The Company’s management continuously monitors the performance of and outlook for the Company by analyzing several indicators that they judge to be critical. The key indicators of particular interest to management are (a) the general economic environment relative to outlook, (b) trend of premium volume, (c) lapse rates, (d) mortality and morbidity rates (e) trend of general expense levels, (f) asset and capital and surplus growth, (g) general interest rate movements, (h) investment yields, (i) diversity (e.g. by industry) and mix (e.g. between fixed income securities and equity securities) of our investment portfolios and (j) segment performance and trends.
As more fully outlined in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the Company’s Form 10-K for 2004, Management sees the following as its key challenges for 2005:
During the first quarter of 2005, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries each experienced a statutory operating profit. The Company reported a modest consolidated operating income and net income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and improved segment income for all segments compared to the first quarter of 2004 (see Note 6 – SEGMENT INFORMATION in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company’s insurance subsidiaries’ risk adjusted capital ratio improved compared to the ratio at March 31, 2004, however it was down slightly from December 31, 2004 after taking into account both the quarterly statutory profit and an increase in investment in equity securities.
The Company is subject to various market risks. The most significant risks relate to fluctuations in interest rates (which impact prices of fixed maturity securities) and prices in equity securities. Although the Company experienced negative total returns (defined as investment income and realized and unrealized investment gains and losses) on its investment portfolio ( the Company recorded unrealized losses, net of tax, of $1,291,000 on debt securities and $426,000 on equities) during the first quarter of 2005, historically these returns have been favorable and the Company has successfully managed the risk over many years. Company management devotes significant attention to the capital markets and repositions the Company’s portfolio upon detection of adverse risk trends associated with individual securities or overall markets.
In an effort to improve long-term total returns on the Company’s portfolio, management also repositions the portfolio to take advantage of opportunities and accordingly, increased its investment in equity securities on a market value basis by $1,219,000 or 13.6% during the first quarter of 2005. Management anticipates that this
action will improve long-term total returns. However, the Company will further reposition the portfolios if it becomes necessary in order to maintain an acceptable risk-adjusted statutory surplus at the insurance subsidiary level.
General expenses for the first quarter of 2005 were comparable to the first quarter of 2004, which included approximately $246,000 of non-recurring expenses related to consulting, legal and severance matters. The Company continues to seek marketing management and began the installation of the new group administration system.
The Company has experienced an improved loss ratio for the Dental products and is in the planning stages of developing a Preferred Provider network and Third Party Administration products. In the first quarter of 2005 the Company launched the new Final Expense product and continues to evaluate the economics of the Pre-need product (see under the OPERATIONS heading later in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis).
The following discussion is presented as a means of providing the reader with a clearer understanding of some of the operational elements impacting the financial position and results as reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and related condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based on its consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to investments, agent receivables, intangible assets, policy liabilities, income taxes, regulatory requirements, contingencies and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company believes the following accounting policies, judgments and estimates, which have been discussed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, critically impact preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
Investment in Debt and Equity Securities. The Company holds debt and equity interests in a variety of companies, most of which are publicly traded, resulting in volatile market prices. We periodically evaluate whether the declines in fair value of our investments are other-than-temporary. These evaluations involve significant judgment. Our evaluation consists of a review of qualitative and quantitative factors, including analysis of the Company’s competitive position in its markets, deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer, downgrades of the security by a rating agency, and other publicly available issuer-specific news or general market conditions. Declines in fair values of securities deemed to be temporary are included as an unrealized loss in shareholders’ equity. Declines in fair values of securities deemed to be other-than-temporary are included in net income as realized investment losses. Future adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of underlying investments could result in losses or an inability to recover the current carrying value of the investments, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future.
Deferred Acquisition Costs (“DAC”). The Company defers certain policy acquisition costs and amortizes them over future periods. These costs include commissions and certain other expenses that vary with and are primarily associated with acquiring new business. The deferred costs are recorded as an asset commonly referred to as deferred policy acquisition costs. The DAC asset balance is subsequently charged to income over the lives of the underlying contracts in relation to the anticipated emergence of revenues or profits. Actual revenues or profits can vary from Company estimates resulting in increases or decreases in the rate of amortization. The Company regularly evaluates its DAC balances to determine if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier estimates should be revised. Assumptions considered significant include surrender and lapse rates, mortality, expense levels, investment performance, and estimated interest spread. Should actual experience dictate that the Company change its assumptions regarding the emergence of future revenues or profits (commonly referred to as
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“unlocking”), the Company would record a charge or credit to bring its DAC balance to the level it would have been if using the new assumptions from the inception date of each policy.
DAC is also subject to periodic recoverability and loss recognition testing. These tests ensure that the present value of future contract-related cash flows will support the capitalized DAC balance to be amortized in the future. The present value of these cash flows, less the benefit reserve, is compared with the unamortized DAC balance and if the DAC balance is greater, the deficiency is charged to expense as a component of amortization and the asset balance is reduced to the recoverable amount.
