The following sets forth American Southern’s loss and expense ratios for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and for the comparable periods in 2008:
The loss ratio for the three month period ended June 30, 2009 increased to 53.9% from 43.4% in the three month period ended June 30, 2008 and to 51.0% in the six month period ended June 30, 2009 from 40.7% in the comparable period of 2008. The increase in the loss ratio for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 was primarily attributable to several large claims in the commercial automobile line of business. Also, during the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2008, American Southern had lower claims in the commercial automobile line of business and more favorable loss experience in the property lines of business as compared to the 2009 periods.
The expense ratio for the three month period ended June 30, 2009 decreased to 51.0% from 51.9% in the three month period ended June 30, 2008 and to 49.5% in the six month period ended June 30, 2009 from 52.3% in the comparable period of 2008. The decrease in the expense ratio in the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 was primarily due to American Southern’s variable commission structure, which compensates the company’s agents in relation to the loss ratios of the business they write. In periods where the loss ratio increases, commissions and underwriting expenses will decrease and conversely in periods where the loss ratio decreases, commissions and underwriting expenses will increase. Partially offsetting the decrease in the expense ratio in the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 was a non-recurring charge of $0.4 million which resulted from the termination and settlement of the company’s SERP.
The following summarizes Bankers Fidelity’s earned premiums for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and the comparable periods in 2008 (in thousands):
Premium revenue at Bankers Fidelity increased $0.5 million, or 3.9%, during the three month period ended June 30, 2009, and $0.6 million, or 2.1%, during the six month period ended June 30, 2009, over the comparable periods in 2008, primarily due to successful marketing initiatives, recruiting of new agents, and effective utilization of the company’s proprietary lead program. Premiums from the Medicare supplement line of business increased $0.3 million, or 2.7%, during the three month period ended June 30, 2009, and $0.2 million, or 1.1%, during the six month period ended June 30, 2009. Partially offsetting this increase in Medicare supplement business was the non-renewal of certain policies that resulted from continued pricing and product competition. Premiums from the life insurance line of business increased $0.2 million, or 6.7%, during the three month period ended June 30, 2009, and $0.2 million, or 4.5%, during the six month period ended June 30, 2009, over the comparable periods in 2008, due to an increase in sales related initiatives. The other health products premiums increased during the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 over the comparable periods in 2008 due primarily to an increase in sales of short-term care products and increased business activities with group associations.
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The following summarizes Bankers Fidelity’s operating expenses for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and the comparable periods in 2008 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended June 30,
| | Six Months Ended June 30,
|
| 2009
| | 2008
| | 2009
| | 2008
|
Benefits and losses | $ 10,273 | | $ 9,863 | | $ 20,825 | | $ 20,248 |
Commission and other expenses | 4,548
| | 3,884
| | 8,843
| | 8,282
|
Total expenses | $ 14,821
| | $ 13,747
| | $ 29,668
| | $ 28,530
|
Benefits and losses increased $0.4 million, or 4.2%, during the three month period ended June 30, 2009, and $0.6 million, or 2.8%, during the six month period ended June 30, 2009, over the comparable periods in 2008. As a percentage of premiums, benefits and losses were 72.8% for the three month period ended June 30, 2009 and 74.6% for the six month period ended June 30, 2009 compared to 72.6% for the three month period ended June 30, 2008 and 74.1% for the six month period ended June 30, 2008. The increase in the quarter and year to date loss ratios was primarily due to favorable loss experience in the Medicare supplement line of business during the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the 2009 periods.
Commissions and other expenses increased $0.7 million, or 17.1%, during the three month period ended June 30, 2009, and $0.6 million, or 6.8%, during the six month period ended June 30, 2009, over the comparable periods in 2008. The increase in commissions and other expenses for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 was primarily attributable to increases in advertising and agency related expenses which resulted from the company’s marketing initiatives. As a percentage of premiums, these expenses were 32.2% for the three month period ended June 30, 2009 and 31.7% for the six month period ended June 30, 2009 compared to 28.6% for the three month period ended June 30, 2008 and 30.3% for the six month period ended June 30, 2008. The increase in the expense ratio for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 was primarily due to the reasons discussed previously.
