PROSPECTUS AND EXCHANGE OFFER
CII FINANCIAL, INC.
EXCHANGE OFFER FOR ALL OUTSTANDING 7 1/2% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES DUE SEPTEMBER 15, 2001 OF CII FINANCIAL, INC.
(CUSIP NO. 12551LAB7)
EXCHANGE OFFER EXPIRATION: May 2, 2001 at 7:00 p.m., New York time.
EXCHANGE OFFER
We are offering to exchange your 7 1/2% convertible subordinated
debentures due September 15, 2001 of CII Financial, Inc., under either
of the following two options:
o $1,000 in principal amount of new 9 1/2% senior debentures due
September 15, 2004 of CII Financial for each $1,000 in
principal amount of the old junior subordinated debentures
that you tender, up to a maximum of $20,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount of old junior subordinated debentures; or
o $739.12 in cash for each $1,000 in principal amount of the old
junior subordinated debentures that you tender, up to a
maximum of $27,059,000 in aggregate principal amount of old
junior subordinated debentures. We have $20,000,000 available
for debentures tendered for cash. If the cash option is
oversubscribed, holders who elect the cash option will be
permitted to sell a prorated amount of their old junior
subordinated debentures for cash and we will exchange the
balance of old junior subordinated debentures we receive for
new senior debentures.
We will pay the interest on all old junior subordinated debentures
accepted in the exchange offer to, but not including, the date of
acceptance.
The new senior debentures have been approved for listing on the New York
Stock Exchange.
The exchange offer is subject to the following material conditions:
o valid tenders of at least 90% of the aggregate principal
amount of the old junior subordinated debentures;
o valid tenders of at least $27,059,000 aggregate principal
amount of old junior subordinated debentures for cash; and
o the receipt of the consent of the lenders under the $135
million senior secured credit facility of our parent, Sierra
Health Services, Inc., which has been irrevocably and
unconditionally guaranteed by us, to the issuance by us of the
new senior debentures in the exchange offer and to the
subordination of our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility to
the new senior debentures.
The holders of approximately $20 million aggregate principal amount of
old junior subordinated debentures have agreed to accept the exchange
offer on the terms and conditions included in this prospectus. In
addition, advisors to the holders of approximately $4 million have
indicated that they will recommend acceptance of the exchange offer to
the holders.
If the conditions of the exchange offer are satisfied or waived by us,
we will accept for exchange any and all old junior subordinated
debentures that are validly tendered and not withdrawn before 11:59
p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date of the exchange offer.
If the conditions are not satisfied or waived or if we otherwise
terminate the exchange offer, tendered old junior subordinated
debentures will be returned, without expense to you.
Both acceptance and rejection of this exchange offer involve a high
degree of risk. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 15 of this
prospectus for a discussion of some of the risks you should consider in
evaluating the exchange offer and an investment in the securities
offered through this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
regulator has approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if
this prospectus is adequate or accurate. Any representation to the
contrary is a criminal offense.
The exclusive dealer manager for the exchange offer is:
Banc of America Securities LLC
The date of this prospectus is May 2, 2001.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY...............................................................................................1
RISK FACTORS....................................................................................................15
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS...............................................................21
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.......................................................................21
USE OF PROCEEDS.................................................................................................22
CAPITALIZATION..................................................................................................23
THE EXCHANGE OFFER..............................................................................................24
BUSINESS....................................................................................................... 36
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA...............................................................................52
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS...........................54
MANAGEMENT......................................................................................................64
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS............................................................................................70
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS..........................................................................................71
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS...............................................................................71
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...........................................................74
DESCRIPTION OF DEBENTURES.......................................................................................79
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM-- THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY................................................................98
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES..........................................................99
LEGAL MATTERS..................................................................................................103
EXPERTS........................................................................................................104
ANNEX I....................................................................................................... A-1
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.....................................................................F-1
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and may not
contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the
exchange offer fully and for a more complete description of the legal terms of
the exchange offer, you should read carefully this entire prospectus and the
other documents to which we have referred you, including the letter of
transmittal accompanying this prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, "CII
Financial," "we," "us," and "our" refer to CII Financial, Inc. and its
subsidiaries. Although we refer to CII Financial in this manner, CII Financial
is a holding company and conducts all of its operations through its
subsidiaries. CII Financial is the sole obligor on all of the debentures
discussed in this prospectus.
Throughout this prospectus, we sometimes refer to our existing 7 1/2%
convertible subordinated debentures due September 15, 2001 as our "old junior
subordinated debentures," to our new 9 1/2% senior debentures due September 15,
2004 as our "new senior debentures" and to those new senior debentures and the
cash payment offered in exchange for your old junior subordinated debentures
collectively as the "exchange consideration."
CII Financial, Inc.
We are a holding company primarily engaged in writing workers' compensation
insurance in nine western and midwestern states through our wholly owned
subsidiaries, California Indemnity Insurance Company, Commercial Casualty
Insurance Company, Sierra Insurance Company of Texas and CII Insurance Company.
In addition, we have other smaller subsidiaries that we consider immaterial to
our overall results.
Our insurance subsidiaries write workers' compensation insurance in the
states of California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, New
Mexico and Utah primarily through independent insurance agents and brokers. We
have licenses in 33 states and the District of Columbia and have applications
pending for licenses in other states. California, Colorado and Nevada
represented approximately 77%, 8%, and 8%, respectively, of our direct written
premiums for the year ended December 31, 2000.
We were acquired by Sierra Health Services, Inc. on October 31, 1995 in a
transaction treated as a pooling of interests. However, our old junior
subordinated debentures remain solely our obligation and Sierra has not
guaranteed the debentures. Sierra is a diversified health care services company
that operates health maintenance organizations, indemnity and workers'
compensation insurers, military health programs, preferred provider
organizations and multi-specialty medical groups. When Sierra acquired us, each
share of our common stock was exchanged for .37 of a share of Sierra common
stock and our old junior subordinated debentures became convertible into Sierra
common stock. The old junior subordinated debentures are now convertible into
Sierra common stock at a conversion price of $39.398 per share. As a result,
$1,000 in principal is convertible into 25.382 shares of Sierra common stock.
Based on the closing price of Sierra common stock on April 12, 2001, the market
value of 25.382 shares of Sierra's common stock was $116.76. In August 2000, we
became a guarantor of Sierra's $185 million revolving credit facility, which was
subsequently reduced in size to $135 million. At April 12, 2001, the credit
facility had an outstanding balance of $128 million. Unused credit facility
balances are primarily reserved for Sierra's working capital purposes. Any
availability under the credit facility generated from Sierra's excess cash flow
must be converted annually to permanent reductions in accordance with the terms
of the credit facility. The credit facility also requires that the purchase of
old junior subordinated debentures with funds other than those from CII
Financial will require an equal permanent reduction in the credit facility
limit. Sierra is required to make semi-annual permanent reductions, ranging from
$2 million to $10 million, on the credit facility limit starting June 2001. It
is a condition to the exchange offer that the lenders under Sierra's credit
facility agree to the subordination of our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility
to the new senior debentures. The old junior subordinated debentures will
continue to be subordinated to the guaranty of the credit facility debt.
We were incorporated in the State of California on September 15, 1988. The
principal executive offices of CII Financial are located at 2716 North Tenaya
Way, Las Vegas, Nevada 89128, and CII Financial's telephone number at that
address is (702) 242-7040.
Summary Background, Purposes and Effects of the Exchange Offer
CII Financial, as a holding company, has limited sources for cash and is
dependent upon dividends from its subsidiary, California Indemnity Insurance
Company, to meet its debt payment obligations. In calendar year 2001, California
Indemnity can only pay dividends of $174,000 without prior approval by the
California Department of Insurance. In addition, CII Financial, as a holding
company and sole obligor under the old junior subordinated debentures, has no
available source of cash with which to pay the old junior subordinated
debentures when they mature on September 15, 2001. Due to the foregoing, we are
making this exchange offer in an effort to extend the maturity date and reduce
our indebtedness.
Summary of the Exchange Offer
The Old Junior Subordinated Debentures: We are making the exchange offer with
respect to the entire $47,059,000
aggregate principal amount of our old
junior subordinated
debentures, CUSIP No.12551LAB7.
The Exchange Offer: We are offering to acquire your old junior subordinated
debentures in exchange for:
o $1,000 in principal amount of new senior debentures for each $1,000 in
principal amount of old junior subordinated debentures that you tender, up
to a maximum of $20,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of old junior
subordinated debentures; or
o $739.12 in cash for each $1,000 in principal amount of old junior
subordinated debentures that you tender, up to a maximum of $27,059,000
aggregate principal amount of old junior subordinated debentures as
described below.
We are only offering to purchase $27,059,000 aggregate principal amount of
old junior subordinated debentures for cash. If holders of more than
$27,059,000 aggregate principal amount of old junior subordinated
debentures elect the cash option, we will not have enough cash to pay for
all the debentures that holders elect to sell. In that case, we will
purchase a total of $27,059,000 principal amount of old junior subordinated
debentures for cash and we will exchange the balance of the old junior
subordinated debentures we receive for new senior debentures. All holders
who elect the cash option will be permitted to sell the same fraction of
their old junior subordinated debentures for cash. This fraction will equal
$27,059,000, divided by the aggregate principal amount of all debentures
tendered for cash by all holders. We refer to this as "oversubscription" of
the cash option.
It is a condition to the exchange offer that the lenders under Sierra's
credit facility agree to the subordination of our guaranty of Sierra's
credit facility to the new senior debentures. The old junior subordinated
debentures will continue to be subordinated to the guaranty of the credit
facility debt. We refer to the subordination of our guaranty of the Sierra
credit facility to the new senior debentures as the "guaranty
subordination."
The holders of approximately $20 million aggregate principal amount of old
junior subordinated debentures have agreed to accept the exchange offer on
the terms and conditions included in this prospectus. In addition, advisors
to the holders of approximately $4 million have indicated that they will
recommend acceptance of the exchange offer to the holders.
We will publicly announce whether the cash option is oversubscribed and the
effect of any required proration as soon as practicable after the
expiration of the exchange offer.
You do not have to choose the same option for all of the old junior
subordinated debentures that you tender. You do not have to tender all of
your old junior subordinated debentures to participate in the exchange
offer.
Interest: We will pay in cash accrued and unpaid interest on all old junior
subordinated debentures accepted in the exchange offer to, but not
including, the date of acceptance. On March 16, 2001, we announced that the
interest payment on the old junior subordinated debentures due March 15,
2001 was not being paid as scheduled. However, we subsequently made the
interest payment on April 16, 2001.
Source of Funds: We intend to fund the cash portion of the exchange
consideration from:
o a dividend in the amount of $5.0 million from, California Indemnity, one of
our insurance subsidiaries; and
o a $15.0 million loan from Sierra, which will be represented by our demand
promissory note bearing interest at 9 1/2%. This promissory note will be
subordinated to the new senior debentures but will rank senior to the old
junior subordinated debentures.
We expect that Sierra will lend us an additional $2.0 million to enable us
to pay the interest and expenses incurred in the exchange offer.
On February 22, 2001, the California Department of Insurance approved an
extraordinary dividend payment by California Indemnity, one of our
insurance subsidiaries, to us of up to $5 million.
Purpose: We are making the exchange offer for old junior
subordinated debentures to extend the maturity date of
the debentures and to reduce indebtedness.
Expiration of the Exchange: 7:00 p.m., New York time, on May 2, 2001,
Offer: unless extended.
Exchange Date: The exchange of old junior subordinated debentures for the
exchange consideration will be made promptly following the
expiration of the exchange offer and the satisfaction or
waiver of all conditions.
Conditions to the Exchange The exchange offer is subject to the following
Offer: material conditions:
o we must receive valid tenders for at least 90% of the aggregate principal
amount of the old junior subordinated debentures;
o we must receive valid tenders of at least $27,059,000 aggregate principal
amount of old junior subordinated debentures for cash; and
we must receive the consent of the lenders under Sierra's senior secured
credit facility, which has been irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed
by us, to our issuing the new senior debentures in the exchange offer and
to the subordination of our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility to the new
senior debentures.
Subject to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions, we will accept for
exchange any and all old junior subordinated debentures that are validly
tendered and not withdrawn before 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the
expiration date of the exchange offer. However, we reserve the right to:
o delay the acceptance of the old junior subordinated debentures for
exchange;
o terminate the exchange offer;
o extend the expiration date and retain all old junior subordinated
debentures that have been tendered, subject to the right of owners of old
junior subordinated debentures to withdraw their tendered old junior
subordinated debentures;
o refuse to accept the old junior subordinated debentures and return all old
junior subordinated debentures that have been tendered to us; or
o waive any condition or otherwise amend the terms of the exchange offer in
any respect.
Procedures for Tendering If you hold your old junior subordinated
Debentures: debentures in book-entryform, you must request
your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust
company or other nominee to effect the
transaction for you.
If you own old junior subordinated debentures that are registered in the
name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee,
you must contact that broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee.
We have arranged to have this exchange offer eligible for the Depository
Trust Company's, or DTC's, Automated Tender Offer Program, or ATOP. DTC
participants that are accepting the exchange offer must transmit their
acceptance to DTC, which will verify the acceptance and execute a
book-entry delivery to the exchange agent's account at DTC. DTC will then
send an agent's message to the exchange agent for its acceptance. Delivery
of the agent's message by DTC will satisfy the terms of the exchange offer
as to the tender of old junior subordinated debentures.
If you hold physical certificates evidencing your old junior subordinated
debentures, complete and sign the enclosed letter of transmittal, or a
manually signed facsimile thereof, in accordance with the instructions in
that document, have your signature guaranteed if required by Instruction 1
of the letter of transmittal, and send or deliver your manually signed
letter of transmittal, or manually signed facsimile, together with the
certificates evidencing the old junior subordinated debentures being
tendered and any other required documents to the exchange agent.
If you desire to tender old junior subordinated debentures in the exchange
offer and cannot comply with the procedures described in this prospectus
for tender or delivery on a timely basis or if your old junior subordinated
debentures are not immediately available, you may tender your old junior
subordinated debentures using the procedures for guaranteed delivery
described in this prospectus.
Withdrawal of Tenders of Debentures:
You may withdraw your tender of old junior subordinated debentures at any
time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer, but the exchange
consideration will not be payable in respect of any old junior subordinated
debentures so withdrawn. We will not determine and announce whether the
cash option for the exchange consideration has been oversubscribed until
after the expiration of the exchange offer. You will not be able to
withdraw your tender of old junior subordinated debentures once we make
this determination even though it may affect the type of exchange
consideration you will receive in the exchange offer.
Untendered Debentures:
If you do not tender your old junior subordinated debentures, they will
remain outstanding. The old junior subordinated debentures will be
subordinated to the new senior debentures, the demand promissory notes held
by Sierra and our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility. We will have up to
$164,500,000 of indebtedness that will rank senior to any untendered
debentures, consisting of the new senior debentures, the Sierra notes and
the credit facility guaranty. In addition, as a result of the consummation
of the exchange offer, the aggregate principal amount of the old junior
subordinated debentures that are outstanding will be significantly reduced,
which may adversely affect their market price, if any.
Old junior subordinated debentures that remain outstanding will remain
convertible into shares of Sierra common stock at $39.398 per share. As of
close of business on April 12, 2001, the closing price of Sierra common
stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $4.60.
Acceptance of Tendered Debentures and Exchange:
Under the terms of the exchange offer and upon satisfaction or our waiver
of the conditions to the exchange offer, we will accept for exchange old
junior subordinated debentures validly tendered on or prior to the
expiration of the exchange offer. You will receive the exchange
consideration only if you validly tender your old junior subordinated
debentures. We will make payment of the exchange consideration for old
junior subordinated debentures validly tendered and accepted for payment by
deposit of the appropriate amount of cash and the appropriate amount of new
senior debentures with the exchange agent, who will act as agent for the
tendering holders of old junior subordinated debentures. We expect the
exchange will be made on the exchange date described in this prospectus.
Accounting Treatment for the Exchange Offer:
The proposed exchange offer contains concessions by the holders of the old
junior subordinated debentures, including extending the maturity and
accepting an interest rate that may be lower than what we could obtain from
other lenders. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 15, "Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt
Restructurings" ("SFAS No. 15"), the exchange of the new senior debentures
for the old junior subordinated debentures will be treated as a troubled
debt restructuring. Additionally, the old junior subordinated debentures
are considered to represent one payable, even though there are many
debenture holders. Although some of the debenture holders may exchange the
old junior subordinated debentures for cash, some may exchange them for new
senior debentures and others a combination of the two, this does not change
the substance of the transaction for CII Financial; accordingly, the
proposed exchange is considered to be a single transaction.
Under the terms of the proposed transaction, total future cash payments
(interest and principal) on the new senior debentures are less than the
balance of the old junior subordinated debentures less the cash
consideration given in the exchange. Accordingly, under SFAS No. 15, a gain
on restructuring will be recognized for the difference and the carrying
amount of the new senior debentures will initially be the total future cash
payments. Costs incurred in connection with the exchange will offset the
gain on restructuring and any issuance costs in excess of the gain will be
expensed. All cash payments related to the new senior debentures will be
reductions of the carrying amount of the new senior debentures and no
interest expense will be recognized over the new term.
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations:
You are referred to the discussion about the federal income tax
consequences of the exchange offer in "United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences." Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences of
the exchange offer to you will depend on the facts of your own situation.
You should consult your own tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax
consequences to you of the exchange offer.
No Appraisal Rights:
In connection with the exchange offer, you will not have any right to
dissent or to receive an appraisal of your old junior subordinated
debentures.
Use of Proceeds:
Our new senior debentures are being issued
only in exchange for your old junior subordinated debentures. All old
junior subordinated debentures accepted by us in the exchange offer will be
canceled. We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of new
senior debentures in the exchange offer.
"Blue Sky" Compliance:
We are not making this offer to, and we will not accept tenders from,
holders of old junior subordinated debentures in any jurisdiction in which
this exchange offer or the acceptance of old junior subordinated debentures
would not comply with the applicable securities or "blue sky" laws of that
jurisdiction.
Dealer Manager:
Banc of America Securities LLC is serving as exclusive dealer manager in
connection with the exchange offer. Its address and telephone numbers are
set forth on the back cover of this prospectus.
Exchange Agent:
Wells Fargo Corporate Trust is serving as exchange agent in connection with
the exchange offer. Its address and telephone numbers are located on the
back cover of this prospectus.
Information Agent:
D.F. King & Co., Inc. is serving as the information agent in connection
with the exchange offer. Its address and telephone numbers are located on
the back cover of this prospectus.
Summary Description of New Senior Debentures:
The New Senior Debentures: Up to $20,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of 9 1/2% senior
debentures due September 15, 2004.
Issuer: CII Financial, Inc.
Trustee: Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
Maturity: September 15, 2004
Interest: Interest on the new senior
debentures will be payable in cash
at a rate of 9 1/2% per year,
payable on March 15 and September
15 of each year, commencing
September 15, 2001.
Ranking: The new senior debentures, will
be senior indebtedness. As a
result of the guaranty
subordination, the new senior
debentures will rank senior
to our guaranty of Sierra's credit
facility. In addition, the new
senior debentures will rank senior
to the Sierra notes. The new senior
debentures, the Sierra notes and
our guaranty of Sierra's credit
facility will rank senior to
any remaining old junior
subordinated debentures.
Optional Redemption: The new senior
debentures may be redeemed at our
option at any time, from time to
time, at the following redemption
prices, expressed as percentages
of principal amount, plus accrued
and unpaid interest, if any, if
redeemed during the periods set
forth below:
Period Redemption Price
------ ----------------
Until March 31, 2002...............................110%
April 1, 2002-March 31, 2003.......................105%
April 1, 2003-March 31, 2004...... ................102.5%
April 1, 2004-September 15, 2004...................100%
Repurchase at Option of Holders: In the event
of a change in control of CII
Financial, the holders of these
new senior debentures may require
that we repurchase their new
senior debentures at the then
applicable redemption price, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if
any:
Listing: The new senior debentures have been approved for listing on the
New York Stock Exchange. However, we do not expect the new
senior debentures to be listed until after 30 days following the
consummation of the exchange offer.
Principal Differences Between Old and New Debentures:
o The new senior debentures will be senior indebtedness of CII Financial.
As a result of
the guaranty subordination, the new senior debentures will rank senior to
our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility. In addition, the new senior
debentures will rank senior to the Sierra notes. The new senior debentures,
the Sierra notes and our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility will rank
senior in right of payment to any old junior subordinated debentures which
are not tendered.
o You will receive a higher rate of interest on the new senior debentures,
which will pay 9 1/2% per annum, than on the old junior subordinated
debentures, which pay 7 1/2% per annum.
o The scheduled maturity date of the new senior debentures is September 15,
2004, which is three years later than September 15, 2001, the scheduled
maturity date of the old junior subordinated debentures.
o The new senior debentures will not be convertible into Sierra common stock.
The old junior subordinated debentures are convertible into Sierra common
stock at $39.398 per share.
o The indenture governing the new senior debentures will contain covenants
that will:
o restrict our ability to incur indebtedness, including upstream guarantees;
o restrict our ability to make restricted payments, including dividends,
distributions and loans;
o restrict our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates;
o restrict our ability to create or incur liens;
o require us to use the net proceeds from any sale of assets or the capital
stock of our subsidiaries in certain circumstances to make an offer to
repurchase the new senior debentures; and
o require us to use our excess cash flow in certain circumstances to make an
offer to repurchase the new senior debentures.
o The new senior debentures may be redeemed at our option at any time, from
time to time, at a redemption price initially equal to 110% of the
principal amount and declining to 100% of the principal amount over the
life of the new senior debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any. In the event of a change in control of CII Financial, the holders of
these new senior debentures may require that we repurchase their new senior
debentures at the then applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any. The old junior subordinated debentures may be redeemed at
our option at any time, from time to time until September 15, 2001, at a
redemption price equal to 100.75% of the principal amount, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any. In the event of a change of control of CII
Financial, the holders of the old junior subordinated debentures may
require that we repurchase their old junior subordinated debentures at 100%
of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
Summary Historical Financial and Other Data of CII Financial
The table below presents our selected consolidated financial information
for the periods indicated and at the end of these periods. The consolidated
financial statement information as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 and for the
years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 was derived from our consolidated
financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. These financial
statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America, and were audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP.
See the Glossary of Selected Insurance Terms annexed to this prospectus for
an explanation of certain of the financial and other items included below.
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
(dollars in thousands)
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
Income Statement Data:
Direct written premiums $203,268 $148,824 $153,914
======== ======== ========
Net written premiums $125,748 $85,097 $134,147
======== ======= ========
Net earned premiums $125,555 $82,955 $134,274
Net investment income and net realized gains and losses 14,454 15,395 20,229
------- ------- -------
Total revenues 140,009 98,350 154,503
Total costs and expenses 152,061 91,255 136,625
------- ------ -------
(Loss) income before
federal income taxes and extraordinary gain (12,052) 7,095 17,878
Federal income tax (benefit) expense (3,669) 3,602 4,166
--------- ------- --------
(Loss) income before extraordinary gain (8,383) 3,493 13,712
Extraordinary gain from debt extinguishment, net of tax 654 111 48
----------- --------- -----------
Net (Loss) Income $(7,729) $3,604 $13,760
======== ====== =======
Combined Ratios:
Loss ratio 87.52% 74.08% 70.26%
Underwriting expense ratio (1) 28.34% 31.45% 28.45%
-------- -------- ------
Combined ratio 115.86% 105.53% 98.71%
======= ======= ======
Balance Sheet Data:
December 31,
2000 1999
---- ----
Total cash, cash equivalents and invested assets $247,151 $226,572
Total assets 533,602 404,338
Total debt 47,059 50,498
Total liabilities 470,250 338,285
Total stockholder's equity 63,352 66,053
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes policyholders' dividend ratio of 1.73% and .13% for the
years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
For the year Ended December 31,
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
(dollars in thousands)
Pre-tax (loss) income before $(12,052) $7,095 $17,878 $10,813 $10,630
discontinued operations and
extraordinary gains
Fixed Charges:
Interest expense 3,599 3,706 4,301 4,091 4,123
Capitalized interest 0 130 0 0 0
Interest relating to rental
expense (1) 956 867 438 438 542
--- --- ---------- --- ------- ---
Total fixed charges 4,555 4,703 4,739 4,529 4,665
----- --------- ---- ----- --------- ---- -----
Earnings available for fixed $(7,497) $11,798 $22,617 $15,342 $15,295
charges
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1.65x) 2.51x 4.77x 3.39x 3.28x
-------------------------
(1) The representative interest portion of rental expense was deemed
to be one-third of all rental expense.
Earnings were not sufficient to cover fixed charges during the year
ended December 31, 2000 by $12,052,000; all other periods had
sufficient income to cover charges.
PRO FORMA RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Year Ended
December 31, 2000 (1)
(dollars in thousands)
Pre-tax (loss) income before $(10,195)
discontinued operations and
extraordinary gains
Fixed Charges:
Interest expense 1,615
Capitalized interest 0
Interest relating to rental
expense (2) 956
---
Total fixed charges 2,571
-----
Earnings available for fixed $(7,624)
charges
Ratio of earnings to fixed (2.97x)
charges
-------------------------
(1) Assumes the exchange as of January 1, 2000 of $27,059,000 in principal
amount of old junior subordinated debentures for $20,000,000 in cash
and $20,000,000 in principal amount of old junior subordinated
debentures for $20,000,000 in principal amount of new senior
debentures.
(2) The representative interest portion of rental expense was deemed to be
one-third of all rental expense.
Pro forma earnings were not sufficient to cover fixed charges during
the year ended December 31, 2000 by $10,195,000.
RISK FACTORS
By exchanging your old junior subordinated debentures for the exchange
consideration, you may be choosing to invest in the new senior debentures. If
you do not participate in the exchange offer, you will continue to hold old
junior subordinated debentures. An investment in our debentures involves a high
degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in or
incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should carefully consider
the following risk factors in deciding whether to tender your old junior
subordinated debentures in the exchange offer and what form of consideration to
request.
Risks relating to CII Financial
We may not be able to repay the principal amount of our debentures at their
maturity date.
CII Financial, as a holding company and sole obligor of the old junior
subordinated debentures, has no available source of cash with which to pay the
old junior subordinated debentures when they mature on September 15, 2001. Our
ability to service our indebtedness following the exchange offer, including our
payment obligations under the new senior debentures and any old junior
subordinated debentures that remain outstanding, and to meet our other financial
obligations, will depend upon our future operating performance, which in turn is
subject to market conditions and other factors, including factors beyond our
control. CII Financial, as a holding company, does not currently generate cash
flows that will be sufficient to pay the principal amount of the debentures on
their stated maturity dates. Our ability to repay the debentures or to refinance
our debentures will depend on the availability of new sources of funding, which
will in turn depend on our operating performance, the state of the financial
markets and other factors at the time that we want to repay or refinance the
debentures. Accordingly, we may not have the cash resources required to meet our
obligations to repay the old junior subordinated or new senior debentures when
they become due.
We may not be able to service our debt because of our operational structure.
Substantially all our assets consist of investments in our subsidiaries
and our operations are currently conducted through our subsidiaries. Our
subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation,
contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the debentures,
whether by dividends, loans or other payments. In addition, the payment of
dividends and the making of loan advances to us by our subsidiaries are and will
continue to be subject to statutory and regulatory restrictions. In calendar
year 2001, California Indemnity Insurance Company, which is our only direct
subsidiary, can only pay dividends of $174,000 to us without the prior approval
of the California Department of Insurance. If our subsidiaries cannot or do not
distribute a portion of their earnings to us or if their earnings are
insufficient, we may be unable to service our debt.
If we are required to perform on our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility, we
may not have enough assets to pay interest on or the principal amount of your
old junior subordinated debentures.
In August 2000, CII Financial, but not any of our subsidiaries, became a
guarantor of Sierra's revolving credit facility. On December 15, 2000, Sierra
amended and restated its credit facility. Prior to this amendment, Sierra was in
breach of the credit facility's financial covenants. At April 12, 2001, the
credit facility had an outstanding balance of $128 million. Unused credit
facility balances are primarily reserved for Sierra's working capital purposes.
Any availability under the credit facility generated from Sierra's excess cash
flow must be converted annually to permanent reductions in accordance with the
terms of the facility. The credit facility also requires that the purchase of
old junior subordinated debentures with funds other than those from CII
Financial will require an equal permanent reduction in the credit facility.
Sierra is required to make semi-annual permanent reductions, ranging from $2
million to $10 million, on the credit facility limit starting June 2001. It is a
condition to the exchange offer that our guaranty of the Sierra credit facility
be subordinated to the new senior debentures. This guaranty will, however,
remain senior to the old junior subordinated debentures. In the event of a
default in payment on our old junior subordinated debentures, Sierra's senior
lenders would have the right to receive payment in full by us on our guaranty of
Sierra's credit facility prior to any payment being made on the old junior
subordinated debentures. In addition, in the event of Sierra's liquidation or
insolvency or payment default with respect to its credit facility, our assets
will be available to pay obligations on the old junior subordinated debentures
only after the credit facility has been paid in full. As a result, if we are
required to perform on the credit facility guaranty we may not be able to pay
the interest and principal of the old junior subordinated debentures.
After the exchange offer, we will have up to approximately $165 million of
indebtedness that has and could continue to restrict our ability to obtain
financing and pursue various business opportunities.
CII Financial, as a holding company, has a significant amount of
outstanding indebtedness. Upon consummation of the exchange offer, we will have
up to approximately $165 million of indebtedness, consisting of the new senior
debentures, the credit facility guaranty and the Sierra notes. As a result, we
will remain highly leveraged following the exchange offer. This high leverage
will restrict our flexibility to obtain financing and pursue various business
opportunities which could impact our ability to pay the interest and principal
of the debentures.
Since our business is concentrated geographically and by industry, adverse
changes in these areas could significantly impact our written premiums and
profitability.
Our current business is concentrated geographically and by industry. For
the year ended December 31, 2000, approximately 77% of our direct written
premiums were in California, 8% were in Colorado and 8% were in Nevada.
Policyholders whose primary business is construction account for approximately
30% of our premiums. Any adverse change in the economic condition of these areas
or in the construction industry that significantly affects our written premiums
could impair our ability to pay the interest and principal of the debentures.
If we are required to increase reserves for losses for adverse loss development
on prior accident years our subsidiaries will have less earnings available to
pay dividends to us, which will affect our ability to pay the interest and
principal of the debentures.
In both 1999 and 2000 we were required to increase reserves for losses
incurred in prior accident years. For the year ended December 31, 1999, we
increased reserves related to losses on prior accident years by a net amount of
$9.9 million. For the year ended December 31, 2000, we increased reserves
related to losses on prior accident years by a net amount of $23.3 million. A
significant portion of these adverse loss development were related to the 1996
through 1998 accident years and were primarily attributable to increased
severity of claims in California.
The average cost per claim under our workers' compensation policies has
increased each year since 1995. Two of the factors increasing the costs of
claims are medical inflation and, in California, adverse court decisions related
to medical control of claims.
If we are required to make additional increases in our loss reserves for
prior year incurred losses or if any such losses have a material impact on our
results of operations, our subsidiaries will have less earnings available to pay
dividends to us which will make it more difficult for us to pay the interest and
principal of the debentures.
If our reinsurers do not perform their obligations, we would experience
significant losses which could adversely affect our ability to pay the interest
and principal of the debentures.
In the ordinary course of our business we reinsure our losses with several
reinsurers. Reinsurance does not, however, relieve us of our obligation to
policyholders. As of December 31, 2000, we had over $247 million of reinsurance
receivables from our reinsurers. A single reinsurer accounts for approximately
88% of this amount. If these reinsurance companies fail to reimburse us for
losses paid by us under the direct policies, we would experience significant
losses which could adversely affect our ability to pay the interest and
principal of the debentures.
We have reduced our reinsurance coverage, which will expose us to greater risk
of ultimate loss.
For policies issued after June 30, 2000, our reinsurance coverage has a
much higher retention of liability, and covers claims in excess of $250,000 per
occurrence, compared to our former reinsurance coverage that had a maximum
retention of liability of $17,000 per occurrence. As a result, we must pay a
substantially higher portion of each claim before we have recourse to our
reinsurers. In making this change, we expect an increase in premiums retained
after reinsurance, an increase in investment income over time and an increase in
our net loss ratio. If our net loss ratio increases greater than the offsetting
investment income, then our subsidiaries will have less earnings available to
pay dividends to us, which will affect our ability to pay the interest and
principal of the debentures.
If the competitive environment in California continues to adversely affect our
premiums on workers' compensation insurance policies, our profitability and
ability to repay the debentures will be adversely affected.
For the year ended December 31, 2000, approximately 77% of our direct
written premiums were in California. There has been intense price competition in
California since that state replaced its minimum rate law with an open rating
premium law in 1995. While workers' compensation rates have risen in California
during 2000, the premiums charged remain lower than those charged prior to the
1995 change in law. This price competition has affected and could continue to
affect our profitability. Many of our competitors are larger and have
significantly greater resources than us. Continued price competition could
reduce our profitability and may reduce the earnings of our subsidiaries
available to pay the interest and principal of the debentures.
If the open rating environment in Nevada scheduled for July 1, 2001 results in
price competition that requires us to lower our premiums, our profitability may
be harmed.
For the year ended December 31, 2000, approximately 8% of our direct
written premiums were in Nevada. Nevada is scheduled to change to an open rating
environment from a minimum rating environment beginning July 1, 2001. After the
introduction of open rating in California, premium rates were reduced. As a
result, premium revenues and operating profits were adversely affected due to
increased price competition and the risk of incurring losses. Although we intend
to underwrite each account taking into consideration the insured's risk profile,
prior loss experience, loss prevention plans and other underwriting
considerations, if the open rating environment in Nevada results in reduced
premiums, our profitability could be harmed and we may not have sufficient
subsidiary earnings to pay the interest and principal of the debentures.
A rating downgrade from insurance rating agencies could reflect negatively on
our reliability and make it more difficult for us to sell our workers'
compensation insurance policies.
In the event we default on our debentures, our subsidiaries' insurance
ratings may be downgraded. A downgrade of our insurance subsidiaries' rating by
A.M. Best or Fitch could adversely affect our sales of workers' compensation
insurance to customers since these customers frequently consider insurance
agency ratings as a factor in selecting their insurers.
If our costs are increased because of regulations and regulatory
development we may not be able to operate profitably.
Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to extensive regulation by the
California and Texas Departments of Insurance, and are also subject to
regulation in each additional jurisdiction in which they become licensed to
transact business. Because insurance regulations are designed primarily for the
protection of policyholders rather than stockholders or creditors, these
regulations could impede our creditors' ability to fully enforce their rights.
Our failure to comply with these regulations could result in various regulatory
actions including oversight of our insurance subsidiaries or other actions which
could adversely affect our operations and our ability to service our debt. The
nature and extent of such regulations varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction,
but typically involves:
o standards of solvency and minimum amounts of capital and surplus which must
be maintained;
o limits on types and amounts of investments;
o restrictions on the size of risks which may be insured by a single company;
o licensing of insurers and their agents;
o required deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders;
o approval of policy forms;
o establishment of statutory reporting practices and the form and content of
statutory financial statements;
o establishment of methods for setting statutory loss and expense reserves;
o review, and in some instances, prior approval of premium rates;
o limits on transactions among insurers and their affiliates;
o approval of all proposed changes of control;
o approval of dividends;
o setting and collecting guarantee fund assessments; and
o required filing of annual and other reports with respect to the financial
condition and operation of insurers. In addition, state regulatory
examiners perform periodic financial and underwriting examinations of
insurers.
Changes in regulation could further increase our costs. For example, the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or the NAIC, which is a
voluntary organization of state regulators, is currently engaged in a project to
codify statutory accounting practices. This project is likely to change the
definition of what constitutes prescribed versus permitted statutory accounting
practices and may result in changes to the accounting policies that insurance
enterprises use to prepare their statutory financial statements. If our costs
are increased or if the operations of our insurance subsidiaries are otherwise
adversely affected by insurance regulations, our profitability could be harmed
and we may not have sufficient subsidiary earnings to pay the interest and
principal of the debentures.
If we are unable to maintain and improve our management information system, our
operations would be adversely affected.
Our management information system is critical to our current and future
operations. The information gathered and processed by our management information
system assists us in, among other things, pricing our product, invoicing and
collecting our premiums, processing and paying our claims and vendor invoices
and providing us with information to manage our business. In the past we have
encountered some difficulty with replacing or enhancing our systems. In 1998 we
began a two-year project to convert our policy and claims processing system from
our internally developed software to software supported by a third party vendor.
The conversion failed due to non-performance by the vendor. Our internally
developed software, which is critical to our operations, runs on WANG hardware.
Although WANG has continued to support the hardware, there is uncertainty of
future availability and cost of hardware upgrades. If our systems were to fail
or if we were unable to expand or enhance the capability of our systems, our
business would be adversely affected. We are planning to migrate our claims and
policy processing functions off the WANG platform and on to a Hewlett Packard /
Unix based operating system.
Power interruptions due to power shortages in California will negatively
impact our operations.
Our centralized WANG computer system is housed in Northern California
and has recently been shut down for a short period of time due to a power
outage. Our WANG system is supported by an uninterrupted power source, which
provides up to ninety minutes of power during a power outage. The uninterrupted
power source requires twelve hours to recharge after each use. We are currently
in the process of upgrading our uninterrupted power source to allow operation of
the WANG system without interruption for approximately three hours and to
provide a portion of our desktop units with power during this period. In the
event a power outage occurs which lasts longer, we may experience data
corruption with respect to the claims and policy information being used at the
time the system shuts down. In addition, our employees in all states would be
prevented from accessing the claims and policy processing systems during a
prolonged power outage. We are in the planning stages to move the centralized
computer system outside the state of California.
Approximately half of our employees are located in California. A power
outage not only reduces the productivity of these employees but also impacts our
ability to service our customers. Should the frequency or duration of the power
outages increase, our business would be adversely impacted.
Changes in economic conditions that result in lower payrolls may lead to
reduced premium levels and changes in market interest rates can affect the
amount of investment income we earn; both of which could make it more difficult
for us to repay the debentures.
In the workers' compensation insurance business, changes in economic
conditions can lead to reduced premium levels due to lower payrolls and to
increased claims due to the tendency of workers who are laid off to submit
workers' compensation claims. Changes in market interest rates can affect the
amount of interest income that we can earn on our investment portfolio, as well
as the amount of realized and unrealized gains or losses on specific holdings
within our investment portfolio. Any reduction in premium levels or in the
interest income we earn on our investment portfolio could adversely affect our
business and ability to repay the debentures.
We are controlled by Sierra and since Sierra's interests may not be the
same as the interests of the holders of the debentures, Sierra's actions could
adversely affect our ability to pay the interest and principal of the new
debentures.
All of CII Financial's common stock is owned by Sierra. Sierra thus is able
to elect our board of directors and thereby indirectly control our policies and
those of our subsidiaries, including mergers, sales of assets and similar
transactions. Shares of our common stock and shares of common stock of our
subsidiaries may from time to time be pledged, subject to certain regulatory
requirements, to secure obligations of Sierra or its affiliates. CII Financial
has guaranteed Sierra's obligations under its $135 million senior secured credit
facility. Since the interests of Sierra may not be the same as the interests of
the holders of debentures, Sierra's actions could adversely affect our ability
to pay the interest and principal of the debentures.
Risks relating to our debentures
We expect a limited trading market for the debentures and this will make it
difficult for you to sell them.
The old junior subordinated debentures are not listed on any securities
exchange or quoted on The Nasdaq Stock Market. Although we have applied to list
the new senior debentures on the New York Stock Exchange, we do not expect any
active trading market for our debentures to exist. We have been informed by Banc
of America Securities LLC, our dealer manager for the exchange offer, that they
do not presently intend to make a market in our debentures. Accordingly, you may
have difficulty selling your debentures after the expiration of the offer.
To the extent that the old junior subordinated debentures are tendered and
accepted in the exchange offer, the outstanding principal amount available for
trading will be reduced, and consequently, any existing trading market for the
remaining old junior subordinated debentures will likely become even more
limited than it is now. As a result, you may have even more difficulty selling
your old junior subordinated debentures after the consummation of the exchange
offer.
Since the old junior subordinated debentures will rank junior to the new senior
debentures, in the event of a default, we will only be able to make payments to
holders of old junior subordinated debentures after the new senior debentures,
the Sierra notes, the guaranty of Sierra's credit facility and any other senior
debt has been paid in full.
The old junior subordinated debentures will rank junior to the new senior
debentures, the Sierra notes and to our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility and
other senior debt. The risk of non-payment to holders of old junior subordinated
debentures will be increased because, in the event of a payment default, we will
only be able to make payments to holders of old junior subordinated debentures
after the new senior debentures, the Sierra notes, the guaranty of Sierra's
credit facility and any other senior debt has been paid in full.
