UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-Q
þ
|
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005 |
or
o
|
TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the transition period from to |
Commission file number 0-23637
Global Preferred Holdings, Inc.
DELAWARE (State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
58-2179041 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
6455 EAST JOHNS CROSSING, SUITE 402
DULUTH, GEORGIA 30097
(770) 248-3311
(Address, Including Zip Code and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
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. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
As of May 10, 2005, there were 4,141,685 shares of common stock outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
GLOBAL PREFERRED HOLDINGS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
December 31, | March 31, | |||||||
2004 | 2005 | |||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Fixed maturity securities available for sale (amortized cost
of $19,885,253 and $19,222,116 for 2004 and 2005, respectively) |
$ | 20,071,625 | $ | 19,140,050 | ||||
Other equity investments (cost of $500,000) |
548,819 | 562,239 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
12,463,601 | 14,992,576 | ||||||
Reinsured policy loans |
1,475,516 | 1,592,016 | ||||||
Total invested assets |
34,559,561 | 36,286,881 | ||||||
Investment income due and accrued |
234,220 | 250,544 | ||||||
Accounts receivable |
11,357 | 75 | ||||||
Reinsurance balances receivable |
2,567,121 | 3,033,069 | ||||||
Deferred acquisition costs |
40,167,670 | 39,058,007 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
223,973 | 136,617 | ||||||
Fixed assets (net of accumulated depreciation of
$433,046 and $438,205 for 2004 and 2005, respectively) |
43,095 | 41,564 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 77,806,997 | $ | 78,806,757 | ||||
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||
Future policy benefits |
$ | 19,401,495 | $ | 19,602,234 | ||||
Accrued expenses and accounts payable |
526,316 | 667,910 | ||||||
Current income tax payable |
377,075 | 454,874 | ||||||
Deferred tax liability |
8,236,127 | 8,024,049 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
28,541,013 | 28,749,067 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) |
||||||||
Stockholders equity: |
||||||||
Preferred stock, par value $.001, 2,000,000 shares authorized;
no shares issued |
| | ||||||
Common stock, par value $.001, 15,000,000 shares authorized;
4,149,074 shares issued |
4,149 | 4,149 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
23,326,026 | 23,326,492 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
123,007 | (54,162 | ) | |||||
Retained earnings |
25,862,069 | 26,830,478 | ||||||
Treasury stock, at cost (7,390 shares) |
(49,267 | ) | (49,267 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders equity |
49,265,984 | 50,057,690 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
$ | 77,806,997 | $ | 78,806,757 | ||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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GLOBAL PREFERRED HOLDINGS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2004 | 2005 | |||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||
Premiums |
$ | 4,302,218 | $ | 4,195,143 | ||||
Reinsured policy revenues |
3,198,812 | 2,949,090 | ||||||
Net investment income |
177,741 | 260,020 | ||||||
Net realized gain on investments |
| 35,119 | ||||||
Net unrealized gain on trading investments |
| 13,420 | ||||||
Other income |
6,980 | 2,500 | ||||||
Total revenues |
7,685,751 | 7,455,292 | ||||||
Benefits and expenses: |
||||||||
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses |
1,975,820 | 1,941,309 | ||||||
Change in future policy benefits |
214,469 | 127,441 | ||||||
Reinsurance expense allowances, net |
1,975,295 | 1,881,211 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
1,434,337 | 1,251,847 | ||||||
Operating expenses |
838,522 | 938,564 | ||||||
Interest expense |
93,493 | | ||||||
Total benefits and expenses |
6,531,936 | 6,140,372 | ||||||
Income before income tax |
1,153,815 | 1,314,920 | ||||||
Income tax expense |
(322,264 | ) | (346,511 | ) | ||||
Net income available to common stockholders |
$ | 831,551 | $ | 968,409 | ||||
Basic earnings per share |
$ | 0.20 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
Diluted earnings per share |
$ | 0.20 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding |
4,141,684 | 4,141,684 | ||||||
Total weighted-average common and common
equivalent shares outstanding |
4,141,684 | 4,192,442 | ||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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GLOBAL PREFERRED HOLDINGS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2004 | 2005 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 831,551 | $ | 968,409 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities: |
||||||||
Amortization and depreciation |
1,496,408 | 1,291,045 | ||||||
Net realized gain on investments |
| (35,119 | ) | |||||
Net unrealized gain on trading investments |
| (13,420 | ) | |||||
Deferred tax expense (benefit) |
289,346 | (120,808 | ) | |||||
Capitalization of deferred acquisition costs |
(221,499 | ) | (142,184 | ) | ||||
Change in: |
||||||||
Investment income due and accrued |
(30,684 | ) | (16,324 | ) | ||||
Accounts receivable |
36,333 | 11,282 | ||||||
Reinsurance balances receivable |
507,148 | (465,948 | ) | |||||
Prepaid expenses |
88,585 | 87,356 | ||||||
Current income tax recoverable |
29,668 | | ||||||
Future policy benefits |
(174,173 | ) | 200,739 | |||||
Reinsurance balances payable |
(48,142 | ) | | |||||
Accrued expenses and accounts payable |
143,570 | 141,594 | ||||||
Accrued interest payable |
(94,006 | ) | | |||||
Current income tax payable |
| 77,799 | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
2,854,105 | 1,984,421 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||
Proceeds from principal payments on mortgage-backed
securities available-for-sale |
43,062 | 131,676 | ||||||
Proceeds from maturity of available-for-sale securities |
200,000 | | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturity securities
available-for-sale |
| 532,540 | ||||||
Purchase of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale |
(1,511,000 | ) | | |||||
Purchase of fixed assets |
| (3,628 | ) | |||||
Change in reinsured policy loans |
(60,297 | ) | (116,500 | ) | ||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
(1,328,235 | ) | 544,088 | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||
Expense of stock options |
| 466 | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
| 466 | ||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
1,525,870 | 2,528,975 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
11,580,045 | 12,463,601 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 13,105,915 | $ | 14,992,576 | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
||||||||
Interest paid |
$ | 187,500 | $ | | ||||
Income taxes paid |
$ | 3,250 | $ | 389,520 | ||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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GLOBAL PREFERRED HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2005
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Global Preferred Holdings, Inc. (Global Preferred) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Global Preferreds audited financial statements included in Global Preferreds 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
On December 30, 2004, Global Preferred announced that it had entered into an agreement and plan of reorganization (the Reorganization Agreement) with AEGON N.V. (AEGON) and its wholly owned subsidiary, GPRE Acquisition Corp. (GAC). If the transactions contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement are consummated, Global Preferred will receive approximately $57 million of marketable AEGON common shares in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of Global Preferred Re Limited. As a result, Global Preferreds operations and substantially all operating cash flows, except for investment income and run-off expenses, will cease. The Reorganization Agreement provides that, no more than twelve months after closing of the asset transfer, Global Preferred must dissolve and distribute all remaining AEGON common shares received pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement and any of its other remaining assets to its stockholders, after making adequate provision for its liabilities in accordance with Delaware law. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have not been adjusted to the liquidation basis.
In connection with the Reorganization Agreement, AEGON filed a registration statement on Form F-4 on February 28, 2005, which was amended by an Amendment No. 1 filed on April 5, 2005, that also served as Global Preferreds proxy statement for the special meeting of its stockholders held on May 10, 2005 to consider the Reorganization Agreement. At the special meeting, the proposals to consider the sale of Global Preferred Re and subsequent dissolution and liquidation of Global Preferred were both approved by holders of approximately 69% of Global Preferreds outstanding shares of common stock. The transactions are still subject to various closing conditions, one of which requires that AEGON use its best efforts to complete its purchase of shares to be used as consideration in this transaction no later than seven business days, that are not AEGON blackout days, after May 10, 2005. The Reorganization Agreement specifies that the closing will take place on the third day following the date that all conditions to closing have either been satisfied or waived.
