SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One) | ||
/X/ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
OR | ||
/ / | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002
Commission File No. 33-5014
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Incorporated in New York |
06-0992729 IRS Employer Identification No. |
733 Third Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10017
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (800) 272-3007
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 [X] No [ ]
THE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING OF THE REGISTRANTS COMMON STOCK ON NOVEMBER 12, 2002 WAS AS FOLLOWS:
Common Stock (par value $10,000.00 per share) | 300 shares outstanding |
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
INDEX
Page | |||||
Number(s) | |||||
Part I Financial Information | |||||
Balance Sheet (Unaudited) - September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001 | 3 | ||||
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)- Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 | 4 | ||||
Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 | 5-6 | ||||
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) | 7 | ||||
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 8-23 | ||||
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 24 | ||||
Controls & Procedures | 24 | ||||
Part II Other Information | 25-30 |
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited)
September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||
2002 | 2001 | ||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||
ASSETS |
|||||||||
Investments and cash: |
|||||||||
Cash and short-term investments |
$ | 146,381 | $ | 28,982 | |||||
Bonds, notes and redeemable preferred
stocks available for sale, at fair
value (amortized cost: September 30, 2002,
$1,179,875; December 31, 2001, $1,122,577) |
1,218,539 | 1,128,203 | |||||||
Common stocks available for sale, at fair
value (cost: September 30, 2002, $1,648;
December 31, 2001, $871) |
1,228 | 544 | |||||||
Mortgage loans |
180,327 | 172,626 | |||||||
Policy loans |
36,720 | 37,343 | |||||||
Total investments and cash |
1,583,195 | 1,367,698 | |||||||
Variable annuity assets held in separate accounts |
412,032 | 514,203 | |||||||
Accrued investment income |
9,538 | 12,312 | |||||||
Deferred acquisition costs |
100,396 | 100,182 | |||||||
Income taxes currently receivable from Parent |
4,368 | | |||||||
Deferred income taxes |
| 1,947 | |||||||
Receivable from brokers |
887 | | |||||||
Other assets |
779 | 2,261 | |||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 2,111,195 | $ | 1,998,603 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
|||||||||
Reserves, payables and accrued liabilities: |
|||||||||
Reserves for fixed annuity contracts |
$ | 1,166,479 | $ | 1,024,830 | |||||
Reserves for universal life insurance contracts |
241,084 | 248,161 | |||||||
Income taxes currently payable to Parent |
| 3,719 | |||||||
Payable to brokers |
7,848 | | |||||||
Other liabilities |
51,524 | 14,111 | |||||||
Total reserves, payables and accrued liabilities |
1,466,935 | 1,290,821 | |||||||
Variable annuity liabilities related to
separate accounts |
412,032 | 514,203 | |||||||
Deferred income taxes |
16,796 | | |||||||
Shareholders equity: |
|||||||||
Common stock |
3,000 | 3,000 | |||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
144,428 | 144,428 | |||||||
Retained earnings |
51,206 | 44,982 | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
16,798 | 1,169 | |||||||
Total shareholders equity |
215,432 | 193,579 | |||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
$ | 2,111,195 | $ | 1,998,603 | |||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
3
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001
(Unaudited)
Three Months | Nine months | ||||||||||||||||
2002 | 2001 | 2002 | 2001 | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
Investment income |
$ | 22,753 | $ | 24,165 | $ | 69,981 | $ | 78,051 | |||||||||
Interest expense on: |
|||||||||||||||||
Fixed annuity contracts |
(11,591 | ) | (12,518 | ) | (34,048 | ) | (39,507 | ) | |||||||||
Universal life insurance contracts |
(2,884 | ) | (2,991 | ) | (8,644 | ) | (8,849 | ) | |||||||||
Total interest expense |
(14,475 | ) | (15,509 | ) | (42,692 | ) | (48,356 | ) | |||||||||
NET INVESTMENT INCOME |
8,278 | 8,656 | 27,289 | 29,695 | |||||||||||||
NET REALIZED INVESTMENT LOSSES |
(1,943 | ) | (2,379 | ) | (6,164 | ) | (15,872 | ) | |||||||||
Fee income: |
|||||||||||||||||
Variable annuity fees |
1,722 | 1,971 | 5,604 | 6,118 | |||||||||||||
Universal life insurance fees, net |
1,433 | 982 | 2,140 | 2,345 | |||||||||||||
Surrender charges |
540 | 446 | 1,288 | 1,657 | |||||||||||||
TOTAL FEE INCOME |
3,695 | 3,399 | 9,032 | 10,120 | |||||||||||||
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES |
(1,265 | ) | (957 | ) | (5,106 | ) | (3,608 | ) | |||||||||
AMORTIZATION OF DEFERRED
ACQUISITION COSTS |
(4,218 | ) | (3,174 | ) | (12,807 | ) | (10,722 | ) | |||||||||
ANNUAL COMMISSIONS |