Risks associated with the exchange offer
If the cash option is oversubscribed, you will have to accept new senior
debentures as part of your exchange consideration.
If you elect to receive cash in the exchange offer, and the cash option is
oversubscribed, you will receive new senior debentures as a portion of your
exchange consideration. We will not determine whether the cash option for the
exchange consideration has been oversubscribed until after the expiration of the
exchange offer. You will not be able to withdraw your tender of old junior
subordinated debentures at the time we make this determination even though it
may affect the type of exchange consideration you will receive in the exchange
offer.
The exchange offer may not represent a fair valuation of the old junior
subordinated debentures and holders who do not tender their old junior
subordinated debentures may receive less than we are offering when the old
junior subordinated debentures mature.
Our board of directors has made no determination that the exchange offer
represents a fair valuation of the old junior subordinated debentures. We have
not obtained a fairness opinion from any financial advisor about the fairness of
the exchange offer to you or us. We do not now have an available source of cash
with which to pay the old junior subordinated debentures when they mature on
September 15, 2001. If we default on the old junior subordinated debentures, up
to $182 million of indebtedness that ranks senior to those debentures could come
due and would then have to be paid first. In that event, our remaining cash
resources may not be sufficient to pay the old junior subordinated debentures.
In fact, the amount then available to pay these debentures may be less than the
cash available under this exchange offer.
If Sierra does not receive the consent of Sierra's lenders under its $135
million credit facility to the exchange offer, we will not be able to complete
the exchange offer.
The consent of the lenders under Sierra's credit facility is required in
order for us to consummate the exchange offer. Sierra may not receive the
lenders' consent if the lenders disapprove of the terms of the exchange offer.
If the consent is not received, we will not be able to complete the exchange
offer.
If the guaranty subordination is not effected, we will not be able to
complete the exchange offer.
The exchange offer is conditioned on Sierra's lenders' agreeing to the
guaranty subordination. If the guaranty subordination is not effected, we will
not be able to complete the exchange offer.
If the proposed exchange offer is unsuccessful and we are required to
perform on our credit facility guaranty and are forced to sell our insurance
subsidiaries, the amount of cash available to pay the old junior subordinated
debentures would likely be less than the cash available under this exchange
offer.
If the proposed exchange offer is unsuccessful and we were to default on
the payment of the old junior subordinated debentures when they mature, then
there will be a cross default on Sierra's credit facility debt and the banks may
demand that CII Financial perform on its payment guaranty. If we then had to
sell our insurance subsidiaries, our net cash proceeds would probably be
substantially less than if the sale were to occur when we were not in a default
situation. Under such circumstances, the California Department of Insurance
could, among other things, exercise its oversight powers to preserve the assets
of the insurance companies for the benefit of the policyholders and claimants
and could prevent or significantly delay a possible sale of our insurance
subsidiaries. If we are required to perform on the credit facility guaranty and
are forced to sell our insurance subsidiaries, the amount of cash available to
pay the old junior subordinated debentures would likely be less than the cash
available under this exchange offer.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
We have made forward-looking statements with respect to our financial
condition, results of operations and business and on the expected impact of the
exchange offer on our financial performance. Words such as "anticipates,"
"expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and
uncertainties, including those described under "Risk Factors" in this
prospectus, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
results contemplated by the forward-looking statements.
In evaluating the exchange offer, you should carefully consider the
discussion of risks and uncertainties in the section entitled "Risk Factors" on
page 15 of this prospectus.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-4 under which we are
registering the new senior debentures to be issued to our debenture holders in
the exchange offer. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information in the registration
statement and the exhibits and schedules to it. For further information with
respect to us and our new senior debentures, we refer you to the registration
statement and to the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement.
Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or
any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each
instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an
exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in
all respects by this reference.
You may inspect copies of the registration statements without charge at the
SEC's principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part of the
registration statement may be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of fees
prescribed by the SEC.
We do not currently file reports and information with the SEC. Upon
completion of this offering, we will be subject to the information reporting
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and we will file reports,
and other information with the SEC.
You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information that we
file with the SEC at the SEC's public reference rooms at the following
locations:
Public Reference Room New York Regional Office Chicago Regional Office
450 Fifth Street, N.W. 7 World Trade Center Citicorp Center
Room 1024 Suite 1300 500 West Madison Street
Washington, D.C. 20549 New York, NY 10048 Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60661-2511
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public
reference rooms. These SEC filings are also available to the public from
commercial document retrieval services and at the Internet worldwide web site
maintained by the SEC at "http://www.sec.gov". Reports, proxy statements and
other information concerning Sierra may also be inspected at the offices of the
New York Stock Exchange, which is located at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005.
The old junior subordinated debentures are convertible into shares of
Sierra common stock. Sierra has filed a registration statement on Form S-3 under
which it registered the shares of Sierra common stock into which the old junior
subordinated debentures are convertible. In addition, Sierra files annual,
quarterly and special reports and other information with the SEC. Documents
filed by Sierra with the SEC can be obtained as described above. The
registration statement and Sierra's periodic filings under the Exchange Act are
not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The new senior debentures issued in connection with the exchange offer are
only being issued in exchange for your old junior subordinated debentures. We
will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of new senior debentures
pursuant to the exchange offer. All old junior subordinated debentures accepted
by us in the exchange offer will be canceled.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2000:
o our actual capitalization; and
o our capitalization adjusted to reflect the tender of all $47,059,000
aggregate principal amount of old junior subordinated debentures in the
exchange offer and full subscription of the cash option, so that owners
tendering outstanding old junior subordinated debentures will receive, in
the aggregate, $20,000,000 in cash and $20,000,000 principal amount of new
senior debentures under the exchange offer.
We intend to fund a portion of the cash consideration of the exchange offer
through a $15 million loan from Sierra. In addition, we expect that Sierra will
lend us an additional $2.0 million to enable us to pay the interest and expenses
incurred with the exchange offer. Both loans will be evidenced by demand
promissory notes, which we refer to as the Sierra notes.
To the extent that the cash option is fully subscribed but less than 100%
of old junior subordinated debentures are validly tendered in the exchange
offer, the amount set out below in the "pro forma" column for the new senior
debentures would decrease and the amount set out below in the "pro forma" column
for the old junior subordinated debentures would increase. This information
should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and
notes thereto which are included elsewhere in this prospectus.
December 31, 2000
Historical Adjustment Pro
forma
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
Total debt:
New senior debentures (1).......................... 0 $26,412 $26,412
Old junior subordinated debentures (2)............. $ 47,059 (47,059) -
Notes payable-affiliates (3)....................... - 17,000 17,000
Other debt......................................... - - -
------------ ----------- ---------------
Total debt....................................... 47,059 (3,647) 43,412
-------- --------- -----------
Stockholder's equity:
Common stock, no par value; 1,000 shares authorized;
100 shares issued and outstanding 3,604 3,604
- --------------------------------------------------------- 64,450 64,450
Additional paid-in capital.........................
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale
investments ................................... (4,535) (4,535)
Accumulated deficit ................................. (167)
----------
(167)
Total stockholder's equity....................... 63,352 63,352
---------- -----------
Total capitalization............................. $110,411 $(3,647) $106,764
========= ========== =========
(1) In the above presentation, the new senior debentures will have an initial
accounting book value of $26,412,000, which includes a deferred amount of
$6,412,000 and equals the total future cash payments on the new senior
debentures. Under the terms of the proposed transaction, total future cash
payments (interest and principal) on the new senior debentures are less than
the balance of the old junior subordinated debentures less the cash
consideration given in the exchange. Accordingly, under SFAS No. 15, a gain
on restructuring will be recognized for the difference and the carrying
amount of the new senior debentures will initially be the total future cash
payments on the new senior debentures.
(2) Retirement of old junior subordinated debentures for new senior debentures
and cash.
(3) Sierra notes.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
This section of the prospectus describes the proposed exchange offer. While
we believe that the description covers the material terms of the exchange offer,
this summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you.
You should read this entire document and the other documents we refer to
carefully for a more complete understanding of the exchange offer.
Terms of the Exchange Offer
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the exchange offer set
forth in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal, you can
choose to exchange your old junior subordinated debentures for:
o $1,000 in principal amount of new senior debentures for each $1,000 in
principal amount of old junior subordinated debentures that you tender, up
to a maximum of $20,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of old junior
subordinated debentures; or
o $739.12 in cash for each $1,000 in principal amount of the old junior
subordinated debentures that you tender, up to a maximum of $27,059,000
aggregate principal amount of old junior subordinated debentures as
described below.
We will pay in cash accrued and unpaid interest on all old junior
subordinated debentures accepted in the exchange offer to, but not including,
the date of acceptance.
We have structured the exchange offer based on what we believe is an attractive
offer to holders based on historical trading prices for the old junior
subordinated debentures, the financial condition of our business, and our
ability to pay the interest and principal on the old junior subordinated
debentures when due. We and Sierra have, in the past, purchased the old junior
subordinated debentures in the open market. The cash consideration we are
offering in this exchange offer represents a price approximately 48% higher than
the last price Sierra paid to purchase old junior subordinated debentures in the
open market. In addition, the holders of approximately $20 million aggregate
principal amount of old junior subordinated debentures have agreed to accept the
exchange offer on the terms and conditions included in this prospectus and
advisors to the holders of approximately $4 million have indicated that they
will recommend acceptance of the exchange offer to the holders.
We are only offering to purchase $27,059,000 aggregate principal amount of
old junior subordinated debentures for cash. It is a condition of the exchange
offer that the cash option be fully subscribed. If holders of more than
$27,059,000 aggregate principal amount of old junior subordinated debentures
elect the cash option, we will not have enough cash to pay for all the
debentures that holders elect to sell. In that case, we will purchase a total of
$27,059,000 principal amount of old junior subordinated debentures for cash and
we will exchange the balance of the old junior subordinated debentures we
receive for new senior debentures. All holders who elect the cash option will be
permitted to sell the same fraction of their old junior subordinated debentures
for cash. This fraction will equal $27,059,000, divided by the aggregate
principal amount of all debentures tendered for cash by all holders. To receive
the maximum amount of cash, you must tender all of your old junior subordinated
debentures for the cash option.
The following table illustrates how new senior debentures and cash will be
distributed in the aggregate, assuming that 100% of the old junior subordinated
debentures are tendered.
Principal amount of Cash paid for old Principal amount of new
old junior junior subordinated senior debentures issued
subordinated debentures for old junior
debentures tendered subordinated debentures
for cash
----------------------- ----------------------- --------------------------
$27,059,000 $20,000,000 $20,000,000
We will not determine whether the cash option has been oversubscribed until
after the expiration of the exchange offer. You will not be able to withdraw
your tender of old junior subordinated debentures once we make this
determination even though it may affect the type of exchange consideration you
will receive in the exchange offer. We will publicly announce whether the cash
option has been oversubscribed and the effect of any required proration of
exchange consideration as soon as practicable after the expiration of the
exchange offer.
You do not have to choose the same option for all of the old junior
subordinated debentures that you tender. You do not have to tender all of your
old junior subordinated debentures to participate in the exchange offer. You may
withdraw your tender of old junior subordinated debentures at any time before
the expiration of the exchange offer.
Our board of directors makes no recommendation to owners of the old junior
subordinated debentures whether or not to tender their debentures in the
exchange offer or as to the form of exchange consideration to elect. In
addition, we have not authorized anyone to make a recommendation on our behalf
regarding the exchange offer. Owners of the old junior subordinated debentures
must make their own decision whether to tender their old junior subordinated
debentures in the exchange offer and as to the form of exchange consideration to
elect.
Principal Differences between the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New
Senior Debentures
The terms of our old junior subordinated debentures and our new senior
debentures are described in more detail in the sections headed "Description of
Debentures." The principal differences are as follows:
o The new senior debentures will be senior indebtedness of CII Financial. As
a result of the guaranty subordination, the new senior debentures will rank
senior to our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility. In addition, the new
senior debentures will rank senior to the Sierra notes. The new senior
debentures, the Sierra notes and our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility
will rank senior in right of payment to any old junior subordinated
debentures which are not tendered.
o You will receive a higher rate of interest on the new senior debentures,
which will pay 9 1/2% per annum, than on the old junior subordinated
debentures, which pay 7 1/2% per annum.
o The scheduled maturity date of the new senior debentures is September 15,
2004, which is three years later than September 15, 2001, the scheduled
maturity date of the old junior subordinated debentures.
o The new senior debentures will not be convertible into Sierra common stock.
The old junior subordinated debentures are convertible into Sierra common
stock at $39.398 per share. The indenture governing the new senior
debentures will contain covenants that will:
o restrict our ability to incur indebtedness, including upstream guarantees;
o restrict our ability to make restricted payments, including dividends,
distributions and loans;
o restrict our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates;
o restrict our ability to create or incur liens;
o require us to use the net proceeds from any sale of assets or the capital
stock of our subsidiaries in certain circumstances to make an offer to
repurchase new senior debentures; and
o require us to use our excess cash flow in certain circumstances to make an
offer to repurchase new senior debentures.
o The new senior debentures may be redeemed at our option at any time, from
time to time, at a redemption price initially equal to 110% of the
principal amount and declining to 100% of the principal amount over the
life of the new senior debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any. In the event of a change in control of CII Financial, the holders of
these new senior debentures may require that we repurchase their new senior
debentures at the then applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any. The old junior subordinated debentures may be redeemed at
our option at any time, from time to time until September 15, 2001, at a
redemption price equal to 100.75% of the principal amount, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any. In the event of a change of control of CII
Financial, the holders of the old junior subordinated debentures may
require that we repurchase their old junior subordinated debentures at 100%
of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
Period For Tendering Your Debentures
Subject to applicable securities laws and the terms and conditions in this
prospectus, we will accept for exchange any and all old junior subordinated
debentures that are validly tendered and not withdrawn before 11:59 p.m., New
York City time, on the expiration date of the exchange offer.
If we make a material change in the terms of the exchange offer or the
information concerning the exchange offer or waive a material condition to the
exchange offer, we will disseminate additional exchange offer materials and
extend the exchange offer to the extent required by law. In addition, we may, if
we deem appropriate, extend the exchange offer for any other reason. If the
consideration to be paid in the exchange offer is increased or decreased or the
principal amount of old junior subordinated debentures subject to the exchange
offer is decreased, the exchange offer will remain open at least 10 business
days from the date we first give notice to you, by public announcement or
otherwise, of that increase or decrease. In the case of an extension of the
exchange offer, the announcement will be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New
York time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration of
the exchange offer. Without limiting the manner in which any public announcement
may be made, we will have no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise
communicate any public announcement other than by issuing a release to the Dow
Jones News Service.
Market and Trading Information Regarding the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures
The old junior subordinated debentures currently are traded
over-the-counter. There is no established reporting system or trading market for
trading in the old junior subordinated debentures. Accordingly, there is no
practical way to determine the trading history of the old junior subordinated
debentures. We believe that trading in the old junior subordinated debentures
has been limited and sporadic. We believe that the trading market for the old
junior subordinated debentures that remain outstanding after the exchange offer
will be very limited.
Acceptance for Exchange of Debentures
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the exchange offer and
applicable law, we will exchange the applicable exchange consideration for all
old junior subordinated debentures validly tendered and not withdrawn under the
exchange offer on or prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.
This exchange will be made by our deposit of the exchange consideration
with the exchange agent as soon as practicable after the expiration of the
exchange offer so that the exchange consideration may be paid to you on the
exchange date.
The exchange agent will act as agent for you for the purpose of issuing the
exchange consideration for the old junior subordinated debentures. Under no
circumstances will interest on the exchange consideration be paid by us by
reason of any delay on behalf of the exchange agent in making that exchange.
We expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion and subject to Rule
14e-l(c) under the Exchange Act of 1934, to delay acceptance for exchange of, or
the exchange of, old junior subordinated debentures in order to comply, in whole
or in part, with any applicable law or regulation.
In all cases, the exchange agent will deliver the exchange consideration
for old junior subordinated debentures accepted for exchange under the exchange
offer only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of:
o certificates representing your old junior subordinated debentures or timely
confirmation of a book-entry transfer of your old junior subordinated
debentures into the exchange agent's account at DTC;
o a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, or a manually
signed facsimile thereof or, in the case of book-entry transfer, an
"agent's message"; and
o any other documents required by the letter of transmittal.
For purposes of the exchange offer, validly tendered old junior
subordinated debentures, or defectively tendered old junior subordinated
debentures for which we have waived that defect, will be deemed to have been
accepted for exchange by us if, as and when we give written notice thereof to
the exchange agent.
If the exchange offer is terminated or withdrawn, or the old junior
subordinated debentures are not accepted for exchange, no exchange consideration
will be paid or payable. If any tendered old junior subordinated debentures are
not exchanged under the exchange offer for any reason, or certificates are
submitted evidencing more old junior subordinated debentures than are tendered,
those old junior subordinated debentures not exchanged will be returned, without
expense, to you, or, in the case of old junior subordinated debentures tendered
by book-entry transfer, those old junior subordinated debentures will be
credited to the account maintained at DTC from which those old junior
subordinated debentures were delivered, unless otherwise requested by you under
the heading "Special Delivery Instructions" in the letter of transmittal,
promptly after the expiration of the exchange offer or termination of the
exchange offer.
Procedures for Exchanging Debentures
In order to receive the exchange consideration you must tender your old
junior subordinated debentures under the exchange offer on or before its
expiration.
The method of delivery of old junior subordinated debentures and letters of
transmittal, any required signature guarantees and all other required documents,
including delivery through DTC and any acceptance of an agent's message
transmitted through ATOP, is at your election and risk. Except as otherwise
provided in the letter of transmittal, delivery will be deemed made only when
actually received by the exchange agent. If delivery is by mail, we suggest that
you use properly insured, registered mail with return receipt requested, and
that the mailing be made sufficiently in advance of the expiration of the
exchange offer.
It is contemplated that our new senior debentures will be delivered in
book-entry form through DTC. Accordingly, if you anticipate tendering other than
through DTC, you are urged to promptly contact a bank, broker or other
intermediary that has the capability to hold securities custodially through DTC,
to arrange for the receipt of any new senior debentures to be delivered as part
of the exchange consideration, and to obtain the information necessary in the
letter of transmittal. The payment of any cash to you will be paid to you by the
exchange agent.
If you have any questions or need help in tendering your notes, please call
the information agent whose address and phone number are on the back cover of
this prospectus.
Tenders of debentures. Your tender of old junior subordinated debentures,
and subsequent acceptance by us, by one of the procedures set out below will
constitute a binding agreement between us and you in accordance with the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus, in the letter of
transmittal and, if applicable, in the notice of guaranteed delivery.
Tenders of debentures held in physical form. To effectively tender old
junior subordinated debentures held in physical form:
o you must properly complete and duly execute a letter of transmittal, or a
manually signed facsimile thereof, and any other documents required by the
letter of transmittal, and those documents must be received by the exchange
agent at its address set out on the back cover of this prospectus; and
o you must ensure that certificates representing those old junior
subordinated debentures are received by the exchange agent at that address
on or prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.
Letters of transmittal and old junior subordinated debentures should be
sent only to the exchange agent and should not be sent to us, the information
agent or the dealer manager.
If your old junior subordinated debentures are registered in the name of a
person other than the signatory to the letter of transmittal, then, in order to
tender those old junior subordinated debentures under the exchange offer, the
old junior subordinated debentures must be endorsed or accompanied by an
appropriate written instrument or instruments of transfer signed exactly as that
name appears on the old junior subordinated debentures, with the signature on
the old junior subordinated debentures or instruments of transfer guaranteed as
provided below.
Tender of debentures held through a custodian. If your old junior
subordinated debentures are registered in the name of a broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and if you wish to tender old
junior subordinated debentures and deliver a letter of transmittal, you should
contact that broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee
promptly and instruct him or her or it to tender old junior subordinated
debentures and deliver a letter of transmittal on your behalf. A letter of
instructions is enclosed in the materials provided along with this prospectus
which may be used by you in this process to instruct the registered holder to
tender old junior subordinated debentures. If you wish to tender those old
junior subordinated debentures yourself, you must, prior to completing and
executing the letter of transmittal and delivering those old junior subordinated
debentures, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the
old junior subordinated debentures in your name or follow the procedures
described in the immediately preceding paragraph. The transfer of record
ownership may take considerable time.
Tender of debentures held through DTC. We have confirmed with DTC that the
old junior subordinated debentures may be tendered using ATOP. DTC participants
may electronically transmit their acceptance of the exchange offer by causing
DTC to transfer their old junior subordinated debentures to the exchange agent
using the ATOP procedures. In connection with the transfer, DTC will send an
"agent's message" to the exchange agent. The agent's message states that DTC has
received instructions from the participant to tender old junior subordinated
debentures and that the participant agrees to be bound by the terms of the
letter of transmittal.
By using the ATOP procedures to tender old junior subordinated debentures,
you will not be required to deliver a letter of transmittal to the exchange
agent. However, you will be bound by its terms just as if you had signed it.
Book-entry delivery procedures. The exchange agent will establish accounts
with respect to the old junior subordinated debentures at DTC for purposes of
the exchange offer within two business days after the date of this prospectus.
Although delivery of old junior subordinated debentures may be effected
through book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC, the letter
of transmittal, or a manually signed facsimile thereof, with any required
signature guarantees, or an agent's message, in connection with a book-entry
transfer, and any other required documents, must, in any case, be transmitted,
to and received by the exchange agent at one or more of its addresses set out on
the back cover of this prospectus on or prior to the expiration of the exchange
offer in connection with the tender of those old junior subordinated debentures.
Delivery of documents to DTC does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent.
The confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account
at DTC as described above is referred to in this prospectus as a "book-entry
confirmation." The term "agent's message" means a message transmitted by DTC to,
and received by, the exchange agent and forming a part of the book-entry
confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from
a DTC participant that such participant has received the letter of transmittal
and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal.
Signature guarantees. Signatures on all letters of transmittal must be
guaranteed by a recognized participant in the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program, unless your tender of old junior subordinated debentures
tendered are tendered:
o by a registered holder of old junior subordinated debentures, or by a
participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the
owner of those old junior subordinated debentures, who has not completed
any of the boxes entitled "Special Payment Instructions" or "Special
Delivery Instructions" on the letter of transmittal; or
o for the account of a member firm of a registered national securities
exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in
the United States, which entities we refer to as "eligible institutions".
If your old junior subordinated debentures are registered in the name of a
person other than the signatory to the letter of transmittal or if old junior
subordinated debentures not accepted for exchange or not tendered are to be
returned to a person other than the registered holder, then the signature on the
letter of transmittal accompanying the tendered old junior subordinated
debentures must be guaranteed. See Instructions 1 and 5 of the letter of
transmittal.
Mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed certificates. If you desire to tender
old junior subordinated debentures, but the certificates evidencing those old
junior subordinated debentures have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed,
you should contact us for information about the procedures for obtaining
replacement certificates for old junior subordinated debentures at the following
address or telephone number: 2716 North Tenaya Way, Las Vegas, Nevada 89128 or
(702) 242-7040.
Guaranteed delivery. If you want to tender old junior subordinated
debentures under the exchange offer prior to the expiration of the exchange
offer and,
o your certificates representing those old junior subordinated debentures are
not immediately available;
o time will not permit your letter of transmittal, the certificates
representing your old junior subordinated debentures and all other required
documents to reach the exchange agent on or prior to the expiration of the
exchange offer; or
o the procedures for book-entry transfer, including delivery of an agent's
message, cannot be completed on or prior to the expiration of the exchange
offer, you may nevertheless tender your old junior subordinated debentures
with the effect that tender will be deemed to have been received on or
prior to the expiration of the exchange offer if all the following
conditions are satisfied:
o the tender is made by or through an eligible institution;
o a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery or an
agent's message with respect to guaranteed delivery that is accepted by us
is received by the exchange agent on or prior to the expiration of the
exchange offer as provided below; and
o the certificates for the tendered old junior subordinated debentures, in
proper form for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation of the transfer of
those old junior subordinated debentures into the exchange agent's account
at DTC as described above, together with a letter of transmittal, or
manually signed facsimile thereof, that is properly completed and duly
executed, with any signature guarantees and any other documents required by
the letter of transmittal, or a properly transmitted agent's message, are
received by the exchange agent within two business days after the date of
execution of the notice of guaranteed delivery.
The notice of guaranteed delivery may be sent by hand delivery, facsimile
transmission or mail to the exchange agent and must include a guarantee by an
eligible institution in the form set out in the notice of guaranteed delivery.
Under no circumstances will interest be paid by us by reason of any delay
in exchanging old junior subordinated debentures for the exchange consideration
to any person using the guaranteed delivery procedures that results from this
guaranteed delivery. The exchange consideration for old junior subordinated
debentures tendered under the guaranteed delivery procedures will be the same as
for old junior subordinated debentures delivered to the exchange agent on or
prior to the expiration of the exchange offer, even if the old junior
subordinated debentures to be delivered subject to the guaranteed delivery
procedures are not so delivered to the exchange agent, and therefore exchange by
the exchange agent on account of those old junior subordinated debentures is not
made, until after the exchange date.
Backup United States federal income tax withholding. To prevent backup
federal income tax withholding you must provide the exchange agent with your
current taxpayer identification number and certify that you are not subject to
backup federal income tax withholding by completing the Substitute Form W-9
included in the letter of transmittal.
Determination of validity. All questions as to the validity, form,
eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance of any tendered old
junior subordinated debentures subject to any of the procedures described above
will be determined by us, in our sole discretion, which determination shall be
final and binding.
We reserve the right to reject any or all tenders of any old junior
subordinated debentures that we determine not to be in proper form or if the
acceptance for tender of those old junior subordinated debentures may, in the
opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the right to waive any of
the conditions of the exchange offer or any defect or irregularity in any tender
of your old junior subordinated debentures, whether or not similar defects or
irregularities are waived in the case of other holders of old junior
subordinated debentures.
Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer,
including the letter of transmittal and the instructions thereto, will be final
and binding. Neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will be under
any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or
will incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. If we waive
our right to reject a defective tender of old junior subordinated debentures,
you will be entitled to the exchange consideration.
Withdrawal of Tendered Old Junior Subordinated Debentures
You may withdraw tenders of debentures at any time on or prior to the
expiration of the exchange offer, but the exchange consideration shall not be
payable in respect of old junior subordinated debentures so withdrawn. We will
not determine whether the cash option for the exchange consideration has been
oversubscribed until after the expiration of the exchange offer. You will not be
able to withdraw your tender of old junior subordinated debentures at the time
we make this determination even though it may affect the type of exchange
consideration you will receive in the exchange offer.
Tenders of old junior subordinated debentures may be validly withdrawn if
the exchange offer is terminated without any old junior subordinated debentures
being exchanged thereunder. In this case, the old junior subordinated debentures
tendered under the exchange offer will be promptly returned to you.
If we make a material change in the terms of the exchange offer or waive a
material condition of the exchange offer, we will disseminate additional
exchange offer materials and extend the exchange offer to the extent required by
law. In addition, we may, if we deem appropriate, extend the exchange offer for
any other reason. If the consideration to be paid in the exchange offer is
increased or decreased or the principal amount of old junior subordinated
debentures subject to the exchange offer is decreased, the exchange offer will
remain open at least 10 business days from the date we first give notice to you,
by public announcement or otherwise, of that increase or decrease.
For a withdrawal of tendered old junior subordinated debentures to be
effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be
received by the exchange agent on or prior to the expiration of the exchange
offer at its address set out on the back cover of this prospectus. Any such
notice of withdrawal must:
o specify the name of the person who tendered the old junior subordinated
debentures to be withdrawn;
o contain the description of the old junior subordinated debentures to be
withdrawn and identify the certificate number or numbers shown on the
particular certificates evidencing those old junior subordinated
debentures, unless those old junior subordinated debentures were tendered
by book-entry transfer, and the aggregate principal amount represented by
those old junior subordinated debentures; and
o be signed in the same manner as the original signature on the letter of
transmittal by which those old junior subordinated debentures were
tendered, including any required signature guarantees, or be accompanied by
evidence sufficient to the exchange agent that the person withdrawing the
tender has succeeded to the beneficial ownership of the old junior
subordinated debentures.
If the old junior subordinated debentures to be withdrawn have been
delivered or otherwise identified to the exchange agent, a signed notice of
withdrawal is effective immediately upon written or facsimile notice of that
withdrawal even if physical release is not yet effected.
Any permitted withdrawal of old junior subordinated debentures may not be
rescinded, and any old junior subordinated debentures properly withdrawn will
thereafter be deemed not validly tendered for purposes of the exchange offer.
Withdrawn old junior subordinated debentures may, however, be re-tendered by
again following one of the appropriate procedures described in this prospectus
at any time on or prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.
If we extend the exchange offer or if for any reason, whether before or
after any old junior subordinated debentures have been accepted for tender, the
acceptance for tender of old junior subordinated debentures is delayed or if we
are unable to accept the tender of old junior subordinated debentures under the
exchange offer, then, without prejudice to our rights under the exchange offer,
tendered old junior subordinated debentures may be retained by the exchange
agent on our behalf and may not be withdrawn, subject to Rule 14e-l(c) under the
Exchange Act, which requires that an offeror pay the consideration offered or
return the securities deposited by or on behalf of the investor promptly after
the termination or withdrawal of a tender offer, except as otherwise provided in
this section.
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility, including time of
receipt, of notices of withdrawal will be determined by us, in our sole
discretion, which determination shall be final and binding. Neither we, the
exchange agent, the dealer manager, the information agent nor any other person
will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in
any notice of withdrawal, or incur any liability for failure to give any such
notification.
Conditions to, and Amendment of, the Exchange Offer
The exchange offer is subject to the conditions that:
o we must receive valid tenders for at least 90% of the aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding old junior subordinated debentures;
o We must receive valid tenders of at least $27,059,000 in aggregate
principal amount of old junior subordinated debentures for cash;
o we must receive the consent of the lenders, under Sierra's $135 million
senior secured credit facility, which has been guaranteed by us to our
issuing the new senior debentures in the exchange offer and the
subordination of our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility to the new senior
debentures;
o the exchange offer complies with applicable laws and applicable
interpretations of the staff of the SEC;
o the new senior debentures must be approved for listing on the New York
Stock Exchange;
o no litigation has been instituted or threatened or law enacted that could
prohibit the exchange offer, materially adversely affect our business or
materially impair the benefits of the exchange offer;
o no event has occurred affecting our business that could prohibit, prevent
or significantly delay consummation of the exchange offer, or materially
impair our contemplated benefits of the exchange offer; and
o no tender or exchange offer for our equity securities or any business
combination involving us has been proposed or announced or has occurred.
Subject to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions, we will accept for
exchange any and all old junior subordinated debentures that are validly
tendered and not withdrawn before 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the
expiration date of the exchange offer. However, we reserve the right to:
o delay the acceptance of your old junior subordinated debentures for
exchange;
o terminate the exchange offer;
o extend the expiration date and retain all old junior subordinated
debentures that have been tendered, subject to the right of owners of the
old junior subordinated debentures to withdraw their tendered old junior
subordinated debentures;
o refuse to accept the old junior subordinated debentures and return all old
junior subordinated debentures that have been tendered to us; or
o waive any condition or otherwise amend the terms of the exchange offer in
any respect.
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer
You are referred to the discussion about the federal income tax
consequences of the exchange offer under "Material United States Federal Tax
Consequences". Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences of the
exchange offer to you will depend on the facts of your own situation. You should
consult your own tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences to
you of the exchange offer.
Exchange Agent
We have appointed Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. as the exchange agent
for the exchange offer of the old junior subordinated debentures. We have agreed
to pay Wells Fargo Corporate Trust reasonable and customary fees for its
services and will reimburse Wells Fargo Corporate Trust for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses. All executed letters of transmittal and any other
required documents should be sent or delivered to the exchange agent at the
address set forth below. Questions and requests for assistance, requests for
additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and
requests for notices of guaranteed delivery should be directed to the exchange
agent, addressed as follows:
Wells Fargo Corporate Trust:
By Registered & Certified Mail:
WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
MAC N9303-121
PO Box 1517
Minneapolis, MN 55480
By Regular Mail or Overnight Courier:
WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
MAC N9303-121
Sixth & Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55479
In Person by Hand Only:
WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
12th Floor - Northstar East Building
Corporate Trust Services
608 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55479
By Facsimile (for Eligible Institutions only):
(612) 667-4927
For Information or Confirmation by
Telephone:
(800) 344-5128
Delivery of a letter of transmittal to an address other than that for the
exchange agent as set forth above or transmission of instructions via facsimile
other than as set forth above does not constitute a valid delivery of a letter
of transmittal.
Dealer Manager
We have retained Banc of America Securities LLC as our exclusive dealer
manager in connection with the exchange offer. We will pay Banc of America
Securities LLC a customary fee for its services. We have also agreed to
reimburse Banc of America Securities LLC for its expenses and to indemnify it
against certain expenses and liabilities, including liabilities under federal
securities laws. These expenses are not included in the fees set forth above.
Information Agent
We have appointed D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent for the
exchange offer of the old junior subordinated debentures. We have agreed to pay
D.F. King reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse D.F.
King for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Any questions concerning the
exchange offer procedures or requests for assistance or additional copies of
this prospectus or the letters of transmittal may be directed to the information
agent at:
D.F. King & Co., Inc.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Banks and Brokers, call collect:
(212) 269-5500
Others, call toll free:
(800) 735-3591
Fees and Expenses
We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders for the exchange offer. We
are making the principal solicitation by mail. However, we may make additional
solicitations by telephone, facsimile, e-mail or in person by officers and
regular employees of ours and those of our affiliates.
In addition, we may make payments to brokers, dealers or others soliciting
acceptance of the exchange offer. We will also pay the exchange agent reasonable
and customary fees for its services and will reimburse it for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses.
We will pay the cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the
exchange offer and are estimated in the aggregate to be approximately $1.8
million. Such expenses include fees and expenses of the exchange agent and
trustee, accounting and legal fees and printing costs, among others.
Payment of Solicitation Fee
We will pay to soliciting dealers a solicitation fee of $5.00 per $1,000 of
old junior subordinated debentures tendered, accepted for purchase and paid
pursuant to the exchange offer, provided, that the aggregate solicitation fee
paid to any one soliciting dealer shall not exceed $25,000. As used herein, a
"soliciting dealer" is an entity covered by a letter of transmittal which
designated its name as having solicited and obtained the tender, and is:
o any broker or dealer in securities, excluding the dealer manager, which is
a member of any national securities exchange or of the NASD;
o any foreign broker or dealer not eligible for membership in the NASD which
agrees to conform to the NASD's Rules of Fair Practice in soliciting
tenders outside the United States to the same extent as though it were an
NASD member; or
o any bank or trust company.
No such fee shall be payable to a soliciting dealer with respect to the
tender of old junior subordinated debentures by a holder unless the letter of
transmittal accompanying such tender designates such soliciting dealer. No such
fee shall be payable to a soliciting dealer in respect of old junior
subordinated debentures registered in the name of such soliciting dealer unless
such old junior subordinated debentures are held by such soliciting dealer as
nominee and such old junior subordinated debentures are being tendered for the
benefit of one or more beneficial owners identified on the letter of
transmittal. No such fee shall be payable to a soliciting dealer if such
soliciting dealer is required for any reason to transfer the amount of such fee
to a depositing holder (other than itself). No such fee shall be paid to a
soliciting dealer with respect to old junior subordinated debentures tendered
for such soliciting dealer's own account. No broker, dealer, bank, trust company
or fiduciary shall be deemed to be the agent of us, DTC, the dealer manager or
the information agent for purposes of the exchange offer. For all purposes noted
in all materials related to the exchange offer, the term "solicit" shall be
deemed to mean no more than "processing old junior subordinated debentures
tendered" or "forwarding to customers materials relating to the exchange offer."
We will also, upon request, reimburse soliciting dealers for reasonable and
customary handling and mailing expenses incurred by them in forwarding materials
relating to the exchange offer to their customers.
Transfer Taxes
Owners who tender their old junior subordinated debentures for exchange
will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes. If, however,
o new senior debentures are to be delivered to, or issued in the name of, any
person other than the registered owner of the old junior subordinated
debentures; or
o old junior subordinated debentures are registered in the name of any person
other than the person signing the letter of transmittal; or
o a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of new
senior debentures for old junior subordinated debentures in connection with
the exchange offer;
then the amount of any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered owner
or any other persons, will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory
evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption from them is not submitted with
the letter of transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed
directly to the tendering holder.
No Appraisal Rights
You will not have any right to dissent and receive an appraisal of your old
junior subordinated debentures in connection with the exchange offer.
Listing
The new senior debentures have been approved for listing on the New York
Stock Exchange. However, we do not expect the new senior debentures to be listed
until after 30 days following the consummation of the exchange offer.
Accounting Treatment of the Exchange Offer
The proposed exchange offer contains concessions by the holders of the
old junior subordinated debentures, including extending the maturity and
accepting an interest rate that may be lower than what we could obtain from
other lenders. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 15, "Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructurings"
("SFAS No. 15"), the exchange of the new senior debentures for the old junior
subordinated debentures will be treated as a troubled debt restructuring.
Additionally, the old junior subordinated debentures are considered to represent
one payable, even though there are many debenture holders. Although some of the
debenture holders may exchange the old junior subordinated debentures for cash,
some may exchange them for new senior debentures and others a combination of the
two, this does not change the substance of the transaction for CII Financial;
accordingly, the proposed exchange is considered to be a single transaction.
Under the terms of the proposed transaction, total future cash payments
(interest and principal) on the new senior debentures are less than the balance
of the old junior subordinated debentures less the cash consideration given in
the exchange. Accordingly, under SFAS No. 15, a gain on restructuring will be
recognized for the difference and the carrying amount of the new senior
debentures will initially be the total future cash payments on the new senior
debentures. Costs incurred in connection with the exchange will offset the gain
on restructuring and any issuance costs in excess of the gain will be expensed.
All cash payments related to the new senior debentures will be reductions of the
carrying amount of the new senior debentures and no interest expense will be
recognized over the new term.
Fractional Debentures
We will issue new senior debentures in denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples of $1,000, except that we may issue smaller denominations in respect
of any fractional principal amount of new senior debentures which a registered
holder is entitled to receive as exchange consideration.
"Blue Sky" Compliance
We are making this exchange offer to all holders of old junior subordinated
debentures. We are not aware of any jurisdiction in which the making of the
exchange offer is not in compliance with applicable law. If we become aware of
any jurisdiction in which the making of the exchange offer would not be in
compliance with applicable law, we will make a good faith effort to comply with
any such law. If, after such good faith effort, we cannot comply with any such
law, the exchange offer will not be made to, nor will tenders of old junior
subordinated debentures be accepted from or on behalf of, the holders of old
junior subordinated debentures residing in such jurisdiction.
BUSINESS
General
We are a holding company whose subsidiaries, California Indemnity Insurance
Company, Commercial Casualty Insurance Company, Sierra Insurance Company of
Texas and CII Insurance Company are primarily engaged in writing workers'
compensation insurance in nine Western and Midwestern states. Substantially all
of our assets and our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. In
addition, we have other smaller subsidiaries that we consider immaterial to our
overall results.
We were acquired by Sierra on October 31, 1995 in a transaction treated as
a pooling of interests. However, our old junior subordinated debentures remain
solely our obligation and Sierra has not guaranteed the payment of the
debentures.
Our subsidiaries write workers' compensation insurance in the states of
California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and
Utah primarily through independent insurance agents and brokers, and have
licenses in 33 states and the District of Columbia and applications pending for
licenses in other states. California, Colorado and Nevada represented
approximately 77%, 8% and 8%, respectively, of our direct written premiums for
the year ended December 31, 2000.
We focus on writing lower-severity classes of workers' compensation
insurance for primarily small and mid-sized employers although we actively
pursue accounts of all sizes. This strategy allows us to direct our managed care
expertise to employers that may lack the in-house resources needed to manage
costs effectively and to return injured employees to work safely and quickly.
These techniques include the use of specialized preferred provider networks,
utilization review by our board certified occupational medicine physician and
the employment of nurse case managers, medical bill reviewers, and job
developers to facilitate early return to work. In particular, our Return to
Work, or RTW, Program has brought a large number of injured workers back to the
job more quickly and at a lower cost than would have otherwise been possible.
By focusing primarily on small and mid-sized employers, we seek to target
under-served segments of the workers' compensation market and avoid the price
competition associated with large accounts. As of December 31, 2000, we had
15,292 policies in force and an average policy size of approximately $11,700.
The following table sets forth the percentages of our written premiums in
force on December 31, 2000, December 31, 1999, and July 31, 1998 attributable to
the listed risk classifications identified as the insureds' governing class:
December 31, 2000 December 31, 1999 July 31, 1998
----------------------- ---------------------- -----------------------
Construction 30.47% 29.67% 26.63%
Manufacturing 15.24 16.28 14.69
Service Industry 12.54 13.15 12.27
Agriculture 12.53 10.95 11.39
Other (1) 29.22 29.95 35.02
----- ----- -----
Total 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
====== ====== ======
- ------------------
(1) Includes all other risk classifications insured by us, none of which
accounted for more than 9.5% of our written premiums in force as of any of
the above dates.
