UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PERSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period endedJune 30, 2009
Commission file number0-24000
ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |
PENNSYLVANIA | | 25-0466020 |
| | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
100 Erie Insurance Place, Erie, Pennsylvania | | 16530 |
| | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(814) 870-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yesþ Noo
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.
Yesþ Noo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yeso Noo
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. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer þ | Accelerated Filer o | Non-Accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller Reporting Company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yeso Noþ
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock as of the latest practicable date, with no par value and a stated value of $.0292 per share, was 51,252,693 at July 27, 2009.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class B Common Stock as of the latest practicable date, with no par value and a stated value of $70 per share, was 2,546 at July 27, 2009.
The common stock is the only class of stock the registrant is presently authorized to issue.
INDEX
ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | |
| | June 30, | | December 31, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | |
Assets | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Investments | | | | | | | | |
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value: | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $610,251 and $597,672, respectively) | | $ | 601,971 | | | $ | 563,429 | |
Equity securities (cost of $49,596 and $59,958, respectively) | | | 46,491 | | | | 55,281 | |
Trading securities, at fair value (cost of $36,683 and $37,835, respectively) | | | 36,125 | | | | 33,338 | |
Limited partnerships (cost of $283,702 and $272,144, respectively) | | | 254,710 | | | | 299,176 | |
Real estate mortgage loans | | | 1,166 | | | | 1,215 | |
| | |
Total investments | | | 940,463 | | | | 952,439 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 26,417 | | | | 61,073 | |
Accrued investment income | | | 8,163 | | | | 8,420 | |
Premiums receivable from policyholders | | | 257,049 | | | | 244,760 | |
Federal income taxes recoverable | | | 16,236 | | | | 7,498 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 78,077 | | | | 72,875 | |
Reinsurance recoverable from Erie Insurance Exchange on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | | | 788,326 | | | | 777,754 | |
Ceded unearned premiums to Erie Insurance Exchange | | | 122,504 | | | | 109,613 | |
Note receivable from Erie Family Life Insurance | | | 25,000 | | | | 25,000 | |
Other receivables due from Erie Insurance Exchange and affiliates | | | 208,256 | | | | 218,243 | |
Reinsurance recoverable from non-affiliates | | | 2,113 | | | | 1,944 | |
Deferred policy acquisition costs | | | 17,279 | | | | 16,531 | |
Equity in Erie Family Life Insurance | | | 57,476 | | | | 29,236 | |
Securities lending collateral | | | 14,149 | | | | 18,155 | |
Other assets | | | 74,220 | | | | 69,845 | |
| | |
Total assets | | $ | 2,635,728 | | | $ | 2,613,386 | |
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See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Continued)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | |
| | June 30, | | December 31, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | |
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | | $ | 979,869 | | | $ | 965,081 | |
Unearned premiums | | | 442,579 | | | | 424,370 | |
Commissions payable | | | 133,157 | | | | 126,208 | |
Agent bonuses | | | 30,273 | | | | 81,269 | |
Securities lending collateral | | | 14,379 | | | | 18,155 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | | 52,069 | | | | 51,333 | |
Deferred executive compensation | | | 10,387 | | | | 15,152 | |
Dividends payable | | | 23,231 | | | | 23,249 | |
Pension plan liability | | | 103,584 | | | | 97,682 | |
Employee benefit obligations | | | 17,084 | | | | 19,012 | |
| | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,806,612 | | | | 1,821,511 | |
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| | | | | | | | |
Shareholders’ Equity | | | | | | | | |
Capital stock: | | | | | | | | |
Class A common, no par value and stated value of $0.0292 per share; authorized 74,996,930 shares; issued 68,277,600 shares; 51,240,693 and 51,282,893 shares outstanding, respectively | | | 1,991 | | | | 1,991 | |
Class B common, convertible at a rate of 2,400 Class A shares for one Class B share, no par value and stated value of $70 per share; and 2,551 shares authorized, issued and outstanding | | | 179 | | | | 179 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 7,830 | | | | 7,830 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (101,465 | ) | | | (135,854 | ) |
Retained earnings, before cumulative effect adjustment | | | 1,726,092 | | | | 1,717,499 | |
Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax | | | 6,692 | | | | 11,191 | |
| | |
Retained earnings, after cumulative effect adjustment | | | 1,732,784 | | | | 1,728,690 | |
| | |
Total contributed capital and retained earnings | | | 1,641,319 | | | | 1,602,836 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Treasury stock, at cost, 17,036,907 and 16,994,707 shares, respectively | | | (812,203 | ) | | | (810,961 | ) |
| | |
Total shareholders’ equity | | | 829,116 | | | | 791,875 | |
| | |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 2,635,728 | | | $ | 2,613,386 | |
| | |
See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended | | | Six months ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Operating revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Management fee revenue, net | | $ | 245,412 | | | $ | 241,646 | | | $ | 462,517 | | | $ | 458,617 | |
Premiums earned | | | 52,110 | | | | 51,736 | | | | 103,860 | | | | 103,662 | |
Service agreement revenue | | | 8,604 | | | | 7,748 | | | | 17,182 | | | | 15,139 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating revenue | | | 306,126 | | | | 301,130 | | | | 583,559 | | | | 577,418 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of management operations | | | 196,609 | | | | 201,338 | | | | 379,236 | | | | 382,456 | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred | | | 35,084 | | | | 33,823 | | | | 78,088 | | | | 67,583 | |
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses | | | 12,381 | | | | 12,281 | | | | 24,910 | | | | 24,281 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses | | | 244,074 | | | | 247,442 | | | | 482,234 | | | | 474,320 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment (loss) income — unaffiliated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment income, net of expenses | | | 9,548 | | | | 11,467 | | | | 22,060 | | | | 23,139 | |
Realized gains (losses) on investments | | | 3,467 | | | | (1,818 | ) | | | (367 | ) | | | (14,443 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities | | | (2,544 | ) | | | (12,449 | ) | | | (7,152 | ) | | | (24,403 | ) |
Portion of losses recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | | | (2,544 | ) | | | (12,449 | ) | | | (7,152 | ) | | | (24,403 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity in (losses) earnings of limited partnerships | | | (26,798 | ) | | | 11,275 | | | | (54,829 | ) | | | 19,253 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment (loss) income — unaffiliated | | | (16,327 | ) | | | 8,475 | | | | (40,288 | ) | | | 3,546 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of Erie Family Life Insurance | | | 45,725 | | | | 62,163 | | | | 61,037 | | | | 106,644 | |
Provision for income taxes | | | 14,855 | | | | 20,288 | | | | 17,478 | | | | 34,539 | |
Equity in earnings (losses) of Erie Family Life Insurance, net of tax | | | 1,864 | | | | (560 | ) | | | 304 | | | | (813 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 32,734 | | | $ | 41,315 | | | $ | 43,863 | | | $ | 71,292 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income per share | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A common stock — basic | | $ | 0.63 | | | $ | 0.80 | | | $ | 0.85 | | | $ | 1.36 | |
Class A common stock — diluted | | | 0.57 | | | | 0.71 | | | | 0.76 | | | | 1.22 | |
Class B common stock — basic and diluted | | | 93.19 | | | | 116.10 | | | | 127.98 | | | | 200.67 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A common stock | | | 51,240,693 | | | | 51,754,896 | | | | 51,255,385 | | | | 52,291,387 | |
Class B common stock | | | 2,551 | | | | 2,551 | | | | 2,551 | | | | 2,551 | |
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A common stock | | | 57,390,302 | | | | 57,898,022 | | | | 57,404,994 | | | | 58,434,513 | |
Class B common stock | | | 2,551 | | | | 2,551 | | | | 2,551 | | | | 2,551 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends declared per share | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A common stock | | $ | 0.45 | | | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | 0.90 | | | $ | 0.88 | |
Class B common stock | | | 67.50 | | | | 66.00 | | | | 135.00 | | | | 132.00 | |
See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, beginning of period | | $ | (137,437 | ) | | $ | (2,453 | ) | | $ | (135,854 | ) | | $ | 10,048 | |
Adjustment to opening balance, net of tax* | | | (6,692 | ) | | | 0 | | | | (6,692 | ) | | | (11,191 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted balance, beginning of period | | | (144,129 | ) | | | (2,453 | ) | | | (142,546 | ) | | | (1,143 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gains (losses) before tax arising during period | | | 60,636 | | | | (19,032 | ) | | | 54,522 | | | | (31,935 | ) |
Less: reclassification adjustment for gross realized losses included in net income | | | 5,001 | | | | 9,663 | | | | 8,680 | | | | 20,550 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in comprehensive income (loss), before tax | | | 65,637 | | | | (9,369 | ) | | | 63,202 | | | | (11,385 | ) |
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive income | | | (22,973 | ) | | | 3,279 | | | | (22,121 | ) | | | 3,985 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | | 42,664 | | | | (6,090 | ) | | | 41,081 | | | | (7,400 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, end of period | | $ | (101,465 | ) | | $ | (8,543 | ) | | $ | (101,465 | ) | | $ | (8,543 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 32,734 | | | $ | 41,315 | | | $ | 43,863 | | | $ | 71,292 | |
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | 42,664 | | | | (6,090 | ) | | | 41,081 | | | | (7,400 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | $ | 75,398 | | | $ | 35,225 | | | $ | 84,944 | | | $ | 63,892 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
* | | Previously recognized non-credit other-than-temporary impairment losses were reclassified from retained earnings to other comprehensive income upon the implementation of FSP FAS 115-2 and 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-than-Temporary Impairments,” during the second quarter of 2009. See Note 2. The 2008 adjustment reclassified unrealized gains related to common stock to retained earnings upon the adoption of the fair value option at January 1, 2008 in accordance with FAS No. 159. |
See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
6
ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands)
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Cash flows from operating activities | | | | | | | | |
Management fee received | | $ | 453,019 | | | $ | 450,090 | |
Service agreement fee received | | | 17,182 | | | | 15,140 | |
Premiums collected | | | 105,298 | | | | 104,154 | |
Net investment income received | | | 23,143 | | | | 27,626 | |
Limited partnership distributions | | | 7,183 | | | | 16,774 | |
Reduction (increase) in reimbursements collected from affiliates | | | 23,668 | | | | (2,627 | ) |
Commissions paid to agents | | | (219,775 | ) | | | (209,845 | ) |
Agent bonuses paid | | | (80,304 | ) | | | (94,855 | ) |
Salaries and wages paid | | | (57,819 | ) | | | (57,365 | ) |
Pension contribution and employee benefits paid | | | (10,661 | ) | | | (32,546 | ) |
Losses paid | | | (62,947 | ) | | | (58,922 | ) |
Loss adjustment expenses paid | | | (10,961 | ) | | | (10,346 | ) |
Other underwriting and acquisition costs paid | | | (29,869 | ) | | | (30,510 | ) |
General operating expenses paid | | | (55,001 | ) | | | (59,853 | ) |
Interest paid on bank line of credit | | | 0 | | | | (503 | ) |
Income taxes paid | | | (46,718 | ) | | | (41,920 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 55,438 | | | | 14,492 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities | | | | | | | | |
Purchase of investments: | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities | | | (65,427 | ) | | | (124,407 | ) |
Preferred stock | | | (2,293 | ) | | | (29,565 | ) |
Common stock | | | (12,130 | ) | | | (42,570 | ) |
Additional investment in EFL | | | (11,897 | ) | | | — | |
Limited partnerships | | | (18,148 | ) | | | (36,016 | ) |
Sales/maturities of investments: | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturity sales | | | 32,057 | | | | 112,392 | |
Fixed maturity calls/maturities | | | 18,538 | | | | 69,575 | |
Preferred stock | | | 12,347 | | | | 29,203 | |
Common stock | | | 11,110 | | | | 46,490 | |
Sale of and returns on limited partnerships | | | 1,214 | | | | 19,932 | |
Purchase of property and equipment | | | (5,615 | ) | | | (5,463 | ) |
Net distributions on agent loans | | | (2,127 | ) | | | (2,784 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | | | (42,371 | ) | | | 36,787 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities | | | | | | | | |
Dividends paid to shareholders | | | (46,481 | ) | | | (46,745 | ) |
Purchase of treasury stock | | | (1,242 | ) | | | (94,403 | ) |
Decrease in collateral from securities lending | | | (3,775 | ) | | | (7,460 | ) |
Redemption of securities lending collateral | | | 3,775 | | | | 7,460 | |
Proceeds from bank line of credit | | | 0 | | | | 75,000 | |
| | | | | | |
Net cash used in financing activities | | | (47,723 | ) | | | (66,148 | ) |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | | (34,656 | ) | | | (14,869 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 61,073 | | | | 31,070 | |
| | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 26,417 | | | $ | 16,201 | |
| | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
7
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of Erie Indemnity Company and our wholly owned property/casualty insurance subsidiaries, Erie Insurance Company (EIC), Erie Insurance Company of New York (EINY) and Erie Insurance Property and Casualty Company (EIPC), have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2009. Erie Insurance Exchange (Exchange), for whom we serve as attorney-in-fact, and its property/casualty subsidiary, Flagship City Insurance Company, our three insurance subsidiaries, EIC, EINY and EIPC and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (EFL) operate collectively as the Erie Insurance Group (Group).
While completing our second quarter close process for 2009, we identified an adjustment related to the first quarter 2009 equity in losses of limited partnerships resulting from the misinterpretation of facts that existed at the time the financial statements were prepared. We assessed the materiality of this error in accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 99 and SAB No. 108 and concluded the error was not material. The adjustment did not skew our trend of earnings and the underlying gains and losses resulting from limited partnership investments are often volatile. Therefore, the effect of this error was recorded as an adjustment in the second quarter of 2009. The effect of this adjustment increased the second quarter 2009 equity in losses of limited partnership investments. The impact of the adjustment reduced second quarter 2009 net income by $5.0 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.09. This adjustment did not impact our cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities.
NOTE 2 — RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In April 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued three FASB Staff Positions (FSP’s) to provide additional application guidance and enhance disclosures regarding fair value measurements and impairments of securities.
• | | FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly,” provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to normal market activity. This FSP states a reporting entity shall evaluate circumstances to determine whether the transaction is orderly based on the weight of the evidence. Additional disclosures required by this FSP include the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair values and any changes in such. We implemented this guidance during the second quarter of 2009 and have provided the required disclosure concerning fair value measure inputs and valuation techniques in Note 6. |
|
• | | FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods as well as in annual financial statements. We adopted this FSP in the second quarter of 2009 and the additional fair value disclosures have been provided in Note 6. |
|
• | | FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments,” amends the existing other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt securities. This amended other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) model requires that credit-related losses and securities in an unrealized position we intend to sell be recognized in earnings, with the remaining decline being recognized in other comprehensive income. This FSP also changes the presentation of OTTI in the statement of operations with the total OTTI |
8
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 2 — RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (Continued)
presented along with an offset for the amount of OTTI recognized in other comprehensive income. Disclosures include further disaggregation of securities, methodology and inputs related to credit-related loss impairments and a rollforward of credit-related loss impairments. We implemented this FSP during the second quarter of 2009 and have made the applicable presentations in the accompanying financial statements and footnotes. The adoption of this FSP required a cumulative effect adjustment to reclass previously recognized non-credit other-than-temporary impairments from retained earnings to other comprehensive income. The net impact of the cumulative effect adjustment for our available-for-sale debt securities on April 1, 2009 increased retained earnings and decreased other comprehensive income by $6.7 million, net of tax. Disclosures regarding our impairment methodology are included in Note 3. The remaining disclosures regarding credit and non-credit related impairments have been provided in Note 7.
FAS 165, “Subsequent Events,” was issued in June 2009 to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or available to be issued. It requires disclosure of the date through which subsequent events are evaluated. This statement became effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009. We have provided the required disclosures concerning subsequent events in Note 17.
FAS 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R),” was issued in June 2009 and amends the guidance for determining whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (VIE) by requiring a qualitative analysis to determine if an enterprise’s variable interest gives it a controlling financial interest. A primary beneficiary is expected to be identified through qualitative analysis, which looks at the power to direct activities of the VIE, including its economic performance and the right to receive benefits from the VIE that are significant. This statement is effective for fiscal years that begin after November 15, 2009. Under the current quantitative analysis required by FIN 46(R), although we hold a variable interest in it, we are not deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the Exchange (see Note 15), and the Exchange’s financial statements are not consolidated with ours. Under the provisions of FAS 167 we believe we will be deemed to have a controlling financial interest in the Exchange, by virtue of our attorney-in-fact relationship with the Exchange, and we believe consolidation of the Exchange in our financial statements would be required effective for our first quarter 2010 financial statements. This will require that the Exchange’s financial statements, which are currently only prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles, be prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Exchange will then also be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 internal control reporting requirements. Given the materiality of the Exchange’s operations, consolidating the Exchange’s financial statements with the Company’s will significantly change our reporting entity, related footnote disclosures and the overall presentation of management’s discussion and analysis. The Exchange’s equity will be shown as a noncontrolling interest in such consolidated statements and the net earnings and equity of the Company will be unchanged by this presentation.
