Citizens, Inc 10-Q for FY2024 Q1
Citizens, Inc. (CIA)
10-Q
2024-05-07
For: 2024-03-31
View Original
Added on
April 11, 2026
About this 10-Q
Citizens, Inc filed this 10-Q on May 7, 2024, covering the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (FY2024 Q1).
Headline figures
Quarter ended March 31, 2024, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $57.71M
- up 3.2% from $55.91M a year earlier
- Net income
- $4.54M
- down 6.8% from net income of $4.87M a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2024
OR
For the Transition Period from to
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 000-16509
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||
(Current Address)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (512 ) 837-7100
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act | ||||||||
| (Title of each class) | (Trading symbol(s)) | (Name of each exchange on which registered) | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). x Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | ☒ | Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | Emerging growth company | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes x No
As of May 1, 2024, the Registrant had 49,633,705 shares of Class A common stock outstanding.
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page Number | |||||||||||
| Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |||||||||||
| Item 1. | |||||||||||
| Item 2. | |||||||||||
| Item 3. | |||||||||||
| Item 4. | |||||||||||
| Part II. OTHER INFORMATION | |||||||||||
| Item 1. | |||||||||||
| Item 1A. | |||||||||||
| Item 2. | |||||||||||
| Item 3. | |||||||||||
| Item 4. | |||||||||||
| Item 5. | |||||||||||
| Item 6. | |||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 1
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| (In thousands) | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||
| Investments: | |||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value | |||||||||||
| Policy loans | |||||||||||
Other long-term investments (portion measured at fair value $ | |||||||||||
| Total investments | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||
| Accrued investment income | |||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable | |||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | |||||||||||
| Cost of insurance acquired | |||||||||||
| Current federal income tax receivable | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Due premiums | |||||||||||
Other assets (less allowance for losses of $ | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | ||||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 2
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets, Continued
| (In thousands, except share amounts) | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity: | |||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Policy liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Future policy benefit reserves: | |||||||||||
| Life insurance | $ | ||||||||||
| Accident and health insurance | |||||||||||
| Total future policy benefit reserves | |||||||||||
| Policyholders' funds: | |||||||||||
| Annuities | |||||||||||
| Dividend accumulations | |||||||||||
| Premiums paid in advance | |||||||||||
| Policy claims payable | |||||||||||
| Other policyholders' funds | |||||||||||
| Total policyholders' funds | |||||||||||
| Total policy liabilities | |||||||||||
| Commissions payable | |||||||||||
| Deferred federal income tax liability | |||||||||||
| Payable for securities in process of settlement | |||||||||||
| Other liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity: | |||||||||||
| Common stock: | |||||||||||
Class A, | |||||||||||
Class B, | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Treasury stock, at cost | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | ||||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 3
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident and health insurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property insurance | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment related gains (losses), net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits paid or provided: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Claims and surrenders | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserves | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder liability remeasurement (gain) loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholders' dividends | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total insurance benefits paid or provided | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other general expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cost of insurance acquired | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total benefits and expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Income before federal income tax | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal income tax expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Per Share Amounts: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in current discount rate for liability for future policy benefits | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) on other comprehensive income items | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 4
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
| Common Stock | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Treasury Stock | Total Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Class A | Class B | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2024 | $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2023 | $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 5
CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | ||||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Investment related (gains) losses on sale of investments and other assets, net | ( | ||||||||||
| Net deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Amortization of cost of insurance acquired | |||||||||||
| Depreciation | |||||||||||
| Amortization of premiums and discounts on investments | |||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||
| Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ||||||||||
| Change in: | |||||||||||
| Accrued investment income | |||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable | ( | ||||||||||
| Due premiums | |||||||||||
| Future policy benefit reserves | ( | ||||||||||
| Other policyholders' liabilities | |||||||||||
| Federal income tax payable | |||||||||||
| Commissions payable and other liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||
| Purchases of fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Sales of fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | |||||||||||
| Maturities and calls of fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | |||||||||||
| Principal payments on mortgage loans | |||||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in policy loans, net | |||||||||||
| Sales of other long-term investments | |||||||||||
| Purchases of other long-term investments | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | ( | ( | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. | |||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 6
| CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Continued | |||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Annuity deposits | $ | ||||||||||
| Annuity withdrawals | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | |||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | ||||||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, various fixed maturity issuers exchanged securities with book values of $2.1 million for securities of equal value while none were exchanged during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
The Company had $1.4 million of net unsettled security trades at March 31, 2024 and none at March 31, 2023.
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 7
(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Citizens, Inc. ("Citizens" or the "Company"), a Colorado corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, CICA Life Insurance Company of America ("CICA Domestic"), CICA Life Ltd. ("CICA Bermuda"), CICA Life A.I., a Puerto Rico company ("CICA International"), Security Plan Life Insurance Company ("SPLIC"), Security Plan Fire Insurance Company ("SPFIC"), Magnolia Guaranty Life Insurance Company ("MGLIC"), Computing Technology, Inc. ("CTI"), Nexo Enrollment Services LLC, a Puerto Rico service company ("NES") and Nexo Global Services LLC, a Puerto Rico holding company ("Nexo"). All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Citizens and its wholly-owned subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the "Company," "it," "we," "us" or "our".
The consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2024, the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and stockholders' equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 have been prepared by the Company without audit and are not subject to audit. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and changes in cash flows at March 31, 2024 and for comparative periods have been made. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 ("Form 10-K"). Operating results for the interim periods disclosed herein are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year or any future period.
Our Life Insurance segment operates through CICA International and CICA Domestic. Until December 31, 2022, our international life insurance business operated through CICA Bermuda. Beginning January 1, 2023, all new international policies are issued by CICA International. These companies provide U.S. dollar-denominated endowment contracts internationally, which are principally accumulation contracts that incorporate an element of life insurance protection and ordinary whole life insurance in U.S. dollar-denominated amounts sold to non-U.S. residents. These contracts are designed to provide a fixed amount of insurance coverage over the life of the insured and may utilize rider benefits to provide additional increasing or decreasing coverage and annuity benefits to enhance accumulations. On August 31, 2023, CICA Bermuda transferred all of its insurance in force business to CICA International. Prior to July 1, 2023, our domestic life insurance business operated through CICA Domestic and Citizens National Life Insurance Company ("CNLIC"). CICA Domestic issues ordinary whole life, final expense, life products with living benefits, critical illness, and credit life and disability policies throughout the U.S. CNLIC merged into CICA Domestic on July 1, 2023.
Our Home Service Insurance segment operates through our subsidiaries SPLIC, MGLIC and SPFIC, and focuses on the life insurance needs of the middle- and lower-income markets, primarily in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. Our products in this segment consist primarily of small face amount ordinary whole life, industrial life and pre-need policies, which are designed to fund final expenses for the insured, primarily consisting of funeral and burial costs as well as critical illness and property insurance policies, which cover dwelling and contents. As of June 30, 2023, the Company ceased all operations for SPFIC.
CTI provides data processing systems and services to the Company. NES provides services to policyholders of CICA International.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 8
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Significant estimates include those used in the evaluation of credit losses on fixed maturity securities, valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, actuarially determined assets and liabilities and assumptions and contingencies related to litigation and regulatory matters. Certain of these estimates are particularly sensitive to market conditions, and deterioration and/or volatility in the worldwide debt or equity markets could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
For a description of all significant accounting policies, see Part IV, Item 15, Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K, which should be read in conjunction with these accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(2) ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOT YET ADOPTED
On November 27, 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This amendment expands a public entity's segment disclosures by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, clarifying when an entity may report one or more additional measures to assess segment performance, requiring enhanced interim disclosures, providing new disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment, and requiring other new disclosures. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is available. Although the ASU only requires additional disclosures about the Company's operating segments, the Company is currently evaluating the effects of adopting this guidance on the consolidated financial statements.
On December 14, 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which is intended to enhance the transparency, decision usefulness and effectiveness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in this ASU require a public entity to disclose a tabular tax rate reconciliation, using both percentages and currency, with specific categories. A public entity is also required to provide a qualitative description of the state and local jurisdictions that make up the majority of the effect of the state and local income tax category and the net amount of income taxes paid, disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes and also disaggregated by individual jurisdictions. The amendments also remove certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial. The amendments are effective prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 and early adoption and retrospective application are permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this pronouncement on the consolidated financial statements.
No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective during the year had, or is expected to have, a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 9
(3) INVESTMENTS
The Company invests primarily in fixed maturity securities, which totaled 86.7 % of total cash and invested assets at March 31, 2024, as shown below.
Carrying Value (In thousands, except for %) | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and invested assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities | $ | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term investments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total cash and invested assets | $ | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
The following tables represent the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of fixed maturity securities as of the dates indicated.
| Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Communications | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| All other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturity securities | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 10
| Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Communications | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| All other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturity securities | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Most of the Company's equity securities are invested in a non-redeemable preferred stock fund.
