director | April 16, 2018 | ||||||
| Todd Boeve | ||||||||
MIDWEST HOLDING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmSpecial Note
To the Board of Directors and StockholdersMidwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
We have auditednot been able to obtain and assimilate all information required to complete the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Midwest Holding, Inc.required independent audit and subsidiaries (the Company) as ofour financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules of Midwest Holding Inc. listed in Item 15. These2017. Hence our financial statements set forth below are unaudited. As we undertake and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedules based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and performcomplete the audit process, certain adjustments may be required to obtain reasonable assurance about whether thebe made which may result in material changes to our financial position and results of operations presented below. When our audited financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not requiredcompleted, they will be filed under an amendment to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financialreporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstance, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinionthis Report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting policies used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Midwest Holding Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, which considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
Omaha, NebraskaMarch30, 2017Form 10-K.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 20162017 and 20152016
| 2016 | 2015 | December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Assets | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Investments, available for sale, at fair value | ||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities (amortized cost: $29,024,083 and$24,279,231, respectively) | $ | 27,738,939 | $ | 23,271,277 | ||||||||||||
| Equity securities, at cost | - | 140,250 | ||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities (amortized cost: $21,573,519 and $29,024,083, respectively) | $ | 21,005,907 | $ | 27,738,939 | ||||||||||||
| Real estate, held for investment | 517,729 | 529,769 | 505,688 | 517,729 | ||||||||||||
| Policy Loans | 412,583 | 420,775 | 435,196 | 412,583 | ||||||||||||
| Total investments | 28,669,251 | 24,362,071 | 21,946,791 | 28,669,251 | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 661,545 | 1,192,336 | 951,527 | 661,545 | ||||||||||||
| Amounts recoverable from reinsurers | 11,704,055 | 12,212,656 | 21,855,266 | 11,704,055 | ||||||||||||
| Interest due and accrued | 312,054 | 264,791 | 223,166 | 312,054 | ||||||||||||
| Due premiums | 670,989 | 640,073 | 635,835 | 670,989 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred acquisition costs, net | 2,568,799 | 2,765,063 | 2,046,864 | 2,568,799 | ||||||||||||
| Value of business acquired, net | 1,726,192 | 2,039,110 | 427,454 | 1,726,192 | ||||||||||||
| Intangible assets | 700,000 | 700,000 | 700,000 | 700,000 | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill | - | 1,129,824 | ||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 158,471 | 217,565 | 127,976 | 158,471 | ||||||||||||
| Assets associated with business held for sale (see Note 3) | - | 16,870,241 | ||||||||||||||
| Other assets | 95,773 | 532,674 | 107,723 | 95,773 | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 47,267,129 | $ | 62,926,404 | $ | 49,022,602 | $ | 47,267,129 | ||||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Benefit reserves | $ | 24,606,543 | $ | 24,155,140 | $ | 26,228,105 | $ | 24,606,543 | ||||||||
| Policy claims | 565,148 | 839,859 | 447,513 | 565,148 | ||||||||||||
| Deposit-type contracts | 16,012,567 | 13,897,421 | 18,421,055 | 16,012,567 | ||||||||||||
| Advance premiums | 52,074 | 57,699 | 40,839 | 52,074 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred gain on coinsurance transaction | 322,487 | - | ||||||||||||||
| Total policy liabilities | 41,236,332 | 38,950,119 | 45,459,999 | 41,236,332 | ||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 1,211,875 | 1,013,313 | 790,361 | 1,211,875 | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities associated with business held for sale (see Note 3) | - | 15,508,998 | ||||||||||||||
| Surplus notes | 550,000 | 550,000 | 550,000 | 550,000 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 42,998,207 | 56,022,430 | 46,800,360 | 42,998,207 | ||||||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 8) | ||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, Series A, $0.001 par value. Liquidation preference $6.00 per share. | ||||||||||||||||
| Authorized 2,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding74,159 shares | ||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. | 74 | 74 | ||||||||||||||
| Authorized 2,000,000 shares; converted to common stock as of December 31, 2017 issued and outstanding 74,159 shares as of December 31, 2016 | - | 74 | ||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, Series B, $0.001 par value. Liquidation preference $6.00 per share. | ||||||||||||||||
| Authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 102,669 shares as of | ||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2016 and 2015. | 103 | 103 | ||||||||||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 120,000,000 shares; issued and | ||||||||||||||||
| outstanding22,558,956 and18,006,301 shares as of December 31, 2016 | 22,559 | 18,006 | ||||||||||||||
| and 2015, respectively. | ||||||||||||||||
| Authorized 1,000,000 shares; converted to common stock as of June 15, 2017 and issued and outstanding 102,669 shares as of December 31, 2016. | - | 103 | ||||||||||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 120,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 22,860,701 shares as of December 31, 2017 and 22,558,956 as of December 31, 2016. | 22,861 | 22,559 | ||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 33,036,924 | 31,584,529 | 33,006,255 | 33,036,924 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (27,533,447 | ) | (23,685,525 | ) | (30,252,971 | ) | (27,533,447 | ) | ||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,257,291 | ) | (1,013,213 | ) | (553,903 | ) | (1,257,291 | ) | ||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 4,268,922 | 6,903,974 | 2,222,242 | 4,268,922 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 47,267,129 | $ | 62,926,404 | $ | 49,022,602 | $ | 47,267,129 | ||||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Years Ended December 31, 20162017 and 20152016
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||
| Income: | ||||||||||||||||
| Premiums | $ | 3,517,458 | $ | 3,424,377 | $ | 2,972,870 | $ | 3,517,458 | ||||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses | 878,991 | 663,968 | 949,415 | 878,991 | ||||||||||||
| Loss on equity method investment | (420,720 | ) | (357,437 | ) | - | (420,720 | ) | |||||||||
| Net realized gains (losses) on investments | 31,504 | (117,364 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Net realized gains on investments | 47,290 | 31,504 | ||||||||||||||
| Extinguishment of Hot Dot payable | 486,361 | - | ||||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous income | 107,015 | 171,571 | 82,235 | 107,015 | ||||||||||||
| 4,114,248 | 3,785,115 | 4,538,171 | 4,114,248 | |||||||||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Death and other benefits | 803,091 | 908,658 | 897,839 | 803,091 | ||||||||||||
| Interest credited | 776,541 | 533,646 | 748,918 | 776,541 | ||||||||||||
| Increase in benefit reserves | 751,743 | 777,111 | 698,018 | 751,743 | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 367,235 | 469,674 | 404,110 | 367,235 | ||||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | 2,345,311 | 1,940,345 | 2,143,449 | 2,175,519 | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | 1,129,824 | - | - | 1,129,824 | ||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 3,114,951 | 2,578,288 | 2,365,361 | 3,284,743 | ||||||||||||
| 9,288,448 | 7,207,722 | 7,257,695 | 9,288,696 | |||||||||||||
| Operating loss | (5,174,448 | ) | (3,422,607 | ) | (2,719,524 | ) | (5,174,448 | ) | ||||||||
| Bargain purchase gain for business acquisition | 1,326,526 | 904,578 | - | 1,326,526 | ||||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (3,847,922 | ) | (2,518,029 | ) | (2,719,524 | ) | (3,847,922 | ) | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | (3,847,922 | ) | (2,518,029 | ) | (2,719,524 | ) | (3,847,922 | ) | ||||||||
| Comprehensiveloss | ||||||||||||||||
| Unrealizedlosses on investments | ||||||||||||||||
| arising during period | (212,574 | ) | (737,832 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Less: reclassification adjustment for net | ||||||||||||||||
| realized (gains) losses on investments | (31,504 | ) | 117,364 | |||||||||||||
| Other comprehensiveloss | (244,078 | ) | (620,468 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized income (losses) on investments arising during period | 750,678 | (212,574 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Less: reclassification adjustment for net realized gains on investments | (47,290 | ) | (31,504 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | 703,388 | (244,078 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Comprehensiveloss | $ | (4,092,000 | ) | $ | (3,138,497 | ) | $ | (2,016,136 | ) | $ | (4,092,000 | ) | ||||
| Netloss per common share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | ||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Years Ended December 31, 20162017 and 20152016
| Accumulated | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional | Other | Total | Additional | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred | Common | Paid-In | Accumulated | Comprehensive | Stockholders' | Preferred | Common | Paid-In | Accumulated | Comprehensive | Stockholders' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock | Stock | Capital | Deficit | Loss | Equity | Stock | Stock | Capital | Deficit | Loss | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2014 | $ | 177 | $ | 13,168 | $ | 29,583,631 | $ | (21,167,496 | ) | $ | (392,745 | ) | $ | 8,036,735 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances of common stock | - | 71 | 250,110 | - | - | 250,181 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock dividend | - | - | (56,057 | ) | - | - | (56,057 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merger of First Wyoming Capital Corporation | - | 4,767 | 1,806,845 | - | - | 1,811,612 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | (2,518,029 | ) | - | (2,518,029 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensiveloss | - | - | - | - | (620,468 | ) | (620,468 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2015 | $ | 177 | $ | 18,006 | $ | 31,584,529 | $ | (23,685,525 | ) | $ | (1,013,213 | ) | $ | 6,903,974 | $ | 177 | $ | 18,006 | $ | 31,584,529 | $ | (23,685,525 | ) | $ | (1,013,213 | ) | $ | 6,903,974 | |||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock dividend | - | - | (43,120 | ) | - | - | (43,120 | ) | - | - | $ | (43,120 | ) | - | - | (43,120 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of Northstar Financial Corporation | - | 4,553 | 2,401,321 | - | - | 2,405,874 | - | 4,553 | 2,401,321 | - | - | 2,405,874 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merger of First Wyoming Capital Corporation | - | - | (905,806 | ) | - | - | (905,806 | ) | - | - | (905,806 | ) | - | - | (905,806 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | 3,847,922 | - | (3,847,922 | ) | - | - | - | (3,847,922 | ) | - | (3,847,922 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | - | - | - | - | (244,078 | ) | (244,078 | ) | - | - | - | - | (244,078 | ) | (244,078 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2016 | $ | 177 | $ | 22,559 | $ | 33,036,924 | $ | (27,533,447 | ) | $ | (1,257,291 | ) | $ | 4,268,922 | $ | 177 | $ | 22,559 | $ | 33,036,924 | $ | (27,533,447 | ) | $ | (1,257,291 | ) | $ | 4,268,922 | |||||||||||||||||
| Series B preferred stock converted to common stock | $ | (103 | ) | $ | 206 | $ | (103 | ) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series A preferred stock converted to common stock | (74 | ) | 96 | (22 | ) | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock dividend | - | - | (30,544 | ) | - | - | (30,544 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | (2,719,524 | ) | - | (2,719,524 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | - | - | - | - | 703,388 | 703,388 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2017 (Unaudited) | $ | - | $ | 22,861 | $ | 33,006,255 | $ | (30,252,971 | ) | $ | (553,903 | ) | $ | 2,222,242 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 20162017 and 20152016
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,847,922 | ) | $ | (2,518,029 | ) | $ | (2,719,524 | ) | $ | (3,847,922 | ) | ||||
| Adjustments to arrive at cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net premium and discount on investments | 213,055 | 173,915 | 177,926 | 213,055 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 381,582 | 400,870 | 288,030 | 381,582 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred acquisition costs capitalized | (178,419 | ) | (552,466 | ) | (333,939 | ) | (178,419 | ) | ||||||||