NOTE 3 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Available-for-sale securities— Fixed maturity and preferred stock securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of related tax effects, on fixed maturities and preferred stock are charged or credited directly to shareholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.
Realized gains and losses on sales of fixed maturity and preferred stock securities are recognized in income based upon the specific identification method. Interest and dividend income are recognized as earned.
Fixed income and redeemable preferred stock (debt securities) are evaluated monthly for other-than-temporary impairment loss. For debt securities that have experienced a decline in fair value and we intend to sell or for which it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, an other-than-temporary impairment is deemed to have occurred. These other-than-temporary impairment charges are recognized in earnings.
Debt securities that have experienced a decline in fair value and we do not intend to sell and will not be required to sell before recovery, are evaluated to determine if the decline in fair value is other-than-temporary.
9
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 3 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Some factors considered in this evaluation include:
| • | | the extent and duration to which fair value is less than cost; |
|
| • | | historical operating performance and financial condition of the issuer; |
|
| • | | short and long-term prospects of the issuer and its industry based on analysts’ recommendations; |
|
| • | | specific events that occurred affecting the issuer, including a ratings downgrade |
|
| • | | near term liquidity position of the issuer |
|
| • | | compliance with financial covenants |
If a decline is deemed to be other-than-temporary, an assessment is made as to determine the amount of the total impairment related to a credit loss and that related to all other factors. Consideration is given to all available information relevant to the collectibility of the security in this determination. If the entire amortized cost basis of the security will not be recovered, a credit loss exists. The total amount of these impairments related to credit losses is recognized in earnings. When we determine that a security has incurred a credit-related loss, we will conclude that we intend to sell the security when market conditions provide a reasonable opportunity for sale.
Impairment charges on non-reedeemable preferred securities and hybrid securities with equity characteristics are included in earnings consistent with the treatment for equity securities. This approach is more conservative since the lack of a final maturity and unlikelihood of a call means recovery is uncertain and would occur over a multi-year period. We consider whether we have the intent and ability to hold these types of securities until recovery.
NOTE 4 — RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain amounts previously reported in the 2008 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. Such reclassifications affected the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income.
NOTE 5 — EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share are calculated under the two-class method, which allocates earnings to each class of stock based on its dividend rights. Class B shares are convertible into Class A shares at a conversion ratio of 2,400 to 1. Class A diluted earnings per share are calculated under the if-converted method that reflects the conversion of Class B shares and the effect of potentially dilutive outstanding employee stock-based awards under the long-term incentive plan and awards not yet vested related to the outside directors’ stock compensation plan.
10
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 5 — EARNINGS PER SHARE (Continued)
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in the basic and diluted per-share computations is presented as follows for each class of common stock:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 |
| | Allocated | | Weighted | | | | | | Allocated | | Weighted | | |
(dollars in thousands, | | net income | | shares | | Per-share | | net income | | shares | | Per-share |
except per share data) | | (numerator) | | (denominator) | | amount | | (numerator) | | (denominator) | | amount |
| | |
Class A — Basic EPS: |
Income available to Class A stockholders | | $ | 32,496 | | | | 51,240,693 | | | $ | 0.63 | | | $ | 41,019 | | | | 51,754,896 | | | $ | 0.80 | |
| | |
Dilutive effect of stock awards | | | 0 | | | | 27,209 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 20,726 | | | | — | |
| | |
Assumed conversion of Class B shares | | | 238 | | | | 6,122,400 | | | | — | | | | 296 | | | | 6,122,400 | | | | — | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A — Diluted EPS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income available to Class A stockholders on Class A equivalent shares | | $ | 32,734 | | | | 57,390,302 | | | $ | 0.57 | | | $ | 41,315 | | | | 57,898,022 | | | $ | 0.71 | |
| | |
Class B — Basic and diluted EPS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income available to Class B stockholders | | $ | 238 | | | | 2,551 | | | $ | 93.19 | | | $ | 296 | | | | 2,551 | | | $ | 116.10 | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 |
| | Allocated | | Weighted | | | | | | Allocated | | Weighted | | |
(dollars in thousands, | | net income | | shares | | Per-share | | net income | | shares | | Per-share |
except per share data) | | (numerator) | | (denominator) | | amount | | (numerator) | | (denominator) | | amount |
| | |
Class A — Basic EPS: |
Income available to Class A stockholders | | $ | 43,536 | | | | 51,255,385 | | | $ | 0.85 | | | $ | 70,780 | | | | 52,291,387 | | | $ | 1.36 | |
| | |
Dilutive effect of stock awards | | | 0 | | | | 27,209 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 20,726 | | | | — | |
| | |
Assumed conversion of Class B shares | | | 327 | | | | 6,122,400 | | | | — | | | | 512 | | | | 6,122,400 | | | | — | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A — Diluted EPS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income available to Class A stockholders on Class A equivalent shares | | $ | 43,863 | | | | 57,404,994 | | | $ | 0.76 | | | $ | 71,292 | | | | 58,434,513 | | | $ | 1.22 | |
| | |
Class B — Basic and diluted EPS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income available to Class B stockholders | | $ | 327 | | | | 2,551 | | | $ | 127.98 | | | $ | 512 | | | | 2,551 | | | $ | 200.67 | |
| | |
As of December 2008, all shares awarded under our pre-2004 long-term incentive plan for executive and senior management were fully vested. Awards not yet vested related to this plan and included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2008 were 12,535 shares. There were 14,400 shares of other stock-based awards not yet vested that were included in the second quarter 2009 diluted EPS calculation. Awards not yet vested related to the outside directors’ stock compensation plan were 12,809 and 8,191 for the second quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively.
11
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 6 — FAIR VALUE
FAS 157, “Fair Value Measurement,” provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and enhances disclosures about fair value measurement. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, which are provided below.
Valuation techniques used to derive fair value of our available-for-sale and trading securities are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions regarding exit market pricing for these securities. Although the majority of our prices are obtained from third party sources, we also perform an internal pricing review for securities with low trading volumes in the current market conditions. Certain securities were downgraded to Level 3 as a result. These techniques provide the inputs for the following fair value hierarchy:
| | |
Level 1 | | Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Such prices are obtained from third party nationally recognized pricing services. Level 1 securities primarily include publicly traded common stock, nonredeemable preferred stocks and treasury securities. |
| | |
Level 2 | | Observable inputs other than quoted prices in Level 1. These would include prices obtained from third party pricing services that model prices based on observable inputs. Included in this category are primarily municipal securities, asset backed securities, collateralized-mortgage obligations, foreign and domestic corporate bonds and redeemable preferred stocks. Nonredeemable preferred stocks for which a quote in an active market is unavailable and a value is obtained from a third party pricing service are also included in this level. |
| | |
Level 3 | | One or more of the inputs used to determine the value of the security are unobservable. Fair values for these securities are determined using comparable securities or valuations received from outside brokers or dealers. In cases where there has been little or no activity in the current market and no other inputs from external sources are available, an internal review is also performed to evaluate the price and make adjustments as necessary. Factors used to estimate a price most representative of fair value include potential for default, structure and collateral, market discount rates and current credit rating. Examples of Level 3 fixed maturities may include certain private preferred stock and bond securities, collateralized debt and loan obligations, and credit-linked notes. |
The following table represents the fair value measurements on a recurring basis for our invested assets by major category and level of input:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | At June 30, 2009 |
| | Fair value measurements using: |
| | | | | | Quoted prices in | | | | |
| | | | | | active markets for | | Significant | | Significant |
| | | | | | identical assets | | observable inputs | | unobservable inputs |
(in thousands) | | Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
| | |
Available-for-sale securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities | | $ | 601,971 | | | $ | 5,979 | | | $ | 581,625 | | | $ | 14,367 | |
Preferred stock | | | 46,491 | | | | 23,849 | | | | 11,427 | | | | 11,215 | |
Trading securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock | | | 36,125 | | | | 36,103 | | | | 0 | | | | 22 | |
| | |
Total | | $ | 684,587 | | | $ | 65,931 | | | $ | 593,052 | | | $ | 25,604 | |
| | |
12
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 6 — FAIR VALUE (Continued)
Level 3 Invested Assets — Quarterly Change:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning | | | | | | Included in | | Purchases, sales | | | | |
| | balance at | | | | other | | and adjustments | | Transfers in | | Ending |
| | March 31, | | Included in | | comprehensive | | related to FSP | | and (out) of | | balance at |
(in thousands) | | 2009 | | earnings(1) | | income | | 115-2 | | Level 3(2) | | June 30, 2009 |
| | |
Available-for-sale securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities | | $ | 12,739 | | | $ | (1,258 | ) | | $ | 3,510 | | | $ | 1,076 | | | $ | (1,700 | ) | | $ | 14,367 | |
Preferred stock | | | 10,163 | | | | 0 | | | | 1,052 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 11,215 | |
Trading securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock | | | 22 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 22 | |
| | |
Total Level 3 assets | | $ | 22,924 | | | $ | (1,258 | ) | | $ | 4,562 | | | $ | 1,076 | | | $ | (1,700 | ) | | $ | 25,604 | |
| | |
Level 3 Invested Assets — Year-to-Date Change:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning | | | | | | Included in | | Purchases, sales | | | |
| | balance at | | | | other | | and adjustments | | | | Ending |
| | December 31, | | Included in | | comprehensive | | related to FSP | | Transfers in and | | balance at |
(in thousands) | | 2008 | | earnings(1) | | income | | 115-2 | | (out) of Level 3(2) | | June 30, 2009 |
| | |
Available-for-sale securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities | | $ | 14,217 | | | $ | (995 | ) | | $ | 2,070 | | | $ | 775 | | | $ | (1,700 | ) | | $ | 14,367 | |
Preferred stock | | | 11,818 | | | | (1,118 | ) | | | 515 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 11,215 | |
Trading securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock | | | 22 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 22 | |
| | |
Total Level 3 assets | | $ | 26,057 | | | $ | (2,113 | ) | | $ | 2,585 | | | $ | 775 | | | $ | (1,700 | ) | | $ | 25,604 | |
| | |
| | |
(1) | | Includes losses as a result of other-than-temporary impairments and accrual of discount and amortization of premium. These amounts are reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. There were no unrealized gains or losses included in earnings for the three or six months ended June 30, 2009 on Level 3 securities. |
|
(2) | | Transfers in and out of Level 3 would be attributable to changes in the availability of market observable information for individual securities within the respective categories. |
We have no assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the six months ended June 30, 2009.
13
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 7 — INVESTMENTS
Available-for-sale securities
The following table summarizes the cost and fair value of our available-for-sale securities at June 30, 2009. Fixed maturities consist of bonds, notes and redeemable preferred stock. Equity securities include nonredeemable preferred stock.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | At June 30, 2009 |
| | Amortized | | Gross unrealized | | Gross unrealized | | Estimated |
(in thousands) | | cost | | gains | | losses | | fair value |
| | |
Available-for-sale securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. treasuries and government agencies | | $ | 2,598 | | | $ | 269 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 2,867 | |
Foreign government | | | 1,998 | | | | 0 | | | | 24 | | | | 1,974 | |
Municipal securities | | | 221,187 | | | | 4,761 | | | | 1,320 | | | | 224,628 | |
U.S. corporate debt — non-financial | | | 171,424 | | | | 5,275 | | | | 3,999 | | | | 172,700 | |
U.S. corporate debt — financial | | | 125,479 | | | | 4,883 | | | | 10,950 | | | | 119,412 | |
Foreign corporate debt — non-financial | | | 34,024 | | | | 975 | | | | 1,439 | | | | 33,560 | |
Foreign corporate debt — financial | | | 15,784 | | | | 142 | | | | 3,444 | | | | 12,482 | |
Structured securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset-backed securities — auto loans | | | 4,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 123 | | | | 3,877 | |
Collateralized debt obligations | | | 11,543 | | | | 59 | | | | 2,894 | | | | 8,708 | |
Commercial mortgage-backed | | | 5,619 | | | | 0 | | | | 331 | | | | 5,288 | |
Residential mortgage-backed: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Government sponsored enterprises | | | 13,565 | | | | 157 | | | | 64 | | | | 13,658 | |
Non-government sponsored enterprises | | | 3,030 | | | | 0 | | | | 213 | | | | 2,817 | |
| | |
Total fixed maturities | | $ | 610,251 | | | $ | 16,521 | | | $ | 24,801 | | | $ | 601,971 | |
| | |
Equity securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. nonredeemable preferred securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial | | $ | 30,113 | | | $ | 3,878 | | | $ | 6,316 | | | $ | 27,675 | |
Non-financial | | | 14,356 | | | | 814 | | | | 1,658 | | | | 13,512 | |
Government sponsored enterprises | | | 166 | | | | 212 | | | | 0 | | | | 378 | |
Foreign nonredeemable preferred securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial | | | 2,961 | | | | 604 | | | | 249 | | | | 3,316 | |
Non-financial | | | 2,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 390 | | | | 1,610 | |
| | |
Total equity securities | | $ | 49,596 | | | $ | 5,508 | | | $ | 8,613 | | | $ | 46,491 | |
| | |
Total available-for-sale securities | | $ | 659,847 | | | $ | 22,029 | | | $ | 33,414 | | | $ | 648,462 | |
| | |
14
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 7 — INVESTMENTS (Continued)
The following table summarizes the cost and fair value of our available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2008.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | At December 31, 2008 |
| | Amortized | | Gross unrealized | | Gross unrealized | | Estimated |
(in thousands) | | cost | | gains | | losses | | fair value |
| | |
Available-for-sale securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. treasuries and government agencies | | $ | 3,078 | | | $ | 345 | | | $ | 51 | | | $ | 3,372 | |
Foreign government | | | 1,998 | | | | 0 | | | | 180 | | | | 1,818 | |
Municipal securities | | | 212,224 | | | | 3,041 | | | | 3,846 | | | | 211,419 | |
U.S. corporate debt — non-financial | | | 164,419 | | | | 1,963 | | | | 13,181 | | | | 153,201 | |
U.S. corporate debt — financial | | | 130,929 | | | | 4,500 | | | | 15,807 | | | | 119,622 | |
Foreign corporate debt — non-financial | | | 34,900 | | | | 86 | | | | 2,681 | | | | 32,305 | |
Foreign corporate debt — financial | | | 21,917 | | | | 100 | | | | 2,875 | | | | 19,142 | |
Structured securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset-backed securities — auto loans | | | 4,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 321 | | | | 3,679 | |
Collateralized debt obligations | | | 11,438 | | | | 0 | | | | 4,362 | | | | 7,076 | |
Commercial mortgage-backed | | | 5,098 | | | | 80 | | | | 484 | | | | 4,694 | |
Residential mortgage-backed: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Government sponsored enterprises | | | 3,450 | | | | 219 | | | | 0 | | | | 3,669 | |
Non-government sponsored enterprises | | | 4,221 | | | | 0 | | | | 789 | | | | 3,432 | |
| | |
Total fixed maturities | | $ | 597,672 | | | $ | 10,334 | | | $ | 44,577 | | | $ | 563,429 | |
| | |
Equity securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. nonredeemable preferred securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial | | $ | 34,353 | | | $ | 3,045 | | | $ | 5,650 | | | $ | 31,748 | |
Non-financial | | | 19,359 | | | | 449 | | | | 2,270 | | | | 17,538 | |
Government sponsored enterprises | | | 180 | | | | 0 | | | | 1 | | | | 179 | |
Foreign nonredeemable preferred securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial | | | 4,066 | | | | 187 | | | | 57 | | | | 4,196 | |
Non-financial | | | 2,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 380 | | | | 1,620 | |
| | |
Total equity securities | | $ | 59,958 | | | $ | 3,681 | | | $ | 8,358 | | | $ | 55,281 | |
| | |
Total available-for-sale securities | | $ | 657,630 | | | $ | 14,015 | | | $ | 52,935 | | | $ | 618,710 | |
| | |
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturities at June 30, 2009, are shown below by remaining contractual term to maturity. Mortgage-backed securities are allocated based on their stated maturity dates. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
| | | | | | | | |
| | Amortized | | | Estimated | |
(in thousands) | | cost | | | fair value | |
Due in one year or less | | $ | 54,061 | | | $ | 53,170 | |
Due after one year through five years | | | 233,764 | | | | 235,366 | |
Due after five years through ten years | | | 234,964 | | | | 230,668 | |
Due after ten years | | | 87,462 | | | | 82,767 | |
| | | | | | |
Total fixed maturities | | $ | 610,251 | | | $ | 601,971 | |
| | | | | | |
15
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 7 — INVESTMENTS (Continued)
Available-for-sale fixed maturities and equity securities in a gross unrealized loss position at June 30, 2009 are as follows. Data are provided by length of time securities were in a gross unrealized loss position.