Fair Value (In thousands) | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||
| Equity securities: | |||||||||||
| Bond mutual funds | $ | ||||||||||
| Common stock | |||||||||||
| Non-redeemable preferred stock | |||||||||||
| Non-redeemable preferred stock fund | |||||||||||
| Total equity securities | $ | ||||||||||
VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS
Available-for-sale ("AFS") fixed maturity securities are reported in the consolidated financial statements at fair value. Equity securities are measured at fair value with the change in fair value recorded through net income. The Company recognized net investment related gains of $0.1 million and $0.3 million on equity securities held for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Company considers several factors in its review and evaluation of individual investments, using the process described in Part IV, Item 15, Note 2. Investments in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of our Form 10-K to determine whether a credit valuation loss exists. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded no
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 11
For fixed maturity security investments that have unrealized losses as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the gross unrealized losses and related fair values that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position by timeframe are as follows.
| March 31, 2024 | Less than 12 months | Greater than 12 months | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except for # of securities) | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | # of Securities | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | # of Securities | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | # of Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Communications | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturity securities | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | Less than 12 months | Greater than 12 months | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except for # of securities) | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | # of Securities | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | # of Securities | Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | # of Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Communications | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturity securities | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 12
In each category of our fixed maturity securities described above, we do not intend to sell our investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 99.0 % and 99.4 % of the fair value of our fixed maturity securities portfolio, respectively, were rated investment grade. While the losses are currently unrealized, we continue to monitor all fixed maturity securities on an on-going basis as future information may become available which could result in an allowance being recorded.
These unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities are due to noncredit-related factors, including widening credit spreads and rising interest rates since purchase, which have little bearing on the recoverability of our investments, hence they are not recognized as credit losses. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach maturity or if market yields for such investments decline.
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2024 by contractual maturity are shown in the table below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date have been reflected based upon final stated maturity.
| March 31, 2024 | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | |||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||
| Due in one year or less | $ | ||||||||||
| Due after one year through five years | |||||||||||
| Due after five years through ten years | |||||||||||
| Due after ten years | |||||||||||
| Total fixed maturity securities | $ | ||||||||||
The Company uses the specific identification method of the individual security to determine the cost basis used in the calculation of realized gains and losses related to security sales.
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross realized gains | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross realized losses | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(4) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We hold AFS fixed maturity securities, which are carried at fair value with changes in fair value reported through other comprehensive income (loss). We also report our equity securities and certain other long-term investments at fair value with changes in fair value reported through the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Fair value measurements are generally based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our view of market assumptions in the absence of observable market information. We utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 13
observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. All assets and liabilities carried at fair value are required to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
•Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
•Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs or whose significant value drivers are observable.
•Level 3 - Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable.
Level 1 primarily consists of financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices such as U.S. Treasury securities and actively traded mutual fund and stock investments.
Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued by independent pricing services or broker quotes. These pricing models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various inputs, such as interest rates, credit spreads and foreign exchange rates for the underlying financial instruments. All significant inputs are observable or derived from observable information in the marketplace or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Financial instruments in this category primarily include corporate securities, U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities, securities issued by states and political subdivisions and certain mortgage and asset-backed securities.
Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on non-binding broker prices utilizing significant inputs not based on or corroborated by readily available market information. We have no investments in this category.
The following tables set forth our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates indicated.
| March 31, 2024 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bond mutual funds | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-redeemable preferred stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-redeemable preferred stock fund | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total equity securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Other long-term investments (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total financial assets | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient are not classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 14
| December 31, 2023 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| States and political subdivisions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bond mutual funds | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-redeemable preferred stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-redeemable preferred stock fund | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total equity securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Other long-term investments (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total financial assets | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient are not classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS VALUATION
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CARRIED AT FAIR VALUE
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale. At March 31, 2024, fixed maturity securities, valued using a third-party pricing source, totaled $1.2 billion for Level 2 assets and comprised 92.7 % of total reported fair value of our financial assets. The Level 1 and Level 2 valuations are reviewed and updated quarterly through testing by comparisons to separate pricing models, other third-party pricing services, and back tested to recent trades. In addition, we obtain information annually relative to the third-party pricing models and review model parameters for reasonableness. There were no Level 3 assets at March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, there were no material changes to the valuation methods or assumptions used to determine fair values, and no broker or third-party prices were changed from the values received.
Equity securities. Our equity securities are classified as Level 1 assets as their fair values are based upon quoted market prices.
Limited partnerships. The Company considers the net asset value ("NAV") to represent the value of the investment fund and is measured by the total value of assets minus the total value of liabilities. The following table includes information related to our investments in limited partnerships that calculate NAV per share. For these investments, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, we use the NAV per share to measure fair value. The Company recognized net investment related gains of $1.3 million and losses of $0.6 million on limited partnerships
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 15
held for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively. These investments are included in other long-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets.
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except for years) | Fair Value Using NAV Per Share | Unfunded Commit- ments | Range (In years) | Fair Value Using NAV Per Share | Unfunded Commit- ments | Range (In years) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Limited partnerships: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Middle market | Investments in privately-originated, performing senior secured debt primarily in North America-based companies | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global equity fund | Investments in common stocks of U.S., international developed and emerging markets with a focus on long-term capital growth | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Late-stage growth | Investments in private late-stage, established companies seeking capital to accelerate growth prior to an IPO or sale | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Infrastructure | Investments in climate infrastructure assets, focusing on renewable power generation in wind and solar energy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total limited partnerships | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The majority of our limited partnership investments are not redeemable because distributions from the funds will be received when the underlying investments of the funds are liquidated. The life spans indicated above may be shortened or extended at the fund manager's discretion, typically in one or two-year increments. The global equity fund is redeemable monthly.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS NOT CARRIED AT FAIR VALUE
Estimates of fair values are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market prices and information about the financial instruments. The estimated fair values of financial instruments presented below are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company might realize in actual market transactions.
The carrying amount and fair value for the financial assets and liabilities on the consolidated financial statements not otherwise disclosed for the periods indicated were as follows:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Carrying Value | Fair Value | Carrying Value | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy loans | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage loan | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annuity - investment contracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 16
Policy loans. Policy loans had a weighted average annual interest rate of 7.7
Residential mortgage loan. The mortgage loan is secured by a residential property. The interest rate for this loan was 7.0 four years . Management estimated the fair value using an annual interest rate of 6.25
Cash and cash equivalents. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates carrying value and are characterized as Level 1 assets in the fair value hierarchy.
Annuity liabilities. The fair value of the Company's liabilities under annuity contracts, which are considered Level 3 liabilities, was estimated at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 using discounted cash flows based upon spot rates adjusted for various risk adjustments ranging from 4.13 % to 4.63 % and 3.80 % to 4.50 %, respectively. The fair value of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the overall management of interest rate risk, which seeks to minimize exposure to changing interest rates through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.
Other long-term investments. Financial instruments included in other long-term investments are classified in various levels of the fair value hierarchy. The following table summarizes the carrying amounts of these investments.
Carrying Value (In thousands) | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||
| Other long-term investments: | |||||||||||
| Limited partnerships | $ | ||||||||||
| FHLB common stock | |||||||||||
| Mortgage loans | |||||||||||
| All other investments | |||||||||||
| Total other long-term investments | $ | ||||||||||
(5) DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS AND COST OF INSURANCE ACQUIRED
DAC
The following tables roll forward the DAC and COIA balances for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 by reporting cohort. Our reporting cohorts are Permanent, which summarizes insurance policies with premiums payable over the lifetime of the policy, and Permanent Limited Pay, which summarizes insurance policies with
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 17
premiums payable for a limited time after which the policy is fully paid up. Both reporting cohorts include whole life and endowment policies.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Permanent | Permanent Limited Pay | Other Business | Total | |||||||||||||
| Life Insurance: | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Capitalizations | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | |||||||||||||||||
| Home Service Insurance: | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Capitalizations | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | |||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated: | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Capitalizations | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Permanent | Permanent Limited Pay | Other Business | Total | |||||||||||||
| Life Insurance: | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Capitalizations | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | |||||||||||||||||
| Home Service Insurance: | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Capitalizations | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | |||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated: | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Capitalizations | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | ||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 18
DAC capitalization increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same prior year period mainly from increased commissions from higher first year sales in our Life Insurance segment.
COIA
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Permanent | Permanent Limited Pay | Other Business | Total | |||||||||||||
| Life Insurance: | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | |||||||||||||||||
| Home Service Insurance: | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | |||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated: | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Permanent | Permanent Limited Pay | Other Business | Total | |||||||||||||
| Life Insurance: | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | |||||||||||||||||
| Home Service Insurance: | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | |||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated: | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | ||||||||||||||||
(6) POLICYHOLDERS’ LIABILITIES
LIABILITY FOR FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS
The following tables summarize balances of and changes in the liability for future policy benefits for our reporting cohorts: Permanent, which summarizes insurance policies with premiums payable over the lifetime of the policy,
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 19
and Permanent Limited Pay, which summarizes insurance policies with premiums payable for a limited time after which the policy is fully paid up. Both reporting cohorts include whole life and endowment policies.