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 367,235 | 469,674 | 404,110 | 367,235 | ||||||||||||
| Net realized losses (gains) on investments | (31,504 | ) | 117,364 | |||||||||||||
| Net realized gains on investments | (47,290 | ) | (31,504 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | 1,129,824 | - | - | 1,129,824 | ||||||||||||
| Bargain purchase gain for business acquired | (1,326,526 | ) | (904,578 | ) | - | (1,326,526 | ) | |||||||||
| Loss on equity method investment | 420,720 | 357,437 | - | 420,720 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred coinsurance ceding commission | 322,487 | - | ||||||||||||||
| Write-down of DAC and VOBA from coinsurance transaction | 1,523,431 | - | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Amounts recoverable from reinsurers | 508,601 | 424,254 | (10,151,211 | ) | 508,601 | |||||||||||
| Interest and dividends due and accrued | (47,263 | ) | (44,596 | ) | 88,888 | (47,263 | ) | |||||||||
| Due premiums | (30,916 | ) | (21,568 | ) | 35,154 | (30,916 | ) | |||||||||
| Policy liabilities | 939,095 | 1,185,036 | 2,289,872 | 939,095 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets and liabilities | 575,313 | (219,213 | ) | 52,897 | 575,313 | |||||||||||
| Other assets and liabilities held for sale | - | (68,864 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Extinguishment of Hot Dot payable | (486,361 | ) | - | |||||||||||||
| Net cashused for operating activities | (927,125 | ) | (1,200,764 | ) | (8,555,530 | ) | (927,125 | ) | ||||||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities available for sale: | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchases | (19,213,405 | ) | (16,090,449 | ) | (26,266,795 | ) | (19,213,405 | ) | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sale or maturity | 14,387,936 | 13,594,158 | 33,586,723 | 14,387,936 | ||||||||||||
| Securities associated with business held for sale | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchases | - | (964,450 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Securities held for sale: | ||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale or maturity | 52,703 | 869,528 | - | 52,703 | ||||||||||||
| Net change in equity securities carried at cost: | ||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale | 30,250 | 9,000 | - | 30,250 | ||||||||||||
| Proceeds from payments on mortgage loans on real estate, held for investment | - | 349,386 | ||||||||||||||
| Sale of Capital Reserve Life Insurance Company | 1,432,446 | - | - | 1,432,446 | ||||||||||||
| Acquisition of Northstar Financial Corporation | - | 2,427,394 | ||||||||||||||
| Net change in policy loans | 8,192 | (46,589 | ) | (22,613 | ) | 8,192 | ||||||||||
| Acquisition of Northstar Financial Corporation | 2,427,394 | - | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of First Wyoming Capital Corporation | - | 315,546 | ||||||||||||||
| Net purchases of property and equipment | (33,180 | ) | (37,084 | ) | (32,567 | ) | (33,180 | ) | ||||||||
| Net cashused for investing activities | (907,664 | ) | (2,000,954 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities | 7,264,748 | (907,664 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock | - | 286,722 | ||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock dividend | (43,120 | ) | (56,057 | ) | (30,544 | ) | (43,120 | ) | ||||||||
| Receipts on deposit-type contracts | 2,433,781 | 2,387,104 | 2,511,106 | 2,433,781 | ||||||||||||
| Withdrawals on deposit-type contracts | (1,086,663 | ) | (533,762 | ) | (899,798 | ) | (1,086,663 | ) | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 1,303,998 | 2,084,007 | 1,580,764 | 1,303,998 | ||||||||||||
| Netdecrease in cash and cash equivalents | (530,791 | ) | (1,117,711 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 289,982 | (530,791 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents: | ||||||||||||||||
| Beginning | 1,192,336 | 2,310,047 | 661,545 | 1,192,336 | ||||||||||||
| Ending | $ | 661,545 | $ | 1,192,336 | $ | 951,527 | $ | 661,545 | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||||
| Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Information | ||||||||||||||||
| Converted Series A and B Preferred Stock | $ | (177 | ) | $ | - | |||||||||||
| Common Stock issues from Converted A and B Preferred Stock | 177 | - | ||||||||||||||
| Measurement period adjustment on the First Wyoming acquisition | - | (905,806 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Common stock issued on Northstar Acquisition | - | 2,405,874 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | - | $ | 1,500,068 | |||||||||||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
| 2016 | 2015 | ||||||
| Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Information | |||||||
| Common stock issued on the First Wyoming acquisition and | |||||||
| measurement period adjustment | $ | (905,806 | ) | $ | 1,811,612 | ||
| Common stock issued on Northstar Acquisition | 2,405,874 | - | |||||
| $ | 1,500,068 | $ | 1,811,612 | ||||
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements(Unaudited)
Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of operations:Midwest Holding Inc. (“Midwest” or “the Company”) was incorporated in Nebraska on October 31, 2003 for the primary purpose of operating a financial services company. The Company is in the life insurance business and operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, American Life & Security Corp. (“American Life”). The Company has made several acquisitions of life insurance companies and related entities since 2008, all of which have been merged into the Company or into American Life.
Basis of presentation:The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Midwest and/or our wholly owned subsidiary American Life. Hereafter, entities are collectively referred to as the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us.”
Management evaluates the Company as one reporting segment in the life insurance industry. The Company is primarily engaged in the underwriting and marketing of life insurance products through American Life. The product offerings, the underwriting processes, and the marketing processes are similar. The Company’s product offerings consist of a multi- benefitmulti-benefit life insurance policy that combines cash value life insurance with a tax deferred annuity and a single premium term life product. These product offerings are underwritten, marketed, and managed as a group of similar products on an overall portfolio basis.
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)(“GAAP”) in the United States of America. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation and certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to the prior period results to conform to the current period’s presentation with no impact on results of operations or total stockholders’ equity.
Investments:All fixed maturities and a portion of the equity securities owned by the Company are considered available-for-sale and are included in the consolidated financial statements at their fair value as of the financial statement date. Bond premiums and discounts are amortized using the scientific-yield method over the term of the bonds. Realized gains and losses on securities sold during the year are determined using the specific identification method. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of applicable income taxes, are included in comprehensive loss.
Declines in the fair value of available for saleavailable-for-sale securities below their amortized cost are evaluated to assess whether any other-than-temporary impairment loss should be recorded. In determining if these losses are expected to be other-than-temporary, the Company considers severity of impairment, duration of impairment, forecasted recovery period, industry outlook, the financial condition of the issuer, issuer credit ratings, and the intent and ability of the Company to hold the investment until the recovery of the cost.
The recognition of other-than-temporary impairment losses on debt securities is dependent on the facts and circumstances related to the specific security. If the Company intends to sell a security or it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell a security prior to recovery of the amortized cost, the difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized in the statement of comprehensive income as an other-than-temporary impairment. If the Company does not expect to recover the amortized basis, does not plan to sell the security and if it is not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, the recognition of the other-than-temporary impairment is bifurcated. The Company recognizes the credit loss portion in the income statement and the noncredit loss portion in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment is determined by comparing the net present value of projected cash flows with the amortized cost basis of the debt security. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company’s best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the fixed income security at the date of acquisition. Cash flow estimates are driven by assumptions regarding probability of default, including changes in credit ratings, and estimates regarding timing and amount of recoveries associated with a default. No other-than-temporary impairments were recognized during the years ended December 31, 20162017 or 2015.2016.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued (Unaudited)
Included within the Company’s equity securities carried at cost and equity method investments are certain privately placed common stocks for some development stage holding companies organized for the purpose of forming life insurance subsidiaries. Our privately placed common stocks are recorded using cost basis or the equity method of accounting, depending on the facts and circumstances of each investment. These securities do not have a readily determinable fair value. The Company does not control these entities economically, and therefore does not consolidate these entities. The Company reports the earnings from privately placed common stocks accounted for under the equity method in net investment income.
Investment income consists of interest, dividends, gains and losses from equity method investments, and real estate income, which are recognized on an accrual basis and amortization of premiums and discounts.
Mortgage loans on real estate, held for investment: Mortgage loans on real estate, held for investment are carried at unpaid principal balances. Interest income on mortgage loans on real estate, held for investment is recognized in net investment income at the contract interest rate when earned. A mortgage loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the mortgage agreement. Valuation allowances on mortgage loans are established based upon losses expected by management to be realized in connection with future dispositions or settlement of mortgage loans, including foreclosures. The Company establishes valuation allowances for estimated impairments on an individual loan basis as of the balance sheet date. Such valuation allowances are based on the excess carrying value of the loan over the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate. These evaluations are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. No valuation allowance was established for mortgage loans on real estate, held for investment as of December 31, 2016due to the mortgage loans being sold in 2014 and 2015.
Policy loans:Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances. Interest income on policy loans is recognized in net investment income at the contract interest rate when earned. No valuation allowance is established for these policy loans as the amount of the loan is fully secured by the death benefit of the policy and cash surrender value.
Short-term investments:Short-term investments are stated at cost and consist of certificates of deposit. At December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 the Company did not have any short-term investments.
Real estate, held for investment:Real estate, held for investment is comprised of ten condominiums in Hawaii. Real estate is carried at depreciated cost. Depreciation on residential real estate is computed on a straight-line basis over 50 years.
Cash:The Company considers all liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, the Company had no cash equivalents.
Deferred acquisition costs:Deferred acquisition costs consist of incremental direct costs, net of amounts ceded to reinsurers, that result directly from and are essential to the contract acquisition transaction and would not have been incurred by the Company had the contract acquisition not occurred, are capitalized, to the extent recoverable, and amortized over the life of the premiums produced. The Company evaluates the types of acquisition costs it capitalizes. The Company capitalizes agent compensation and benefits and other expenses that are directly related to the successful acquisition of contracts. The Company also capitalizes expenses directly related to activities performed by the Company, such as underwriting, policy issuance, and processing fees incurred in connection with successful contract acquisitions.