June 30, 2009
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(dollars in thousands) | | Less than 12 months | | 12 months or longer | | Total |
| | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | | No. of |
| | value | | losses | | value | | losses | | value | | losses | | holdings |
| | | | | | |
Fixed maturities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign government | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 1,974 | | | $ | 24 | | | $ | 1,974 | | | $ | 24 | | | | 1 | |
Municipal securities | | | 27,542 | | | | 452 | | | | 25,795 | | | | 868 | | | | 53,337 | | | | 1,320 | | | | 30 | |
U.S. corporate debt — non-financial | | | 8,822 | | | | 526 | | | | 36,083 | | | | 3,473 | | | | 44,905 | | | | 3,999 | | | | 37 | |
U.S. corporate debt — financial | | | 14,297 | | | | 1,246 | | | | 55,908 | | | | 9,704 | | | | 70,205 | | | | 10,950 | | | | 63 | |
Foreign corporate debt — non-financial | | | 4,585 | | | | 357 | | | | 2,450 | | | | 1,082 | | | | 7,035 | | | | 1,439 | | | | 6 | |
Foreign corporate debt — financial | | | 987 | | | | 344 | | | | 8,236 | | | | 3,100 | | | | 9,223 | | | | 3,444 | | | | 9 | |
Structured securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset-backed securities — auto loans | | | 990 | | | | 10 | | | | 2,887 | | | | 113 | | | | 3,877 | | | | 123 | | | | 3 | |
Collateralized debt obligations | | | 1,116 | | | | 42 | | | | 6,571 | | | | 2,852 | | | | 7,687 | | | | 2,894 | | | | 11 | |
Commercial mortgage-backed | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 5,288 | | | | 331 | | | | 5,288 | | | | 331 | | | | 5 | |
Residential mortgage-backed: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Government sponsored enterprises | | | 5,149 | | | | 64 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 5,149 | | | | 64 | | | | 2 | |
Non-government sponsored enterprises | | | 923 | | | | 87 | | | | 1,895 | | | | 126 | | | | 2,818 | | | | 213 | | | | 3 | |
| | | | | | |
Total fixed maturities | | $ | 64,411 | | | $ | 3,128 | | | $ | 147,087 | | | $ | 21,673 | | | $ | 211,498 | | | $ | 24,801 | | | | 170 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. nonredeemable preferred securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial | | $ | 5,929 | | | $ | 1,901 | | | $ | 13,251 | | | $ | 4,415 | | | $ | 19,180 | | | $ | 6,316 | | | | 16 | |
Non-financial | | | 2,566 | | | | 324 | | | | 6,355 | | | | 1,334 | | | | 8,921 | | | | 1,658 | | | | 6 | |
Foreign nonredeemable preferred securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial | | | 881 | | | | 249 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 881 | | | | 249 | | | | 1 | |
Non-financial | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 1,610 | | | | 390 | | | | 1,610 | | | | 390 | | | | 1 | |
| | | | | | |
Total equity securities | | $ | 9,376 | | | $ | 2,474 | | | $ | 21,216 | | | $ | 6,139 | | | $ | 30,592 | | | $ | 8,613 | | | | 24 | |
| | | | | | |
Quality breakdown of available-for-sale fixed maturities at June 30, 2009
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(dollars in thousands) | | Less than 12 months | | 12 months or longer | | Total |
| | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | | No. of |
| | value | | losses | | value | | losses | | value | | losses | | holdings |
| | | | | | |
Investment grade | | $ | 56,746 | | | $ | 1,889 | | | $ | 123,118 | | | $ | 14,231 | | | $ | 179,864 | | | $ | 16,120 | | | | 134 | |
Non-investment grade | | | 7,665 | | | | 1,239 | | | | 23,969 | | | | 7,442 | | | | 31,634 | | | | 8,681 | | | | 36 | |
| | | | | | |
Total fixed maturities | | $ | 64,411 | | | $ | 3,128 | | | $ | 147,087 | | | $ | 21,673 | | | $ | 211,498 | | | $ | 24,801 | | | | 170 | |
| | | | | | |
The above securities have all been evaluated and determined to be temporary impairments and we expect to recover all of our principal. The primary drivers of this analysis are a general review of market conditions and financial performance of the issuer along with the extent and duration of which fair value is less than cost. Any debt securities that we intend to sell or will more likely than not be required to sell before recovery are included in other-than-temporary impairments with the impairment charges recognized in earnings.
16
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 7 — INVESTMENTS (Continued)
Available-for-sale fixed maturities and equity securities in a gross unrealized loss position at December 31, 2008 are as follows:
December 31, 2008
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(dollars in thousands) | | Less than 12 months | | 12 months or longer | | Total |
| | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | | No. of |
| | value | | losses | | value | | losses | | value | | losses | | holdings |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. treasuries and government agencies | | $ | 948 | | | $ | 51 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 948 | | | $ | 51 | | | | 1 | |
Foreign government | | | 1,818 | | | | 180 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 1,818 | | | | 180 | | | | 1 | |
Municipal securities | | | 82,222 | | | | 2,960 | | | | 4,291 | | | | 886 | | | | 86,513 | | | | 3,846 | | | | 53 | |
U.S. corporate debt — non- financial | | | 98,422 | | | | 8,199 | | | | 18,961 | | | | 4,982 | | | | 117,383 | | | | 13,181 | | | | 92 | |
U.S. corporate debt — financial | | | 70,528 | | | | 10,625 | | | | 18,047 | | | | 5,182 | | | | 88,575 | | | | 15,807 | | | | 84 | |
Foreign corporate debt — non-financial | | | 24,007 | | | | 1,725 | | | | 1,042 | | | | 956 | | | | 25,049 | | | | 2,681 | | | | 18 | |
Foreign corporate debt — financial | | | 10,514 | | | | 2,029 | | | | 2,154 | | | | 846 | | | | 12,668 | | | | 2,875 | | | | 11 | |
Structured securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset-backed securities — auto loans | | | 3,678 | | | | 321 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 3,678 | | | | 321 | | | | 3 | |
Collateralized debt obligations | | | 6,198 | | | | 4,192 | | | | 426 | | | | 170 | | | | 6,624 | | | | 4,362 | | | | 13 | |
Commercial mortgage-backed | | | 2,064 | | | | 396 | | | | 1,198 | | | | 88 | | | | 3,262 | | | | 484 | | | | 4 | |
Residential mortgage-backed: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-government sponsored enterprises | | | 2,703 | | | | 549 | | | | 729 | | | | 240 | | | | 3,432 | | | | 789 | | | | 5 | |
| | | | | | |
Total fixed maturities | | $ | 303,102 | | | $ | 31,227 | | | $ | 46,848 | | | $ | 13,350 | | | $ | 349,950 | | | $ | 44,577 | | | | 285 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. nonredeemable preferred securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial | | $ | 18,370 | | | $ | 5,396 | | | $ | 741 | | | $ | 254 | | | $ | 19,111 | | | $ | 5,650 | | | | 17 | |
Non-financial | | | 10,538 | | | | 1,286 | | | | 5,708 | | | | 984 | | | | 16,246 | | | | 2,270 | | | | 9 | |
Government sponsored enterprises | | | 15 | | | | 1 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 15 | | | | 1 | | | | 1 | |
Foreign nonredeemable preferred securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial | | | 1,073 | | | | 57 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 1,073 | | | | 57 | | | | 1 | |
Non-financial | | | 1,620 | | | | 380 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 1,620 | | | | 380 | | | | 1 | |
| | | | | | |
Total equity securities | | $ | 31,616 | | | $ | 7,120 | | | $ | 6,449 | | | $ | 1,238 | | | $ | 38,065 | | | $ | 8,358 | | | | 29 | |
| | | | | | |
Quality breakdown of available-for-sale fixed maturities at December 31, 2008
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(dollars in thousands) | | Less than 12 months | | 12 months or longer | | Total |
| | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | | No. of |
| | value | | losses | | value | | losses | | value | | losses | | holdings |
| | | | | | |
Investment grade | | $ | 296,457 | | | $ | 29,068 | | | $ | 42,002 | | | $ | 12,216 | | | $ | 338,459 | | | $ | 41,284 | | | | 271 | |
Non-investment grade | | | 6,645 | | | | 2,159 | | | | 4,846 | | | | 1,134 | | | | 11,491 | | | | 3,293 | | | | 14 | |
| | | | | | |
Total fixed maturities | | $ | 303,102 | | | $ | 31,227 | | | $ | 46,848 | | | $ | 13,350 | | | $ | 349,950 | | | $ | 44,577 | | | | 285 | |
| | | | | | |
17
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 7 — INVESTMENTS (Continued)
We adopted FAS 159 for our common stock portfolio effective January 1, 2008 as it better reflects the way we manage our common stock portfolio under a total return approach. Dividend income is recognized as earned and recorded to net investment income.
The components of net realized losses and gains on investments as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations are included below.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
(in thousands) | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Available-for-sale securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross realized gains | | $ | 587 | | | $ | 879 | | | $ | 700 | | | $ | 2,173 | |
Gross realized losses | | | (659 | ) | | | (203 | ) | | | (2,608 | ) | | | (340 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized (losses) gains | | | (72 | ) | | | 676 | | | | (1,908 | ) | | | 1,833 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross realized gains | | | 266 | | | | 2,295 | | | | 2,789 | | | | 2,683 | |
Gross realized losses | | | (1,915 | ) | | | (2,295 | ) | | | (2,825 | ) | | | (4,603 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized (losses) gains | | | (1,649 | ) | | | 0 | | | | (36 | ) | | | (1,920 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trading securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross realized gains | | | 335 | | | | 4,766 | | | | 724 | | | | 6,745 | |
Gross realized losses | | | (1,422 | ) | | | (2,656 | ) | | | (3,085 | ) | | | (4,433 | ) |
Valuation adjustments | | | 6,275 | | | | (4,604 | ) | | | 3,938 | | | | (18,296 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized (losses) gains | | | 5,188 | | | | (2,494 | ) | | | 1,577 | | | | (15,984 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Limited partnerships | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross realized gains | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 3,541 | |
Gross realized losses | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | (1,913 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gains | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 1,628 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Net realized (losses) gains on investments | | $ | 3,467 | | | $ | (1,818 | ) | | $ | (367 | ) | | $ | (14,443 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
We recorded $1.3 million of credit loss impairments on fixed maturities for the three months ended June 30, 2009, which are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Some of the factors considered in determining that these securities were credit impaired include potential for the default of interest and/or principal, level of subordination, collateral of the issue, compliance with financial covenants, credit ratings and industry conditions. We have the intent to sell all credit-impaired debt securities, therefore the entire amount of the impairment charges were included in earnings and no non-credit impairments were recognized in the second quarter of 2009. Prior to the implementation of FSP FAS 115-2 in the second quarter of 2009, there was no differentiation between impairments related to credit loss and those related to other factors and declines in fair values of debt securities were deemed other-than-temporary if we did not have the intent and ability to hold a security to recovery. Impairment charges recorded on fixed maturities in the second quarter of 2008 were $8.0 million. Impairment charges recorded on equity securities were $1.2 million and $4.4 million in the second quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively.
18
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 7 — INVESTMENTS (Continued)
Limited partnerships
Erie Indemnity Company has limited partnership investments that are recorded using the equity method of accounting. As these investments are generally reported on a one-quarter lag, our limited partnership results through June 30, 2009 are comprised of general partnership financial results for the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. Therefore, the volatility in market conditions experienced in these periods is included in our 2009 results. Given the lag in general partner reporting, our limited partnership results do not reflect the market conditions of the second quarter of 2009. There may be additional deterioration reflected in the general partners’ second quarter 2009 financial statements. Such declines could be significant. Cash contributions made to and distributions received from the partnerships are recorded in the period in which the transaction occurs.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, our equity in losses from limited partnerships as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations totaled $54.8 million. See Note 1 for discussion of an adjustment to limited partnership investments related to the first quarter of 2009.
Our ownership interest is less than 50% in any limited partnership and we do not exercise significant influence over any of these partnerships. As the fair value of our limited partnership investments is approximately 10% of total assets, we have provided summarized financial information in the following table.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Recorded by Erie Indemnity Company |
(dollars in thousands) | | as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2009 |
| | | | | | | | | | Loss | | |
| | | | | | | | | | recognized | | |
| | | | | | | | | | due to | | |
| | | | | | | | | | valuation | | |
| | | | | | | | | | adjustments | | Income |
Investment percentage in partnership | | Number of | | Asset | | by the | | (loss) |
for Erie Indemnity Company | | partnerships | | recorded | | partnerships | | recorded |
|
Private equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less than 10% | | | 30 | | | $ | 78,480 | | | $ | (15,238 | ) | | $ | (448 | ) |
Greater than or equal to 10% but less than 50% | | | 1 | | | | 3,484 | | | | (9 | ) | | | (187 | ) |
|
Total private equity | | | 31 | | | | 81,964 | | | | (15,247 | ) | | | (635 | ) |
Mezzanine debt: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less than 10% | | | 15 | | | | 52,161 | | | | (4,602 | ) | | | 3,569 | |
Greater than or equal to 10% but less than 50% | | | 1 | | | | 2,237 | | | | (1,366 | ) | | | 374 | |
|
Total mezzanine debt | | | 16 | | | | 54,398 | | | | ($5,968 | ) | | | 3,943 | |
Real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less than 10% | | | 24 | | | | 104,002 | | | | (29,383 | ) | | | (1,494 | ) |
Greater than or equal to 10% but less than 50% | | | 5 | | | | 14,346 | | | | (6,845 | ) | | | 800 | |
|
Total real estate | | | 29 | | | | 118,348 | | | | (36,228 | ) | | | (694 | ) |
|
Total limited partnerships | | | 76 | | | $ | 254,710 | | | $ | (57,443 | ) | | $ | 2,614 | |
|
Per the limited partner financial statements, total partnership assets were $34.5 billion and total partnership liabilities were $9.0 billion at March 31, 2009. For the six month period comparable to that presented in the preceding table (fourth quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009), total partnership valuation adjustment losses were $5.4 billion and total partnership net loss was $0.4 billion.
19
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 7 — INVESTMENTS (Continued)
As these investments are generally reported on a one-quarter lag, our limited partnership results through December 31, 2008 include the general partnership financial results for the fourth quarter of 2007 and the first three quarters of 2008.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Recorded by Erie Indemnity Company |
(dollars in thousands) | | as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008 |
| | | | | | | | | | (Loss) income | | |
| | | | | | | | | | recognized | | |
| | | | | | | | | | due to | | |
| | | | | | | | | | valuation | | |
| | | | | | | | | | adjustments | | Income |
Investment percentage in partnership | | Number of | | Asset | | by the | | (loss) |
for Erie Indemnity Company | | partnerships | | recorded | | partnerships | | recorded |
|
Private equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less than 10% | | | 31 | | | $ | 91,222 | | | $ | (4,668 | ) | | $ | 8,915 | |
Greater than or equal to 10% but less than 50% | | | 1 | | | | 3,290 | | | | 0 | | | | (434 | ) |
|
Total private equity | | | 32 | | | | 94,512 | | | | (4,668 | ) | | | 8,481 | |
Mezzanine debt: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less than 10% | | | 15 | | | | 51,941 | | | | 1,164 | | | | 4,664 | |
Greater than or equal to 10% but less than 50% | | | 1 | | | | 3,224 | | | | (717 | ) | | | 496 | |
|
Total mezzanine debt | | | 16 | | | | 55,165 | | | | 447 | | | | 5,160 | |
Real estate: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less than 10% | | | 24 | | | | 127,349 | | | | (16,176 | ) | | | 11,224 | |
Greater than or equal to 10% but less than 50% | | | 5 | | | | 22,150 | | | | (675 | ) | | | 1,917 | |
|
Total real estate | | | 29 | | | | 149,499 | | | | (16,851 | ) | | | 13,141 | |
|
Total limited partnerships | | | 77 | | | $ | 299,176 | | | $ | (21,072 | ) | | $ | 26,782 | |
|
Per the limited partner financial statements, total partnership assets were $48.0 billion and total partnership liabilities were $9.4 billion at September 30, 2008. For the twelve month period comparable to that presented in the preceding table (fourth quarter of 2007 and first three quarters of 2008), total partnership valuation adjustment losses were $2.3 billion and total partnership net income was $1.3 billion.
See also Note 14 for investment commitments related to limited partnerships.
Securities lending program
We participate in a program whereby marketable securities from our investment portfolio are lent to independent brokers or dealers based on, among other things, their creditworthiness, in exchange for collateral equal to 102% of the value of the securities on loan. The collateral is invested primarily in short-term, investment grade asset- backed securities and floating rate notes. The program is in the process of being terminated and we anticipate it to be completed by the end of 2009.