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The following table presents the carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities of Global Preferred Re:
March 31, | ||||
2005 | ||||
Assets |
||||
Fixed maturity securities available for sale (amortized cost
of $16,542,691) |
$ | 16,476,156 | ||
Other equity investments (cost of $500,000) |
562,239 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents |
11,487,407 | |||
Reinsured policy loans |
1,592,016 | |||
Total invested assets |
30,117,818 | |||
Investment income due and accrued |
218,175 | |||
Reinsurance balances receivable |
3,033,069 | |||
Deferred acquisition costs |
39,058,007 | |||
Prepaid expenses |
27,263 | |||
Total assets |
$ | 72,454,332 | ||
Liabilities |
||||
Future policy benefits |
$ | 19,602,234 | ||
Current income tax payable |
455,872 | |||
Deferred tax liability |
8,672,494 | |||
Total liabilities |
$ | 28,730,600 | ||
2. Deferred Taxes
Global Preferred uses the asset and liability method to record deferred income taxes. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using an effective federal income tax rate of 34%. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, specifically excludes recognition of the small life insurance company deduction available under Section 806 of the Internal Revenue Code for qualifying life insurance companies. This special deduction can reduce the effective federal income tax rate from 34% to less than 20% depending upon the amount of taxable income. Consequently, the effective tax rate on Global Preferreds earnings may ultimately prove to be less than the deferred income tax liabilities and related expenses determined under SFAS No. 109 at March 31, 2005.
3. Comprehensive Income
SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general-purpose financial statements. The primary component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss as shown under the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet is the unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities. Total comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was $791,240 compared to $985,464 for the three months ended March 31, 2004.
4. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the total weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The dilutive effect of the 264,846 stock options outstanding on March 31, 2005, which was computed using the treasury stock method, was not significant to Global Preferreds financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005. For further discussion, refer to Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements in Global Preferreds Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2004.
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5. Stock Options
Global Preferreds employee stock incentive plan and directors stock option plan (the stock option plans) are accounted for under the intrinsic value recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. The application of APB No. 25 did not result in significant compensation expense for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2005. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if Global Preferred had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to the stock option plans as of the dates reported.
For purposes of this pro-forma disclosure, the estimated fair value of the options is assumed to be amortized as a stock-based compensation expense over the options vesting periods.
Three Months | Three Months | |||||||
Ended | Ended | |||||||
March 31, | March 31, | |||||||
(In ThousandsExcept Per Share Amounts) | 2004 | 2005 | ||||||
Net income, as reported |
$ | 831.6 | $ | 968.4 | ||||
Less: Total stock-based employee
compensation expense determined under the
fair value method for all awards, net of
tax |
(2.9 | ) | (3.2 | ) | ||||
Pro-forma net income |
$ | 828.7 | $ | 965.2 | ||||
Reported and
pro-forma basic earnings per common share |
$ | 0.20 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
Reported and
pro-forma diluted earnings per common share |
$ | 0.20 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
6. Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2004, FASB issued a revision to SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, Share-Based Payment. Because Global Preferred is a non-public company, as defined in SFAS No. 123, the provisions of this statement are effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2005. Global Preferred is in the process of analyzing the effect of this statement on its financial statements.
7. Segment Reporting
Global Preferred defines reportable segments based on the nature of its reinsurance agreements and the accounting treatment used for the various reinsurance agreements. Based on this definition, two reportable segments have been identified: non-universal life-type agreements and universal life-type agreements (as each is referenced in SFAS No. 97, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses from the Sale of Investments, paragraphs 44 and 45). Global Preferred reinsures certain variable universal life insurance policies on a renewable term basis, which are reported below as Non-Universal Life-Type Agreements and, as such, these revenues are classified as premium revenue. Renewable term reinsurance involves the reinsurance of mortality risk whereby premiums are not directly related to the premium rates on the original plan of insurance. Global Preferreds renewable term agreements are accounted for under SFAS No. 60, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises. Global Preferred reinsures variable annuity contracts and certain other variable universal life insurance policies on a coinsurance and modified coinsurance basis, which are reported below as Universal Life-Type Agreements and, as such, these revenues are classified as reinsured policy revenues. Coinsurance involves the reinsurance of mortality and investment risks on the same basis as that of the underlying policies. The ceding life companies and Global Preferred share in these risks on a pro rata basis. Global Preferreds existing coinsurance and modified coinsurance agreements are accounted for under SFAS No. 97.
8
Items not directly related to the business segments and unallocated corporate items (i.e., other income, interest expense on corporate debt and unallocated operating expenses) are shown separately, consistent with Global Preferreds internal measurement process. Segment assets reported include those assets directly attributable to the reinsurance agreements such as reinsurance balances receivable, deferred acquisition costs, policy loans, prepaid expenses, invested assets and cash. Cash and invested assets are allocated to the agreements based upon statutory reserves, the letters of credit posted in support of the statutory reserves held, statutory receivables and allocated surplus, which is consistent with Global Preferreds current internal measurement process.
Three Months Ended March 31,
2004 | 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non | Non- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Universal | Universal | Universal | Universal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Life-Type | Life-Type | Other | Total | Life-Type | Life-Type | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums |
$ | 4,302 | $ | | $ | | $ | 4,302 | $ | 4,195 | $ | | $ | | $ | 4,195 | ||||||||||||||||
Reinsured policy revenues |
| 3,199 | | 3,199 | | 2,949 | | 2,949 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Benefits, claims and
settlement expenses* |
1,642 | 548 | | 2,190 | 1,765 | 304 | | 2,069 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurance expense
allowances, net |
1,482 | 493 | | 1,975 | 1,443 | 438 | | 1,881 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred
acquisition costs |
31 | 1,403 | | 1,434 | 46 | 1,206 | | 1,252 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Underwriting profit |
1,147 | 755 | | 1,902 | 941 | 1,001 | | 1,942 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
8 | 24 | 146 | 178 | 19 | 32 | 209 | 260 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized gain on
investments |
| | | | | | 35 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gain on
trading investments |
| | | | | | 13 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income |
| | 7 | 7 | | | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other expenses |
38 | 101 | 794 | 933 | 59 | 135 | 744 | 938 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment operating income
(loss) before income tax |
1,117 | 678 | (641 | ) | 1,154 | 901 | 898 | (484 | ) | 1,315 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
312 | 189 | (179 | ) | 322 | 238 | 237 | (128 | ) | 347 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment net income (loss) |
$ | 805 | $ | 489 | $ | (462 | ) | $ | 832 | $ | 663 | $ | 661 | $ | (356 | ) | $ | 968 | ||||||||||||||
Segment assets |
$ | 5,612 | $ | 46,010 | $ | 28,843 | $ | 80,465 | $ | 6,620 | $ | 42,650 | $ | 29,537 | $ | 78,807 | ||||||||||||||||
* | Benefits, claims and settlement expenses include change in future policy benefits. |
During each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2005, the percentage of total premiums and reinsured policy revenues that related to business issued by Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio (Western Reserve) was 92%. The percentages of total underwriting profit that related to business issued by Western Reserve for the three month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2005 were 96% and 95%, respectively.