Recoverability of deferred acquisition costs is evaluated periodically by comparing the current estimate of the present value of expected pretax future profits to the unamortized asset balance. If this current estimate is less than the existing balance, the difference is charged to expense. The Company performs a recoverability analysis annually in the fourth quarter unless events occur which require an immediate review. The Company eliminated the $437,620 of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) that were associated with the Great Plains Life block of business that was included in the Coinsurance Agreement between American Life and US Alliance effective September 30, 2017. The Company determined during its December 31, 20162017 analysis that all deferred acquisition costs were recoverable.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued(Unaudited)
The following table provides information about deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively.
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | 2,765,063 | $ | 2,646,970 | $ | 2,568,799 | $ | 2,765,063 | ||||||||
| Capitalization of commissions, sales and issue expenses | 178,419 | 552,466 | 333,940 | 178,419 | ||||||||||||
| Change in DAC due to unrealized investment losses | (7,448 | ) | 35,301 | (14,144 | ) | (7,448 | ) | |||||||||
| Gross amortization | (367,235 | ) | (469,674 | ) | (404,111 | ) | (367,235 | ) | ||||||||
| Change in DAC due to coinsurance ceding commission | (437,620 | ) | - | |||||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | 2,568,799 | $ | 2,765,063 | $ | 2,046,864 | $ | 2,568,799 | ||||||||
Value of business acquired:Value of business acquired (“VOBA”) represents the estimated value assigned to purchased companies or insurance in force of the assumed policy obligations at the date of acquisition of a block of policies.
Recoverability of value of business acquiredVOBA is evaluated periodically by comparing the current estimate of the present value of expected pretax future profits to the unamortized asset balance. If this current estimate is less than the existing balance, the difference is charged to expense. The Company performs a recoverability analysis annually in the fourth quarter unless events occur which require an immediate review. The Company eliminated the $1,085,811 of VOBA that was associated with the Great Plains Life and First Wyoming Life blocks of business that was included in the Coinsurance Agreement between American Life and US Alliance effective September 30, 2017. The Company determined during its December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 analysis that all value of business acquired wereVOBA was recoverable.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:Goodwill representsIntangibles represent the excess ofstate licenses that were recorded when Old Reliance was acquired by the amounts paid to acquire subsidiaries and other businesses over the fair value of their net assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill isCompany. Intangibles are tested for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or circumstances change that would indicate that a triggering event has occurred.
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08 which amends the rules for testing goodwill for impairment. Under the new rules, an entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary.
The Company elected to forgo the qualitative impairment analysis and performed the first step of the goodwill quantitative analysis to determine if the fair value of the reporting unit was in excess of the carrying value. As of December 31, 2016, the fair value of the Company’s reporting unitwas less than the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unittherefore the Companywas required to perform further testing for impairment. Management's determination of the fair value of the reporting unit incorporated assumptions that market participants would make in valuing the reporting unit.Based upon our fair value analysis, the Company determined that the full amount of the goodwill should be written off as of December 31, 2016.
Midwest Holding Inc. and SubsidiariesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
The Company assesses the recoverability of indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually or whenever events or circumstances suggest that the carrying value of an identifiable indefinite-lived intangible asset may exceed the sum of the future discounted cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset.
The Company compared the carrying value of its identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets to the sum of the future discounted cash flows. As of December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, the sum of the future discounted cash flows exceeded the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets. During our goodwill analysis in 2016, we determined that we were required to impair the entire balance of $1,129,824. The assumptions and estimates used to determine future values are complex and subjective. They can be affected by various factors, including external factors such as industry and economic trends, and internal factors such as changes in our business strategy and our revenue forecasts.
Property and equipment:Property and equipment are stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Annual depreciation is primarily computed using straight-line methods for financial reporting and straight-line and accelerated methods for tax purposes. Furniture and equipment is depreciated over 3 to 7 years and computer software and equipment is generally depreciated over 3 years. Depreciation expense totaled$103,623 $65,092 and $157,387$103,623 for the years ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively. The accumulated depreciation net of disposals totaled $961,864$894,014 and $864,526$961,864 as of December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively.
Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Replacements and improvements which extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized. The net book value of assets sold or retired are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in earnings.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued (Unaudited)
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and exceeds estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the asset. A recognized impairment loss reduces the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value. The Company determined that no such events occurred that would indicate the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
Reinsurance:In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to limit aggregate and single exposure to losses on large risks by purchasing reinsurance. The amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets as reinsurance recoverable include amounts billed to reinsurers on losses paid as well as estimates of amounts expected to be recovered from reinsurers on insurance liabilities that have not yet been paid. Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses are estimated based upon assumptions consistent with those used in establishing the liabilities related to the underlying reinsured contracts. Insurance liabilities are reported gross of reinsurance recoverable. Management believes the recoverables are appropriately established. The Company generally strives to diversify its credit risks related to reinsurance ceded. Reinsurance premiums are generally reflected in income in a manner consistent with the recognition of premiums on the reinsured contracts. Reinsurance does not extinguish the Company’s primary liability under the policies written. Therefore, the Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers including their activities with respect to claim settlement practices and commutations, and establishes allowances for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable as appropriate. There were no allowances as of December 31, 20162017 or 2015.2016.
Benefit reserves:The Company establishes liabilities for amounts payable under insurance policies, including traditional life insurance and annuities. Generally, amounts are payable over an extended period of time. Liabilities for future policy benefits of traditional life insurance have been computed by a net level premium method based upon estimates at the time of issue for investment yields, mortality and withdrawals. These estimates include provisions for experience less favorable than initially expected. Mortality assumptions are based on industry experience expressed as a percentage of standard mortality tables.
Policy claims:Policy claims are based on reported claims plus estimated incurred but not reported claims developed from trends of historical data applied to current exposure.
Midwest Holding Inc. and SubsidiariesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
Deposit-type contracts:Deposit-type contracts consist of amounts on deposit associated with deferred annuity riders, premium deposit funds and supplemental contracts without life contingencies.
Income taxes:The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2012.2014. The provision for income taxes is based on income as reported in the financial statements. The income tax provision is calculated under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets are recorded based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates. The principal assets and liabilities giving rise to such differences are investments, insurance reserves, and deferred acquisition costs. A deferred tax asset valuation allowance is established when there is uncertainty that such assets would be realized. The Company has no uncertain tax positions that it believes are more-likely-than not that the benefit will not to be realized.
When applicable, the Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties in income tax expense. The Company had no accruals for payments of interest and penalties at December 31, 20162017 and 2015.2016.
Revenue recognition and related expenses:Revenues on traditional life insurance products consist of direct and assumed premiums reported as earned when due.
Amounts received as payment for annuities and/or non-traditional contracts such as interest sensitive whole life contracts, single payment endowment contracts, single payment juvenile contracts and other contracts without life contingencies are recognized as deposits to policyholder account balances and included in future insurance policy benefits. Revenues from these contracts are comprised of fees earned for administrative and contract-holder services and cost of insurance, which are recognized over the period of the contracts, and included in revenue. Deposits are shown as a financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued (Unaudited)
Amounts received under our multi-benefit policy form are allocated to the life insurance portion of the multi-benefit life insurance arrangement and the annuity portion based upon the signed policy.
Liabilities for future policy benefits are provided and acquisition costs are amortized by associating benefits and expenses with earned premiums to recognize related profits over the life of the contracts. Acquisition costs are amortized over the life of the premiums produced. Traditional life insurance products are treated as long duration contracts, which generally remain in force for the lifetime of the insured.
Comprehensive loss:Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive loss includes unrealized gains and losses from marketable securities classified as available for sale,available-for-sale, net of applicable taxes.
Common and preferred stock and earnings (loss) per share:The par value per common share is $0.001 with 100,000,000120,000,000 voting common shares authorized, 20,000,000 non-voting common shares authorized, and 20,000,00010,000,000 preferred shares authorized. At December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, the Company had 22,558,95622,860,701 and 18,006,30122,558,956 common shares issued and outstanding, respectively.
At December 31, 2016, and 2015, the Company had 1,179 warrants outstanding. The warrants were exercisable through December 31, 2016 for 10 shares of voting common stock at an exercise price of $6.50 per share. No warrants were exercised during 2016 and 2015and are now expired.
The Class A preferred shares arewere non-cumulative, non-voting and convertible by the holder to voting common shares after May, 2015, at a rate of 1.3 common shares for each preferred share (subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments). There is no stated dividend rate on the Class A shares, but the holders of Class A shares will receive a dividend on each outstanding share of Class A preferred stock in an amount equal to the amount of the dividend payable on each share of common stock. The par value per preferred share is $0.001 with 2,000,000 shares authorized. At both December 31, 2016 and 2015,2017 the Company had 74,159 Class A preferred shares issued and outstanding.
Table of Contentsoutstanding were converted to 96,407 voting common shares by the Company.
Midwest Holding Inc. and SubsidiariesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
The Class B preferred shares arewere non-cumulative, non-voting and convertible by the holderor the Company to voting common shares after May 1, 2017 at a rate of 2.0 common shares for each preferredshare. The par value per preferred share iswas $0.001 with 1,000,000 shares authorized. The stated annual dividend rate on the Class B preferred shares iswas 7%. Dividends totaling $43,120$30,544 and $56,057$43,120 were paid during the years endedas of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and 2015, respectively. At December 31, 2016 and 2015,On June 15, 2017, the Company had 102,669 outstanding Class B preferred shares issued and outstanding.were converted to 205,338 voting common shares by the Company.
The Company evaluated its Class B preferred stock for potential embedded derivatives. In doing so, the Company first concluded that the nature of the host contract was more equity than debt like. The embedded conversion features were determined not to be derivatives as net settlement does not exist given the lack of trading activity in the Company’s stock. Additionally, the conversion features are clearly and closely related to an equity host contract. Consideration was also given to whether a beneficial conversion feature should be recognized in additional paid in capital for the intrinsic value of the conversion feature at the issuance date. The Class B preferred stock is not mandatorily redeemable but may be redeemed at the time of a deemed liquidation. Holders could elect redemption upon the occurrence of certain deemed liquidation events, including mergers in which the company is a constituent party and sales of substantially all the assets of the Company, that are within the Company’s control, if the Company does not dissolve it. As such, the preferred stock is recognized in permanent equity. The redemption feature was determined to not be a derivative as settlement would be gross.
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to the Company’s common stockholders were computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year. The weighted average number of shares outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were 22,860,701 and 2015 were21,625,878 and 14,081,926 shares, respectively.
Reclassification of certain prior period information:Reclassifications have been made on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2016. These reclassifications do not impact the overall Net loss or Net loss per common share lines of the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2016.