March 31, 2024 (In thousands) | Life Insurance | Home Service Insurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Permanent | Permanent Limited Pay | Total | Permanent | Permanent Limited Pay | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Present Value of Expected Net Premiums: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance at original discount rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effects of actual variances from expected experience | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted beginning of year balance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accrual | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net premiums collected | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derecognition and other | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance at original discount rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in discount rates | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Present Value of Expected Future Policy Benefits: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance at original discount rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effects of actual variances from expected experience | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted beginning of year balance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accrual | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit payments | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derecognition and other | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance at original discount rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in discount rates | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net liability for future policy benefits | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 20
March 31, 2023 (In thousands) | Life Insurance | Home Service Insurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Permanent | Permanent Limited Pay | Total | Permanent | Permanent Limited Pay | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Present Value of Expected Net Premiums: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance at original discount rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effects of actual variances from expected experience | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted beginning of year balance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accrual | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net premiums collected | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derecognition and other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance at original discount rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in discount rates | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Present Value of Expected Future Policy Benefits: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance at original discount rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effects of actual variances from expected experience | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted beginning of year balance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accrual | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit payments | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derecognition and other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance at original discount rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in discount rates | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net liability for future policy benefits | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums collected is defined as the transactional gross premiums collected in the current period times the net premium ratio. Issuances are calculated as the present value, using the locked-in discount rate, of the expected net premiums or the expected future policy benefits related to new policies issued during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Interest accrual is the interest earned on the beginning present value of either the expected net premiums or the expected future policy benefits using the locked-in discount rate. Benefit payments are the transactional benefits (death, lapse, surrenders and maturities) paid in the current period. Derecognition refers to a subset of the issuances or the present value of future premiums released on new issues that lapsed during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 as well as other reconciling items. The effects of actual variances from expected experience lines are primarily impacted by the actual policy cash flows during the period compared to that which was expected in the reserve assumptions. If the net of the two lines is a positive number, the implication is an unfavorable result with policy cash flows less favorable than assumed while a negative number implies a favorable result compared to assumptions. Our policy experience will vary from actual experience in any one period, either favorably or unfavorably.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 21
The following table reconciles the net liability for future policy benefits shown above to the liability for future policy benefits reported in the consolidated balance sheets.
March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Life Insurance | Home Service Insurance | Consolidated | Life Insurance | Home Service Insurance | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||
Life Insurance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Permanent | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Permanent limited pay | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred profit liability | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total life insurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Accident & Health: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total future policy benefit reserves | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table provides the amount of undiscounted and discounted expected gross premiums and expected future benefit payments for long-term duration contracts.
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Life Insurance | Home Service Insurance | Life Insurance | Home Service Insurance | |||||||||||||||||||
| Undiscounted: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Permanent: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future gross premiums | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future benefit payments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Permanent Limited Pay: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future gross premiums | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future benefit payments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discounted: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Permanent: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future gross premiums | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future benefit payments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Permanent Limited Pay: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future gross premiums | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future benefit payments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 22
The following tables summarize the amount of revenue and interest related to long-term duration contracts recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Gross Premiums | Interest Expense | Gross Premiums | Interest Expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life Insurance Segment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Life Insurance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Permanent | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Permanent Limited Pay | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total, net of reinsurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accident & Health: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total, net of reinsurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home Service Insurance Segment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Life Insurance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Permanent | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Permanent Limited Pay | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total, net of reinsurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accident & Health: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table provides the weighted-average durations of the liability for future policy benefits.
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| (In years) | Life Insurance | Home Service Insurance | Life Insurance | Home Service Insurance | |||||||||||||
Permanent: | |||||||||||||||||
| Duration at original discount rate | |||||||||||||||||
| Duration at current discount rate | |||||||||||||||||
Permanent Limited Pay: | |||||||||||||||||
| Duration at original discount rate | |||||||||||||||||
| Duration at current discount rate | |||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 23
The following table provides the weighted-average interest rates for the liability for future policy benefits.
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Life Insurance | Home Service Insurance | Life Insurance | Home Service Insurance | ||||||||||||||
Permanent: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate at original discount rate | % | % | % | % | |||||||||||||
| Interest rate at current discount rate | % | % | % | % | |||||||||||||
Permanent Limited Pay: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate at original discount rate | % | % | % | % | |||||||||||||
| Interest rate at current discount rate | % | % | % | % | |||||||||||||
LIABILITY FOR POLICYHOLDERS’ ACCOUNT BALANCES
The following table presents the policyholders' account balances by range of guaranteed minimum crediting rates and the related range of the difference, in basis points, between rates being credited and the respective guaranteed minimums.
| At Guaranteed Minimum | 1 Basis Point-50 Basis Points Above | 51 Basis Points-150 Basis Points Above | Greater Than 150 Basis Points Above | Total | |||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
Range of Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rates: | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | |||||||||||||||||
Greater or equal to | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| At Guaranteed Minimum | 1 Basis Point-50 Basis Points Above | 51 Basis Points-150 Basis Points Above | Greater Than 150 Basis Points Above | Total | |||||||||||||
March 31, 2023 (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
Range of Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rates: | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | |||||||||||||||||
Greater or equal to | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 24
The following tables summarize balances of and changes in policyholders' account balances.
March 31, 2024 (In thousands, except for %) | Supplemental Contracts Without Life Contingencies | Fixed Annuity | Dividend Accumulations | Premiums Paid in Advance | ||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | |||||||||||||
| Issuances | ||||||||||||||
| Premiums received | ||||||||||||||
| Interest credited | ||||||||||||||
| Less: | ||||||||||||||
| Surrenders and withdrawals | ||||||||||||||
| Benefit payments | ||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | |||||||||||||
| Weighted-average crediting rates | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||
| Cash surrender value | $ | |||||||||||||
March 31, 2023 (In thousands, except for %) | Supplemental Contracts Without Life Contingencies | Fixed Annuity | Dividend Accumulations | Premiums Paid in Advance | ||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | |||||||||||||
| Issuances | ||||||||||||||
| Premiums received | ||||||||||||||
| Interest credited | ||||||||||||||
| Less: | ||||||||||||||
| Surrenders and withdrawals | ||||||||||||||
| Benefit payments | ||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | |||||||||||||
| Weighted-average crediting rates | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||
| Cash surrender value | $ | |||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 25
The following table reconciles policyholders' account balances shown above to the policyholders' account balances liability in the consolidated balance sheets.
As of March 31, (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Annuities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supplemental contracts without life contingencies | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed annuity | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unearned revenue reserve | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total annuities | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums Paid in Advance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums paid in advance | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total premiums paid in advance | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(7) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
LITIGATION AND REGULATORY ACTIONS
From time to time, we are subject to legal and regulatory actions relating to our business. We may incur defense costs, including attorneys' fees, and other direct litigation costs associated with defending claims. If we suffer an adverse judgment as a result of litigation claims, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
As of March 31, 2024, CICA International is committed to fund investments up to $25.7 million related to limited partnerships previously described.
CREDIT FACILITY
On May 5, 2021 , the Company entered into a $20 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Regions Bank ("Regions"). The Credit Facility has a three-year term, maturing on May 5, 2024 , and allows the Company to borrow up to $20 million for working capital purposes, capital expenditures and other corporate purposes.
Revolving loans may be requested by the Company in aggregate minimum principal amounts of $0.5 million per loan. At the Company's election, the revolving loans may either bear a base rate, which is 1.75 % plus a base rate (a fluctuating rate per annum) equal to the greatest of (a) Regions' prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50 %, or (c) 0.75 %. The Company is required to pay Regions an annual commitment fee of 0.375 % of the unused portion of the Credit Facility in quarterly installments, which the Company expenses as it is incurred.
Obligations under the Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company other than the equity interests in all of the regulated insurance subsidiaries, real estate owned by the Company, and other limited exceptions. The Credit Facility contains customary events of default and financial, affirmative and negative covenants, including but not limited to restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments, asset dispositions and restricted payments. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had no t borrowed any funds against the Credit Facility and was not in violation of any covenants.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 26
(8) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND RESTRICTIONS
STOCK
Our Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 127,000,000 shares, of which 100,000,000 shares shall be Class A common stock, 2,000,000 shares shall be Class B common stock, and 25,000,000 shall be preferred stock. Both authorized classes of common stock are equal in all respects, except (a) each share of Class A common stock is entitled to receive twice the cash dividends paid on a per share basis to the Class B common stock, if any; and (b) the holders of the Class B common stock have the exclusive right to elect a simple majority of the Board of Directors of Citizens. In April 2021, we repurchased all of the outstanding Class B common stock, which is now classified as treasury stock. As a result, all of the directors are elected by the holders of the Class A common stock. Citizens has never issued any preferred stock.
A summary of the change in the number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock and treasury stock issued is as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Common Stock | Treasury | Common Stock | Treasury | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | Class B | Stock | Class A | Class B | Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock issued for compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| Numerator: | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | ||||||||||
Net income allocated to Class A common stock | $ | ||||||||||
| Denominator: | |||||||||||
| Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - basic | |||||||||||
| Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - diluted | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock | $ | ||||||||||
STATUTORY CAPITAL AND SURPLUS
Each of our regulated insurance subsidiaries is required to meet stipulated regulatory capital requirements. These include capital requirements imposed by the U.S. National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") and the Bermuda Monetary Authority ("BMA"). All domestic insurance subsidiaries exceeded the minimum capital requirements at March 31, 2024. On March 27, 2024 , Citizens and the Colorado Division of Insurance entered into
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 27
a capital maintenance agreement that specifies that Citizens will infuse capital as needed to ensure that CICA Domestic's RBC remains above 350 %. As CICA Domestic's RBC exceeded 350% at March 31, 2024, no capital contribution was necessary.
CICA International is a Puerto Rico domiciled company. The Insurance Code of Puerto Rico does not specifically set forth minimum capital and surplus standards, but rather requires that an insurer submit a business plan for approval to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance ("OIC") that includes proposed minimum capital and surplus. CICA International is required to maintain a minimum of $750,000 in capital and maintain a premium to surplus ratio of 7 to 1 . CICA International began issuing new business as of January 1, 2023 and received the transfer of all of CICA Bermuda's in force insurance business as of August 31, 2023 . On that date, Citizens entered into a Keep Well Agreement with CICA International to replace the Keep Well Agreement that had been in place between Citizens and CICA Bermuda. The Keep Well Agreement requires Citizens to contribute up to $10 million in capital to CICA International as necessary to ensure that CICA International maintains at least either (i) 112 % of its required ratio of premiums to capital and surplus, or (ii) 200 % of the minimum capital and surplus requirement, whichever is higher. The initial term of the Keep Well Agreement is 12 months. Since CICA International's capital exceeds both of the metrics, Citizens is not required to make a capital contribution. Any capital that Citizens is required to contribute could negatively impact the Company's capital resources and liquidity.