(188 | ) | (150 | ) | (596 | ) | (559 | ) | |||||||||
GUARANTEED MINIMUM DEATH BENEFITS |
(404 | ) | (110 | ) | (1,142 | ) | (184 | ) | |||||||||
PRETAX INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT
OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE |
3,955 | 5,285 | 10,506 | 8,870 | |||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
(1,642 | ) | (2,186 | ) | (4,282 | ) | (3,711 | ) | |||||||||
INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF
ACCOUNTING CHANGE |
2,313 | 3,099 | 6,224 | 5,159 | |||||||||||||
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE,
NET OF TAX |
| | | (520 | ) | ||||||||||||
NET INCOME |
2,313 | 3,099 | 6,224 | 4,639 | |||||||||||||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX: |
|||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains on debt and
equity securities available for sale
identified in the current period (net of
income tax expense of $7,208 and $3,066 for
the three months ended September 30, 2002
and 2001, respectively, and income tax
expense of $7,655 and $4,134 for the nine
months of 2002 and 2001, respectively) |
13,386 | 5,694 | 14,218 | 7,677 | |||||||||||||
Less reclassification adjustment for net
realized losses included in net income
(net of income tax benefit of $238 and $338
for the three months ended 2002 and 2001,
respectively, and $760 and $2,680 for the
nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively |
441 | 627 | 1,411 | 4,977 | |||||||||||||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
13,827 | 6,321 | 15,629 | 12,654 | |||||||||||||
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
$ | 16,140 | $ | 9,420 | $ | 21,853 | $ | 17,293 | |||||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
4
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001
(Unaudited)
2002 | 2001 | ||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 6,224 | $ | 4,639 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities: |
|||||||||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change,
net of tax |
| 520 | |||||||||
Interest credited to: |
|||||||||||
Fixed annuity contracts |
34,048 | 39,507 | |||||||||
Universal life insurance contracts |
8,644 | 8,849 | |||||||||
Net realized investment losses |
6,164 | 15,872 | |||||||||
Accretion of net discounts on investments |
(1,191 | ) | (2,465 | ) | |||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
12,807 | 10,722 | |||||||||
Acquisition costs deferred |
(21,921 | ) | (7,279 | ) | |||||||
Provision for deferred income taxes |
10,327 | 3,919 | |||||||||
Change in: |
|||||||||||
Accrued investment income |
2,774 | 2,687 | |||||||||
Income taxes currently payable to Parent |
(8,087 | ) | 5,651 | ||||||||
Other liabilities |
24,421 | (1,173 | ) | ||||||||
Other, net |
1,986 | 1,234 | |||||||||
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
76,196 | 82,683 | |||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
|||||||||||
Purchases of: |
|||||||||||
Bonds, notes and redeemable preferred stocks |
(295,184 | ) | (164,847 | ) | |||||||
Mortgage loans |
(30,839 | ) | (29,890 | ) | |||||||
Common Stocks |
(777 | ) | | ||||||||
Other investments, excluding short-term investments |
(270 | ) | (139 | ) | |||||||
Sales of: |
|||||||||||
Bonds, notes and redeemable preferred stocks |
153,273 | 164,407 | |||||||||
Other investments, excluding short-term investments |
| 14 | |||||||||
Redemptions and maturities of: |
|||||||||||
Bonds, notes and redeemable preferred stocks |
86,304 | 94,175 | |||||||||
Mortgage loans |
23,436 | 19,785 | |||||||||
Other investments, excluding short-term investments |
894 | 2,401 | |||||||||
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
$ | (63,163 | ) | $ | 85,906 | ||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
5
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001
(Unaudited)
2002 | 2001 | ||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|||||||||
Deposits received on: |
|||||||||
Fixed annuity contracts |
$ | 211,091 | $ | 46,154 | |||||
Universal life insurance contracts |
7,489 | 8,211 | |||||||
Net exchanges to (from) the fixed accounts
of variable annuity contracts |
24,996 | (23,494 | ) | ||||||
Withdrawal payments on: |
|||||||||
Fixed annuity contracts |
(105,458 | ) | (157,634 | ) | |||||
Universal life insurance contracts |
(7,479 | ) | (18,831 | ) | |||||
Claims and annuity payments on: |
|||||||||
Fixed annuity contracts |
(23,936 | ) | (22,435 | ) | |||||
Universal life insurance contracts |
(15,328 | ) | (12,697 | ) | |||||
Net receipts from (repayments of) other
short term financings |
12,991 | (1,971 | ) | ||||||
Dividend paid to Parent |
| (12,900 | ) | ||||||
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
104,366 | (195,597 | ) | ||||||
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS |
117,399 | (27,008 | ) | ||||||
CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AT
BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
28,982 | 40,704 | |||||||
CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AT
END OF PERIOD |
$ | 146,381 | $ | 13,696 | |||||
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: |