Underwriting
Prior to insuring a particular risk, we review, among other factors, the
employer's prior loss experience and other pertinent underwriting information.
Additionally, we determine whether the employer's employment classifications are
among the classifications that we have elected to insure and if the amounts of
the premiums for the classifications are within our guidelines. We review these
classifications periodically to evaluate whether they are profitable. Of the
approximately 550 employment classifications in California, we are willing to
insure approximately two-thirds. The remaining classifications are either
excluded by our reinsurance treaty or are believed by us to be too hazardous or
not profitable. In addition, we increase our requirements for certain
classifications to increase the likelihood of profitability.
Once an employer has been insured by us, our loss control department may
assist the insured in developing and maintaining safety programs and procedures
to minimize on-the-job injuries and industrial health hazards. The safety
programs and procedures vary from insured to insured. Depending upon the size,
classifications and loss experience of the employer, our loss control department
will periodically inspect the employer's places of business and may recommend
changes that could prevent industrial accidents. In addition, severe or
recurring injuries may also warrant on-site inspections. In certain instances,
members of our loss control department may conduct special educational training
sessions for insured employees to assist in the prevention of on-the-job
injuries. For example, employers engaged in contracting may be offered a
training session on general first aid and prevention of injuries from specific
work exposures.
Claims
Our claims operation is organized into a centralized claims/managed care
service office in Las Vegas, Nevada, and four regional claims service offices.
Major claims, those of high severity, complex nature and/or which are expected
to exceed applicable reinsurance retention levels, are handled directly, or
supervised, by the reinsurance claims staff.
Our approach to claims administration relies upon a high level of
interaction with the injured worker and the insured to resolve claims in an
efficient and cost effective manner. Claims personnel act as the contact point
with the insured and refer the claim to the appropriate support services within
our managed care and Return To Work, or RTW, functions.
Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company. Effective December 2000, for all
claims other than from our Texas operation, we have contracted our medical
management, bill review and return to work functions with Sierra Health and Life
Insurance Company's Workers' Compensation Managed Care Division. The arrangement
is at cost. The staff of the Managed Care Division, consists of 88 employees,
who were previously employed by California Indemnity Insurance Company in the
same capacities. Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Sierra.
We have sought to reduce medical and indemnity cost by minimizing
litigation and litigation expense, returning workers to work safely and quickly,
and having access to medical attention at competitive prices. We have sought to
accomplish this by:
o using statewide medical provider networks, the members of which have agreed
to provide hospital and physician services at reduced fee schedules;
o utilizing medical bill review services which advise us of any excess
charges submitted by providers;
o facilitating early return to work and managing vocational rehabilitation
costs;
o improving customer service to allow for faster reporting; and
o outsourcing legal defense.
Use of Managed Care. We use managed care techniques to manage claim costs.
Except where limited by law, our managed care strategy directs injured workers
to preferred provider organizations, which we refer to as PPO's, to take
advantage of rates negotiated by the PPO's with participating providers and to
utilize doctors who understand the procedures and communication required to
allow injured workers to return to work safely and quickly. This strategy has
led us to spend substantially less on medical costs than otherwise payable under
state established fee schedules. From 1995 to December 31, 2000, our use of
PPO's as a percentage of total medical bills where a saving was achieved, known
as "PPO penetration", increased from 25% to 45%. In addition to increasing PPO
penetration we also increased the savings from state established fee schedules
to 32% through December 31, 2000, from 22% of such schedules for 1995.
Management of the medical portion of any claim assists the employer in
managing the cost of the indemnity benefit. Our staff of nurses evaluates
lost-time cases and directs the injured employee to preferred providers. We
utilize a board certified occupational medicine physician as medical director to
provide prospective, concurrent, and retrospective review of inpatient
admissions. The medical director can communicate directly with treating
physicians to assist with the direction of appropriate and timely medical care.
By requesting the treating provider to obtain authorization prior to the
administration of medical care, we seek to receive medical justification for
proposed treatments, which often leads to more accurate medical diagnoses. We
have used the medical authorization process to reduce the costs associated with
over-treating or under-treating by medical care providers.
Medical Bill Review. We use medical bill reviewers to manage costs. By
performing the bill review work, we have increased our bill review savings as a
percentage of state fee schedules from 25% for 1995 to 38% for the year ended
December 31, 2000.
Return to Work, or "RTW", Program. A critical component of our claims
administration approach and our accompanying efforts to reduce indemnity costs
is our RTW Program. The program assigns certain claims to a RTW technician, who
contacts the injured worker's physician and employer to ascertain functional
capacity restrictions and determines whether the employee can perform modified
or temporary work. In an unmanaged environment, the doctor typically relies upon
the injured worker's description of job duties and bases the medical impairment
and disability status upon that subjective description. Such reliance on the
worker's description can lead to increased amounts of lost time and, therefore,
much higher indemnity payments by us. The RTW technician's task is to work with
the doctor and the employer to formally define job duties and to compare those
against functional capacity restrictions. This process allows the RTW technician
to determine the extent of job disability and the need for vocational
rehabilitation as required by the state. By being directly involved with the
assessment process, we not only strive to obtain an objective disability
diagnosis, but also provide a valuable service to our smaller insureds, who
typically do not have formalized processes for return to work.
Customer Service. Early claims reporting allows us to direct the injured
worker to in-network medical care providers, to enroll those workers in the RTW
program, and to reduce the chance of litigation. We have instituted a 24-hour
per day, seven days per week, toll free "800" telephone number that allows
employers to notify us of a potential claim as quickly as possible.
Our customer service call center directs policyholders and injured workers
to the nearest preferred health care facility and provides assistance to claims
examiners by asking specific investigative questions which allow the examiner to
make prompt claim decisions. The customer service representatives additionally
answer questions relating to provider bill status, pharmacy authorization, and
agent/employer requests for information.
California Health Care Organization. In December 2000, Sierra Health and
Life Insurance Company was licensed in California as a Health Care Organization
by the California Department of Managed Care.
A California Health Care Organization coordinates the health care delivery
system for the injured worker, including primary provider assignment, emergency
and inpatient care, physician consultations, referrals and diagnostic testing.
The Health Care Organization also provides quality assurance, medical management
and return to work assistance. These provisions afford better cost controls for
employers by allowing their injured employees access to medical providers
trained in workers' compensation issues. We began the activities of Sierra
Health and Life as a California Health Care Organization in the first quarter of
2001.
Legal Defense. In April 1997, we discontinued our in-house claims legal
defense unit in Southern California and entered into a five-year contract with a
law firm specializing in the defense of workers' compensation claims. This legal
arrangement defines roles for the attorneys and claims personnel to maximize
efficient handling of litigated claims.
Competition
Workers' compensation is a statutory system that requires an employer to
provide its employees with medical care and other specified benefits for
work-related injuries, even though the injuries may have resulted from the
negligence or wrongs of a person, including the employee. Employers typically
purchase workers' compensation insurance to provide these benefits. The benefits
payable are generally established by statute.
The California workers' compensation insurance industry is extremely
competitive. Approximately 185 companies wrote workers' compensation insurance
in California in 1999, including the State Compensation Insurance Fund, which is
the largest writer in California. Many of these companies have been in business
longer, have a larger volume of business, offer a more diversified line of
insurance coverage, have greater financial resources and have greater
distribution capability than us. We believe that the dominant competitor in the
industry is the State of California Compensation Insurance Fund. We concentrate
on insuring workers' compensation accounts in the small to medium-size range,
where we compete primarily on the basis of service and where policyholder
dividends are not a significant factor.
Based on 1999 direct written premiums, we were the 13th largest writer of
workers' compensation insurance in California, with a 2% market share. Our
insurance subsidiaries are currently rated "B++" by A.M. Best.
The following table provides an illustration of our subsidiary, California
Indemnity Insurance Company, and the top 10 workers' compensation writers in the
state of California for 1999:
California Workers' Compensation Market
For the Year Ended December 31, 1999 (dollars in millions)
Direct Written
Insurer Premiums Market Share
State Compensation Fund $ 1,244.7 21.6%
Fremont Comp Insurance Group* 520.4 9.0
--------------------------------------------------
482.2 8.4
Superior National Insurance Group*
Liberty Mutual Insurance 463.0 8.0
Fireman's Fund/Allianz 232.6 4.0
Kemper Insurance Companies 213.7 3.8
Farmers Insurance Group 184.6 3.2
Reliance Insurance* 184.1 3.2
Great American P&C 173.3 3.0
Legion Insurance Co. 173.0 3.0
California Indemnity Insurance Company 120.5 2.0
Source: California Workers' Compensation Institute Bulletin No. 00-15
* These three companies have significantly reduced their writings in
California or announced their intentions to do so. Fremont and Superior
each had an "E" (under regulatory supervision) rating by A.M. Best as
of December 10, 2000. Reliance had a "D" (poor) rating by A.M. Best as
of December 10, 2000.
Prior to 1995, California law set minimum rates. This minimum rate law was
repealed by the California legislature with policies issued or renewed on or
after January 1, 1995. From 1995 until the end of 1999, our pricing declined
significantly as competitors sought to write more business by cutting their
prices. Beginning in December 1999 we began achieving rate increases on renewing
policies. This increasing rate trend has continued through December 2000.
In other states in which we are currently writing business, competition for
workers' compensation insurance is primarily driven by pricing, dividend plans
and agents' commission. In these states, the National Council on Compensation
Insurance, or NCCI, is usually the designated rating organization. The NCCI
accumulates statistical information and recommends pure loss cost rates to each
state's department of insurance who has final approval authority. We then add
loss cost multipliers or expense loads to derive premium rates for each filed
company. Rating plans in NCCI states are more "standardized" pricing models
based upon plans (algorithms) developed by the NCCI and approved by departments
of insurance.
Both Colorado and Nevada have competitive and dominant state insurance
funds who represent the major competition in their respective states. In
Colorado, the state fund is Pennacol Insurance Company. In Nevada, it is
Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, formerly a state fund but now a private
mutual insurer. In addition to these two organizations, there are approximately
200 other companies competing for business in states outside of California. The
major competitive tool in NCCI states is the use of participating policies,
which grant policyholders' dividends, and policies with retrospective rated
premium. We currently write participating policies in Colorado, Nevada,
Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Kansas.
Nevada is scheduled to change to an open rating environment from a minimum
rating environment beginning July 2001.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Often, several years may elapse between the occurrence of a loss and the
final settlement of the loss. To recognize liabilities for unpaid losses, we
establish reserves, which are balance sheet liabilities representing estimates
of future amounts needed to pay claims and related expenses for insured events.
We also establish reserves for events that have been incurred but have not yet
been reported to us, which we refer to as "incurred but not reported" or "IBNR".
When a claim is reported, our claims personnel initially establish reserves
on a case-by-case basis for the estimated amount of the ultimate payment. These
estimates reflect the judgment of the claims personnel based on their experience
and knowledge of the nature and value of the specific type of claim and the
available facts at the time of reporting as to severity of injury and initial
medical prognosis. Included in these reserves are estimates of the expenses of
settling claims, including legal and other fees. Claims personnel adjust the
amount of the case reserves as the claim develops and as the facts warrant.
IBNR reserves are established for unreported claims and loss development
relating to current and prior accident years. In the event that a claim that
occurred during a prior accident year was not reported until the current
accident year, the case reserve for such claim typically will be established out
of previously established IBNR reserves for that prior accident year.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners requires that we submit
a formal actuarial opinion concerning loss reserves with each statutory annual
report. The annual report must be filed with each applicable state department of
insurance on or before March 1 of the succeeding year. The actuarial opinion
must be signed by a qualified actuary as determined by the California Insurance
Commissioner. We retain the services of a qualified independent actuary to
periodically review our loss reserves.
The actuarial review for the year ended December 31, 1999 showed that our
loss and LAE reserves were below the actuary's projected estimate by
approximately $9 million and we recorded an increase to our reserves in December
1999 of $9.9 million. This reserve deficiency was primarily caused by adverse
loss development on California claims in accident years 1996 to 1998. Our
average cost per claim has increased each year since 1995 and the majority of
our claims occur in California. The entire California workers' compensation
industry has been adversely affected by higher claim severity. According to a
published estimate by the California Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating
Bureau in January 2001, the average ultimate loss per indemnity claim in
California increased 62% from accident year 1995 to accident year 1999. Factors
influencing this increase include rising average temporary disability costs, the
increase in the number of major permanent disability claims, medical inflation
and adverse court decisions related to medical control of claimant's treatment.
According to the California Workers' Compensation Institute, an industry
association, industry-wide workers' compensation medical costs in California
have far outstripped medical inflation, rising 15.3% in 1997, 15.8% in 1998 and
13.6% in 1999.
In the first six months of 2000 and especially in the second quarter, we
continued to see adverse reserve development on prior accident years and we had
our independent actuary perform a review of the June 30, 2000 reserves. As a
result of this review, we increased our reserves by $19.2 million, which was in
addition to a $1.5 million increase in the first quarter. The total net adverse
reserve development on prior accident years through December 31, 2000 was $23.3
million. The reserve deficiency was again primarily related to adverse reserve
development on California claims in accident years 1996 to 1999 and was due to
continuing increases in average claim costs.
We and an independent actuary test the adequacy of our reserves using
generally accepted actuarial methods. Both paid loss and incurred loss methods
are used to estimate the amount of the ultimate reserves. We also test our
reserves by comparing our paid losses and incurred losses to similar data
provided by the California Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau for all
California workers' compensation insurance companies.
We review the adequacy of our reserves with our independent actuary
periodically and consider external forces such as changes in the rate of
inflation, the regulatory environment, the judicial administration of claims,
medical costs and other factors that could cause actual losses and LAE to
change. The actuarial projections include a range of estimates reflecting the
uncertainty of projections. Management evaluates the reserves in the aggregate,
based upon the actuarial indications and makes adjustments where appropriate.
Our consolidated financial statements provide for reserves based on the
anticipated ultimate cost of losses.
The following table sets forth the number of claims reported to us for the
years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, and related direct earned premiums
and claims frequency, or the number of claims per million dollars of direct
earned premium.
Year ended December 31,
2000 1999 1998
Number of claims reported during year 20,600 17,500 19,200
Direct earned premiums (in millions) $203.1 $146.7 $154.0
Claims frequency 101.4 119.3 124.7
The following table sets forth, for the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999
and 1998, the cumulative loss ratio, net of reinsurance, for each accident year
and also shows how the net loss ratios have developed during each of the three
years ended December 31, 2000.
Cumulative Loss Ratios
Year ended December 31,
Accident Year 2000 1999 1998
1995 and prior 72.30% 72.05% 73.76%
1996 93.00 89.60 85.72
1997 96.22 90.42 84.21
1998 88.44 83.64 77.45
1999 66.53 62.13
2000 69.07
The following table sets forth, for the years ended December 31, 2000,
1999and 1998, the cumulative loss ratio, gross of reinsurance, for each accident
year and also shows how the gross loss ratios have developed during each of the
three years ended December 31, 2000.
Cumulative Loss Ratios
Year ended December 31,
Accident Year 2000 1999 1998
1995 and prior 72.37% 71.98% 73.54%
1996 91.71 88.41 83.98
1997 96.17 90.08 84.42
1998 102.50 92.08 83.45
1999 116.23 96.48
2000 105.57
The liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expense, which we refer to
as LAE, are determined using loss evaluations and statistical projections and
represent estimates of the ultimate net cost of all unpaid losses and LAE
incurred through December 31 of each year. These estimates are subject to the
effect of trends in claim severity and frequency and are continually reviewed
and adjusted to reflect new experience and information, as it becomes known.
Such adjustments, if any, are reflected in current operations. Notwithstanding
the fact that the claims for which reserves are established may not be paid for
many years, the reserves for losses and LAE payments are not discounted, except
to calculate the liability for federal income taxes. The anticipated price or
cost increases due to inflation are considered in estimating ultimate claim
costs. Historical trends, adjusted to reflect anticipated changes in
underwriting standards, policy provisions and general economic trends, provide
the basis for predicting the severity of future claims. Actual developments are
monitored and anticipated trends are modified, if necessary.
The following table provides a reconciliation of beginning and ending
liability balances for the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998.
Reconciliation of Liability for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses
(in thousands)
Year ended December 31,
2000 1999 1998
Net Beginning Loss and LAE Reserve $134,305 $174,467 $181,643
Net Provision for Insured Events Incurred in:
Current Year 86,587 51,541 103,990
Prior Years 23,293 9,920 (9,643)
------ ----- -------
Total Net Provision 109,880 61,461 94,347
------- ------ ------
Net Payments for Loss and LAE
Attributable to Insured Events Incurred
In:
Current Year 26,867 21,207 29,591
Prior Years 61,521 80,416 71,932
------ -------- --------
Total Net Payments 88,388 101,623 101,523
------ ------- -------
Net Ending Loss and LAE Reserve 155,797 134,305 174,467
Reinsurance Recoverable 218,757 110,089 37,797
------- ------- --------
Gross Ending Loss and LAE Reserve $374,554 $244,394 $212,264
======== ======== ========
For the year ended December 31, 1998, we recognized favorable loss
development of $9.6 million, as our losses were lower than projected. This
favorable loss development reduced our incurred losses reported in that calendar
year and was mainly attributable to lower actual paid claims than were
previously reserved on accident years prior to 1995. In calendar years 1991 and
1992, we experienced significant adverse loss development on prior accident
years and recorded reserve increases of $16.2 million and $28.1 million,
respectively. The adverse development occurred primarily on the 1990 and 1991
accident years and was attributable to what we referred to as "stress and
strain" claims, which were primarily psychological or mental claims and were
usually unaccompanied by any outward display of a physical injury. The economic
recession in California during this period resulted in a significant increase in
workers' compensation reported claims. Benefits paid to a claimant were not
subject to income taxes whereas unemployment benefits were subject to income
taxes. In establishing reserves in 1992 and subsequent periods, we tried to
factor in this adverse development trend. In 1993, California enacted workers'
compensation reform laws, which, along with an improving economy, substantially
eliminated stress and strain claims. We did not reduce our prior accident year
reserves until we and our actuary were satisfied that the claims payment trend
was fully substantiated.
For the year ended December 31, 1999, we had adverse loss development of
$9.9 million which, as discussed above, was primarily due to higher average
claims in California on accident years 1996 to 1998. For the year ended December
31, 2000, we had additional adverse loss development of $23.3 million. This too,
as discussed above, was due to continuing higher average claims on accident
years 1996 to 1999. The actuarial projections of direct ultimate indemnity costs
per claim as of December 31, 2000 for these accident years were $20,971 for
1996, $23,053 for 1997, $25,457 for 1998 and $28,153 for 1999. These new
projections represent an average increase of 68% over what was projected a year
earlier. We believe that, based on current information, our reserves are
adequate as we have recorded reserves that are slightly in excess of $800,000
higher than our independent actuary's estimate. Given the uncertainty that is
inherent in projecting loss reserves, we believed it prudent to record reserves
that were slightly higher than the actuarial projections. The majority of the
adverse loss development occurred on accident years that were not covered by our
low level reinsurance agreement. While the low level reinsurance agreement is in
run-off effective July 1, 2000, premium rates have been increasing, which we
believe will potentially mitigate the loss of this very favorable reinsurance
protection. See "-Reinsurance" for a discussion of our change in reinsurance.
The premium rate increases on policies renewed in California during the year
ended December 31, 2000 were approximately 26% and for the second half of the
year, averaged approximately 36%. Since we have seen our reserves develop
adversely for the past two years and based on the fact that projecting ultimate
reserves cannot be done with 100% accuracy, we believed it prudent to establish
reserves at a higher loss ratio to mitigate any future adverse loss development
that may occur.
The following table discloses our development of the liability for losses
and LAE for the ten years ended December 31, 2000. The information is prepared
using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The
information shown in each of the year columns represent cumulative development
data on the reserves reported on the balance sheets at December 31 of each year.
The table does not show individual accident year loss development as it includes
reserves on open claims from prior accident years. For example, if an open claim
has a reported reserve at December 31, 1993 and the reserve is increased by
$5,000 in the year ended December 31, 1998, the $5,000 development will be
reflected in the cumulative development in each of the years 1993 through 1998.
The first line shows the loss and LAE reserves reported on the balance
sheet. From this is deducted reinsurance recoverables on ceded loss and LAE
reserves and the result is the net loss and LAE reserves. The section titled
"Net Reserve Re-estimated" shows how these net reserves have changed each year,
as more information becomes available. We refer to these changes as loss
development and the loss development on all years is reflected in the current
results of operations. The section titled "Cumulative Net Paid" shows the
cumulative payments, net of reinsurance, made on these reserves in each of the
succeeding years. The line "Cumulative (Deficiency) Redundancy" shows the
aggregate change between the net loss and LAE reserves and the last amount shown
as net re-estimated reserves. The impact on the results of operations for each
of the three most recent years is shown in the preceding "Reconciliation of
Liability for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses" table as a "Net Provision for
Insured Events Incurred in Prior Years." The bottom section of the following
table shows the cumulative development on a gross reserve basis, before
deducting reinsurance.
Conditions and trends that have historically affected our reserves may not
necessarily occur in the future and it may not be appropriate to extrapolate
future redundancies or deficiencies based on this table.
ANALYSIS OF LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE DEVELOPMENT
(in thousands)
Year ended December 31,
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Losses and
LAE Reserve...... $374,554 $244,394 $212,264 $202,699 $187,776 $182,318 $190,962 $200,356 $178,460 $112,749 $ 67,593
Less Reinsurance
Recoverables (1).... 218,757 110,089 37,797 21,056 15,676 25,871 29,342 25,841 20,207
-------- -------- -------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net Loss and
LAE Reserves... 155,797 134,305 174,467 181,643 172,100 156,447 161,620 174,515 158,253
Net Reserve
Re-estimated as of (2)
1 Year Later....... 157,598 184,386 172,000 163,130 141,163 139,741 160,562 154,388 140,815 83,841
2 Years Later...... 204,029 173,596 146,987 132,193 125,279 141,100 147,167 142,447 96,011
3 Years Later...... 186,794 140,563 113,766 117,792 126,483 134,747 143,433 97,142
4 Years Later...... 146,266 102,652 102,955 122,517 132,193 137,143 97,942
5 Years Later...... 104,249 95,997 114,443 131,112 135,249 94,852
6 Years Later...... 95,954 112,284 127,258 135,299 93,561
7 Years Later...... 111,883 125,936 133,729 93,672
8 Years Later...... 125,907 132,696 92,851
9 Years Later...... 132,836 92,104
10 Years Later..... 92,120
Cumulative Net
Paid as of (2):
1 Year Later....... 61,522 80,416 71,933 56,977 45,731 44,519 50,210 50,360 57,611 39,118
2 Years Later...... 124,191 117,794 91,765 70,854 68,619 79,788 84,465 89,177 65,165
3 Years Later...... 143,369 113,054 83,674 80,645 94,865 104,569 108,849 76,988
4 Years Later...... 125,024 91,115 86,381 102,395 114,293 120,539 83,822
5 Years Later...... 95,609 89,601 106,012 119,462 126,100 87,618
6 Years Later...... 91,676 107,850 122,000 129,060 89,607
7 Years Later...... 109,201 123,291 130,649 90,721
8 Years Later...... 124,220 131,346 91,354
9 Years Later...... 131,898 91,598
10 Years Later..... 91,786
Cumulative (Deficiency)
Redundancy ..... (23,293) (29,563) (5,151) 25,834 52,198 65,666 62,632 32,346 (20,087) (24,527)
Net Reserve........ 155,797 134,305 174,467 181,643 172,100 156,447 161,620 174,515
Reins.
Recoverables....... 218,757 110,089 37,797 21,056 15,676 25,871 29,342 25,841
------- --------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Gross Reserve...... $374,554 $244,394 $212,264 $202,699 $187,776 $182,318 $190,962 $200,356
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net Re-estimated
Reserve......... 157,598 204,029 186,794 146,266 104,249 95,954 111,883
Re-estimated Reins.
Recoverables.... 146,890 49,260 22,910 16,847 26,989 30,037 26,092
------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Gross Re-estimated
Reserve......... 304,488 253,289 209,704 163,113 131,238 125,990 137,975
-------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Gross Cumulative
(Deficiency) $(60,094) $(41,025) $ (7,005) $ 24,663 $51,080 $ 64,972 $ 62,381
Redundancy...... ========= ========= ========= ======== ======= ======== ========
(1) Amounts reflect reinsurance recoverable under prospective reinsurance
contracts and the cumulative amortization of retroactive reinsurance
recoverable. Unamortized retroactive reinsurance recoverable is excluded as
it does not reduce incurred losses under generally accepted accounting
principles. Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and LAE are shown as
an asset on the balance sheets at December 31, 2000 and 1999.
Our average cost per claim has increased each year since 1995. The majority
of our claims occur in California. The entire California workers' compensation
industry has been adversely affected by higher claim severity. The average
ultimate loss per indemnity claim for California increased 62% from accident
year 1995 to accident year 1999, according to a published estimate of the
California Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau in January 2001. Two of
the factors influencing this increase are medical inflation and adverse court
decisions related to medical control of claimant's treatment.
Unallocated loss adjustment expense reserves are established for the
estimated costs related to the general administration of the claims adjustment
process. We review the adequacy of our reserves on a periodic basis and consider
external forces such as changes in the rate of inflation, the regulatory
environment, the judicial administration of claims, medical costs and other
factors that could cause actual losses and loss adjustment expenses to change.
Reserves are reviewed with our independent actuary at least annually. The
actuarial projections include a range of estimates reflecting the uncertainty of
projections. Management evaluates the reserves in the aggregate, based upon the
actuarial indications, and makes adjustments where appropriate. Our financial
statements provide for reserves based on the anticipated ultimate cost of
losses.
Investments
As of December 31, 2000, our bond and preferred stock portfolio is invested
primarily in high quality investment grade securities, which represent
approximately 98% of total bond and preferred stock investments. The total bond
and preferred stock portfolio is comprised of approximately 21% in U.S. Treasury
securities; approximately 42% in U.S. Government-sponsored Agency securities;
approximately 14% in AAA-rated corporate bonds; approximately 17% in AA-rated
corporate bonds; approximately 4% in A-rated corporate bonds; and approximately
2% in BAA-rated or lower corporate bonds.
In addition to our cash and cash equivalents, preferred stocks, and fixed
income bond portfolio, other investments include mortgage loans with a book
value of $13.6 million and a real estate limited partnership with a book value
of $807,000. The mortgage loan investments are comprised of approximately $9.0
million in commercial mortgages on real business properties in Las Vegas, Nevada
extended to unaffiliated third parties and approximately $4.6 million in
relocation mortgages extended to our current and former employees prior to our
1995 merger with Sierra. While mortgages and mortgage-backed securities usually
have a higher rate of return than rated corporate and government bonds, we do
face the potential risk associated with having to reinvest these funds if
interest rates drop and the mortgages are prepaid. Since these mortgages are
typically prepaid when rates are lower we would probably have to reinvest in
other securities with a lower rate of return. The real estate limited
partnership represents our interest in the partnership which owned our Las Vegas
headquarters. As of December 31, 2000, the real estate that the limited
partnership owned was sold to an unaffiliated third party and we received our
share of the cash sales proceeds.
Approximately $21 million of our investment assets as of December 31, 2000
are booked as "assets held to maturity" according to FAS 115. Assets held to
maturity are carried at amortized cost; changes in the market value of these
assets do not affect their book value for reporting purposes under accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We manage our investment portfolio to provide liquidity for claims and
other liabilities and to maximize total return within the financial constraints
of applicable regulatory guidelines and requirements. We manage liquidity by
estimating the timing of claims and operating expense payments and premium
revenues received as well as the timing of payments to and from our reinsurers.
During 2000, we had to reduce our estimates of premiums receipts and increase
our estimates of claims payments during the year. This was primarily due to
negative cash flow resulting from paying more ceded premiums to our reinsurers
than had previously been projected. We successfully met these revised estimates
by selling a portion of our investment portfolio while trying to minimize net
realized capital losses.
The following table reflects investments, interest earned thereon and the
average annual yield on investments for the periods indicated:
Years Ended December 31,
2000 1999 1998
(dollars in thousands)
Total cash, cash equivalents and invested
assets at end of period $247,151 $226,572 $283,509
Net investment income including net
realized gains and losses before taxes 14,454 15,395 20,229
Average annual yield on investment
portfolio (before realized gains and
losses and taxes) 6.3% 6.2% 6.5%
The following table sets forth information concerning the composition of
our investment portfolio at December 31, 2000:
Percent of
Amount Portfolio
(dollars in thousands)
Fixed maturities, at fair value:
U.S. government and government agencies $125,637 57.6%
AAA 28,452 13.0
AA 33,595 15.4
A 6,785 3.1
Less than A 4,095 1.9
----- ---
Total fixed maturities, at fair value 198,564 91.0
Equity securities, at fair value 5,130 2.4
Mortgage loans receivable 13,619 6.2
Real estate partnership 807 0.4
--------- ---
Total investments $218,120 100.0%
======== =====
The following table sets forth the contractual maturity profile of our debt
and mortgage loan investments at December 31, 2000:
Fair Value Percent of
Maturity Amount Portfolio
-------- ------ ---------
(dollars in thousands)
One year or less $42,218 19.9%
More than one year, through five years 46,488 21.9
More than five years, through ten years 11,457 5.4
More than ten years, through fifteen years 16,435 7.8
More than fifteen years 95,585 45.0
Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers
may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
Reinsurance
Our insurance subsidiaries purchase reinsurance to reduce our liability on
individual policies and claims and catastrophic losses. However, we are still
responsible for the direct payment of all policy benefits and claims. We pay our
reinsurers a ceded premium, which is a reduction of our revenues, and the amount
is primarily calculated as a percentage of our earned premiums. Ceded incurred
losses are determined in a manner that is consistent with how we determine our
gross incurred losses and reduce the amount of our gross incurred losses and
loss adjustment expenses. Under generally accepted accounting principles, ceded
unpaid losses are recorded as a reinsurance recoverable asset. Our reinsurers do
not have to pay us for ceded losses until we have made payments on a claim and
our payment may have to exceed certain pre-determined levels before our
reinsurers become obligated to pay us. As of December 31, 2000 we had over $247
million of reinsurance recoverables from our reinsurers. A single reinsurer,
Travelers Indemnity Company of Illinois, which is rated A+ by the A.M. Best
Company, accounts for approximately 88% of this amount. Substantially all of the
recoverables are due from reinsurers rated A+ by the A.M. Best Company and all
reinsurance recoverables are considered to be collectible.
We historically and currently have excess of loss reinsurance agreements at
pre-determined amounts or retention levels that have varied throughout the years
depending on our statutory capital and the protection we believed to be prudent.
Prior to 2000, the non-catastrophic excess of loss layer, which we define to be
below $10 million per occurrence, was placed with General Reinsurance
Corporation, which is rated A+ by the A.M. Best Company. At December 31, 2000,
reinsurance recoverable balances due from this reinsurer represented
approximately 10% of the total.
Effective July 1, 1998, all claims with dates of injury occurring on or
after that date are reinsured under a quota share and excess of loss agreement,
which we refer to as "low level" reinsurance, with Travelers Indemnity Company
of Illinois . The low level reinsurance provides quota share protection for 30%
of the first $10,000 of each loss, and excess of loss protection of 75% of the
next $40,000 of each loss, and 100% of the next $450,000 on a per occurrence
basis. The maximum net loss retained on any one claim ceded under this treaty is
$17,000. This agreement continued until June 30, 2000, when we executed an
option for a twelve month extension relating to the run-off of policies in force
as of June 30, 2000, which covers claims arising under such policies during the
term of the extension.
In addition to the low level reinsurance, effective January 1, 2000 we
entered into a reinsurance contract that provides statutory (unlimited) coverage
for workers' compensation claims in excess of $500,000 per occurrence. The
contract is in effect for claims occurring on or after January 1, 2000 through
December 31, 2003. The reinsurer, National Union Fire Insurance Company, which
is rated A+ by the A.M. Best Company, has a limited ability to cancel this
treaty on each anniversary of inception during that period.
When the low level reinsurance agreement expired on June 30, 2000, as a
result of a general tightening of the reinsurance market as well as the impact
of the increased loss experience in California, a comparable type of reinsurance
program was unavailable in the market and those reinsurers which were offering
other forms of lower retention programs were charging premiums that we believed
were not cost justified. Therefore, effective July 1, 2000, we entered into a
reinsurance contract that provides $250,000 of coverage for workers'
compensation claims in excess of $250,000 per occurrence. The contract is in
effect for claims occurring on policies with effective dates beginning July 1,
2000 and thereafter. The reinsurer, also National Union Fire Insurance Company,
has the ability to cancel the treaty if written notice is provided 90 days prior
to each anniversary of inception. In total, reinsurance recoverable balances due
from this reinsurer at December 31, 2000 represented approximately 2% of the
total.
Marketing
Our insurance policies are sold primarily through independent insurance
agents and brokers, who may also represent other insurance companies. We believe
that independent insurance agents and brokers choose to market our insurance
policies because of the quality of service that we provide, the commissions we
pay and the price of the insurance product. We employ full-time employees as
marketing representatives to make personal contacts with agents and brokers, to
maintain regular communication with them, to advise them of our services and
products, and to recruit additional agents and brokers. We currently have
relationships with approximately 796 agents and brokers and pay our agents and
brokers commissions based on a percentage of the gross written premium produced
by such agents and brokers. In 2001, we anticipate a reduction in the number of
agents resulting from more stringent volume and profitability standards we
imposed.
We maintain standard commission plans that vary by state for our agents and
brokers. In addition to the standard commission plans, agents and brokers may be
eligible to receive additional commissions in certain instances. Commissions,
including additional commissions if any, are negotiated on an individual policy
basis. No one agent or broker accounted for more than 1.8% of our total premiums
in force on December 31, 2000, and no one policy accounted for more than 0.8% of
our total premiums in force on December 31, 2000. Our top 10 agents and brokers
accounted for 12.1% of our total premiums in force December 31, 2000. From time
to time, we advertise and participate in insurance trade association functions
to maintain existing relationships and develop new ones.
Geographic Distribution of Premiums and Policy
The following tables set forth information concerning the percentages of
premiums and policies in force with us by geographic area as of December 31,
2000, 1999 and 1998. In force premiums are the total estimated annual premiums
of all policies in force at a point in time.
December 31,
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
Percent of premiums in force:
California 74% 80% 83%
Nevada 9 4 0
Colorado 9 8 8
Other States 8 8 9
-------------- -------------- --------------
Total 100% 100% 100%
============== ============== ==============
Total premiums in force (in thousands): $178,673 $154,963 $132,789
Percent of policies in force:
California 72% 79% 80%
Nevada 8 3 0
Colorado 7 6 6
Other States 13 12 14
-------------- -------------- --------------
Total 100% 100% 100%
============== ============== ==============
Total policies in force 15,292 15,485 12,624
Government Regulation and Recent Legislation
We are subject to extensive governmental regulation and supervision in each
state in which we conduct workers' compensation business. The primary purpose of
such regulation and supervision is to provide safeguards for policyholders and
injured workers rather than protect the interests of shareholders or creditors.
The extent and form of the regulation may vary, but generally has its source in
statutes that establish regulatory agencies and delegate to the regulatory
agencies broad regulatory, supervisory and administrative authority. Typically,
state regulations extend to such matters as licensing companies; restricting the
types or quality of investments; requiring triennial financial examinations and
market conduct surveys of insurance companies; licensing agents; regulating
aspects of a company's relationship with its agents; restricting use of some
underwriting criteria; regulating premium rates, forms and advertising; limiting
the grounds for cancellation or nonrenewal of policies; solicitation and
replacement practices; and specifying what might constitute unfair practices.
In the normal course of business, we and the various state agencies that
regulate our activities may disagree on interpretations of laws and regulations,
policy wording and disclosures or other related issues. These disagreements, if
left unresolved, could result in administrative hearings and/or litigation. We
attempt to resolve all issues with the regulatory agencies, but are willing to
litigate issues where we believe we have a strong position. The ultimate outcome
of these disagreements could result in sanctions and/or penalties and fines
assessed against us. Currently, there are no litigation matters pending with any
department of insurance.
State holding company acts also regulate changes in control of insurance
holding companies, such as the transactions and dividends between an insurance
company and its parent or affiliates. Although the specific provisions vary,
holding company acts generally prohibit a person from acquiring a controlling
interest in an insurer unless the insurance authority has approved the proposed
acquisition pursuant to applicable regulations. In many states, including
California, where the insurance subsidiaries are incorporated, "control" is
presumed to exist if 10% or more of the voting securities of the insurance
holding company are owned or controlled by one person or entity. In addition,
the insurance authority may find that "control" in fact does or does not exist
where one person or entity owns or controls either a lesser or greater amount of
securities. The holding company acts also impose standards on certain
transactions with related companies and individuals which include, among other
requirements, that all transactions are to be fair and reasonable and that
transactions exceeding specified limits receive prior regulatory approval.
Typically, states mandate participation in insurance guaranty associations,
which assess solvent insurance companies in order to fund claims of
policyholders of insolvent insurance companies. Under this arrangement, insurers
can be assessed up to 1%, or 2% in certain states, of premiums written for
workers' compensation insurance in that state each year to pay losses and LAE on
covered claims of insolvent insurers. In California and certain other states,
insurance companies are allowed to recoup such assessments from policyholders
while several states allow an offset against premium taxes. The California
Insurance Guaranty Association has issued an assessment as a result of the
insolvency of the insurers owned by Superior National Insurance Group. The
assessment is 1% of 1999 written premium to be paid in installments. The first
installment was paid on December 31, 2000 and the second is due June 30, 2001.
The payments of approximately $1.2 million will be recouped during 2001 and 2002
through assessments to policyholders. It is likely that Guarantee Fund
assessments related to this insolvency will continue.
Besides state insurance laws, we are subject to general business and
corporation laws, federal and state securities laws, consumer protection laws,
fair credit reporting acts and other laws regulating the conduct and operation
of our subsidiaries.
Dividends
Our insurance subsidiaries are restricted by state law as to the amount of
dividends that can be declared and paid to us.
Moreover, insurance companies domiciled in California and Texas generally
may not pay extraordinary dividends without providing the state insurance
commissioner with 30 days' prior notice, during which period the commissioner
may disapprove the payment. An "extraordinary dividend" is generally defined as
a dividend whose fair market value together with that of other dividends or
distributions made within the preceding 12 months exceeds the greater of ten
percent of the insurer's surplus as of the preceding December 31 or the income
of such insurer for the 12-month period ending on the preceding December 31.
In addition, our insurance subsidiaries may not pay a dividend without the
prior approval of the state insurance commissioner to the extent the cumulative
amount of dividends or distributions paid or proposed to be paid in any year
exceeds the amount shown as unassigned funds (reduced by any unrealized gains
included in such amount) on the insurer's statutory statement as of the previous
December 31. California Indemnity, which is our only direct subsidiary, cannot
currently pay any dividends to us without the prior approval of the California
Department of Insurance. On February 22, 2001, the Department approved a
dividend of up to $5.0 million by California Indemnity to us to finance a
portion of the exchange offer. We are not in a position to assess the likelihood
of obtaining future approval for the payment of dividends other than those
specifically allowed by law in each of our subsidiaries' state of domicile.
No prediction can be made as to whether any legislative proposals relating
to dividend rules in the domiciliary states of our subsidiaries will be made or
adopted in the future, whether the insurance departments of such states will
impose either additional restrictions in the future or a prohibition on the
ability of our regulated subsidiaries to declare and pay dividends or as to the
effect of any such proposals or restrictions on our regulated subsidiaries.
Deposits and Other Requirements
Our insurance subsidiaries are required by state regulatory agencies to
maintain certain deposits for the benefit of policyholders or claimants and must
also meet certain net worth and reserve requirements. Our insurance subsidiaries
have assets on deposit for the benefit of policyholders in various states
totaling $161,618,000 at December 31, 2000.
Legal Proceedings
We are subject to various claims and other litigation in the ordinary
course of our business. Such litigation includes workers' compensation claims by
injured workers and by providers for payment for medical services rendered to
injured workers. In the opinion of our management, the ultimate resolution of
pending legal proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition.
Employees
At December 31, 2000, we had a total of 338 full-time equivalent employees,
which we refer to as FTE's, grouped into underwriting, claims, marketing and
administrative functions. With the completion of our 1997-1998 restructuring and
the commencement of Nevada operations in 1999, 106 of our FTE's are located at
the headquarters in Las Vegas, while 118 work at the Pleasanton, California
office, and 76 work at the Burbank, California office. In addition, we have
full-service branch offices in Denver, Colorado and Dallas, Texas, which employ
18 and 16 FTE's respectively. We have two FTE's in Reno, Nevada and two FTE's in
Gladstone, Missouri. In December 2000, we transferred our managed care employees
totaling 88 FTE's to the workers' compensation Health Care Organization unit of
Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company.