New accounting standards:In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13,Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic(Topic 326). Under the new guidance, this replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to perform credit loss estimates. This update changes the methodology from an incurred loss to an expected credit loss. An allowance for the expected credit loss will be set up and the net income will be impacted. The credit losses will be evaluated in the current period and an adjustment to the allowance can be made. The new standard becomes effective after December 15, 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, InvestmentsTable of Contents
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323). Under the new guidance, 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, this ASU requires 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 new standard becomes effective December 15, 2016. Early adoption of this update is permitted and we will adopt this update should an investment change from the cost method to the equity method due to a change in ownership or degree of influence.Continued (Unaudited)
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02,Leases (Topic(Topic 842). The guidance in this ASU supersedes the leasing guidance in Topic 840, Leases. Under the new guidance, lessees are required to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements.
Midwest Holding Inc. and SubsidiariesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-1,Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic(Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This guidance changes how entities account for equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Entities will be required to measure these investments at fair value at the end of each reporting period and recognize changes in fair value in net income. A practicability exception will be available for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values; however; the exception requires the Company to adjust the carrying amount for impairment and observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. This guidance also changes certain disclosure requirements and other aspects of current GAAP. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and is applicable to the Company in fiscal 2018. The Company ishas determined that we currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on its consolidated financial statements.
Effective January 1, 2016, the Company adopted ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, which requires (i) that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined, (ii) that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date, (iii) that an entity present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line itemhave no equity securities that would have been recordedbe accounted for under ASU 2016-1 in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The Company reflected these changes in Note 2below.2018.
Note 2. Recent Acquisitions and Divestitures
On March 15, 2016, Midwest acquired Northstar Financial Corporation (“Northstar”), an inactive Minnesota corporation, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated December 18, 2015. Pursuant to this merger, Midwest exchanged 1.27 shares of its voting common stock for each share of Northstar common stock, or approximately 4,553,000 shares. The merger of Northstar was recorded as an asset acquisition. The assets (primarily cash) and liabilities of Northstar were recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date.
On October 27, 2015, Midwest acquired 100% of all of the outstanding shares that it did not previously own of First Wyoming Capital Corporation (“First Wyoming”), a Wyoming corporation, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated July 31, 2015 under which First Wyoming became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Midwest. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Midwest issued approximately 4,767,400 shares to the former shareholders of First Wyoming other than Midwest. The fair value of the Midwest shares exchanged to acquire 100% of the remaining outstanding shares of First Wyoming that it did not previously own was estimated by applying the income approach to be $905,806, which is different from our preliminary estimate of $1,811,612 as disclosed in Note 2 ofto the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2015 10-K. This fair value measurement was based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market. Key assumptions include projected total income growth of between 3% and 16%, expected long term growth of 3%, a discount rate of 16.0%, and a terminal value based on earnings and a capitalization rate of 13.0%. Subsequent to the closing, First Wyoming merged into Midwest and on September 1, 2016 First Wyoming Life, the life insurance subsidiary of First Wyoming, merged into American Life.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued(Unaudited)
The First Wyoming acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, which requires the consideration transferred and all assets and liabilities assumed to be recorded at fair value. Prior to the acquisition, Midwest held 22.1% of the outstanding shares of First Wyoming, which it had recorded in its financial statements under the equity method of accounting at a book value of $810,500 with a related accumulated other comprehensive loss of $30,410. The fair value of our previously held equity interest in First Wyoming was determined to be $221,430, resulting in a loss of $619,480 on the previously held equity interest. The preliminary fair value of our previously held equity interest in First Wyoming as disclosed in Note 2 ofto the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2015 10-K was determined to be $642,150 resulting in a loss of $198,760, which was included in net investment income (loss) in the 2015 10-K consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the remaining $420,720 was recognized in the period ended September 30, 201610-Q in loss on equity method investment on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The fair value of the previously held equity interest in First Wyoming was estimated by applying the income approach using significant inputs that are not observable in the market. Key assumptions include projected total income growth of between 3% and 13%, expected long term growth of 3%, a discount rate of 18.0%, a terminal value based on earnings and a capitalization rate of 13.0%, and adjustments due to lack of control that market participants would consider when estimating the fair value of the previously held equity interest in First Wyoming.
The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of the consideration transferred and the preliminary fair value of First Wyoming assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
| Fair value of common stock of Midwest issued as consideration | $ | 905,806 | $ | 905,806 | ||
| Fair value of Midwest's previously held equity interest in First Wyoming | 221,430 | |||||
| Fair value of Midwest’s previously held equity interest in First Wyoming | 221,430 | |||||
| $ | 1,127,236 | $ | 1,127,236 | |||
Recognized preliminary amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
| Investment securities | $ | 3,961,937 | ||
| Cash | 315,546 | |||
| VOBA | 506,600 | |||
| Other assets | 92,045 | |||
| Benefit reserves | (611,110 | ) | ||
| Policy claims | (41,754 | ) | ||
| Deposit-type contracts | (799,990 | ) | ||
| Other liabilities | (64,934 | ) | ||
| Total identifiable net assets | 3,358,340 | |||
| Bargain purchase gain | (2,231,104 | ) | ||
| $ | 1,127,236 |
All amounts related to the business combination are finalized and are no longer provisional. The transaction resulted in a bargain purchase gain of $2,231,104 and, of that amount, $904,578 was included in the bargain purchase gain for business acquisition line item in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2015. The remaining $1,326,526 was included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the period ended September 30, 2016. The bargain purchase gain was driven by the fact that as a standalone company, First Wyoming Life would have been required to significantly increase its administrative operations in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in the near future, the cost of which would be prohibitive to a small life insurance company such as First Wyoming Life.
Value of business acquired (“VOBA”) iswas being amortized on a straight-line basis over ten years which approximates the earnings pattern of the related policies. On September 30, 2017, American Life entered into a coinsurance agreement with US Alliance to cede 100% of the First Wyoming Life block of business. The VOBA associated with that block of business was written off at the date of the transaction.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued(Unaudited)
Acquisition costs relating to the business combination with First Wyoming totaling $123,219 were expensed as incurred and are included in the other operating expenses line item in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Total income and net loss of $71,165 and $73,939, respectively, were included in the 2015 10-K Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income from the October 27, 2015 acquisition date through December 31, 2015. Operations of the acquired entity and its subsidiary (First Wyoming Life) were immediately integrated with the Company’s operations.
The following table presents unaudited pro forma consolidated total income and net loss as if the acquisition had occurred as of January 1,2015 (earliest period shown).
| Year ended December 31, (unaudited) | 2015 | ||||
| Premiums | $ | 3,723,084 | |||
| Investment income | 414,972 | ||||
| Miscellaneous income | 48,864 | ||||
| Total income | $ | 4,186,920 | |||
| Net loss | $ | (4,338,598 | ) | ||
The unaudited pro forma total income and net loss above was adjusted to eliminate the equity method investment loss of $158,677 recorded for the year ended December 31, 2015. The pro forma amounts above also included an adjustment for the elimination of TPA fees paid by First Wyoming to Midwest of $122,903 for the year ended December 31, 2015. The unaudited proforma net loss presented above also includes adjustments for the amortization of VOBA for the year ending December 31, 2015 of $50,660.
Note 3. Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
In December 2015,On August 29, 2016, American Life entered into a purchase agreement with a third party to sellsold its interest in its dormant subsidiary, Capital Reserve Life Insurance Company (“Capital Reserve”). Under the terms of the purchase agreement, American Life received to an unrelated third party for cash which approximated the statutory surplus of Capital Reserve. The sale of Capital Reserve, was effective as of August 29, 2016. Prior to the sale of Capital Reserve, Midwest had $16.9 million and$15.5 million of assets and liabilities, respectively, classified as held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The sale of Capital Reserve resultedresulting in a net gain of approximately $26,000 which includes theincluding $50,000 cash above book value and the unrealized gains on the fair market value of bonds at August 29, 2016 becoming realized at the date of sale of $17,000 offset by the write-off of the VOBA of $40,714. This gain iswas included in the Netnet realized gain (loss) on investments on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
Note 3. Investments
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments classified as available-for-sale as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:
| Cost or | Gross | Gross | ||||||||||
| Amortized | Unrealized | Unrealized | Estimated | |||||||||
| Cost | Gains | Losses | Fair Value | |||||||||
| December 31, 2017: | ||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | $ | 2,132,441 | $ | - | $ | 102,343 | $ | 2,030,098 | ||||
| Mortgage-back securities | 1,365,684 | - | 47,103 | 1,318,581 | ||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- general obligations | 269,884 | 1,123 | 1,020 | 269,987 | ||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- special revenue | 25,347 | 38 | - | 25,385 | ||||||||
| Corporate | 17,780,163 | 44,037 | 462,344 | 17,361,856 | ||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | $ | 21,573,519 | $ | 45,198 | $ | 612,810 | $ | 21,005,907 | ||||
| December 31, 2016: | ||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | $ | 3,390,545 | $ | - | $ | 166,326 | $ | 3,224,219 | ||||
| States and political subdivisions -- general obligations | 383,730 | 732 | 3,067 | 381,395 | ||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- special revenue | 275,262 | 5,633 | 3,160 | 277,735 | ||||||||
| Corporate | 24,974,546 | 16,232 | 1,135,188 | 23,855,590 | ||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | $ | 29,024,083 | $ | 22,597 | $ | 1,307,741 | $ | 27,738,939 | ||||
The Company had two securities that individually exceed 10% of the total of the state and political subdivisions categories as of December 31, 2017. The amortized cost, fair value, credit rating, and description of each such security is as follows:
| Amortized | Estimated | |||||||
| Cost | Fair Value | Credit Rating | ||||||
| December 31, 2017: | ||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- general obligations | ||||||||
| Bellingham Wash | $ | 109,937 | $ | 108,917 | AA+ | |||
| Longview Washington Refunding | 159,947 | 161,070 | Aa3 | |||||
| Total | $ | 269,884 | $ | 269,987 | ||||
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued(Unaudited)
Note 4. Investments
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments classified as available-for-sale as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
| Cost or | Gross | Gross | ||||||||||
| Amortized | Unrealized | Unrealized | Estimated | |||||||||
| Cost | Gains | Losses | Fair Value | |||||||||
| December 31, 2016: | ||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | $ | 3,390,545 | $ | - | $ | 166,326 | $ | 3,224,219 | ||||
| States and political subdivisions -- general obligations | 383,730 | 732 | 3,067 | 381,395 | ||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- special revenue | 275,262 | 5,633 | 3,160 | 277,735 | ||||||||
| Corporate | 24,974,546 | 16,232 | 1,135,188 | 23,855,590 | ||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | $ | 29,024,083 | $ | 22,597 | $ | 1,307,741 | $ | 27,738,939 | ||||
| December 31, 2015: | ||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | $ | 3,256,704 | $ | 6,610 | $ | 69,815 | $ | 3,193,499 | ||||
| States and political subdivisions -- general obligations | 1,001,993 | - | 6,942 | 995,051 | ||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- special revenue | 275,333 | - | 1,997 | 273,336 | ||||||||
| Corporate | 19,745,201 | 1,468 | 937,278 | 18,809,391 | ||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | $ | 24,279,231 | $ | 8,078 | $ | 1,016,032 | $ | 23,271,277 | ||||
The Company hadfive securities that individually exceed 10% of the total of the state and political subdivisions categories as of December 31, 2016. The amortized cost, fair value, credit rating, and description of each such security is as follows:
| Amortized | Estimated | |||||||
| Cost | Fair Value | Credit Rating | ||||||
| December 31, 2016: | ||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- general obligations | ||||||||
| Bellingham Wash | $ | 110,988 | $ | 109,633 | AA+ | |||
| Longview Washington Refunding | 163,172 | 161,460 | NR | |||||
| Memphis Tenn | 109,570 | 110,302 | AA | |||||
| States and political subdivisions -- special revenue | ||||||||
| Philadelphia PA Auth For Indl Dev City Svc Agreement | 149,411 | 146,973 | AA | |||||
| Riviera Beach FLA Pub Impt Rev | 100,392 | 106,025 | AA | |||||
| Total | $ | 633,533 | $ | 634,393 | ||||
Midwest Holding Inc. and SubsidiariesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
The following table summarizes, for all securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, the estimated fair value, pre-tax gross unrealized loss and number of securities by length of time that those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position.