|||||||||
Net income taxes paid to (received from)
Parent |
$ | 2,042 | $ | (5,858 | ) | ||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
6
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. | BASIS OF PRESENTATION | |
First SunAmerica Life Insurance Company (the Company) is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of SunAmerica Life Insurance Company (the Parent), which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (AIG), a holding company which through its subsidiaries is engaged in a broad range of insurance and insurance-related activities, financial services, retirement services and asset management. The Company is a New York-domiciled life insurance company engaged primarily in the sale and administration of deposit type insurance contracts, including fixed and variable annuities and universal life contracts in the State of New York. | ||
In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments necessary, consisting of normal recurring items, to present fairly the Companys financial position as of September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001, the results of its operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 and its cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001. The results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2002 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2001, contained in the Companys 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain prior period items have been reclassified to conform to the current periods presentation. | ||
2. | CONTINGENT LIABILITIES | |
Various lawsuits against the Company have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Contingent liabilities arising from litigation, income taxes and other matters are not considered material in relation to the financial position of the Company. | ||
3. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION | |
Beginning in July 2002, the Company began marketing fixed annuities through a new financial institution partner. These annuities are administered by AIG Annuity Insurance Company, an affiliate of the Company. Costs charged to the Company to administer these policies were approximately $465,000 in 2002. The Company believes these costs are less than the Company would have incurred to administer these policies internally. Beginning in November 2002, the remaining block of fixed annuities will be administered by AIG Annuity Insurance Company. |
7
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of First SunAmerica Life Insurance Company (the Company) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2001 follows. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current periods presentation.
In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company cautions readers regarding certain forward-looking statements contained in this report and in any other statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company, whether or not in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Forward-looking statements are statements not based on historical information and which relate to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. Statements using verbs such as expect, anticipate, believe or words of similar import generally involve forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, forward-looking statements include statements which represent the Companys beliefs concerning future levels of sales and redemptions of the Companys products, investment spreads and yields, or the earnings or profitability of the Companys activities.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Companys control and many of which are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Whether or not actual results differ materially from forward-looking statements may depend on numerous foreseeable and unforeseeable developments. Some may be national in scope, such as general economic conditions, changes in tax law and changes in interest rates. Some may be related to the insurance industry generally, such as pricing competition, regulatory developments and industry consolidation. Others may relate to the Company specifically, such as credit, volatility and other risks associated with the Companys investment portfolio. Investors are also directed to consider other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed by the Company with the SEC. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking information.
The Company has one business segment, annuity operations, which consists of the sale and administration of deposit-type insurance contracts, such as fixed and variable annuities and universal life insurance contracts. The Company focuses primarily on the marketing of fixed and variable annuity products. The variable annuity products offer investors a broad spectrum of fund alternatives, with a choice of investment managers, as well as guaranteed fixed-rate account options. The Company earns fee income on investments in the variable account options and net investment income on the fixed-rate account options.