We had loaned securities included as part of our invested assets with a fair value of $13.7 million and $17.5 million at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. We have incurred no losses on the securities lending program since the program’s inception.
Cash equivalents are principally comprised of investments in bank money market funds and approximate fair value.
NOTE 8 — BANK LINE OF CREDIT
As of June 30, 2009, we have available with a bank a $100 million line of credit that expires on December 31, 2009. There were no borrowings outstanding on the line of credit as of June 30, 2009. Bonds with a fair value of $133.6 million are pledged as collateral on the line at June 30, 2009. These securities have no restrictions and are reported as available-for-sale fixed maturities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of June 30, 2009. The bank requires compliance with certain covenants which include minimum net worth and leverage ratios. Effective June 29, 2009, the net worth covenant was amended to lower the minimum required to be maintained. We are in compliance with all covenants at June 30, 2009.
20
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 9 — INCOME TAXES
The annualized effective tax rate of 31.8% was impacted in the second quarter of 2009 by an adjustment to increase taxes by $0.8 million related to the 2005 IRS audit.
We account for income taxes in accordance with FAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FAS 109 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statement or tax returns. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. At June 30, 2009, we recorded a net deferred tax asset of $78.1 million on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. We evaluated the need for an offsetting valuation allowance. Management considered securities that we expect to recover to cost as well as tax planning strategies and determined that we would recover the deferred tax asset in future periods, and thus, an allowance was not recorded at June 30, 2009.
NOTE 10 — SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION OF EFL
EFL is an affiliated Pennsylvania-domiciled life insurance company operating in 10 states and the District of Columbia. We own 21.6% of EFL’s outstanding common shares and account for this investment using the equity method of accounting. The remaining 78.4% of EFL is owned by Erie Insurance Exchange.
The following represents unaudited condensed financial statement information for EFL on a GAAP basis:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | Six months ended June 30, |
(in thousands) | | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 |
Revenues | | $ | 37,986 | | | $ | 20,281 | | | $ | 60,458 | | | $ | 46,939 | |
Benefits and expenses | | | 32,286 | | | | 24,442 | | | | 60,990 | | | | 53,818 | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | | 5,700 | | | | (4,161 | ) | | | (532 | ) | | | (6,879 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | | 10,763 | | | | (2,786 | ) | | | 1,510 | | | | (4,431 | ) |
Comprehensive income (loss) | | | 74,048 | | | | (11,266 | ) | | | 75,559 | | | | (11,974 | ) |
The increase in revenues is the result of impairment charges of $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to $20.5 million recorded in the second quarter of 2008. The more significant impairment charges in 2008 were primarily related to bonds and preferred stocks in the financial services industry.
The second quarter 2009 benefit and expenses amounts were higher due to increased death benefit expenses. The lower second quarter 2008 benefits and expenses were the result of a decline in deferred policy acquisition amortization in 2008 caused by the significant level of bond impairments.
Net income in the second quarter of 2009 was positively impacted by a reduction in the deferred tax valuation allowance of $7.0 million. EFL has recorded a deferred tax valuation allowance of $21.5 million at June 30, 2009 related to currently and previously recorded impairments where the related deferred tax asset is not expected to be realized.
Comprehensive income was positively impacted by the $26.9 million cumulative effect of implementing FSP FAS 115-2 in the second quarter of 2009. Additionally, EFL experienced unrealized gains, after tax of $36.4 million in the second quarter of 2009 and $47.2 million in the first half of 2009 which contributed to the increase in comprehensive income and invested assets.
21
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 10 — SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION OF EFL (Continued)
| | | | | | | | |
| | As of |
| | June 30, | | December 31, |
(in thousands) | | 2009 | | 2008 |
Investments | | $ | 1,458,939 | | | $ | 1,327,553 | |
Total assets | | | 1,827,279 | | | | 1,645,249 | |
Liabilities | | | 1,561,547 | | | | 1,510,076 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (24,515 | ) | | | (71,666 | ) |
Cumulative effect of adopting FSP FAS 115-2 | | | 26,899 | | | | — | |
Total shareholders’ equity | | | 265,732 | | | | 135,173 | |
Book value per share | | $ | 28.12 | | | $ | 14.30 | |
In June 2009, we made an $11.9 million capital contribution to EFL and the Exchange made a $43.1 million capital contribution to EFL to strengthen its surplus. The $55 million in capital contributions increased EFL’s investments and total shareholders’ equity.
EFL implemented FSP FAS 115-2 during the second quarter of 2009. The required cumulative effect adjustment reclassified previously recognized non-credit other-than-temporary impairments of $26.9 million out of retained earnings. Deferred taxes of $9.4 million related to this cumulative effect adjustment were offset by a valuation allowance in the same amount that had been previously recorded related to these impairments.
NOTE 11 — POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The liabilities for the plans described in this note are presented in total for all employees of the Group. The gross liability for the pension plans is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as employee benefit obligations. A portion of annual expenses related to the pension plans is allocated to related entities within the Group.
We offer a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan that covers substantially all employees. This is the largest benefit plan we offer. We also offer an unfunded supplemental retirement plan (SERP) for certain members of executive and senior management of the Erie Insurance Group. The components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension benefits are:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended | | | Six months ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
(in thousands) | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Service cost | | $ | 3,725 | | | $ | 3,169 | | | $ | 7,600 | | | $ | 6,272 | |
Interest cost | | | 4,750 | | | | 4,386 | | | | 9,700 | | | | 8,895 | |
Expected return on plan assets | | | (6,350 | ) | | | (6,042 | ) | | | (12,350 | ) | | | (12,085 | ) |
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) | | | 175 | | | | (42 | ) | | | 350 | | | | 66 | |
Amortization of actuarial loss | | | 700 | | | | 153 | | | | 1,650 | | | | 155 | |
Settlement | | | — | | | | 74 | | | | — | | | | 74 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net periodic benefit cost | | $ | 3,000 | | | $ | 1,698 | | | $ | 6,950 | | | $ | 3,377 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The increase in the net periodic benefit cost of the pension plans is primarily due to a change in discount rate to 6.06% for 2009 compared to 6.62% in 2008. The increase in amortization of actuarial loss is a result of the significant difference between the defined benefit pension plan’s actual investment returns in 2008 and the expected returns assumed. These experience losses are being amortized over the average remaining service period of the employee group covered under the plan.
22
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 12 — NOTE RECEIVABLE FROM ERIE FAMILY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
We are due $25 million from EFL in the form of a surplus note. The note may be repaid only out of unassigned surplus of EFL and repayment is subject to prior approval by the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner. The note bears an annual interest rate of 6.70% and is payable on demand on or after December 31, 2018. EFL accrued interest, payable semi-annually to us, of $0.8 million in each of the second quarters ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.
NOTE 13 — STATUTORY INFORMATION
Cash and securities with carrying value of $6.6 million were deposited by our property/casualty insurance subsidiaries with regulatory authorities under statutory requirements at both June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
NOTE 14 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We have contractual commitments to invest up to $72.6 million of additional funds in limited partnership investments at June 30, 2009. These commitments will be funded as required by the partnerships’ agreements. At June 30, 2009, the total commitment to fund limited partnerships that invest in private equity securities is $35.7 million, real estate activities is $22.0 million and mezzanine debt securities is $14.9 million.
We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In our opinion, the effects, if any, of such litigation are not expected to be material to our consolidated financial condition, operations or cash flows.
NOTE 15 — VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY
The Exchange is a reciprocal insurance company, domiciled in Pennsylvania, for which we serve as attorney-in-fact. We hold a variable interest in the Exchange, however, we are not the primary beneficiary as defined under Financial Accounting Standards Interpretation 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” We have a significant interest in the financial condition of the Exchange because net management fee revenues are based on the direct written premiums of the Exchange and the other members of the Property and Casualty Group. The additional disclosure about our involvement with variable interest entities as required by FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8 “Disclosures by Public Entities about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities,” effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2008, are included in this footnote. See Note 2 for discussion of the issuance of FAS 167 and the expected impact on our financial statements.
We hold a variable interest in the Exchange because of the absence of decision-making capabilities by the equity owners (subscribers) of the Exchange; however, we do not qualify as the primary beneficiary under Financial Accounting Standards Interpretation 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” Our consolidation conclusion has not changed from December 31, 2008.
The Exchange underwrites a broad line of personal and commercial insurance, including private passenger auto, homeowners and commercial multi-peril insurance. Direct written premiums of the Exchange totaled $859.9 million and $852.0 million for the second quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively. These premiums, along with investment income are the major sources of cash that support the operations of the Exchange. Policyholders’ surplus was $3.9 billion and $4.0 billion at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
In the determination as to whether we are the primary beneficiary we consider the variability in the management fee as well as the variability in underwriting results that would accrue to us under the pooling arrangement in determining the residual returns from the Exchange. The variability is modeled using our stochastic modeling software assigning probabilities to the possible outcomes and determining a probability in the weighted result. The outcomes are calculated using discounted cash flows assuming a discount rate of 5%. Gross cash flows modeled assume a run-off of existing insurance policies and investments. To evaluate circumstances as of the determination date, no new insurance policies are assumed to be written after the evaluation date. We do not include new investments from cash inflows from underwriting profits or investment
23
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 15 — VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY (Continued)
income, which is conservative, as inclusion of these would only lessen our beneficial interest.
We calculate the amount of variability absorbed by us and compare it to the total variability absorbed by all variable interest holders of the Exchange. In the modeled result we absorb approximately 2% of the total variability of the Exchange at December 31, 2008, which is well below the majority and supports the conclusion that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the Exchange. No changes or triggering events have occurred in the second quarter 2009 that would require reconsideration of this conclusion.
We have not provided financial or other support to the Exchange for the reporting periods presented, that we were not previously contractually required to provide. At June 30, 2009, there are no explicit arrangements that would require us to provide future support to the Exchange.
We have a significant interest in the financial condition of the Exchange:
| • | | Our management fee revenues, which are based on the direct written premiums of the Exchange and the other members of the Property and Casualty Group, made up 85% of our total revenues for the period ended June 30, 2009. This proportion was greater than the historical percentage, which has approximated 72%. Our limited partnership investments generated significant losses as a result of the volatile market conditions experienced in the first quarter of 2009. Given the quarter lag in receipt of general partner financial statements, which serve as the basis for valuing limited partnership interests, these first quarter 2009 partnership results are included in our second quarter 2009 results. Excluding the limited partnership losses and market value adjustments, management fee revenues accounted for 77% of our 2009 total revenues. |
|
| • | | We participate in the underwriting results of the Exchange through the pooling arrangement in which our insurance subsidiaries have a 5.5% participation. If the Exchange were to default, our insurance subsidiaries would be liable for the policies that they wrote directly. Our property/casualty insurance subsidiaries wrote approximately 16% of the direct written premiums of the Property and Casualty Group in the second quarter 2009. |
|
| • | | A concentration of credit risk exists, and our exposure is limited to the unsecured receivables due from the Exchange for our management fee, costs and reimbursements that are reflected on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. |
We have no obligation related to any underwriting and/or investment losses experienced by the Exchange. We would however be adversely impacted if the Exchange incurred significant underwriting and/or investment losses. If the surplus of the Exchange were to decline significantly from its current level, its financial strength ratings could be reduced and as a consequence the Exchange could find it more difficult to retain its existing business and attract new business. A decline in the business of the Exchange would have an adverse effect on the amount of the management fees we receive and the underwriting results of the Property and Casualty Group in which we have a 5.5% participation. In addition, a decline in the surplus of the Exchange from its current level would make it more likely that the management fee rate received by us would be reduced. See also the risk factors relating to the business of the Property and Casualty Group in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2009.
The Exchange has available with a bank a $75 million line of credit that expires on December 31, 2009. There were no borrowings under the line at June 30, 2009. Bonds with a fair value of $108.6 million were pledged as collateral on the line at June 30, 2009. These securities have no restrictions. The bank requires compliance with certain covenants, which include minimum statutory surplus and risk based capital ratios. The Exchange was in compliance with all bank covenants at June 30, 2009.
The Exchange has contractual commitments to invest up to $581.5 million related to its limited partnership investments at June 30, 2009. These commitments will be funded as required by the partnerships’ agreements. At June 30, 2009, the total remaining commitment to fund limited partnerships that invest in private equity securities was $280.4 million, real estate
24
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 15 — VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY (Continued)
activities was $200.7 million and mezzanine debt securities was $100.4 million.
The financial statements of the Exchange are prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles (SAP) prescribed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Exchange is not required to prepare financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Financial statements prepared under statutory accounting principles focus on the solvency of the insurer and generally provide a more conservative approach than under GAAP. Differences between SAP and GAAP include the valuation of investments, deferred policy acquisition cost assets, deferred tax assets, assets for estimated salvage and subrogation recoveries and unearned subscriber fees. Fixed maturities investments are carried at amortized cost and subject to impairment accounting. At June 30, 2009, the market value of fixed maturities was $51.5 million less than the carrying cost. Equity securities are carried at market value.
The selected financial data below is derived from the Exchange’s financial statements prepared in accordance with Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP) required by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC)AccountingPractices and Procedures Manual, as modified to include prescribed practices of the Insurance Department of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. The condensed financial data set forth below represents the Exchange’s share of underwriting results after accounting for intercompany pooling transactions.
Erie Insurance Exchange — Condensed statutory statements of operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
(in thousands) | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Premiums earned | | $ | 913,464 | | | $ | 905,050 | | | $ | 1,797,715 | | | $ | 1,792,542 | |
Losses, loss adjustment expenses and other underwriting expenses* | | | 874,063 | | | | 844,022 | | | | 1,868,722 | | | | 1,665,440 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net underwriting income (loss) | | | 39,401 | | | | 61,028 | | | | (71,007 | ) | | | 127,102 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment income (loss) | | | 283 | | | | (54,492 | ) | | | (191,408 | ) | | | (24,263 | ) |
Net income (loss) before federal income tax | | | 39,684 | | | | 6,536 | | | | (262,415 | ) | | | 102,839 | |
Federal income tax expense (benefit) | | | 5,656 | | | | 52,564 | | | | (47,564 | ) | | | 113,364 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 34,028 | | | $ | (46,028 | ) | | $ | (214,851 | ) | | $ | (10,525 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
* | | Includes management fees paid or accrued as payable to the Company. |
The Exchange had catastrophe losses of $82.5 million and $40.8 million in the first half of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Catastrophes in 2009 included wind and hail storms primarily in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. The Exchange had adverse development of prior accident year loss reserves that contributed 1.9 points to the combined ratio in the first half of 2009 compared to favorable development in the first half of 2008 that improved the combined ratio by 4.6 points.
As with our investments, the Exchange’s investment portfolio was impacted by declines in the value of securities related to current market conditions. In the second quarter 2009, the Exchange recognized impairment charges of $78.5 million, including $4.7 million on fixed maturities, $4.3 million on common stock, $3.1 million on preferred securities, and $66.4 million on limited partnerships. In the second quarter of 2008, total impairment charges were $172.2 million. Under statutory accounting, deferred tax assets on realized capital losses from impairments of investments are reflected as a change in surplus rather than in deferred income taxes on the statement of operations. Deferred taxes on impairment charges totaled $27.5 million in the second quarter of 2009. These deferred taxes were not expected to reverse in one year and are nonadmitted on the statutory balance sheet resulting in a charge to surplus.