| December 31, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross | Number | Gross | Number | Gross | Number | Gross | Number | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated | Unrealized | of | Estimated | Unrealized | of | Estimated | Unrealized | of | Estimated | Unrealized | of | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Loss | Securities | Fair Value | Loss | Securities | Fair Value | Loss | Securities(1) | Fair Value | Loss | Securities(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed Maturities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 12 months: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | $ | 3,224,219 | $ | 166,326 | 17 | $ | 2,484,188 | $ | 62,343 | 14 | $ | 262,662 | $ | 13,877 | 2 | $ | 3,224,219 | $ | 166,326 | 17 | ||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| general obligations | 271,093 | 3,066 | 2 | 660,569 | 5,004 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| special revenue | 171,711 | 3,160 | 2 | 248,146 | 1,618 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-back securities | 1,318,581 | 47,103 | 19 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- general obligations | 108,917 | 1,020 | 1 | 271,093 | 3,066 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- special revenue | - | - | - | 171,711 | 3,160 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | 19,737,965 | 935,546 | 112 | 15,320,916 | 796,204 | 97 | 7,511,874 | 133,061 | 35 | 19,737,965 | 935,546 | 112 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 12 months: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | - | - | - | 305,055 | 7,472 | 3 | 1,767,435 | 88,466 | 10 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| general obligations | - | - | - | 334,481 | 1,938 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| special revenue | - | - | - | 25,190 | 379 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | 2,558,275 | 199,643 | 12 | 3,166,108 | 141,074 | 22 | 7,144,231 | 329,283 | 42 | 2,558,275 | 199,643 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | $ | 25,963,263 | $ | 1,307,741 | 145 | $ | 22,544,653 | $ | 1,016,032 | 145 | $ | 18,113,700 | $ | 612,810 | 109 | $ | 25,963,263 | $ | 1,307,741 | 145 | ||||||||||||
Based on our review of the securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, no other-than-temporary impairments were deemed necessary.The Company hadhas one bond related to non-investment grade, Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., which hashad an unrealized loss of $90,807.$47,206 and the end of 2017. The remaining unrealized loss of $1,216,934$520,406 was related to investment grade bonds. Management believes that the Company will fully recover its cost basis in the securities held at December 31, 2016,2017, and management does not have the intent to sell nor is it more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell such securities until they recover or mature. The temporary impairments shown herein are primarily the result of the current interest rate environment rather than credit factors that would imply other-than-temporary impairment.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities at December 31, 2016,2017, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
| Amortized | Estimated | Amortized | Estimated | |||||||||
| Cost | Fair Value | Cost | Fair Value | |||||||||
| Due in one year or less | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 201,090 | $ | 199,118 | ||||
| Due after one year through five years | 1,319,856 | 1,299,868 | 1,142,934 | 1,109,439 | ||||||||
| Due after five years through ten years | 13,739,800 | 13,196,864 | 6,867,623 | 6,647,567 | ||||||||
| Due after ten years | 13,964,427 | 13,242,207 | 13,361,872 | 13,049,783 | ||||||||
| $ | 29,024,083 | $ | 27,738,939 | $ | 21,573,519 | $ | 21,005,907 | |||||
The Company is required to hold assets on deposit for the benefit of policyholders in accordance with statutory rules and regulations. At December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, these required deposits had a total amortized cost of $2,747,571$3,287,932 and $6,186,865$2,747,571 and fair values of $3,167,727 and $2,635,225, and $6,000,376, respectively.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued(Unaudited)
The components of net investmentincome for the years ended December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 are as follows:
| Year Ended December | Year Ended December | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities | $ | 889,860 | $ | 681,999 | $ | 951,077 | $ | 889,860 | |||||||
| Equity securities | 1,434 | 186 | |||||||||||||
| Other | 58,849 | 44,870 | 63,380 | 60,283 | |||||||||||
| 950,143 | 727,055 | 1,014,457 | 950,143 | ||||||||||||
| Less investment expenses | (71,152 | ) | (63,087 | ) | (65,042 | ) | (71,152 | ) | |||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses | $ | 878,991 | $ | 663,968 | $ | 949,415 | $ | 878,991 | |||||||
Proceeds for the years ended December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 from sales of investments classified as available for saleavailable-for-sale were$14,179,936 $33,586,723 and $13,394,158,$14,179,936, respectively. Gross gains of $178,104$199,743 and $148,661$178,104 and gross losses of $54,610$152,453 and $266,025$54,610 were realized on those sales during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively.
As of December 31,2014, all mortgage loans were under contract to be sold. The sales were completed on January 15, 2015. The following table summarizes the activity in the mortgage loans on real estate, held for investment account for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | ||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | - | $ | 349,386 | |||
| Proceeds from settlement on mortgage loans on real estate, held for investment | - | (349,386 | ) | ||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | - | $ | - | |||
Note 5.4. Fair Values of Financial Instruments
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. We use valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach. Inputs to valuation techniques refer to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Inputs may be observable, meaning those that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources, or unobservable, meaning those that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. In that regard, accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:
| ● | Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date. |
| ● | Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. |
| ● | Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. |
Midwest Holding Inc. and SubsidiariesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
A review of fair value hierarchy classifications is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the valuation inputs, or their ability to be observed, may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities. Reclassifications impacting Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in/out of the Level 3 category as of the beginning of the period in which the reclassifications occur.
A description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.
Fixed maturities:Fixed maturities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis utilizing a third-party pricing source. The valuations are reviewed and validated quarterly through random testing by comparisons to separate pricing models or other third party pricing services. For the period ended December 31, 2016,2017, there were no material changes to the valuation methods or assumptions used to determine fair values, and no broker or third party prices were changed from the values received. Securities with prices based on validated quotes from pricing services are reflected within Level 2.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued (Unaudited)
Cash:The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments approximate the fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments.
Policy loans:Policy loans are stated at unpaid principal balances. As these loans are fully collateralized by the cash surrender value of the underlying insurance policies, the carrying value of the policy loans approximates their fair value. Policy loans are categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Deposit-type contracts:The fair value for direct and assumed liabilities under deposit-type insurance contracts (accumulation annuities) is calculated using a discounted cash flow approach. Cash flows are projected using actuarial assumptions and discounted to the valuation date using risk-free rates adjusted for credit risk and nonperformance risk of the liabilities. The fair values for insurance contracts other than deposit-type contracts are not required to be disclosed. These liabilities are categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Surplus notes:The fair value for surplus notes is calculated using a discounted cash flow approach. Cash flows are projected utilizing scheduled repayments and discounted to the valuation date using market rates currently available for debt with similar remaining maturities. These notes are structured such that all interest is paid at maturity. In the following fair value measurement tables, the Company has included accrued interest expense of approximately $261,971$293,922 and $229,405$261,971 in carrying value of the surplus notes as of December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively. These liabilities are categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Midwest Holding Inc. and SubsidiariesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for those financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 20162017 and 2015.2016.
| Significant | Significant | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quoted | Other | Significant | Quoted | Other | Significant | |||||||||||||||||||
| In Active | Observable | Unobservable | Estimated | Markets | Inputs | Inputs | Fair | |||||||||||||||||
| Markets | Inputs | Inputs | Fair | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | Value | |||||||||||||||||
| (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | $ | - | $ | 2,030,098 | $ | - | $ | 2,030,098 | ||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-back securities | - | 1,318,581 | - | 1,318,581 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions — general obligations | - | 269,987 | - | 269,987 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions — special revenue | - | 25,385 | - | 25,385 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | - | 17,361,856 | - | 17,361,856 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | $ | - | $ | 21,005,907 | $ | - | $ | 21,005,907 | ||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | $ | - | $ | 3,224,219 | $ | - | $ | 3,224,219 | $ | - | $ | 3,224,219 | $ | - | $ | 3,224,219 | ||||||||
| States and political subdivisions — general obligations | - | 381,395 | - | 381,395 | - | 381,395 | - | 381,395 | ||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions — special revenue | - | 277,735 | - | 277,735 | - | 277,735 | - | 277,735 | ||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | - | 23,855,590 | - | 23,855,590 | - | 23,855,590 | - | 23,855,590 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | $ | - | $ | 27,738,939 | $ | - | $ | 27,738,939 | $ | - | $ | 27,738,939 | $ | - | $ | 27,738,939 | ||||||||
| December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | $ | - | $ | 3,193,499 | $ | - | $ | 3,193,499 | ||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions — general obligations | - | 995,051 | - | 995,051 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions — special revenue | - | 273,336 | - | 273,336 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | - | 18,809,391 | - | 18,809,391 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | $ | - | $ | 23,271,277 | $ | - | $ | 23,271,277 | ||||||||||||||||
There were no transfers of financial instruments between Level 1 and Level 2 during the years ended December 31, 20162017 or 2015.2016.