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8. Investments
As of March 31, 2005, none of Global Preferreds investments were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The following table shows the fair value and unrealized loss summarized by investment category for investments in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2005. None of these investments have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of the 26 investments in an unrealized loss position, the largest unrealized loss by dollar amount and percentage was $19,805 and 4.1%, respectively.
March 31, 2005 | ||||||||
Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | |||||||
U.S. government agency obligations |
$ | 4,677,672 | $ | 75,476 | ||||
Corporate bonds |
6,511,097 | 78,825 | ||||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
822,692 | 3,379 | ||||||
Total |
$ | 12,011,461 | $ | 157,680 | ||||
All of the unrealized losses on investments were caused by increases in market interest rates. The contractual terms of these investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. Because Global Preferred has the ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be at maturity, Global Preferred does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2005.
9. Reclassification
Global Preferred has reclassified the presentation of certain 2004 information to conform to the 2005 presentation.
10. Employment Agreements
Global Preferred has written employment agreements with its executive officers. These agreements govern employee conduct and Global Preferreds obligation to compensate such key employees. The agreements expire on either December 31, 2005 or December 31, 2006 and are renewable by agreement of the parties for additional one-year periods.
11. Commitments and Contingencies
Under its reinsurance agreements, Global Preferred is required to provide security through letters of credit for the benefit of the ceding life companies with which it has agreements. Global Preferred has three letters of credit totaling $5.85 million, which are issued by its custodian, Comerica Bank, for the benefit of the ceding life companies.
Liabilities for future policy benefits under modified coinsurance agreements equal reinsured policy account balances on the underlying life insurance and annuity policies. With regard to the separate account benefits reinsured on a modified coinsurance basis, liabilities are recorded as an offset to related assets as the intentions and rights under the agreements with the ceding life companies meet the appropriate conditions governing rights of setoff. Separate account benefits and related assets reinsured on a modified coinsurance basis total $264.4 million as of March 31, 2005.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) addresses the financial condition of Global Preferred Holdings, Inc. as of March 31, 2005 compared with December 31, 2004, and its results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2004. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this report and with the MD&A and Global Preferreds consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Global Preferreds 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.
Overview
Global Preferred Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in 1995 as a holding company and owns all of the outstanding capital stock of Global Preferred Re Limited, Global Preferred Solutions, Inc., Global Preferred Resources, Inc. and Preferred Advantage Insurance Services, Inc. Global Preferred Re Limited is a Bermuda company registered as a long-term insurer under the Bermuda Insurance Act 1978 that was formed during 1995. Global Preferred Solutions, Global Preferred Resources and Preferred Advantage Insurance Services were formed during 2003. References in this report to Global Preferred, we, us, our and our company refer to Global Preferred Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires or is expressly stated.
Global Preferred, through its subsidiaries, provides profit sharing solutions for independent marketing organizations or IMOs in the life insurance and annuity industry. An IMO is an organization of independent agents that contracts with one or more insurance companies to distribute and market securities and insurance products. These organizations include: insurance agencies, insurance brokers, broker-dealers, banks, savings and loans and any other group or institution that markets life insurance and annuities. Our profit sharing solutions include:
| A reinsurance development program for IMOs utilizing proprietary strategies that permits the members of the IMO to share in the economics of the business reinsured, thus aligning the long-term interests of the life insurance companies with the interests of the marketing organizations; | |||
| Life insurance management and actuarial advisory services to IMOs and life insurers to aid clients in their assessment of the strategic and structural benefits of establishing a profit sharing program through their distributor-insurer relationships, such as producer-owned reinsurance; | |||
| A management support structure to leverage our core competencies and provide economies of scale to IMOs and insurance companies who already have formed, or are considering forming, a producer-owned reinsurance enterprise; and | |||
| A managing general agency structure that facilitates product distribution relationships between IMOs and life insurers. |
Both the IMOs and insurers benefit from mutually rewarding relationships based on aligned interests, a dedication to improving the quality of business written, and a focus on managing insurance and distribution risk for long-term economic rewards. Through these collaborative relationships:
| IMOs can share in the profits of the business they sell, enhance their recruiting and retention programs, increase their role in product development and better assess the quality of business they write; | |||
| Insurance companies can benefit from secure, stable growth in distribution, increased attention to the quality of business written, lower marketing costs due to continuity in distribution and renewed focus on long-term goals; and | |||
| Global Preferred can share in the economic benefits derived from fee income for managing the reinsurance risk and administering the reinsurance structure, and also from our participation in a portion of the reinsurance of the products sold by the IMOs. |
11
Our core business consists of providing reinsurance on business that has resulted from a relationship with the independent agents of an IMO affiliate of AEGON USA, Inc. Although our reinsurance business is directed to us through these independent agent relationships, the life insurance and annuity policies that we currently reinsure are underwritten and issued by various ceding life companies. In the insurance industry, the term ceding refers to the use of reinsurance to transfer from one insurance company to another some or all of the risks associated with one or more insurance policies. We often refer to a life insurance company that reinsures life insurance and annuity policies through us as a ceding life company. The ceding life companies who issue the policies we currently reinsure are:
| Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio, a subsidiary of AEGON USA, Inc. (Western Reserve); | |||
| American Skandia Life Assurance Corporation, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. (American Skandia); | |||
| Pacific Life Insurance Company (Pacific Life); and | |||
| Federal Kemper Life Assurance Company, a subsidiary of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (Kemper). |
Under a reinsurance agreement, like the ones we have entered into with the above insurance companies, the economic consequences of certain insurance risks are transferred from the ceding life company to the reinsurer. Depending upon the type of reinsurance agreement, these risks may include mortality, persistency, investment and expense. Key considerations in evaluating the risks include:
| industry experience; | |||
| the ceding life companys pricing and assumptions; | |||
| the type of product; | |||
| the ceding life companys underwriting practices and procedures; | |||
| the type of distribution system; | |||
| the ceding life companys recent experience; and | |||
| the market for the product. |
The ceding life companies retain responsibility for the payment of all claims, surrender values, commissions, and expenses involved in issuing and maintaining the policies we reinsure. In addition, the ceding life companies administer the reinsurance contracts and, on a monthly and quarterly basis, provide us with information regarding premiums, reserves and benefits and the amounts we owe to the ceding life company for claims and settlement expenses on the policies we reinsure.
Sale of Global Preferred Re
On December 30, 2004, we entered into an agreement and plan of reorganization (the Reorganization Agreement) with AEGON N.V. (AEGON) and GPRE Acquisition Corp. (GAC), a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of AEGON, to transfer to GAC all of the outstanding shares of Global Preferred Re. Pursuant to the terms of the Reorganization Agreement, we will receive AEGON common shares in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of Global Preferred Re. The Reorganization Agreement provides that, no more than twelve months after closing of the asset transfer, we must dissolve and distribute all remaining AEGON common shares received pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement and any of our other remaining assets to our stockholders, after making adequate provision for our liabilities in accordance with Delaware law.
The Reorganization Agreement specifies that the transactions are subject to the approval of our stockholders, customary closing conditions and regulatory reviews, including approval of the transaction by the Bermuda Monetary Authority which has been obtained. The Reorganization Agreement is terminable in certain circumstances, some of which may be subject to payment of a termination fee by the respective terminating party. If these transactions are not completed, Global Preferreds operations will continue as we explore alternatives to offer our stockholders liquidity for their Global Preferred stock.