Facilities
Our principal executive offices and the Las Vegas, Nevada branch office are
comprised of 41,005 square feet of office space subleased from Sierra through
December 31, 2001. We have an option to renew this sublease yearly for up to 14
more years. Our Northern California branch office, comprised of approximately
34,975 square feet of office space leased through October 31, 2002, is located
in Pleasanton, California. Our Southern California branch office, comprised of
23,250 square feet of office space leased through September 30, 2003, is located
in Burbank, California. We also lease space in other locations where we have
operations and believe our facilities are adequate for our current needs.
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
The table below presents our selected consolidated financial information
for the periods indicated and at the end of these periods. The consolidated
financial statement information as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 and for the
years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 was derived from our consolidated
financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated
financial information at December 31, 1998 and for the year ended December 31,
1997 was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not
included elsewhere in this prospectus. These financial statements were prepared
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America and were audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP. The consolidated financial
information at December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for the year ended December 31,
1996 was derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements for those
years.
Year Ended December 31,
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Income Statement Data:
Direct written premiums $203,268 $148,824 $153,914 $135,580 $126,724
Net written premiums $125,748 $85,097 $134,147 $130,597 $121,555
Net earned premiums $125,555 $82,955 $134,274 $129,197 $120,951
Net investment income and net realized
gains 14,454 15,395 20,229 17,361 18,689
Total revenues 140,009 98,350 154,503 146,558 139,640
Total costs and expenses 152,061 91,255 136,625 135,745 129,010
(Loss) income from continuing operations
before federal income taxes and
extraordinary gain (12,052) 7,095 17,878 10,813 10,630
Federal income tax (benefit) expense (3,669) 3,602 4,166 272 (896)
(Loss) income from continuing operations
before extraordinary gain (8,383) 3,493 13,712 10,541 11,526
Extraordinary gain from debt
extinguishment, net of tax 654 111 48 2 58
Net (loss) income $ (7,729) $ 3,604 $ 13,760 $ 10,543 $ 11,584
Year Ended December 31,
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Combined Ratios:
GAAP Combined Ratio:
Loss ratio 87.52% 74.08% 70.26% 72.24% 72.69%
Underwriting expense ratio(1) 28.34 31.45 28.45 29.67 30.54
Combined ratio 115.86% 105.53% 98.71% 101.91% 103.23%
Statutory Combined Ratio:
Loss ratio 91.65% 78.73% 71.03% 72.24% 72.69%
Underwriting expense ratio 28.64 32.48 28.92 29.56 30.48
Combined ratio 120.29% 111.21% 99.95% 101.80% 103.17%
December 31,
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Balance Sheet Data:
Total cash, cash equivalents and
invested assets $247,151 $226,572 $283,509 $278,479 $261,846
Total assets 533,602 404,338 379,880 343,022 315,895
Total debt 47,059 50,498 51,251 54,467 54,497
Total liabilities 470,250 338,285 305,933 285,452 270,975
Total stockholder's equity 63,352 66,053 73,947 57,570 44,920
- ------------------------------------------
(1) Includes policyholders' dividend ratio of 1.73% and .13% for the years
ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements of CII Financial and the related notes, which
appear elsewhere in this prospectus and Annex 1 to this prospectus which
contains a glossary of terms. Any forward-looking statements contained in this
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations and any other sections of this prospectus need to be considered in
connection with the Risk Factors discussed earlier in this prospectus.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our operating results are primarily the results of our workers'
compensation insurance subsidiaries and consist of underwriting profit/loss, net
investment income, net realized gains/losses, other income/expense, interest
expense on the old junior subordinated debentures, and income taxes.
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2000 Compared to the Year
Ended December 31, 1999
Our income before taxes decreased by $19.1 million for the year ended 2000
compared to 1999. The major components of the change were:
o $42.6 million increase in net earned premiums;
o $0.9 million decrease in investment income, including realized losses;
o $48.4 million increase in loss and loss adjustment expenses;
o $10.1 million increase in policy acquisition costs; and o $2.4 million
increase in general, administrative and other expenses.
Revenues:
Our revenue is comprised of net earned premiums, net investment income and
net realized gains/losses. Total revenue increased by 42% for the year ended
December 31, 2000 compared to 1999. The increase was largely due to a larger
amount of written premiums. The components increasing written premiums included
a 18% composite increase in premium rates for all states and a 24% increase in
production growth.
Net earned premiums are the end result of direct written premiums, plus
the change in unearned premiums, less premiums ceded to reinsurers. Our direct
written premiums increased by 37% due primarily to growth in California and
Nevada. Partially offsetting the growth in direct written premiums was an
increase in premiums ceded to reinsurers, which increased by 22%. The growth in
ceded reinsurance premiums was lower than the growth in direct written premiums
primarily due to the expiration of our low level reinsurance agreement on June
30, 2000 and new lower cost reinsurance agreements, all of which reduced the
percentage of premiums being ceded.
As compared to the low level reinsurance agreement that expired on June 30,
2000, the new lower cost reinsurance agreements will result in higher net earned
premium revenues, as we will be retaining more of the premium dollars, but also
lead to our keeping more of the incurred losses. This may result in a higher
loss and LAE ratio if the percentage increase in the additional incurred losses
should be greater than the percentage increase in the additional premiums we
retained. The effect on the balance sheet will result in a lower amount of
reinsurance recoverables. However, due to the length of time that it typically
takes to fully pay a claim, we should see an increase in cash flow and amounts
available to be invested.
The following table shows a comparison of direct written premiums, by
state, for the year ended December 31, 2000 and 1999:
Year Ended December 31,
2000 % of total 1999 % of total
(dollars in millions)
California $155.6 76.5% $ 120.5 80.9%
Colorado 16.7 8.2 12.3 8.3
Nevada 15.5 7.6 2.6 1.8
Texas 7.8 3.9 7.2 4.8
Other States 7.7 3.8 6.2 4.2
--------- ------- --------- ------
Total $203.3 100.0% $148.8 100.0%
====== ===== ====== =====
As shown in the preceding table, our largest premium state, California, had
the largest increase in written premiums. We have obtained an average premium
rate increase on California renewing policies of approximately 26% for the year
ended December 31, 2000 and approximately 36% for policies that renewed in the
second half of the year. The market-pricing environment in California has become
more favorable to insurers since 1999 in reaction to industry-wide losses in the
workers' compensation line, increased reinsurance costs and competitors
retreating from the market. In Nevada, we began writing premiums on July 1,
1999, which was the first date private carriers were allowed to issue workers'
compensation policies in the state.
Premiums in force are an indicator of future written premium trends.
Inforce premiums are the total estimated annual premiums of all policies in
force at a point in time. Total inforce premiums increased by 15% to
$178,674,000 at December 31, 2000 compared to the prior year. Total inforce
premiums have dropped by 6% from its highest point in the last twelve months
which was in August 2000. This indicates a potential slowing trend in premiums
written, especially in California, due largely to business lost because of the
higher premium rate increases we have been trying to obtain. The number of
inforce policies at December 31, 2000 has also dropped by 6.6% from its highest
point in the last twelve months, which was also August 2000.
Effective July 1, 1998, we entered into what we refer to as a "low level"
reinsurance agreement. See Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses below for further
details on this agreement. The favorable terms of the low level reinsurance
agreement provided us with an improved loss ratio as we reinsured a significant
amount of losses to the reinsurer. However, the ceded premiums we paid the
reinsurer reduced the cash available for investment and temporarily created
negative cash flow for us. The $702,000 or 4% reduction in net investment income
for the year ended December 31, 2000, compared to the prior period, is due to a
reduction in investments primarily because of higher ceded premiums paid to
reinsurers in 2000.
We had net realized losses of $620,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000
compared to net realized losses of $381,000 for the prior period. We have tried
to manage our investment portfolio to minimize unplanned sales of our
available-for-sale investments.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses:
The $48.4 million increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses, which we
refer to as LAE, is attributable to the following reasons:
o Approximately $26.4 million of the increase is related to our premium
growth.
o For the year ended December 31, 2000 compared to 1999, we recorded an
increase of $13.4 million in net adverse loss development for prior accident
years. For the year ended December 31, 2000, we recorded $23.3 million of net
adverse loss development, primarily for 1996 to 1999 accident years, compared to
net adverse loss development of $9.9 million recorded in 1999, primarily for
1996 to 1998 accident years. The net adverse development recorded in 1999 and
2000 for the prior accident years was largely attributable to higher costs per
claim, or claim severity, in California. Higher claim severity has had a
negative impact on the entire California workers' compensation industry. See our
discussion above in "Business - Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses."
o We established a higher loss and LAE ratio for the 2000 accident year,
which has resulted in a year over year increase in loss and LAE of approximately
$8.6 million. The majority of the increase is due to the termination of the low
level reinsurance agreement on June 30, 2000, which results in a higher risk
exposure on policies effective after that date and a higher amount of net
incurred loss and LAE. In addition, in light of the net adverse loss development
we recorded in the fourth quarter of 1999 of $9.9 million, the lower premium
rates on policies written in 1999 and inflationary trends in health care costs,
we believed it prudent to establish the 2000 accident year reserves at a higher
rate.
Under our low level reinsurance agreement, we reinsure 30% of the first
$10,000 of each claim, 75% of the next $40,000 and 100% of the next $450,000.
The maximum net loss retained on any one claim ceded under this agreement is
$17,000. This agreement covered all policies in force at July 1, 1998 and
continued until June 30, 2000 when we executed an option to extend coverage to
all policies in force as of June 30, 2000. For policies effective from July 1,
2000, we obtained excess of loss reinsurance for 100% of the losses above
$250,000 and less than $500,000. We already had an existing excess of loss
reinsurance agreement that covered 100% of the losses above $500,000.
As a percentage of net earned premiums, the loss and LAE ratio for the year
ended December 31, 2000 was 87.5% compared to 74.1% for 1999. The 2000 loss
ratio was significantly impacted by the $23.3 million net adverse development,
which represents 18.6% of net earned premiums. In addition, the expiration of
the low level reinsurance agreement is resulting in a higher loss and LAE ratio
on policies effective after June 30, 2000 as we are keeping more of the losses.
Underwriting Expenses:
Underwriting expenses consist of policy acquisition costs and other
underwriting costs. Policy acquisition costs are those expenses that are
directly related to, and vary with, written premiums. Examples of policy
acquisition costs are commissions and allowances paid to agents and brokers,
premium taxes, boards and bureau fees and certain operating expenses primarily
related to our underwriting and marketing departments. The increase in policy
acquisition costs of $10.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 compared
to 1999 is primarily attributable to the increase in net earned premiums.
Included in the 2000 expenses are the effects of the run-off of the low level
reinsurance agreement and its related reduction in ceding commissions, which has
resulted in an increase in policy acquisition costs of $3.2 million in 2000.
Other underwriting expenses decreased by $2.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 2000 compared to 1999 due to cost containment measures that we
initiated. As a percentage of net earned premiums, the underwriting expense
ratio, including policyholders' dividends, was 28.3% in 2000 compared to 31.5%
in 1999. The improvement in the expense ratio was due in part to higher net
earned premiums, which provides a larger base to spread our fixed costs, smaller
growth in personnel expenses and lower agents' commissions and allowances.
General, Administrative and Other Expenses:
Included in general, administrative and other expenses are other
underwriting expenses of $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2000
compared to $14.7 million for the prior year period. Also included are
policyholders' dividends of $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2000
compared to $.1 million in 1999. The majority of the dividends are for Nevada
participating policies and represent 1.7% of 2000 net earned premiums compared
to .1% in 1999. In addition, in 2000, we wrote-off capitalized costs of $3.0
million on an information system software project that was cancelled because the
vendor was unable to fulfill its contractual obligations.
Combined Ratio:
The combined ratio is a measurement of underwriting profit or loss and is
the sum of the loss and LAE ratio, underwriting expense ratio and policyholders'
dividend ratio. A combined ratio of less than 100% indicates an underwriting
profit. Our combined ratio was 115.8% for the year ended December 31, 2000
compared to 105.5% for the same period in 1999. The increase was primarily due
to a higher loss and LAE ratio of 13.4 percentage points and policyholders'
dividends ratio of 1.6 percentage points, offset slightly by a decrease in the
underwriting expense ratio of 4.7 percentage points. The increase in the loss
and LAE ratio was due to:
o Increase in net adverse loss development which represents 6.6 percentage
points of the change in the loss and LAE ratio; and
o Higher loss and LAE ratio on the 2000 accident year of $8.6 million,
which represents 6.8 percentage points of the change in the loss and LAE ratio.
Income Taxes:
For the year ended December 31, 2000, we recorded a tax benefit of $3.7
million compared to a tax provision of $3.6 million in 1999. The effective tax
rate was 33% for the 2000 period compared to 50% for the 1999. The decrease in
the effective tax rate for 2000 relates primarily to the decrease in tax
preferred investments and the change in valuation allowances as a percentage of
pre-tax income compared to 1999.
For the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, we recorded valuation
allowances of $1.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Under the tax sharing
agreement with Sierra, valuation allowances have been established for the net
deferred tax asset of CII Financial as they can only utilize these benefits to
the extent they generate or realize separate return income. We believe that it
is more likely than not that CII Financial will have insufficient future income
to utilize these tax benefits.
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 1999 Compared to the Year
Ended December 31, 1998
Our income before taxes decreased by $10.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 1999 compared to 1998. The major components of the change were:
o $51.3 million decrease in net earned premiums;
o $2.5 million decrease in investment income;
o $2.4 million decrease in net realized gains;
o $32.9 million decrease in loss and loss adjustment expenses;
o $13.5 million decrease in policy acquisition costs; and
o $1.6 million increase in general, administrative and other expenses.
Revenues:
Our revenue is comprised of net earned premiums, net investment income and
net realized gains/losses. Total revenue decreased by 36% for the year ended
December 31, 1999 compared to 1998 and was due to a significant reduction in net
earned premiums. In addition, negative cash flows from operations resulted in
lower net investment income.
Net earned premiums are the end result of direct written premiums, plus the
change in unearned premiums, less premiums ceded to reinsurers. Our direct
written premiums decreased by $5.1 million or 3% due primarily to lower prices
for workers' compensation insurance in California. The increase in ceded
reinsurance premiums of $44.0 million was primarily due to the low level
reinsurance agreement, which is discussed below.
The following table shows a comparison of direct written premiums, by
state, for the year ended December 31, 1999 and 1998:
Year Ended December 31,
1999 % of total 1998 % of total
(dollars in millions)
California $120.5 80.9% $129.3 84.0%
Colorado 12.3 8.3 12.0 7.8
Texas 7.2 4.8 8.1 5.3
Nevada 2.6 1.8 0.0 0.0
Other States 6.2 4.2 4.5 2.9
-------- ------- ------- -------
Total $148.8 100.0% $153.9 100.0%
====== ====== ====== =====
Our largest premium state, California, also had the largest decrease in
written premiums due in large part to increasing price competition. The
market-pricing environment in California became less favorable at the end of
1998 due to some competitors using reinsurance as a way of reducing premium
rates to gain market share. We began writing workers' compensation insurance in
Nevada on July 1, 1999, the first date private insurance carriers were allowed
to issue workers' compensation policies in the state.
Premiums in force are an indicator of future written premium trends.
Inforce premiums are the total estimated annual premiums of all policies in
force at a point in time. Although direct premium writings decreased for the
year ended December 31, 1999 compared to 1998, total inforce premiums at
December 31, 1999 increased by 17% to $155.0 million. This indicates an upward
trend in premium growth, especially in California, in the latter part of 1999.
The number of inforce policies at December 31, 1999 also increased by 23% to
15,485.
Effective July 1, 1998, we entered into what we refer to as a "low level"
reinsurance agreement. See Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses below for further
details on this agreement. The favorable terms of the low level reinsurance
agreement provided us with an improved loss ratio as we reinsured a significant
amount of losses to the reinsurer. However, the ceded premiums we paid the
reinsurer reduced the cash available for investment and temporarily created
negative cash flow for us. The negative cash flow created by the low level
reinsurance agreement was the primary reason for the lower net investment income
of $2.5 million.
We had net realized losses of $381,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999
compared to net realized gains of $2.0 million in 1998. We try to manage our
investment portfolio to minimize unplanned sales of our available-for-sale
investments. In 1998, we sold some of our investments in debt securities and
realized some gains.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses:
The $32.9 million decrease in the losses and LAE is attributable to the
following reasons:
o Due to the low level reinsurance agreement, our reinsurer is at risk for
more of our losses and LAE on policies in force at July 1, 1998. This agreement
reduced the dollar amount of losses and LAE for the year ended December 31, 1999
by approximately $70 million.
o We recorded $9.9 million of net adverse loss development for prior
accident years in the fourth quarter of 1999 compared to net favorable loss
development of $9.6 million in 1998. The net adverse development recorded in
1999 was primarily attributable to higher costs per claim, or claim severity, in
California on accident years 1996 to 1998. The entire California workers'
compensation industry has been adversely affected by higher claim severity. See
our discussion above in "Business - Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses." The
number of reported claims per $1 million of earned premium, or claims frequency,
did not significantly change when compared to our historical patterns. The net
favorable loss development recorded in 1998 was due to lower than expected loss
and LAE payments, primarily on accident years 1992 to 1995. Due to adverse
reserve trends that we experienced in calendar years 1991 and 1992, we
established reserves on accident years 1992 through 1995 at higher levels so as
to avoid future adverse development. Actual loss payments have come in at levels
below our projections and this favorable development was taken into income only
after we and our outside actuary were satisfied that the development was
substantially complete.
o The amount of direct losses and LAE reserves (i.e., before deducting
reinsurance recoveries) recorded in 1999 were higher by approximately $22
million due to the trend in higher claim severity. This was partially offset by
an increase in excess reinsurance recoverable of $4.5 million. In 1998, we
recorded favorable loss development and this trend was factored into the loss
ratio to record the 1999 accident year reserves.
Under our low level reinsurance agreement, we reinsure 30% of the first
$10,000 of each claim, 75% of the next $40,000 and 100% of the next $450,000.
The maximum net loss retained on any one claim ceded under this agreement is
$17,000. This agreement covered all policies in force at July 1, 1998. We also
had excess of loss reinsurance agreements that covered 100% of the losses above
$500,000 to $100 million.
As a percentage of net earned premiums, the loss and LAE ratio for year
ended December 31, 1999 was 74.1% compared to 70.3% for 1998. The increase is
due to the following:
o The $9.9 million of net adverse loss development for prior
accident years recorded in the fourth quarter of 1999 compared to
favorable loss development of $9.6 million in 1998 accounts for
an increase in the loss and LAE ratio of approximately 19
percentage points.
o The additional amounts of ceded losses and LAE due to the low
level reinsurance agreement have reduced the net loss and LAE
ratio by approximately 11 percentage points.
o The remainder of the difference is due to the lower direct
reserves that were established on the 1999 accident year.
Underwriting Expenses:
Underwriting expenses consist of policy acquisition costs and other
underwriting costs. Policy acquisition costs are those expenses that are
directly related to, and vary with, written premiums. Examples of policy
acquisition costs are commissions and allowances paid to agents and brokers,
premium taxes, boards and bureau fees and certain operating expenses primarily
related to underwriting and marketing departments. Policy acquisition costs
decreased by $13.5 million or 54% for the year ended December 31, 1999 compared
to 1998. The decrease was all due to a ceding commission of $14.7 million
received on the low level reinsurance agreement as a partial reimbursement of
our expenses. Partially offsetting the ceding commissions were higher
commissions paid to agents and brokers in order to remain competitive in the
marketplace. Other underwriting expenses increased by $1.6 million in 1999
compared to 1998 due to higher personnel costs to service the increase in
premium growth. As a percentage of net earned premiums, the underwriting expense
ratio was 31.5% in 1999 compared to 28.4% in 1998. The improvement in the
expense ratio was largely due to the ceding commissions.
General, Administrative and Other Expenses:
The increase in this income statement line item was primarily due to other
underwriting expenses of $14.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1999
compared to $13.2 million for 1998.
Combined Ratio:
The combined ratio is a measurement of underwriting profit or loss and is
the sum of the loss and LAE ratio, underwriting expense ratio and policyholders'
dividend ratio. A combined ratio of less than 100% indicates an underwriting
profit. Our combined ratio was 105.5% for the year ended December 31, 1999
compared to 98.7% for 1998. The increase was due to a higher loss and LAE ratio
of 3.8 percentage points and a higher underwriting expense ratio of 3.1
percentage points. The increase in the 1999 year loss and LAE ratio was
primarily due to net adverse loss development of $9.9 million, which represents
11.9% of 1999 net earned premiums, whereas the 1998 year had favorable loss
development of $9.6 million, which represented 7.1% of 1998 net earned premiums.
The change in loss development was partially offset by additional amounts of
ceded losses and LAE under the low level reinsurance agreement. The increase in
the underwriting expense ratio was primarily due to the lower net earned premium
base in 1999.
Income Taxes:
For the year ended December 31, 1999, we recorded a tax provision of $3.6
million compared to a tax provision of $4.2 million in 1998. The effective tax
rate was 50% for 1999 compared to 23% for 1998. The increase in the effective
tax rate for 1999 was primarily due to the fact that we did not reverse any of
the deferred tax valuation allowance as we had in prior years and we continued
to establish valuation allowances for the deferred tax asset of CII Financial.
For the year ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, CII Financial recorded valuation
allowances of $1.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively. For the year ended
December 31, 1998, California Indemnity recorded a $3.2 million reduction in
their valuation allowance, resulting in a net reduction in the valuation
allowance of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1998.
From 1991 to 1995, we had net operating losses or NOLs for every year
except 1993. The NOLs for these years, net of the 1993 income of $1.1 million,
were $51.3 million. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), valuation
allowances were established for our net deferred tax asset related to these
NOLs. In conjunction with Sierra's purchase of us on October 31, 1995, we
recorded a pooling of interests adjustment to reverse the valuation allowance
associated with all of the net deferred tax assets except those related to our
NOLs as a result of annual and separate company NOL limitations required by the
Internal Revenue Code. We retained the valuation allowance based upon our
assessment of historical earnings and prevalent market conditions evident at the
time.
During 1996, 1997 and 1998, we reversed some of the valuation allowance
because California Indemnity and Sierra realized the benefit of the deferred tax
assets that were previously offset by the valuation allowance. Under the tax
sharing agreement with Sierra, valuation allowances have been established for
the net deferred tax asset of CII Financial as they can only utilize these
benefits to the extent they generate or realize separate return income. We
believe that it is more likely than not that CII Financial will have
insufficient future net income to utilize these tax benefits.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our insurance subsidiaries require liquidity to pay policy claims and
benefits, for operating expenses, income taxes and to purchase fixed assets to
maintain and enhance their operations. The source of our insurance subsidiaries'
funds come from the premiums we collect, the investment income we earn and
receipts from our reinsurers. The liquidity needs of our non-insurance
operations, which are essentially the holding company, CII Financial, are
substantially all related to the servicing of interest payments on the old
junior subordinated debentures and, eventually, the payment of these debentures
at maturity.
Our insurance subsidiaries are required to maintain sufficient liquid
assets to pay claims and other policy obligations. Workers' compensation
insurance is referred to as "long-tail" business because of the length of time
that typically occurs between when the premium is collected and when a claim is
fully paid and settled due to life-time benefits that could be provided to a
claimant. The excess of premiums collected over claims and expenses paid are
invested until needed. State regulations dictate the kinds of investments we can
have and we try to match the maturity of our investments with expected future
cash needs.
Our only significant short-term non-insurance liquidity need is the
repayment of the $47 million in old junior subordinated debentures, which are
due on September 15, 2001, and is discussed further below. If our proposed
exchange offer for the old junior subordinated debentures is successful and we
issue new senior debentures with a maturity date of September 15, 2004, then our
long-term non-insurance liquidity needs will be to service this new debt. We
expect to service this new debt from future cash flows, primarily from dividends
that will be paid by our insurance subsidiaries from their future earnings.
We had positive cash flows from operating activities of $16.2 million for
the year ended December 31, 2000 and negative cash flows of $29.5 million for
the year ended December 31, 1999. Our positive cash flow for the 2000 period was
largely due to an increase in loss and LAE reserves of $130.2 million plus an
increase of $4.5 million for depreciation, amortization and asset impairment,
which were partially offset by a net loss of $7.7 million and an increase in
reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses of $115.3 million. Our
negative cash flow for the 1999 year was primarily due to a net increase in
reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses of $73.4 million offset by an
increase in loss and LAE reserves of $32.1 million, an increase in deferred
income taxes of $5.9 million and net income of $3.6 million. The increases in
reinsurance recoverable were primarily due to the low level reinsurance
agreement. The increases in the loss and LAE reserves were due to premium growth
as well as adjustments related to net adverse development on prior accident
years recorded in 2000 of $23.3 million and $9.9 million in 1999.
Our net cash provided by investing activities was $.7 million for the year
ended December 31, 2000 compared to $24.8 million for 1999. Capital expenditures
in 2000 were $0.8 million and $4.2 million in 1999. Our insurance subsidiaries
anticipate their capital expenditures to approximate $2 to $4 million per year
over the next several years. Due to the negative cash flows from operations
during the first nine months of 2000, we had to sell some of our investments.
Our net cash flows from financing activities were a negative $5.1 million
for the year ended December 31, 2000 period and negative $0.6 million for 1999.
The negative cash flows from financing activities for both periods were a result
of our repurchase of old junior subordinated debentures in the open market and a
dividend of $2.6 million paid to Sierra in calendar year 2000.
In September 1991, CII Financial, the holding company, issued the old
junior subordinated debentures. The old junior subordinated debentures bear
interest at 7 1/2% per annum, which is due semi-annually on March 15 and
September 15. Each $1,000 in principal is convertible into 25.382 shares of
common stock of our ultimate parent company, Sierra Health Services, at a
conversion price of $39.398 per share. The old junior subordinated debentures
have no financial ratio covenants. The primary covenants include the timely
payment of principal, premium, interest and taxes. Other covenants include our
agreement to maintain our existence, business properties and an office where the
old junior subordinated debentures can be surrendered for payment, transfer or
conversion. There are also covenants regarding our offering to purchase the old
junior subordinated debentures upon specified non-approved mergers and changes
in control. Since Sierra's acquisition of us was approved by our board of
directors and our shareholders, we were not required to offer to purchase the
old junior subordinated debentures. The new senior debentures will be senior
indebtedness of CII Financial. The new senior debentures will have covenants
similar to the old junior subordinated debentures, and in addition, covenants
that restrict our ability to incur indebtedness, including upstream guarantees,
make restricted payments, including dividends, distributions and loans, enter
into transactions with our affiliates and create or incur liens, and covenants
that will require us, in certain circumstances, to use the net proceeds from any
sale of assets or the capital stock of our subsidiaries, and our excess cash
flow, to make an offer to repurchase our new senior debentures. As of December
31, 2000, unamortized issuance costs of $91,000 are included in other assets on
the balance sheet and are being amortized over the life of the old junior
subordinated debentures. The old junior subordinated debentures are junior
subordinated obligations of CII Financial only and are not guaranteed by Sierra.
Sierra has a bank credit facility and, at June 30, 2000, was in breach of
its financial covenants (leverage ratio, consolidated net worth and fixed
charges coverage ratio). In consideration of the banks granting a waiver of
compliance, in August 2000, CII Financial became a guarantor of the Sierra
credit facility debt. The guaranty of the bank debt ranks senior to the old
junior subordinated debentures. The waivers expired on October 31, 2000 and
Sierra received a notice of default from the banks on November 8, 2000. The
credit facility was amended and restated on December 15, 2000.
The new credit agreement currently provides Sierra with a revolving credit
facility of $135 million. The available amounts, which Sierra can borrow under
the credit facility, will be reduced by amounts ranging from $2.0 million to
$10.0 million every six months starting in June 2001. This may necessitate a
loan paydown of the amount of outstanding loans in excess of the reduced
commitments, if any. In addition, under certain circumstances, Sierra would be
required to make prepayments of the loans, and the amount available to Sierra
under the revolving credit facility would be reduced. For example, 80% of any
excess cash flow that Sierra has in each year must be applied to a repayment of
the credit facility. In addition, if Sierra or a subsidiary of Sierra (other
than a regulated subsidiary and other specified subsidiaries) engages in an
asset sale or a sale-leaseback transaction (with the exception of specified
assets in the new credit agreement), 80% of the net cash proceeds must be
applied to a repayment of the loans and a reduction of the amount available
under the revolving credit facility. In addition, 100% of the net cash proceeds
of a debt issuance (excluding issuances by CII Financial) must be applied to a
repayment of the loans and a reduction in the amount available under the
revolving credit facility. The credit facility also requires that the purchase
of old junior subordinated debentures with funds other than those from CII
Financial will require an equal permanent reduction in the credit facility
limit. Subject to normal qualifications and exceptions, Sierra has covenants
that, among other things, will restrict the ability of Sierra and its
subsidiaries, including CII Financial, to dispose of assets, incur indebtedness,
pay dividends, make investments, loans or advances, make acquisitions, engage in
mergers or consolidations, or make capital expenditures and which otherwise
restrict certain corporate activities. In addition, Sierra is required to comply
with specified financial ratios, as defined in the new credit agreement,
including minimum interest coverage ratios and leverage ratios. Since December
15, 2000, Sierra has been in compliance with the financial covenants of the new
credit agreement.
At April 12, 2001, Sierra's bank credit facility had outstanding borrowings
of $128 million. Unused credit facility balances are primarily reserved for
Sierra's working capital purposes. Any availability under the credit facility
generated from Sierra's excess cash flow must be converted annually to permanent
reductions in accordance with the terms of the facility.
CII Financial is a holding company and its only significant assets are its
investment in California Indemnity Insurance Company. Of the $28.7 million in
cash and cash equivalents held at December 31, 2000, approximately $27.4 million
were designated for use only by the regulated insurance companies.
CII Financial has limited sources of cash and is dependent upon dividends
paid by California Indemnity. The payment of stockholders' dividends by
California Indemnity is regulated by the California Insurance Code and, at a
minimum, requires a 10 work day prior notice to the California Department of
Insurance. If a payment of a dividend or distribution whose fair market value,
together with that of other dividends or distributions made within the preceding
12 months, exceeds the greater of ten percent of the insurer's surplus or its
net income for the preceding year end, then the insurance commissioner has up to
30 days to disapprove it. The California Insurance Department will not allow a
payment of a dividend or distribution if it will cause an insurer's
policyholders' surplus to be unreasonable in relation to the insurer's
liabilities and the adequacy of the insurer's financial needs. In making this
determination, the Department of Insurance considers a variety of factors
including, but not limited to, the size of the insurer, the amount, type and
geographic concentration of insurance it writes, the quality of its assets and
reinsurance programs, and operating trends.
In addition, California law provides that an insurer may not pay a dividend
without the prior approval of the state insurance commissioner to the extent the
cumulative amount of dividends or distributions paid or proposed to be paid in
any year exceeds the amount shown as unassigned funds (reduced by any unrealized
gains included in such amount) on the insurer's statutory statement as of the
previous December 31. As of December 31, 2000, California Indemnity Insurance
Company, which is our only direct insurance subsidiary, had unassigned funds of
$174,000 from which it could pay a dividend without prior approval.
California Indemnity Insurance Company declared and paid no dividends to
CII Financial in 1998 but paid $6.0 million of dividends to it in 1999 and $6.8
million in 2000.
Sierra advanced $365,000 to us in order to enable us to make our September
15, 2001 interest payment on the old junior subordinated debentures. Sierra's
amended and restated bank credit facility will limit Sierra's ability to make
any future advances to us. Since we do not believe that we will have sufficient
sources of cash to pay the maturing old junior subordinated debentures, we are
proposing to exchange the old junior subordinated debentures for a combination
of cash and/or new senior debentures. The sources for the cash portion of the
proposed exchange offer include a dividend by California Indemnity to CII
Financial of up to $5 million. On February 22, 2001, the California Department
of Insurance approved the payment by California Indemnity of an extraordinary
dividend of up to $5 million. We will borrow up to $15.0 million from Sierra for
the balance of the cash portion of the exchange consideration. In addition, we
expect that Sierra will lend us an additional $2.0 million to enable us to pay
the interest and expenses incurred in the exchange offer. In order to issue the
new senior debentures in the proposed exchange offer, we will need the consent
of a two-thirds majority in principal amount of the lenders under Sierra's
credit facility.
If the proposed exchange offer is unsuccessful and we were to default on
the payment of the old junior subordinated debentures when they mature, then
there will be a cross default on Sierra's credit facility debt and the banks may
demand that CII Financial perform on its payment guaranty. If we then had to
sell our insurance subsidiaries, our net cash proceeds would probably be
substantially less than if the sale were to occur when we were not in a default
situation. Under such circumstances, the California Department of Insurance
could, among other things, exercise its oversight powers to preserve the assets
of the insurance companies for the benefit of the policyholders and claimants
and could prevent or significantly delay a possible sale of our insurance
subsidiaries.
Since our acquisition by Sierra in October 1995, we have paid dividends to
Sierra totaling $2.6 million. Since the acquisition, Sierra has contributed $3.7
million to us by purchasing in the open market old junior subordinated
debentures and contributing them to us for retirement.
Inflation
Inflation can be expected to affect our operating performance and financial
condition in several aspects. Inflation can reduce the market value of our
investment portfolio; however, we try to manage our investment portfolio to
minimize unplanned sales. Inflation can adversely affect the portion of loss and
LAE reserves that relate to hospital and medical expenses, although some medical
expenses are established by statute. Loss reserves related to indemnity benefits
for lost wages are not directly affected by inflation as these amounts are
established by statute. We do not believe that inflation has had a material
effect on our results of operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements" ("SAB
101"). SAB 101 clarifies existing accounting principles related to revenue
recognition in financial statements. We are required to comply with the
provisions of SAB 101 in the quarter ending December 31, 2000. Based upon the
current nature of our operations, SAB 101 did not have any impact on our results
of operations.
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"), as amended, which is effective
for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS 133 establishes additional
accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging
activities. SFAS 133 requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either
assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position. This statement
also defines and allows companies to apply hedge accounting to its designated
derivatives under certain instances. It also requires that all derivatives be
marked to market on an ongoing basis. This applies whether the derivatives are
stand-alone instruments, such as warrants or interest rate swaps, or embedded
derivatives, such as call options contained in convertible debt investments.
Along with derivatives, in the case of qualifying hedges, the underlying hedge
items are also to be marked to market. These market value adjustments are to be
included either in the income statement or other comprehensive income, depending
on the nature of the hedged transaction. The fair value of financial instruments
is generally determined by reference to market values resulting from trading on
a national securities exchange or in an over the counter market. In cases where
derivatives relate to financial instruments of non-public companies, or where
quoted market prices are otherwise not available, such as for derivative
financial instruments, fair value is based on estimates using present value or
other valuation techniques. Based on our understanding of SFAS 133, we do not
believe that we have any derivative instruments and do not have any hedging
activities. The majority of our investments are held by our insurance
subsidiaries, which are regulated as to the types of investments they may hold.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
At December 31, 2000, we had $247.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and
invested assets of which $244.2 million is designated for use only by our
regulated insurance subsidiaries. Our invested assets consist of debt securities
of $198.9 million, of which $177.7 million were classified as available-for-sale
and $21.2 million was classified as held-to-maturity. These investments are
substantially investment grade securities. Our investment policies emphasize
return of principal and liquidity and are focused on fixed returns that limit
volatility and risk of principal. Our primary market risk associated with our
investment portfolio is interest rate risk.
Assuming interest rates were to increase by a factor of 1.1, the net
hypothetical loss in fair value of shareholder's equity related to financial
instruments would approximately be $4.6 million after tax. This would represent
approximately 7% of shareholder's equity. We believe that if interest rates were
to increase by this amount, it would not have a material impact on our future
earnings or cash flows, as it is unlikely that we would need or choose to
substantially liquidate our investment portfolio.
The effect of interest rate risk on potential near-term net income, cash
flow and fair value was determined based on commonly used sensitivity analyses.
The models project the impact of interest rate changes on a wide range of
factors, including duration and prepayment. Fair value was estimated based on
the net present value of cash flows or duration estimates, assuming an immediate
10% increase in interest rates.
MANAGEMENT
Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information concerning our directors and
executive officers.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Position Age
Name
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul H. Palmer Director 40
Frank E. Collins Director 46
Kathleen M. Marlon President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Director 42
John F. Okita Chief Financial Officer 52
Robert G. Riordan Senior Vice President 48
Louis R. Fabre Vice President 42
Robert L. Selli Vice President 59
David M. Sonenstein General Counsel and Secretary 53
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul H. Palmer, Director. Mr. Palmer is the vice president of finance,
chief financial officer and treasurer of Sierra. He was promoted to these
offices in 1998. Prior to this, he was assistant vice president of Sierra from
May 1996, corporate controller from November 1994 and director of finance when
he joined Sierra in 1993. Prior to joining Sierra, Mr. Palmer was an audit
manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP (formerly Touche Ross) in Las Vegas and
California from 1988 to 1993. Mr. Palmer is a certified public accountant with
an MBA and masters in accounting from Brigham Young University. He is a member
of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Nevada State
Society of Certified Public Accountants and the California State Society of
Certified Public Accountants.
Frank E. Collins, Director. Mr. Collins joined Sierra in 1986 as general
counsel and secretary. In 1997 he was appointed executive vice president. From
1981 to 1986, Mr. Collins was employed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
City, originally as staff legal counsel and in early 1986 as associate general
counsel. Mr. Collins also served as counsel for the Missouri Division of
Insurance from 1979 to 1981, where he was responsible for providing legal advice
on insurance- and HMO-related regulatory issues. Mr. Collins received his Juris
Doctorate in 1979 from the University of Missouri at Kansas City school of law
and is a member of the Missouri Bar Association.
Kathleen M. Marlon, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and
Director. Ms. Marlon joined Sierra in March 1986. In 1990, she became president
and chief operating officer of Sierra Healthcare Options, Inc., a start-up
subsidiary of Sierra. In February 1996, Ms. Marlon became our president and
chief executive officer. In December 2000, Ms. Marlon became our chairman. Prior
to joining Sierra, Ms. Marlon held technical and management positions for six
years with Delphi Systems and Quality Systems. Ms. Marlon received her Bachelor
of Science in Accounting from the University of Southern California in 1980. Ms.
Marlon has successfully completed the CPA exam and Property & Casualty and
Health licensing exams and holds a F.L.M.I. designation. Ms. Marlon is married
to Anthony M. Marlon's nephew. Anthony M. Marlon is the chairman and chief
executive officer of Sierra.
John F. Okita, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Okita has served in this
capacity since he started his employment with us in April 1992 until September
1999 and from June 2000 to present. In September 1999, Mr. Okita left us to
become the corporate controller of Sierra, a position he still holds. In June
2000 he returned to us as our chief financial officer. Mr. Okita is a certified
public accountant and a licensed attorney and has over twenty years of
property-casualty insurance industry experience. Prior to joining us, Mr. Okita
was in private tax and financial consulting practice. Mr. Okita served in
several financial executive capacities at Fremont Insurance Group between 1980
and 1990. Prior to that, Mr. Okita was employed by Coopers & Lybrand from 1975
and audited both property-casualty and life insurance companies. Mr. Okita
received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California
State University at Los Angeles and his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School.
Robert G. Riordan, Senior Vice President. Mr. Riordan was promoted to this
position in May 1997 after having served as director of field operations since
November 1993. He was vice president of Northern California operations for USA
Casualty Company from November 1991 until joining Sierra in 1993. Prior to USA
Casualty, Mr. Riordan had held various underwriting, marketing and financial
reporting positions with Fireman's Fund Insurance Companies since 1976. Mr.
Riordan attended Steubenville College where he received a Bachelor of Science
degree in Business Administration.
Louis R. Fabre, Vice President. Mr. Fabre has served in this capacity since
he started his employment with the Company in September 1998. Mr. Fabre has over
17 years in Information Technologies, primarily in business applications
relating to workers' compensation, financial accounting and purchasing systems.
Mr. Fabre has extensive experience in programming fourth generation languages
and extensive data base administration experience in client server architecture.
Prior to joining the company, Mr. Fabre worked with Zenith Insurance Company for
3 years as the Director of Software Development. During his tenure at Zenith, he
was responsible for the oversight of over 30 developers and analysts. From 1986
to 1995, Mr. Fabre worked for Computer Sciences Corporation as a Consultant
where he was a Project Manager, managing projects for various companies and
organizations. Prior to that, Mr. Fabre served in the United States Air Force
where he held various positions relating to computer technologies.