Accounting standards require disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or non-recurring basis. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are discussed above. There were no financial assets or financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued (Unaudited)
The following disclosure contains the carrying values, estimated fair values and their corresponding placement in the fair value hierarchy, for financial assets and financial liabilities as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively:
| December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements Using | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Active Markets | Significant Other | Significant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| for Identical Assets | Observable | Unobservable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying | and Liabilities | Inputs | Inputs | Fair | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy loans | $ | 435,196 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 435,196 | $ | 435,196 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash | 951,527 | 951,527 | - | - | 951,527 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder deposits (Deposit-type contracts) | 18,421,055 | - | - | 18,421,055 | 18,421,055 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surplus notes and accrued interest payable | 843,922 | - | - | 843,922 | 843,922 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements at Date Using | December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in | Fair Value Measurements Using | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Active Markets | Quoted Prices in | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| for Identical | Significant Other | Significant | Active Markets | Significant Other | Significant | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets and | Observable | Unobservable | for Identical Assets | Observable | Unobservable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying | Liabilities | Inputs | Inputs | Fair | Carrying | and Liabilities | Inputs | Inputs | Fair | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | Value | Amount | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy loans | $ | 412,583 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 412,583 | $ | 412,583 | $ | 412,583 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 412,583 | $ | 412,583 | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 661,545 | 661,545 | - | - | 661,545 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash | 661,545 | 661,545 | - | - | 661,545 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder deposits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Deposit-type contracts) | 16,012,567 | - | - | 16,012,567 | 16,012,567 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder deposits (Deposit-type contracts) | 16,012,567 | - | - | 16,012,567 | 16,012,567 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surplus notes and accrued interest payable | 811,971 | - | - | 808,602 | 808,602 | 811,971 | - | - | 808,602 | 808,602 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued(Unaudited)
| December 31, 2015 | |||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements at Date Using | |||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in | |||||||||||||||
| Active Markets | |||||||||||||||
| for Identical | Significant Other | Significant | |||||||||||||
| Assets and | Observable | Unobservable | |||||||||||||
| Carrying | Liabilities | Inputs | Inputs | Fair | |||||||||||
| Amount | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | (Level 3) | Value | |||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||
| Policy loans | $ | 420,775 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 420,775 | $ | 420,775 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1,192,336 | 1,192,336 | - | - | 1,192,336 | ||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||
| Policyholder deposits | |||||||||||||||
| (Investment-type contracts) | 13,897,421 | - | - | 13,897,421 | 13,897,421 | ||||||||||
| Surplus notes and accrued interest payable | 779,405 | - | - | 768,022 | 768,022 | ||||||||||
Note 6.5. Income Tax Matters
Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 are as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss carryforwards | $ | 9,705,974 | $ | 8,962,587 | $ | 9,243,612 | $ | 9,705,974 | ||||||||
| Capitalized costs | 667,264 | 667,264 | 513,280 | 667,264 | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized losses on investments | 436,949 | 356,495 | 199,878 | 436,949 | ||||||||||||
| Benefit reserves | 984,640 | 1,071,997 | 957,292 | 984,640 | ||||||||||||
| Total deferred tax assets | 11,794,827 | 11,058,343 | 10,914,062 | 11,794,827 | ||||||||||||
| Less valuation allowance | (10,170,638 | ) | (9,287,024 | ) | (9,881,372 | ) | (10,170,638 | ) | ||||||||
| Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance | 1,624,189 | 1,771,319 | 1,032,690 | 1,624,189 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Policy acquisition costs | 571,148 | 593,654 | 426,696 | 571,148 | ||||||||||||
| Due premiums | 228,136 | 234,468 | 216,184 | 228,136 | ||||||||||||
| Value of business acquired | 586,905 | 693,297 | 145,334 | 586,905 | ||||||||||||
| Intangible assets | 238,000 | 238,000 | 238,000 | 238,000 | ||||||||||||
| Property and equipment | - | 11,900 | 6,476 | - | ||||||||||||
| Total deferred tax liabilities | 1,624,189 | 1,771,319 | 1,032,690 | 1,624,189 | ||||||||||||
| Net deferred tax assets | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||
At December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of10,170,638 9,881,372 and $9,287,024,$10,170,638, respectively, on the deferred tax assets to reduce the total to an amount that management believes will ultimately be realized. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon sufficient future taxable income during the period that deductible temporary differences and carry forwards are expected to be available to reduce taxable income.
Loss carry forwards for tax purposes as of December 31, 2016,2017, have expiration dates that range from 2024 through 2036.
Midwest Holding Inc. and SubsidiariesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued2037.
There was no income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015.2016. This differed from the amounts computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 34% to pretax income, as a result of the following:
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Computed expected income tax benefit | $ | (1,308,293 | ) | $ | (856,129 | ) | $ | (924,638 | ) | $ | (1,308,293 | ) | ||||
| Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from: | ||||||||||||||||
| Bargain purchase gain | (451,019 | ) | (307,557 | ) | - | (451,019 | ) | |||||||||
| Meals, entertainment and political contributions | 18,956 | 46,315 | 15,288 | 18,956 | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | 384,140 | - | - | 384,140 | ||||||||||||
| Other (Benefit reserves and NOL true-up/merger of First Wyoming 2015) | (53,722 | ) | 178,519 | |||||||||||||
| Adjustment to Prior Year NOL | 959,800 | - | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 1,745 | (53,722 | ) | |||||||||||||
| (101,645 | ) | (82,767 | ) | 976,833 | (101,645 | ) | ||||||||||
| Tax benefit before valuation allowance | (1,409,938 | ) | (938,896 | ) | 52,195 | (1,409,938 | ) | |||||||||
| Change in valuation allowance | 1,409,938 | 938,896 | (52,195 | ) | 1,409,938 | |||||||||||
| Net income tax expenses | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued (Unaudited)
Note 7.6. Reinsurance
A summary of significant reinsurance amounts affecting the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 and for the years ended December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||||
| Balance sheets: | ||||||||||||
| Benefit and claim reserves assumed | $ | 2,470,063 | $ | 2,763,779 | $ | 2,638,477 | $ | 2,470,063 | ||||
| Benefit and claim reserves ceded | 11,704,055 | 12,212,656 | 21,855,266 | 11,704,055 | ||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||
| Statements of comprehensive income: | ||||||||||||
| Premiums assumed | $ | 24,064 | $ | 36,777 | $ | 22,591 | $ | 24,064 | ||||
| Premiums ceded | 287,780 | 498,787 | 532,043 | 287,780 | ||||||||
| Benefits assumed | 43,602 | 57,317 | 58,689 | 43,602 | ||||||||
| Benefits ceded | 696,159 | 904,867 | 230,997 | 696,159 | ||||||||
| Commissions assumed | 35 | 21 | 30 | 35 | ||||||||
| Commissions ceded | 1,649 | 3,399 | 1,616 | 1,649 | ||||||||
The following table provides a summary of the significant reinsurance balances recoverable on paid and unpaid policy claims by reinsurer along with the A.M. Best credit rating as of December 31, 2016:2017:
| Recoverable on | Total Amount | Recoverable on | Total Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recoverable | Recoverable | Benefit | Ceded | Recoverable | Recoverable | Recoverable | Benefit | Ceded | Recoverable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AM Best | on Paid | on Unpaid | Reserves/Deposit- | Due | from | AM Best | on Paid | on Unpaid | Reserves/Deposit- | Due/Advance | from | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurer | Rating | Losses | Losses | type Contracts | Premiums | Reinsurer | Rating | Losses | Losses | type Contracts | Premiums | Reinsurer | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Optimum Re Insurance Company | A- | $ | - | $ | 77,032 | $ | 180,681 | $ | - | $ | 257,713 | A- | $ | - | $ | 12,388 | $ | 95,980 | $ | - | $ | 108,368 | ||||||||||||
| Sagicor Life Insurance Company | A- | - | 284,617 | 11,403,908 | 242,183 | 11,446,342 | A- | - | 283,372 | 12,284,719 | 247,396 | 12,320,695 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Alliance Life and Security Company | NR | - | 12,719 | 9,475,917 | 62,433 | 9,426,203 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | - | $ | 361,649 | $ | 11,584,589 | $ | 242,183 | $ | 11,704,055 | $ | - | $ | 308,479 | $ | 21,856,616 | $ | 309,829 | $ | 21,855,266 | |||||||||||||||
Effective September 30, 2017, American Life entered into an indemnity coinsurance transaction with US Alliance to transfer 100% of the risk related to the Great Plains Life and First Wyoming Life blocks of business. The purpose of this transaction was to provide statutory capital and surplus for American Life and has minimal effect on GAAP financials. We paid no commissions or brokerage fees for this transaction and the proceeds of the transaction were based upon valuations prepared by our third party actuary. American Life had more than one offer to assume this business. Under the indemnity coinsurance, US Alliance assumed certain liabilities and obligations. As we are not relieved of our legal liability to the policyholders; the liabilities and obligations associated with the reinsured blocks of business remain on our Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding reinsurance receivable from US Alliance, which totaled $8,928,223 as of September 30, 2017. We transferred $9,629,623 of GAAP net adjusted reserves to US Alliance for cash of $7,078,223 which was net of a ceding allowance of $1,850,000 which is treated as an increase to surplus on a statutory basis. As a result of the transaction, in addition to the reserves, American Life will cede approximately $883,000 of annual GAAP revenues and $1,758,250 of statutory revenues. US Alliance assumes all responsibilities for incurred claims, surrenders and commission from the effective date.
The ceding commission of $1,850,000 first reduced DAC of $437,620 and VOBA of $1,085,811 which had been held on our books from the Great Plains Life and First Wyoming Life acquisitions. The remaining $326,569 has been reflected as a deferred gain, which will be recognized into income over the expected duration of the Great Plains Life and First Wyoming Life blocks of business.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued(Unaudited)
Effective 1999, American Life entered into a 75% coinsurance agreement with Sagicor Life (“Sagicor”) whereby 75% of certain business is ceded to Sagicor. During 2000, the remaining 25% was coinsured with Sagicor. At December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, total benefit reserves, policy claims, deposit-type contracts, and due premiums ceded by American Life to Sagicor were $12,320,695 and $11,446,342, respectively. At December 31, 2017, total benefit reserves, policy claims, deposit-type contracts, and $11,873,254, respectively.due premiums ceded by American Life to US Alliance was $9,426,203. American Life remains contingently liable on thisthe ceded reinsurance should Sagicor or US Alliance be unable to meet their obligationsobligations.
The use of reinsurance does not relieve American Life of its primary liability to pay the full amount of the insurance benefit in the event of the failure of a reinsurer to honor its contractual obligation. No reinsurer of business ceded by American Life has failed to pay policy claims (individually or in the aggregate) with respect to our ceded business.
American Life monitors several factors that it considers relevant to satisfy itself as to the ongoing ability of a reinsurer to meet all obligations of the reinsurance agreements. These factors include the credit rating of the reinsurer, the financial strength of the reinsurer, significant changes or events of the reinsurer, and any other relevant factors. If the Company believes that any reinsurer would not be able to satisfy its obligations with the Company, a separate contingency reserve may be established. At December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, no contingency reserve was established.