25
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 15 — VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY (Continued)
Erie Insurance Exchange — Condensed statutory statements of financial position
| | | | | | | | |
| | As of | |
| | June 30, | | | December 31, | |
(in thousands) | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Fixed maturities | | $ | 4,340,748 | | | $ | 4,119,753 | |
Equity securities | | | 2,000,589 | | | | 1,900,320 | |
Alternative investments | | | 1,140,767 | | | | 1,340,047 | |
Other invested assets | | | 303,680 | | | | 235,607 | |
| | | | | | |
Total invested assets | | | 7,785,784 | | | | 7,595,727 | |
Other assets | | | 1,388,664 | | | | 1,552,902 | |
| | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 9,174,448 | | | $ | 9,148,629 | |
| | | | | | |
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves | | $ | 3,398,477 | | | $ | 3,323,704 | |
Unearned premium reserves | | | 1,518,964 | | | | 1,444,536 | |
Accrued liabilities | | | 341,763 | | | | 334,399 | |
| | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 5,259,204 | | | | 5,102,639 | |
Total policyholders’ surplus | | | 3,915,244 | | | | 4,045,990 | |
| | | | | | |
Total liabilities and policyholders’ surplus | | $ | 9,174,448 | | | $ | 9,148,629 | |
| | | | | | |
Erie Insurance Exchange — Condensed statutory statements of cash flows
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six months ended June 30, | |
(in thousands) | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Cash flows from operating activities | | | | | | | | |
Premiums collected net of reinsurance | | $ | 1,811,902 | | | $ | 1,785,067 | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid | | | (1,085,732 | ) | | | (1,016,543 | ) |
Management fee and expenses paid | | | (718,443 | ) | | | (691,606 | ) |
Net investment income received | | | 169,494 | | | | 239,570 | |
Federal income taxes and other expenses recovered (paid) | | | 210,820 | | | | (126,652 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 388,041 | | | | 189,836 | |
| | | | | | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (338,486 | ) | | | (184,779 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 3,830 | | | | 14,231 | |
| | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | 53,385 | | | | 19,288 | |
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period | | | 203,193 | | | | 98,712 | |
| | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents-end of period | | $ | 256,578 | | | $ | 118,000 | |
| | | | | | |
26
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 16 — SEGMENT INFORMATION
We operate our business as three reportable segments — management operations, insurance underwriting operations and investment operations. Accounting policies for segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies Note 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2009. The management fee revenues received from the property/casualty insurance subsidiaries are not eliminated in the segment detail that follows as management bases its decisions on the segment presentation. Summarized financial information for our operating segments is presented as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
(in thousands) | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Management Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Management fee revenue | | $ | 259,771 | | | $ | 255,809 | | | $ | 489,541 | | | $ | 485,408 | |
Service agreement revenue | | | 8,604 | | | | 7,748 | | | | 17,182 | | | | 15,139 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating revenue | | | 268,375 | | | | 263,557 | | | | 506,723 | | | | 500,547 | |
Cost of management operations | | | 208,093 | | | | 213,114 | | | | 401,367 | | | | 404,774 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes | | $ | 60,282 | | | $ | 50,443 | | | $ | 105,356 | | | $ | 95,773 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income from management operations | | $ | 40,697 | | | $ | 33,980 | | | $ | 75,187 | | | $ | 64,755 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance Underwriting Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Premiums earned: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Personal lines | | $ | 37,413 | | | $ | 36,628 | | | $ | 74,441 | | | $ | 73,048 | |
Commercial lines | | | 14,690 | | | | 15,369 | | | | 29,575 | | | | 30,802 | |
Reinsurance — nonaffiliates | | | 7 | | | | (261 | ) | | | (156 | ) | | | (188 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total premiums earned | | | 52,110 | | | | 51,736 | | | | 103,860 | | | | 103,662 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Losses and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Personal lines | | | 37,045 | | | | 33,641 | | | | 78,595 | | | | 65,832 | |
Commercial lines | | | 13,041 | | | | 14,444 | | | | 28,346 | | | | 29,415 | |
Reinsurance — nonaffiliates | | | 254 | | | | 406 | | | | 951 | | | | 1,090 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total losses and expenses | | | 50,340 | | | | 48,491 | | | | 107,892 | | | | 96,337 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | $ | 1,770 | | | $ | 3,245 | | | $ | (4,032 | ) | | $ | 7,325 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) from insurance underwriting operations | | $ | 1,195 | | | $ | 2,186 | | | $ | (2,877 | ) | | $ | 4,953 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment income, net of expenses | | $ | 9,548 | | | $ | 11,467 | | | $ | 22,060 | | | $ | 23,139 | |
Realized gains (losses) on investments | | | 3,467 | | | | (1,818 | ) | | | (367 | ) | | | (14,443 | ) |
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | | | (2,544 | ) | | | (12,449 | ) | | | (7,152 | ) | | | (24,403 | ) |
Equity in (losses) earnings of limited partnerships | | | (26,798 | ) | | | 11,275 | | | | (54,829 | ) | | | 19,253 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment (loss) income-unaffiliated | | $ | (16,327 | ) | | $ | 8,475 | | | $ | (40,288 | ) | | $ | 3,546 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income from investment operations | | $ | (11,022 | ) | | $ | 5,709 | | | $ | (28,751 | ) | | $ | 2,397 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity in earnings (losses) of EFL, net of tax | | $ | 1,864 | | | $ | (560 | ) | | $ | 304 | | | $ | (813 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
27
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 16 — SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
A reconciliation of reportable segment revenues and operating expenses to the Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
(in thousands) | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Segment revenues, excluding investment operations | | $ | 320,485 | | | $ | 315,293 | | | $ | 610,583 | | | $ | 604,209 | |
Elimination of intersegment management fee revenues | | | (14,359 | ) | | | (14,163 | ) | | | (27,024 | ) | | | (26,791 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating revenues | | $ | 306,126 | | | $ | 301,130 | | | $ | 583,559 | | | $ | 577,418 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Segment operating expenses | | $ | 258,433 | | | $ | 261,605 | | | $ | 509,258 | | | $ | 501,111 | |
Elimination of intersegment management fee revenue | | | (14,359 | ) | | | (14,163 | ) | | | (27,024 | ) | | | (26,791 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses | | $ | 244,074 | | | $ | 247,442 | | | $ | 482,234 | | | $ | 474,320 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The intersegment revenues and expenses that are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Operations relate to our property/casualty insurance subsidiaries’ 5.5% share of the intersegment management fees paid to us.
The growth rate of policies in force, policy retention (the percentage of policyholders eligible for renewals who have renewed their policies measured on a twelve-month rolling basis) and average premium per policy trends directly impact our management operations and insurance underwriting operating segments. Below is a summary of each major line of business for the Property and Casualty Group.
Growth rates of policies in force for Property and Casualty Group insurance operations:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Private | | 12-mth. | | | | | | 12-mth. | | All Other | | 12-mth. | | Total | | 12-mth. |
| | Passenger | | growth | | | | | | growth | | Personal | | growth | | Personal | | growth |
Date | | Auto | | rate | | Homeowners | | rate | | Lines | | rate | | Lines | | rate |
|
03/31/2008 | | | 1,655,869 | | | | 1.2 | % | | | 1,420,250 | | | | 2.6 | % | | | 325,926 | | | | 6.7 | % | | | 3,402,045 | | | | 2.3 | % |
06/30/2008 | | | 1,667,446 | | | | 1.4 | | | | 1,433,504 | | | | 2.5 | | | | 332,922 | | | | 6.8 | | | | 3,433,872 | | | | 2.4 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 1,677,151 | | | | 1.7 | | | | 1,446,779 | | | | 2.7 | | | | 340,566 | | | | 7.5 | | | | 3,464,496 | | | | 2.7 | |
12/31/2008 | | | 1,683,526 | | | | 2.0 | | | | 1,454,797 | | | | 2.9 | | | | 346,953 | | | | 7.9 | | | | 3,485,276 | | | | 2.9 | |
03/31/2009 | | | 1,694,583 | | | | 2.3 | | | | 1,466,227 | | | | 3.2 | | | | 353,470 | | | | 8.5 | | | | 3,514,280 | | | | 3.3 | |
06/30/2009 | | | 1,709,580 | | | | 2.5 | | | | 1,483,763 | | | | 3.5 | | | | 362,582 | | | | 8.9 | | | | 3,555,925 | | | | 3.6 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 12-mth. | | CML* | | 12-mth. | | | | | | 12-mth. | | All Other | | 12-mth. | | Total | | 12-mth. |
| | CML* | | growth | | Multi- | | growth | | Workers | | growth | | CML* | | growth | | CML* | | growth |
Date | | Auto | | rate | | Peril | | rate | | Comp. | | rate | | Lines | | rate | | Lines | | rate |
|
03/31/2008 | | | 122,882 | | | | 2.5 | % | | | 229,577 | | | | 4.7 | % | | | 54,927 | | | | 2.7 | % | | | 96,511 | | | | 3.9 | % | | | 503,897 | | | | 3.8 | % |
06/30/2008 | | | 123,955 | | | | 1.9 | | | | 234,393 | | | | 4.8 | | | | 55,801 | | | | 3.4 | | | | 97,745 | | | | 3.3 | | | | 511,894 | | | | 3.7 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 124,418 | | | | 1.9 | | | | 236,994 | | | | 4.7 | | | | 56,381 | | | | 3.8 | | | | 98,786 | | | | 2.7 | | | | 516,579 | | | | 3.5 | |
12/31/2008 | | | 124,205 | | | | 1.3 | | | | 237,228 | | | | 3.9 | | | | 56,704 | | | | 3.6 | | | | 98,796 | | | | 2.4 | | | | 516,933 | | | | 3.0 | |
03/31/2009 | | | 123,747 | | | | 0.7 | | | | 236,804 | | | | 3.1 | | | | 56,661 | | | | 3.2 | | | | 98,622 | | | | 2.2 | | | | 515,834 | | | | 2.4 | |
06/30/2009 | | | 124,917 | | | | 0.8 | | | | 240,970 | | | | 2.8 | | | | 57,549 | | | | 3.1 | | | | 99,973 | | | | 2.3 | | | | 523,409 | | | | 2.2 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Date | | Total All Lines | | 12-mth. growth rate |
|
03/31/2008 | | | 3,905,942 | | | | 2.5 | % |
06/30/2008 | | | 3,945,766 | | | | 2.5 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 3,981,075 | | | | 2.8 | |
12/31/2008 | | | 4,002,209 | | | | 2.9 | |
03/31/2009 | | | 4,030,114 | | | | 3.2 | |
06/30/2009 | | | 4,079,334 | | | | 3.4 | |
28
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 16 — SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
Policy retention trends for Property and Casualty Group insurance operations:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Private | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Passenger | | CML* | | | | | | CML* | | Workers | | All Other | | Total |
Date | | Auto | | Auto | | Homeowners | | Multi-Peril | | Comp. | | Lines | | All Lines |
|
03/31/2008 | | | 91.6 | % | | | 88.4 | % | | | 90.5 | % | | | 86.5 | % | | | 87.6 | % | | | 87.9 | % | | | 90.4 | % |
06/30/2008 | | | 91.6 | | | | 87.9 | | | | 90.7 | | | | 86.2 | | | | 87.5 | | | | 88.1 | | | | 90.4 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 91.7 | | | | 87.8 | | | | 91.0 | | | | 86.0 | | | | 87.2 | | | | 88.2 | | | | 90.5 | |
12/31/2008 | | | 91.8 | | | | 87.6 | | | | 91.1 | | | | 85.6 | | | | 86.6 | | | | 88.5 | | | | 90.6 | |
03/31/2009 | | | 91.9 | | | | 87.5 | | | | 91.4 | | | | 85.7 | | | | 86.3 | | | | 88.8 | | | | 90.8 | |
06/30/2009 | | | 91.9 | | | | 87.3 | | | | 91.6 | | | | 85.2 | | | | 85.7 | | | | 89.1 | | | | 90.8 | |
Average premium per policy trends for Property and Casualty Group insurance operations:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Private | | 12-mth. | | | | | | 12-mth. | | All Other | | 12-mth. | | Total | | 12-mth. |
| | Passenger | | percent | | | | | | percent | | Personal | | percent | | Personal | | percent |
Date | | Auto | | change | | Homeowners | | change | | Lines | | change | | Lines | | change |
|
03/31/2008 | | $ | 1,091 | | | | (0.8 | )% | | $ | 518 | | | | (1.1 | )% | | $ | 354 | | | | 1.4 | % | | $ | 781 | | | | (1.3 | )% |
06/30/2008 | | | 1,088 | | | | (0.5 | ) | | | 514 | | | | (1.2 | ) | | | 353 | | | | 0.6 | | | | 777 | | | | (1.1 | ) |
09/30/2008 | | | 1,086 | | | | (0.6 | ) | | | 511 | | | | (1.5 | ) | | | 354 | | | | 0.6 | | | | 774 | | | | (1.1 | ) |
12/31/2008 | | | 1,085 | | | | (0.6 | ) | | | 511 | | | | (1.4 | ) | | | 356 | | | | 0.8 | | | | 773 | | | | (1.2 | ) |
03/31/2009 | | | 1,081 | | | | (0.9 | ) | | | 512 | | | | (1.2 | ) | | | 358 | | | | 1.1 | | | | 771 | | | | (1.3 | ) |
06/30/2009 | | | 1,076 | | | | (1.1 | ) | | | 516 | | | | 0.4 | | | | 359 | | | | 1.7 | | | | 769 | | | | (1.0 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 12-mth. | | | | | | 12-mth. | | All Other | | 12-mth. | | Total | | 12-mth. | | Total | | 12-mth. |
| | CML* | | percent | | Workers | | percent | | CML* | | percent | | CML* | | percent | | All | | percent |
Date | | Auto | | change | | Comp. | | change | | Lines | | change | | Lines | | change | | Lines | | change |
|
03/31/2008 | | $ | 2,568 | | | | (3.6 | )% | | $ | 5,453 | | | | (7.8 | )% | | $ | 1,576 | | | | (4.0 | )% | | $ | 2,240 | | | | (5.3 | )% | | $ | 969 | | | | (2.2 | )% |
06/30/2008 | | | 2,530 | | | | (3.7 | ) | | | 5,236 | | | | (11.3 | ) | | | 1,546 | | | | (4.3 | ) | | | 2,187 | | | | (6.3 | ) | | | 960 | | | | (2.4 | ) |
09/30/2008 | | | 2,514 | | | | (3.3 | ) | | | 5,067 | | | | (12.3 | ) | | | 1,536 | | | | (3.5 | ) | | | 2,157 | | | | (6.0 | ) | | | 953 | | | | (2.6 | ) |
12/31/2008 | | | 2,505 | | | | (2.8 | ) | | | 4,951 | | | | (11.6 | ) | | | 1,533 | | | | (3.0 | ) | | | 2,141 | | | | (5.3 | ) | | | 949 | | | | (2.5 | ) |
03/31/2009 | | | 2,483 | | | | (3.3 | ) | | | 4,792 | | | | (12.1 | ) | | | 1,537 | | | | (2.5 | ) | | | 2,122 | | | | (5.3 | ) | | | 944 | | | | (2.6 | ) |
06/30/2009 | | | 2,439 | | | | (3.6 | ) | | | 4,555 | | | | (13.0 | ) | | | 1,511 | | | | (2.3 | ) | | | 2,067 | | | | (5.5 | ) | | | 936 | | | | (2.5 | ) |
NOTE 17 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
We have evaluated for recognized and nonrecognized subsequent events through August 5, 2009, which is the date of financial statement issuance. No items were identified in this period subsequent to the financial statement date that required adjustment or disclosure.
29
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following information should be read in conjunction with the historical financial information and the notes thereto included in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2009. The following discussion of financial results focuses heavily on our three segments: management operations, insurance underwriting operations and investment operations, consistent with the presentation in Item 1. Note 16 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. That presentation, which management uses internally to monitor and evaluate results, is an alternative presentation of our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are not in the present or past tense and can generally be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” and other expressions that indicate future trends and events. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements and assumptions on which such statements are based that are related to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions and adequacy of resources. Examples of such statements are discussions relating to management fee revenue, cost of management operations, underwriting, premium and investment income volumes, and agency appointments. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements are the following: factors affecting the property/casualty and life insurance industries generally, including price competition, legislative and regulatory developments, government regulation of the insurance industry including approval of rate increases, the size, frequency and severity of claims, natural disasters, exposure to environmental claims, fluctuations in interest rates, inflation and general business conditions; the geographic concentration of our business as a result of being a regional company; the accuracy of our pricing and loss reserving methodologies; changes in driving habits; our ability to maintain our business operations including our information technology system; our dependence on the independent agency system; the quality and liquidity of our investment portfolio; our dependence on our relationship with Erie Insurance Exchange; and the other risks and uncertainties discussed or indicated in all documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the 2008 Form 10-K, which information is incorporated by reference, updated by Part II, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Form 10-Q. A forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and reflects the Company’s analysis only as of that date. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.
NATURE OF ORGANIZATION
The following organizational chart depicts the organization of the various entities of the Erie Insurance Group:
30
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
We serve as the attorney-in-fact for the Erie Insurance Exchange (Exchange), a reciprocal insurance exchange, and operate as a provider of certain management services to the Exchange. We also own subsidiaries that are property and casualty insurers. The Exchange and its property/casualty insurance subsidiary, Flagship City Insurance Company, and our three property/casualty insurance subsidiaries, Erie Insurance Company (EIC), Erie Insurance Company of New York (EINY) and Erie Insurance Property and Casualty Company (EIPC), (collectively, the Property and Casualty Group) underwrite personal and commercial lines property and casualty insurance exclusively through over 2,000 independent agencies comprising over 8,900 licensed independent agents. The entities within the Property and Casualty Group pool their underwriting results. The financial position and results of operations of the Exchange are not consolidated with ours. We, together with the Property and Casualty Group and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (EFL), operate collectively as the Erie Insurance Group.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.
OVERVIEW
The property/casualty insurance industry remains in a stable financial condition, however, the ongoing economic recession is expected to suppress exposure growth. The industry is experiencing mixed insurance premium pricing momentum and modestly deteriorating underwriting results. The cyclical nature of the insurance industry has a direct impact on our income from management operations as our management fee revenues are based on the direct written premiums of the Property and Casualty Group and the management fee rate we charge. Our management fee revenue increased 1.5%, as the direct written premiums of the Property and Casualty Group reflected growth of 1.4% in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008.