Robert L. Selli, Vice President. Mr. Selli was promoted in November 1997
after serving as director of underwriting since December 1996. Mr. Selli has
served as Northern California Underwriting Manager and key member of our
California Open Rating Task Force since he joined us in January 1994. Prior to
that time, Mr. Selli held various underwriting management and marketing
positions with Fireman's Fund Insurance Company and Zurich American since
entering the industry in 1967. Mr. Selli attended San Francisco State University
where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.
David M. Sonenstein, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Sonenstein has
served as general counsel since joining us in August 1997 and as secretary since
early 1999. Mr. Sonenstein served as vice president and associate general
counsel of Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, from 1991 to 1997. He started his
employment with Fireman's Fund as Associate Counsel in 1979. Mr. Sonenstein was
in private practice from 1972 to 1979. Mr. Sonenstein graduated from Claremont
Men's College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received his Juris Doctorate in
1972 from Hastings College of Law.
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth information with respect to the compensation
paid by us for the year ended December 31, 2000 to our chief executive officer
and to each of our four next most highly compensated executive officers:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Name of Individual
Or Number Of Persons Capacities in Cash All Other
In Group Which Served Compensation Bonus Compensation
Kathleen M. Marlon President, Chief $232,525 $7,500 $26,118 (1)
Executive Officer
John F. Okita Chief Financial 148,865 (2) 5,100 (2) 10,500 (2)
Officer
Robert G. Riordan Senior Vice President 155,288 5,000 10,500
David M. Sonenstein General Counsel 139,849 2,500 10,500
Louis R. Fabre Vice President 130,812 5,000 0
- --------------
(1) Includes $14,927 of compensation resulting from split-dollar insurance
policies purchased in 1997, calculated based on regulations of the SEC. The
regulations require compensation to be calculated on the assumption that
most of the premiums paid by us represent a long-term, no-interest loan to
the executive. This assumption results in high compensation expense being
shown in early years of the expected life of each policy and lower expense
in later years, while in fact the cash surrender value of such a policy to
the executive is very low in the early years and higher only in the late
years.
(2) Mr. Okita's compensation was paid by Sierra to him in his capacity as
assistant vice president, corporate controller. Mr. Okita's services to us as
our chief financial officer was reimbursed to Sierra through the management fee,
which includes accounting, human resources, systems and other administrative
services. See "Certain Transactions."
Compensation of Directors
The directors are our employees or employees of Sierra and receive no
additional compensation for their service on our board.
Employment Agreements
Our subsidiary, California Indemnity Insurance Company, has entered
into a three-year employment agreement with Kathleen M. Marlon, its chief
executive officer. Under the agreement, Ms. Marlon may voluntarily terminate
employment upon 60 days' notice. California Indemnity may terminate her
employment, with or without cause, in accordance with California Indemnity's
usual policies and procedures. The employment agreement provides that, in the
event of a termination by California Indemnity without cause, a severance
payment will be paid in the amount of 12 months' salary to Ms. Marlon. The
agreement also provides that, a disability must continue for at least six months
before California Indemnity may terminate her employment. In the event of a
change in control not approved by the board of directors of California
Indemnity, or if a change in control is approved by the board but within two
years thereafter Ms. Marlon is terminated without cause, demoted, provided
reduced compensation or required to relocate, Ms. Marlon will be entitled to
receive a payment equal to a multiple of two times her salary and target annual
incentive. In addition, if "golden parachute" excise taxes apply to compensation
paid by California Indemnity, California Indemnity will provide a gross-up
payment sufficient to cause the after-tax value of the compensation and the
gross-up payment to Ms. Marlon to be the same as if no such excise had applied.
The employment agreement contemplates annual adjustments in compensation based
on job duties, performance goals and objectives and other reasonable standards
deemed appropriate by California Indemnity. The agreement restricts Ms. Marlon's
use and disclosure of confidential information, interference with California
Indemnity's business relationships, and competition with California Indemnity,
including a prohibition, for a one-year period following any termination of
employment, on her working for a competitor which operates in California,
Nevada, or Texas.
Stock Options
Our executive officers participate in Sierra's stock option plan. The
following table contains information concerning the grants by Sierra of stock
options to acquire Sierra common stock to the named executives during fiscal
year 2000:
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2000
Individual Grants (1)
Number of
Securities % of Total Potential Realizable
Underlying Options/SARs Value at Assumed
Options/SARs Granted to Exercise or Annual Rates of Stock
Granted (#) Employees in Base Price Expiration Price Appreciation for
(2), (3) 2000 ($/Share) Date Option Terms
5% ($) 10% ($)
--------- ----------
Kathleen M. Marlon 75,000 50% 3.75 5/17/10 $176,877 $448,240
John F. Okita 17,500 12% 3.75 5/17/10 41,271 104,589
Robert G. Riordan 5,000 3% 3.75 5/17/10 11,792 29,883
David M. Sonenstein 5,000 3% 3.75 5/17/10 11,792 29,883
Louis R. Fabre 5,000 3% 3.75 5/17/10 11,792 29,883
- -------------
(1) All options were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market
value of Sierra common stock on the option grant date. The exercise price
may be paid by the optionee in cash or by check, except that Sierra's stock
plan committee may, in its discretion, allow such payment to be by
surrender of unrestricted shares of Sierra common stock (at their fair
market value on the date of exercise), or by a combination of cash, check
and unrestricted shares.
(2) All options were granted on May 17, 2000 and vest and are exercisable at
the rate of 20% per year starting with the first anniversary date of the
grant and will expire not later than ten years after grant.
(3) All awards were non-qualified stock options granted pursuant to Sierra's
1995 long-term incentive plan. No stock appreciation rights were granted
with the above awards. Upon a change of control of Sierra, as defined in
the 1995 Plan, the vesting of the options will be automatically
accelerated, provided, however, that Sierra's stock plan committee may
exclude a change of control transaction from the foregoing provisions and
permit the option to continue to vest in accordance with its original
terms. In addition, the options shown above will terminate and may no
longer be exercised if the respective optionee ceases to be an employee or
director of Sierra or one of its affiliates, except certain
post-termination exercise periods are permitted in the case of death,
disability, or other involuntary termination except for a termination for
"cause." The options together with certain gains realized upon exercise of
the options during a specified period will be subject to forfeiture if the
optionee engages in certain acts in competition with Sierra or one of its
affiliates, misuses proprietary information of Sierra or one of its
affiliates, or fails to assist Sierra or one of its affiliates in
litigation. Cashless withholding to satisfy tax obligations may be
permitted by Sierra's stock plan committee.
Option Exercises and Holdings
The following table provides information with respect to the named
executives concerning the exercise of Sierra stock options during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2000 and unexercised Sierra stock options held as of
December 31, 2000:
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Fiscal 2000 and Year-End Option Values
Number of
Securities Value of
Underlying Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Options/SARs at Options/SARs at
FY-End (#) FY-End ($)
Shares Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Acquired on Realized ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable (1)
Exercise (#)
Kathleen M. Marlon -0- -0- 18,000 / 135,000 -0- / 3,750
John F. Okita -0- -0- 23,090 / 25,500 -0- / 875
Robert G. Riordan -0- -0- 17,462 / 20,493 -0- / 250
David M. Sonenstein -0- -0- 4,150 / 13,100 -0- / 250
Louis R. Fabre -0- -0- 1,900 / 11,600 -0- / 250
- --------------
(1) Based on the closing price of Sierra common stock on December 29, 2000,
which was $3.80, minus the exercise price of the option.
CII Financial's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
Certain of our executive officers were participants in the CII Financial,
Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, or the SERP Plan, and the CII
Financial, Inc. Supplemental Senior Executive Retirement Plan, or the Senior
SERP Plan. These plans were effective as of January 1, 1990 and the SERP Plan
was amended and restated April 24, 1993. When we were acquired by Sierra in
October 1995, both plans were frozen as to any new contributions, participants,
and accrued benefits. The Senior SERP Plan had only one participant, Mr. Joseph
G. Havlick, who at that time was our chief executive officer. Of the eight
participants in the SERP Plan, only Mr. Okita remains an officer of CII
Financial.
Our Board of Directors appoints a committee to administer both plans.
Participation in both plans was limited to the executives, officers and
employees selected by our chief executive officer and approved by our board of
directors. The criteria used to determine participation in either plan was the
participant's position, past contributions and anticipated contributions to our
future success.
The committee determined the benefit amount that would be paid at the
participant's normal retirement age. The initial benefit amount was
discretionary and was adjusted based on the participant's employment service
years from the date of participation. Participants were given credit for
employment prior to the plans' effective date of January 1, 1990. Under the SERP
Plan, the benefit amount was also adjusted based on whether a participant
retired at, prior to, or after, normal retirement age. Benefit amounts under
both plans are paid in equal monthly installments over a 10-year period. Both
plans also provide for a benefit payable over a 10-year period if a participant
dies while still employed by us. Mr. Okita's annual benefits under the SERP Plan
are $300.
Sierra's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
Ms. Kathleen Marlon participates in Sierra's Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan II (the "Supplemental Plan II"), which provides retirement
benefits for selected executive officers. Under the Supplemental Plan II, each
executive selected for participation generally will be entitled to receive
annual payments, following retirement, disability, and certain other
terminations of employment, for a 15-year period, equal to 2.5% of their "final
average compensation" (as defined) for each year of service credited to the
executive up to 20 years, reduced by an amount equal to the annualized payout
over a 15-year period that would be payable to the executive as a result of
Company contributions under the 401(k) Plan and the Deferred Compensation Plan
(but not reduced for social security payments or other offsets). An executive's
right to benefits under the Supplemental Plan II vests when five years of
service have been credited or earlier upon the executive's death or disability
or upon occurrence of a change in control (defined in the same way as under
other compensatory plans). Upon the death of the executive, benefits will be
payable for the 15-year period to the executive's beneficiary. Benefits will
begin after retirement at or after age 65, a termination at or after age 55 and
ten years of credited service, or a termination due to disability, and benefits
will begin, in the case of other terminations (except a termination for "cause,"
as defined) prior to a change in control, at the later of termination or the
date the executive would have completed ten years of service but for the
termination.
The following table shows the approximate amounts of annual retirement
income that would be payable under the Supplemental Plan II to executives
covered by it based on various assumptions as to final average compensation and
years of service, assuming benefits are paid out over 15 years:
Estimated Annual Benefits Based on Credited Years of Service
Final Average
Compensation 5 Years 10 Years 15 Years 20 Years 30 Years
--------------- --------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$200,000 $23,366 $46,732 $70,099 $92,465 $93,465
400,000 45,225 90,450 135,675 180,900 180,900
600,000 67,837 135,675 203,512 271,350 271,350
Final average compensation generally means the average of the three highest
years of compensation out of the last five years, with compensation being
generally the amounts reported as salary and bonus in the Summary Compensation
Table.
Ms. Marlon has 14 years of credited service under the Supplemental Plan II.
An additional year of service will be credited in the event of a termination
within six years after a change in control, and the year of service for the year
of the change in control will be deemed completed at the time of the change in
control. An executive's or beneficiary's benefits are payable in a lump sum in
certain circumstances, including following a change in control.
No other executives of CII Financial participate in Sierra's Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan II.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
We intend to finance up to $15.0 million of the cash consideration in the
exchange offer with a loan from Sierra. In addition, we expect that Sierra will
lend us an additional $2.0 million to enable us to pay the interest and expenses
incurred in the exchange offer. The indebtedness will be represented by demand
promissory notes issued to Sierra bearing interest at 9 1/2%. The Sierra notes
will rank senior to the old junior subordinated debentures but will be
subordinate to the new senior debentures. Sierra will borrow $7.5 million of the
funds to be lent to us from California Indemnity Insurance Company. This loan
will bear interest at 9 1/2% and will be secured by certain assets of Sierra.
In August 2000, we, and some other subsidiaries of Sierra, became a
guarantor of Sierra's obligations under its senior secured credit facility. For
more information concerning this guaranty, see "Description of Other
Indebtedness."
In order to make the September 15, 2000 interest payment on the old junior
subordinated debentures, Sierra advanced $365,000 to us.
Effective January 1, 1999, Sierra entered into separate but similar
investment services agreements with California Indemnity Insurance Company,
Commercial Casualty Insurance Company, Sierra Insurance Company of Texas and CII
Insurance Company. Under these agreements Sierra manages the investments of the
insurers. The management is, however, subject to the insurers' investment
guidelines and the ultimate control of each insurer's board of directors. The
management fee is a percentage of the total amount under management. The annual
investment fees paid by the insurance companies in 1999 were approximately
$335,000 and in 2000 were approximately $400,000.
Effective January 1, 1999, Sierra and California Indemnity Insurance
Company agreed that Sierra would furnish it services, including accounting,
human resources, systems and other administrative services. The fee for the
services is based on the actual direct and allocable cost. The services are
subject to the ultimate control of California Indemnity Insurance Company's
board of directors. The annual fees for these services were approximately
$1,003,000 in 1999 and $1,200,000 in 2000.
On March 31, 2000, California Indemnity Insurance Company loaned $7.4
million to Sierra, its ultimate parent. The loan was secured by a first trust
deed mortgage on property at 4475 South Eastern Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada. The
loan is due April 1, 2005 with a right to accelerate on the part of the lender
on or after April 1, 2001. The interest rate for the loan is 8% per annum and
the loan to value was approximately 60%. Sierra Health Services has paid
$441,000 as of November 30, 2000 in interest from the date of the loan. A sale
of the 4475 South Eastern property to a non-affiliated real estate partnership
closed December 28, 2000. Under the terms of the purchase and sale agreement,
the purchaser assumed the first trust deed mortgage with amended terms. The
interest rate was increased and the acceleration clause was eliminated by
payment of additional fees, and the loan's maturity was set at December 31, 2001
with the ability of the borrower to extend for two periods of six months,
subject to notice before the extension and payment to California Indemnity
Insurance Company of additional fees.
Effective December 2000, for all claims other than from our Texas
operation, we have contracted our medical management, bill review and return to
work functions with Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company's Workers'
Compensation Managed Care Division. This arrangement is at cost. Sierra Health
and Life Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sierra.
Sierra, California Indemnity Insurance Company and Commercial Casualty
Insurance Company are partners in a limited partnership called 2716 North Tenaya
Way Limited Partnership. This partnership owns the building located at that
address in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two insurers are limited partners in the
partnership whereas Sierra Health Services is the general partner. The two
limited partners own approximately 13.5% of the partnership each. They also
lease a portion of the building from the partnership. The lease payments during
1999 for both companies were $1,168,000 and for this year to date were
$1,160,000 as of November 30, 2000. A sale of the partnership's building to a
third party closed on December 28, 2000. At closing, the net proceeds to the two
limited partners were approximately $7 million in total and the original lease
was canceled effective December 28, 2000. Sierra entered into a 15 year master
lease with the new owner of the property. Sierra and California Indemnity
Insurance Company have entered into a new one-year sublease, for the space
occupied by California Indemnity Insurance Company, effective January 1, 2001.
The total amount of rent under the sublease will be approximately equivalent to
that under the former lease with the partnership and will be determined based
upon the new lease costs of Sierra under the master lease. The sublease is
subject to the provisions of the master lease. It will automatically renew from
year to year unless California Indemnity Insurance Company gives notice to cease
renewing on or before December 1 in any year. The renewal can not extend beyond
the length of the master lease.
CII Financial and our insurance subsidiaries have, in the normal course of
business, entered into various agreements and arrangements with Sierra and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries. These agreements and arrangements have been entered
into on either a cost or arms' length basis.
Effective January 1, 1996, federal income taxes are calculated pursuant to
a tax allocation agreement between Sierra and CII Financial. Income taxes are
allocated on a separate return basis for each company and tax benefits are
recorded only to the extent that an entity could recoup taxes paid in prior
years.
All of our directors are also executive officers of Sierra.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
Sierra owns 100% of our issued and outstanding capital stock.
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
Sierra's credit facility is governed by an Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement entered into by Sierra on December 15, 2000 with a syndicate of banks
for which Bank of America, N.A., is the Administrative Agent and Issuing Bank.
Other lenders include First Union National Bank, Deutsche Bank, AG, Credit
Lyonnais, Bank One, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and Union Bank of California,
N.A. Bank of America, N.A. is an affiliate of Banc of America Securities LLC,
the dealer manager for the exchange offer. The new credit agreement amended
Sierra's preceding credit agreement, which Sierra entered into in 1998. Sierra
was not in compliance with the terms of the financial covenants in the preceding
credit agreement and received a notice of default from its lenders on November
8, 2000 with respect to this non-compliance. Since December 15, 2000, Sierra has
been in compliance with the covenants under the Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement.
We have irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed all obligations under
this credit facility. As a result of the guaranty subordination, our guaranty of
Sierra's credit facility will be subordinated to the new senior debentures. In
addition, the Sierra notes will be subordinated to the new senior debentures.
The old junior subordinated debentures will subordinated to the Sierra notes and
will continue to be subordinated to the guaranty of the credit facility debt.
Revolving Loans
The new credit agreement currently provides Sierra with a revolving credit
facility of $135 million. The proceeds from revolving loans under the revolving
credit facility may be used for general working capital and general corporate
purposes. As of April 12, 2001, the credit facility had an outstanding balance
of $128 million. Unused credit facility balances are primarily reserved for
Sierra's working capital purposes. Any availability under the credit facility
generated from excess cash flow must be converted annually to permanent
reductions in accordance with the terms of the facility. Sierra is required to
make semi-annual permanent reductions, ranging from $2 million to $10 million,
on the credit facility limit starting June 2001.
The available amounts which Sierra can borrow under the credit facility
will be reduced by specified amounts, on certain dates. If the total amount of
outstanding loans exceeds the availability under the credit facility, as
reduced, Sierra will be required to immediately prepay 100% of the excess
amount.
Under certain additional circumstances, Sierra would be required to make
prepayments of the loans, and the amount available to Sierra under the revolving
credit facility would be reduced. For example, 80% of any excess cash flow that
Sierra has in each year must be applied to a repayment of the loans and a
reduction of the amount available under the revolving credit facility. In
addition, if Sierra or a subsidiary of Sierra (other than an HMO subsidiary and
certain other subsidiaries) engages in an asset sale or a sale-leaseback
transaction (with the exception of certain assets specified in the new credit
agreement), 80% of the cash proceeds (net of certain expenses) must be applied
to a repayment of the loans and a reduction of the amount available under the
revolving credit facility. Similarly, 80% of the cash proceeds (net of certain
expenses) of certain equity issuances by us or any of our subsidiaries and 100%
of the cash proceeds (net of certain expenses) of a debt issuance by Sierra
(excluding us) must be applied to a repayment of the loans and a reduction in
the amount available under the revolving credit facility. The credit facility
also requires that the purchase of old junior subordinated debentures with funds
other than those from CII Financial will require an equal permanent reduction in
the credit facility limit.
The credit facility terminates on September 30, 2003. On that date, Sierra
will be required to repay the aggregate principal amount of the revolving loans
outstanding.
Interest
Under the credit facility, revolving loans bear interest at the applicable
margin plus the greater of:
o 0.5% per annum above the latest federal funds rate; or
o the per annum prime lending rate of Bank of America, N.A.
The applicable margin is initially 1.75%. However, the applicable margin
may be increased or decreased in certain circumstances.
Fees
In connection with the credit facility, Sierra will pay certain customary
fees, including agents' fees, commitment fees, and amendment fees.
Covenants
Subject to normal qualifications and exceptions, Sierra has certain
covenants that, among other things, will restrict the ability of Sierra and its
subsidiaries, including CII Financial, to dispose of assets, incur indebtedness,
pay dividends, make investments, loans or advances, make acquisitions, engage in
mergers or consolidations, or make capital expenditures and which otherwise
restrict certain corporate activities. In addition, under the senior credit
facility, Sierra will be required to comply with specified financial ratios, as
defined in the credit agreement, including a limit on capital expenditures, a
minimum interest coverage ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a
minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or
EBITDA, for certain of Sierra's non-regulated subsidiaries, a maximum leverage
ratio, maximum medical loss ratios and a maximum specialty combined ratio for
California Indemnity. A summary of the financial covenants are as follows:
Capital Expenditure Limit
Capital expenditures are limited under the credit agreement to $18 million
in total for 2001. Although there was no specified limit for the year 2000,
Sierra had capital expenditures of $19.4 million during the year.
Interest Coverage Ratio
The interest coverage ratio is the ratio of non-regulated subsidiaries'
EBITDA to sum of interest expense and bank fees incurred on the credit
facility. The minimum ratio allowed by the credit agreement is 1.41 to 1.00
at December 31, 2000 and it adjusts quarterly ending 2001 at 2.36 to 1.00.
At December 31, 2000, Sierra's interest coverage ratio was 2.24 to 1.00 as
calculated in accordance with the credit agreement.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
The fixed charge coverage ratio is the ratio of the non-regulated
subsidiaries' EBITDA to the sum of the interest expense and bank fees
incurred on the credit facility and any current maturity of credit facility
debt. The minimum allowed by the credit agreement is 1.41 to 1.00 at
December 31, 2000 and it adjusts quarterly ending 2001 at 2.37 to 1.00. At
December 31, 2000, Sierra's fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.76 to 1.00 as
calculated in accordance with the credit agreement.
EBITDA
The minimum rolling four quarters EBITDA for non-regulated subsidiaries is
required to be $31 million or more for the period ended December 31, 2000.
The required EBITDA adjusts quarterly and is $34 million for the period
ended December 31, 2001. At December 31, 2000, Sierra's EBITDA, as
calculated in accordance with the credit agreement, was $40.5 million.
Leverage Ratio
The leverage ratio is the ratio of outstanding
credit facility debt to non-regulated EBITDA. The maximum ratio allowed by
the credit agreement is 5.9 to 1.00 at December 31, 2000. This ratio
requirement is adjusted quarterly and is 3.7 to 1.00 at December 31, 2001.
At December 31, 2000, Sierra's leverage ratio, as calculated in accordance
with the credit agreement, was 3.3 to 1.00.
Medical Loss Ratios
The medical loss ratio is the ratio of medical costs to the sum of earned
premium and professional fee revenue. The credit agreement requires
Sierra's HMO and PPO operations to maintain medical loss ratios below
specified levels beginning with the first quarter of 2001. The limit for
the Nevada HMO is 0.90 to 1.00 for all four quarters of 2001. The medical
loss ratio for Sierra's PPO operations is set at 0.91 to 1.00 for the first
two quarters of 2001 and 0.90 to 1.00 for the last two quarters of the
year. The limit for the Texas HMO operations is 1.00 to 1.00 for the first
two quarters of 2001 and 0.95 to 1.00 for the last two quarters of the
year. The calculations are done three months after the end of each quarter
and are based on the actual claims paid through that time period. Sierra's
estimated medical loss ratio at December 31, 2000, before the three months
of claims run out, is 0.81 to 1.00 for the Nevada HMO, 0.79 to 1.00 for the
PPO and 0.92 to 1.00 for the Texas HMO.
Specialty Combined Ratio
The specialty combined ratio relates only to the workers' compensation
insurance operations and is the ratio of the sum of loss and loss
adjustment expenses, underwriting expenses, management fees and
policyholders' dividends to net earned premium revenue. The credit
agreement requires California Indemnity to maintain a combined loss ratio
below specified levels beginning with the first quarter of 2001. The limit
for all four quarters of 2001 is set at 1.17 to 1.00. The calculations are
done three months after the end of each quarter and are based on the actual
claims paid through that time period. California Indemnity's estimated
combined ratio, as calculated in accordance with the credit agreement but
prior to the three months of claims run out, is 1.03 to 1.00.
Events of Default
The credit facility may be terminated before September 30, 2003 upon the
occurrence of any event of default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default,
with certain limitations, Sierra's obligations under the new credit agreement
which are at that time outstanding may become accelerated. Events of default
under the credit facility consist of customary specified events. A default in
payment on our debentures would constitute an event of default. A bankruptcy
proceeding or other similar event involving us would also constitute an event of
default.
Security
The payment and performance of Sierra's obligations under the credit
facility are secured by:
o liens on substantially all of Sierra's assets and the assets of Sierra's
subsidiaries, other than CII Financial and Sierra's other regulated
subsidiaries;
o a guaranty of Sierra's obligations thereunder by each of Sierra's
subsidiaries, including CII Financial, but excluding our insurance subsidiaries
and Sierra's other regulated subsidiaries; and
o other collateral arrangements, subject to pledge agreements, the security
agreements, deeds of trust, and similar arrangements between Sierra, Sierra's
subsidiaries, and the lending banks.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have set out below our unaudited pro forma consolidated financial
statements.
The pro forma consolidated financial statements present the exchange of
$27,059,000 in principal amount of old junior subordinated debentures for
$20,000,000 in cash and $20,000,000 in principal amount of old junior
subordinated debentures for $20,000,000 in principal amount of new senior
debentures.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2000
has been prepared on the basis that the exchange offer as described above had
occurred on December 31, 2000. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of
operations for the year ended December 31, 2000 has been prepared as if the
exchange offer had occurred on January 1, 2000.
You should read this information with the accompanying notes and our
consolidated financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. The
accompanying pro forma consolidated financial statements do not purport to
represent what our results of operations would have been had such transactions
and events occurred on the dates specified, or to project our results of
operations for any future period or date. The pro forma adjustments are based on
available information and certain adjustments that our management believes are
reasonable. In the opinion of our management, all adjustments have been made
that are necessary to present fairly the unaudited pro forma consolidated data.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 2000
The accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet
reflects the following adjustments:
(a) Payment of the outstanding accrued interest on the old junior
subordinated debentures as of December 31, 2000 of $1,029,000.
(b) Payment of $1,800,000 in estimated costs incurred in connection
with the exchange offset by the gain on restructuring of $647,000. Costs
incurred in connection with the exchange will offset the gain on restructuring
and any issuance costs in excess of the gain will be expensed.
The gain on restructuring is calculated as follows:
Current outstanding old junior subordinated debentures $47,059,000
Cash consideration 20,000,000
-----------
Remaining balance 27,059,000
------------
Total future cash payments
New senior debentures 20,000,000
Interest over the three-year term 6,412,000
-----------
Total future cash payments 26,412,000
-----------
Remaining balance less total future
cash payments equals gain on restructuring $ 647,000
==========
(c) $17,000,000 in loans from Sierra to CII Financial evidenced by the
Sierra notes.
(d) An exchange of $20,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the old
junior subordinated debentures for new senior debentures in the aggregate
principal amount of $20,000,000.
Under the terms of the proposed transaction, total future cash payments
(interest and principal) on the new senior debentures are less than the balance
of the old junior subordinated debentures less the cash consideration given in
the exchange. Accordingly, under SFAS No. 15, a gain on restructuring will be
recognized for the difference and the carrying amount of the new senior
debentures will initially be the total future cash payments on the new senior
debentures.
(e) $27,059,000 in aggregate principal amount of old junior
subordinated debentures retired in exchange for a cash consideration of
$20,000,000.
(f) $7,500,000 loan from California Indemnity Insurance Company
to Sierra.
CII FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 2000
(In thousands, except for share data)
Historical Adjustments Pro forma
ASSETS
Invested assets:
Debt securities, available for sale, at fair value $177,671 $177,671
Debt securities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost 21,258 21,258
Preferred stock, at fair value 5,130 5,130
Mortgage loans on non-affiliated real estate 12,362 12,362
---------- ---------
Total invested assets 216,421 216,421
Cash and cash equivalents 28,666 $(13,329)(a),(b),(c),(e),(f) 15,337
Reinsurance recoverable 247,205 247,205
Premiums receivable (net of allowance of $1,134) 11,785 11,785
Investment income receivable 2,712 2,712
Deferred policy acquisition costs 2,015 2,015
Mortgage loans on affiliated real estate 1,257 1,257
Real estate limited partnership 807 807
Affiliate note 7,500 (f) 7,500
Federal income taxes receivable 1,945 1,945
Deferred income taxes 16,251 16,251
Property and equipment, net 4,126 4,126
Other assets 412 ______ 412
------------- ------------
TOTAL ASSETS $533,602 $(5,829) $527,773
========= ======= ========
LIABILITIES
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses $374,554 $374,554
Unearned premiums 13,493 13,493
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable 11,073 11,073
Old junior subordinated debentures 47,059 $(47,059) (d),(e) 0
New senior debentures 26,412 (d) 26,412
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses 19,708 (1,029) (a) 18,679
Affiliate notes 17,000 (c) 17,000
Payable to affiliates 1,708 1,708
Income tax payable 1,413 1,413
Deferred tax liability 1,242 ______ 1,242
---------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 470,250 (4,676) 465,574
--------- -------- --------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Common Stock, no par value, 1,000 shares
Authorized; 100 shares issued and outstanding 3,604 3,604
Additional paid - in capital 64,450 64,450
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized holding loss on available-for (4,535) (4,535)
sale-investments
Accumulated deficit (167) (1,153) (b) (1,320)
------------ -------- -----------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY 63,352 (1,153) 62,199
----------- -------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY $533,602 $(5,829) $527,773
========== ======== =========
See the accompanying notes on page 75
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
The accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of
operations reflects the following adjustments:
(g) Decrease in investment income as a result of less cash available
during the period for investments. Amount is calculated based on net cash used
in the transaction of $13,329,000 and the average investment yield during the
period of approximately 6.3%. The decrease was offset by an increase in
investment income from the 9 1/2% $7,500,000 note receivable from Sierra.
(h) Elimination of interest expense on the old junior subordinated
debentures based on the accounting treatment of the transaction. Historical
interest expense for the debentures was based on a weighted average of
$47,986,000 in outstanding junior subordinated debentures during the year ended
December 31, 2000 at a 7 1/2% interest rate.
(i) Interest expense on the $17,000,000 Sierra notes based on a 9 1/2%
rate of interest. This results in an increase in interest expense of $1,615,000.
(j) There is no income tax benefit on the pro forma adjustments. On a
separate return basis using the more likely than not presumption, CII Financial
will have insufficient future income and any tax benefit would be fully offset
by a valuation allowance.
Expense in the amount of debt issuance costs in excess of the gain on
restructuring is recognized when incurred as presented on the pro forma balance
sheet, but is not reflected in the pro forma statement of operations since it
does not have a continuing impact on the statement of operations.
Total estimated costs incurred in connection with the exchange of $1,800,000
are first applied to offset the gain on restructuring of $647,000 with the
remainder expensed.
The gain on restructuring is calculated as follows:
Current outstanding old junior subordinated debentures $47,059,000
Cash consideration 20,000,000
------------
Remaining balance 27,059,000
------------
Total future cash payments
New senior debentures 20,000,000
Interest over the three year term 6,412,000
-----------
Total future cash payments 26,412,000
-----------
Remaining balance less total future
cash payments equals gain on restructuring $ 647,000
==========
CII FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
(In thousands)
Historical Adjustments Pro forma
REVENUES
Direct written premiums $203,268 $203,268
Changes in direct unearned premiums (193) (193)
------------ ------------
Direct earned premiums 203,075 203,075
Less: premiums ceded 77,520 77,520
----------- ----------
Net earned premiums 125,555 125,555
Net investment income 15,074 $ (127) (g) 14,947
Net realized investment losses (620) ______ (620)
----------- -----------
Total revenues 140,009 (127) 139,882
--------- --------- ----------
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses 274,280 274,280
Reinsurance recoveries (164,400) (164,400)
-------- --------
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses 109,880 109,880
Policy acquisition costs 21,386 21,386
General and administrative and other 14,196 14,196
Asset impairment 3,000 3,000
Interest expense 3,599 (1,984) (h), (i) 1,615
----------- -------- ----------
Total costs and expenses 152,061 (1,984) 150,077
--------- -------- --------
LOSS BEFORE FEDERAL INCOME TAX BENEFIT (12,052) 1,857 (10,195)
Federal income tax benefit (3,669) ______ (j) (3,669)
---------- ----------
(LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS $ (8,383) $ 1,857 $ (6,526)
========= ======== =========
See the accompanying notes on page 77
DESCRIPTION OF DEBENTURES
Principal Differences Between Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and New Senior
Debentures
The principal differences between the terms of the new senior debentures
and the related indenture and the terms of the old junior subordinated
debentures and the related indenture, are:
o The new senior debentures will be senior indebtedness of CII
Financial. As a result of the guaranty subordination, the new
senior debentures will rank senior to our guaranty of Sierra's
credit facility. In addition, the new senior debentures will rank
senior to the Sierra notes.
The new senior debentures, the Sierra notes and our guaranty of the
Sierra's credit facility will rank senior in right of payment to any old
junior subordinated debentures which are not tendered.
o You will receive a higher rate of interest on the new senior
debentures, which will pay 9 1/2% per annum, than on the old junior
subordinated debentures, which pay 7 1/2% per annum.
o The scheduled maturity date of the new senior debentures is September
15, 2004, which is three years later than September 15, 2001, the
scheduled maturity date of the old junior subordinated debentures.
o The new senior debentures will not be convertible into Sierra common
stock. The old junior subordinated debentures are convertible into
Sierra common stock at $39.398 per share. The indenture governing the
new senior debentures will contain covenants that will:
o restrict our ability to incur indebtedness, including upstream guarantees;
o restrict our ability to make restricted payments, including dividends,
distributions and loans;
o restrict our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates;
o restrict our ability to create or incur liens;
o require us to use the net proceeds from any sale of assets or the capital
stock of our subsidiaries in certain circumstances to make an
offer to repurchase new senior debentures; and
o require us to use our excess cash flow in certain circumstances to make
an offer to repurchase new senior debentures.
o The new senior debentures may be redeemed at our option at any time, from time
to time, at a redemption price initially equal to 110% of the principal amount
and declining to 100% of the principal amount over the life of the new senior
debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In the event of a change
in control of CII Financial, the holders of these new senior debentures may
require that we repurchase their new senior debentures at the then applicable
redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The old junior
subordinated debentures may be redeemed at our option at any time, from time to
time until September 15, 2001, at a redemption price equal to 100.75% of the
principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In the event of a
change of control of CII Financial, the holders of the old junior subordinated
debentures may require that we repurchase their old junior subordinated
debentures at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any.
New Senior Debentures
We will issue the new senior debentures under an indenture between us and
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as trustee. A copy of the indenture
substantially in the form in which it is to be executed is filed as an exhibit
to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the
indenture relating to the new senior debentures and does not describe the
indenture in its entirety. This summary is subject to and qualified by reference
to all of the provisions in the indenture, including definitions of certain
terms used in the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and
not the summary description below, defines your rights. Copies of the indenture
will be available for inspection at the Corporate Trust Offices of the trustee
in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
General. The new senior debentures will be limited to $20,000,000 aggregate
principal amount. The new senior debentures will be senior indebtedness of CII
Financial and will not be guaranteed by Sierra. As a result of the guaranty
subordination, the new senior debentures will rank senior to our guaranty of
Sierra's credit facility. The new senior debentures, the Sierra notes and our
guaranty of Sierra's credit facility will rank senior to the old junior
subordinated debentures. We are required to repay the principal amount of the
new senior debentures in full on September 15, 2004.
The new senior debentures will bear interest from the date of issuance, at
the rate per annum of 9 1/2%. We will pay interest on the new senior debentures
on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing on September 15, 2001, to
the person in whose name the new debenture (or any predecessor debenture) is
registered, subject to certain exceptions, at the close of business on March 1
or September 1, as the case may be, before each interest payment date. Principal
and interest on the new senior debentures will be payable and transfers will be
registrable, at an office of the trustee or our office or agency maintained for
such purpose in Minneapolis, Minnesota, provided that, at our option, payment of
interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled
thereto as it appears in the debenture register.
Redemption. The new senior debentures will be redeemable upon not less than 25
nor more than 60 days' notice by mail at any time, in whole or in part, at our
election, at the following redemption prices, expressed as percentages of
principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, if
any, subject to the right of holders of record on regular record dates to
receive interest due on an interest payment date, if redeemed during the periods
set forth below:
Period Redemption Price
------ ----------------
Until March 31, 2002...................................110%
April 1, 2002-March 31, 2003...........................105%
April 1, 2003-March 31, 2004............ .............102.5%
April 1, 2004-September 15, 2004.......................100%
Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon Change in Control. If a change in control
as defined below occurs, you will have the right, at your option, to require us
to repurchase for cash all of your new senior debentures not previously called
for redemption, or any portion of the principal amount thereof, at the following
prices, expressed as a percentage of principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the repurchase date, if any, if the event of a change of control
occurs during the periods set forth below:
Period Redemption Price
------ ----------------
Until March 31, 2002...................................110%
April 1, 2002-March 31, 2003...........................105%
April 1, 2003-March 31, 2004............ .............102.5%
April 1, 2004-September 15, 2004.......................100%
Such right may not be waived by our board of directors. Within 30 days
after the occurrence of a change in control, we are obligated to mail to you
notice of such change in control and of the repurchase right arising as a result
thereof. We must also deliver a copy of this notice to the trustee and cause a
copy of such notice to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Los
Angeles, California and in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. To
exercise the repurchase right, you must deliver to the trustee the new senior
debentures with respect to which the repurchase right is being exercised, duly
endorsed for transfer to us. We are required to repurchase the new senior
debentures on the date that is 45 days after the date of our notice, which we
refer to as the repurchase date.
A change in control will be deemed to have occurred at the time after the
new senior debentures are issued that any person, including any syndicate or
group deemed to be a "Person" under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, is or
becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger
or other acquisition transaction or series of transactions, of shares of our
capital stock entitling such person to exercise 50% or more of the total voting
power of all shares of our capital stock that are entitled to vote in elections
of directors. For purposes of these provisions, whether a person is a
"beneficial owner" will be determined in accordance with Rule l3d-3 promulgated
by the SEC under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of execution of the
indenture.
Merger and Consolidation. The indenture will provide that we may
consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, or convey, transfer or
lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person,
provided that in any such case:
o the successor corporation assumes by a supplemental indenture our
obligations under the indenture;
o immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default will have
occurred and be continuing; and
o we deliver to the trustee an officer's certificate and an opinion of
counsel stating that the terms of the indenture with respect to such event have
been complied with.
Upon compliance with these provisions by a successor corporation, we,
except in the case of a lease, would be relieved of our obligations under the
indenture and the new senior debentures.
Modification of the Indenture. Modifications and amendments of the
indenture may be made by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding debentures. However, none of the
following modifications or amendments may be made without your consent:
o change the stated maturity date of the principal of, or any installment
of interest on, the new senior debentures;
o reduce the principal amount of, any interest on, or premium payable on
redemption of, any new debenture;
o change the place or currency of payment on the new senior debentures;
o impair your right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on
the new senior debentures when due;
o modify the provisions of the indenture with respect to the subordination
of the new senior debentures in a manner adverse to you; or
o reduce the percentage in principal amount of new senior debentures the
consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the
indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture
or for waiver of certain defaults.
Certain Defined Terms
The following are certain terms that are defined in the indenture relating
to the new senior debentures:
"Capital Lease Obligations" means an obligation that is required to be
classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes
in accordance with GAAP. The amount of Indebtedness represented by a Capital
Lease Obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined
in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of
the last payment of rent or any other amount due under the relevant lease prior
to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without
payment of a penalty.
"Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights
to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or
interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred
stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
"Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock
of such Person which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it
is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any
event:
o matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund
obligation or otherwise;
o is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock;
or
o is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part,
in each case on or prior to six months after the Stated Maturity of the
Securities;
provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified
Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require CII Financial
to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of
control or asset sale (each defined in a substantially identical manner to the
corresponding definitions thereof herein) shall not constitute Disqualified
Stock.
"EBITDA" means, for any fiscal year, the unconsolidated net income of the
Company, exclusive of (x) any gain associated with an asset sale or sale of
Capital Stock of a Subsidiary during such year, (y) the dividend payment by
California Indemnity Insurance Company of up to $5.0 million to the Company in
the 2001 fiscal year, and of (z) the equity in undistributed (loss) earnings of
its Subsidiaries plus the following: (i) Interest Expense, (ii) income tax
expense, (iii) depreciation expense and (iv) amortization expense, as determined
in accordance with GAAP and (v) to the extent not included within net income for
such year, the amount of dividends or distributions made to the Company by its
Subsidiaries during such fiscal year exclusive of any dividend or distribution
that would constitute Net Available Cash under the covenant "Limitation on Sales
of Assets and Subsidary Stock".
"Excess Cash Flow" means, for any fiscal year, the dollar amount by which
EBITDA for such fiscal year exceeds 1.5 times Fixed Charges for such fiscal
year.
"Fixed Charges" means, for any fiscal year, the sum of (i) Interest
Expense, (ii) current maturities of Indebtedness and (iii) the amounts payable
under the Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans, for such fiscal
year.
"Fixed Charge Ratio" means, for any fiscal year, the ratio of (i) EBITDA
for such fiscal year to (ii) Fixed Charges for such fiscal year.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
of America as in effect as of the Issue Date, including those set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, in statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession.
All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be
computed in conformity with GAAP.
"Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person
directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any
obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to
purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such
Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership
arrangements, or by agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods,
securities or services, to take or pay, or to maintain financial statement
conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes of assuring in any
other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to
protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);
provided, however, that the term "Guarantee" shall not include endorsements for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term "Guarantee"
used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
"Incur" means issue, create, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become,
contingently or otherwise, liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness
or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a
Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be
deemed to be incurred by such Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary;
and the terms "Incurred" and "Incurrence" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing. The accretion of principal of a non-interest bearing or other
discount security shall not be deemed the Incurrence of Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person on any date of
determination (without duplication):
(1) the principal in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for
money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes,
debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of
which such Person is responsible or liable, including, in each
case, any premium on such indebtedness to the extent such premium
has become due and payable;
(2) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;
(3) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred
purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of
such Person and all obligations of such Person under any title
retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising
in the ordinary course of business);
(4) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any
obligor on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar
credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters
of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described
in clauses (1) through (3) above) entered into in the ordinary
course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of
credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon,
such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day
following payment on the letter of credit);
(5) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the
redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified
Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of such Person, the
liquidation preference with respect to, any preferred stock (but
excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);
(6) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5)
of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the
payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or
liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or
otherwise, including by means of any Guarantee;
(7) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6)
of other Persons secured by any Lien, except Permitted Liens, on
any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such
obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such
obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such
property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured; and
The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding
balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the
maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the
obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date; provided, however, that
the amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness Incurred with original
issue discount shall be the face amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining
unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such
time as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Provided, however, Indebtedness shall not mean:
o obligations (including letters of credit or related indemnity
obligations) arising out of (1) the insuring of risks and losses
under insurance policies, bonds or other similar insurance
contractual obligations issued by any Restricted Subsidiary; or
(2) the cession or assumption of reinsurance concerning insurance
policies, bonds or other similar contractual obligations;
o obligations arising out of the sale or financing of nonadmitted
assets (as defined by applicable insurance statutory accounting
rules and regulations) by any Restricted Subsidiary or nonadmitted
reductions to liabilities (as defined by applicable insurance
statutory accounting rules and regulations) by any Restricted
Subsidiary including, without limitation, salvage and subrogation
rights;
o obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary arising in the course of
investment activities in connection with managing an investment
portfolio, including without limitation the reacquisition of
securities previously loaned or sold, in the ordinary course of
the insurance business generally or the business of an insurance
holding company generally;
o obligations arising in connection with deferred compensation, life
insurance or any employee benefit plans for directors, officers or
employees of such Person; and
o any Guarantees of the obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary
required by a Regulator.
"Insurance Regulations" shall mean all Requirements of Law under federal
or state law and any regulations, orders and directives promulgated or issued
pursuant to the foregoing in connection with the business of insurance
(including Workers' Compensation Insurance), including but not limited to the
underwriting, issuing of policies, solvency, claims, and performing
administrative functions related thereto.
"Interest Expense" means, for any fiscal year, the aggregate amount of
interest and fees paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid or accrued in respect of
Indebtedness of the Company as determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Investment" means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect
advance, loan (other than advances to customers in the ordinary course of
business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the
lender) or other extension of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar
arrangement), or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or
other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account
or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness
or other similar instruments issued by such Person.
"Issue Date" means the date on which the Securities are originally issued.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or
charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement or lease in the nature thereof).
"Net Available Cash" from a disposition means cash payments received
(including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal
pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise and proceeds from the
sale or other disposition of any securities received as consideration, but only
as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form
of assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness or other obligations
relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such disposition or
received in any other noncash form) therefrom, in each case net of:
o all legal, accounting, investment banking, title and recording tax
expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all
Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be
paid or accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of such
disposition;
o all payments made with respect to any Indebtedness which is secured by
any assets subject to such disposition, in accordance with the terms
of any Lien upon or other security agreement of any Lien with respect
to such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a
necessary consent to such disposition, or by applicable law be repaid
out of the proceeds from such disposition; and
o the deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the seller as a
reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated
with the property or other assets disposed of in such disposition and
retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such
disposition.
"Permitted Investment" means an Investment by CII Financial or any
Restricted Subsidiary in:
o cash or cash equivalents, marketable securities, or real estate
mortgage loans made by CII Financial in the ordinary course of
business or Investments made in the course of investment activities by
the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with managing an investment
portfolio; or as permitted under applicable Insurance Regulations;
o any Restricted Subsidiary;
o extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes
receivable arising from the sale or lease of goods and services in the
ordinary course of business;
o in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary, another Person in the
ordinary course of such Restricted
Subsidiary's underwriting of insurance;
o payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are
expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as
expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary
course of business;
o loans or advances to officers and employees existing as of the Issue
Date;
o Investments in existence as of the Issue Date;
o extensions of credit (1) by CII Financial to any of its Subsidiaries
and (2) by any of CII Financial's
Subsidiaries to another of its Subsidiaries;
o stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts
created in the ordinary course of business and owing to CII Financial
or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments or
pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the
bankruptcy or insolvency of a debtor;
o the acquisition of the Securities;
o Another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is
merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or
substantially all its assets to, CII Financial or a Restricted
Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Person's primary business is
a Related Business;
o Any Person who will become a Subsidiary of CII Financial or a
Restricted as a result of such Investment as long as such Subsidiary
shall be treated as a Restricted Subsidiary ; and
o loans or advances to Sierra by CII Financial's Subsidiaries in an
amount not to exceed $7.5 million to the extent Sierra , directly or
indirectly, has funded (including by loan to CII Financial) CII
Financial to allow it to retire its 7 1/2 % Debentures pursuant to a
tender offer made concurrently with the issuance of the Securities;
and
o loans or advances to Sierra by CII Financial's Subsidiaries in an
amount not to exceed $5.0 million to be advanced by Sierra, directly
or indirectly, to CII Financial in order to allow CII Financial to pay
its 7 1/2 % Debentures at their maturity.
"Permitted Liens" means, with respect to any Person:
o Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) consisting of pledges
or deposits by such Person required in the ordinary course of
business or by Insurance Regulations or in connection with workers'
compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws and other social
security legislation;
o Liens imposed by law, including carriers', warehousemen's and
mechanics' Liens in each case for sums not yet due or being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens
arising out of judgments or grants against such Person with respect
to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or
other proceeding for review;
o Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet
subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings;
o Liens in favor of issuers of surety or performance bonds or bankers'
acceptance or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of
and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its
business; provided, however, that such letters of credit do not
constitute Indebtedness;
o encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for,
licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and
telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other
restrictions as to the use of real properties or liens incidental to
the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of
its properties that were not Incurred in connection with
Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely
affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use
in the operation of the business of such Person;
o leases and subleases of real property which do not materially
interfere with the ordinary conduct of the
business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
o judgment Liens not giving rise to a Default so long as such Lien is
adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings which may
have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not
been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings
may be initiated has not expired;
o Liens for the purpose of securing the payment (or the refinancing of
the payment) of all or a part of the purchase price of, or Capital
Lease Obligations with respect to, assets or property acquired or
constructed in the ordinary course of business provided that (x) the
aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Liens
does not exceed the cost of the assets or property so acquired or
constructed and (y) such Liens are created within 90 days of
construction or acquisition of such assets or property and do not
encumber any other assets or property of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary other than such assets or property and assets
affixed or appurtenant thereto;
o Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law
provision relating to banker's Liens, rights of set-off or similar
rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained
with a depository institution; provided that (x) such deposit
account is not a pledged cash collateral account and (y) such
deposit account is not intended by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution;
o Liens arising from filings or other methods of protection of
interests regarding operating leases entered into by the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
o Liens existing on the Issue Date;
o Liens on property or shares of Capital Stock of a Person at the time
such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens
are not created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in
contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Subsidiary; provided
further, however, that any such Lien may not extend to any other
property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
o Liens on property at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a
merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens may not extend to any
other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
o Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Subsidiary
owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
o Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company
owing to a Subsidiary or a Restricted Subsidiary;
o Liens securing the Securities as contemplated by the covenant
"Limitation on Liens";
o Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness permitted under this
Indenture incurred to Refinance Indebtedness that was previously so
secured, provided that (a) such Liens are not more restrictive than
the Liens in respect of the Indebtedness being refinanced and (b)
any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or
assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or
distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the
written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could
secure) the obligations to which such Liens relate; and
o Liens to secure Indebtedness so long as the amount of outstanding
Indebtedness secured by such Liens does not exceed $3.0 million.
For purposes of this definition, the term "Indebtedness" shall be deemed
to include interest on such Indebtedness.
"Purchase Agent" as the Company may designate, either the Trustee, a
paying agent or the Company. If the Company acts as its own paying
agent it must segregate and hold in trust all funds involved.
"Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund,
refinance, replace, renew, repay or extend (including pursuant to any defeasance
or discharge mechanism) (collectively, "refinance", "refinances", and
"refinanced" shall have a correlative meaning) any Indebtedness Incurred in
compliance with this Indenture (including Indebtedness of CII Financial that
refinances Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary) including Indebtedness
that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness, provided, however, that:
(1) the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity later
than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced;
(2) such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an aggregate principal
amount (or if issued with original issue discount, an aggregate issue
price) that is equal to or less than the sum of the aggregate principal
amount (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate
accreted value) then outstanding (plus accrued interest, fees and
expenses, including the costs of refinancing and any premium and
defeasance costs) of the Indebtedness being refinanced; and
(3) if such Refinancing Indebtedness is used, directly or indirectly, to
refinance any Subordinated Obligations, such Refinancing Indebtedness
shall be subordinated to the Securities to at least the same extent as
such Subordinated Obligations.
"Regulator" means any Person charged with the administration, oversight
or enforcement of Insurance Regulations, whether primarily, secondarily, or
jointly.
"Related Business" means any business of CII Financial and the Restricted
Subsidiaries and any business related, ancillary or complementary thereto.
"Restricted Payment" means (i) the declaration or payment of any
dividends or any other distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights,
obligations or securities on account of any shares of its Capital Stock, (ii)
the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any
Capital Stock of CII Financial held by any Person or of any Capital Stock of a
Restricted Subsidiary held by any Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary),
including the exercise of any option to exchange any Capital Stock (other than
into Capital Stock of CII Financial that is not Disqualified Stock), (iii) the
purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement
for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking
fund payment of any Subordinated Obligations (other than the purchase,
repurchase or other acquisition of the 7 1/2% debentures purchased in
anticipation of it becoming due within one year of the date of acquisition) or
(iv) an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means (i) California Indemnity Insurance Company,
(ii) Commercial Casualty Insurance Company, (iii) CII Insurance Company, (iv)
Sierra Insurance Company of Texas, (v) any Subsidiary that is subsequently
purchased or formed that is a licensed insurance company in any state of the
United States and (vi) any Subsidiary that holds, acquires or owns, directly or
indirectly, any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary.
"Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security, the date specified
in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of
such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption
provision (but excluding any provision for the repurchase of such security at
the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless
such contingency has occurred).
"Subordinated Obligation" means, with respect to CII Financial, any
Indebtedness of CII Financial (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or
thereafter Incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the
Securities pursuant to a written agreement to that effect including, without
limitation, the 7 1/2% debentures.
Certain Covenants
Limitation on Indebtedness.
(a) CII Financial shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, Incur any Indebtedness, except CII Financial and the Restricted
Subsidiaries may Incur any or all of the following Indebtedness:
(1) Indebtedness of CII Financial or the Restricted Subsidiaries, not to
exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding, (i) to pay
interest on the Securities or (ii) to be used for working capital or
other administrative expenses in the ordinary course of business, that
is in either case, expressly not contractually senior to the
Securities;
(2) Indebtedness, not to exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time
outstanding, if such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the
prior payment in full in cash of all obligations with respect to the
Securities;
(3) Indebtedness to pay interest on the Securities if such Indebtedness is
expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all
obligations with respect to the Securities;
(4) Indebtedness of CII Financial and the Restricted Subsidiaries
outstanding as of the Issue Date;
(5) any Refinancing Indebtedness; or
(6) Indebtedness arising from Permitted Liens.
Limitation on Restricted Payments.
(a) CII Financial shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, make a Restricted Payment.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), (i) any Restricted
Subsidiary may make a Restricted Payment to CII Financial or to any
other Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) CII Financial may refinance any
Subordinated Obligations (other than the 7 1/2% debentures) with other
Indebtedness so long as such replacement Indebtedness has subordination
provisions no less favorable to CII Financial than those of the
Indebtedness so refinanced.
Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.
(a) Neither CII Financial nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall,
directly or indirectly, in one transaction or a series of transactions, make any
loan, advance, guarantee or capital contribution to, or for the benefit of, or
sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets
to, or for the benefit of, or purchase or lease any property or assets from, or
enter into or amend any contract, agreement or understanding with, or for the
benefit of, any Affiliate of CII Financial (an "Affiliate Transaction"), unless
the terms of such Affiliate Transactions are fair and reasonable to CII
Financial or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and are at least as favorable
as the terms which could be obtained by CII Financial or such Subsidiary, as the
case may be, in a comparable transaction made on an arm's-length basis between
unaffiliated parties. If such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess
of $5.0 million, a fairness opinion must be obtained from any nationally
recognized investment banking, appraisal or accounting firm with respect to the
financial terms of such Affiliate Transaction.
(b) The provisions of the previous paragraph shall not prohibit or apply to
(i) any Restricted Payment permitted to be paid pursuant to the
covenant "Limitation on Restricted Payments" discussed above, (ii) the
payment of reasonable fees to directors of CII Financial and its
Restricted Subsidiaries who are not employees of CII Financial, its
Restricted Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates, (iii)
agreements and arrangements in effect as of the Issue Date between
Sierra and/or its Affiliates (other than CII Financial and CII
Financial's Subsidiaries) on the one hand and CII Financial, its
Affiliates and/or the Restricted Subsidiaries on the other hand and
(iv) any Affiliate Transaction between CII Financial and one or more
Restricted Subsidiaries or among two or more Restricted Subsidiaries.
Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock.
(a) CII Financial shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, lease, convey, transfer or
otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of transactions) any
property (including accounts receivable and the Capital Stock of any
Subsidiary) or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing,
except:
(1) a sale of substantially all the assets of CII Financial in accordance
with the provisions of Article 8 of the Indenture;
(2) sales by CII Financial or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary
course of business;
(3) dispositions by (i) CII Financial to any Restricted Subsidiary, by a
Restricted Subsidiary to CII Financial or (iii) by a Restricted Subsidiary to
another Restricted Subsidiary;
(4) dispositions that constitute a Restricted Payment permitted under the
covenant "Limitation on Restricted Payments" discussed above;
(5) dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;
(6) dispositions in connection with Permitted Investments;
(7) disposition of assets with a fair market value of less than $500,000;
or
(8) dispositions, not otherwise permitted hereunder, which are made for
fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of CII
Financial; provided, that, (i) at least 80% of the consideration thereof
received by CII Financial is in the form of cash or cash equivalents, (ii) at
the time of any disposition, no Event of Default shall exist or shall result
from such disposition or from the application of the Net Available Cash
therefrom in accordance with this paragraph; and (iii) an amount equal to 100%
of the Net Available Cash from such disposition, provided an Event of Default
shall not arise from such disposition, is applied by CII Financial:
(i) first, to make an offer to the holders of the Securities to
purchase Securities pursuant to and subject to the conditions
contained in this covenant; provided, however, that CII
Financial shall permanently retire such Securities so
purchased; and
(ii) second, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available
Cash after application in accordance with clauses (i), to fund
(to the extent consistent with any other applicable provision
of this Indenture) any corporate purpose.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, CII
Financial shall not be required to apply any Net Available Cash in
accordance with this paragraph except to the extent that the
aggregate Net Available Cash from all dispositions which are not
applied in accordance with this paragraph exceeds $3.0 million
(which lesser amount shall be carried forward for purposes of
determining whether such an offer is required with respect to the
Net Available Cash from any subsequent disposition); provided,
that in the event of a sale by a Subsidiary, the amount of Net
Available Cash for purposes of this covenant shall not exceed the
amount CII Financial could receive in dividends or distributions
from such Subsidiary immediately after such sale in compliance
with applicable Insurance Regulations; provided, further, that in
such event, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to
seek the approval of a Regulator for the largest amount of
dividend permitted by law up to the amount of the Net Available
Cash; and provided, further; that after an Offer is made pursuant
to this covenant, the amount of Net Available Cash shall be reset
to zero for purposes of determining whether an offer is required
with respect to the Net Available Cash from any subsequent
disposition.
For the purposes of this covenant, the following are deemed to be cash or
cash equivalents: (x) the assumption of Indebtedness of CII Financial and
the release of CII Financial from all liability on such Indebtedness in
connection with such disposition and (y) securities received by CII
Financial from the transferee that are promptly converted by CII Financial
into cash.
(b) In the event of a disposition that requires the purchase of the
Securities pursuant to paragraph (8) above, CII Financial will be required to
purchase Securities tendered pursuant to an offer by CII Financial for the
Securities (the "Offer") at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount
(without premium) plus accrued but unpaid interest in accordance with the
procedures (including prorating in the event of oversubscription) set forth in
paragraph (c). If the aggregate purchase price of Securities tendered pursuant
to the Offer is less than the Net Available Cash allotted to the purchase
thereof, CII Financial will apply the remaining Net Available Cash in accordance
with paragraph (8)(ii) above.
(c) (1) Promptly, and in any event within 10 days after CII Financial
becomes obligated to make an Offer, CII Financial shall be obligated to deliver
to the Trustee and the Purchase Agent, if the Trustee is not the Purchase Agent,
and send, by first-class mail to each Holder, a written notice stating that the
Holder may elect to have his Securities purchased by CII Financial either in
whole or in part (subject to prorating as hereinafter described in the event the
Offer is oversubscribed) in integral multiples of $1,000 of principal amount, at
the applicable purchase price. The notice shall specify a purchase date (the
"Purchase Date") not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date of
such notice (the "Offer Period") and shall contain such information concerning
the business of CII Financial and its Subsidiaries which CII Financial in good
faith believes will enable such Holders to make an informed decision (which at a
minimum will include (i) the most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K
(including audited consolidated financial statements) of CII Financial, any
Current Report on Form 8-K of CII Financial filed subsequent to such Annual
Report, other than Current Reports describing dispositions otherwise described
in the offering materials (or corresponding successor reports) and (ii) a
description of material developments in CII Financial's business subsequent to
the date of the latest of such Reports) and all instructions and materials
necessary to tender Securities pursuant to the Offer, together with the
information contained in clause (3).
(2) Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Offer is
delivered as provided above, CII Financial shall deliver to the
Purchase Agent an Officers' Certificate as to (i) the amount of
the Offer (the "Offer Amount"), (ii) the allocation of the Net
Available Cash from the dispositions pursuant to which such Offer
is being made and (iii) the compliance of such allocation with the
provisions of this covenant. On such date, CII Financial shall
also irrevocably deposit with the Purchase Agent in cash and cash
equivalents, maturing on the last day prior to the Purchase Date
or on the Purchase Date if funds are immediately available by open
of business, an amount equal to the Offer Amount to be held for
payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section. The
Purchase Agent shall, on the Purchase Date, mail or deliver
payment to each tendering Holder in the amount of the purchase
price. In the event that the aggregate purchase price of the
Securities delivered by CII Financial to the Purchase Agent is
less than the Offer Amount, the Purchase Agent shall deliver the
excess to CII Financial immediately after the expiration of the
Offer Period for application in accordance with this Section. All
Securities purchased by CII Financial shall be delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation.
(3) Holders electing to have a Security purchased shall be required to
surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed,
to CII Financial at the address specified in the notice at least
three Business Days prior to the Purchase Date. Holders shall be
entitled to withdraw their election if the Purchase Agent and CII
Financial receives not later than one Business Day prior to the
Purchase Date, a telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting
forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security
which was delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement
that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Security
purchased. If at the expiration of the Offer Period the aggregate
principal amount of Securities surrendered by Holders exceeds the
Offer Amount, CII Financial shall select the Securities to be
purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be
deemed appropriate by CII Financial so that only Securities in
denominations of $1,000, or integral multiples thereof, shall be
purchased). Holders whose Securities are purchased only in part
shall be issued new Securities equal in principal amount to the
unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered.
(4) At the time CII Financial delivers Securities to the Purchase
Agent which are to be accepted for purchase, CII Financial shall
also deliver an Officers' Certificate stating that such Securities
are to be accepted by CII Financial pursuant to and in accordance
with the terms of this Section. A Security shall be deemed to have
been accepted for purchase at the time the Purchase Agent,
directly or through an agent, mails or delivers payment therefor
to the surrendering Holder.
(d) CII Financial shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the
requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other
securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of
Securities pursuant to this Section. To the extent that the provisions
of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this
Section, CII Financial shall comply with the applicable securities laws
and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under this Section by virtue thereof.
Limitation on Liens.
CII Financial shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, Incur or permit to exist any Lien of any nature
whatsoever on any of its properties (including Capital Stock of a Restricted
Subsidiary), whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, other than
Permitted Liens, without effectively providing that the Securities shall be
secured equally and ratably with the obligations so secured for so long as such
obligations are so secured.
Cash Sweep Repurchases.
(a) In each fiscal year in which Securities are outstanding, CII Financial
shall determine, within 10 Business Days after CII Financial files its
Annual Report on Form 10-K for such fiscal year, if CII Financial has
any Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year. CII Financial shall apply,
subject to paragraph (b) below, any Excess Cash Flow to make an offer
to the holders of the Securities to purchase Securities pursuant to and
subject to the conditions contained in this covenant. CII Financial
will be required to purchase Securities tendered pursuant to an offer
by CII Financial for the Securities under this covenant (the "Cash
Sweep Offer") at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount
(without premium) plus accrued but unpaid interest in accordance with
the procedures (including prorating in the event of oversubscription)
set forth in paragraph (c).
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of the foregoing paragraph (a), CII
Financial shall not be required to apply any Excess Cash Flow in
accordance with this covenant until the aggregate Excess Cash Flow
exceeds $3.0 million (which lesser amount shall be carried forward for
purposes of determining whether such an offer is required with respect
to Excess Cash Flow from any subsequent fiscal year); provided, that
after a Cash Sweep Offer is made pursuant to this covenant, the amount
of Excess Cash Flow shall be reset to zero for purposes of determining
whether an offer is required with respect to the Excess Cash Flow in
any subsequent fiscal year.
(c) (1) Promptly, and in any event within 10 days after CII Financial
becomes obligated to make a Cash Sweep Offer, CII Financial shall
be obligated to deliver to the Purchase Agent and the Trustee, if
the Trustee is not the Purchase Agent, and send, by first-class
mail to each Holder, a written notice stating that the Holder may
elect to have his Securities purchased by CII Financial either in
whole or in part (subject to prorating as hereinafter described in
the event the Cash Sweep Offer is oversubscribed) in integral
multiples of $1,000 of principal amount, at the applicable
purchase price. The notice shall specify a purchase date (the
"Cash Sweep Purchase Date") not less than 30 days nor more than 60
days after the date of such notice (the "Cash Sweep Offer Period")
and shall contain such information concerning the business of CII
Financial and its Subsidiaries which CII Financial in good faith
believes will enable such Holders to make an informed decision
(which at a minimum will include (i) the most recently filed
Annual Report on Form 10-K (including audited consolidated
financial statements) of CII Financial, any Current Report on Form
8-K of CII Financial filed subsequent to such Annual Report, other
than Current Reports describing dispositions otherwise described
in the offering materials (or corresponding successor reports) and
(ii) a description of material developments in CII Financial's
business subsequent to the date of the latest of such Reports) and
all instructions and materials necessary to tender Securities
pursuant to the Offer, together with the information contained in
clause (3).
(2) Not later than the date upon which written notice of a Cash Sweep
Offer is delivered to as provided above, CII Financial shall
deliver to the Purchase Agent an Officers' Certificate as to the
amount of the Cash Sweep Offer (the "Cash Sweep Offer Amount"). On
such date, CII Financial shall also irrevocably deposit with the
Purchase Agent in cash and cash equivalents, maturing on the last
day prior to the Purchase Date or on the Purchase Date if funds
are immediately available by open of business, an amount equal to
the Cash Sweep Offer Amount to be held for payment in accordance
with the provisions of this Section. The Purchase Agent shall, on
the Cash Sweep Purchase Date, mail or deliver payment to each
tendering Holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event
that the aggregate purchase price of the Securities delivered by
CII Financial to the Purchase Agent is less than the Cash Sweep
Offer Amount, the Purchase Agent shall deliver the excess to CII
Financial immediately after the expiration of the Cash Sweep Offer
Period for application in accordance with this Section. All
Securities purchased by CII Financial shall be delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation.
(3) Holders electing to have a Security purchased shall be required to
surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed,
to CII Financial at the address specified in the notice at least
three Business Days prior to the Purchase Date. Holders shall be
entitled to withdraw their election if the Purchase Agent and CII
Financial receives not later than one Business Day prior to the
Cash Sweep Purchase Date, a telex, facsimile transmission or
letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount
of the Security which was delivered for purchase by the Holder and
a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have
such Security purchased. If at the expiration of the Cash Sweep
Offer Period the aggregate principal amount of Securities
surrendered by Holders exceeds the Cash Sweep Offer Amount, CII
Financial shall select the Securities to be purchased on a pro
rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by
CII Financial so that only Securities in denominations of $1,000,
or integral multiples thereof, shall be purchased). Holders whose
Securities are purchased only in part shall be issued new
Securities equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of
the Securities surrendered.
(4) At the time CII Financial delivers Securities to the Purchase
Agent which are to be accepted for purchase, CII Financial shall
also deliver an Officers' Certificate stating that such Securities
are to be accepted by CII Financial pursuant to and in accordance
with the terms of this Section. A Security shall be deemed to have
been accepted for purchase at the time the Purchase Agent,
directly or through an agent, mails or delivers payment therefor
to the surrendering Holder.
(d) CII Financial shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the
requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other
securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of
Securities pursuant to this Section. To the extent that the provisions
of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this
Section, CII Financial shall comply with the applicable securities laws
and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under this Section by virtue thereof.
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver. The following are events of default
under the indenture:
o we fail to make a payment of interest on the new senior debentures when
due, and this failure continues for 30 days;
o we fail to make the payment of principal on the new senior debentures,
when due;
o we fail in the performance of any other covenant and this failure
continues for 60 days after written
notice, as provided in the indenture;
o a demand by Sierra or the lenders under Sierra's credit facility that we
perform on our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility;
o we default in respect of our indebtedness for money borrowed which
results in acceleration of the maturity of $5,000,000 or more of indebtedness,
if such acceleration is not rescinded or indebtedness discharged within 10 days
after written notice to us, as provided in the indenture; and
o certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving us.
If any event of default shall happen and be continuing, the trustee or the
holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding new senior debentures may
declare the debentures due and payable. However, after a declaration of
acceleration has been made with respect to the new senior debentures, but before
a judgment or decree based on acceleration has been obtained, the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding debentures may, under certain
circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration. An event of default under
the new senior debentures may result in a cross default under Sierra's credit
facility. In the event of a default under Sierra's credit facility, Sierra's
lenders may, at their option, require us to perform on our guaranty of the
credit facility. As a result of the guaranty subordination, our obligations
under the credit facility guaranty will be subordinated to our obligations under
the new senior debentures.
The indenture will provide that the trustee will be under no obligation,
subject to the duty of the trustee during default to act with the required
standard of care, to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at
the request or direction of any of the holders, unless such holders shall have
offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such
request or direction. Subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding debentures will have the right to direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debentures
may on behalf of the holders of all new senior debentures waive compliance by us
with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding debentures may on behalf of the holders
of new senior debentures waive certain past defaults except a default in payment
of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any new debenture or in
respect of a provision which under the indenture cannot be modified or amended
without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debenture affected
thereby.
We will be required to furnish the trustee annually a statement as to any
default by it in the performance of certain covenants in the indenture.
Concerning the Trustee. The trustee may act as a depository for funds of,
make loans, which may constitute senior debt, to and perform other commercial
banking services for us in the ordinary course of business. Neither the trustee
nor any of its affiliates currently performs any commercial banking services for
us.
Old Junior Subordinated Debentures
The old junior subordinated debentures were issued under an indenture dated
September 15, 1991. The indenture is a contract between us and Chase Manhattan
Bank and Trust Company, National Association (as successor to Manufacturers
Hanover Trust Company) as trustee.
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the
indenture relating to the old junior subordinated debentures and does not
describe the indenture in its entirety. This summary is subject to and qualified
by reference to all of the provisions in the indenture, including definitions of
certain terms used in the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because
it, and not the summary description below, defines your rights. Copies of the
indenture will be available for inspection at the Corporate Trust Offices of the
trustee in San Francisco, California.
General. The old junior subordinated debentures are subordinated
obligations of CII Financial and are not guaranteed by Sierra. The old junior
subordinated debentures are subordinate to all our senior indebtedness,
including the new senior debentures, our guaranty of Sierra's credit facility
and the Sierra notes. We are required to repay the principal amount of the old
junior subordinated debentures in full to you on September 15, 2001.
The old junior subordinated debentures bear interest, at the rate per annum
of 7 1/2%. We pay interest on the old junior subordinated debentures on March 15
and September 15 of each year, to the person in whose name the old junior
subordinated debenture (or any predecessor debenture) is registered, subject to
certain exceptions, at the close of business on March 1 or September 1, as the
case may be, before each interest payment date. Principal of, and premium, if
any, and interest on the old junior subordinated debentures are payable and the
old junior subordinated debentures are convertible and exchangeable and
transfers are registrable, at an office of the trustee or our office or agency
maintained for such purpose in San Francisco, California, provided that, at our
option, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the
person entitled thereto as it appears in the debenture register.
Conversion Rights. You may, at your option, convert any portion of the
principal amount of any old junior subordinated debenture that is an integral
multiple of $1,000 into shares of Sierra common stock at any time prior to
redemption, repurchase or maturity of the old junior subordinated debentures, at
the conversion price of $39.398 per share. Your right to convert any old junior
subordinated debentures called for redemption or to be repurchased will
terminate at the close of business on the redemption date or the repurchase
date, as the case may be, and will be lost if not exercised prior to that time.
The conversion price is subject to adjustment in certain events, including:
o dividends, and other distributions, payable in Sierra common stock on
shares of Sierra capital stock;
o the issuance to all stockholders of Sierra common stock of certain
rights, options or warrants entitling them to subscribe for or
purchase Sierra common stock at less than the then current market
price per share;
o subdivisions and combinations of Sierra common stock;
o the distribution to all holders of Sierra common stock of evidences of
debt securities of Sierra or of CII Financial, shares of any class of
capital stock, cash or assets, including securities, but excluding any
rights, options or warrants referred to above, excluding any dividend
or distribution paid exclusively in cash, and excluding any dividend
or distribution in Sierra common stock;
o distributions to all holders of Sierra common stock of cash, excluding
any cash that is distributed as part of a distribution referred to
above, in an aggregate amount that together with the aggregate amount
of certain other distributions, exceeds 10% of our market
capitalization, being the product of the current market price per
share of the Sierra common stock on the date fixed for shareholders
entitled to receive such distribution and the number of shares of
Sierra common stock outstanding on such date; and
o tender offers made by us or any of our subsidiaries for all or any
portion of Sierra common stock involving an aggregate consideration
having a fair market value on the last time, which we refer to as the
expiration time, tenders may be made pursuant to such tender offer
that, together with the aggregate amount of certain other
distributions, exceeds 5% of Sierra market capitalization on the
expiration time, being the product of the current market price per
share of the Sierra common stock on the expiration time and the number
of shares of Sierra common stock outstanding, including any tendered
shares, on the expiration time.
In addition to the foregoing adjustments, we are permitted to make such
reductions in the conversion price as we consider to be advisable in order that
any event treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a dividend of
stock or stock rights will not be taxable to the recipients. We will not be
required to make adjustments in the conversion price of less than 1% of such
price, but any adjustment that would otherwise be required to be made will be
taken into account in the computation of any subsequent adjustment.
In the case of certain consolidations or mergers to which we are a party or
the transfer of substantially all of our assets, each old junior subordinated
debenture then outstanding would, without your consent, become convertible only
into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon
such consolidation, merger or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of
Sierra common stock into which such old junior subordinated debenture was
convertible immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or transfer,
assuming such holder of Sierra common stock failed to exercise any rights of
election and received per share the kind and amount received per share by a
plurality of the non-electing shares.
Other than as set forth above, the conversion price is not subject to
adjustment in the event of the sale of Sierra common stock at less than market
value. If any such sale negatively affects the market price for Sierra common
stock, the value of the old junior subordinated debentures may also be adversely
affected.
Fractional shares of Sierra common stock will not be issued upon
conversion, and, in lieu thereof, we will pay cash to you based upon the market
price of the Sierra common stock. At the close of business on a record date you
will be entitled to receive the interest payable on the old junior subordinated
debentures on the corresponding interest payment date notwithstanding the
subsequent conversion thereof or our default in payment of the interest due on
such interest payment date, subject to certain provisions applicable to
defaulted interest. No payment or adjustment will be made upon conversion for
interest accrued on the old junior subordinated debentures or for dividends on
Sierra common stock issued on conversion. Therefore, old junior subordinated
debentures surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of
business on any record date to the opening of business on the corresponding
interest payment date, except old junior subordinated debentures called for
redemption, or to be repurchased, on such interest payment date or on a
redemption date or a repurchase date within such period, must be accompanied by
payment of an amount equal to the interest payable on the interest payment date.
The holder of old junior subordinated debentures on a record date who converts
old junior subordinated debentures on an interest payment date will receive the
interest and need not include a payment for any such interest upon surrender of
old junior subordinated debentures for conversion.
Subordination of Debentures. The payment of principal, any premium and
interest on the old junior subordinated debentures, including amounts payable on
any redemption or repurchase, will be subordinated to the prior payment in full
of all our senior debt. Senior debt is defined in the indenture as the principal
of, and premium, if any, and interest on all our debt, whether outstanding on
the date of the indenture or thereafter created, incurred, guaranteed or
assumed, other than:
o the old junior subordinated debentures; and
o any debt which provides, or in respect of which any instrument
creating or evidencing such debt or pursuant to which the same is
outstanding provides, that such debt is not superior in right of
payment to the old junior subordinated debentures.
Debt is defined in the indenture to mean:
o all debt which is (a) for money borrowed, (b) evidenced by a note,
bond or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of
any businesses, properties or assets of any kind, but excluding any
other trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the
ordinary course of business or (c) purchase money indebtedness with
respect to the purchase of any real or personal property or any
interest therein;
o obligations under certain leases;
o amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any
debt or obligations referred to above; and
o any debt or obligations referred to above in respect of which we are
liable, contingently or otherwise, to pay or advance money or property
as a guarantor, endorser or otherwise.
In August 2000, we became a guarantor of Sierra's revolving credit
facility, which at April 12, 2001 had an outstanding balance of $128 million.
The old junior subordinated debentures are subordinated to this guaranty of the
credit facility debt. Our senior debt will also include the new senior
debentures to be issued in the exchange offer and the Sierra notes. The terms of
our old junior subordinated debentures do not limit our ability to incur
additional senior debt.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors as a result of a
liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization for the benefit of
creditors, marshalling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
proceedings involving us, the holders of all senior debt will first be entitled
to receive payment in full before you will be entitled to receive any payment on
the old junior subordinated debentures. No such payment in respect of the old
junior subordinated debentures may be made if there shall have occurred and be
continuing a default in any payment with respect to any senior debt, or an event
of default in respect to any senior debt resulting in acceleration of the
maturity thereof, or if any judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to
any such default. If the old junior subordinated debentures are declared due and
payable before their stated maturity, no payment may be made in respect of the
old junior subordinated debentures unless and until all senior debt shall have
been paid in full. For purposes of the subordination provisions, the payment,
issuance or delivery of cash, property or securities, other than our stock and
certain subordinated securities, upon conversion of an old junior subordinated
debenture, will be deemed to constitute payment on account of the principal of
such old junior subordinated debentures.
By reason of such subordination, in the event of insolvency, our creditors
who are holders of senior debt may recover more ratably than you will. The old
junior subordinated debentures are subordinate to the new senior debentures.
The indenture permits the trustee to become our creditor and to enforce its
rights as a creditor, including rights as a holder of senior debt.
Redemption. The old junior subordinated debentures are currently redeemable
upon not less than 25 nor more than 60 days' notice by mail at any time, in
whole or in part, at our election, are currently at a redemption price equal to
100.75% of the principal amount together with accrued interest to the redemption
date, subject to the right of holders of record on regular record dates to
receive interest due on an interest payment date.
Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon Change in Control. If a change in
control as defined below occurs, you will have the right, at your option, to
require us to repurchase all of your old junior subordinated debentures not
previously called for redemption, or any portion of the principal amount
thereof, that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. The price we
are required to pay is 100% of the principal amount of the old junior
subordinated debentures to be repurchased, together with accrued interest to the
repurchase date. Such right may not be waived by our board of directors or by
the board of directors of Sierra.
At our option, instead of paying the repurchase price in cash, we may pay
the repurchase price in Sierra common stock valued at 95% of the average of the
closing prices of Sierra common stock for the five trading days ending on the
third trading day preceding the repurchase date. We may only pay the repurchase
price in Sierra common stock if such Sierra common stock is listed on a national
securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System at the time
of payment. Sierra has no obligation to issue shares in this event.
Within 30 days after the occurrence of a change in control, we are
obligated to mail to you notice of such change in control and of the repurchase
right arising as a result thereof. We must also deliver a copy of this notice to
the trustee and cause a copy of such notice to be published in a newspaper of
general circulation in Los Angeles, California and in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York. To exercise the repurchase right, you must deliver to the
trustee the old junior subordinated debentures with respect to which the
repurchase right is being exercised, duly endorsed for transfer to us. We are
required to repurchase the old junior subordinated debentures on the date that
is 45 days after the date of our notice, which we refer to as the repurchase
date. At least two trading days prior to the repurchase date, we must publish a
notice in the manner described above specifying whether we will pay the
repurchase price in cash or in Sierra common stock.
A change in control will be deemed to have occurred at the time after the
old junior subordinated debentures are issued that any person, including any
syndicate or group deemed to be a "Person" under Section 13(d)(3) of the
Exchange Act, is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly,
through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of
transactions, of shares of our capital stock entitling such person to exercise
50% or more of the total voting power of all shares of our capital stock that
are entitled to vote in elections of directors. For purposes of these
provisions, whether a person is a "beneficial owner" will be determined in
accordance with Rule l3d-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act as in
effect on the date of execution of the indenture.
However, a change in control will not be deemed to have occurred if either
(a) the closing price per share of Sierra common stock for any five trading days
within a period of 10 consecutive trading days ending immediately before the
change in control shall equal or exceed 105% of the conversion price in effect
on each of those trading days, or (b) all of the consideration (excluding cash
payments for fractional shares) in the transaction or transactions constituting
the change in control consists of shares of common stock traded on a national
securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market System and as a
result of such transaction or transactions the old junior subordinated
debentures become convertible solely into such common stock.
Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act requires the dissemination of certain
information to security holders in the event of an issuer tender offer and may
apply in the event that the repurchase option becomes available to you. We will
comply with this rule to the extent it applies at that time.
Merger and Consolidation. The indenture provides that we may consolidate
with or merge into any other corporation, or convey, transfer or lease its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, provided that
in any such case:
o the successor corporation assumes by a supplemental indenture our and
Sierra's obligations under the indenture,
o immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default will have
occurred and be continuing, and
o we deliver to the trustee an officer's certificate and an opinion of
counsel stating that the terms of the indenture with respect to such event have
been complied with.
Upon compliance with these provisions by a successor corporation, we,
except in the case of a lease, would be relieved of our obligations under the
indenture and the old junior subordinated debentures.
Modification of the Indenture. Modifications and amendments of the
indenture may be made by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding debentures. However, none of the
following modifications or amendments may be made without your consent:
o change the stated maturity date of the principal of, or any installment
of interest on, the old junior subordinated debentures;
o reduce the principal amount of, any interest on, or premium payable on
redemption of, any old junior subordinated debenture;
o change the place or currency of payment on the old junior subordinated
debentures;
o impair your right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on
the old junior subordinated debentures when due;
o adversely affect your right to convert the old junior subordinated
debentures into Sierra common stock;
o modify the provisions of the indenture with respect to the subordination
of the old junior subordinated debentures in a manner adverse to you; or
o reduce the percentage in principal amount of old junior subordinated
debentures the consent of whose holders is required for modification or
amendment of the indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions
of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults.