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While the Reorganization Agreement is in effect, Global Preferred and Global Preferred Re must obtain prior written consent from AEGON and GAC to conduct certain transactions, which may include: (1) paying dividends, (2) issuing or repurchasing our stock, (3) sale of assets or property, (4) entering into or modifying any contracts or reinsurance agreements, (5) altering the mix of invested assets of Global Preferred Re, (6) incurring any indebtedness, or (7) making any loans, capital contributions or investments that would constitute an asset of Global Preferred Re.
Recent Development
In connection with the Reorganization Agreement, AEGON filed a registration statement on Form F-4 on February 28, 2005, which was amended by an Amendment No. 1 filed on April 5, 2005, that also served as our proxy statement for the special meeting of stockholders held on May 10, 2005 to consider the Reorganization Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby including our dissolution following the consummation of the sale of Global Preferred Re. At the special meeting on May 10, 2005, the proposals to consider the sale of Global Preferred Re and subsequent dissolution and liquidation of Global Preferred were both approved by holders of approximately 69% of our outstanding shares of common stock.
Types of Reinsurance
We currently write three types of reinsurance on a quota share basis: renewable term, coinsurance and modified coinsurance.
Renewable Term. Renewable term, also referred to as risk premium reinsurance, which includes monthly renewable term and yearly renewable term, is a plan of reinsurance in which the premium rates are not directly related to the premium rates on the original plan of insurance. Under renewable term reinsurance, the ceding life company reinsures a portion of the mortality risk with us. The amount reinsured in any one period is not based on the face amount of the policy, but rather on the portion of the net amount of risk we reinsure. The net amount of risk is typically defined as the difference between the death benefit and the cash value of a policy. The ceding life company establishes the policy reserves, which are reduced for the mortality risk reinsured with us, and pays all policy benefits, commissions and expenses involved in issuing and maintaining the business. Correspondingly, we establish reserves specific to the mortality risk reinsured.
Under renewable term reinsurance, we may also be subject to the effects of persistency risk. Persistency risk is the risk that a policyholder either stops paying premiums, which would cause the policy to lapse, or chooses to surrender the policy for the cash surrender value. The effect of persistency risk on us is that possible future revenue will be reduced, potentially reducing profits.
Coinsurance. Under a coinsurance arrangement, the insured risks are ceded to us on essentially the same basis as underwritten by the ceding life company. The ceded risks include mortality, persistency, investment and expense. We share the risks pro rata with the ceding life company. We receive a proportionate share of gross premiums from the ceding life company and provide contractual expense allowances to the ceding life company to pay for the expenses associated with the reinsured policies. Expenses include commissions and costs associated with underwriting, marketing, policy issue and maintenance. We also pay our proportionate share of death benefits and other policy benefits to the ceding life company. The reserves on the ceded portion of the policy are held by us and are our obligations. Correspondingly, we invest the assets related to the reserves and receive investment income from those assets.
Modified Coinsurance. Modified coinsurance is similar to coinsurance except the ceding life company does not transfer the reserves or the invested assets related to the reserves. Modified coinsurance is used primarily for products that develop cash values and allows the ceding life company to retain the associated assets for investment purposes.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions regarding uncertainties that affect certain amounts in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related footnotes. Accounts that we deem to be sensitive to changes in estimates include deferred acquisition costs and future policy benefits. In all instances, actual results could differ from estimates. Information included elsewhere herein, including Fair Value Disclosure Investments, and in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2004, as amended, includes a summary of the critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Income Statement Impact
Reinsurance Revenues. For renewable term reinsurance, we record as premiums the amount of reinsurance premiums we receive over the payment periods of the reinsured policies. For policies reinsured on a coinsurance or modified coinsurance basis, we record as reinsured policy revenues our proportionate share of the gross revenues received by the ceding life company over the payment periods of the reinsured policies. These revenues represent the policy mortality and expense charges, asset-based fees and deferred sales charges that have been assessed against the reinsured policy account balances.
Reinsurance Expenses. Regardless of the type of reinsurance, our related expenses may include: (1) benefits, claims and settlement expenses, which represent our share of the payments made under the reinsured policies during the period, the change in claims in course of settlement and the change in claims incurred but not reported; (2) expense allowances paid to the ceding life company for expenses associated with the reinsured policies, including commissions and costs associated with underwriting, marketing, policy issue and maintenance; and (3) amortization of deferred acquisition costs, which are discussed in more detail below.
Net Income. Our profitability, in part, depends on the volume of policies reinsured and experience of the reinsured policies. Factors that affect the experience of the business include reinsured policy persistency, death claims and investment performance of the separate account balances. While death claims are reasonably predictable over a period of years, claims become less predictable over shorter periods, and are subject to fluctuation from quarter to quarter and year to year. Similarly, separate account investment returns, upon which a significant portion of our revenues depend, may have relatively stable returns over a period of years but can be volatile over shorter periods. A considerable amount of separate account balances is invested in equities; therefore, a prolonged deterioration in the equity markets will result in a decrease in our current and future income.
Balance Sheet Impact
Deferred Acquisition Costs. We capitalize and defer costs that vary with and are primarily related to the acquisition of the reinsured policies. These expenses are deferred to the extent that such costs are deemed recoverable from future policy revenues and are recorded as deferred acquisition costs on the balance sheet. Such costs include reinsurance expense allowances paid to ceding life companies, and may include other underwriting costs such as actuarial, legal and accounting fees.
Deferred acquisition costs are amortized over the lives of the underlying policies, in conformity with the terms of the reinsurance agreement. Under the renewable term agreements, deferred acquisition costs are amortized in proportion to the premium revenue related to the mortality risk reinsured. Such premium revenue is estimated using the same assumptions used for computing liabilities for future policy benefits. Such assumptions include estimates of expected investment yields, mortality, persistency and expenses applicable at the time the policies are reinsured. Original assumptions on renewable term business continue to be used in subsequent accounting periods to determine changes in the deferred acquisition costs unless a premium deficiency exists. Under the renewable term agreements, the amortization is in proportion to the ratio of premiums collected during the then current period to total anticipated premiums and is adjusted to reflect actual persistency of the insurance in force.
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Under the coinsurance and modified coinsurance agreements, the amortization of the deferred acquisition costs is in proportion to the ratio of gross profits recognized during the then current period to total actual and future expected gross profits. During each accounting period, assumptions used in calculating the amortization of deferred acquisition costs reflect actual experience for the then current accounting period. We also review, on a periodic basis, our evolving experience concerning our assumptions with regard to mortality, persistency, investment yields and expenses in determining our estimate of anticipated future expected gross profits. This periodic review is commonly referred to as unlocking. Our normal period of observation is from October 1 of the previous calendar year through September 30 of the current calendar year. If we believe variances from expected assumptions are permanent, we will change the assumptions we use with regard to future experience. Upon adoption of any change in assumptions used with regard to future experience, amortization of the deferred acquisition costs will be recalculated and reflected during the then current accounting period.
A material component of variable life and annuity product revenues is derived from the asset-based fees that have been assessed against the policy account balances, of which a considerable portion is invested in the equity markets. The volatility of equity market returns over the short-term can be significant without materially impacting long-term equity market returns. Historical equity market performance shows equity market volatility is much higher over short-term horizons as compared to long-term horizons. The short-term volatility of the policy account balance would result in a proportional adjustment to all future expected gross profits if no other adjustments were made to account for the differences between long-term and short-term volatility. To account for the differences between long-term and short-term volatility, we utilize a credibility approach. Under this approach, the estimates of future expected gross profits are adjusted to recognize the effects short-term volatility and market yields have upon long-term yield expectations. We review our approach annually to determine if additional adjustments to amortization are necessary as a result of prolonged and/or severe negative or positive equity market performance. In such instances, the equity market performance must be sufficiently high or low to justify a belief that the effect of current market conditions on future expected gross profits should be more permanently reflected.