(9) SEGMENT AND OTHER OPERATING INFORMATION
The Company has two reportable segments: Life Insurance and Home Service Insurance. Our Life Insurance segment issues endowment contracts, which are principally accumulation contracts that incorporate an element of life insurance protection, and ordinary whole life insurance to non-U.S. residents through CICA International. These contracts are designed to provide a fixed amount of insurance coverage over the life of the insured and may utilize rider benefits to provide additional coverage and annuity benefits to enhance accumulations. CICA Domestic issues ordinary whole life, final expense, life products with living benefits, critical illness and credit life and credit disability policies throughout the U.S.
Our Home Service Insurance segment operates through our subsidiaries SPLIC, MGLIC and SPFIC, and focuses on the life insurance needs of the middle- and lower-income markets, primarily in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. Our policies are sold and serviced through funeral homes and independent agents who sell policies, collect premiums and service policyholders. Our Home Service Insurance segment also sold property insurance policies in Louisiana and Arkansas until operations were ceased effective June 30, 2023.
The Life Insurance and Home Service Insurance portions of the Company constitute separate businesses. In addition to the Life Insurance and Home Service Insurance business, the Company also operates other non-insurance portions of the Company ("Other Non-Insurance Enterprises"), which primarily include the Company’s IT and corporate-support functions.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments and Other Non-Insurance Enterprises are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in our Form 10-K. The Company evaluates profit and loss performance based on U.S. GAAP net income before federal income taxes for its two reportable segments. The Company's Other Non-Insurance Enterprises represents the only reportable difference between segments and consolidated operations.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 28
| Life Insurance | Home Service Insurance | Other Non-Insurance Enterprises | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment related gains (losses), net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits paid or provided: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Claims and surrenders | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserves | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder liability remeasurement (gain) loss | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholders' dividends | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total insurance benefits paid or provided | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other general expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cost of insurance acquired | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total benefits and expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before federal income tax | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 29
| Life Insurance | Home Service Insurance | Other Non-Insurance Enterprises | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment related gains (losses), net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits paid or provided: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Claims and surrenders | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserves | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder liability remeasurement (gain) loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholders' dividends | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total insurance benefits paid or provided | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other general expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cost of insurance acquired | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total benefits and expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before federal income tax | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
(10) INCOME TAXES
The effective tax rate is the ratio of tax expense over pre-tax income. The effective tax rate was 7.8 % for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 27.4 % for the same period in 2023, respectively. CICA Bermuda and CICA International are considered controlled foreign corporations for federal income tax purposes. As a result, the insurance activity of CICA Bermuda and CICA International are subject to Subpart F of the Internal Revenue Code and are included in Citizens’ taxable income. Due to the 0 % enacted tax rate in Bermuda, there are no deferred taxes recorded for CICA Bermuda's temporary differences. The Government of Puerto Rico approved a tax exemption decree for CICA International which freezes the income tax rate at 0 % on taxable earnings up to $1.2 million and 4 % on taxable earnings in excess of $1.2 million for a minimum of 15 years. The effective tax rate varies from the prevailing corporate federal income tax rate of 21.0% mainly due to the impact of Subpart F and uncertain tax positions.
At March 31, 2024 and 2023, we determined it was more likely than not that a portion of our capital deferred tax assets would not be realized in their entirety. The Company recorded valuation allowances of $4.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively, through Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 30
(11) OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The changes in the components of other comprehensive income (loss) are reported net of the effects of income taxes of 21% for domestic entities and 4 % for Puerto Rican entities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, as indicated below.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Amount | Tax Effect | Total | Amount | Tax Effect | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period | $ | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized holding gains (losses), net | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in current discount rate for liability for future policy benefits | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(12) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
(13) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated the impact of subsequent events as defined by the accounting guidance through the date this report was issued and determined that no other significant subsequent events need to be recognized or disclosed at this time.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 31
Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This section and other parts of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Form 10-Q") contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and the Company’s actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including those factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. The Company assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including the Company, that file electronically with the SEC. The public can obtain any documents that the Company files with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. We also make available, free of charge, through our website (http://www.citizensinc.com), our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Section 16 Reports filed by officers and directors, news releases, and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with, or furnish such reports to, the SEC. We are not including any of the information contained on our website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Form 10-Q.
OVERVIEW
For 55 years, we have been fulfilling the needs of our policyholders and their families by providing insurance products that offer both living and death benefits. Citizens conducts insurance related operations through its insurance subsidiaries, which provide benefits to policyholders throughout the United States and in over 75 different countries. We specialize in offering primarily ordinary whole life insurance, endowment products and final expense insurance in niche markets where we believe we can optimize our competitive position.
As an insurance provider, we collect premiums on an ongoing basis from our policyholders and invest the majority of the premiums to pay future benefits, including claims, surrenders and policyholder dividends. Accordingly, the Company derives its revenues principally from: (1) life insurance premiums earned for insurance coverages provided to insureds in our two operating segments – Life Insurance and Home Service Insurance; and (2) net investment income. In addition to paying and reserving for insurance benefits that we pay to our policyholders, our expenses consist primarily of the costs of selling our insurance products (e.g., commissions, underwriting, marketing expenses), operating expenses and income taxes.
Objective of our Management's Discussion and Analysis
We refer to our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as our “MD&A”. The objective of our MD&A is to provide investors with information in order to assess the material changes in our financial condition from December 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024 and the material changes in our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023. We also discuss in the MD&A any trends that we believe may materially affect our future operations or financial condition.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 32
The Factors that Drive our Operating Results
We see the following as the primary factors that drive our operating results:
•Sales (i.e., premium revenues)
•Investments
•Claims and surrenders
•Operating expenses
Premium revenues and investment income are our two primary sources of income and thus key to our profitability.
Premium revenues consist of all money deposited by customers into new and existing insurance policies. We believe sales statistics are meaningful to gaining an understanding of, among other things, the attractiveness of our new products, how expansion of our distribution channels affects our revenue, customer retention and the performance of our business from period-to-period. Throughout the MD&A, we describe the actions and initiatives that we are taking to increase sales and improve retention, sales performance in each period and as compared to prior periods, and how we view trends with respect to sales and retention. Because we ceased operations in our property insurance business effective June 30, 2023, the premiums charts below only reflect life insurance and accident and health insurance ("A&H") premium results.
In the last 2 years, we have received 9 new state licenses, developed new final expense and living benefit products, and entered into new white label and other distribution agreements, leading to an increase in first year premiums (i.e., new sales) of 42% from 2023 to 2024.
Our renewal life and A&H premium revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased slightly primarily due to the impact of a higher level of surrenders during the last few years (and thus a lower amount of policies paying renewal premiums) and from matured endowment benefits, which we expected due to contractual expiration dates.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 33
Our net investment income increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 by 2% compared to the same prior year period due primarily to investment income from our limited partnership investments and a growing diversified invested asset base.
Payment of policyholder benefits for claims and surrenders is our largest expense and thus also key to our profitability. The three largest components of this expense are reflected in the graphs above. In the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the prior year period:
•Death claim benefits increased due to the increase in policies issued over the last few years.
•Surrenders decreased slightly as we continue to focus on retention efforts.
•Matured endowments increased as expected due to many of our endowment policies reaching their contractual maturity dates.
Operating expenses are our second largest expense and thus also drive our operating results. Our general operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased slightly compared to the prior year period as we continue to invest in the growth of our business.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 34
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Our net income decreased from $4.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 to $4.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024. Total revenues increased by $1.8 million due primarily to higher life insurance premium revenue, higher investment related gains and losses and higher net investment income. We also had a $1.5 million reduction in federal income tax expense. This was more than offset by total benefits and expenses, which increased by $3.6 million due primarily to $3.5 million of higher death claims and matured endowment benefits paid. We also incurred $1.4 million in higher commissions paid due to the large increase in first year sales, which have a higher commission rate than renewal sales.
Our basic net income per share of Class A common stock was $0.09 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, respectively, compared to $0.10 in prior year period.
Financial Condition at March 31, 2024
•Total assets of $1.7 billion
•Total investments of $1.4 billion; fixed maturity securities comprised 88% of total investments
•$5.0 billion of direct insurance in force
•No debt
•Fully diluted income per share of Class A common stock of $0.09
•Book value per share of Class A common stock of $3.94
EVENTS THAT IMPACTED OUR BUSINESS
From time-to-time, certain events may affect our business in ways that cause current or future results to differ from past results. See Part II, Item 7 - "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Events that Impacted Our Business" in our Annual Report on 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023 for a discussion of certain events that have impacted and continue to impact our business, including inflation and market volatility, rising interest rates and ceasing operations of our property insurance business.
OUR OPERATING SEGMENTS
We manage our business in two operating segments: Life Insurance and Home Service Insurance.