The financial information presented herein reflects our management operations from serving as attorney-in-fact for the Exchange, our insurance underwriting results from our wholly-owned subsidiaries (EIC, EINY and EIPC) and our investment operations. The bases of calculations used for segment data are described in more detail in Item 1. Note 16 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
SEGMENT RESULTS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
(dollars in thousands, except per share data) | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | (Unaudited) | | | | | |
Income from management operations | | $ | 60,282 | | | $ | 50,443 | | | | 19.5 | % | | $ | 105,356 | | | $ | 95,773 | | | | 10.0 | % |
Underwriting income (loss) | | | 1,770 | | | | 3,245 | | | | (45.5 | ) | | | (4,032 | ) | | | 7,325 | | | NM |
Net (loss) revenue from investment operations | | | (14,322 | ) | | | 7,873 | | | NM | | | (39,961 | ) | | | 2,672 | | | NM |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes | | | 47,730 | | | | 61,561 | | | | (22.5 | ) | | | 61,363 | | | | 105,770 | | | | (42.0 | ) |
Provision for income taxes | | | 14,996 | | | | 20,246 | | | | (25.9 | ) | | | 17,500 | | | | 34,478 | | | | (49.2 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 32,734 | | | $ | 41,315 | | | | (20.8 | ) | | $ | 43,863 | | | $ | 71,292 | | | | (38.5 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income per share — diluted | | $ | 0.57 | | | $ | 0.71 | | | | (20.1 | )% | | $ | 0.76 | | | $ | 1.22 | | | | (37.4 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Key points:
| • | | Decrease in net income per share-diluted in the second quarter of 2009 was impacted by losses from our limited partnership investments of $26.8 million compared to earnings of $11.3 million in the second quarter of 2008 |
31
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
| • | | Gross margins from management operations increased to 22.5% in the second quarter of 2009 from 19.1% in the second quarter of 2008. |
| • | | Our cost of management operations decreased 2.4% to $208.1 million in the second quarter of 2009 driven by a decrease in the estimate for agent bonuses as a result of a reduction in the profitability component of the bonus. |
| • | | GAAP combined ratios of the insurance underwriting operations increased to 96.6% in the second quarter of 2009, from 93.7% in the second quarter of 2008. Favorable development of prior accident year loss reserves improved the combined ratio by 0.3 points in the second quarter of 2009, compared to 3.9 points in the second quarter of 2008. |
ANALYSIS OF BUSINESS SEGMENTS
MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | |
(dollars in thousands) | | (Unaudited) | | | | | | (Unaudited) | | | | |
Management fee revenue | | $ | 259,771 | | | $ | 255,809 | | | | 1.5 | % | | $ | 489,541 | | | $ | 485,408 | | | | 0.9 | % |
Service agreement revenue | | | 8,604 | | | | 7,748 | | | | 11.0 | | | | 17,182 | | | | 15,139 | | | | 13.5 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total revenue from management operations | | | 268,375 | | | | 263,557 | | | | 1.8 | | | | 506,723 | | | | 500,547 | | | | 1.2 | |
Cost of management operations | | | 208,093 | | | | 213,114 | | | | (2.4 | ) | | | 401,367 | | | | 404,774 | | | | (0.8 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from management operations | | $ | 60,282 | | | $ | 50,443 | | | | 19.5 | % | | $ | 105,356 | | | $ | 95,773 | | | | 10.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross margin | | | 22.5 | % | | | 19.1 | % | | | | | | | 20.8 | % | | | 19.1 | % | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Key Points:
| • | | The management fee rate was 25% in 2009 and 2008. |
|
| • | | Direct written premiums of the Property and Casualty Group increased 1.4% in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008. |
| • | | Year-over-year policies in force grew 3.4%, or 133,568 policies, to 4,079,334 at June 30, 2009, compared to year-over-year growth of 97,586 policies in the second quarter of 2008. |
|
| • | | Year-over-year average premium per policy was $936 and $960 at June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, a decrease of 2.5%. |
| • | | Cost of management operations decreased 2.4%. Commission costs decreased 3.6% while non-commission expense increased 0.6% in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008. |
32
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Management fee revenue
The following table presents the direct written premium of the Property and Casualty Group, shown by major line of business, and the calculation of our management fee revenue.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | |
(dollars in thousands) | | (Unaudited) | | | | | | (Unaudited) | | | | |
Private passenger auto | | $ | 491,865 | | | $ | 483,217 | | | | 1.8 | % | | $ | 933,348 | | | $ | 920,216 | | | | 1.4 | % |
Homeowners | | | 221,218 | | | | 207,022 | | | | 6.9 | | | | 379,942 | | | | 358,159 | | | | 6.1 | |
Commercial multi-peril | | | 120,020 | | | | 119,800 | | | | 0.2 | | | | 236,087 | | | | 234,775 | | | | 0.6 | |
Commercial auto | | | 84,010 | | | | 86,552 | | | | (2.9 | ) | | | 163,014 | | | | 169,422 | | | | (3.8 | ) |
Workers compensation | | | 68,554 | | | | 77,960 | | | | (12.1 | ) | | | 144,188 | | | | 162,817 | | | | (11.4 | ) |
All other lines of business | | | 58,618 | | | | 55,485 | | | | 5.6 | | | | 108,785 | | | | 103,043 | | | | 5.6 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property and Casualty Group direct written premiums | | $ | 1,044,285 | | | $ | 1,030,036 | | | | 1.4 | % | | $ | 1,965,364 | | | $ | 1,948,432 | | | | 0.9 | % |
Management fee rate | | | 25.00 | % | | | 25.00 | % | | | | | | | 25.00 | % | | | 25.00 | % | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Management fee revenue, gross | | $ | 261,071 | | | $ | 257,509 | | | | 1.4 | % | | $ | 491,341 | | | $ | 487,108 | | | | 0.9 | % |
Change in allowance for management fee returned on cancelled policies(1) | | | (1,300 | ) | | | (1,700 | ) | | NM | | | (1,800 | ) | | | (1,700 | ) | | NM |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Management fee revenue, net of allowance | | $ | 259,771 | | | $ | 255,809 | | | | 1.5 | % | | $ | 489,541 | | | $ | 485,408 | | | | 0.9 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
NM = not meaningful |
|
(1) | | Management fees are returned to the Exchange when policies are cancelled mid-term and unearned premiums are refunded. We record an estimated allowance for management fees returned on mid-term policy cancellations. |
Direct written premiums of the Property and Casualty Group increased 1.4% in the second quarter of 2009 reflecting an increase in policies in force offset by reductions in average premium. Total year-over-year policies in force increased by 3.4% to 4,079,334 at June 30, 2009. Growth in policies in force is the result of continuing improvements in policyholder retention and increased new policies sold. The year-over-year average premium per policy declined 2.5% to $936 at June 30, 2009 from $960 at June 30, 2008. The impact of these average premium decreases is seen primarily in the commercial lines renewal premiums.
Premiums generated from new business increased 2.9% to $116.8 million from $113.5 million in the second quarter of 2009 as compared to 2008. Underlying the trend in new business premiums is an increase in new business policies in force of 6.1% to 496,166 at June 30, 2009 from 467,747 at June 30, 2008, while the year-over-year average premium per policy on new business decreased 2.2% to $847 at June 30, 2009, from $866 at June 30, 2008.
Premiums generated from renewal business increased 1.2% to $927.5 million from $916.5 million in the second quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Renewal policies in force increased 3.0% to 3,583,168 from 3,478,019, while the twelve-month average premium per policy on renewal business decreased 2.5% to $948 from $972 for the same respective periods in 2009 and 2008. The Property and Casualty Group’s policy retention ratio has been steadily improving to a twelve-month moving average of 90.8% in the second quarter of 2009, up from 90.6% in the fourth quarter of 2008. The policy retention ratio was 90.4% in the second quarter 2008.
Personal lines — The Property and Casualty Group’s personal lines new business premiums written increased 7.7% to $76.7 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to $71.2 million in the second quarter of 2008. Personal lines new policies in force increased 7.7% to 408,258 for the twelve months ended June 30, 2009, compared to 379,005 for the twelve months ended June 30, 2008, while the year-over-year average premium per policy on new business declined 0.3% to $685 at June 30, 2009, from $687 at June 30, 2008.
Private passenger auto new business premiums written increased 4.5% to $47.9 million during the second quarter of 2009 driven by a 9.8% increase in new business policies in force to 177,357 for the twelve months ended June 30, 2009. The
33
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
private passenger auto new business year-over-year average premium per policy decreased 1.6% to $1,000 at June 30, 2009. A private passenger auto incentive program has been in place since July 2006 to stimulate policy growth.
Renewal premiums written on personal lines policies increased 3.3% during the second quarter of 2009 to $673.6 million from $652.4 million during the second quarter of 2008. The impact of rate reductions was offset by improving policy retention ratio trends. The year-over-year average premium per policy on personal lines renewal business decreased 1.0% to $780 at June 30, 2009, from $788 at June 30, 2008. The year-over-year policy retention ratio for private passenger auto improved to 91.9% at June 30, 2009, from 91.8% at December 31, 2008, and 91.6% at June 30, 2008, while the policy retention for homeowners improved to 91.6% at June 30, 2009, from 91.1% at December 31, 2008 and 90.7% at June 30, 2008.
Commercial lines — The commercial lines new business premiums written decreased 5.2% to $40.0 million in the second quarter of 2009 from $42.2 million in the second quarter of 2008. Commercial lines new policies in force decreased 0.9% to 87,908 for the twelve months ended June 30, 2009, while the average premium per policy on commercial lines new business decreased 2.0%.
Renewal premiums for commercial lines decreased 3.9% to $253.9 million from $264.1 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to 2008. While renewal policies in force increased 2.9% to 435,501 for the twelve months ended June 30, 2009, the year-over-year average premium per policy on commercial lines renewal business declined 6.1% due primarily to the workers compensation and commercial auto lines of business. The workers compensation and commercial auto year-over-year average premium per policy decreased 12.8% and 3.9%, respectively, at June 30, 2009. This was due primarily to reductions in exposures driven by continued economic pressure on commercial customers.
Future trends Property and Casualty Group — premium revenue—We are continuing our efforts to grow Property and Casualty premiums and improve our competitive position in the marketplace. Expanding the size of our agency force will contribute to future growth as existing and new agents build up their books of business with the Property and Casualty Group. Additionally, we expect our pricing actions to result in a net increase in direct written premium in 2009, however, current economic conditions could adversely impact the average premium written by the Property and Casualty Group as customers reduce coverages.
Cost of management operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | |
(in thousands) | | (Unaudited) | | | | | | (Unaudited) | | | | |
|
Commissions | | $ | 143,436 | | | $ | 148,818 | | | | (3.6 | )% | | $ | 272,685 | | | $ | 278,575 | | | | (2.1 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Personnel costs | | | 35,918 | | | | 36,307 | | | | (1.1 | ) | | | 72,351 | | | | 73,282 | | | | (1.3 | ) |
Survey and underwriting costs | | | 6,524 | | | | 6,288 | | | | 3.8 | | | | 12,957 | | | | 12,203 | | | | 6.2 | |
Sales and policy issuance costs | | | 7,147 | | | | 7,584 | | | | (5.8 | ) | | | 13,252 | | | | 13,177 | | | | 0.6 | |
All other operating costs | | | 15,068 | | | | 14,117 | | | | 6.7 | | | | 30,122 | | | | 27,537 | | | | 9.4 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-commission expense | | | 64,657 | | | | 64,296 | | | | 0.6 | | | | 128,682 | | | | 126,199 | | | | 2.0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total cost of management operations | | $ | 208,093 | | | $ | 213,114 | | | | (2.4 | )% | | $ | 401,367 | | | $ | 404,774 | | | | (0.8 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Key Points:
| • | | Included in the $5.4 million decrease in second quarter 2009 commissions are: |
| • | | a decrease in the estimate for agent bonuses of $8.0 million, offset by; |
|
| • | | an increase in scheduled and accelerated rate commissions of $2.5 million, driven by a 1.4% increase in the direct written premiums of the Property and Casualty Group, as well as an increase in certain commercial commission rates. |
| • | | Personnel costs decreased 1.1% in the second quarter of 2009 driven by a $0.8 million decrease in executive severance costs and a $0.7 million decrease in management incentive plan expense. |
34
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
| • | | All other operating costs increased $1.0 million primarily as the result of contract labor costs related to various technology initiatives. |
Commissions
Commissions to independent agents, which are the largest component of the cost of management operations, include scheduled commissions earned by independent agents on premiums written, accelerated commissions and agent bonuses and are outlined in the following table:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | |
(in thousands) | | (Unaudited) | | | | | | (Unaudited) | | | | |
Scheduled rate commissions | | $ | 127,104 | | | $ | 124,510 | | | | 2.1 | % | | $ | 237,352 | | | $ | 233,333 | | | | 1.7 | % |
Accelerated rate commissions | | | 1,011 | | | | 1,135 | | | | (10.9 | ) | | | 2,027 | | | | 2,105 | | | | (3.7 | ) |
Agent bonuses | | | 13,601 | | | | 21,581 | | | | (37.0 | ) | | | 29,604 | | | | 39,355 | | | | (24.8 | ) |
Promotional incentives | | | (50 | ) | | | 745 | | | NM | | | 569 | | | | 1,506 | | | | (62.2 | ) |
Private passenger auto bonus | | | 2,470 | | | | 1,847 | | | | 33.7 | | | | 4,133 | | | | 3,276 | | | | 26.2 | |
Change in commissions allowance for mid-term policy cancellations | | | (700 | ) | | | (1,000 | ) | | NM | | | (1,000 | ) | | | (1,000 | ) | | NM |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total commissions | | $ | 143,436 | | | $ | 148,818 | | | | (3.6 | )% | | $ | 272,685 | | | $ | 278,575 | | | | (2.1 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NM = not meaningful
Scheduled and accelerated rate commissions — Scheduled rate commissions were impacted by the 1.4% increase in the direct written premiums of the Property and Casualty Group in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008. Also, effective July 1, 2008, commission rates were increased for certain commercial lines new business premiums, which added $0.4 million to the second quarter of 2009 scheduled rate commissions. In the second quarter of 2008, we recognized $0.5 million of additional commission expense for those commission rate increases related to commercial premiums written but not yet collected at June 30, 2008.
Accelerated rate commissions are offered under specific circumstances to certain newly-recruited agents for their initial three years of operations. Accelerated rate commissions decreased during the second quarter of 2009 as existing accelerated commission contracts are beginning to expire. This is reflective of the fact that although new agency appointments continue, the number of such appointments has been declining. We appointed 214 new agencies in 2007 and 156 in 2008. In the first half of 2009, we appointed 54 new agencies and expect to appoint a total of 127 new agencies for the year.
Agent bonuses — Agent bonuses are based predominantly on an individual agency’s property/casualty underwriting profitability over a three-year period. There is also a growth component to the bonus, paid only if the agency is profitable. The estimate for the bonus is modeled on a monthly basis using the two prior years’ actual underwriting data by agency combined with the current year-to-date actual data and projected underwriting data for the remainder of the current year. The decrease in the estimate for agent bonuses in the second quarter of 2009 reflects a reduction in our estimate of the profitability component of the bonus due to factoring in the most recent year’s underwriting data. The agent bonus award is estimated at $59.0 million for 2009.
Private passenger auto bonus — In July 2006, an incentive program was implemented that pays a bonus to agents for each qualifying new private passenger auto policy issued. Effective June 1, 2008, a tiered payout structure was introduced. Additional commission expense, as a result of the tiered bonus structure, was $0.7 million and $0.2 million in the second quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Other costs of management operations
The cost of management operations excluding commission costs increased 0.6% in the second quarter of 2009 compared to 2008. Personnel costs decreased 1.1%, or $0.4 million, in the second quarter of 2009. Executive severance cost decreased $0.8 million. Management incentive plan expense decreased $0.7 million primarily related to a reduction in the estimate for plan payouts due to lower targeted projections compared against our peer group of companies. Offsetting these decreases was a $0.9 million increase in employee benefit costs driven by higher pension benefit costs due to the change in the discount rate assumption used to calculate the pension expense to 6.06% in 2009 from 6.62% in 2008. All other operating costs increased
35
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
6.7%, or $1.0 million, in the second quarter of 2009 primarily due to increased contract labor costs related to various technology initiatives.
For the six months ending June 30, 2009, personnel costs decreased 1.3%, or $0.9 million, compared to the six months ending June 30, 2008. Executive severance costs decreased $2.1 million in the first half of 2009 compared to the first half of 2008. Employee benefit costs increased $1.4 million primarily as a result of higher pension benefit costs due to the lower discount rate assumption used to calculate the pension expense in 2009. All other operating costs increased 9.4%, or $2.6 million, driven by an increase in consulting fees primarily due to contract labor costs related to various technology initiatives.
