The Company currently follows the general practice of reinsuring that portion of risk on the life of any individual that is in excess of $40,000 for individual policies (under yearly renewable term and coinsurance agreements), with the exception of its new final expense product which is reinsured under a 90% quota share agreement, and $15,000 for group policies (under a group yearly renewable term agreement). Graded death benefit and simplified issue coverages above $4,000 are generally 50% reinsured, with the Life Insurance Subsidiaries maintaining a maximum $10,000 risk on any one policyholder. Individual and group accidental death coverage and a minor portion of cancer coverage are 100% reinsured. To the extent that reinsuring companies are unable to meet obligations under reinsurance agreements, the Company would remain liable. Reinsurance premiums, expenses, recoveries and reserves related to reinsured business are accounted for on bases consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts.
Note 11—CONTINGENCIES
United Liberty, which the Company acquired in 1998, defended an action in an Ohio state court brought by two policyholders in 2000. The Complaint referred to a class of life insurance policies, including related certificates of participation, that United Liberty issued over a period of years ended around 1971 (known as “Five Star Policies”). It alleged that United Liberty’s dividend payments on these policies from 1993 through 1999 were less than the amounts required by the certificates of participation. It did not specify the amount of the alleged underpayment but implied a maximum of about $850,000. The plaintiffs also alleged that United Liberty was liable to pay punitive damages, also in an unspecified amount, for breach of an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing to the plaintiffs in relation to the dividends. The action was certified as a class action on behalf of all policyholders who were Ohio residents and whose policies were still in force in 1993. United Liberty denied the material allegations of the Complaint and defended the action vigorously.
As a result of a provisional settlement agreement dated October 8, 2004, that applied to all holders of the Five Star Policies wherever they reside, United Liberty recognized, as of December 31, 2004, an obligation for future payments to the policyholders and their attorneys totaling $825,000. The terms of the settlement agreement were subject to the approval of the court in which the action was pending. On October 21, 2005, a Final Order and Judgment was entered by the Court. The Final Order and Judgment approved the provisional Settlement Agreement dated October 8, 2004, and became final and effective on November 20, 2005.
The $825,000 obligation for future payments included in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 consists of [i] up to $500,000 payable to all persons who owned Five Star Policies that were still in force in 1993, [ii] $315,000 in attorneys’ fees payable to counsel for the class and [iii] a $10,000 incentive award payable to the lead plaintiffs for the class. The $500,000 portion is payable in respect of dividend obligations on the Five Star Policies from 1993 through 2000 and is to be paid in a lump sum to those policy holders whose policies are no longer in force and in three annual installments to those policy holders whose policies are still in force at their anniversary date. United liberty made the first payments dated January 12, 2006 to those whose policies were no longer in force, which totaled $278,698. The attorneys’ fees and incentive award were also paid on that date (prior to the “Initial Payment Date” set as sixty days subsequent to the end of the appeal period).
In addition, the Company is party to other lawsuits in the normal course of business. Based on information available at very early stages, management believes that currently pending lawsuits will be resolved without material financial impact to the Company.
Note 12--FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The fair values of financial instruments, and the methods used in estimating these values, are as follows:
Fixed Maturities: The fair values for investments in fixed maturities are based on quoted market prices, where available. For those fixed maturities that are not actively traded, fair values are estimated using values obtained from independent pricing services. Available-for-sale fixed maturities are carried at fair value in the accompanying statements of financial condition. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturities was $112,924,772 and $115,080,380, respectively.
Equity Securities: The fair values for investments in equity securities are based on quoted market prices. Equity securities are carried at fair value in the accompanying statements of financial condition. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the fair value of equity securities was $8,580,035 and $8,943,141, respectively.
Short-Term Investments: The carrying amount of short-term investments approximates their fair value. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the fair value of short-term investments was $40,000 and $651,766, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates their fair value. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the fair value of cash and cash equivalents was $3,552,969 and $4,691,611, respectively.
Policy Loans: The carrying amount of policy loans approximates their fair value. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the fair value of policy loans was $4,495,291 and $4,449,635, respectively.
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Investment Contracts: The carrying amount of investment-type fixed annuity contracts approximates their fair value. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the fair value of investment-type fixed annuity contracts was $9,254,397 and $9,573,909, respectively.
Notes Payable: The carrying amounts of notes payable approximate their fair values. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the fair value of notes payable was $5,375,003 and $5,791,669, respectively.