INVESTMENT INCOME AND REALIZED GAINS
Investment income decreased $0.3 million, or 9.1%, during the three month period ended June 30, 2009, and $0.2 million, or 4.0%, during the six month period ended June 30, 2009, from the comparable periods in 2008. The decrease in investment income for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 was primarily due to a large number of called securities, the proceeds from which the Company was not able to reinvest at equivalent interest rates. Also contributing to the decrease in investment income in the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 was a significant decrease in the interest earned on the Company’s short-term investments.
The Company had net realized investment losses of $0.01 million during the six month period ended June 30, 2009, compared to net realized investment gains of $0.03 million in the six month period ended June 30, 2008. During the three month period ended June 30, 2009, the Company recorded a realized loss of $0.1 million due to other than temporary impairments in its investment in redeemable preferred securities of General Motors Corporation and certain other invested assets. There were no impairments recorded during the six month period ended June 30, 2008. Management continually evaluates the Company’s investment portfolio and, as needed, makes adjustments for impairments and/or will divest investments. (See Item 3 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of market risks).
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense decreased $0.1 million, or 12.7%, during the three month period ended June 30, 2009, and $0.3 million, or 17.8%, during the six month period ended June 30, 2009, from the comparable periods in 2008. The decrease in interest expense for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 was due to a decrease in the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), as the interest rates on the Company’s trust preferred obligations and outstanding bank debt are based on LIBOR. In addition, on April 1, 2008, the Company repaid the outstanding balance of $3.8 million under the Company’s credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Wachovia Bank, National Association (“Wachovia”), which decreased interest expense by reducing the Company’s average debt level for the six month period ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. Partially offsetting the decrease in interest expense for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 were net settlement payments to Wachovia under the Company’s zero cost rate collar due to the LIBOR rates remaining below the contractual floor rate of 4.77%.
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OTHER EXPENSES
Other expenses (commissions, underwriting expenses, and other expenses) increased only slightly during the three month period ended June 30, 2009 over the three month period ended June 30, 2008, and decreased $0.6 million, or 3.1%, during the six month period ended June 30, 2009 from the comparable period in 2008. The increase in other expenses for the three month period ended June 30, 2009 was primarily due to a non-recurring charge of $0.4 million which resulted from the termination and settlement of the Company’s SERP. In addition, during the three month period ended June 30, 2009, the Company’s life and health operations experienced significant increases in advertising and agency related expenses due to marketing initiatives. Partially offsetting the increase in other expenses in the three month period ended June 30, 2009 was the elimination of the monthly SERP expense due to its termination and the reduction in profit sharing commissions at American Southern. During the three month period ended June 30, 2009, profit sharing commissions at American Southern decreased $0.2 million from the three month period ended June 30, 2008. The majority of American Southern’s business is structured in a way that agents are rewarded based upon the loss ratios of the business they submit to the company. In periods where the loss ratio increases, commissions and underwriting expenses will decrease and conversely in periods where the loss ratio decreases, commissions and underwriting expenses will increase. The decrease in other expenses for the six month period ended June 30, 2009 was primarily attributable to the reduction in profit sharing commissions at American Southern. During the six month period ended June 30, 2009, profit sharing commissions at American Southern decreased $0.8 million from the six month period ended June 30, 2008 due primarily to higher loss ratios. Also contributing to the decrease in other expenses was a $0.3 million goodwill impairment charge taken in the three month period ended March 31, 2008 which did not recur in the six month period ended June 30, 2009. Partially offsetting the decrease in other expenses in the six month period ended June 30, 2009 was the $0.4 million charge related to the termination of the SERP and increased agency related expenses discussed previously. On a consolidated basis, as a percentage of earned premiums, other expenses decreased to 43.7% in the three month period ended June 30, 2009 from 44.8% in the three month period ended June 30, 2008. For the six month period ended June 30, 2009, this ratio decreased to 43.1% from 44.9% in the comparable period in 2008. The decrease in the expense ratio for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 was primarily due to the reduction in profit sharing commissions discussed previously.