During 2008 and continuing in 2009, we are making investments to support our efforts to increase sales and improve our operating performance. As noted previously, increased expenses related to commissions and incentive changes, as well as investments in new information technology are being incurred. See also “Factors That May Affect Future Results.”
Future trends — cost of management operations — The competitive position of the Property and Casualty Group is based on many factors including price considerations, service levels, ease of doing business, product features and billing arrangements, among others. Pricing of Property and Casualty Group policies is directly affected by the cost structure of the Property and Casualty Group and the underlying costs of sales, underwriting activities and policy issuance activities performed by us for the Property and Casualty Group. Management’s goal remains to better align our growth in costs to our growth in premium over the long-term.
In 2009, our retirement plan GAAP benefit expenses are expected to increase approximately $10 million for all retirement plans as the assumed discount rate used to calculate the pension costs decreased from 6.62% used in 2008 to 6.06% for 2009. Although we are the sponsor of these postretirement plans and record on our balance sheet the funded status of these plans, generally the Exchange and EFL reimburse us for about 50% of the annual benefit expense of these plans.
INSURANCE UNDERWRITING OPERATIONS
Our insurance underwriting operations originate through direct business of our property/casualty insurance subsidiaries but net underwriting results are a product of the intercompany reinsurance pooling agreement between our subsidiaries and the Erie Insurance Exchange.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | |
(in thousands) | | (Unaudited) | | | | | | (Unaudited) | | | | |
Premiums earned | | $ | 52,110 | | | $ | 51,736 | | | | 0.7 | % | | $ | 103,860 | | | $ | 103,662 | | | | 0.2 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred | | | 35,084 | | | | 33,823 | | | | 3.7 | | | | 78,088 | | | | 67,583 | | | | 15.5 | |
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses | | | 15,256 | | | | 14,668 | | | | 4.0 | | | | 29,804 | | | | 28,754 | | | | 3.7 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total losses and expenses | | | 50,340 | | | | 48,491 | | | | 3.8 | | | | 107,892 | | | | 96,337 | | | | 12.0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Underwriting income (loss) | | $ | 1,770 | | | $ | 3,245 | | | | (45.5 | )% | | $ | (4,032 | ) | | $ | 7,325 | | | NM |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NM = not meaningful
Key Points:
| • | | The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio related to current accident year, excluding catastrophe losses, was 66.0% in the second quarter of 2009, which was 0.3 points lower than the second quarter of 2008. |
|
| • | | Development of prior accident year loss reserves improved the combined ratio by 0.3 points, or $0.1 million, in the second quarter of 2009 compared to 3.9 points for the second quarter of 2008. |
|
| • | | Catastrophe losses contributed 1.6 points and 3.0 points to the GAAP combined ratio in the second quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively |
36
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | Six months ended June 30, |
Profitability Measures | | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 |
Erie Indemnity Company GAAP loss and LAE ratio(1) | | | 67.3 | % | | | 65.4 | % | | | 75.2 | % | | | 65.2 | % |
Erie Indemnity Company GAAP combined ratio(2) | | | 96.6 | | | | 93.7 | | | | 103.9 | | | | 92.9 | |
P&C Group statutory combined ratio | | | 93.2 | | | | 91.2 | | | | 102.7 | | | | 92.1 | |
P&C Group adjusted statutory combined ratio(3) | | | 88.2 | | | | 87.0 | | | | 98.2 | | | | 88.0 | |
Direct business: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Personal lines adjusted statutory combined ratio(4) | | | 90.8 | | | | 85.5 | | | | 99.9 | | | | 85.4 | |
Commercial lines adjusted statutory combined ratio | | | 84.5 | | | | 90.1 | | | | 92.0 | | | | 90.9 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Prior accident year reserve development — (redundancy) deficiency | | | (0.3 | ) | | | (3.9 | ) | | | 1.9 | | | | (4.6 | ) |
Prior year salvage and subrogation recoveries collected | | | (1.6 | ) | | | (1.6 | ) | | | (2.4 | ) | | | (2.4 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total loss ratio points from prior accident years | | | (1.9 | )% | | | (5.5 | )% | | | (0.5 | )% | | | (7.0 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
(1) | | The GAAP loss and LAE ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred to earned premiums of our property/casualty insurance subsidiaries. |
|
(2) | | The GAAP combined ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of losses, loss adjustment, acquisition and other underwriting expenses incurred to earned premiums of our property/casualty insurance subsidiaries. Our GAAP combined ratios are different than the results of the Property and Casualty Group due to certain GAAP adjustments. |
|
(3) | | The adjusted statutory combined ratio removes the profit margin on the management fee we earn from the Property and Casualty Group. |
|
(4) | | The 2009 personal lines adjusted statutory combined ratio reflects increasing severity trends on homeowners and private passenger auto with frequency trends flattening, coupled with higher catastrophe losses. In 2008, a greater extent of favorable development on prior accident year loss reserves was experienced on automobile bodily injury and uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury. |
Development of direct loss reserves on prior accident years
Our 5.5% share of the Property and Casualty Group’s favorable development of prior accident year losses, after removing the effects of salvage and subrogation recoveries was $0.1 million and $2.0 million, in the second quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively, and improved the combined ratio by 0.3 points and 3.9 points, respectively. In the second quarter of 2009, frequency and severity trends were relatively stable. The favorable development in 2008 resulted from improvements in frequency trends on automobile bodily injury and uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury. Severity trends in the second quarter of 2008 reflected slight improvements over anticipated trends.
Catastrophe losses
Our share of catastrophe losses, as defined by the Property and Casualty Group, amounted to $0.8 million and $1.5 million in the second quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Catastrophes in the second quarter of 2009 included flooding, wind and rain storms primarily in the states of Indiana and Illinois. Catastrophes in the second quarter of 2008 included wind, tornado and hail storms primarily in the states of Indiana, Maryland and North Carolina. These catastrophe losses contributed 1.6 points and 3.0 points to the GAAP combined ratio in the second quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Catastrophe losses incurred for the first half of 2009 and 2008 were $4.8 million and $2.4 million, respectively, and contributed 4.6 points and 2.3 points to the combined ratio, respectively.
Underwriting losses are seasonally higher in the second and fourth quarters and as a consequence, our combined ratio generally increases as the year progresses. In the second quarter of 2009, our share of the increase to incurred but not reported reserves related to seasonality adjustments was $0.3 million, compared to $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2008. In the first quarter of 2009, the seasonality adjustment reduced our share of the incurred but not reported reserves by $1.8 million.
37
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OFOPERATIONS (Continued)
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
(in thousands) | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % Change | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | (Unaudited) | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 9,548 | | | $ | 11,467 | | | | (16.7 | )% | | $ | 22,060 | | | $ | 23,139 | | | | (4.7 | )% |
Net realized gains (losses) on investments | | | 3,467 | | | | (1,818 | ) | | NM | | | (367 | ) | | | (14,443 | ) | | | 97.5 | |
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | | | (2,544 | ) | | | (12,449 | ) | | | 79.6 | | | | (7,152 | ) | | | (24,403 | ) | | | 70.7 | |
Equity in (losses) earnings of limited partnerships | | | (26,798 | ) | | | 11,275 | | | NM | | | (54,829 | ) | | | 19,253 | | | NM |
Equity in earnings (losses) of EFL | | | 2,005 | | | | (602 | ) | | NM | | | 327 | | | | (874 | ) | | NM |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) revenue from investment operations | | $ | (14,322 | ) | | $ | 7,873 | | | NM | | $ | (39,961 | ) | | $ | 2,672 | | | NM |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Key Points
| • | | Net investment income decreased 16.7% for the quarter driven primarily by lower investment income resulting from the sale of some of our non-redeemable preferred stock investments in 2008 and 2009. |
|
| • | | Net impairment losses recognized in earnings decreased $9.9 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to 2008 due to an improvement of the financial market and the change in the impairment policies for debt securities as a result of the adoption of FSP FAS 115-2. |
|
| • | | Equity in earnings of limited partnerships decreased $38.1 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008 due to the continued economic downturn in the financial and real estate markets. |
|
| • | | Equity in earnings (losses) of EFL include our share of impairment losses recognized by EFL of $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to $4.4 million in the second quarter of 2008. |
Limited partnership investments generated losses in the second quarter and year to date June 30, 2009, which is reflective of market conditions. Limited partnership investments are valued based on the general partner financial statements which are generally received on a one-quarter lag. Our year to date June 30, 2009 limited partnership investment losses primarily include general partners’ financial results for the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. Also included in the second quarter 2009 limited partnership results was a pre-tax charge of $7.6 million related to the first quarter of 2009 equity in losses of limited partnerships. See Note 1, Basis of Presentation, for additional information.
Private equity and mezzanine debt limited partnerships generated losses of $12.9 million and earnings of $7.2 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Real estate limited partnerships generated losses of $13.9 million and earnings of $4.1 million in the second quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively. As these investments are generally reported on a one-quarter lag, they do not reflect the market conditions experienced during the second quarter of 2009.
38
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Investments
Our investment strategy takes a long-term perspective emphasizing investment quality, diversification and superior investment returns. Investments are managed on a total return approach that focuses on current income and capital appreciation. Our investment strategy also provides for liquidity to meet our short- and long-term commitments. At June 30, 2009, our investment portfolio of investment-grade bonds and preferred stock, common stock and cash and cash equivalents represents $652.5 million, or 24.8%, of total assets.
Our investments are subject to certain risks, including interest rate and price risk. Our exposure to interest rates is concentrated in our fixed maturities portfolio. The fixed maturities portfolio comprises 64.0% and 59.2% of invested assets at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. We calculate the duration and convexity of the fixed maturities portfolio each month to measure the price sensitivity of the portfolio to interest rate changes. Duration measures the relative sensitivity of the fair value of an investment to changes in interest rates. Convexity measures the rate of change of duration with respect to changes in interest rates. These factors are analyzed monthly to ensure that both the duration and convexity remain in the targeted ranges established by management.
We continually review the available-for-sale debt and equity portfolios to evaluate positions that might incur other-than-temporary declines in value. For all investment holdings, general economic conditions and/or conditions specifically affecting the underlying issuer or its industry, including downgrades by the major rating agencies, are considered in evaluating impairment in value. In addition to specific factors, other factors considered in our review of investment valuation are the length of time and amount the fair value is below cost.
We individually analyze all positions with emphasis on those that have, in management’s opinion, declined significantly below costs. With the implementation of FSP FAS 115-2 in the second quarter of 2009, we analyze debt securities to determine if a credit-related impairment has occurred. Some of the factors considered in determining whether a debt security is credit impaired include potential for the default of interest and/or principal, level of subordination, collateral of the issue, compliance with financial covenants, credit ratings and industry conditions. We have the intent to sell all credit-impaired debt securities, therefore the entire amount of the impairment charges are included in earnings and no non-credit impairments are recorded in other comprehensive income. Prior to the implementation of FSP FAS 115-2 in the second quarter of 2009, there was no differentiation between impairments related to credit loss and those related to other factors and declines in fair values of debt securities were deemed other-than-temporary if we did not have the intent and ability to hold a security to recovery. For available-for-sale equity securities, a charge is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for positions that have experienced other-than-temporary impairments due to credit quality or other factors, or for which it is not our intent or ability to hold the position until recovery has occurred. (See “Investment Operations” section herein.)
If our policy for determining the recognition of impaired positions were different, our Consolidated Results of Operations could be significantly impacted. Management believes its investment valuation philosophy and accounting practices result in appropriate and timely measurement of value and recognition of impairment.
Fixed maturities
Under our investment strategy, we maintain a fixed maturities portfolio that is of high quality and well diversified within each market sector. This investment strategy also achieves a balanced maturity schedule. The fixed maturities portfolio is managed with the goal of achieving reasonable returns while limiting exposure to risk.
39
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
The following is a breakdown of the fair value of our fixed maturity portfolio by industry sector as of June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Fair | | Percentage |
(in thousands) | | value | | to total |
| | |
Basic materials | | $ | 9,537 | | | | 1.6 | % |
Communications | | | 33,659 | | | | 5.6 | |
Consumer | | | 65,546 | | | | 10.9 | |
Diversified | | | 1,073 | | | | 0.2 | |
Energy | | | 32,263 | | | | 5.4 | |
Financial | | | 133,868 | | | | 22.3 | |
U.S. Treasury | | | 2,867 | | | | 0.5 | |
Municipal | | | 224,628 | | | | 37.2 | |
Industrial | | | 24,022 | | | | 4.0 | |
Structured securities(1) | | | 34,348 | | | | 5.7 | |
Technology | | | 4,979 | | | | 0.8 | |
Utilities | | | 35,181 | | | | 5.8 | |
| | |
Total | | $ | 601,971 | | | | 100.0 | % |
| | |
| | |
(1) | | Structured securities include asset-based securities, collateral, lease and debt obligations, commercial mortgage-backed securities and residential mortgage-backed securities. |
Equity securities
Our equity securities consist of common stock and nonredeemable preferred stock. Investment characteristics of common stock and nonredeemable preferred stock differ substantially from one another. Our nonredeemable preferred stock portfolio provides a source of current income that is competitive with investment-grade bonds.
The following tables present an analysis of our preferred and common stock securities by industry sector at June 30, 2009:
| | | | | | | | |
Preferred Stock |
| | | | | | Percentage |
(in thousands) | | Fair value | | to total |
| | |
Communications | | $ | 1,610 | | | | 3.5 | % |
Financial | | | 30,991 | | | | 66.7 | |
Government sponsored enterprises | | | 378 | | | | 0.8 | |
Industrial | | | 1,590 | | | | 3.4 | |
Technology | | | 3,000 | | | | 6.4 | |
Utilities | | | 8,922 | | | | 19.2 | |
| | |
Total | | $ | 46,491 | | | | 100.0 | % |
| | |
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stock |
| | | | | | Percentage |
(in thousands) | | Fair value | | to total |
| | |
Basic materials | | $ | 1,818 | | | | 5.0 | % |
Communications | | | 2,663 | | | | 7.4 | |
Consumer | | | 14,714 | | | | 40.7 | |
Diversified | | | 473 | | | | 1.3 | |
Energy | | | 1,804 | | | | 5.0 | |
Financial | | | 7,591 | | | | 21.0 | |
Industrial | | | 4,890 | | | | 13.5 | |
Technology | | | 1,361 | | | | 3.8 | |
Utilities | | | 811 | | | | 2.3 | |
| | |
Total | | $ | 36,125 | | | | 100.0 | % |
| | |
Limited partnership investments
In the second quarter of 2009, investments in limited partnerships decreased $19.3 million to $254.7 million due to fair value depreciation on existing limited partnerships. See also Note 1, Basis of Presentation in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
40
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Property/casualty loss reserves
Loss reserves are established to account for the estimated ultimate costs of loss and loss adjustment expenses for claims that have been reported but not yet settled and claims that have been incurred but not reported. The factors that may potentially cause the greatest variation between current reserve estimates and the actual future paid amounts are: unforeseen changes in statutory or case law altering the amounts to be paid on existing claim obligations, new medical procedures and/or drugs with costs significantly different from those seen in the past, and claims patterns on current business that differ significantly from historical claims patterns.
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are presented in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position on a gross basis for EIC, EINY, and EIPC. Our property/casualty insurance subsidiaries wrote about 16% of the direct property/casualty premiums of the Property and Casualty Group during the first six months of 2009. Under the terms of the Property and Casualty Group’s quota share and intercompany pooling arrangement, a significant portion of these reserve liabilities are recoverable. Recoverable amounts are reflected as an asset in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The direct and assumed loss and loss adjustment expense reserves by major line of business and the related amount recoverable under the intercompany pooling arrangement are presented as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | As of |
| | June 30, | | December 31, |
(in thousands) | | 2009 | | 2008 |
Gross reserve liability: | | | | | | | | |
Private passenger auto | | $ | 293,437 | | | $ | 295,174 | |
Pre-1986 automobile catastrophic injury | | | 157,741 | | | | 167,748 | |
Homeowners | | | 34,637 | | | | 28,984 | |
Workers compensation | | | 159,973 | | | | 162,898 | |
Workers compensation catastrophic injury | | | 102,146 | | | | 92,019 | |
Commercial auto | | | 75,208 | | | | 75,480 | |
Commercial multi-peril | | | 88,064 | | | | 76,584 | |
All other lines of business | | | 68,663 | | | | 66,194 | |
| | |
Gross reserves | | | 979,869 | | | | 965,081 | |
Reinsurance recoverables | | | 788,848 | | | | 778,328 | |
| | |
Net reserve liability | | $ | 191,021 | | | $ | 186,753 | |
| | |
The reserves that have the greatest potential for variation are the catastrophic injury liability reserves. We are currently reserving for about 300 claimants requiring lifetime medical care, of which about 120 involve catastrophic injuries. The reserve carried by the Property and Casualty Group for the catastrophic injury claimants, which is our best estimate of this liability at this time, was $506.3 million at June 30, 2009, which is net of $157.9 million of anticipated reinsurance recoverables. Our property/casualty subsidiaries’ share of the net catastrophic injury liability reserves is $27.9 million at June 30, 2009, compared to $28.3 million at December 31, 2008. The decrease in the pre-1986 automobile catastrophic injury reserve at June 30, 2009, compared to December 31, 2008, was primarily due to continued lower cost expectations of future attendant care services combined with the death of one claimant, while the increase in the workers compensation catastrophic injury reserve was primarily due to one large workers compensation claim.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
Off-balance sheet arrangements include those with unconsolidated entities that may have a material current or future effect on our financial condition or results of operations, including material variable interests in unconsolidated entities that conduct certain activities. There are no off-balance sheet obligations related to our variable interest in the Exchange. Any liabilities between us and the Exchange are recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. We have no material off-balance sheet obligations or guarantees, other than the limited partnership investment commitments discussed in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein.