Our insurance operations are the primary focus of the Company, as these operations generate most of our income. See the discussion under Segment Operations below for detailed analysis. The amount of insurance,
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 35
number of policies, and average face amounts for ordinary life policies issued during the periods indicated are shown below.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount of Insurance Issued | Number of Policies Issued | Average Policy Face Amount Issued | Amount of Insurance Issued | Number of Policies Issued | Average Policy Face Amount Issued | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ordinary Life Policies: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Life Insurance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International | $ | 96,140,734 | 920 | $ | 104,501 | $ | 83,414,534 | 863 | $ | 96,656 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic | 111,718,773 | 9,476 | 11,790 | 477,500 | 39 | 12,244 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Life Insurance | 207,859,507 | 10,396 | 19,994 | 83,892,034 | 902 | 93,007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home Service Insurance | 66,600,824 | 5,128 | 12,988 | 86,437,227 | 6,524 | 13,249 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 274,460,331 | 15,524 | $ | 170,329,261 | 7,426 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As we previously disclosed, our strategic initiatives include the introduction of new products tailored to our specific markets and expansion of our distribution channels both domestically and internationally. These new products and distribution channels helped drive the 61% increase in total insurance issued in the three months ended March 31, 2024, from $170.3 million in the first three months of 2023 to $274.5 million in 2024.
The growth in our Life Insurance segment is primarily attributable to strong sales of our new domestic final expense products, which accounted for the majority of the insurance issued through March 31, 2024. The Life Insurance segment also benefited from sales from the international whole life product which accounted for 67% of total insurance issued internationally in this segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Insurance issued in our Home Service Insurance segment decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to prior year period as we continue to make changes to our agents' compensation structures to improve the quality of sales in this segment and believe the impact of inflation has affected new sales since the customer demographic is primarily middle- and lower-income individuals.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 36
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
A discussion of consolidated results is presented below, followed by a discussion of segment operations and financial results by segment.
REVENUES
Our revenues are generated primarily by insurance renewal premiums and investment income from invested assets.
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | $ | 38,261 | 36,934 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident and health insurance | 414 | 358 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property insurance | (2) | 957 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 17,487 | 17,074 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment related gains (losses), net | 963 | (288) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 589 | 879 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 57,712 | 55,914 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues increased in March 31, 2024, as we had higher life insurance premiums, investment related gains, compared to losses in the same period in 2023, and higher net investment income. The Company stopped accepting renewal premiums for property insurance at the end of May and ceased our operations on June 30, 2023.
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Premiums: | |||||||||||
| First year | $ | 5,931 | 4,206 | ||||||||
| Renewal | 32,742 | 34,043 | |||||||||
| Total premiums | $ | 38,673 | 38,249 | ||||||||
Premium Income. Total premiums increased in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to strong first year premium growth primarily in our Life Insurance segment. The increase in first year premiums is partially offset by lower renewal year premiums as we stopped accepting renewal premiums in our property insurance business at the end of May 2023, and a decline in Life Insurance segment renewal year premiums.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 37
Net Investment Income. A summary of our net investment income and annualized net investment income performance are summarized as follows:
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except for %) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross investment income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities | $ | 15,137 | 14,945 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 75 | 165 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy loans | 1,456 | 1,539 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term investments | 1,224 | 921 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investment income | 236 | 124 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total investment income | 18,128 | 17,694 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment expenses | (641) | (620) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 17,487 | 17,074 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income, annualized | $ | 69,948 | 68,297 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Average invested assets, at amortized cost | $ | 1,525,102 | 1,519,149 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Annualized yield on average invested assets | 4.59 | % | 4.50 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Due to insurance regulations, fixed maturity securities constitute the vast majority, or 88%, of our investment portfolio based on fair value and thus provide the vast majority of our investment income. Our total investment income increased by 2% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to a higher average portfolio yield on our fixed maturity securities in the current period. Long-term investment income increased as our private equity investment asset base grew.
Investment Related Gains (Losses), Net. We recorded investment related gains during the three months ended March 31, 2024 of $1.0 million compared to losses of $0.3 million during the same prior year period. As described above, the gains and losses are primarily related to the fair value change of our limited partnership and equity securities investments, mostly in our Life Insurance segment, due to the volatility in equity markets over the past year. We did not sell these investments; however, the changes in fair values of our equity securities are reflected as investment related gains or losses in our income statement, in addition to executed transactions that result in a gain or loss.
Other Income. Other income consists primarily of supplemental contracts issued to policyholders in our Life Insurance segment upon the surrender or maturity of their original policies.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 38
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits paid or provided: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Claims and surrenders | $ | 33,113 | 30,299 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserves | 451 | (978) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder liability remeasurement (gain) loss | 319 | 880 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholders' dividends | 1,237 | 1,108 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total insurance benefits paid or provided | 35,120 | 31,309 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions | 10,450 | 9,013 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other general expenses | 11,338 | 11,260 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs | (8,331) | (6,358) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 4,038 | 3,814 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cost of insurance acquired | 172 | 161 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total benefits and expenses | $ | 52,787 | 49,199 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Payments of claims and surrenders benefits constitute the majority of our expenses. Total benefits and expenses increased in the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to same period in 2023 driven by higher death claims and matured endowments.
Claims and Surrenders.
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and surrenders: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Death claim benefits | $ | 6,858 | 5,382 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrender benefits | 12,131 | 12,316 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Endowment benefits | 1,754 | 2,109 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Matured endowment benefits | 10,761 | 8,765 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property claims | (13) | 342 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| A&H and other policy benefits | 1,622 | 1,385 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total claims and surrenders | $ | 33,113 | 30,299 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Death claim benefits increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due primarily to a higher volume of reported death claims as a result of the increase in policies issued over the past few years.
Surrender benefits decreased slightly for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Surrenders are primarily related to international policies that are nearing maturity as well as policies that have passed their surrender charge period. We have implemented retention initiatives over the past few years, which we believe are helping to decrease surrenders, but we believe that the high interest rates are negatively affecting these efforts, as policyholders surrender their policies to re-invest the cash values in higher interest rate products.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 39
Matured endowment benefits increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. We anticipated this increase based upon the contractual maturity dates of the policies.
Explanation of other benefits and expenses
Increase (Decrease) in Future Policy Benefit Reserves. Future policy benefit reserves reflect the liability established to provide for the payment of policy benefits that we expect to pay in the future and thus generally increase when we have a larger in force block of business due to higher sales and better persistency (i.e., more policies on which we expect to pay future benefits) and decrease when we have lower sales and persistency. In the three months ended March 31, 2024, the change in future policy benefit reserves increased compared to the same prior year period from increases in insurance issued and increases in our in force block of business somewhat offset by the amount of reserves released in connection with the death claims, surrenders and higher matured endowment benefits.
Policyholder Liability Remeasurement (Gain) Loss. Most of our products are long-duration contracts that provide a specified, fixed amount of insurance benefit in exchange for a fixed premium. When a policy is initially issued, we establish a "net premium ratio" ("NPR") using assumptions regarding expected premiums and policyholder benefit liabilities. On a quarterly basis, we review actual versus expected experience in such quarter, which is reported as a policyholder liability remeasurement gain (if better performance than assumptions) or loss (if lower performance than assumptions).
Commissions. Commission expenses are a cost of acquiring business, as commissions are the primary compensation paid to our independent consultants and independent agents for selling our products. First year commission rates are higher than renewal commission rates and thus commissions fluctuate directly in relation to first year sales. As discussed above, in the three months ended March 31, 2024, we experienced a 41% increase in first year sales leading to an increase in commission related expenses.
Other General Expenses. General expenses increased slightly in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.
Capitalization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs. We capitalize costs related to successful sales of our insurance products, which include certain commissions, policy issuance costs, and underwriting and agency expenses. These costs vary based upon amounts of premiums received related to new and renewal business. Capitalized DAC increased in the three months ended March 31, 2024, which is in line with the increases in new sales activity. Significantly lower amounts are capitalized related to renewal business in correlation with the lower commissions paid on that business compared to first year business, which has higher commission rates.
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs. Amortization of DAC increased in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. DAC is amortized on a constant level basis over the expected term of the related contracts to approximate straight-line amortization.
SEGMENT OPERATIONS
Our business is comprised of two operating business segments:
•Life Insurance
•Home Service Insurance
These segments are reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company evaluates profit and loss performance based on net income before federal income taxes for these segments. The Company's Other Non-Insurance Enterprises include non-insurance operations such as IT and corporate-support functions, which are included in the table presented below to properly reconcile the segment information with the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 40
The following table sets forth income (loss) before federal income taxes by segment during the periods indicated.
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before federal income tax expense: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life Insurance | $ | 5,800 | 6,372 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Home Service Insurance | 623 | 1,333 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total segments | 6,423 | 7,705 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Non-Insurance Enterprises | (1,498) | (990) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total income before federal income tax expense | $ | 4,925 | 6,715 | ||||||||||||||||||||
LIFE INSURANCE
Detailed results of operations in the Life Insurance segment for the periods indicated are as follows:
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums | $ | 27,861 | 26,207 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 13,686 | 13,311 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment related gains (losses), net | 1,086 | (437) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 506 | 879 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 43,139 | 39,960 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits paid or provided: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Claims and surrenders | 27,364 | 24,439 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserves | (1,193) | (1,820) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder liability remeasurement (gain) loss | 373 | 816 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholders' dividends | 1,231 | 1,101 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total insurance benefits paid or provided | 27,775 | 24,536 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions | 6,960 | 4,759 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other general expenses | 6,036 | 5,459 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs | (6,816) | (4,360) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 3,358 | 3,162 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cost of insurance acquired | 26 | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total benefits and expenses | 37,339 | 33,588 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Income before federal income tax | $ | 5,800 | 6,372 | ||||||||||||||||||||
In our Life Insurance segment, income before federal income tax of $5.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased from $6.4 million in the prior year period. Total revenue increased by $3.2 million from higher premium revenue, investment related gains (losses) and higher net investment income compared to the prior
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 41
year period. These improvements were more than offset by higher claims and surrenders benefits paid and higher other general expenses supporting our domestic growth strategy.