Note 8.7. Deposit-Type Contracts
The Company’s deposit-type contracts represent the contract value that has accrued to the benefit of the policyholder as of the balance sheet date. Liabilities for these deposit-type contracts are included without reduction for potential surrender charges. This liability is equal to the accumulated account deposits, plus interest credited, and less policyholder withdrawals. The following table provides information about deposit-type contracts for the years ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015: 2016:
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | 13,897,421 | $ | 10,722,227 | $ | 16,012,567 | $ | 13,897,421 | ||||||||
| First Wyoming Life beginning balance | - | 799,990 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in deposit-type contracts assumed from SNL | - | (1,200 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Deposits received | 2,433,781 | 2,387,104 | 2,511,107 | 2,433,781 | ||||||||||||
| Investment earnings | 776,541 | 533,646 | 808,085 | 776,541 | ||||||||||||
| Withdrawals | (1,086,661 | ) | (533,762 | ) | (899,799 | ) | (1,086,661 | ) | ||||||||
| Contract Charges | (8,515 | ) | (10,584 | ) | (10,905 | ) | (8,515 | ) | ||||||||
| Ending balance | $ | 16,012,567 | $ | 13,897,421 | $ | 18,421,055 | $ | 16,012,567 | ||||||||
Under the terms of American Life’s coinsurance agreement with SNL,Security National Life Insurance Company (“SNL”), American Life assumes certain deposit-type contract obligations, as shown in the tableabove. The remaining deposits, withdrawals and interest credited represent those for American Life’s direct business.
Midwest Holding Inc. and SubsidiariesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
Note 9.8. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings:We are involved in litigation incidental to our operations from time to time. We are not presently a party to any legal proceedings other than litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business, and we are not aware of any claims that could materially affect our financial position or results of operations.
Regulatory Matters:State regulatory bodies, the SEC, and other regulatory bodies regularly make inquiries and conduct examinations or investigations concerning the Company’s compliance with laws in relation to, but not limited to, insurance and securities. The issues involved in information requests and regulatory matters vary widely. The Company cooperates in these inquiries. Agencies from the stateThe Nebraska Department of Nebraska are currently conducting a routine regulatory examinationInsurance completed its exam for the periodperiods 2013 through 2016 as required by state statutes.on American Life.
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued (Unaudited)
Office Lease:The Company leases office space in Lincoln, Nebraska under an agreement executed October 17, 2013 that expires on January 31, 2024.TheCompany executed an amendment to the above lease for the additional 2,876 square feet of office space in Suite 450 on October 23, 2015, which will expireexpired on May 31, 2017, which we do not plan to renew.2017. Great Plains entered into a lease on October 4, 2013 for office space in Mitchell, South Dakota, which expired on November 30, 2016. First Wyoming leased space in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which expired on August 31, 2016. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $219,357 and 2015 was$341,424 and $232,130,$341,424, respectively. Future minimum payments are as follows:
| 2017 | $ | 149,481 | |||
| 2018 | 136,557 | $ | 136,557 | ||
| 2019 | 141,412 | 141,412 | |||
| 2020 | 146,477 | 146,477 | |||
| 2021 | 151,543 | 151,543 | |||
| 2022 | 156,608 | ||||
| Later years | 331,790 | 175,182 | |||
| Total | $ | 1,057,260 | $ | 907,779 | |
Note 10.9. Statutory Net Income and Surplus
American Life is required to prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Nebraska Department of Insurance. Statutory practices primarily differ from GAAP by charging policy acquisition costs to expense as incurred, establishing future policy benefit liabilities using different actuarial assumptions as well as valuing investments and certain assets and accounting for deferred taxes on a different basis. First Wyoming Life and Great Plains Life merged withinto American Life as of September 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Capital Reserve was sold effective August 29, 2016. The December 31, 2015 numbers in the table below have been restatedEffective September 30, 2017, American Life entered into a coinsurance agreement with US Alliance to includecede 100% of the First Wyoming LifeLife’s and Great Plains Life balances into American Life to be consistent withLife’s blocks of business. The fourth quarter premiums and benefits were not included in the December 31, 2016 statutory statement filing. The following table summarizes the2017 net loss. American Life’s statutory net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 and statutory capital2016 was $2,084,690 and $1,979,009, respectively. Capital and surplus of American Life as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $2,962,885 and 2015 and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. The amounts below as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 are based on the respective company’s audited statutory financial statements. Theaudit of theAmerican Life's financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016is expected to be completed by May 31, 2017
| Statutory Net Loss for the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||
| American Life | $ | 1,979,009 | $ | 2,085,450 | ||
| Capital Reserve | N/A | $ | 77,720 | |||
| Statutory Capital and Surplus as of December 31, | ||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||
| American Life | $ | 3,817,756 | $ | 5,288,649 | ||
| Capital Reserve | N/A | $ | 1,464,044 | |||
Midwest Holding Inc. and SubsidiariesNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued$3,817,844, respectively.
Note 11.10. Surplus Notes
The following provides a summary of the American Life’s surplus notes along with issue dates, maturity dates, face amounts, and interest rates as of December 31, 2016:2017:
| Creditor | Issue Date | Maturity Date | Face Amount | Interest Rate | Issue Date | Maturity Date | Face Amount | Interest Rate | |||||||||
| David G. Elmore | September 1, 2006 | September 1, 2016 | $ | 250,000 | 7% | September 12, 2006 | September 1, 2016 | $250,000 | 7% | ||||||||
| David G. Elmore | August 4, 2011 | August 1, 2016 | 300,000 | 5% | August 4, 2011 | August 1, 2016 | 300,000 | 5% | |||||||||
Any payments and/or repayments must be approved by the Nebraska Department of Insurance. As of December 31, 2016,2017, the Company has accrued $261,971$293,922 of interest expense under accounts payable and accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet. No payments were made in the years ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015.2016. The surplus notes for $300,000 and $250,000 matured on August 1, 2016 and September 1, 2016, respectively. Due to the nature of surplus notes, a repayment cannot be made without the prior approval of the Nebraska insurance regulators.
Note 12.11. Related Party Transactions
The Company commenced its third party administrative (“TPA”) services in 2012 as an additional revenue source. These services are offered to the Company’ssubsidiary and to non-consolidated entities. These agreements, for various levels of administrative services on behalf of each company, generate fee income for the Company. Services provided vary based on their needs and can include some or all aspects of back-office accounting and policy administration. We have been able to perform our TPA services using our existing in-house resources. Fees earned during the years ended December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 amounted to $71,680 and $63,500, respectively.
Midwest Holding Inc. and $154,670, respectively.Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued (Unaudited)
Note 13.12. Subsequent Events
All of the effects of subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at December 31, 2016,2017, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing consolidated financial statements, are recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Company does not recognize subsequent events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the consolidated financial statements but arose after, but before the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued. In some cases, non-recognized subsequent events are disclosed to keep the consolidated financial statements from being misleading
MIDWEST HOLDING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Summary of Investments — Other Than Investments in Related Parties
December 31, 20162017
| Amount | |||||||||
| Recognized in | |||||||||
| Amortized | Consolidated | ||||||||
| Cost | Fair Value | Balance Sheets | |||||||
| Type of Investment | |||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale: | |||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | $ | 3,390,545 | $ | 3,224,219 | $ | 3,224,219 | |||
| States and political subdivisions -- general obligations | 383,730 | 381,395 | 381,395 | ||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- special revenue | 275,262 | 277,735 | 277,735 | ||||||
| Corporate | 24,974,546 | 23,855,590 | 23,855,590 | ||||||
| Total fixed maturity securities | $ | 29,024,083 | $ | 27,738,939 | $ | 27,738,939 | |||
| Real estate, held for investment | 517,729 | 517,729 | |||||||
| Policy loans | 412,583 | 412,583 | |||||||
| Total Investments | $ | 29,954,395 | $ | 28,669,251 | |||||
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
| Amount | |||||||||
| Recognized in | |||||||||
| Amortized | Consolidated | ||||||||
| Cost | Fair Value | Balance Sheets | |||||||
| Type of Investment | |||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale: | |||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | $ | 2,132,441 | $ | 2,030,098 | $ | 2,030,098 | |||
| Mortgage-back securities | 1,365,684 | 1,318,581 | 1,318,581 | ||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- general obligations | 269,884 | 269,987 | 269,987 | ||||||
| States and political subdivisions -- special revenue | 25,347 | 25,385 | 25,385 | ||||||
| Corporate | 17,780,163 | 17,361,856 | 17,361,856 | ||||||
| Total fixed maturity securities | $ | 21,573,519 | $ | 21,005,907 | $ | 21,005,907 | |||
| Real estate, held for investment | 505,688 | 505,688 | |||||||
| Policy loans | 435,196 | 435,196 | |||||||
| Total Investments | $ | 22,514,403 | $ | 21,946,791 | |||||
FS-2
Midwest Holding Inc. (Parent Company)
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant(2017 Unaudited)
Balance Sheets
| As of December 31, | As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment in subsidiaries (1) | $ | 4,424,693 | $ | 7,640,794 | $ | 2,211,630 | $ | 4,424,693 | ||||||||
| Equity securities, at cost | - | 140,250 | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Total investments | 4,424,693 | 7,781,044 | 2,211,630 | 4,424,693 | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 112,563 | 212,422 | 4,756 | 112,563 | ||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 78,790 | 85,339 | 42,587 | 78,790 | ||||||||||||
| Other assets | 153,502 | 381,149 | 38,321 | 153,502 | ||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 4,769,548 | $ | 8,459,954 | $ | 2,297,294 | $ | 4,769,548 | ||||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 500,626 | 1,555,980 | 75,052 | 500,626 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 500,626 | 1,555,980 | 75,052 | 500,626 | ||||||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, Series A | 74 | 74 | - | 74 | ||||||||||||
| Preferred stock, Series B | 103 | 103 | - | 103 | ||||||||||||
| Common stock | 22,559 | 18,006 | 22,861 | 22,559 | ||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 33,036,924 | 31,584,529 | 33,006,255 | 33,036,924 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (27,533,447 | ) | (23,685,525 | ) | (30,252,971 | ) | (27,533,447 | ) | ||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,257,291 | ) | (1,013,213 | ) | (553,903 | ) | (1,257,291 | ) | ||||||||
| Total Midwest Holding Inc.'s stockholders' equity | 4,268,922 | 6,903,974 | 2,222,242 | 4,268,922 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 4,769,548 | $ | 8,459,954 | $ | 2,297,294 | $ | 4,769,548 | ||||||||