41
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity is a measure of a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the short-and long-term cash requirements of its business operations. Our liquidity requirements have been met primarily by funds generated from management operations, the net cash flows of our insurance subsidiaries 5.5% participation in the underwriting results of the reinsurance pool with the Exchange, and investment income from nonaffiliated investments. Cash provided from these sources is used primarily to fund the costs of management operations including salaries and wages, commissions, pension plans, share repurchases, dividends to shareholders and the purchase and development of information technology. We expect that our operating cash needs will be met by funds generated from operations. When cash provided by operating activities is in excess of our operating cash needs, we may use this excess to fund our investment portfolios. When funding requirements exceed operating cash flows, our investment portfolios may be used as a funding source. Continuing volatility in the financial markets presents challenges to us as we occasionally access our investment portfolio as a source of cash. Some of our fixed income investments, despite being publicly traded, are illiquid due to credit market conditions. Further volatility in these markets could impair our ability to sell certain of our fixed income securities or cause such securities to sell at deep discounts. Additionally, our limited partnership investments are illiquid. We believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet our needs from other sources even if credit market volatility persists throughout 2009. See Item 3. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” herein for further information on the risk of market volatility.
If the financial market volatility continues, we have the ability to meet our future funding requirements through various alternatives available to us. Outside of our normal operating and investing cash activities future funding requirements could be met through: (1) a $100 million bank line of credit, from which we have no borrowings as of June 30, 2009, (2) dividend payments from our wholly-owned property/casualty insurance subsidiaries, EIC, EIPC and EINY, up to their statutory limits totaling $23.0 million under current regulatory restrictions as of June 30, 2009, (3) our more liquid investments that can be sold, such as our common stock and cash and cash equivalents, which total approximately $62.5 million at June 30, 2009, and (4) the ability to curtail or modify discretionary cash outlays such as those related to our share repurchase activities until the investment markets better support our financing activities. We believe we have the funding sources available to us to support future cash flow requirements.
Cash flows provided by our operating activities totaled $55.4 million for the first six months of 2009, compared to $14.5 million for the first six months of 2008. Cash paid for agent bonuses in the first six months of 2009 was $80.3 million, of which $80.0 million was accrued for at December 31, 2008, compared to $94.9 million in the first six months of 2008. The first six months of 2008 also includes a pension contribution of $15.0 million to our pension plan. We expect to make another contribution to our pension plan in the third quarter of 2009 for approximately $15 million. Pension expense is anticipated to be approximately $10 million higher in 2009 as a result of the change in discount rate to 6.06% in 2009 from 6.62% in 2008. Our affiliated entities generally reimburse us for about 50% of the net periodic benefit cost of the pension plan.
At June 30, 2009, we recorded a deferred tax asset of $78.1 million, which included $7.4 million relating to unrealized and realized net capital losses that have not yet been recognized for tax purposes. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized based on our assessment that the losses ultimately recognized for tax purposes will be fully utilized. As such, there was no deferred tax valuation allowance recorded at June 30, 2009.
We have the ability to carry back capital losses of $98.3 million as a result of gains recognized in prior years. We have disposed of assets with tax losses of approximately $34.5 million to carry back against these gains. Our capital gain and loss strategies take into consideration our ability to offset gains and losses in future periods, further capital loss carry-back opportunities to the three preceding years and capital loss carry-forward opportunities to apply against future capital gains over the next five years.
Cash flows used in our investing activities totaled $42.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to cash provided of $36.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. In 2008, our investing operations were impacted by fewer reinvestments as a result of our continued share repurchase activity. Also impacting our future investing activities are our limited partnership commitments, which at June 30, 2009, totaled $72.6 million and are required to be funded through 2012. In the second quarter of 2009, we made a capital contribution to EFL in the amount of $11.9 million. The capital will be used to
42
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
support EFL’s life insurance and annuity business and strengthen its surplus as EFL’s capital has declined as a result of realized and unrealized investment losses due to the turmoil in the financial markets in the second half of 2008 and the continued volatility in 2009.
There were no shares repurchased in the second quarter of 2009 in conjunction with our stock repurchase plan that was authorized by our Board of Directors in April 2008. During the first half of 2009, 42,200 shares of our outstanding Class A common stock were repurchased at a total cost of $1.2 million. In May 2009, our Board of Directors approved a continuation of the current stock repurchase program through June 30, 2010. We have approximately $100 million of repurchase authority remaining under this plan at June 30, 2009. The first half of 2008 included 1.9 million shares of our outstanding Class A common stock that were repurchased at a total cost of $97.7 million. (See Part II, Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds, Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.)
Financing activities through June 30, 2008 included borrowings of $75.0 million on our bank line of credit for certain intercompany cash settlement needs. This amount was repaid in full by December 31, 2008. This line of credit was extended to December 31, 2009. There were no borrowings on this line as of June 30, 2009. The bank requires compliance with certain covenants, which include minimum net worth and leverage ratios, and we are in compliance with all covenants at June 30, 2009.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
We make estimates and assumptions that have a significant effect on the amounts and disclosures reported in the financial statements. The most significant estimates relate to valuation of investments, reserves for property/casualty insurance unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and retirement benefits. While management believes its estimates are appropriate, the ultimate amounts may differ from estimates provided. Our most critical accounting estimates are described in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. See Note 6, Fair Value, for additional information.
Investment valuation
We make estimates concerning the valuation of all investments. Valuation techniques used to derive fair value of our available-for-sale and trading securities are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, such as prices obtained from nationally recognized pricing services for identical instruments in active markets. Observable inputs other than quoted prices would include prices obtained from third party pricing services that model prices based on observable inputs. Unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions regarding exit market pricing for these securities. Fair value for these securities, that comprise only 4.0% of our total investment portfolio, are determined using comparable securities or valuations received from outside broker dealers. In cases where there has been little or no activity in the current market and no other inputs from external sources are available, an internal review is also performed to evaluate the price and make adjustments as necessary. Factors used to estimate a price most representative of fair value include potential for default, structure and collateral, market discount rates and current credit rating.
Investments are evaluated monthly for other-than-temporary impairment loss. Some factors considered in evaluating whether or not a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary include:
| • | | the extent and duration for which fair value is less than cost; |
|
| • | | historical operating performance and financial condition of the issuer; |
|
| • | | short- and long-term prospects of the issuer and its industry based on analysts’ recommendations; |
|
| • | | specific events that occurred affecting the issuer, including rating downgrades; |
|
| • | | our intent to sell or more likely than not be required to sell (debt securities); and |
|
| • | | our ability and intent to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in value (equity securities). |
For debt securities in which we do not expect full recovery of amortized cost, the security is deemed to be credit-impaired. Credit-related impairments and impairments on securities we intend to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. It is our intention to sell all debt securities with credit impairments. For
43
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
available-for-sale equity securities, a charge is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for positions that have experienced other-than-temporary impairments due to credit quality or other factors, or for which it is not our intent or ability to hold the position until recovery has occurred.
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
Financial condition of the Exchange
We have a direct interest in the financial condition of the Exchange because management fee revenues are based on the direct written premiums of the Exchange and the other members of the Property and Casualty Group. Additionally, we participate in the underwriting results of the Exchange through the pooling arrangement in which our insurance subsidiaries have 5.5% participation. A concentration of credit risk exists related to the unsecured receivables due from the Exchange for certain fees, costs and reimbursements.
To the extent that the Exchange incurs underwriting losses or investment losses resulting from declines in the value of its marketable securities or limited partnership investments, the Exchange’s policyholders’ surplus would be adversely affected. If the surplus of the Exchange were to decline significantly from its current level, the Property and Casualty Group could find it more difficult to retain its existing business and attract new business. A decline in the business of the Property and Casualty Group would have an adverse effect on the amount of the management fees we receive and the underwriting results of the Property and Casualty Group. In addition, a significant decline in the surplus of the Exchange from its current level would make it more likely that the management fee rate would be reduced. A decline in surplus could also result from variability in investment markets as realized and unrealized losses are recognized. Due to the continued distress in the securities markets, the Exchange recognized impairment charges of $78.5 million in the second quarter of 2009. To the extent the market downturn continues, the Exchange’s investment portfolio may continue to be impacted. In the second quarter of 2009, the Exchange made a capital contribution to EFL in the amount of $43.1 million. The capital will be used to support its life insurance and annuity business and strengthen its surplus as EFL’s capital has declined as a result of realized and unrealized investment losses due to the turmoil in the financial markets in the second half of 2008 and the continued volatility in 2009. Despite these recent market events, at June 30, 2009, the Exchange had $3.9 billion in statutory surplus and a premium to surplus ratio of less than 1 to 1.
The Exchange has strong underlying operating cash flows and sufficient liquidity to meet its needs, including the ability to pay the management fees owed to us. Through the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Exchange generated $388.0 million in cash flows from operating activities. At June 30, 2009, the Exchange had $256.6 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Exchange also has an unused $75 million bank line of credit at June 30, 2009. This line of credit was renewed through December 31, 2009. The bank requires compliance with certain covenants. The Exchange was in compliance with all bank covenants at June 30, 2009, which include minimum statutory surplus and risk based capital ratios.
Additional information, including condensed statutory financial statements of the Exchange, is presented in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein.
Insurance premium rate actions
The changes in premiums written attributable to rate changes of the Property and Casualty Group directly affect the direct written premium levels and underwriting profitability of the Property and Casualty Group, the Exchange and us, and also have a direct bearing on management fees. Pricing actions contemplated or taken by the Property and Casualty Group are also subject to various regulatory requirements of the states in which these insurers operate. The pricing actions already implemented, or to be implemented through 2009, will also have an effect on the market competitiveness of the Property and Casualty Group’s insurance products. Such pricing actions, and those of competitors, could affect the ability of our agents to sell and/or renew business. We expect our pricing actions to result in a net increase in direct written premium in 2009, however, current economic conditions could adversely impact the average premium per policy written by the Property and Casualty Group as customers reduce coverages.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Market volatility
Our portfolio of fixed income, limited partnerships, preferred and common stocks are subject to significant market value changes especially in the current environment of instability in the worldwide financial markets. Uncertainty remains surrounding the general market conditions. The current volatility in the financial markets could have an adverse impact on our financial condition, operations and cash flows.
With the adoption of FAS 159 as of January 1, 2008, all changes to unrealized gains and losses on the common stock portfolio are recognized in investment income as net realized gains or losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of the common stock portfolio is subject to fluctuation from period-to-period resulting from changes in prices. Depending upon market conditions, this could cause considerable fluctuation in reported total investment income in 2009 and beyond. See Item 3. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” herein for further information on the risk of market volatility. See additional information related to the Exchange in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein.
Economic conditions
Financial markets have been experiencing an improvement in recent months although overall economic conditions remain poor. Unfavorable changes in economic conditions, including declining consumer confidence, inflation, recession or other changes, may lead the Property and Casualty Group’s customers to cancel insurance policies, modify coverage or not renew policies, and the Group’s premium revenue, and consequently our management fee, could be adversely affected. Challenging economic conditions also may impair the ability of the Group’s customers to pay premiums as they fall due, and as a result, the Group’s reserves and write-offs could increase. The Group is unable to predict the uncertainty in current financial markets and adverse economic conditions in the United States and other countries.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our exposure to market risk is primarily related to fluctuations in prices and interest rates. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk resulting from changes in prices and interest rates are included in Item 7A. in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in such risks or our periodic reviews of asset and liability positions during the six months ended June 30, 2009. The information contained in the investments section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is incorporated herein by reference.
Our objective is to earn competitive returns by investing in a diversified portfolio of securities. We are exposed to credit risk through our portfolios of fixed maturity securities, nonredeemable preferred stock, limited partnerships, mortgage loans and to a lesser extent short-term investments. This risk is defined as the potential loss in fair value resulting from adverse changes in the borrower’s ability to repay the debt. We manage this risk by performing up front underwriting analysis and ongoing reviews of credit quality by position and for the fixed maturity portfolio in total. We do not hedge credit risk inherent in our fixed maturity investments. Our investment portfolio is diversified with 93.5% of the fixed income portfolio rated investment grade (BBB or higher).
In our limited partnership investment portfolio we are exposed to credit risk, as well as price risk. Price risk is defined as the potential loss in estimated fair value resulting from an adverse change in prices. Our investments are directly affected by the impact of changes in these risk factors on the underlying investments held by our fund managers, which could vary significantly from fund to fund. We manage these risks by performing up front due diligence on our fund managers, ongoing monitoring and through the construction of a diversified portfolio.
We have significant receivables from the Exchange, which are subject to credit risk. Our results are directly related to the financial strength of the Exchange. Credit risks related to the receivables from the Exchange are evaluated periodically by management. Similar to our investment portfolio, the Exchange maintains 93.3% of its bond portfolio rated investment grade.
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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We carried out an evaluation, with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Our management evaluated, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, any change in our internal control over financial reporting and determined there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
There were no shares purchased in any month in the second quarter of 2009. In May 2009, our Board of Directors approved a continuation of the stock repurchase program, authorizing repurchases through June 30, 2010. As of June 30, 2009, we have approximately $100 million of shares that may yet be purchased under the publicly announced share repurchase plan.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
We have two classes of common stock. On May 5, 2009, the date of our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, we had 51,240,693 shares of Class A common stock outstanding and 2,551 shares of Class B common stock outstanding. Sole shareholder voting power is vested in the Class B common stock.
The election of directors to serve on our Board occurred at our Annual Meeting of Shareholders. All nominees to the Board were unanimously elected by the 2,528 votes cast. This information is incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2009.
Our shareholders also voted on two amendments to our bylaws pertaining to (i) the timing of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and (ii) the advance notice requirements for shareholder proposals. The amendment relating to the timing of our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which would allow the meeting to be held at any time prior to the first day of July, was voted on and unanimously approved by the 2,528 votes cast. The amendment to the advance notice requirements provides that proposals relating to (a) the nomination of persons as candidates for election by shareholders as a director at the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and (b) matters other than candidates for election as directors, must be received by the Company not later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the last business day of the calendar year prior to the calendar year in which such Annual Meeting of Shareholders is to be held. This amendment to the advance notice provisions was voted on and unanimously approved by the 2,528 votes cast.
Finally, our shareholders voted to approve the continuation of our Annual Incentive Plan and Long-Term Incentive Plan for the purpose of qualifying the plans under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The continuation of these plans was unanimously approved by the 2,528 votes cast.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION (Continued)
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
| | |
Exhibit | | |
Number | | Description of Exhibit |
| | |
10.1 | | Loan Agreement between Erie Indemnity Company and PNC Bank, National Association dated January 30, 2008, Amendment to Loan Documents dated February 27, 2008, Reimbursement Agreement for Standby Letter(s) of Credit dated February 27, 2008, Sixth Amendment to Loan Documents dated December 29, 2008, Eighth Amendment to Loan Documents dated April 21, 2009, and Ninth Amendment to Loan Documents dated June 29, 2009 |
| | |
10.2 | | Committed Line of Credit Note between Erie Indemnity Company and PNC Bank, National Association dated January 30, 2008, and Third Amended and Restated Committed Line of Credit Note dated December 29, 2008 |
| | |
10.3 | | Notification and Control Agreement between Erie Indemnity Company and PNC Bank, National Association dated January 30, 2008 |
| | |
10.4 | | Pledge Agreement between Erie Indemnity Company and PNC Bank, National Association dated January 30, 2008 |
| | |
31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| | |
31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial 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 |
| | |
99.2 | | Erie Indemnity Company Amended and Restated Bylaws. Such exhibit is incorporated by reference to the like titled exhibit in the Registrant’s Form 8-K that was filed with the Commission on May 11, 2009. |
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SIGNATURES
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.
| | | | |
| Erie Indemnity Company (Registrant) | |
Date: August 5, 2009 | /s/ Terrence W. Cavanaugh | |
| Terrence W. Cavanaugh, President & CEO | |
| | |
| | |
| /s/ Marcia A. Dall | |
| Marcia A. Dall, Executive Vice President & CFO | |
| | |
|
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