INCOME TAXES
The primary differences between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory income tax rate for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 resulted from the dividends-received deduction (“DRD”). The primary differences between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory income tax rate for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 resulted from the DRD, the small life insurance company deduction (“SLD”) and a non-deductible goodwill impairment charge. The current estimated DRD is adjusted as underlying factors change. The actual current year DRD can vary from the estimates based on, but not limited to, actual distributions from these investments as well as appropriate levels of taxable income. The SLD varies in amount and is determined at a rate of 60 percent of the tentative life insurance company taxable income (“LICTI”). The amount of the SLD for any taxable year is reduced (but not below zero) by 15 percent of the tentative LICTI for such taxable year as it exceeds $3.0 million and is ultimately phased out at $15.0 million.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The primary cash needs of the Company are for the payment of claims and operating expenses, maintaining adequate statutory capital and surplus levels, and meeting debt service requirements. Current and expected patterns of claim frequency and severity may change from period to period but generally are expected to continue within historical ranges. The Company’s primary sources of cash are written premiums, investment income and the sale and maturity of its invested assets. The Company believes that, within each operating company, total invested assets will be sufficient to satisfy all policy liabilities and that cash inflows from investment earnings, future premium receipts and reinsurance collections will be adequate to fund the payment of claims and expenses as needed.
Cash flows at the Parent are derived from dividends, management fees, and tax sharing payments from its subsidiaries. The cash needs of the Parent are primarily for the payment of operating expenses, the acquisition of capital assets and debt service requirements. At June 30, 2009, the Parent had approximately $19.0 million of cash and short-term investments. The Company believes that given traditional funding sources of the Parent combined with current cash and short-term investments, the current liquidity issues being faced by certain other companies as a result of the current economic conditions and funding constraints should not be an issue for the Company and/or the Parent for the foreseeable future.
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The Parent’s insurance subsidiaries reported statutory net income of $3.6 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2009 compared to statutory net income of $4.4 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2008. Statutory results are impacted by the recognition of all costs of acquiring business. In a scenario in which the Company is growing, statutory results are generally lower than results determined under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Parent’s insurance subsidiaries reported GAAP net income of $3.5 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2009, compared to $4.1 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2008. The reasons for the decrease in GAAP net income in the six month period ended June 30, 2009 are discussed above under “Results of Operations.” Statutory results for the Company’s property and casualty operations differ from the Company’s results of operations under GAAP due to the deferral of acquisition costs for financial reporting purposes. The Company’s life and health operations’ statutory results differ from GAAP results primarily due to the deferral of acquisition costs for financial reporting purposes, as well as the use of different reserving methods.
Over 90% of the investment assets of the Parent’s insurance subsidiaries are in marketable securities that can be converted into cash, if required; however, the use of such assets by the Company is limited by state insurance regulations. Dividend payments to the Parent by its wholly owned insurance subsidiaries are subject to annual limitations and are restricted to the greater of 10% of statutory surplus or statutory earnings before recognizing realized investment gains of the individual insurance subsidiaries. At June 30, 2009, American Southern had $37.4 million of statutory surplus and Bankers Fidelity had $30.8 million of statutory surplus.
The Parent provides certain administrative and other services to each of its insurance subsidiaries. The amounts charged to and paid by the subsidiaries include reimbursements for various shared services and other expenses incurred directly on behalf of the subsidiaries by the Parent. In addition, there is in place a formal tax-sharing agreement between the Parent and its insurance subsidiaries. It is anticipated that this agreement will provide the Parent with additional funds from profitable subsidiaries due to the subsidiaries’ use of the Parent’s tax loss carryforwards, which totaled approximately $7.5 million at June 30, 2009.