In addition, certain variable annuity policies we reinsure include a death benefit typically equal to the greater of (i) a return of premium or (ii) the highest level the policy account balances had accumulated over certain prescribed periods under the annuity policy. Upon the death of an annuity policyholder, we will incur a claim expense equal to the excess, if any, of the amount guaranteed under this provision over the then current policy account balance. The claim expense, as a percentage of the death benefit, tends to increase when equity markets decline and decrease when equity markets increase. The claim expense depends, in part, on the number and amount of death claims incurred. To account for the expense associated with these guaranteed minimum death benefits, we utilize an explicit method consistent with Statement of Position (SOP) 03-1, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts. Under this method, we may establish a guaranteed minimum death benefit (GMDB) liability if expected future claims expenses are not proportionate to future expected policy charges. Future expected gross profits are then reduced to account for future expected claims expenses and adjusted for anticipated changes in the GMDB liability. The short-term volatility of the policy account balance will result in significant volatility in the expected claims expense and in the GMDB liability balance if no recognition is made to acknowledge differences between long-term yields and short-term volatility. Using a credibility approach, our explicit method recognizes the effect of long-term versus short-term volatility when accounting for guaranteed minimum death benefits.
Future Policy Benefits. Liabilities for future benefits on life insurance and annuity policies are established in an amount we estimate is adequate to meet the estimated future obligations on the policies in effect. Policy reserves are included in future policy benefits on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Liabilities for future policy benefits under the renewable term agreements include provisions for expected future claims. The liability is estimated using assumptions such as estimates of expected investment yields, mortality, persistency and expenses applicable at the time the reinsurance contracts are executed.
Liabilities for future policy benefits under coinsurance and modified coinsurance agreements equal reinsured policy account balances on the underlying life insurance and annuity policies. With regard to the separate account benefits reinsured on a modified coinsurance basis, we record the liabilities as an offset to related assets as our intentions and rights under the agreements with the ceding life companies meet the appropriate conditions governing rights of setoff. The nature of separate account benefits under variable life insurance or variable annuity policies do not
15
permit us to reinsure those benefits on a coinsurance basis. We currently reinsure the fixed account portion of life insurance and annuity policies only on a coinsurance basis and, accordingly, the liabilities for that portion of the reinsurance are recorded as future policy benefits.
Liabilities for future policy benefits under our reinsurance agreements may include provisions for claims that have been incurred but have not yet been paid. A portion of these claims represent claims reported to us that are in the course of settlement. The remainder of this liability represents claims that may have been incurred but not yet reported to us.
Liabilities for future policy benefits reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are based on information provided to us by the ceding life companies. Reserves established by us with respect to individual risks or classes of business may not be the same as those established by ceding life companies due to differing risks and assumptions regarding mortality, persistency, investment and expenses.
Fair Value Disclosure
Investments. We classify all fixed maturity securities and equity securities that are not classified as trading securities as available for sale. Such securities are reported at fair value. Fixed maturity securities available for sale are so classified based upon the possibility that such securities could be sold prior to maturity if that action enables us to execute our investment philosophy and appropriately match investment results to operating and liquidity needs. Equity securities available for sale are so classified because we do not intend to actively trade such securities. Unrealized gains and losses on marketable equity securities and fixed maturity securities available for sale, less applicable deferred income taxes, are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders equity. Investment income is recognized as it accrues or becomes legally due. Other equity investments, classified as trading securities, are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are reported as a separate revenue component on the income statement.
Realized gains or losses on sales of investments are included in income, as are write-downs of securities where declines in value are deemed to be other-than-temporary. In determining whether a decline in market value on our fixed income securities is other-than-temporary, we consider the cause of the impairment, the length of impairment, the amount of impairment as a percentage of the fair value of the security and other relevant information about the issuer or security. Although we utilize an independent investment manager to invest and manage our assets in accordance with our investment guidelines, we have the ability and intent to hold these securities until a forecasted recovery of fair value is at least equal to the amortized cost or until maturity. The cost of investment securities sold is determined based upon the specific identification method.
Other Financial Assets and Liabilities. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, reinsurance receivables and payables, short-term debt, accrued expenses and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these accounts. The carrying value of future policy benefits approximates its fair value as credited interest approximates current market rates.
Reinsurance Relationships
Current Reinsurance Business
We currently provide reinsurance for variable universal life and variable annuity policies issued by four large life insurance companies. Our reinsurance agreements with these ceding life companies provide for our assumption of a portion of defined risks associated with specified products sold by certain independent agents with which we have a relationship. Reinsurance under these agreements is automatic, meaning we are required to accept the business ceded to us so long as the ceding life companies satisfy the terms of the reinsurance agreements.
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The following table indicates, by ceding life company, the types of policies we are currently reinsuring and the type of reinsurance applicable to each.
Type of Reinsurance | ||||||
Ceding Life Company | Renewable Term | Coinsurance | Modified Coinsurance | |||
Western Reserve |
||||||
Variable universal life
|
ü | ü | ü | |||
Variable annuity.
|
ü | ü | ||||
American Skandia |
||||||
Variable annuity.
|
ü | |||||
Pacific Life |
||||||
Variable universal life
|
ü | |||||
Kemper |
||||||
Variable universal life
|
ü |
We have four separate reinsurance agreements with Western Reserve that cover variable universal life insurance and variable annuity policies issued by Western Reserve on or after January 1, 1992, which are sold by the agents of World Financial Group, Inc. and its predecessor. These agreements were entered into on July 1, 1996, January 1, 1998, April 1, 1998, and October 1, 1999, respectively. The agreement with American Skandia began on January 1, 1997 and covers policies on an American Skandia variable annuity product issued between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2002 sold by those same agents. The Kemper agreement was effective September 1, 1996 and covers all policies on a Kemper variable universal life product issued between September 1, 1996 and March 31, 2001 sold by those agents. Our agreement with Pacific Life was effective January 1, 2001 and covers policies on individual variable universal life products issued on or after January 1, 2001, sold by those agents.
Effective January 1, 2005, we ceased reinsurance of the Western Reserve Freedom Premier variable annuity products due to the limited volume of new policies we anticipate to be written for this product. However, we will continue to reinsure all Freedom Premier policies we reinsured as of December 31, 2004.
We believe that the terms of our reinsurance arrangements are favorable for our industry and that we were able to obtain these terms in part because of our relationships with the agents that sell the policies we reinsure. Our right to reinsure new business under our reinsurance agreements generally extends for an initial term of 3 to 5 years, with automatic renewals and one-year notices of termination following the initial term. Termination of our right to reinsure new business does not, however, affect our right to continue to reinsure the policies reinsured at the time of termination. Under our agreements, we have the right to continue to reinsure a policy for as long as it remains in effect or until the ceding life company otherwise recaptures it. A ceding life company may have the right to recapture a reinsured policy only upon certain defaults or after a period of 10 years or longer, depending on the terms of the relevant reinsurance agreement.