Life Insurance segment premium breakout is detailed below.
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| First year | $ | 4,584 | 2,594 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Renewal | 23,277 | 23,613 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total premiums | $ | 27,861 | 26,207 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums. Our total premiums increased by 6% in the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023 due to the 77% increase in first year premiums. First year premiums rose significantly due to sales of our new products and expanded domestic distribution. Renewal premiums decreased slightly in the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the same prior year period. As described above, this decline is due to high surrenders and matured endowments over the last several years.
While our domestic life insurance business drove the significant increase in first year premiums, life insurance premiums are generated largely from our international policyholders living in over 75 different countries across the globe. The following table sets forth our premiums by location for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
International premiums: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colombia | $ | 5,983 | 6,057 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Taiwan | 4,542 | 5,302 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Venezuela | 3,315 | 3,722 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ecuador | 3,044 | 3,246 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Argentina | 2,098 | 2,184 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Non-U.S. | 8,815 | 8,841 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total international premiums | 27,797 | 29,352 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic premiums | 2,322 | 967 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in premium accruals | (2,258) | (4,112) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total premiums | $ | 27,861 | 26,207 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income. Our net investment income increased by 3% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023 due to our higher average portfolio yield. The majority of our investment income is derived from fixed maturity securities; however, long-term investment income continues to increase as our limited partnership asset base grows.
Investment Related Gains (Losses), Net. We recorded investment related gains of $1.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to investment related losses of $0.4 million during the same prior year period, resulting primarily from the change in estimated fair market value of our limited partnership investments.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 42
Claims and Surrenders. The following table sets forth our primary claims and surrender benefits paid within our Life Insurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and surrenders: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Death claim benefits | $ | 1,998 | 748 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrender benefits | 11,437 | 11,628 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Endowment benefits | 1,753 | 2,108 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Matured endowment benefits | 10,615 | 8,620 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| A&H and other policy benefits | 1,561 | 1,335 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total claims and surrenders | $ | 27,364 | 24,439 | ||||||||||||||||||||
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the majority of our claims and surrender benefits in our Life Insurance segment were related to payment of surrender benefits and matured endowment benefits. Many of our endowment policies are reaching their contractual maturity dates and thus matured endowment benefits are increasing. We expect this trend to continue over the next few years. Surrender benefits decreased slightly for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the prior year period. Death claim benefits increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the prior year period as we saw a higher number of reported claims due to the increase in policies issued. Mortality experience is closely monitored by the Company as a key performance indicator and fluctuates from quarter-to-quarter based on reported claims.
Increase (Decrease) in Future Policy Benefit Reserves. The change in future policy benefit reserves decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 as a result of reserves released from surrenders and higher matured endowment benefits, which was partially offset by increases in insurance issued and normal increases in our in force block of business policy benefit reserves.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 43
HOME SERVICE INSURANCE
Detailed results of operations for the Home Service Insurance segment for the periods indicated are as follows:
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums | $ | 10,812 | 12,042 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income | 3,537 | 3,470 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment related gains (losses), net | (91) | 99 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 14,258 | 15,611 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance benefits paid or provided: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Claims and surrenders | 5,749 | 5,860 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserves | 1,644 | 842 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder liability remeasurement (gain) loss | (54) | 64 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholders' dividends | 6 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total insurance benefits paid or provided | 7,345 | 6,773 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions | 3,490 | 4,254 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other general expenses | 3,489 | 4,468 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs | (1,515) | (1,998) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | 680 | 652 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of cost of insurance acquired | 146 | 129 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total benefits and expenses | 13,635 | 14,278 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Income before federal income tax | $ | 623 | 1,333 | ||||||||||||||||||||
In our Home Service Insurance segment, we reported income before federal income tax of $0.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to income of $1.3 million in the prior year period. The lower income is primarily driven by lower premiums as we ceased our property insurance operations, increases in future policy benefit reserves and investment related losses partially offset by a decrease in other general expenses.
Premiums. Total premium revenue declined by 10% in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same prior year period due primarily to the impact of ceasing our property insurance operations as of June 30, 2023. Our first year premiums declined 16% in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same prior year period as we continue to make changes to our agents' compensation structures to improve the quality and the persistency of sales in this segment.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 44
Claims and Surrenders. Payments of claims and surrender benefits, which are the largest portion of our expenses, are summarized as follows:
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Claims and Surrenders: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Death claim benefits | $ | 4,860 | 4,634 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrender benefits | 694 | 688 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Endowment benefits | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Matured endowment benefits | 146 | 145 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property claims | (13) | 342 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| A&H and other policy benefits | 61 | 50 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total claims and surrenders | $ | 5,749 | 5,860 | ||||||||||||||||||||
The majority of claims and surrender benefits in our Home Service Insurance segment are death claim benefits. Death claim benefits increased 5% in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same prior year period. Mortality experience is closely monitored by the Company as a key performance indicator and fluctuates from quarter-to-quarter based on reported claims.
Other General Expenses. General expenses decreased in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to ceasing our property insurance business as discussed above.
OTHER NON-INSURANCE ENTERPRISES
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Loss before federal income tax | $ | (1,498) | (990) | ||||||||||||||||||||
This operating unit represents the administrative support functions for the insurance operations. Its revenues are primarily intercompany and have been eliminated in consolidation under U.S. GAAP, which typically results in a loss. Revenue in this operating unit consists primarily of net investment income and investment related gains or losses, while expenses consist of other general expenses related to corporate functions.
INVESTMENTS
Our investments are an integral part of our business success. Our cash and invested assets at March 31, 2024 were $1.4 billion, of which 87% was invested in fixed maturity securities, all of which are classified as available-for-sale. We closely monitor the duration of our fixed maturity investments, and investment purchases and sales are executed with the objective of having adequate funds available to satisfy our insurance obligations.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 45
The following table sets forth the carrying value of our investments by investment category and cash, cash equivalents and the percentage of each to total cash and invested assets.
| Carrying Value | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except for %) | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and invested assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | $ | 9,570 | 0.7 | % | $ | 9,715 | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate | 789,445 | 55.4 | 787,607 | 55.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
States and political subdivisions (1) | 285,055 | 20.0 | 287,231 | 20.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed (2) | 95,120 | 6.7 | 97,294 | 6.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed | 54,858 | 3.9 | 57,134 | 4.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturity securities | 1,234,048 | 86.7 | 1,238,981 | 86.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 23,242 | 1.6 | 26,997 | 1.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy loans | 75,274 | 5.3 | 75,359 | 5.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 5,419 | 0.4 | 5,282 | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term investments | 85,118 | 6.0 | 82,725 | 5.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total cash, cash equivalents and invested assets | $ | 1,423,101 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,429,344 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
(1) Includes $122.8 million and $124.2 million of securities guaranteed by third parties at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
(2) Includes $94.0 million and $96.1 million of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
The carrying value of the Company’s fixed maturity securities investment portfolio at March 31, 2024 was $1.23 billion compared to $1.24 billion at December 31, 2023. The distribution of the credit ratings of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities by carrying value as of March 31, 2024 did not materially change from December 31, 2023 – the weighted average was “A” at both dates.
Cash and cash equivalents decreased as of March 31, 2024 from December 31, 2023 and fluctuates from period-to-period primarily due to the timing of operating and investing activities.
Other long-term investments increased by $2.4 million as of March 31, 2024 from December 31, 2023 due to additional funding and increases in the fair market value of our limited partnership investments.
Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions
The Company’s fixed maturity securities investment portfolio at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 included $285.1 million and $287.2 million, respectively, of securities that are obligations of states and political subdivisions, including municipalities (collectively referred to as the municipal bond portfolio).
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 46
The Company's municipal bond portfolio includes third-party guarantees. Detailed below is a presentation by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization ("NRSRO") rating of these holdings by funding type as of March 31, 2024.
| General Obligation | Special Revenue | Other | Total | % Based on Amortized Cost | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except for %) | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
State and political subdivision fixed maturity securities including third-party guarantees: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AAA | $ | 13,911 | 13,913 | 6,638 | 6,890 | — | — | 20,549 | 20,803 | 6.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AA | 43,646 | 44,104 | 108,295 | 124,265 | 6,312 | 6,553 | 158,253 | 174,922 | 55.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A | 4,153 | 4,463 | 87,901 | 98,213 | 4,424 | 4,395 | 96,478 | 107,071 | 34.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB | 531 | 560 | 4,824 | 5,325 | 1,377 | 1,450 | 6,732 | 7,335 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BB and other | 2,974 | 3,163 | 69 | 70 | — | — | 3,043 | 3,233 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 65,215 | 66,203 | 207,727 | 234,763 | 12,113 | 12,398 | 285,055 | 313,364 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
State and political subdivision fixed maturity securities excluding third-party guarantees: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AA | $ | 31,926 | 32,136 | 33,583 | 37,612 | 3,840 | 3,820 | 69,349 | 73,568 | 23.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A | 16,722 | 17,074 | 97,287 | 107,898 | 5,895 | 6,128 | 119,904 | 131,100 | 41.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB | 2,901 | 3,176 | 18,601 | 20,328 | — | — | 21,502 | 23,504 | 7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BB and other | 13,666 | 13,817 | 58,256 | 68,925 | 2,378 | 2,450 | 74,300 | 85,192 | 27.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 65,215 | 66,203 | 207,727 | 234,763 | 12,113 | 12,398 | 285,055 | 313,364 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The table below shows the categories in which the Company held investments in special revenue bonds that were greater than 10% of fair value based upon the Company's total municipal bond portfolio at March 31, 2024.