8
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company considers among its most critical accounting policies those policies with respect to valuation of certain financial instruments and amortization of deferred acquisition costs. In the implementation of each of the aforementioned policies, management is required to exercise its judgment on both a quantitative and qualitative basis. Further explanation of how management exercises that judgment follows:
VALUATION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: Gross unrealized losses on debt and equity securities available for sale amounted to $28.9 million at September 30, 2002. In determining if and when a decline in fair value below amortized cost is other-than-temporary, we evaluate at each reporting period the market conditions, offering prices, trends of earnings, price multiples, and other key measures for our investments in debt and marketable equity securities. In particular, for debt securities, the Company assesses the probability that all amounts due are collectible according to the contractual terms of the obligation. When such a decline in value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, we recognize an impairment loss in the current period operating results to the extent of the decline.
Securities in our portfolio with a carrying value of approximately $263.7 million at September 30, 2002 do not have readily determinable market prices. For these securities, we estimate their fair value with internally prepared valuations (including those based on estimates of future profitability). Otherwise, we use our most recent purchases and sales of similar unquoted securities, independent broker quotes or comparison to similar securities with quoted prices when possible to estimate the fair value of those securities. All such securities are classified as available for sale. Our ability to liquidate our positions in these securities will be impacted to a significant degree by the lack of an actively traded market, and we may not be able to dispose of these investments in a timely manner. Although we believe our estimates reasonably reflect the fair value of those securities, our key assumptions about the risk-free interest rates, risk premiums, performance of underlying collateral, if any, and other factors may not reflect those of an active market.
AMORTIZATION OF DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS: Deferred acquisition costs (DAC) are amortized based on a percentage of expected gross profits (EGPs) over the life of the underlying policies. EGPs are computed based on assumptions related to the underlying policies written, including their anticipated duration, the growth rate of the separate account assets (with respect to variable annuities) or general account assets (with respect to fixed annuities) supporting the annuity obligations, and the level of expenses necessary to maintain the policies. The Company adjusts DAC amortization (a DAC unlocking) when estimates of current or future gross profits to be realized from its annuity policies are revised. Approximately 57% of the Companys DAC balance at September 30, 2002 related to fixed annuity products and 43% related to variable annuity products.
DAC amortization is sensitive to surrender rates and the actual and assumed future growth rate of the assets supporting the Companys obligations under annuity policies. With respect to fixed annuities, the growth rate depends on the yield on the general account assets supporting those annuities. With respect to variable annuities, the growth rate depends on
9
the performance of the investment options available under the annuity contract and the allocation of assets among these various investment options.
The assumption for the long-term annual net growth of the separate account assets used by the Company in the determination of DAC amortization with respect to its variable annuity policies is 10% (the long-term growth rate assumption). The Company uses a reversion to the mean methodology which allows the Company to maintain this 10% long-term growth rate assumption, while also giving consideration to the effect of short-term swings in the equity markets. For example, if performance were 15% during the first year following the introduction of a product, the DAC model would assume that market returns for the following five years (the short-term growth rate assumption) would approximate 9%, resulting in an average annual growth rate of 10% during the life of the product. Similarly, following periods of below 10% performance, the model will assume a short-term growth rate higher than 10%. A DAC unlocking will occur if management deems the short-term growth rate assumption (i.e., the growth rate required to revert to the mean 10% growth rate over a five-year period) to be unreasonable. The use of a reversion to the mean assumption is common within the industry; however, the parameters used in the methodology are subject to judgment and vary within the industry.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NET INCOME totaled $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2002, compared to $3.1 million in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, net income amounted to $6.2 million in 2002, compared to $4.6 million in 2001.
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE, NET OF TAX reflected the adoption of EITF 99-20 in 2001. The Company recorded a loss of $520,000, net of tax, which is recognized in the statement of income and comprehensive income as a cumulative effect of accounting change for nine months ended September 30, 2001.
PRETAX INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE totaled $4.0 million in the third quarter of 2002, compared with $5.3 million in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, pretax income before cumulative effect of accounting change totaled $10.5 million in 2002, compared with $8.9 million in 2001. The decline in 2002 results compared to 2001 in the third quarter primarily resulted from increased amortization of deferred acquisition costs, increased guaranteed minimum death benefits on variable annuities and decreased net investment income. The improvement in 2002 results compared to 2001 in the nine months resulted from decreased net realized investment losses partially offset by increased amortization of deferred acquisition costs, increased general and administrative expenses, decreased net investment income, and increased guaranteed minimum death benefits on variable annuities.