First Right Agreement
In July 2001, we entered into a First Right Agreement with Western Reserve that provides us a first right to reinsure certain new products issued by Western Reserve or its U.S. affiliates that are sold by agents associated with World Financial Group. Pursuant to this agreement, we possess the following contractual rights to:
| Commence reinsurance of Freedom Elite Builder variable universal life insurance policies and riders issued from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002 up to 20% on a coinsurance and modified coinsurance basis; | |||
| Commence reinsurance of any single life variable universal life insurance policies and riders issued from January 1, 2003 through March 31, 2006 up to 20% on a coinsurance and modified coinsurance basis. This contractual right is subject to certain premium production requirements; | |||
| Prospectively reinsure all new single life variable universal life insurance policies up to 20% on a monthly renewable term basis at 105% of premium rates otherwise available from certain commercial reinsurers. This right extends through March 31, 2006 and is subject to certain premium production requirements; and |
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| Commence or increase reinsurance on certain variable annuity policies issued from January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2005 up to 40% on a coinsurance and modified coinsurance basis, subject to certain premium production requirements. |
These rights automatically extend for one-year renewal periods unless either party gives notice of termination 180 days prior to the expiration of the applicable initial or renewal term. Certain of these rights would have expired at December 31, 2003 and thereafter, but have been indefinitely extended to a date 90 days following receipt of written notice by either party, which notice may not be given before the earlier of (a) the Effective Time (as defined in the Reorganization Agreement) or (b) the date of termination of the Reorganization Agreement.
For the coinsurance and modified coinsurance of variable universal life and variable annuity products, rights under the First Right Agreement are subject to minimum sales volume thresholds. Western Reserve has indicated to us that total premium production requirements were not met for the reinsurance of variable universal life policies issued in 2003 and 2004 and for variable annuity policies issued in 2004.
Global Preferreds decision to reinsure these products, subject to the restrictions of the Reorganization Agreement, is based on a number of relevant factors, including the attractiveness of the reinsurance rates prescribed by the agreement, the volume of business and our available capital. So far, we have chosen not to commence reinsurance of this business because (a) deferral of the election will maximize our return on such business reinsured, (b) continued increases in our capital may result in opportunities of securing additional financing at a favorable cost, and (c) deferral allows us to maintain flexibility to invest in new business initiatives for diversification and future growth.
Directed Reinsurance Agreement
Global Preferred entered into a Directed Reinsurance Agreement with World Financial Group in July 2001 that extends through June 8, 2008, which requires World Financial Group to use its commercially reasonable best efforts to help us attain the opportunity to reinsure all insurance products sold by its agents for insurance companies with which it has selling agreements other than Western Reserve and Western Reserves affiliates.
Reinsurance of New Business with Other Insurance Companies
We seek to enter into reinsurance agreements with other insurance companies from time to time and such decisions will be based on a number of relevant factors, including the proposed type of reinsurance, the attractiveness of the reinsurance rates prescribed by the agreement, the volume of business, our relationship with the insurance company and/or the IMO, and our available capital capacity. We also seek to enter into agreements with other IMOs similar to our directed reinsurance agreement with World Financial Group. However, while the Reorganization Agreement is in effect, Global Preferred and Global Preferred Re must obtain prior written consent from AEGON or GAC to enter into new reinsurance agreements.
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Our Current Reinsurance Agreements
The life insurance and annuity policies that we have reinsured to date are underwritten and issued by Western Reserve, American Skandia, Kemper and Pacific Life. The following table indicates the percentage of our reinsurance revenues derived from our ceding life companies:
Three Months | ||||||||||||
Year Ended | Year Ended | Ended | ||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | ||||||||||
Western Reserve |
92% | 92% | 92% | |||||||||
American Skandia |
7 | 6 | 6 | |||||||||
Kemper |
1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Pacific Life |
| (1) | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Total |
100% | 100% | 100% | |||||||||
(1) | Less than 1%. |
The following table indicates, by ceding life company: (1) the names and types of insurance products we currently reinsure; (2) the type of reinsurance agreement applicable to each; (3) policy issue dates reinsured under each agreement; and (4) the commencement date of the reinsurance.
Reinsurance | ||||||||||
Policy Issue | Commencement | |||||||||
Ceding Life Company | Reinsured Product Name | Product Type (1) | Reinsurance Type (2) | Dates | Date | |||||
Western Reserve Western Reserve Western Reserve Western Reserve Western Reserve Western Reserve Western Reserve Kemper Pacific Life American Skandia Western Reserve Western Reserve |
Freedom Equity Protector Financial Freedom Builder Financial Freedom Builder Financial Freedom Builder Financial Freedom Builder Financial Freedom Builder Freedom Elite Builder Power VUL Select Exec II Imperium Freedom Wealth Creator Freedom Premier |
VUL VUL VUL VUL VUL VUL VUL VUL VUL VA VA VA |
MRT MRT Co/Modco MRT Co/Modco MRT Co/Modco MRT YRT Modco Co/Modco Co/Modco |
1/92 to12/99 7/97 to 3/98 4/98 to 12/98 1/99 to 3/01 4/01 to 12/01 1/02 to 12/02 7/01 to 12/01 9/96 to 3/01 1/01 to present 1/97 to 12/02 1/98 to 12/01 10/00 to 12/04 |
7/96 7/97 4/98 10/99 1/02 10/99 1/02 9/96 1/01 1/97 1/98 10/00 |
(1) | VUL means variable universal life product. VA means variable annuity product. | |
(2) | MRT means monthly renewable term. YRT means yearly renewable term. Co/Modco means coinsurance and modified coinsurance. |
Under our reinsurance agreements with the ceding life companies, we currently reinsure variable life insurance and variable annuity policies on either a renewable term basis or a coinsurance and modified coinsurance basis. The policies we reinsure on a renewable term basis represented 59% of our reinsurance revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. The policies we reinsure on a coinsurance and modified coinsurance basis represented 41% of our reinsurance revenues for the same period. Of the 41%, 57% relates to variable life insurance policies and 43% relates to variable annuity policies.
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Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2004
The following table sets forth certain operating data as a percentage of total revenue for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2004 | 2005 | |||||||
(As a percentage of total revenue) | ||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Income Data: |
||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||
Premiums |
56% | 56% | ||||||
Reinsured policy revenues |
42 | 40 | ||||||
Net investment income |
2 | 3 | ||||||
Net realized gain on investments |
| 1 | ||||||
Net unrealized gain on trading investments |
| | ||||||
Other income |
| | ||||||
Total revenues |
100% | 100% | ||||||
Benefits and expenses: |
||||||||
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses |
26 | 26 | ||||||
Change in future policy benefits |
3 | 2 | ||||||
Reinsurance expense allowances, net |
26 | 25 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
18 | 17 | ||||||
Operating expenses |
11 | 12 | ||||||
Interest expense |
1 | | ||||||
Total benefits and expenses |
85 | 82 | ||||||
Income before income tax |
15 | 18 | ||||||
Income tax expense |
(4) | (5) | ||||||
Net income |
11% | 13% | ||||||
Revenues
Premiums. Premiums decreased $107,000, or 2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. The majority of the premium decrease was due to the decreasing business in force under our renewable term agreements, which is partially offset by an increase in the average premium per policy. Policies in force are decreasing because the number of policy surrenders and lapses currently exceeds the number of new policies reinsured. Average premiums per policy increase as policyholders age.
Reinsured Policy Revenues. Reinsured policy revenues decreased $250,000, or 8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in asset-based fees which resulted from a decrease in reinsured policy account balances during 2005. Policy account balances decreased primarily because of policy surrender activity which was partially offset by premiums and deposits.