| (In thousands, except for %) | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | % of Total Fair Value | ||||||||||||||
| Education | $ | 47,253 | 53,236 | 16.6 | % | ||||||||||||
| Utilities | 41,576 | 45,401 | 14.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Transportation | 33,955 | 40,715 | 11.9 | ||||||||||||||
The Company's municipal bond portfolio is spread across many states, however, municipal bonds from Texas and California comprise the most significant concentration of the total municipal bond portfolio as of March 31, 2024. The Company holds 22% and 15% of its municipal bond portfolio in Texas and California issuers, respectively, as of March 31, 2024. There were no other states or individual issuer holdings that represented or exceeded 10% of the total municipal bond portfolio as of March 31, 2024.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 47
The table below represents the Company's detailed exposure to municipal bonds in Texas at March 31, 2024.
| General Obligation | Special Revenue | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Texas state and political subdivision fixed maturity securities including third-party guarantees: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AAA | $ | 13,410 | 13,408 | 2,569 | 2,634 | — | — | 15,979 | 16,042 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AA | 16,439 | 16,405 | 13,411 | 15,169 | — | — | 29,850 | 31,574 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A | — | — | 17,053 | 21,896 | — | — | 17,053 | 21,896 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 29,849 | 29,813 | 33,033 | 39,699 | — | — | 62,882 | 69,512 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Texas state and political subdivision fixed maturity securities excluding third-party guarantees: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AA | $ | 24,646 | 24,610 | 4,467 | 4,981 | — | — | 29,113 | 29,591 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A | 4,851 | 4,850 | 16,123 | 18,083 | — | — | 20,974 | 22,933 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB | — | — | 3,216 | 3,415 | — | — | 3,216 | 3,415 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BB and other | 352 | 353 | 9,227 | 13,220 | — | — | 9,579 | 13,573 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 29,849 | 29,813 | 33,033 | 39,699 | — | — | 62,882 | 69,512 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The table below represents the Company's detailed exposure to municipal bonds in California at March 31, 2024.
| General Obligation | Special Revenue | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
California state and political subdivision fixed maturity securities including third-party guarantees: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AA | $ | 2,078 | 2,062 | 29,649 | 35,269 | 2,472 | 2,732 | 34,199 | 40,063 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A | 1,288 | 1,650 | 7,139 | 8,686 | — | — | 8,427 | 10,336 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB | — | — | 570 | 570 | — | — | 570 | 570 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,366 | 3,712 | 37,358 | 44,525 | 2,472 | 2,732 | 43,196 | 50,969 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
California state and political subdivision fixed maturity securities excluding third-party guarantees: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AA | $ | 460 | 445 | 4,513 | 5,260 | — | — | 4,973 | 5,705 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A | 2,906 | 3,267 | 15,322 | 18,718 | 2,472 | 2,732 | 20,700 | 24,717 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB | — | — | 3,240 | 3,505 | — | — | 3,240 | 3,505 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BB and other | — | — | 14,283 | 17,042 | — | — | 14,283 | 17,042 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,366 | 3,712 | 37,358 | 44,525 | 2,472 | 2,732 | 43,196 | 50,969 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IMPAIRMENT CONSIDERATIONS RELATED TO INVESTMENTS IN FIXED MATURITY AND EQUITY SECURITIES
The Company did not record any credit valuation allowances on fixed maturity securities in either of the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023.
Information on both unrealized and realized gains and losses by category is set forth in Part I, Item 1, Note 3. Investments of the notes to our consolidated financial statements herein.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 48
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Below are our primary capital resources (based on carrying value of each) as of the periods indicated.
(In thousands) | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities | $ | 1,234,048 | 1,238,981 | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 23,242 | 26,997 | |||||||||
Liquidity refers to a company's ability to generate or obtain sufficient cash to meet the needs of its operations. Our liquidity is primarily derived from our cash flow from operations, our cash and cash equivalents, and our portfolio of marketable securities. We may also derive liquidity by accessing our Credit Facility (described below) or may raise capital by selling shares in our SIP (as defined below) or by other traditional means. Citizens has no debt as of March 31, 2024.
Cash from Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities is an important liquidity metric because it reflects, during a given period, the amount of cash generated that is available to pay our operating expenses, invest in our business or make strategic acquisitions. In the three months ended March 31, 2024, our operations provided $6.8 million in net cash.
Cash from Investing Activities. We have traditionally also had significant cash flows from both scheduled and unscheduled investment security maturities, redemptions, and prepayments. These cash flows, for the most part, are reinvested in new investments. In the three months ended March 31, 2024, we had net cash outflows from investing activities of $9.5 million as we continue to invest excess funds in this high interest rate environment. The investing activities fluctuate from period to period due to timing of security activities such as calls and maturities and reinvestment of those funds. 87% of our total cash, cash equivalents and investments consist of marketable fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale that could be readily converted to cash for liquidity needs.
PARENT COMPANY LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Citizens is a holding company and has minimal operations of its own. Citizens' assets consist of the capital stock of its subsidiaries, cash and investments. Citizens' liquidity requirements are met primarily from two sources: cash generated from its operating subsidiaries and its invested assets. Citizens ability to obtain cash from its insurance subsidiaries depends primarily upon the availability of statutorily permissible payments, including payments Citizens receives from service agreements with its insurance subsidiaries and dividends from the subsidiaries. The ability to make payments to the holding company is limited by applicable laws of the U.S. states of domicile and by the Puerto Rico Office of Commissioner of Insurance, which all subject insurance operations to significant regulatory restrictions. These laws and regulations require, among other things, that our insurance subsidiaries maintain minimum solvency or premium to surplus ratio requirements, which limit the amount of dividends that can be paid to the holding company. The regulations also require approval of our service agreements with the applicable regulatory authority in order to prevent insurance subsidiaries from moving large amounts of cash to the less regulated holding company.
In addition to the above-mentioned sources of cash, we offer a Stock Investment Plan ("SIP"), whereby investors, policyholders, independent contractors and agents, employees and directors can directly purchase our stock. At our option, purchases of stock under the SIP can be made from newly issued or treasury stock, rather than in the open market, in which case, we can raise capital by selling our shares.
In 2021, we entered into a Credit Facility with Regions Bank. The initial term of the Credit Facility expired on May 5, 2024 and we renewed it on substantially the same terms for an additional three years. See Part I, Item 1, Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies in the notes to our consolidated financial statements, herein, for a description of
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 49
the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility provides additional liquidity to the Company for short-term or longer-term needs. As of March 31, 2024, we have not borrowed any money under the Credit Facility.
INSURANCE COMPANY SUBSIDIARY LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The liquidity requirements of our insurance operations are primarily met by premium revenues, investment income and proceeds from investment maturities, calls or sales. Primary cash needs are for payments of policyholder benefits, investment purchases, policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses. We manage our insurance operations in order to ensure that we have stable and reliable sources of cash flow to meet our obligations. As we have discussed, we recently re-launched our domestic business by developing new products and expanding our distribution channels, which has led to an increase in first year premiums (i.e., new sales) of 42% from 2023 to 2024. When selling new policies, we incur upfront policy acquisition costs, such as agent commission payments. While historically, cash flows from our operations have been sufficient to meet our cash needs, the insurance companies also have the available-for-sale fixed maturity investment portfolio available to create additional cash flows if required. Two of our insurance subsidiaries are members of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Dallas. FHLB membership provides the insurance subsidiaries with access to various low-cost collateralized borrowings and funding agreements. While not the only source of additional liquidity, the FHLB could provide the insurance subsidiaries with an additional source of liquidity, if needed.
We believe that we have adequate capital resources and ability to obtain additional capital if needed to support the short-term and longer-term liquidity requirements of our insurance operations. See Contractual Obligations and Off-balance Sheet Arrangements in our Form 10-K and below for a discussion of known and estimated cash needs. Cash flow projections and cash flow tests under various market interest rate scenarios are performed annually to assist in evaluating liquidity needs and adequacy.
Trends, Demands and Restrictions on our Uses of Cash
Because claims and surrenders are our largest expense, a primary liquidity concern is the risk of either (i) an extraordinary level of early policyholder surrenders, or (ii) higher than expected mortality experience. Our death benefit payments increased in the three months ended March 31, 2024 which is expected as the amount of insurance issued has increased significantly over the past couple of years. Surrender benefits, which have been higher than usual the last several years, slightly decreased in the first three months of 2024. In order to mitigate the risk of early policyholder surrenders, we include provisions in our insurance policies, such as surrender charges, that help limit and discourage early withdrawal, but as many of our policies have reached the age where surrender charges have expired or significantly decreased, we have experienced high levels of surrenders. Additionally, we believe that surrenders have been high due to other reasons, including the loss of one of our biggest distributors in Venezuela in 2018, increasing interest rates, which may encourage policyholders to seek higher rates of returns in different investment products, post-pandemic beliefs that life insurance may not be as important as it was during the pandemic, and inflationary pressures, which may cause policyholders to want the cash values of their policies due to decreased purchasing power elsewhere. To the extent that early surrenders are higher than expected, our liquidity could be negatively impacted due to benefit payments as well as lower renewal premiums. We continue to monitor surrenders and early withdrawals and focus on our retention initiatives.