In addition to these internal funding sources, the Company maintains its revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement pursuant to which the Company was able to, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, initially borrow or reborrow up to $15.0 million (the “Commitment Amount”). In accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Commitment Amount is incrementally reduced every six months and was equal to $12.0 million at June 30, 2009. The interest rate on amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement is, at the option of the Company, equivalent to either (a) the base rate (which equals the higher of the Prime Rate or 0.5% above the Federal Funds Rate, each as defined) or (b) the LIBOR determined on an interest period of 1-month, 2-months, 3-months or 6-months, plus an Applicable Margin (as defined). The Applicable Margin varies based upon the Company’s leverage ratio (funded debt to total capitalization, each as defined) and ranges from 1.75% to 2.50%. Interest on amounts outstanding is payable quarterly. The Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with certain covenants, including, among others, ratios that relate funded debt to both total capitalization and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as well as the maintenance of minimum levels of tangible net worth. The Company must also comply with limitations on capital expenditures, certain payments, additional debt obligations, equity repurchases and certain redemptions, as well as minimum risk-based capital levels. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, Wachovia may terminate the Credit Agreement and declare all amounts outstanding due and payable in full. During the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009, there was no balance outstanding under this Credit Agreement. The termination date of this Credit Agreement is June 30, 2010.
The Company has two statutory trusts which exist for the exclusive purpose of issuing trust preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trusts and investing the gross proceeds of the trust preferred securities in junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (“Junior Subordinated Debentures”). The outstanding $41.2 million of Junior Subordinated Debentures have a maturity of thirty years from their original dates of issuance, are callable, in whole or in part, only at the option of the Company five years after their respective dates of issue and quarterly thereafter, and have an interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The margin ranges from 4.00% to 4.10%. At June 30, 2009, the effective interest rate was 4.84%. The obligations of the Company with respect to the issuances of the trust preferred securities represent a full and unconditional guarantee by the Parent of each trust’s obligations with respect to the trust preferred securities. Subject to certain exceptions and limitations, the Company may elect from time to time to defer Junior Subordinated Debenture interest payments, which would result in a deferral of distribution payments on the related trust preferred securities.
During 2006, the Company entered into a zero cost rate collar with Wachovia to hedge future interest payments on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The notional amount of the collar was $18.0 million with an effective date of March 6, 2006. The collar has a LIBOR floor rate of 4.77% and a LIBOR cap rate of 5.85% and adjusts quarterly on the 4th of each March, June, September and December through termination on March 4, 2013. The Company began making payments to Wachovia under the zero cost rate collar on June 4, 2008. As a result of interest rates remaining below the LIBOR floor rate of 4.77%, these payments to Wachovia under the zero cost rate collar continued throughout 2008 and into 2009. While the Company is exposed to counterparty risk should Wachovia fail to perform, based on the current level of interest rates, and coupled with the current macroeconomic outlook, the Company believes that its current exposure is minimal.
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The Company intends to pay its obligations under the Credit Agreement, if any, and the Junior Subordinated Debentures using dividend and tax sharing payments from its operating subsidiaries, or from potential future financing arrangements. In addition, the Company believes that, if necessary, at maturity, the Credit Agreement could be refinanced, although there can be no assurance of the terms or conditions of such a refinancing, or its availability.
At June 30, 2009, the Company had 70,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”) outstanding. All of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock are held by an affiliate of the Company’s Chairman Emeritus. The outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock have a stated value of $100 per share; accrue annual dividends at a rate of $7.25 per share (payable in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of the board of directors of the Company) and are cumulative. In certain circumstances, the shares of the Series D Preferred Stock may be convertible into an aggregate of approximately 1,754,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain adjustments and provided that such adjustments do not result in the Company issuing more than approximately 2,703,000 shares of common stock without obtaining prior shareholder approval; and are redeemable solely at the Company’s option. The Series D Preferred Stock is not currently convertible. At June 30, 2009, the Company had accrued, but unpaid, dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock totaling $0.3 million.