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver. The following are events of default
under the indenture:
o we fail to make a payment of interest on the old junior subordinated
debentures due, and this failure continues for 30 days;
o we fail to make the payment of principal or premium, if any, on the old
junior subordinated debentures, when due;
o we fail in the performance of any other covenant and this failure
continues for 60 days after written notice, as provided in the indenture;
o we default in respect of our indebtedness for money borrowed which
results in acceleration of the maturity of $1,000,000 or more of indebtedness,
if such acceleration is not rescinded or indebtedness discharged within 10 days
after written notice to us, as provided in the indenture; and
o certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving us.
If any event of default shall happen and be continuing, the trustee or the
holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debentures may declare the
old junior subordinated debentures due and payable. However, after a declaration
of acceleration has been made with respect to the old junior subordinated
debentures, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration has been
obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
debentures may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such
acceleration.
The indenture will provide that the trustee will be under no obligation,
subject to the duty of the trustee during default to act with the required
standard of care, to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at
the request or direction of any of the holders, unless such holders shall have
offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such
request or direction. Subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding debentures will have the right to direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debentures
may on behalf of the holders of all old junior subordinated debentures waive
compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. The
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debentures may on
behalf of the holders of old junior subordinated debentures waive certain past
defaults except a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or
interest on any old junior subordinated debenture or in respect of a provision
which under the indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of
the holder of each outstanding debenture affected thereby.
We will be required to furnish the trustee annually a statement as to any
default by it in the performance of certain covenants in the indenture.
Concerning the Trustee. The trustee may act as a depository for funds of,
make loans, which may constitute senior debt, to and perform other commercial
banking services for us or for us in the ordinary course of business. The
trustee is one of the lenders under Sierra's credit facility.
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM -- THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
The new senior debentures will be evidenced by a global security initially
deposited with The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and registered in the name
of Cede & Co., as DTC's nominee. Except as set forth below, the global security
may be transferred only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or
its nominee.
Holders of the new senior debentures may hold their interests in the global
security directly through DTC or indirectly through organizations which are
participants in DTC, called "participants". Transfers between participants will
be affected in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled
in clearinghouse funds. The laws of some states require that some persons take
physical delivery of securities in definitive form. As a result, holders may be
unable to transfer beneficial interests in the global security to those persons.
Holders that are not participants may beneficially own interests in the
global security held by DTC only through participants or indirect participants,
including banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies and other parties that clear
through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant. So long as Cede
& Co., as the nominee of DTC, is the registered owner of the global security,
Cede & Co. will be considered the sole holder of the global security for all
purposes. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in the global
security will not:
o be entitled to have certificates registered in their names;
o be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive
form; and
o be considered registered holders.
We will make payments of interest on and principal of and the redemption or
repurchase price of the global security to Cede & Co., the nominee for DTC, as
the registered holder of the global security. We will make these payments by
wire transfer of immediately available funds. Neither we, the trustee nor any
paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for:
o records or payments on beneficial ownership interests in the global
security; or
o maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those
beneficial ownership interests.
We have been informed that DTC's practice is to credit participants'
accounts on the payment date. These payments will be made in amounts
proportionate to participants' beneficial interests in the new senior
debentures. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the
new senior debentures represented by the global security held through
participants will be the responsibility of those participants.
We will send any redemption notices to Cede & Co. We understand that if
less than all of the new senior debentures are being redeemed, DTC's practice is
to determine by lot the amount of the holdings of each participant to be
redeemed. We also understand that neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will consent or
vote with respect to the new senior debentures. We have been advised that under
its usual procedures, DTC will mail an "omnibus proxy" to us as soon as possible
after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or
voting rights to those participants to whose accounts the exchange notes are
credited on the record date identified in a listing attached to the omnibus
proxy.
A person having a beneficial interest in new senior debentures represented
by the global security may be unable to pledge that interest to persons or
entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or to take other actions in
respect of that interest, because that interest is not represented by a physical
certificate.
DTC has advised us that it is:
o a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State
of New York;
o a member of the Federal Reserve System;
o a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial
Code, and
o a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of
Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate
the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between participants
through electronic book-entry changes to accounts of its participants. Some of
the participants, together with other entities, own DTC. Indirect access to the
DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust
companies that clear through, or maintain a custodial relationship with a
participant, either directly or indirectly.
DTC is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform the above
procedures. DTC may discontinue these at any time. If DTC is at any time
unwilling or unable to continue as depository and a successor depository is not
appointed by us within 90 days, we will cause new senior debentures to be issued
in definitive form in exchange for the global security.
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion summarizes the material United States federal
income tax consequences to us and to United States holders of the exchange offer
and of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the new senior debentures.
A United States holder is (1) an individual citizen or resident of the United
States or (2) a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States or any political subdivision thereof.
This discussion does not purport to describe all of the tax considerations
that may be relevant to a holder of old junior subordinated debentures. The
following summary deals only with old junior subordinated debentures that are,
and new senior debentures that will be, held as capital assets by United States
holders, and does not deal with persons that are subject to special tax rules,
such as:
o dealers or traders in securities or currencies;
o financial institutions or other United States holders that treat
income in respect of the old junior subordinated debentures or new
senior debentures as financial services income;
o insurance companies;
o tax-exempt entities;
o persons holding old junior subordinated debentures or new senior
debentures as a part of a straddle, conversion transaction or other
arrangement involving more than one position;
o persons that have a principal place of business or "tax home" outside
the United States; or
o persons whose "functional currency" is not the U.S. dollar.
The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the United States
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations, rulings and judicial
decisions thereunder as of the date of this prospectus; any of these authorities
may be repealed, revoked or modified, perhaps with retroactive effect, so as to
result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those
discussed below. The statements of law and legal conclusions set out below
regarding material tax consequences to us and United States holders of the
exchange offer are the opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, our special
United States tax counsel. However, opinions of tax counsel are not binding on
United States tax authorities or courts.
Because United States tax consequences may differ from one holder to the
next, the discussion set out below does not purport to describe all of the tax
considerations that may be relevant to you and your particular situation.
Accordingly, you are advised to consult your own tax advisor as to the United
States federal, state, local and other tax consequences of the exchange offer
and of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of new senior debentures. The
statements of United States tax law set out below are based on the laws and
interpretations in force as of the date of this prospectus, and are subject to
any changes occurring after that date.
Tax Consequences to Us
A corporation will recognize cancellation of indebtedness income upon the
satisfaction of its indebtedness for an amount that is less than the amount of
the indebtedness. If the exchange offer is consummated, then we will realize
ordinary income from (1) the payment of cash in satisfaction of the old junior
subordinated debentures to the extent that the adjusted issue price, which is
the stated principal amount, of the old junior subordinated debentures
extinguished exceeds the amount of cash paid and (2) the exchange of new senior
debentures for old junior subordinated debentures to the extent that the
adjusted issue price of the old junior subordinated debentures exceeds the issue
price of the new senior debentures exchanged therefor. As discussed more fully
below, the issue price of a new senior debenture probably will equal the stated
principal amount of the new senior debenture, in which case no cancellation of
indebtedness income will arise from the exchange of new senior debenture for the
old junior subordinated debenture. No assurance can be given in this respect,
however, and it is possible that the issue price will equal the fair market
value of the new senior debenture or of the old junior subordinated debenture
exchanged therefor, in which case we would probably recognize cancellation of
indebtedness income with respect to the exchange of new senior debentures for
old junior subordinated debentures (See paragraph 3. under --Tax Consequences to
United States Holders of the Exchange Offer--Exchange of New Senior Debentures
for Old Junior Subordinated Debentures--The Exchange).
Tax Consequences to United States Holders of the Exchange Offer
Your tax consequences will depend on the option that you select. The
discussion under each of the headings below describes the tax consequences
applicable to each option under the exchange offer: receiving cash in
satisfaction of your old junior subordinated debentures, exchanging your old
junior subordinated debentures for new senior debentures or continuing to hold
your old junior subordinated debentures.
Receipt of Cash for Old Junior Subordinated Debentures
A United States holder that receives cash under the exchange offer will
recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the
amount of cash received and (2) the adjusted tax basis of the old junior
subordinated debentures in the hands of the United States holder. Except as
discussed below, the gain or loss recognized by a United States holder will be
treated as capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if
the old junior subordinated debentures have been held for more than one year.
Gain recognized by a United States holder will be treated as ordinary income, to
the extent of any market discount on the old junior subordinated debentures that
has accrued during the period that the United States holder held the old junior
subordinated debentures and that has not previously been included in income by
the United States holder. A United States holder also will recognize ordinary
income in an amount equal to the cash payments received as payment of the
interest that has accrued on the old junior subordinated debentures.
Exchange of New Senior Debentures for Old Junior Subordinated Debentures
The Exchange
The exchange of new senior debentures for old junior subordinated
debentures pursuant to the exchange offer should be treated as a taxable
exchange. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the exchange will be
treated as a taxable exchange. You are encouraged to consult your own tax
advisor as to whether an exchange of new senior debentures for old junior
subordinated debentures will be treated as a recapitalization.
The exchange should have the following United States federal income tax
consequences:
1. Subject to the wash sales rules discussed in paragraph 4, an exchanging
United States holder of old junior subordinated debentures should
recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (1)
the issue price of the new senior debentures received and (2) the
adjusted tax basis of the old junior subordinated debentures in the
hands of the United States holder. A United States holder also will
recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the cash payments
received in satisfaction of interest that has accrued on the old junior
subordinated debentures.
2. The issue price of the new senior debentures will depend upon whether
the new senior debentures or the old junior subordinated debentures are
"traded on an established market" at any time within the 60-day period
ending 30 days after the issue date of the new senior debentures. For
this purpose, a debt instrument is considered to be traded on an
established market, if (1) the debt instrument is listed on a national
securities exchange, an interdealer quotation system sponsored by a
national securities association or a designated foreign exchange or
board of trade, (2) the debt instrument is traded either on a board of
trade designated as a contract market by the Commodities Futures
Trading Commission, or CFTC, or on an interbank market, (3) the debt
instrument appears on a "quotation medium,""which is a system of
general circulation that provides a reasonable basis to determine fair
market value by disseminating either recent price quotations of one or
more identified brokers, dealers or traders or actual prices of recent
sales transactions, or (4) price quotations for the debt instrument
otherwise are readily available from dealers, brokers or traders. We do
not believe that the old junior subordinated debentures have been
traded on an established securities market. Because we will not list
the new senior debentures on the New York Stock Exchange until after 30
days following the issue date of the new senior debentures, the new
senior debentures should not be treated as traded on an established
securities market within 30 days after their issue date, except in the
unlikely event that the new senior debentures are traded on a contract
market designated by the CFTC or interbank market or appear on a
quotation medium, or price quotations for the debentures are otherwise
readily available, within this 30-day period.
3. If neither the new senior debentures nor the old junior subordinated
debentures are traded on an established market, then the issue price of
the new senior debentures will be equal to their stated principal
amount ($1000 per new senior debenture). If the new senior debentures
are traded on an established market, then the issue price of the new
senior debentures will be their fair market value on the issue date. If
the old junior subordinated debentures are, and the new senior
debentures are not, traded on an established market, then the issue
price of the new senior debentures will be the fair market value on the
issue date of the old junior subordinated debentures surrendered in
exchange therefor.
4. Loss, if any, realized by the exchanging United States holder will be
recognized only to the extent permitted under the wash sale rules of
Section 1091 of the Internal Revenue Code. Although the matter is not
free from doubt, it is likely that the new senior debentures will not
be treated as substantially identical to the old junior subordinated
debentures for purposes of the wash sales rules, in which case the wash
sales rules will not apply. You are advised to consult your own tax
advisor as to the potential application of the wash sale rules.
5. Except as discussed below, gain or loss recognized by an exchanging
United States holder of old junior subordinated debentures will be
treated as capital gain or loss. Gain recognized by an exchanging
United States holder will be treated as ordinary income to the extent
of any market discount on the old junior subordinated debentures that
has accrued during the period that the exchanging United States holder
held the old junior subordinated debentures and that has not previously
been included in income by the United States holder. An old junior
subordinated debenture generally will be considered to have been
acquired with market discount if the issue price of the old junior
subordinated debenture at the time of acquisition exceeded the initial
tax basis of the old junior subordinated debenture in the hands of the
United States holder by more than a specified de minimis amount. Market
discount accrues on ratable basis, unless the United States holder
elects to accrue the market discount using a constant-yield method.
6. The tax basis of the new senior debentures received in the hands of the
United States holder will be equal to their issue price. The holding
period of the new senior debentures will not include the holding period
of the old junior subordinated debentures surrendered in the exchange.
Tax Treatment of the New Senior Debentures
Stated Interest
Interest on a new senior debenture, other than interest that is not
"qualified stated interest," will be taxable to a United States holder as
ordinary interest income at the time that the interest is received or is
accrued, in accordance with the United States holder's method of accounting for
federal income tax purposes. In general, qualified stated interest is stated
interest that is unconditionally payable at least annually at a single fixed
rate during the entire term of a debt obligation.
Original Issue Discount
General. Whether the new senior debentures are issued with original issue
discount (OID) will depend upon whether the issue price of the new senior
debentures is calculated with respect to their issue price or their fair market
value. If, as discussed above, the issue price of the new senior debentures is
equal to their principal amount, then the new senior debentures would not be
treated as issued with OID and the rest of the discussion under this heading
"--Original Issue Discount" would not be applicable to the new senior
debentures. If, on the other hand, the issue price of the new senior debentures
is based on the fair market value of the new senior debentures or the old junior
subordinated debentures, then the new senior debentures probably would be
treated as issued with OID. The amount of OID on a new senior debenture will be
equal to the excess of (1) the stated redemption price at maturity of the new
senior debenture over (2) the issue price of the new senior debenture,
determined in the manner described above. The stated redemption price at
maturity of a new senior debenture is the sum of all payments on the new senior
debenture other than payments of qualified stated interest.
Subject to the discussion below under "-Acquisition Premium," a United
States holder of a new senior debenture issued with OID must include OID in
income, as ordinary interest income, as it accrues, on a constant-yield basis,
before the receipt of cash attributable to this income, and will be required to
include in income increasingly greater amounts of OID over the life of the new
senior debenture. The amount of OID includible in income by a United States
holder is the sum of the daily portions of OID with respect to the new senior
debenture for each day during the taxable year or portion of the taxable year on
which the United States holder holds the new senior debenture, known as accrued
OID. The daily portion is determined by allocating to each day in any "accrual
period" a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. Accrual
periods with respect to a new senior debenture may be of any length selected by
the United States holder and may vary in length over the term of the new senior
debenture, so long as (1) no accrual period is longer than one year and (2) each
scheduled payment of interest or principal on the new senior debenture occurs on
either the final or first day of an accrual period. The amount of OID allocable
to an accrual period is equal to the excess of (1) the product of the adjusted
issue price of the new senior debenture at the beginning of the accrual period
and the yield to maturity of the new senior debenture, determined on the basis
of compounding at the close of each accrual period and properly adjusted for the
length of the accrual period, over (2) the sum of the payments of qualified
stated interest on the new senior debenture that are allocable to the accrual
period. The "adjusted issue price" of a new senior debenture at the beginning of
any accrual period is the issue price of the new senior debenture, increased by
the amount of accrued OID for all prior accrual periods and decreased by the
amount of any payments previously made on the new senior debenture other than
payments of qualified stated interest. The amount of OID allocable to an initial
short accrual period may be computed using any reasonable method, if all other
accrual periods other than a final short accrual period are of equal length. The
amount of OID allocable to the final accrual period is the difference between
the amount payable at the maturity of the new senior debenture and the new
senior debenture's adjusted issue price as of the beginning of the final accrual
period.
In general, the effect of the OID provisions described above is that United
States holders will realize interest income on the new senior debentures on a
constant-yield basis over the term of the new senior debentures; United States
holders generally will not realize additional income on the receipt of payments,
other than payments of qualified stated interest, on the new senior debentures,
even if those payments are denominated as interest.
Acquisition Premium. A United States holder that acquires a new senior
debenture for an amount less than or equal to the sum of all amounts payable on
the new senior debenture after the acquisition date, other than payments of
qualified stated interest, but in excess of its adjusted issue price (this
excess being "acquisition premium") and that does not make the election
described below under "Election To Treat All Interest As Original Issue
Discount," is permitted to reduce the daily portions of OID includible in its
income. The amount of this reduction is calculated by multiplying the daily
portion of OID by a fraction, the numerator of which is the excess of the United
States holder's adjusted tax basis in the new senior debenture immediately after
its acquisition over the adjusted issue price of the new senior debenture, and
the denominator of which is the excess of the sum of all amounts payable on the
new senior debenture after the acquisition date, other than payments of
qualified stated interest, over the adjusted issue price of the new senior
debenture.
Election To Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount. A United States
holder may elect to include in gross income all interest that accrues on a new
senior debenture using the constant-yield method described above under the
heading "Original Issue Discount -General," with the modifications described
below. For purposes of this election, interest includes stated interest, OID,
market discount and de minimis market discount, as adjusted by any acquisition
premium.
In applying the constant-yield method to a new senior debenture with
respect to which this election has been made, the issue price of the new senior
debenture will equal the electing United States holder's adjusted basis in the
new senior debenture immediately after its acquisition, the issue date of the
new senior debenture will be the date of its acquisition by the electing United
States holder and no payments on the new senior debenture will be treated as
payments of qualified stated interest. This election generally will apply only
to the new senior debenture with respect to which it is made and may not be
revoked without the consent of the IRS. If the election to apply the
constant-yield method to all interest on a new senior debenture is made with
respect to a market discount debenture, then the electing United States holder
will be treated as having made the election discussed below under "Market
Discount" to include market discount in income currently over the life of all
debt instruments held or thereafter acquired by the United States holder.
Market Discount
A new senior debenture will be considered to be a market discount debenture
if the adjusted issue price of the new senior debenture at the time of
acquisition exceeds the initial tax basis of the new senior debenture in the
hands of the United States holder by more than a specified de minimis amount. If
this excess is not sufficient to cause the new senior debenture to be a market
discount debenture, this excess constitutes "de minimis market discount."
Any gain recognized on the receipt of payments on or disposition of a
market discount debenture will be treated as ordinary income to the extent that
this gain does not exceed the accrued market discount on the new senior
debenture. Alternatively, a United States holder of a market discount debenture
may elect to include market discount in income currently over the life of the
new senior debenture. This election shall apply to all debt instruments with
market discount acquired by the electing United States holder on or after the
first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies. This election
may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. A United States holder that
makes the election described under "Original Issue Discount-Election To Treat
All Interest as Original Issue Discount" will be deemed to have elected to
include market discount in income currently.
Market discount on a market discount debenture will accrue on a ratable
basis unless the United States holder elects to accrue this market discount
using a constant-yield method. This election shall apply only to the new senior
debenture with respect to which it is made and may not be revoked without the
consent of the IRS. A United States holder of a market discount debenture that
does not elect, and is not deemed to have elected, to include market discount in
income currently generally will be required to defer deductions for net direct
interest expense with respect to the new senior debenture (defined for each
taxable year as the excess of interest expense allocable to the new senior
debenture over interest, including OID, includible in income in respect of the
new senior debenture) in an amount not exceeding the accrued market discount on
the new senior debenture until the maturity or disposition of the new senior
debenture.
Purchase, Sale and Retirement of New Senior Debentures
A United States holder's initial tax basis in a new senior debenture,
determined in the manner described above under "Exchange of New Senior
Debentures for Old Junior Subordinated Debentures-The Exchange," will be
increased by the amount of any OID or market discount included in the United
States holder's income with respect to the new senior debenture and reduced by
the amount of any payments on the new senior debenture other than payments of
qualified stated interest. A United States holder generally will recognize gain
or loss on the sale or retirement of a new senior debenture in an amount equal
to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or retirement, other
than amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxable
as ordinary income, and the tax basis of the new senior debenture. Except to the
extent described above under "-Market Discount," gain or loss recognized on the
sale or retirement of a new senior debenture will be capital gain or loss and
will be long-term capital gain or loss if the new senior debenture has been held
for more than one year.
Nonparticipation in the Exchange Offer
A United States holder that does not participate in the exchange offer and
instead retains its old junior subordinated debentures will not recognize any
gain or loss as a result of the consummation of the exchange offer.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of our new senior debentures offered by this prospectus will
be passed upon for us by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and related financial statement schedule of CII
Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, and for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, included in this
prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as
stated in their report appearing herein, and have been so included in reliance
upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
ANNEX I
GLOSSARY OF SELECTED INSURANCE TERMS
The following terms when used in this Prospectus have the following meanings:
Assume........................... To receive from a ceding company, all or a
portion of a risk in consideration of a
premium.
Cede............................. To transfer to a reinsurer, all or a portion
of a risk in consideration of a premium.
Combined ratio................... The sum of the loss ratio, the underwriting
expense ratio and the policyholders'
dividend ratio, expressed as a percentage.
A combined ratio less than 100% indicates an
underwriting profit.
Direct written premiums.......... Premiums written
by an insurer before the assumption and
cession of reinsurance.
Loss ratio....................... The ratio arrived at by dividing the amount
of losses and loss adjustment expenses by
net earned premiums.
Losses........................... For workers' compensation insurance,
payments and reserves needed to provide
indemnity, medical and rehabilitation costs
to injured workers.
Loss adjustment expenses......... The expenses of
settling claims, including legal, other fees
and general expenses.
Net earned premiums.............. The portion of premiums applicable to the
expired period of policies after the
assumption and cession of reinsurance.
Net written premiums............. Premiums retained by an insurer after the
assumption and cession of reinsurance.
Participating policy............. An insurance policy where the policyholders
may receive a "dividend" which is a partial
return of premium, after the policy period
if, among other factors, the insured
has had a favorable claims history during
the period; that is, the policyholder
"participates" in the savings resulting
from a favorable claims history,
among other factors.
Policy acquisition costs......... Agents' and
brokers' commissions, premium taxes, boards
and bureau fees, marketing, underwriting and
other direct expenses associated with
acquiring and retaining business.
Policyholders' dividend ratio.... The ratio arrived at by
dividing the amount of policyholders'
dividends incurred by net earned premiums.
Policyholders' surplus........... The sum remaining after all liabilities
are subtracted from all assets, applying
statutory accounting principles. This sum
is regarded as financial protection to
policyholders in the event an insurance
company suffers unexpected or catastrophic
losses.
Quota share reinsurance.......... A form of reinsurance in which the
reinsurer assumes an agreed percentage
of certain risks insured by the ceding
insurer up to a specified amount, and
shares premiums and losses proportionately.
Reinsurance...................... An agreement whereby an original insurer
remits a portion of the premium to a
reinsurer as payment for the reinsurers
assumption of a portion of the risk.
Reinsurance can be effected by
"treaties," where a reinsurance treaty
automatically covers all risks of a
defined category, amount and type, or by
"facultative reinsurance." Facultative
reinsurance is negotiated between
an original insurer and the reinsurer on an
individual, contract-by-contract basis.
Reserves or loss reserves........ A balance sheet liability for unpaid
losses representing estimates of amounts
needed to pay reported and unreported claims
and related loss adjustment expenses.
Statutory accounting............. Recording transactions and preparing
financial statements in accordance with
the rules and procedures adopted by
regulatory authorities, generally
reflecting a liquidating, rather than a
going concern, concept of accounting.
Treaty........................... See Reinsurance.
Unassigned funds................. The cumulative amount of retained net
profits from insurance operations, or earned
surplus including investment income, as
determined under statutory accounting
principles.
Underwriting..................... The process whereby an insurer reviews
applications submitted for insurance
coverage and determines whether it will
accept all or part, and at what premium,
of the coverage being requested.
Underwriting expenses............ The aggregate of policy acquisition costs
and the portion of administrative, general
and other expenses attributable to insurance
operations.
Underwriting expense ratio....... For generally accepted accounting principles
("GAAP"), the ratio arrived at by dividing
the amount of GAAP underwriting expenses
by net earned premiums. For statutory
accounting basis, the ratio arrived at by
dividing the amount of statutory
underwriting expenses by net written
premiums.
Underwriting profit (loss)....... The amount of net income (loss) from
insurance operations, exclusive of net
investment or other income.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CII Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries Page
Management Report on Consolidated Financial Statements F-2
Report of Independent Auditors F-3
Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998:
Consolidated Balance Sheets F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations F-5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8
Supplemental Financial Statement Schedule F-25
MANAGEMENT REPORT ON CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The management of CII Financial, Inc. is responsible for the integrity and
objectivity of the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The
statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America applied on a consistent basis and are
not misstated due to fraud or material error. The statements include some
amounts that are based upon the Company's best estimates and judgment.
The accounting systems and controls of the Company are designed to provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are executed in accordance with
management's authorization, that the financial records are reliable for
preparing financial statements and maintaining accountability for assets, and
that assets are safeguarded against losses from unauthorized use or disposition.
Management believes that for the year ended December 31, 2000, such systems and
controls were adequate to meet the objectives discussed herein.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been audited by
independent certified public accountants, whose audits thereof were made in
accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America and included a review of internal accounting controls to the extent
necessary to design audit procedures aimed at gathering sufficient evidence to
provide a reasonable basis for their opinion on the fairness of presentation of
the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
Kathleen M. Marlon,
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
John F. Okita
Chief Financial Officer
Report of Independent Auditors
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of
CII Financial, Inc.
Las Vegas, Nevada
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets
of CII Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2000
and 1999, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholder's
equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 2000. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
position of CII Financial, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and
1999, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an
opinion on the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole. The
supplemental schedule listed in the index to the consolidated financial
statements is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a
required part of the basic consolidated financial statements. This schedule is
the responsibility of the Company's management. Such schedule has been subjected
to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the basic consolidated
financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material
respects when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial
statements taken as a whole.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
February 13, 2001
(except for Note 7, as to which the date is April 16, 2001)
CII FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands except for share data)
December 31,
2000 1999
---- ----
ASSETS
Invested assets:
Debt securities, available-for-sale, at fair value $177,671 $165,296
Debt securities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost 21,258 25,023
Preferred stock, at fair value 5,130 3,486
Mortgage loans on non-affiliated real estate 12,362 4,371
---------- -----------
Total invested assets 216,421 198,176
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents 28,666 16,833
Reinsurance recoverable 247,205 131,862
Premiums receivable (net of allowances of $1,449 and $1,134) 11,785 9,391
Investment income receivable 2,712 2,786
Deferred policy acquisition costs 2,015 2,378
Mortgage loans on affiliated real estate 1,257 5,004
Real estate limited partnership 807 6,559
Federal income taxes receivable 1,945 4,896
Deferred income taxes 16,251 17,344
Property and equipment, net 4,126 8,354
Other assets 412 755
------------ ------------
TOTAL ASSETS $533,602 $404,338
======== ========
LIABILITIES
Reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses $374,554 $244,394
Unearned premiums 13,493 13,300
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable 11,073 9,321
Convertible subordinated debentures 47,059 50,498
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses 19,708 15,265
Payable to affiliates 1,708 2,768
Income tax payable 1,413
Deferred tax liability 1,242 2,739
---------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 470,250 338,285
-------- --------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Common stock, no par value, 1,000 shares
authorized; 100 shares issued and outstanding 3,604 3,604
Additional paid-in capital 64,450 64,450
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale investments (4,535) (12,200)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings (167) 10,199
----------- ----------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY 63,352 66,053
---------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY $533,602 $404,338
======== ========
See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CII FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
REVENUES
Direct written premiums, gross $203,268 $148,824 $153,914
Changes in direct unearned premiums (193) (2,142) 127
-------- ---------- -----------
Direct earned premiums, gross 203,075 146,682 154,041
Less: premiums ceded 77,520 63,727 19,767
--------- --------- ---------
Net earned premiums 125,555 82,955 134,274
Net investment income 15,074 15,776 18,241
Net realized investment (losses) gains (620) (381) 1,988
---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues 140,009 98,350 154,503
------- -------- --------
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Loss and loss adjustment expenses 274,280 157,424 115,759
Reinsurance recoveries (164,400) (95,963) (21,412)
-------- --------- ---------
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses 109,880 61,461 94,347
Policy acquisition costs 21,386 11,260 24,783
General and administrative and other 14,196 14,828 13,194
Asset impairment 3,000
Interest expense 3,599 3,706 4,301
--------- ---------- ----------
Total costs and expenses 152,061 91,255 136,625
-------- --------- --------
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE FEDERAL INCOME TAX
(BENEFIT) EXPENSE AND EXTRAORDINARY GAIN (12,052) 7,095 17,878
Federal income tax (benefit) expense (3,669) 3,602 4,166
--------- --------- ----------
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY GAIN (8,383) 3,493 13,712
Extraordinary gain from debt extinguishment
(net of income tax of
$353, $59 and $25) 654 111 48
---------- ---------- ------------
NET (LOSS) INCOME $ (7,729) $ 3,604 $ 13,760
======== ======== ========
See the accompanying notes to consolidated statements.
CII FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data)
---------------------- ----------- -------------- --------------- ------------- --------------
Common Stock
------------ Accumulated
Other (Accumulated
Number of Additional Comprehensive Deficit) Total
Shares Paid-in Income (Loss) Comprehensive Retained Stockholder's
Amount Capital Income (Loss) Earnings Equity
---------------------- ----------- -------------- --------------- ------------- --------------
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 1998 100 $3,604 $60,367 $ 672 $(7,165) $57,478
Comprehensive income:
Net income $13,760 13,760 13,760
Unrealized gain on
available-for-sale
investments, net of tax (82) (82) (82)
Reclassification adjustment for
gains included in net income (1,292) (1,292) (1,292)
---------
Comprehensive income $12,386
=======
Capital contribution from parent 3,665 3,665
Stock option activity 418 418
----- ----- ------- -------- ------- -------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1998 100 3,604 64,450 (702) 6,595 73,947
Comprehensive income:
Net income $3,604 3,604 3,604
Unrealized loss on
available-for-sale
investments, net of tax (11,746) (11,746) (11,746)
Reclassification adjustment for
losses included in net income 248 248 248
-----------
Comprehensive loss $ (7,894)
----- ----- ------- -------- ========== ------- -------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1999 100 3,604 64,450 (12,200) 10,199 66,053
Comprehensive income:
Net loss $(7,729) (7,729) (7,729)
Unrealized gain on
available-for-sale
investments, net of tax 7,262 7,262 7,262
Reclassification adjustment for
losses included in net loss 403 403 403
-----------
Comprehensive loss $ (64)
===========
Dividend paid to parent (2,637) (2,637)
----- ------ ------- -------- ---------- --------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2000 100 $3,604 $64,450 $ (4,535) $ (167) $ 63,352
=== ====== ======= ======== ========== ========
See the accompanying notes to consolidated statements.
CII FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income $(7,729) $3,604 $ 13,760
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Extraordinary gain (1,007) (170) (73)
Depreciation and amortization 1,514 1,220 1,550
Provision for asset impairment 3,000
Provision for losses on premiums (144)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Premiums receivable (2,393) 1,365 1,078
Investment income receivable 74 (3) 1,768
Deferred policy acquisition costs 363 (574) (3)
Payable to affiliates (360) 662 10,213
Reinsurance recoverable (115,343) (73,438) (37,011)
Federal income taxes receivable 236 (4,404) (697)
Deferred income taxes (403) 5,887 (1,637)
Reserve for loss and loss adjustment expense 130,160 32,130 9,565
Unearned premiums 193 2,142 (127)
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses 4,443 (3,523) 4,889
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable 1,752 582 7,843
Other assets 1,703 5,142 (13,988)
---------- ---------- ---------
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities 16,203 (29,522) (2,870)
--------- --------- ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures (839) (4,176) (4,395)
Purchase of available-for-sale investments (171,369) (291,863) (682,334)
Proceeds from sales/maturities of available-for-sale
investments 169,103 291,919 687,415
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments (1,662) (7,133) (38,056)
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity
investments 5,466 36,077 18,087
----- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 699 24,824 (19,283)
---- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repurchase of convertible subordinated debentures (2,432) (583) (3,143)
Dividend to Sierra (2,637)
Capital contribution 3,665
Stock option activity ______ _______ 418
-----------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (5,069) (583) 940
-------- ----------- -----------
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 11,833 (5,281) (21,213)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 16,833 22,114 43,327
-------- --------- ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $28,666 $ 16,833 $ 22,114
======= ======== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW DATA
Cash paid during the year for interest (net of amount $ 3,713 $ 3,724 $ 4,380
capitalized)
Cash paid during the year for income taxes 7 1,834 7,220
See the accompanying notes to consolidated statements.
CII FINANCIAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the Years
Ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998
1. Business
CII Financial, Inc. ("CII Financial") was incorporated in the State of
California on September 15, 1988. On October 31, 1995 Sierra Health Services,
Inc. ("Sierra") acquired CII Financial for approximately $76.3 million of common
stock in a transaction accounted for as a pooling of interests. CII Financial is
a holding company primarily engaging in writing workers' compensation insurance
through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, California Indemnity Insurance Company
("California Indemnity"), Commercial Casualty Insurance Company ("Commercial
Casualty"), CII Insurance Company ("CII Insurance") and Sierra Insurance Company
of Texas ("Sierra Texas").
As used herein, the term "the Company" means CII Financial, Inc. and its
subsidiaries, and the term "CII Financial" means CII Financial, Inc., exclusive
of such subsidiaries.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation. All significant intercompany transactions and
balances have been eliminated. The consolidated financial statements of CII
Financial include the accounts of all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries,
California Indemnity, Commercial Casualty, Sierra Texas, CII Insurance, Sierra
Insurance Agency, CII Leasing, Inc., Financial Assurance Company, Ltd. and CII
Premium Finance Company. CII Leasing, Inc. and CII Premium Finance Company are
both inactive subsidiaries.
Premium Revenues. Revenue from workers' compensation premiums are
calculated by formula such that the premium written is earned pro rata over the
term of the policy. Premiums written in excess of premiums earned are recorded
as unearned premium revenue. The premium for workers' compensation insurance is
calculated as a factor of an insured's payroll dollars during the period of
coverage. At the inception of the policy, annual payroll dollars are estimated
and the policy is issued with estimated annual premiums which are billed based
on this estimate. Actual premiums for past interim coverage periods are
periodically determined through payroll reporting and interim premium audits.
The final actual premium is not determined until a final premium audit is
performed, which occurs after the policy has expired. Direct premiums earned but
not billed at the end of each accounting period are estimated and accrued, based
on historical premium audit trends. Differences between such estimates and final
billings are included in current operations. Accrued earned but unbilled
premiums are included with premiums receivable. The number and dollar amount of
issued workers' compensation insurance policies that are subject to
retrospective adjustments based on incurred or paid claims or experienced rated
premiums are not significant.
General and Administrative Expenses. Policyholder's dividends and
management fees are included in general and administrative expenses.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs. Policy acquisition costs consist of
commissions, premium taxes and other underwriting costs, which are directly
related to the production and retention of new and renewal business and are
deferred and amortized as the related premiums are earned. Should it be
determined that future policy revenues and earnings on invested funds relating
to existing insurance contracts will not be adequate to cover related costs and
expenses, deferred costs are expensed.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers cash and cash equivalents
as all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or
less at the time of purchase. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents
approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Investments. Available-for-sale debt securities and preferred stocks are
stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recorded as a separate
component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes.
Held-to-maturity debt securities are carried at amortized cost.
The insurance subsidiaries are required by state regulatory agencies to
maintain certain deposits and must also meet certain net worth and reserve
requirements. The Company, and its subsidiaries, are in compliance with the
applicable minimum regulatory and capital requirements.
Investment income is recognized when earned. Gains and losses on
disposition are based on net proceeds and the adjusted carrying amount of the
securities sold, using the specific identification method.
The Company has an investment in a real estate limited partnership that is
accounted for under the equity method. Under the equity method, original
investments are recorded at cost and adjusted by the Company's share of
earnings, losses and distributions of the Partnership.
Property and Equipment. Property and equipment, consisting of buildings and
leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, data processing equipment and
vehicles, is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is
computed on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from 5 to 10 years with
leasehold improvements depreciated over the term of the lease.
Reinsurance. In the normal course of business, insurance companies seek to
reduce the effects of events that may cause unfavorable underwriting results by
reinsuring certain levels of risk in various levels of exposure with reinsurers.
Amounts recoverable from the reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent
with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy. Reinsurance
receivables, including amounts related to paid and unpaid losses, are reported
as assets rather than a reduction of the related liabilities.
Reserve for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses. The reserve for workers'
compensation loss and loss adjustment expense ("loss and LAE") consists of
estimated costs of each unpaid claim reported to the Company prior to the close
of the accounting period as well as those incurred but not yet reported. The
methods for establishing and reviewing such liabilities are continually reviewed
and adjustments are reflected in current operations. The Company does not
discount its loss and LAE reserves.
Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability
method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result from temporary
differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported
amounts in the consolidated financial statements that will result in taxable or
deductible amounts in future years. The Company's temporary differences arise
principally from certain net operating losses, accrued expenses, reserves for
loss and LAE and depreciation. Federal income taxes are calculated pursuant to a
tax allocation agreement between Sierra and the Company. Income taxes are
allocated on a separate return basis for each company and tax benefits are
recorded only to the extent that an entity could recoup taxes paid in prior
years.
Concentration of Credit Risk. The Company's financial instruments that are
exposed to credit risk consist primarily of investments and accounts receivable.
The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents and investments with various
financial institutions. These financial institutions are located in many
different regions, and Company policy is designed to limit exposure with any one
institution.
Credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is generally diversified
due to the large number of entities comprising the Company's customer base and
their dispersion across many different industries. These customers are primarily
located in the states in which the Company operates, principally California,
Colorado, Nevada and Texas. However, the Company is licensed in and does
business in several other states. The Company also has receivables from certain
reinsurers. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its
obligations to policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations
could result in losses to the Company. The Company evaluates the financial
condition of its reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from
reinsurer insolvencies. All reinsurers that the Company has reinsurance
contracts with are rated A- or better by the A.M. Best Company.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards. In June 1998, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities" ("SFAS 133") which, as amended, is effective for fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS 133 establishes additional accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 133
requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or
liabilities in the statement of financial position. This statement also defines
and allows companies to apply hedge accounting to its designated derivatives
under certain instances. It also requires that all derivatives be marked to
market on an ongoing basis. This applies whether the derivatives are stand-alone
instruments, such as warrants or interest rate swaps, or embedded derivatives,
such as call options contained in convertible debt investments. Along with the
derivatives, in the case of qualifying hedges, the underlying hedged items are
also to be marked to market. These market value adjustments are to be included
either in the income statement or other comprehensive income, depending on the
nature of the hedged transaction. The fair value of financial instruments is
generally determined by reference to market values resulting from trading on a
national securities exchange or in an over the counter market. In cases where
derivatives relate to financial instruments of non-public companies, or where
quoted market prices are otherwise not available, such as for derivative
financial instruments, fair value is based on estimates using present value or
other valuation techniques. The Company does not believe that it has any
derivative instruments and does not have any hedging activities. The majority of
the Company's investments are held by insurance companies, which are regulated
as to the types of investments they may hold.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements" ("SAB
101"). SAB 101 clarifies existing accounting principles related to revenue
recognition in financial statements. The Company is required to comply with the
provisions of SAB 101 in its quarter ended December 31, 2000. Based upon the
current nature of the Company's operations, SAB 101 did not have any impact on
the Company's results of operations.
Business Segment. For each of the three year periods ended December 31,
2000, the Company operated in a single business segment, workers' compensation
insurance.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements. The
preparation of the Company's financial statements requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of reported assets and
liabilities, particularly loss and LAE reserves and incurred loss and LAE
reported in the financial statements. Loss and LAE reserves have a significant
degree of uncertainty when related to their subsequent payments. Although
reserves are established on the basis of a reasonable estimate, it is not only
possible but probable that reserves will differ from their related subsequent
developments. Underlying causes for this uncertainty include, but are not
limited to, uncertainty in development patterns and unanticipated inflationary
trends affecting the services provided by the insurance contract. This
uncertainty can result in both adverse as well as favorable development of
actual subsequent activity when compared to the reserve established. Any
subsequent change in loss and LAE reserves established in a prior year would be
reflected in the current year's operating results.
3. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment at December 31, consists of the following:
(In thousands) 2000 1999
---- ----
Buildings and leasehold improvements $974 $1,124
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3,071 3,003
Data processing equipment and software 3,920 3,560
Construction in progress 1,544 5,178
Less: accumulated depreciation (5,383) (4,511)
------ ------
Net property and equipment $4,126 $8,354
======= ======
Depreciation expense in 2000, 1999 and 1998 was $1,368,000, $1,075,000 and
$1,345,000, respectively.
During the second quarter of 2000 the Company wrote-off capitalized costs
of $3.0 million related to the application development of an information system
software project that was canceled because the vendor was unable to fulfill its
contractual obligations. The amounts written off include software and consulting
costs of $1,621,000 and capitalized internal personnel costs of $1,379,000.