Note 13--BENEFIT PLANS
The Company has a 401(k) savings plan for its full-time employees. The Company contributes matching contributions at the discretion of its Board of Directors. Company expense associated with this plan totaled $52,345, $57,401, and $62,388 in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Note 14--RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company has various transactions with its President and Chairman of the Board (the “Chairman”) or entities he controls. Through January 31, 2004 the Chairman provided investment portfolio management for the Company and its subsidiaries through SMC Advisors, Inc. (of which the Chairman is the principal officer, a director, and the sole shareholder). The investment portfolio management contracts provided for total annual fixed fees of $45,000 and incentive compensation equal to five percent (5%) of the sum of the net realized and unrealized capital gains in the fixed maturities and equity securities portfolios of the Company during each contract year. Any excess of net realized and unrealized capital losses over net realized and unrealized capital gains at the end of a contract year were not carried forward to the next contract year. Fixed fees totaled $3,750, and $45,000 in 2004 and 2003, respectively. Incentive fees of $47,668 and $309,323 were incurred and paid for 2004 and 2003, respectively. The investment management contracts were terminated as of January 31, 2004 when the Chairman was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of each of the Insurance Subsidiaries. The Company also maintains a portion of its investments under a Trust Agreement with a bank controlled by the Chairman. Fees to the bank are based on assets held. Such fees were $44,664, $52,772, and $45,933 in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. The Company also manages certain commercial real estate affiliated with its Chairman. The Company charges the real estate projects management and leasing fees at market rates, which totaled $146,903, $143,101, and $144,095 during 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. In September 2005 and December 2005, the Company borrowed $500,000 from its Chairman, in addition to $1,000,000 borrowed in December 2003 and $2,000,000 borrowed in December 2002. Terms of the note require interest to be paid quarterly at the greater of 6% per year or the commercial bank prime lending rate plus 1%.
Note 15 – RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In July of 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) issued Statement of Position (“SOP”) 03-1, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and Separate Accounts.” The most significant accounting implications to the Company of the SOP are amortizing DPAC over the life of deferred annuity contracts excluding the annuitization phase. The Company adopted the SOP effective January 1, 2004, resulting in no effect on shareholders’ equity or the trend of earnings.
In March of 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached consensus on EITF Issue No. 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and its Application to Certain Investments”. EITF 03-01 provides guidance on other-than-temporary impairment models for marketable debt and equity securities accounted for under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and non-marketable equity securities accounted for under the cost method. The EITF developed a basic three-step model to evaluate whether an investment is other-than-temporarily impaired.
In September 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position EITF 03-01-1, which delays the effective date until additional guidance is issued for the application of the recognition and measurement provisions of EITF 03-01 to investments in securities that are impaired; however, the disclosure requirements are effective for annual periods ending after June 15, 2004. The adoption of the disclosure provisions of EITF 03-01 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations and/or financial position.
On September 15, 2005, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee (“AcSEC”) issued Statement of Position (“SOP”) No. 05-1, Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection With Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts. AcSEC defines an internal replacement as a modification in product benefits, features, rights, or coverages that occurs by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement, or rider to a contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a contract. An internal replacement that is determined to result in a replacement contract that is substantially unchanged from the replaced contract should be accounted for as a continuation of the
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replaced contract. Contract modifications resulting in a replacement contract that is substantially changed from the replaced contract should be accounted for as an extinguishment of the replaced contract and any unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs, unearned revenue liabilities, and deferred sales inducement costs from the replaced contract should be written off and acquisition costs of the new contract capitalized as appropriate. This SOP is effective for internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Management is still evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
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Schedule II – Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Citizens Financial Corporation
(Parent Company Only)
Condensed Balance Sheets
* Eliminated in consolidation.
These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying footnotes of Citizens Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries.
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Schedule II – Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Citizens Financial Corporation
(Parent Company Only)
Condensed Statements of Operations
These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying footnotes of Citizens Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries.
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Schedule II – Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Citizens Financial Corporation
(Parent Company Only)
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying footnotes of Citizens Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries.