Net cash used in operating activities was $5.5 million in the six month period ended June 30, 2009, compared to $6.0 million in the six month period ended June 30, 2008. Cash and short-term investments decreased from $37.3 million at December 31, 2008 to $29.0 million at June 30, 2009. The decrease in cash and short-term investments during the six month period ended June 30, 2009 was primarily due to an increased level of investing exceeding normal sales and maturities. In addition, during the three month period ended June 30, 2009, the Company distributed accumulated benefits of $2.8 million due to the termination of its SERP. Also contributing to the decrease in cash and short-term investments during the six month period ended June 30, 2009 was a final settlement of $1.8 million with Columbia Mutual Insurance Company relating to a valuation matter with respect to certain loss reserves in connection with the 2008 sale of the Company’s regional property and casualty operations.
The Company believes that the dividends, fees, and tax-sharing payments it receives from its subsidiaries and, if needed, additional borrowings from financial institutions, will enable the Company to meet its liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future. Management is not aware of any current recommendations by regulatory authorities, which, if implemented, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, capital resources or operations.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Due to the nature of the Company’s business it is exposed to both interest rate and market risk. Changes in interest rates, which have historically represented the largest market risk factor affecting the Company, may result in changes in the fair market value of the Company’s investments, cash flows and interest income and expense. The Company is also subject to risk from changes in equity prices. As of June 30, 2009, securities in an unrealized loss position were primarily related to the Company’s investments in fixed maturities, common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, most significantly within the financial services and media sectors, which have experienced significant price deterioration and continue to be impacted by current macroeconomic conditions. During the six month period ended June 30, 2009, net pre-tax unrealized losses on investment securities recognized in other comprehensive loss decreased $2.2 million from net pre-tax unrealized losses on investment securities of $11.7 million valued as of December 31, 2008. Of the $2.2 million decrease, $1.9 million was due to the increase in fair value of the Company’s holdings of securities of certain financial services entities.
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, 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) of the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management necessarily applies its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures, which, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives. The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures can prevent all possible errors or fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. There are inherent limitations in all control systems, including the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of one or more persons. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and, while our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to be effective under circumstances where they should reasonably be expected to operate effectively, there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in any control system, misstatements due to possible errors or fraud may occur and may not be detected.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains and references certain information that constitutes forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the federal securities laws. Those statements, to the extent they are not historical facts, should be considered forward-looking statements, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s current assessments of various risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions made in accordance with the “safe harbor” provisions of the federal securities laws. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties, including those identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and the other filings made by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On May 2, 1995, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an initial plan that allowed for the repurchase of shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Repurchase Plan”). As amended since its original adoption, the Repurchase Plan currently allows for repurchases of up to an aggregate of 2.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, as determined by an authorized officer of the Company. Such purchases can be made from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws and other requirements. As of June 30, 2009, a maximum of 503,889 shares of common stock may yet be purchased under this plan.
No purchases of common stock of the Company were made by or on behalf of the Company during the three months ended June 30, 2009.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
On May 5, 2009, the Company held its annual meeting of shareholders at which time votes were taken with respect to the election of directors of the Company and the ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for the 2009 fiscal year. The results of those votes are set out below:
| | | |
Election of Directors
| Shares Voted
|
Director Nominee | | For | Withheld |
J. Mack Robinson | | 19,050,791 | 921,024 |
Hilton H. Howell, Jr. | | 18,937,631 | 1,034,184 |
Edward E. Elson | | 19,873,220 | 98,595 |
Harold K. Fischer | | 19,873,215 | 98,600 |
Samuel E. Hudgins | | 18,905,628 | 1,066,187 |
D. Raymond Riddle | | 19,872,765 | 99,050 |
Harriett J. Robinson | | 18,938,713 | 1,033,102 |
Scott G. Thompson | | 18,938,231 | 1,033,584 |
William H. Whaley, M.D. | | 18,932,753 | 1,039,062 |
Dom H. Wyant | | 19,874,451 | 97,364 |
| | | | |
Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accountants | Shares Voted
|
| For | Against | Abstain |
BDO Seidman, LLP | 19,868,127 | 39,499 | 64,189 |
Item 6. Exhibits
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
(Registrant)
Date: August 13, 2009 | By: /s/ John G. Sample, Jr. John G. Sample, Jr. Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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EXHIBIT INDEX