Goodwill and Intangible Impairment. The balance of our goodwill and value of insurance acquired (“VIF”) was $3.3 million at March 31, 2005. The recovery of this asset is dependent on the fair value of the business to which it relates. Pursuant to SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, (“SFAS No. 142”), goodwill is subject to annual impairment tests based on the estimated fair value of the respective assets. There are numerous assumptions and estimates underlying the determination of the estimated fair value of these assets. Different valuation methods and assumptions can produce significantly different results that could affect the amount of any potential impairment charge that might be required to be recognized. During both 2005 and 2004, the Company concluded that no impairment adjustment was necessary for its goodwill or VIF.
Policy Liabilities and Policy Intangible Assets. Establishing policy liabilities and related intangible assets, including deferred acquisition costs and the value of acquired insurance, for the Company’s long-duration insurance contracts requires making many assumptions, including policyholder persistency, mortality rates, investment yields, discretionary benefit increases, new business pricing, and operating expense levels. The Company evaluates historical experience for these factors when assessing the need for changing current assumptions. However, since many of these factors are interdependent and subject to short-term volatility during the long-duration contract period, substantial estimates and judgment are required. Accordingly, if actual experience emerges differently from that assumed, any such difference would be recognized in the current year’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Deferred Taxes. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that it believes is more likely than not to be realized. In assessing the need for the valuation allowance, the Company has considered ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies but has not assumed future taxable income. In the event the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to deferred tax assets would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to deferred tax assets would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.
Litigation. As further described in Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, United Liberty has been a party to an outstanding lawsuit concerning payment of policyholder dividends. The parties have reached a provisional settlement agreement dated October 8, 2004. As described in Note 7, the Company has recognized an obligation for future payments to the policyholders and their attorneys totaling $825,000 in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of March 31, 2005. The Company has recorded the financial impact of the agreement in 2004.
OPERATIONS. Net premiums and other considerations decreased approximately $618,000 or 8.7% during the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2004. Below is a summary of net premiums earned by segment for the three month period ended March 31, 2005, along with the change from the same periods of 2004.
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Preneed Life premiums decreased during the first three months of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 as the result of the Company further lowering crediting rates related to face amount growth in late 2004, and changing the focus of our marketing efforts. The Company continues to redirect the focus of our marketing efforts to the Home Service, Broker and Dental segments in an effort to improve profitability in those segments. The Other Health segment products are not being actively marketed. Broker Life premiums decreased in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004 because the Company is not writing first year business on old Broker Life products while aggressively developing relationships with new Managing General Agents to market the new Final Expense product. Other Health premiums declined because in October 2004 the Company discontinued writing a disability plan which had been experiencing an unacceptable loss ratio.
The increase (decrease) in net benefit reserves decreased $788,000 during the first three months of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 primarily due to the decrease in Preneed policies issued and in force during the period.
Pretax gain (loss) increased approximately $205,000 to $59,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from year end 2004. Net investment income increased 7.8% for the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004, in spite of a decline in invested assets, due to a decrease in cash and cash equivalents and an increased yield on the Company’s fixed maturities portfolio resulting from investing in longer term fixed maturity securities. Net realized investment gains decreased to $55,000 for the first three months of 2005 from net investment gains of $228,000 for the same period in 2004. Net benefits increased $73,000 or 1.4% during the first three months of 2005 from the same period in 2004 due primarily to adverse mortality rates in the Broker and the Preneed segments. Commissions decreased $170,000 or 13% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 due to the decrease in premium. General expenses decreased $4,000, or 0.2% for the first quarter of 2005. The net deferral/amortization of policy acquisition costs increased $33,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 principally due to the decline in first year Preneed premiums during the same period. Pretax Segment loss (excluding realized investment gains (losses) and interest expense) for the first three months of 2005 was approximately $90,000 compared to $(283,000) for the first three months of 2004. This is attributable to the factors described above. Following are the approximate, annualized pretax investment income and “total return” yields (defined as yields including net investment income, net realized investment gains or losses and net change in the excess or deficit of market values over book values of the investment portfolios or unrealized gains (losses)) for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. Net realized gains totaled $55,320 and $228,185 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, while unrealized gains (losses) totaled $(2,687,248) and $1,371,502 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
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The Company has recorded no current income tax benefit due to not having the ability to carry back any additional net operating losses for tax purposes and management’s judgment that it is not likely the full tax benefit will be realized in the foreseeable future.