Our endowment products have contractual maturity dates and provide the policyholder with alternatives once the policy matures - they can choose to take a lump sum payout or leave the money on deposit at interest with the Company. Approximately 18% of the endowments in force, totaling approximately 6% of our in force business as of March 31, 2024, will mature in the next five years. Policyholder election behavior is unknown, but if too many policyholders elect lump sum distributions, the Company could be exposed to liquidity risk in years of high maturities. Meeting these distributions could require the Company to sell its investments at inopportune times to pay policyholder withdrawals. Alternatively, if the policyholders were to leave the money on deposit with the Company at interest, our profitability could be impacted if the product guaranteed rate is higher than the market rate we are earning on our investments. We currently anticipate that our available operating cash flow and capital resources will be adequate to meet our needs for funds, but we are closely monitoring our policyholder behavior patterns.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 50
In our CICA Domestic business, we pay advance commissions on some of our insurance products, meaning we pay an agent their commission immediately upon sale of a policy, rather than "as earned", or when premiums are received by us. Because of this, another liquidity concern is the risk that rapid growth in first year sales of these products could create a significant increase in commission payments, which increases expenses and thus reduces our statutory capital until the commissions are recouped from premiums paid. CICA Domestic sales have increased significantly since the third quarter of 2023 and continue to grow rapidly. To mitigate this risk and strain on capital, we may seek options, such as reinsurance or loans at the holding company level (from the Credit Facility or otherwise) that would allow us to reduce the liquidity risk should CICA Domestic's required commission payments exceed current resources. If we are unable to purchase reinsurance protection in amounts that we consider sufficient or unable to borrow money to contribute capital to CICA Domestic, we could be exposed to cash flow strain.
As discussed above, we are subject to regulatory capital requirements that could affect the Company’s ability to access capital from our insurance operations or cause the Company to have to put additional cash in our wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Our domestic companies are subject to minimum capital requirements set by the NAIC in the form of risk-based capital ("RBC"). RBC considers the type of business written by an insurance company, the quality of its assets, and various other aspects of an insurance company's business to develop a minimum level of capital called "Authorized Control Level Risk-Based Capital". This level of capital is then compared to an adjusted statutory capital that includes capital and surplus as reported under statutory accounting principles, plus certain investment reserves. Should the ratio of adjusted statutory capital to control level RBC fall below 200% for our domestic companies, a series of remedial actions by the affected company would be required. Additionally, we have a Capital Maintenance Agreement between Citizens and CICA Domestic, Citizens' wholly-owned subsidiary domiciled in Colorado, that would require Citizens to contribute capital to CICA Domestic in order to maintain a RBC level above 350%. At March 31, 2024, our domestic insurance subsidiaries were above the required minimum RBC levels and CICA Domestic was above 350%.
For CICA Domestic, commission advances are non-admitted assets, which increases required regulatory capital and reduces the excess capital available. As discussed above, management is investigating various options in order to reduce both regulatory capital and liquidity risk should the capital required to support this pace of growth exceed current resources. Citizens may have to contribute capital to CICA Domestic to maintain the required RBC ratio.
CICA International is a Puerto Rico domiciled company. The Insurance Code of Puerto Rico does not specifically set forth minimum capital and surplus standards, but rather requires that an insurer submit a business plan for approval to the OIC that includes proposed minimum capital and surplus. CICA International is required to maintain a minimum of $750,000 in capital and maintain a premium to surplus ratio of 7 to 1. CICA International began issuing new business as of January 1, 2023 and received the transfer of all of CICA Bermuda's in force insurance business as of August 31, 2023. On that date, Citizens entered into a Keep Well Agreement with CICA International to replace the Keep Well Agreement that had been in place between Citizens and CICA Bermuda. The Keep Well Agreement requires Citizens to contribute up to $10 million in capital to CICA International as necessary to ensure that CICA International maintains at least either (i) 112% of its required ratio of premiums to capital and surplus, or (ii) 200% of the minimum capital and surplus requirement, whichever is higher. The initial term of the Keep Well Agreement is 12 months. Since CICA International's capital exceeds both of the metrics, Citizens is not required to make a capital contribution.
Any capital that Citizens is required to contribute to its insurance subsidiaries could negatively impact the Company's capital resources and liquidity.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 51
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
As of March 31, 2024, we have no additional contractual obligations or off-balance sheet arrangements other than those described in Part I. Item 1, Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies in the notes to our consolidated financial statements herein and in Part II, Item 7, Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements in our Form 10-K. We do not utilize special purpose entities as investment vehicles, nor are there any such entities in which we have an investment that engage in speculative activities of any nature, and we do not use such investments to hedge our investment positions.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
We believe that the accounting policies set forth in Part I, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - "Critical Accounting Policies" and Part IV, Item 15, Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of our consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K continue to describe the significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As a smaller reporting company, we have elected to comply with certain scaled disclosure reporting obligations and therefore are not required to provide the information required by this Item.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of March 31, 2024. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2024 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and such information is accumulated and reported to management, including our principal executive and financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, there were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 52
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Trade Secret Lawsuit
In the first quarter of 2024, a jury trial was held in the “trade secret lawsuit”. The trade secret lawsuit was filed in 2018 by Citizens, CICA Life Ltd. (Bermuda) and CICA Life Insurance Company of America (collectively, the “Citizens Companies,” “we,” "us" or "our") against certain former employees and independent consultants who we alleged unlawfully took Citizens’ confidential information in order to unfairly compete with us. Our claims against these parties included various unfair competition, tortious interference, breach of contract and other related claims.
The jury found that (i) Defendant Carlos Nalsen Landa (“Landa”), a former independent consultant, misappropriated the Citizens’ Companies policyholder information, (ii) Citizens’ former chief underwriter, Michael P. Buchweitz (“Buchweitz”) and Randall Riley (“Riley”), a former Citizens executive and son of Citizens’ founder Harold E. Riley, failed to comply with their Citizens’ confidentiality agreements, and (iii) both Buchweitz and Riley intentionally interfered with former Chief Actuary Jonathan Pollio’s ("Pollio") Citizens’ confidentiality agreement. For Buchweitz, the jury also found that he did not have a good faith belief that he was acting in the bona fide exercise of his own rights when he interfered with Pollio’s Citizens’ confidentiality agreement. Despite these findings, the jury did not believe that the above-mentioned actions damaged the Citizens Companies economically and thus did not assess any monetary damages against any of the above parties. Additionally, the jury found that Citizens should pay Alexis Delgado (“Delgado”, a former independent consultant) and Landa approximately $1.3 million for “money had and received”, an equitable theory that claimed that the Citizens Companies would be unjustly enriched if they didn’t pay past and future commissions to Delgado and Landa, which was accrued at December 31, 2023.
On April 30, 2024, Defendants Riley (through his estate), Buchweitz and Delgado filed a motion against the Citizens Companies seeking approximately $3.9 million in legal fees. We do not believe that their claim has merit because they were found to have breached the contracts whose fee shifting provisions they seek to invoke and we intend to contest this motion, which is set for hearing on May 10, 2024, therefore no amounts have been accrued for this claim. We also do not believe the jury properly found that Delgado or Landa were entitled to any prior or future commissions and intend to contest this verdict.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Form 10-K includes a discussion of our risk factors. There have been no material changes in the three months ended March 31, 2024 from the risk factors included in our Form 10-K.
Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable.
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 53
Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, none
Item 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number | The following exhibits are filed herewith: | |||||||
| 101* | Inline XBRL Document Set for the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q* | |||||||
| 104* | Inline XBRL for the cover page of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, included in the Exhibit 101 Inline XBRL Document Set* | |||||||
* Filed herewith.
† Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 54
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| CITIZENS, INC. | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Gerald W. Shields | ||||||||||
| Gerald W. Shields | |||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Jeffery P. Conklin | ||||||||||
| Jeffery P. Conklin | |||||||||||
| Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer & Treasurer | |||||||||||
| Date: | May 7, 2024 | ||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | 10-Q 55
EXHIBIT 31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Under
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Gerald W. Shields, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens, Inc., certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Citizens, Inc. ("registrant");
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design of operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| By: | /s/ Gerald W. Shields | ||||||||||
| Gerald W. Shields | |||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||
| Date: | May 7, 2024 | ||||||||||
EXHIBIT 31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Under
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Jeffery P. Conklin, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Citizens, Inc. ("registrant");
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design of operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| By: | /s/ Jeffery P. Conklin | ||||||||||
| Jeffery P. Conklin | |||||||||||
| Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, | |||||||||||
| Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer | |||||||||||
| Date: | May 7, 2024 | ||||||||||
EXHIBIT 32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Citizens, Inc. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350
I, Gerald W. Shields, certify that:
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Citizens, Inc. (the "Company") for the period ended March 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Gerald W. Shields, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that:
1.the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2.the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| By: | /s/ Gerald W. Shields | |||||||
| Name: | Gerald W. Shields | |||||||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |||||||
| Date: | May 7, 2024 | |||||||
EXHIBIT 32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Citizens, Inc. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350
I, Jeffery P. Conklin certify that:
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Citizens, Inc. (the "Company") for the period ended March 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Jeffery P. Conklin, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that:
1.the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2.the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| By: | /s/ Jeffery P. Conklin | |||||||
| Name: | Jeffery P. Conklin | |||||||
| Title: | Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, | |||||||
| Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer | ||||||||
| Date: | May 7, 2024 | |||||||