NET INVESTMENT INCOME, which is the spread between the income earned on invested assets and the interest paid on fixed annuities and universal life contracts, totaled $8.3 million in the third quarter of 2002, down from $8.7 million in the third quarter of 2001. These amounts equal 2.28% on average invested assets (computed on a daily basis) of $1.45 billion in the third quarter of 2002 and 2.47% on average invested assets of $1.40 billion in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, net investment income declined
10
to $27.3 million in 2002 from $29.7 million in 2001, representing 2.61% of average invested assets of $1.40 billion in 2002 and 2.74% of average invested assets of $1.44 billion in 2001.
Net investment spreads include the effect of income earned or interest paid on the difference between average invested assets and average interest-bearing liabilities. In the third quarter of 2002, average invested assets exceeded average interest-bearing liabilities by $116.6 million, compared with $85.9 million in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, average invested assets exceeded average interest-bearing liabilities by $102.2 million in 2002, compared with $83.8 million in 2001. The difference between the Companys yield on average invested assets and the rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities (the Spread Difference) was 1.93% in the third quarter of 2002 and 2.18% in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, the spread difference was 2.28% in 2002 and 2.47% in 2001. The decrease in the Spread Difference in the third quarter and nine months of 2002 as compared to the third quarter and nine months of 2001 is due to a lower interest rate environment combined with the Companys inability to reprice products downwards beyond contractual minimums.
Investment income (and the related yield on average invested assets) totaled $22.8 million (6.27%) in the third quarter of 2002, $24.2 million (6.90%) in the third quarter of 2001, $70.0 million (6.68%) in the nine months of 2002 and $78.1 million (7.21%) in the nine months of 2001. The decrease in the investment yield in 2002 compared to 2001 primarily reflects a lower prevailing interest rate environment. Expenses incurred to manage the investment portfolio amounted to $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2002, $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2001, $0.4 million in the nine months of 2002 and $1.2 million in the nine months of 2001.
Interest expense totaled $14.5 million in the third quarter of 2002 and $15.5 million in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, interest expense aggregated $42.7 million in 2002, compared with $48.4 million in 2001. The average rate paid on all interest-bearing liabilities was 4.34% in the third quarter of 2002, compared with 4.72% in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, the average rate paid on all interest-bearing liabilities was 4.40% for 2002 and 4.74% for 2001. Interest-bearing liabilities averaged $1.34 billion during the third quarter of 2002, $1.32 billion during the third quarter of 2001, $1.29 billion during the nine months of 2002 and $1.36 billion during the nine months of 2001. The increase in average liabilities for the third quarter 2002 resulted primarily from the issuance of fixed annuities through a new distribution channel in the third quarter of 2002. The decrease in average liabilities in 2002 resulted primarily from withdrawals on certain closed blocks of business. The decline in the overall rates paid in 2002 compared to 2001 resulted primarily from the impact of a declining interest rate environment and the continued reduction of crediting rates on certain closed blocks of business.
Change in average invested assets largely resulted from the surrenders of certain closed blocks of fixed annuity policies. Year-to-date changes in average invested assets also reflect net exchanges to fixed accounts from the separate accounts of variable annuity contracts, sales of fixed annuities and the fixed account options of the Companys variable annuity products (Fixed Annuity Deposits), and renewal deposits on its universal life products (UL Deposits). Fixed Annuity Deposits and UL Deposits totaled $154.7 million in
11
the third quarter of 2002, $20.1 million in the third quarter of 2001, $218.6 million in the nine months of 2002 and $58.2 million in the nine months of 2001. The increase in Fixed Annuity Deposits in 2002 is due primarily to increased sales relating to the marketing of fixed annuities through new distribution channels. On an annualized basis, Fixed Annuity Deposits represent 49%, 6%, 23% and 5%, respectively, of the related reserve balances at the beginning of the respective periods.
NET REALIZED INVESTMENT LOSSES totaled $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2002, compared with $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2001 and includes impairment writedowns of $1.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively. For the nine months, net realized investment losses totaled $6.2 million in 2002, compared with $15.8 million in 2001 and include impairment writedowns of $2.7 million and $15.6 million, respectively. Thus, net realized losses from sales and redemptions of investments totaled $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2002, compared to $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, net realized losses from sales and redemptions of investments totaled $3.4 million in 2002, compared to $0.2 million of net realized gains in 2001.