4. Investments
The following table summarizes the Company's debt securities and preferred
stock investments as of December 31, 2000:
(In thousands) Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
---- ----- ------ -----
Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Government
And its Agencies.......................................... $134,143 $313 $5,393 $129,063
Municipal Obligations......................................... 13,510 44 280 13,274
Corporate Bonds............................................... 36,874 70 1,664 35,280
Other......................................................... 54 54
-- --
Total Debt Securities......................................... 184,581 427 7,337 177,671
Preferred Stock............................................... 5,212 82 5,130
Total Available-for-Sale................................... $189,793 $427 $7,419 $182,801
======== ==== ====== ========
Held-to-Maturity
U.S. Government
And its Agencies.......................................... $12,776 $278 $ 688 $12,366
Municipal Obligations......................................... 2,886 66 2,952
Corporate Bonds............................................... 4,981 139 160 4,960
Other......................................................... 615 615
--- --- --- ---
Total Held-to-Maturity...................................... $21,258 $483 $848 $20,893
======= ==== ==== =======
The following table summarizes the Company's debt securities and preferred stock
investments as of December 31, 1999:
(In thousands) Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
---- ----- ------ -----
Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Government
And its Agencies.......................................... $101,102 $122 $13,041 $ 88,183
Municipal Obligations......................................... 31,818 20 1,236 30,602
Corporate Bonds............................................... 32,907 45 1,730 31,222
Other......................................................... 17,908 2,619 15,289
------ ----- ------
Total Debt Securities......................................... 183,735 187 18,626 165,296
Preferred Stock............................................... 3,817 331 3,486
----- --- -----
Total Available-for-Sale.................................... $187,552 $187 $18,957 $168,782
======== ==== ======= ========
Held-to-Maturity
U.S. Government
And its Agencies.......................................... $9,782 $341 $ 708 $ 9,415
Municipal Obligations......................................... 5,558 64 55 5,567
Corporate Bonds............................................... 5,738 115 5,853
Other......................................................... 3,945 751 3,194
----- --- -----
Total Held-to-Maturity...................................... $25,023 $520 $1,514 $ 24,029
======= ==== ====== ========
The contractual maturities of available-for-sale debt securities at
December 31, 2000 are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual
maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
(In thousands) Amortized Estimated
Cost Fair Value
---- ----------
Due in one year or less....................................... $ 31,214 $ 31,262
Due after one year through five years......................... 38,208 38,260
Due after five years through ten years........................ 8,096 8,041
Due after ten years through fifteen years..................... 11,484 11,272
Due after fifteen years....................................... 95,579 88,836
-------- ---------
Total.................................................... $184,581 $177,671
======== ========
The contractual maturities of held-to-maturity debt securities at December
31, 2000 are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual
maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations:
(In thousands) Amortized Estimated
Cost Fair Value
---- ----------
Due in one year or less....................................... $ 1,729 $ 1,741
Due after one year through five years......................... 7,191 7,240
Due after five years through ten years........................
Due after ten years through fifteen years..................... 4,915 5,163
Due after fifteen years....................................... 7,423 6,749
--------- -----------
Total.................................................... $21,258 $ 20,893
======= ========
Gross realized gains on investments for the years ended December 31, 2000,
1999 and 1998 were $450,000, $261,000 and $4,120,000, respectively. Gross
realized losses on investments for the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and
1998 were $1,070,000, $642,000 and $2,132,000, respectively.
Investment income, by major category of investments, is summarized as
follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2000 1999 1998
-------- ------- --------
Interest from debt securities $14,035 $14,387 $17,175
Dividend income from preferred stock 335 411 511
Mortgage interest 842 1,130 734
Other 45
------- ------- -------
Total investment income 15,257 15,928 18,420
Investment expenses 183 152 179
------------ ---------- ----------
Net investment income $15,074 $15,776 $18,241
======= ======= =======
Of the total debt securities and cash equivalents, $161,618,000 and
$171,639,000, at fair value, were on deposit with regulatory authorities in
compliance with certain legal requirements related to the insurance operations
at December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
The Company holds certain mortgage notes on residential and commercial real
estate. In connection with CII Financial's relocation of its principal executive
offices to Pleasanton, California in July 1992, to retain key officers and other
employees, the Company extended mortgage loans for the purchase of such
employees' principal residences. The interest rate was reduced to a fixed rate
of 3% per annum; the maturity date was fixed to March 2009; and each loan can be
assumed, one time, by a qualified purchaser of the employee's residence. The
interest rate, upon assumption, increases to 3.5% per annum. As of December 31,
2000 and 1999, the outstanding balances on relocation loans to active employees,
which are included on the balance sheet as mortgage loans on affiliated real
estate, were $1,257,000 and $2,027,000, respectively. Relocation loans to
non-active employees are included on the balance sheet as mortgage loans on
non-affiliated real estate and as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, the outstanding
balances were $3,327,000 and $2,736,000, respectively. The Company also holds
two non-affiliated commercial mortgage loans. One of the commercial mortgage
loans is currently in default; the principal balance outstanding was $1,635,000
at December 31, 2000. The property has been appraised at a value that exceeds
book value. The interest rate is at the default rate of 16.25%; however, no
interest income has been accrued since the default date. The Company is
currently litigating the priority of its lien on the property. The Company has
made demand under its title insurance policy and will foreclose pending the
outcome of the litigation on its claim. The second commercial mortgage loan of
$7.4 million was originally financed to Sierra but was assumed by a
non-affiliated buyer in conjunction with a sale-leaseback of Sierra's Las Vegas
real estate portfolio. The loan to value based on the purchase price was 64%.
The interest rate varies each month based on LIBOR plus a margin and the
interest rate at December 31, 2000 was 9.84%. The loan matures on December 31,
2001 and the buyer can extend the maturity date for two periods of six months
with proper notice to California Indemnity and payment of additional fees.
5. Reinsurance
The Company has reinsurance agreements or treaties in effect with unrelated
entities. Effective January 1, 2000, the Company entered into a reinsurance
contract that provides statutory (unlimited) coverage for workers' compensation
claims in excess of $500,000 per occurrence. The contract is in effect for
claims occurring on or after January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2000 and was
renewed for the year 2001. In 1999 and 1998, workers' compensation claims
between $500,000 and $100,000,000 per occurrence are 100% reinsured. In
addition, effective July 1, 1998, workers' compensation claims below $500,000
per occurrence were reinsured under quota share and excess of loss reinsurance
agreements (referred to as "low level reinsurance") with an A+ rated carrier.
Under this agreement, the Company reinsures 30% of the first $10,000 of each
loss, 75% of the next $40,000 and 100% of the next $450,000. The Company
receives a 9.25% ceding commission from the reinsurer as a partial reimbursement
of its operating expenses. The low level reinsurance agreement expired on June
30, 2000; however the Company opted to continue ceding premiums and losses under
the low level agreement on a run off basis for all policies in force on June 30,
2000. On July 1, 2000, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement that
covers losses on claims in excess of $250,000 to $500,000 for policies issued
after June 30, 2000. The reinsurer has the ability to cancel the agreement if
written notice is provided 90 days prior to each annual anniversary of
inception.
The low level reinsurance agreement was consummated early in the fourth
quarter of 1998 but coverage was made retroactive to July 1, 1998. Therefore,
this agreement contained both retroactive (covering claims occurring in the
third calendar quarter of 1998) and prospective reinsurance coverage (covering
claims occurring after September 30, 1998) and, in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 113, "Accounting and Reporting for
Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts" ("SFAS 113"), the
Company has bifurcated the low level reinsurance agreement to account for the
different accounting treatments. The amount by which the estimated ceded
liabilities exceed the amount paid for the retroactive coverage is reported as a
deferred gain and amortized to income as a reduction of incurred losses over the
estimated remaining settlement period using the interest method. Any subsequent
changes in estimated or actual cash flows related to the retroactive coverage
are accounted for by adjusting the previously recorded deferred gain to the
balance that would have existed had the revised estimate been available at the
inception of the reinsurance transactions, with a corresponding charge or credit
to income. During 2000, the Company recorded an adjustment to increase its
deferred gain related to retroactive reinsurance coverage by $3,662,000 compared
to an increase of $4,615,000 in 1999. For the years ended December 31, 2000,
1999 and 1998, the Company amortized deferred gains of $5,199,000, $3,850,000
and $1,038,000, respectively. Such amortization is included in loss and loss
adjustment expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
In accordance with SFAS 113, losses ceded under prospective reinsurance
reduce direct incurred losses and amounts recoverable are reported as an asset.
At December 31, 2000 and 1999, the amount of reinsurance recoverable under
prospective reinsurance contracts for unpaid loss and LAE was $218,757,000 and
$110,089,000, respectively. At December 31, 2000 and 1999, the amount of
reinsurance recoverable under the retroactive reinsurance contract was
$10,863,000 and $14,842,000, respectively. The amount of reinsurance receivable
for paid loss and LAE was $17,585,000 and $6,931,000 at December 31, 2000 and
1999, respectively.
Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to
enrollees or policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations
could result in losses to the Company. The Company evaluates the financial
condition of its reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from
reinsurer insolvencies. Substantially all of the reinsurance recoverables are
due from reinsurers rated A+ by the A.M. Best Company and all amounts are
considered to be collectible.
The following table provides workers' compensation prospective reinsurance
information for the periods ended:
(In thousands) Change in
Recoveries Recoverable
on Paid or Unpaid Premiums
Loss / LAE Loss / LAE Ceded
---------- ---------- -----
Year Ended December 31, 2000:
Low level reinsurance carrier $53,408 $100,240 $74,071
Excess of loss reinsurance carriers 2,324 8,428 3,449
--------- --------- ---------
Total $55,732 $108,668 $77,520
======= ======== =======
Year Ended December 31, 1999:
Low level reinsurance carrier $21,941 $69,104 $60,702
Excess of loss reinsurance carriers 1,730 3,188 3,025
--------- --------- ---------
Total $23,671 $72,292 $63,727
======= ======= =======
Year Ended December 31, 1998:
Low level reinsurance carrier $ 1,379 $19,664 $16,095
Excess of loss reinsurance carriers 3,292 (2,923) 3,672
-------- -------- ---------
Total $ 4,671 $16,741 $19,767
======= ======= =======
6. Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending
reserve balances for unpaid loss and LAE. The loss estimates are subject to
change in subsequent accounting periods and any change to the current reserve
estimates would be accounted for in future results of operations.
While management of the Company believes that current estimates are
reasonable, significant adverse or favorable loss development could occur in the
future.
(In thousands) Year Ended December 31,
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
Net beginning loss and LAE reserve $134,305 $174,467 $181,643
-------- -------- --------
Net provision for insured events incurred in:
Current year 86,587 51,541 103,990
Prior years 23,293 9,920 (9,643)
--------- ---------- -----------
Total net provision 109,880 61,461 94,347
---------- --------- ----------
Net payments for loss and LAE
Attributable to insured
events incurred in:
Current year 26,867 21,207 29,591
Prior years 61,521 80,416 71,932
--------- --------- ---------
Total net payments 88,388 101,623 101,523
--------- -------- --------
Net ending loss and LAE reserve 155,797 134,305 174,467
Reinsurance recoverable 218,757 110,089 37,797
--------- -------- ---------
Gross ending loss and LAE reserve $374,554 $244,394 $212,264
======== ======== ========
During the year ended December 31, 2000, the Company experienced net
adverse development related to accident years 1999 and prior. Estimated loss and
LAE incurred in accident years 1996 to 1998 have developed significantly due to
the continuation of increasing claim severity patterns on the Company's
California book of business. Many workers' compensation insurance carriers in
California are also experiencing high claim severity. Factors influencing the
higher claim severity include rising average temporary disability costs, the
increase in the number of major permanent disability claims, medical inflation
and adverse court decisions related to medical control of a claimant's
treatment. For claims occurring on and after July 1, 1998, the Company has
reinsured a percentage of the higher claim severity under the Company's low
level reinsurance agreement. The low level reinsurance agreement expired on June
30, 2000; however the Company opted to continue ceding premiums and losses under
the low level agreement on a run off basis for all policies in force on June 30,
2000. Effective January 1, 2000 we entered into a reinsurance contract that
provides statutory (unlimited) coverage for workers' compensation claims in
excess of $500,000 per occurrence. The contract is in effect for claims
occurring on or after January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2000. On July 1,
2000, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement that covers losses on
claims in excess of $250,000 up to $500,000 for policies issued after June 30,
2000.
For the year ended December 31, 1999, the Company recorded net adverse
loss development on prior accident years of $9.9 million, primarily for accident
years 1996 to 1998. This adverse development was largely due to the higher
average California claim severity patterns that the Company experienced in the
last half of 1999.
In the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company recorded net favorable
loss development of $9.6 million, which was mainly attributable to lower actual
paid claims than were previously reserved on accident years prior to 1995.
7. Long Term Debt
7 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures. The Company's long-term debt at
December 31, 2000 and 1999 consists of convertible subordinated debentures with
an outstanding balance of $47,059,000 and $50,498,000, respectively. In
September 1991, the Company issued convertible subordinated debentures (the
"Debentures") due September 15, 2001. The Debentures bear interest at 7 1/2%
which is due semi-annually on March 15 and September 15. Each $1,000 in
principal is convertible into 25.382 shares of Sierra common stock at a
conversion price of $39.398 per share. Unamortized issuance costs of $91,000 and
$362,000 at December 31, 2000 and 1999, are included in other assets on the
consolidated balance sheets and are being amortized over the life of the
Debentures. Accrued interest on the Debentures as of December 31, 2000 and 1999
was $1,029,000 and $1,099,000, respectively. The Debentures are redeemable in
whole or in part, at a redemption price of 100.75% plus accrued interest. The
Debentures are subordinated obligations of CII Financial only and were not
assumed or guaranteed by Sierra. During the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999
and 1998, the Company and/or Sierra repurchased $3,457,000, $753,000 and
$3,216,000, respectively, of the debentures on the open market resulting in
extraordinary gains of $1,007,000, $170,000 and $73,000 and a corresponding tax
provision of $353,000, $59,000 and $25,000 in 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Sale and purchase activity for the Debentures, to parties other than the
Company or Sierra, is believed to be minimal and there is no known market
quotation system for the Debentures. The fair value of the Debentures at
December 31, 2000 and 1999 was estimated to be $23,530,000 and $35,601,000,
respectively, which was determined based on purchases made by the Company during
September 2000 and the estimated market price on December 31, 1999. The December
31, 2000 price is based on $18,000 stated value debentures purchased for $9,000
and may not be indicative of the actual market value since the Company is not
aware of any other recent debenture purchases or market quotes. The Debentures
are scheduled to mature on September 15, 2001.
CII Financial has limited sources of cash and borrowed approximately
$365,000 from Sierra to make the September 15, 2000 interest payment. CII
Financial is dependent upon dividends from its subsidiary, California Indemnity,
to meet its debt payment obligations. In calendar years 2000 and 1999,
California Indemnity paid dividends of $6.8 million and $6.0 million,
respectively, to CII Financial. In calendar year 2001, California Indemnity can
only pay a dividend of $174,000 to CII Financial without the prior approval by
the California Department of Insurance. Sierra has no obligation to lend any
funds to CII Financial to pay the Debentures when they mature. Accordingly, CII
Financial does not expect to have readily available funds to pay the Debentures
when they mature. The Company is exploring strategies regarding refinancing of
the 7 1/2% subordinated convertible debentures including refinancing, extending
the maturity date or exchanging the Debentures. There can be no assurances that
CII Financial or Sierra will have the cash resources required to meet the
obligations under the Debentures or that the Company will be able to
successfully implement a strategy for refinancing of the Debentures. On March
16, 2001, the Company announced that the interest payment on the old junior
subordinated debentures due March 15, 2001 was not being made. However, the
Company subsequently made the interest payment on April 16, 2001. The credit
facility also requires that the purchase of old junior subordinated debentures
with funds other than those from CII Financial will require an equal permanent
reduction in the credit facility limit. In December 2000, CII Financial
commenced a proposed exchange offer to the holders of the 7 1/2% debentures to
restructure the debt, extend the maturity date and reduce the overall debt of
the Company. The offering proposed to exchange an amount of cash plus new senior
debentures with a later maturity date and a higher interest rate. In connection
with the proposed exchange offering, California Indemnity filed an application
with the California Department of Insurance to pay an extraordinary dividend to
CII Financial of up to $5.0 million. On February 22, 2001, the California
Department of Insurance approved this request.
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Leases. The Company is the lessee under several operating leases most of
which relate to office facilities and equipment. The rentals on these leases are
charged to expense over the lease term and, where applicable, provide for rent
escalations based on certain costs and price index factors. The following is a
schedule, by year, of the future minimum lease payments under existing operating
leases:
(In Thousands)
Year Ending December 31,
2001............................................. $ 2,655
2002............................................. 1,163
2003............................................. 359
2004............................................. 0
2005............................................. 0
Thereafter....................................... 0
-----------
Total....................................... $ 4,177
=======
Rent expense totaled $2,867,000, $2,602,000 and $1,314,000 in 2000, 1999
and 1998, respectively.
Guaranty of Sierra's Credit Facility Debt. At June 30, 2000, Sierra was not
in compliance with certain financial covenants relating to its line of credit.
The lenders provided Sierra with waivers effective June 30, 2000 and expiring
October 31, 2000. In consideration for the banks granting one of the waivers, in
August 2000, CII Financial became a guarantor of the Sierra's credit facility
debt. Should CII Financial be asked by the banks to perform on its guaranty, the
Debentures would be subordinated to Sierra's credit facility debt. The waivers
expired on October 31, 2000 and Sierra received a Notice of Default from the
banks on November 8, 2000. No demand was made by the banks to perform on the
guaranty and Sierra was able to amend its credit facility agreement on December
15, 2000. The new Sierra credit facility agreement expires on September 30,
2003. In the amended agreement, CII Financial continues to provide a guaranty of
the debt in the event of a default by Sierra.
Litigation and Legal Matters. The Company is subject to various claims and
other litigation in the ordinary course of business. Such litigation includes
claims for workers' compensation and claims by providers for payment for medical
services rendered to injured workers. In the opinion of the Company's
management, the ultimate resolution of pending legal proceedings should not have
a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition.
9. Federal Income Taxes
A summary of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December
31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- ------
(Benefit) provision for income taxes:
Current tax on operating results $862 $(2,286) $6,829
Deferred tax on operating results (4,531) 5,888 (2,663)
--------- ----- -----
Total tax on operating results (3,669) 3,602 4,166
Current tax on extraordinary gain 353 59 25
----------- --------- -----------
Total $(3,316) $3,661 $4,191
========= ====== ======
The following reconciles the difference between the 2000, 1999 and 1998
reported and statutory (benefit) provision for income taxes:
Year Ended December 31,
2000 1999 1998
------ ------ ------
Statutory rate (35%) 35% 35%
Tax preferred investments (3%) (6%) (2%)
Change in valuation allowance 9% 16% (11%)
Other (4%) 5% 1%
--------- ------ -----
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (33%) 50% 23%
======== ===== ======
Under the tax sharing agreement, the amount and expiration dates of CII
Financial's NOLs as of December 31, 2000 are as follows:
Generated Amount Expires
--------- ------ -------
1993 $ 1,935,000 2008
1994 7,185,000 2009
1995 6,533,000 2009
1995 793,000 2010
1996 3,339,000 2011
1997 4,122,000 2012
1998 3,685,000 2018
1999 3,250,000 2019
2000 2,931,000 2020
---------
$33,773,000
The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company's net deferred
tax assets at December 31, 2000 and 1999 are as follows:
December 31,
In thousands) 2000 1999
------ ------
Deferred tax assets:
Loss and LAE reserves $ 3,653 $ 1,956
Accruals not currently deductible 412 1,128
Compensation accruals 948 616
Bad debt allowances 507 397
Loss carryforwards and credits 14,767 13,514
Unearned premiums 1,874 935
Policyholders' dividends 613 0
Depreciation and amortization 424 0
Deferred reinsurance gains 1,917 2,456
Unrealized investment losses 2,442 6,569
--------- --------
Total 27,557 27,571
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs 705 832
Depreciation and amortization 0 1,255
Other 537 652
---------- ---------
Total 1,242 2,739
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance 26,315 24,832
Valuation allowance (11,306) (10,227)
-------- --------
Net deferred tax asset $15,009 $14,605
======= =======
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109
"Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), a valuation allowance was
established for the net deferred tax assets of the Company during 1991 and 1992
due to significant net operating losses ("NOLs"). In conjunction with the
purchase of the Company by Sierra on October 31, 1995, the Company recorded a
pooling of interests adjustment to reverse the valuation allowance associated
with all of the net deferred tax assets except those related to the NOLs, due to
the fact that the Company was subject to both annual and separate company
limitations required by the Internal Revenue Code.
During 1996, 1997 and 1998, the Company reversed the valuation allowances
of California Indemnity because the Company realized the benefit of the deferred
tax assets that were previously offset by the valuation allowance. The CII
Financial valuation allowance was retained because, on a separate return basis,
CII Financial has historically had NOLs, including the three years ended
December 31, 2000. Under the tax sharing agreement with Sierra, valuation
allowances have been established for the net deferred tax asset of CII Financial
as it can only utilize these benefits to the extent of separate return income.
For the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, the Company increased the
valuation allowance by $1,079,000 and $1,175,000, respectively, due to operating
losses of CII Financial.
In lieu of state franchise and corporate income taxes, California
Indemnity, Commercial Casualty, CII Insurance and Sierra Texas pay premium taxes
based upon direct written premiums to the states in which they write business.
Premium tax expense of $5,441,000, $4,078,000 and $4,228,000 is included in
policy acquisition costs in the consolidated statements of operations for the
years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Current tax receivable balances were $1,945,000 and $4,896,000 as of
December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. These amounts are due from Sierra as
the administrative agent under the tax sharing agreement.
10. Dividend Restrictions - Insurance Subsidiaries
Under California insurance company statutes and regulations, California
Indemnity, Commercial Casualty and CII Insurance are restricted as to the amount
of dividends they may pay on their common stock to their respective parent
companies. Sierra Texas is regulated by Texas insurance statutes and regulations
that are similar to California in terms of paying dividends. No dividends may be
paid without at least ten business days prior notice to the Insurance
Commissioner. Unless specially approved by the Insurance Commissioner prior to
payment, dividends may be paid only out of accumulated earned surplus, excluding
any earned surplus attributable to unrealized appreciation in assets or an
exchange of assets.
If a dividend or other distribution is contemplated which, along with all
other dividends or distributions made within the preceding twelve months,
exceeds the greater of 10% of the insurance company's policyholders' surplus as
of the end of the prior calendar year or net income for such calendar year, at
least 30 days prior notice to the Commissioner must be given, and no payment of
the dividend or distribution may be made unless and until (i) the Commissioner
has approved it or (ii) the 30 days have elapsed and the Commissioner has not
disapproved the proposed payment.
Net income and capital and surplus (equity) of domestic insurance
subsidiaries, as filed with regulatory authorities on the basis of statutory
accounting practices, are summarized as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2000 1999 1998
--------- --------- -------
Statutory net (loss) income for the year ended $ (6,108) $ 12,283 $ 20,877
Statutory capital and surplus at year end 108,178 118,278 116,580
Based on its financial position as of December 31, 2000, California
Indemnity can pay $174,000 in shareholder dividends to CII Financial during
calendar year 2001 without the prior approval of the California Insurance
Commissioner. Commercial Casualty, CII Insurance and Sierra Texas can pay
$1,504,000, $258,000 and $80,000, respectively to California Indemnity without
prior approval of the applicable state insurance commissioner.
CII Financial, Inc. paid dividends of $2,637,000, in March 2000, to
Sierra. California Indemnity paid dividends to CII Financial of $6,800,000 and
$6,000,000, during 2000 and 1999, respectively. During 2000 and 1999, Commercial
Casualty paid $1,685,000 and $1,700,000, respectively, in dividends to
California Indemnity. In 2000, CII Insurance Company paid $375,000 in dividends
to California Indemnity. Due notice was filed with the California Department of
Insurance, and all payments were made after the expiration of the required
waiting period in accordance with California Insurance regulations.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") adopted
risk-based capital guidelines for property-casualty insurance companies whereby
required statutory surplus would be based, in part, on a formula based risk
assessment of the individual investments held in the insurance company's
portfolio. The Company's risk-based capital results for the years ended December
31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 exceeded the minimum surplus required under the
regulations.
In March 1998, the NAIC adopted the Codification of Statutory Accounting
Principals (the "Codification"). The Codification, which is intended to
standardize regulatory accounting and reporting for the insurance industry,
becomes effective January 1, 2001. However, statutory accounting principles will
continue to be established by individual state laws and permitted practices. The
state of California has adopted the Codification with minor exceptions effective
January 1, 2001 for use in the preparation of statutory financial statements.
Management believes that the Codification will not have a material effect on its
statutory financial statements.
11. Employee Compensation and Benefit Plans
Defined Contribution Plan. All employees who meet minimum requirements can
participate in Sierra's defined contribution pension and 401(k) plan (the
"Plan"). The Plan covers all employees who meet certain age and length of
service requirements. For the year ended December 31, 1998 and for the six
months ended June 30, 1999, the Company contributed a maximum of 2% of eligible
employees' compensation and matched 50% of a participant's elective deferral up
to a maximum of either 10% of an employee's compensation or the maximum
allowable under current IRS statute. Effective July 1, 1999, the Plan was
modified such that the Company matches 50%-100% of an employee's elective
deferral and the maximum Company match is 6% of a participant's annual
compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Service limits. The Plan does not
require additional Company contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2000,
1999 and 1998, the Company expensed $500,000, $601,000 and $625,000,
respectively, to this plan.
Executive Retirement Plans. The Company offered key employees and officers
a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and Supplemental Senior Executive
Retirement Plan. Eligibility for participation in both plans was limited to
officers and key employees selected and approved by the Board of Directors.
These plans were terminated effective October 31, 1995, and there have been no
further contributions. Pursuant to contractual obligations under the plans, the
Company paid $250,000 to a former plan participant in each of the years ended
December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998.
Employment Contracts. The Company currently has an employment contract
with its Chief Executive Officer expiring December 2001. Minimum aggregate cash
compensation obligations under this contract are $214,000 for both 2000 and
2001.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Company offers employee stock purchase
plans through Sierra (the "Purchase Plan") whereby employees may purchase newly
issued shares of Sierra stock through payroll deductions at 85% of the fair
market value of such shares on specified dates as defined in the Purchase Plan.
Stock Option Plans. The Company offers several plans, through Sierra, that
provide common stock-based awards to employees and to non-employee directors.
The plans provide for the granting of options, stock, and other stock-based
awards. Awards are granted by a committee appointed by the Sierra Board of
Directors and no specific amount has been reserved for the Company's employees.
Options become exercisable at such times and in such installments as set by the
committee. The exercise price of each option equals the market price of Sierra
stock on the date of grant. Stock options generally vest at a rate of 20% - 25%
per year. Options generally expire one year after the end of the vesting period.
The tax benefit related to the exercise of options by Company employees is
passed on to the Company by Sierra. This totaled $0, $0 and $418,000 for 2000,
1999 and 1998, respectively.
The following table reflects the activity of the stock option plans:
Number of Option Weighted
Shares Price Average Price
------ ----- -------------
Outstanding January 1, 1998 ................ 413,000 $6.31 - $24.50 $15.31
Granted.................................. 32,000 16.94 - 22.38 21.53
Exercised................................ (110,000) 6.31 - 19.08 13.21
Canceled................................. (12,000) 9.91 - 24.50 17.85
----------
Outstanding December 31, 1998............... 323,000 6.31 - 24.50 16.56
Granted.................................. 152,000 6.69 - 21.00 8.87
Exercised................................ (1,000) 6.31 - 11.71 7.81
Canceled................................. (19,000) 11.71 - 24.50 13.87
---------
Outstanding December 31, 1999............... 455,000 6.31 - 24.50 14.12
Granted................................... 149,000 3.25 - 6.19 3.97
Canceled.................................. (164,000) 3.25 - 24.50 19.43
--------
Outstanding December 31, 2000............... 440,000 3.25 - 24.50 8.89
========
Exercisable at December 31, 2000 ........... 124,000 $ 6.31 - $24.50 $12.86
========
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding
at December 31, 2000:
Weighted Average Weighted Average
Contractual Life Options Exercise Price
Range of Exercise -------------------------------- -------------------------------
Prices Remaining in Days Outstanding Exercisable Outstanding Exercisable
------ ----------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
$ 3.25 - $ 6.69 1,550 219,000 26,000 $ 4.83 $ 6.47
8.00 - 16.67 1,341 174,000 76,000 10.31 12.19
19.08 - 21.17 610 17,000 7,000 20.87 20.74
22.38 - 24.50 614 30,000 15,000 23.52 23.72
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. The Company uses the intrinsic
value method in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans. Accordingly,
no compensation cost has been recognized for its employee stock option plans nor
the Purchase Plan. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock-based
compensation plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates
for awards under those plans, the Company's net income for the years ended
December 31 would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
Years Ended December 31,
------------------------
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
Net Income: As reported $(7,729,000) $3,604,000 $13,760,000
Pro forma (8,049,000) 3,188,000 13,479,000
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions used for grants in 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively: dividend yield
of 0% for all years; expected volatility of 52%, 43% and 37%; risk-free interest
rates of 6.72%, 5.86% and 4.43%; and expected lives of four to five years. The
weighted average fair value of options granted in 2000, 1999 and 1998 was $2.76,
$3.82 and $9.34, respectively.
The fair value of the look-back option implicit in each offering of the
Purchase Plan is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants in
2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively: dividend yield of 0% for all years; expected
volatility of 46%, 45% and 32%; risk-free interest rates of 5.79%, 4.66% and
5.30%; and expected lives of six months for all years.
During 1999, the Company extended by three years the expiration date for
6,000 options covering shares that would have expired in 1999 and 2000. The
exercise price per share for these options ranges from $12.08 to $19.08. No
expense was recognized in the consolidated statement of operations related to
these options. Expense of $31,000 is included in the pro forma information
presented.
Due to the fact that the Company's stock option programs vest over many
years and additional awards are made each year, the above pro forma numbers are
not indicative of the financial impact had the disclosure provisions of FAS 123
been applicable to all years of previous option grants. The above numbers do not
include the effect of options granted prior to 1995.
12. Other Related Party Transactions
The Company entered into a management services agreement with Sierra
effective January 1, 1999. The agreement provides investment, accounting, human
resources, systems and other administrative services. The fee for the services
is based on actual direct and allocable costs related to the services rendered
and does not include any management overhead allocations. Allocable costs,
consisting primarily of rent and related property expenses, equipment and other
non-labor costs, were pro ratably determined using methods that management
believes are reasonable and appropriate. The methods of allocations were
primarily determined based on the number of employees and occupied square
footage. Management fee expense for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999
totaled $1,601,000 and $1,338,000, respectively. The Company did not have a
management agreement with Sierra prior to January 1, 1999.
The Company purchases employee health insurance from its affiliates,
Health Plan of Nevada, Inc., Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company, Inc. and
Texas Health Choice, L.C. The Company paid $672,000, $642,000 and $528,000 to
the aforementioned affiliates for years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. The premiums paid to its affiliates were determined on an
arms-length basis.
At January 1, 1998, California Indemnity had an investment in real estate
owned and occupied of $11,959,000. During 1998, California Indemnity obtained a
mortgage loan on this property in the amount of $5,000,000. In the fourth
quarter of 1998, the property, net of the mortgage loan, with a book value of
$8,442,000, which approximated fair value, was contributed to a real estate
limited partnership of which Sierra is the general partner. California Indemnity
agreed to adjust its partnership interest to approximate its occupancy. The
adjustment, which was based on the then equity value of the partnership,
resulted in Sierra purchasing a portion of California Indemnity's interests for
$2,262,000. Simultaneously with the execution of the partnership agreement,
California Indemnity contributed one-half of its adjusted interest into the
limited partnership, valued at $3,092,000, to its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Commercial Casualty. There were no gains or losses recorded on these
transactions as book value approximated fair value at the time of the
transaction. Together, California Indemnity and Commercial Casualty own limited
partner interests totaling approximately 27% of the limited partnership. These
transactions were done to enable both companies to qualify for certain premium
tax credits in the state of Nevada and were approved by the California
Department of Insurance. As part of the transaction to form and fund the limited
partnership, California Indemnity was released from any obligation directly
under the mortgage loan.
Concurrent with the sale of the real estate, California Indemnity entered
into a rental agreement with the related partnership under which California
Indemnity leases a portion of the transferred real estate. Rental expense under
this agreement was approximately $1,267,000, $1,168,000 and $270,000 for the
years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. In December 2000, in
conjunction with a sale-leaseback transaction of Sierra's Las Vegas real estate
portfolio, the limited partnership sold the real estate to an unrelated third
party and the rental agreement was canceled. Sierra entered into a 15-year
master lease with the third party purchaser of this real estate. Effective
January 1, 2001, Sierra and California Indemnity have entered into a one-year
sublease for the space occupied by California Indemnity. The sublease is subject
to the provisions of Sierra's master lease and automatically renews from year to
year unless California Indemnity gives notice prior to December 1 of each year.
In September 1998, California Indemnity refinanced a 15-year mortgage note
of an affiliated real estate partnership. Sierra is the majority owner of the
partnership. The note is secured by a first deed of trust and pays interest at
7% per annum. The loan to value ratio was approximately 68%. In December 2000,
in conjunction with a sale-leaseback of Sierra's Las Vegas real estate
portfolio, the mortgage note receivable was paid in full.
In March 2000, California Indemnity financed a $7,400,000 five-year
mortgage note to Sierra. The note was secured by a first deed of trust and
earned quarterly interest payments at 8.75% per annum beginning April 1, 2000
until April 1, 2005, when the unpaid principal balance was due and payable in
full. The note was callable in April 2001. In December 2000, in conjunction with
a sale-leaseback of Sierra's Las Vegas real estate portfolio, the mortgage note
was assumed by the buyer. The loan to value based on the purchase price was 64%.
The interest rate was increased to 30-day LIBOR plus a margin and the maturity
date was set at December 31, 2001. The buyer can extend the maturity date for
two periods of six months with proper notice to California Indemnity and payment
of additional fees.
In order to make the September 15, 2000 interest payment on the junior
subordinated debentures, Sierra advanced $365,000 to CII Financial, Inc.
13. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
The following table sets forth the unaudited data regarding operations for
each quarter of the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999. In the opinion of
management, such unaudited data includes all adjustments, consisting only of
normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the information
presented. The Company's operating results for any quarter are not necessarily
indicative of the operating results for any future period.
Year ended December 31, 2000:
(In thousands) 4th Quarter 3rd Quarter 2nd Quarter 1st Quarter
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net earned premiums $34,604 $38,263 $27,344 $25,344
Net investment income 3,697 3,817 3,571 3,369
------- --------- -------- --------
Total revenues 38,301 42,080 30,915 28,713
Costs and expenses 36,346 40,832 48,957 25,926
------- -------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before income
tax and extraordinary gain 1,955 1,248 (18,042) 2,787
Federal income tax
Provision (benefit) 1,233 437 (6,492) 1,153
------ ------ ---------- --------
Income (loss)before
extraordinary gain 722 811 (11,550) 1,634
Extraordinary gain, net of tax 0 93 485 76
-------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Net income (loss) $ 722 $ 904 $(11,065) $ 1,710
===== ======== ========= =======
Year ended December 31, 1999:
(In thousands) 4th Quarter 3rd Quarter 2nd Quarter 1st Quarter
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net earned premiums $24,705 $21,860 $18,470 $17,920
Net investment income 3,490 3,788 3,944 4,173
--------- --------- -------- --------
Total revenues 28,195 25,648 22,414 22,093
Costs and expenses 32,952 21,451 18,641 18,211
------- -------- ------- -------
(Loss) income before income
tax and extraordinary gain (4,757) 4,197 3,773 3,882
Federal income tax
(benefit) provision (1,212) 1,679 1,535 1,600
-------- -------- -------- --------
(Loss) income before
extraordinary gain (3,545) 2,518 2,238 2,282
Extraordinary gain, net of tax 109 1 1
---------- --------- ----------- -----------
Net (loss) income $ (3,436) $ 2,518 $ 2,239 $ 2,283
======== ======= ======= =======
CII FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS - Parent Company Only (In thousands,
except share data)
December 31,
------------
2000 1999
---- ----
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 499 $ 857
Preferred stock, at fair value (Note a) 1,092
Equity in net assets of subsidiaries 111,142 115,002
Property and equipment, net 1,094 1,621
Other assets 99 568
------------- ------------
TOTAL ASSETS $113,926 $118,048
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Convertible subordinated debentures $ 47,059 $ 50,498
Net payable to affiliates 418 251
Accrued interest payable 1,029 1,099
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 2,068 147
----------- -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 50,574 51,995
---------- ---------
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Common stock, no par value, 1,000 shares authorized;
shares issued and outstanding - 100 3,604 3,604
Additional paid-in capital 64,450 64,450
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale
investments of subsidiaries (4,535) (12,200)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings (167) 10,199
------------ ----------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY 63,352 66,053
---------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY $113,926 $118,048
======== ========
Note a: The preferred stock was redeemed for $1,092 on January 24, 2001.
CII FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Continued)
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS - Parent Company Only
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
REVENUES
Net investment income $ 51 $ 1 $ 25
Other 932 1,084 1,323
-------- ------- --------
Total revenues 983 1,085 1,348
-------- ------- --------
EXPENSES
Interest expense 3,607 3,707 3,997
General and administrative 1,461 765 897
-------- -------- ---------
Total expenses 5,068 4,472 4,894
-------- ------- --------
Equity in undistributed (loss) earnings of
subsidiaries (4,651) 7,141 17,309
-------- ------- -------
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE FEDERAL
INCOME TAX (BENEFIT) EXPENSE
AND EXTRAORDINARY GAIN (8,736) 3,754 13,763
Federal income tax (benefit) expense (353) 261 51
-------- -------- ----------
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE
EXTRAORDINARY GAIN (8,383) 3,493 13,712
Extraordinary gain from debt extinguishment
(net of income taxes of $353, $59 and $25) 654 111 48
--------- -------- ----------
NET (LOSS) INCOME $(7,729) $3,604 $13,760
======= ====== =======
CII FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Continued)
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - Parent Company Only
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
CASH FLOW OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income $(7,729) $ 3,604 $ 13,760
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net
cash used in operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries 4,651 (7,141) (17,309)
Extraordinary gain (1,007) (170) (73)
Depreciation and amortization 673 721 883
Change in assets and liabilities:
Net payable to affiliates 167 (2,370) 1,126
Other assets 397 338 (466)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 1,921 (7) 374
Interest payable
(70) (18) (78)
--------- ------- --------
Net cash used in operating activities (997) (5,043) (1,783)
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures 2 (553)
Purchases of available-for-sale investments (1,092)
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (1,092) 2 (553)
-------- - ----------
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repurchase of convertible subordinated debentures (2,432) (583) (3,143)
Capital contribution 3,665
Dividend to Sierra (2,637)
Dividend from subsidiaries 6,800 6,000
Stock option activity 418
------- ------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities 1,731 5,417 940
-------- ---------- ----------
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS (358) 376 (1,396)
---------- --- ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
BEGINNING OF YEAR 857 481 1,877
---------- --- ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF
YEAR $ 499 $ 857 $ 481
========= === =========
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in the exchange offer and, if given
or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having
been authorized. This statement and any related documents do not constitute an
offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell debentures or common stock
in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those
jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the offer to
be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the offer shall be deemed to be made on
behalf of CII Financial by the dealer manager or one or more registered brokers
or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.
In order to tender, a holder must send or deliver a properly completed and
signed Letter of Transmittal, certificates for old junior subordinated
debentures and any other required documents to the Exchange Agent at its address
set forth below or tender pursuant to DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program.
The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
WELLS FARGO CORPORATE TRUST
By Registered & Certified Mail:
-------------------------------
WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
MAC N9303-121
PO Box 1517
Minneapolis, MN 55480
By Regular Mail or Overnight Courier:
-------------------------------------
WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
MAC N9303-121
Sixth & Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55479
In Person by Hand Only:
-----------------------
WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
12th Floor - Northstar East Building
Corporate Trust Services
608 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55479
By Facsimile (for Eligible Institutions only):
(612) 667-4927
For Information or Confirmation by
Telephone:
(800) 344-5128
Any questions or requests for assistance or for additional copies of this
Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal or related documents may be directed to
the Information Agent at its telephone number set forth below. A holder may also
contact the Dealer Manager at its telephone number set forth below or such
holder's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for
assistance concerning the Exchange Offer.
The Information Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
D.F. King & Co., Inc.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Bankers and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 269-5550
All Others Call Toll-Free: (800) 735-3591
The exclusive Dealer Manager for the Exchange Offer is:
Banc of America Securities LLC
100 North Tryon Street, 7th Floor
Charlotte, North Carolina 28255
Attention: High Yield Special Products
(704) 388-4813 (Collect)
(888) 292-0070 (Toll Free)