| (1) | Eliminated in consolidation. |
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
FS-3
Schedule II (Continued)
Midwest Holding Inc. (Parent Company)
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Statements of Comprehensive Income
| As of December 31, | ||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Income: | ||||||||
| Investment loss, net of expenses | $ | (5,635 | ) | $ | (5,826 | ) | ||
| Net realized loss on investments | (117,500 | ) | - | |||||
| Loss on equity method investment | (420,720 | ) | (357,437 | ) | ||||
| Miscellaneous income | 515,667 | 536,997 | ||||||
| (28,188 | ) | 173,734 | ||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||
| General | 2,054,032 | 1,562,147 | ||||||
| Loss before income tax expense | (2,082,220 | ) | (1,388,413 | ) | ||||
| Income tax expense | - | - | ||||||
| Loss before equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries | (2,082,220 | ) | (1,388,413 | ) | ||||
| Equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries | (3,092,228 | ) | (2,034,194 | ) | ||||
| Bargain purchase gain for business acquisition | 1,326,526 | 904,578 | ||||||
| Netloss | $ | (3,847,922 | ) | $ | (2,518,029 | ) | ||
| Comprehensive loss: | ||||||||
| Unrealizedlosses on investments arising during period | (212,574 | ) | (737,832 | ) | ||||
| Less: reclassification adjustment for net realized(gains) losses on investments | (31,504 | ) | 117,364 | |||||
| Other comprehensiveloss | (244,078 | ) | (620,468 | ) | ||||
| Comprehensiveloss | $ | (4,092,000 | ) | $ | (3,138,497 | ) | ||
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
| As of December 31, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Income: | ||||||||
| Investment loss, net of expenses | $ | (6,776 | ) | $ | (5,635 | ) | ||
| Net realized loss on investments | - | (117,500 | ) | |||||
| Loss on equity method investment | - | (420,720 | ) | |||||
| Extinguishment of Hot Dot payable | 486,361 | - | ||||||
| Miscellaneous income | 126,680 | 515,667 | ||||||
| 606,265 | (28,188 | ) | ||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||
| General | 409,338 | 2,054,032 | ||||||
| Loss before income tax expense | 196,927 | (2,082,220 | ) | |||||
| Income tax expense | - | - | ||||||
| Loss before equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries | 196,927 | (2,082,220 | ) | |||||
| Equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries | (2,916,451 | ) | (3,092,228 | ) | ||||
| Bargain purchase gain for business acquisition | - | 1,326,526 | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | (2,719,524 | ) | $ | (3,847,922 | ) | ||
| Comprehensive Income (loss): | ||||||||
| Unrealized losses on investments arising during period | 750,678 | (212,574 | ) | |||||
| Less: reclassification adjustment for net realized gains on investments | (47,290 | ) | (31,504 | ) | ||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | 703,388 | (244,078 | ) | |||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (2,016,136 | ) | $ | (4,092,000 | ) | ||
FS-4
Schedule II (Continued)
Midwest Holding Inc. (Parent Company)
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Statements of Cash Flows
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,847,922 | ) | $ | (2,518,029 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Equity in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries | 2,972,023 | 747,476 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 31,931 | 43,825 | ||||||
| Net realized gain on investments | 117,500 | - | ||||||
| Bargain purchase gain for business acquired | (1,326,526 | ) | (904,578 | ) | ||||
| Equity in the net loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries | 420,720 | 357,437 | ||||||
| Other assets and liabilities | (861,791 | ) | 986,290 | |||||
| Net cashused in operating activities | (2,494,065 | ) | (1,287,579 | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||
| Equity securities carried at cost: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from equity securities carried at cost | 30,250 | 9,000 | ||||||
| Acquisition of First WyomingCapital Corporation | - | 165,759 | ||||||
| Issurance of common stock acquisition of Northstar Financial | 2,427,394 | - | ||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (20,318 | ) | (37,480 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 2,437,326 | 137,279 | ||||||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||||
| Issurance of common stock | - | 286,722 | ||||||
| Preferred stock dividend | (43,120 | ) | (56,057 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | (43,120 | ) | 230,665 | |||||
| Netdecrease in cash and cash equivalents | (99,859 | ) | (919,635 | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents: | ||||||||
| Beginning | 212,422 | 1,132,057 | ||||||
| Ending | $ | 112,563 | $ | 212,422 | ||||
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (2,719,524 | ) | $ | (3,847,922 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Equity in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries | 2,916,451 | 2,972,023 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 30,512 | 31,931 | ||||||
| Net realized gain on investments | - | 117,500 | ||||||
| Bargain purchase gain for business acquired | - | (1,326,526 | ) | |||||
| Equity in the net loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries | - | 420,720 | ||||||
| Other assets and liabilities | 175,968 | (861,791 | ) | |||||
| Extinguishment of Hot Dot payable | (486,361 | ) | - | |||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (82,954 | ) | (2,494,065 | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||
| Equity securities carried at cost: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from equity securities carried at cost | - | 30,250 | ||||||
| Issuance of common stock acquisition of Northstar Financial | - | 2,427,394 | ||||||
| Net disposals (purchases) of property and equipment | 5,691 | (20,318 | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 5,691 | 2,437,326 | ||||||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||||
| Issuance of common stock | - | - | ||||||
| Preferred stock dividend | (30,544 | ) | (43,120 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used by financing activities | (30,544 | ) | (43,120 | ) | ||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (107,807 | ) | (99,859 | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents: | ||||||||
| Beginning | 112,563 | 212,422 | ||||||
| Ending | $ | 4,756 | $ | 112,563 | ||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Information | ||||||||
| Converted Series B Preferred Stock | $ | (177 | ) | $ | - | |||
| Common stock issues from Converted B Preferred Stock | 177 | - | ||||||
| Common stock issued on the First Wyoming acquisition and measurement period adjustment | - | (905,806 | ) | |||||
| Common stock issued on Northstar Acquisition | - | 2,405,874 | ||||||
| $ | - | $ | 1,500,068 | |||||
FS-5
Schedule II (Continued)
Midwest Holding Inc. (Parent Company)
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||
| Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Information | ||||||
| Common stock issued on the First Wyoming acquisition and | ||||||
| measurement period adjustment | $ | (905,806 | ) | $ | 1,811,612 | |
| Common stock issued on Northstar Acquisition | 2,405,874 | - | ||||
| $ | 1,500,068 | $ | 1,811,612 | |||
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
FS-6
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Supplementary Insurance Information
| As of December 31, 2016 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 | As of December 31, 2017 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Future Policy | Death and | Amortization | Future Policy | Death and | Amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits, | Other Benefits | of Deferred | Deferred | Benefits, | Deferred | Net | Other Benefits | of Deferred | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred Policy | Claims and | Net | and Increase | Policy | Other | Policy | Claims and | Gain on | Investment | and Increase | Policy | Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition | Deposit-type | Advance | Premium | Investment | in Benefit | Acquisition | Operating | Acquisition | Deposit-type | Advance | Coinsurance | Premium | Income | in Benefit | Acquisition | Operating | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs | Contracts | Premiums | Revenue | Income (Loss) | Reserves | Costs | Expenses | Costs | Contracts | Premiums | Transaction | Revenue | (Loss) | Reserves | Costs | Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life Insurance | $ | 2,568,799 | $ | 41,184,258 | $ | 52,074 | $ | 3,517,458 | $ | 878,991 | $ | 2,331,375 | $ | 367,235 | $ | 6,590,086 | $ | 2,046,864 | $ | 45,096,673 | $ | 40,839 | $ | 322,487 | $ | 2,972,870 | $ | 949,415 | $ | 2,344,775 | $ | 404,110 | $ | 4,508,810 | |||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2015 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 | As of December 31, 2016 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Future Policy | Death and | Amortization | Future Policy | Death and | Amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits, | Other Benefits | of Deferred | Deferred | Benefits, | Deferred | Net | Other Benefits | of Deferred | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred Policy | Claims and | Net | and Increase | Policy | Other | Policy | Claims and | Gain on | Investment | and Increase | Policy | Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition | Deposit-type | Advance | Premium | Investment | in Benefit | Acquisition | Operating | Acquisition | Deposit-type | Advance | Coinsurance | Premium | Income | in Benefit | Acquisition | Operating | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs | Contracts | Premiums | Revenue | Income (Loss) | Reserves | Costs | Expenses | Costs | Contracts | Premiums | Transaction | Revenue | (Loss) | Reserves | Costs | Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life Insurance | $ | 2,765,063 | $ | 38,892,420 | $ | 57,699 | $ | 3,424,377 | $ | 663,968 | $ | 2,219,415 | $ | 469,674 | $ | 4,518,633 | $ | 2,568,799 | $ | 41,184,258 | $ | 52,074 | $ | - | $ | 3,517,458 | $ | 878,991 | $ | 2,331,375 | $ | 367,235 | $ | 6,590,086 | |||||||||||||||||
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
FS-7FS-6
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reinsurance Information
| Percentage | Percentage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed | of Amount | Assumed | of Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded to Other | from Other | Assumed to | Ceded to Other | from Other | Assumed to | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Amount | Companies | Companies | Net Amount | Net | Gross Amount | Companies | Companies | Net Amount | Net | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance in force | $ | 229,981,000 | $ | 110,670,000 | $ | 3,879,000 | $ | 123,190,000 | 3.15 | % | $ | 219,023,000 | $ | 171,610,000 | $ | 3,998,000 | $ | 51,411,000 | 7.78 | % | ||||||||||
| Life insurance premiums | $ | 3,253,742 | $ | 287,780 | $ | 24,064 | $ | 3,517,458 | 0.68 | % | $ | 2,463,418 | $ | 532,043 | $ | 22,591 | $ | 2,972,870 | 0.76 | % | ||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance in force | $ | 252,791,000 | $ | 147,714,000 | $ | 15,349,000 | $ | 120,426,000 | 12.75 | % | $ | 229,981,000 | $ | 110,670,000 | $ | 3,879,000 | $ | 123,190,000 | 3.15 | % | ||||||||||
| Life insurance premiums | $ | 2,962,367 | $ | 498,787 | $ | 36,777 | $ | 3,424,377 | 1.07 | % | $ | 3,253,742 | $ | 287,780 | $ | 24,064 | $ | 3,517,458 | 0.68 | % | ||||||||||
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
FS-8FS-7
Midwest Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated Depreciation: | |||||||||||||||
| Beginning of the year | 864,526 | 713,167 | 961,864 | 864,526 | |||||||||||
| Depreciation expense | 103,623 | 157,387 | 65,092 | 103,623 | |||||||||||
| Disposals | (6,285 | ) | (6,028 | ) | (132,942 | ) | (6,285 | ) | |||||||
| End of the year | $ | 961,864 | $ | 864,526 | $ | 894,014 | $ | 961,864 | |||||||
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
FS-9FS-8
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
| EXHIBIT NUMBER | DESCRIPTION | |
* Filed herewith.