FINANCIAL POSITION. Shareholders’ equity totaled approximately $18,149,000 and $19,754,000 at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. These balances reflect an approximate 8.12% decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2005. Comprehensive income (loss) totaled approximately $(1,605,000) and $1,262,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. A significant portion of the comprehensive income (loss) is attributable to changes in the value of the Company’s fixed maturity and equity portfolios. Equity securities comprised approximately 6.6% and 5.7% of the Company’s total assets as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. Accordingly, movements in the equities markets can significantly affect the Company’s financial position. Equity portfolio positions increased $1,939,000 on a cost basis and $1,219,000 on a market value basis, during the first three months of 2005. Fixed maturity portfolio positions decreased $7,118,000 on an amortized cost basis and $(4,130,000) on a market value basis during the same period. This difference resulted primarily from a significant decrease in bond prices during the period. Cash and cash equivalent positions decreased approximately $409,000 during the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
Equity markets continue to be highly volatile and were unfavorable in the first quarter of 2005. Interest yields on fixed maturity investments held in our portfolio are continuing to slowly increase. Low short-term rates continue to adversely impact the Company’s investment portfolio yield and operating earnings. The 2005 environment continues to generate a relatively high level of qualitative investment risk. However, measures of quantitative risk per unit of investment are not believed to have changed significantly from those previously disclosed in the Company’s 2004 Form 10-K.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company does not participate in any off-balance sheet arrangements.
CASH FLOWS AND LIQUIDITY. Cash provided by (used in) operations totaled $(458) for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to $135,000 for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in the positive cash flow is primarily attributable to the continued decline in Preneed Life business. The $423,000 of cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2005 resulted from the net decrease in the investment portfolio on a cost basis, offset by increased investment in equipment. The $832,000 of cash used in financing activities during the first three months of 2005 is attributable to bank loan principal repayments along with net annuity and Universal Life account withdrawals. Due to continued earnings pressure from low yields on investments and cash equivalents and the declining Preneed premiums, the Company completed in 2004 a strategic review of its products and operations. A key element of this initiative is improving profitability of the Preneed, Home Service, and Broker Life segments by increasing premiums in the Home Service and Broker segments, strengthening underwriting practices, modifying commissions, and where possible, lowering interest crediting or policy growth rates. Regarding the currently scheduled debt repayments, the Company believes its available funds will be adequate to service 2005 debt obligations and, with other available assets, management believes it will be adequate to service debt obligations through most of 2006. The Company’s Chairman has expressed potential willingness to loan the Company an additional $2,000,000 if necessary, which could service debt obligations through 2007. For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, the Company did not meet one of its bank debt covenants (debt to earnings ratio), however the lender has waived this violation for the quarter and for several previous quarters. In return for the waivers the Company’s Chairman has personally guaranteed the outstanding bank debt.
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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION.
All statements, trend analyses and other information contained in this report relative to markets for the Company’s products and trends in the Company’s operations or financial results, as well as other statements including words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to be materially different from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things:
• | the market value of the Company’s investments, including stock market performance and prevailing interest rate levels; |
• | customer and agent response to new products, distribution channels and marketing initiatives, including exposure to unrecoverable advanced commissions; |
• | mortality, morbidity, lapse rates, and other factors which may affect the profitability of the Company’s insurance products; |
• | regulatory changes or actions, including those relating to regulation of insurance products and insurance companies; |
• | ratings assigned to the Company and its subsidiaries by independent rating organizations which the Company believes are important to the sale of its products; |
• | general economic conditions and increasing competition which may affect the Company’s ability to sell its products; |
• | the Company’s ability to achieve anticipated levels of operating efficiencies and meet cash requirements based upon projected liquidity sources; |
| • | unanticipated adverse litigation outcomes; and | |
• | changes in the Federal income tax laws and regulations that may affect the relative tax advantages of some of the Company’s products. |
| | | | |
There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by management will not also materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.
Part I; Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Quantitative and Qualitative Risk. The primary changes in quantitative market risks during the three months ended March 31, 2005 are discussed in Part I, Item 2 above.
Part I; Item 4 – Controls and Procedures
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. Within the past 90 days, the Company conducted an evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures, with the supervision and participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer. The Company does not expect that its disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and fraud. Such 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. Further, the design of a control system must balance the constraint of prudent resource expenditure with a judgmental evaluation of risks and benefits. Based on this evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that such controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC reports is made known on a timely basis to the Company’s principal executive and financial officers.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROLS. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or changes in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to their evaluation, nor
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has the Company implemented any corrective actions regarding significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal controls.
Part II – Other Information
a). | Exhibit 11 | Statement re: computation of per share earnings. | |
| Exhibit 31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification --Principal Executive Officer |
| Exhibit 31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification --Principal Financial Officer | |
| Exhibit 32.1 | Section 1350 Certification --Principal Executive Officer | |
| Exhibit 32.2 | Section 1350 Certification --Principal Financial Officer | |
| | | | | | | | |
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CITIZENS FINANCIAL CORPORATION |
| /s/ Darrell R. Wells |
BY: |
| Darrell R. Wells |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
| /s/ Len E. Schweitzer |
BY: |
| Len E. Schweitzer |
| Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer |
Date: May 13, 2005
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