Net Investment Income. Net investment income increased $82,000, or 46%, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004, primarily due to the increased average size of our fixed maturity and equity securities portfolio during the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the same period in 2004. The increase in our fixed maturity and equity securities portfolio resulted from the purchase of $6.8 million of fixed maturity securities during 2004. No additional securities were purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2005.
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The purchases and sales activities by quarter are shown in the table below:
Quarter Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mar. 31, | June 30, | Sept. 30, | Dec. 31, | Mar. 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2004 | 2005 | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity and equity
securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of quarter |
$ | 17,767,668 | $ | 19,231,373 | $ | 20,311,334 | $ | 21,037,149 | $ | 20,620,444 | ||||||||||
Purchases |
1,511,000 | 3,743,030 | 1,000,000 | 500,000 | | |||||||||||||||
Sales |
| (2,009,731 | ) | (529,185 | ) | (500,000 | ) | (532,540 | ) | |||||||||||
Other activity |
(47,295 | ) | (653,338 | ) | 255,000 | (416,705 | ) | (385,615 | ) | |||||||||||
Balance, end of quarter |
$ | 19,231,373 | $ | 20,311,334 | $ | 21,037,149 | $ | 20,620,444 | $ | 19,702,289 | ||||||||||
Net Realized Gain on Investments. The sale of $533,000 of fixed maturity securities available for sale for the three months ended March 31, 2005 resulted in a net realized gain on investments of $35,000. There were no sales of fixed maturity or equity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2004, thus no gains or losses were realized.
Net Unrealized Gain on Trading Investments. For the three months ended March 31, 2005, there was $562,000 of other equity investments classified as trading securities which represented an unrealized gain on investments of $13,000. There were no other equity investments classified as trading securities for the three months ended March 31, 2004, thus no unrealized gains or losses were recognized in income.
Benefits and Expenses
Benefits, Claims and Settlement Expenses. Benefits, claims and settlement expenses decreased $35,000, or 2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. The decrease was primarily associated with the declining aggregate face value of insurance reinsured, partially offset by the increasing age of the policies reinsured. The aggregate face value of insurance underlying the policies we reinsured at March 31, 2005 was $6.9 billion compared to $7.5 billion at March 31, 2004.
Change in Future Policy Benefits. Change in future policy benefits decreased $87,000, or 41%, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. The decrease resulted from the aging of the policies and the decrease in business in force reinsured on a renewable term basis.
Reinsurance Expense Allowances, Net. Net reinsurance expense allowances decreased $94,000, or 5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in business in force due to policy lapse and surrender activity.
Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs decreased $182,000, or 13%, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. The decrease in amortization primarily resulted from lower policy lapse and surrender activity and lower gross profits associated with the coinsurance and modified coinsurance business for the three months ended March 31, 2005. Gross profits decreased due to lower policy revenues, which were partially offset by lower death claims and lower reinsurance expense allowances.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses increased $100,000, or 12%, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. These expenses include salaries and benefits, professional fees for legal, actuarial and accounting fees and other operating expenses. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in accounting and legal fees relating to the Reorganization Agreement.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $93,000, or 100%, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. The decrease was due to the repayment on July 29, 2004 of the $5 million promissory note, plus outstanding interest due to Money Services, Inc., a subsidiary of AEGON USA, Inc.
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Income Taxes. Due to higher levels of income before income taxes, income taxes increased $24,000, or 8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to the same period in 2004. The small life insurance company deduction available under Section 806 of the Internal Revenue Code for qualifying life insurance companies can reduce the effective federal income tax rate from 34% to less than 20% depending upon the amount of current taxable income. Based upon the amount of taxable income we expect in 2005, we have estimated our effective tax rate to be 26% for 2005, as compared to 28% for 2004. The tax rate for the first quarter of 2005 reflects a $310,000 benefit from the small life insurance company deduction, as compared to $234,000 for the same period in 2004.
In accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, we have $1.4 million of net operating loss carry-forwards, which begin to expire in 2018. These net operating loss carry-forwards at a 34% effective tax rate are included as an offset to the deferred tax liability. If the transactions contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement are not consummated, it is our belief that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized by us as an offset against future taxable income, however, if we do not have sufficient taxable income in the future to utilize this asset, a write-off may result, thereby reducing our net income, otherwise, these assets will be transferred in the sale of Global Preferred Re.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
To grow our life and annuity business, we use cash to pay for the initial marketing and underwriting expenses of the policies we reinsure. These same policies thereafter provide cash to us from premiums, policy charges and policy fees over their lifetime. We also use cash to pay for policy claims, policy benefits and operating expenses which include: salaries and benefits, and professional fees for management, legal, investment, custodial, accounting, tax and consulting services. In addition to operating cash flows, cash is provided by and used in investing and financing activities we undertake to increase our capital position and through activities associated with our invested assets.
Our primary sources of liquidity were $19.1 million in fixed maturity securities available for sale, $15.0 million in consolidated cash and cash equivalents, and $562,000 of equity securities at March 31, 2005. The effective duration of our fixed maturity portfolio is 3.2 years with 100% of the fixed maturity securities having an effective maturity of less than 10 years. Our fixed maturity portfolio represents 55% of our total invested assets, and has an average Moodys quality rating of Aa2. We have gross unrealized losses of $158,000 and gross unrealized gains of $76,000 on our fixed maturity securities available for sale as of March 31, 2005. We have determined that none of our fixed maturity securities are other-than-temporarily impaired. Our capital structure consists only of equity.
Operating Cash Flows. Under the renewable term reinsurance agreements, premiums typically vary in proportion with the expected mortality claims reinsured. Our cash inflows under the renewable term agreements are premiums for the mortality risk reinsured. Our cash outflows are reinsurance expense allowances and death benefit claims. The reinsurance expense allowances represent our share of acquisition and maintenance expenses incurred by the ceding life company that are attributable to the risks reinsured by us.
Under the coinsurance and modified coinsurance agreements, since we are reinsuring risks on essentially the same basis as that of the original policy, reinsurance premiums are materially greater than premiums received on the renewable term reinsurance. During the first year in which a policy is reinsured on a coinsurance basis, we are required to reimburse the ceding life company for our share of acquisition costs, including first year commissions and issuance expenses. Thereafter, we reimburse the ceding life company for our share of renewal commissions and maintenance expenses. Further, under modified coinsurance, the ceding life company does not transfer the reserves or the invested assets related to reserves in support of reinsured policy benefits (e.g., cash values). Accordingly, because of the type of reinsurance and the basis reinsured, the net first year cash outlays could be as much as, or more than, that years premiums paid for variable universal life insurance, and as much as 10% of variable annuity premiums. After the first policy year, our cash outlays for reinsurance expense allowances are significantly lower.
Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $2.9 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively. Cash flows provided by operating activities in 2005 related primarily to policies previously in force because we utilized less cash to acquire new reinsurance business than was provided by in force business. The decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities was primarily the result of income tax payments made, higher operating expenses and lower reinsurance settlements received for the three months ended March 31, 2005, as compared to the same period in 2004.
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Investment Cash Flows. We generally receive premiums in advance of paying related benefits and claims. In addition, some policies we reinsure require that we credit interest on funds that are deposited with us. We invest these assets in securities that will provide a return and cash flow stream that are consistent with these benefits. Investment cash flows are the result of buying, selling and holding these securities in addition to activities relating to buying and selling fixed assets.
Net cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities were ($1.3 million) and $554,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively. The cash flows provided by investing activities in 2005 primarily related to the sale and principal payments from $664,000 of available-for-sale securities. The cash flows used in investing activities in 2004 were the result of the purchase of $1.5 million of fixed maturity and equity securities. We have incurred no significant capital expenditures during 2005.