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Schedule III – Supplementary Insurance Information
Citizens Financial Corporation
For the Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
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Schedule IV – Reinsurance
Citizens Financial Corporation
For the Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
OF THE REGISTRANT
The information required by this Item is set forth under the captions: “Election of Directors”, “Executive Officers”, and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Board of Director's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company now scheduled for June 15, 2006, and such information is here incorporated by reference.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item is set forth under the captions: “Director Compensation”, “Executive Compensation”, “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” “Report on Executive Compensation” and “Performance Graph” of the Board of Directors' Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company now scheduled for June 15, 2006, and such information is here incorporated by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item is set forth under the caption: “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Board of Directors' Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company now scheduled for June 15, 2006, and such information is here incorporated by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this Item is set forth under the caption: “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Board of Directors' Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company now scheduled for June 15, 2006, and such information is here incorporated by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item is set forth under the caption: “Relationship With Independent Public Accountant” in the Board of Director’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company now scheduled for June 15, 2006, and such information is here incorporated by reference.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K:
(a) | Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules. |
Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant | 55 |
Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information | 57 |
Schedule IV - Reinsurance | 58 |
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted or the information is presented in the consolidated financial statements or related notes
The exhibits listed in the Index to Exhibits appearing on page 62.
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(4)(iii) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, the Company agrees to furnish to the Commission upon request copies of instruments defining the rights of holders of the Company’s long term debt.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CITIZENS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
| | |
| | |
March 24, 2006 | By: | /s/ Darrell R. Wells |
| | | |
Darrell R. Wells
President
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 and on the dates indicated.
/s/ Darrell R. Wells
Darrell R. Wells /s/ Len E. Schweitzer | | Director and President (principal executive officer) | March 22, 2006 |
Len E. Schweitzer /s/ John H. Harralson, Jr. | | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | March 22, 2006 |
John H. Harralson, Jr. /s/ Frank T. Kiley | | Director | March 22, 2006 |
Frank T. Kiley /s/ George A. Turk | | Director | March 22, 2006 |
George A. Turk /s/ Thomas G. Ward | Director | March 22, 2006 |
Thomas G. Ward /s/ Margaret A. Wells | | Director | March 22, 2006 |
Margaret A. Wells | | Director | March 22, 2006 |
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
(Item 15(c))
The documents listed in the following table are filed as Exhibits in response to Item 15(c). Exhibits listed that are not filed herewith are incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit No. | Description |
| | |
| 3.1 | Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company dated August 12, 1996 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB dated March 31, 1999) |
| | |
| 3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company adopted November 19, 2003 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 10-K dated March 28, 2004) |
| | |
| 4 | Provisions of Articles of Incorporation of the Company Defining the Rights of Holders of Class A Stock (filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Form 10 Registration Statement) |
| | |
| 10.10 | 1999 Stock Option Plan (filed as exhibit to the Company’s proxy statement for annual meeting of shareholders held on May 20, 1999)* |
| | |
| 10.16 | Form of Indemnification Agreements between the Company and its Directors and Executive Officers and Certain Other Officers (filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Form 10-Q dated August 11, 2004)* |
| | |
| 10.18 | Settlement Agreement dated as of October 8, 2004 between James and Naomi Stock, Plaintiffs, and United Liberty Life Insurance Company, Defendant (filed as Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated October 8, 2004) |
| | |
| 10.19 | Executive Employment Agreement dated November 23, 2004 with Joseph M. Bost (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated November 23, 2004)* |
| | |
| 10.22 | Executive Employment Agreement dated May 26, 2005 with Michael S. Williams (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated May 26, 2005)* |
| | |
| 10.23 | Executive Employment Agreement dated August 3, 2005 with James H. Knox (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated August 3, 2005)* |
| | |
| 10.24 | Citizens Financial Corporation Master Cash Bonus Performance Plan dated August 11, 2005 (filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated August 11, 2005)* |
| | |
| 10.25 | Award to James H. Knox dated August 11, 2005 (filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated August 11, 2005)* |
| | |
| 10.26 | Executive Employment Agreement dated August 25, 2005 with Len E. Schweitzer (filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated August 25, 2005)* |
| | |
| 10.29 | Amended, Consolidated and Restated Promissory Note ($4,000.000) (filed herewith) |
| | |
| 21.2 | Subsidiaries of the registrant (filed herewith) |
| | |
| 23.3 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith) |
| | |
| 31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification -- Principal Executive Officer (filed herewith) |
| | |
| 31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification -- Principal Financial Officer (filed herewith) |
| | |
| 32.1 | Section 1350 Certification – Principal Executive Officer (filed herewith) |
| | |
| 32.2 | Section 1350 Certification – Principal Financial Officer (filed herewith) |
| | |
| | |
| * Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. | |
| | | | |
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