Financing Cash Flows. Financing cash flows relate primarily to activities associated with our capital position. Net cash flows provided by financing activities were zero during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and $500 during 2005.
Restrictions. Global Preferred Holdings, Inc. is a holding company with no direct operations, and whose principal assets are the capital stock of Global Preferred Re and $6.2 million of cash and invested assets, as of March 31, 2005. Global Preferred relies primarily on funds retained at the holding company level, management service fees from its subsidiaries and potential dividends from Global Preferred Re to meet ongoing cash requirements. The ability of Global Preferred Re to pay dividends to Global Preferred is subject to, among other things, regulatory restrictions under the insurance laws of Bermuda. In addition, the Reorganization Agreement specifies that while the agreement is effective Global Preferred Re may not pay Global Preferred cumulative dividends in excess of $6,384 per day and cumulative management fees in excess of $8,000 per day. As of March 31, 2005, Global Preferred Re had total statutory capital and surplus of $28.4 million, which included up to $13.1 million available for distribution as dividends without seeking regulatory approval. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, Global Preferred Re paid $581,000 of dividends to Global Preferred.
Under our reinsurance agreements, we are required to provide security through a letter of credit for the benefit of the ceding life companies. We have three letters of credit issued by Comerica Bank, our custodian, for the benefit of Western Reserve, Pacific Life and Kemper, in the amounts of $5.5 million, $50,000 and $300,000, respectively. We assess our letter of credit needs in support of each reinsurance agreement. If determined to be necessary, we will undertake to develop facilities for future letters of credit and trust arrangements in support of additional reinsurance agreements.
If the transactions contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement are consummated, we will receive approximately $57 million of marketable AEGON common shares in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of Global Preferred Re. As a result, our operations and substantially all operating cash flows, except for investment income and run-off expenses, will cease. The Reorganization Agreement provides that, no more than twelve months after closing of the asset transfer, we must dissolve and distribute all remaining AEGON common shares received pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement and any of our other remaining assets to our stockholders, after making adequate provision for our liabilities in accordance with Delaware law.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table shows our contractual obligations and commitments, including our payments due by period payable after March 31, 2005. Further information is included elsewhere herein and in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2004.
(in 000s) | Total | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||
Office lease |
$ | 477.2 | $ | 68.4 | $ | 127.6 | $ | 136.0 | $ | 140.1 | $ | 5.1 | ||||||||||||
Operating leases |
27.7 | 27.7 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 504.9 | $ | 96.1 | $ | 127.6 | $ | 136.0 | $ | 140.1 | $ | 5.1 | ||||||||||||
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Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to the safe-harbor provisions of that Act. Additionally, any written or oral statements made by us or on our behalf may include forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These statements may include, but are not limited to statements relating to reinsurance revenues, gross profits, cash flows, and net income in future periods. Such statements often include the words believes, expects, assumes, predicts, continue, potential, should, could, can, may, will, proposes, anticipates, intends, plans, estimates, projects, and variations or negations of such expressions or similar expressions. When we make forward-looking statements, we are basing them on our managements beliefs and assumptions, using information currently available to us. Because such forward-looking statements involve risks, both known and unknown, and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to:
| The transactions contemplated in the Reorganization Agreement are not consummated; | |||
| A decrease in the level of demand for our reinsurance business, or increased competition in the industry; | |||
| Extent to which we are able to develop new reinsurance programs; | |||
| Adverse reinsurance experience, including death claims and surrenders; | |||
| Estimates of reserves; | |||
| Assumptions used in accounting for deferred acquisition costs; | |||
| Negotiation of reinsurance agreements; | |||
| Our cash requirements; | |||
| Our ability to compete successfully; | |||
| The passage of federal or state legislation subjecting our business to additional supervision or regulation, including additional tax regulation, in the United States or other jurisdictions in which we operate; and | |||
| Changes in economic conditions, including interest rate and equity market conditions, which could affect our investment portfolio and reinsured policy revenues. |
These forward-looking statements are subject to change and uncertainty that are beyond our control and have been made based upon our expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on our business. We cannot assure you that future developments will be in accordance with our expectations or that the effect of future developments will be those we anticipate. Actual results could differ materially from those we expect, depending upon the outcome of certain factors, including those described in the forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. We have described some important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations in Factors That May Affect Future Results of Operations included as Exhibit 99.1 in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended. You should carefully review these risks and additional risks described in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on the Form 10-Q. Except as otherwise required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We seek to earn a favorable risk-adjusted total return on our assets by engaging in an investment strategy that employs strategies to manage investment risk. We attempt to maintain adequate liquidity in our fixed income portfolio to fund operations and protect against unexpected events. We have diversified our portfolio to reduce volatility. We seek to manage our credit risk through industry and issuer diversification, and interest rate risk by monitoring the duration and structure of our investment portfolio relative to the duration and structure of our liability portfolio. We are exposed to potential loss from various market risks, primarily changes in interest rates and equity prices. Accordingly, earnings would be affected by these changes. We manage our market risk based on investment policies approved by our board of directors.
We do not directly manage the allocation of our assets to strategies or underlying funds, nor do we control the manner in which they are invested by underlying fund managers. We utilize an independent investment manager to invest our assets in accordance with our investment guidelines. Conning Asset Management Inc., a subsidiary of Swiss Reinsurance Company, has been our investment manager since June 1998. Conning has discretionary authority to manage our non-cash investment portfolio. As a result, the performance of our aggregate investment portfolio depends largely on the ability of Conning to select and manage appropriate investments. However, we consistently and systematically monitor the strategies and funds in which we are invested, and we believe our overall risk is limited as a result of our selected strategy.
Our cash and fixed income portfolio includes investments that are subject to changes in market values with changes in interest rates. The impact on our cash and fixed income investment portfolio from an immediate 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would have resulted in an estimated decrease in fair value of 1.31%, or approximately $458,000 on a portfolio valued at approximately $34.8 million at March 31, 2005. The impact on our cash and fixed income investment portfolio from an immediate 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would have resulted in an estimated increase in fair value of 0.95%, or approximately $330,000. The foregoing reflects the use of an immediate time horizon. Credit spreads are assumed to remain constant in these hypothetical examples.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As of the most recent fiscal quarter end, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined by Rule 13a-14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. Based on and as of the date of such evaluation, the aforementioned officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in all material aspects, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.
There were no significant changes in our internal controls or other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date our chief executive officer and chief financial officer carried out their evaluation. There were no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses identified in the evaluation and, therefore, no corrective actions were taken.
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PART II OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are currently not a party to any material legal proceedings.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
There were no changes in securities during the three months ended March 31, 2005.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
There have been no defaults in the payment of principal or interest of any indebtedness of the issuer.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
During the first quarter of 2005, no matters were submitted to our security holders for a vote.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
31.1 | Certification by Edward F. McKernan, Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||
31.2 | Certification by Bradley E. Barks, Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||
32.1 | Certification by Edward F. McKernan, Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||
32.2 | Certification by Bradley E. Barks, Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Duluth, State of Georgia on the 16th day of May, 2005.
GLOBAL PREFERRED HOLDINGS, INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ EDWARD F. MCKERNAN | |||
Edward F. McKernan | ||||
Chief Executive Officer and President and Director | ||||
By: | /s/ BRADLEY E. BARKS | |||
Bradley E. Barks | ||||
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President Finance |
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