The Company sold or redeemed invested assets, principally bonds and notes, aggregating $120.5 million in the third quarter of 2002, $102.6 million in the third quarter of 2001, $268.2 million in the nine months of 2002 and $293.0 million in the nine months of 2001. Sales of investments result from the active management of the Companys investment portfolio. Because redemptions of investments are generally involuntary and sales of investments are made in both rising and falling interest rate environments, net gains and losses from sales and redemptions of investments fluctuate from period to period, and, on an annualized basis, amount to 0.03%, 0.09%, 0.33% and 0.02% of average invested assets in the third quarter of 2002, the third quarter of 2001, the nine months of 2002 and the nine months of 2001, respectively. Active portfolio management involves the ongoing evaluation of asset sectors, individual securities within the investment portfolio and the reallocation of investments from sectors that are perceived to be relatively overvalued to sectors that are perceived to be relatively undervalued. The intent of the Companys active portfolio management is to maximize total returns on the investment portfolio, taking into account credit, option, liquidity and interest-rate risk.
Impairment writedowns include $1.8 million, $2.0 million, $2.7 million and $15.6 million of provisions applied to bonds in the third quarter of 2002, the third quarter of 2001, the nine months of 2002 and the nine months of 2001, respectively. On an annualized basis, impairment writedowns totaled 0.50%, 0.58%, 0.26% and 1.44% of average invested assets in the respective periods. For the twenty quarters ended September 30, 2002, impairment writedowns as an annualized percentage of average invested assets have ranged up to 3.99% and have averaged 0.69%. Such writedowns are based upon estimates of the net realizable value of invested assets and recorded when declines in the value of such assets are considered to be other than temporary. Actual realization will be dependent upon future events. The Company recorded $0.8 million ($0.5 million net of tax) of additional impairments pursuant to the implementation of EITF 99-20 in 2001. This adjustment was recorded as a cumulative effect of accounting change in the accompanying statement of income and comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2001.
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VARIABLE ANNUITY FEES are based on the market value of assets in separate accounts supporting variable annuity contracts. Such fees totaled $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2002 and $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, variable annuity fees totaled $5.6 million in 2002, compared with $6.1 million in 2001. On an annualized basis, variable annuity fees represent 1.6% of average variable annuity assets in all periods presented. Variable annuity assets averaged $433.7 million, $501.0 million, $480.1 million and $526.6 million during the third quarters of 2002 and 2001 and the nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively. Variable annuity deposits, which exclude deposits allocated to the fixed accounts of variable annuity products, totaled $15.1 million and $5.3 million in the third quarters of 2002 and 2001, respectively. For the nine months, variable annuity deposits totaled $60.6 million in 2002, compared with $17.6 million in 2001. On an annualized basis, these amounts represent 13%, 4%, 16% and 4% of variable annuity reserves at the beginning of the respective periods. The increase in variable annuity deposits in 2002 reflected increased demand for a new product, Advisor, initially marketed in January 2001. Transfers from the fixed accounts of the Companys variable annuity products to the separate accounts are not classified as variable annuity deposits. Accordingly, changes in variable annuity deposits are not necessarily indicative of the ultimate allocation by customers among fixed and variable account options of the Companys variable annuity products.
Sales of variable annuity products (which include deposits allocated to the fixed accounts) (Variable Annuity Product Sales) amounted to $25.8 million, $18.2 million, $89.5 million, and $56.9 million in the third quarters of 2002 and 2001 and the nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively. Such sales primarily reflect those of Advisor as well as the Companys flagship variable annuity line, Polaris. Advisor is a multimanager variable annuity that offers investors a choice of 27 variable funds and a guaranteed fixed-rate fund. Polaris is a multimanager variable annuity that offers investors a choice of 31 variable funds and a number of guaranteed fixed-rate funds. Variable Annuity Product Sales have increased in 2002, primarily due to increased demand for the new product, Advisor, which was initially marketed in January 2001.
The Company has encountered increased competition in the variable annuity marketplace during recent years and anticipates that the market will remain highly competitive for the foreseeable future. Also, from time to time, Federal initiatives are proposed that could affect the taxation of variable annuities and annuities generally (See Regulation).
UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE FEES, NET amounted to $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2002 and $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, universal life insurance fees totaled $2.1 million in 2002 and $2.3 million in 2001. Universal life insurance fees consist of mortality charges, up-front fees earned on deposits received and administrative fees, net of the excess mortality expense on these contracts. The administrative fees are assessed based on the number of policies in force as of the end of each month. The Company does not actively market such contracts. Such fees annualized represent 2.38%, 1.61%, 1.17% and 1.27% of average reserves for universal life insurance contracts in the respective periods. The changes in such fees during 2002 resulted principally from changes in mortality experience.
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SURRENDER CHARGES on fixed annuity, variable annuity and universal life contracts totaled $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2002 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, such surrender charges totaled $1.3 million in 2002 and $1.7 million in 2001. Surrender charges generally are assessed on withdrawals at declining rates during the first seven years of a contract. Withdrawal payments, which exclude claims and lump-sum annuity benefits, totaled $47.4 million in the third quarter of 2002, compared with $58.4 million in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, such withdrawal payments totaled $145.3 million in 2002 and $202.9 million in 2001. Annualized, these payments, when expressed as a percentage of related reserves, represent 11.0%, 13.2%, 11.2% and 14.7% for the third quarters of 2002 and 2001 and the nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively. Withdrawal rates declined in 2002 principally due to a lower level of surrenders on certain closed blocks of fixed annuity business. Withdrawals include variable annuity payments from the separate accounts totaling $9.9 million (9.2% of average variable annuity reserves), $8.5 million (6.8% of average variable annuity reserves), $29.5 million (8.2% of average variable annuity reserves) and $26.4 million (6.7% of average variable annuity reserves) in the third quarters of 2002 and 2001 and the nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively. The increase in variable annuity withdrawal rates in 2002 reflects a decrease in the market value of assets supporting the variable contracts due to unfavorable equity market conditions. Management anticipates a gradual increase in the levels of withdrawal payments relative to fixed and variable annuity and universal life reserves over the foreseeable future.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES totaled $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2002 and $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, general and administrative expenses totaled $5.1 million in 2002 and $3.6 million in 2001. General and administrative expenses remain closely controlled through a company-wide cost containment program and continue to represent less than 1% of average total assets.
AMORTIZATION OF DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS totaled $4.2 million in the third quarter of 2002, compared with $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, such amortization totaled $12.8 million in 2002, compared with $10.7 million in 2001. The increase in amortization was primarily related to increased amortization on certain closed blocks of fixed annuities as well as additional fixed annuity sales and the subsequent amortization of related deferred commissions and other direct selling costs.
ANNUAL COMMISSIONS totaled $0.2 million in the third quarters of 2002 and 2001. For the nine months, annual commissions amounted to $0.6 million in 2002 and 2001. Annual commissions represent renewal commissions paid quarterly in arrears to maintain the persistency of certain of the Companys fixed and variable annuity contracts. Substantially all of the Companys currently available variable annuity products allow for an annual commission payment option in return for a lower immediate commission. The Company estimates that approximately 8% of the average balances of its variable annuity products is currently subject to such annual commissions. Based upon current product offerings, this percentage is expected to increase in current periods.
GUARANTEED MINIMUM DEATH BENEFITS, which the Company expenses as incurred, totaled $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2002, compared with
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$0.1 million in the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months, guaranteed minimum death benefits amounted to $1.1 million in 2002 and $0.2 million in 2001. The increase in guaranteed minimum death benefits pursuant to the Companys variable annuity separate account contracts reflects the impact of a continued downturn in the equity markets. Further downturns in the equity markets could increase these expenses.
A majority of the Companys variable annuity products are issued with a death benefit feature which provides that, upon the death of a contractholder, the contractholders beneficiary will receive the greater of (1) the contractholders account value, or (2) a guaranteed minimum death benefit that varies by product (the GMDB). Depending on the product, the GMDB may equal the principal invested, adjusted for withdrawals; the principal invested, adjusted for withdrawals, accumulated at up to 5% per annum (subject to certain caps); or an amount equal to the highest account value in effect on any anniversary date under the contract. These benefits have issue age and other restrictions to reduce mortality risk exposure. The Company bears the risk that death claims following a decline in the financial markets may exceed contractholder account balances, and that the fees collected under the contract are insufficient to cover the costs of the benefit to be provided. In accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the Company expenses such benefits in the period incurred, and therefore does not provide reserves for future benefits
INCOME TAX EXPENSE totaled $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2002, $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2001, $4.3 million in the nine months of 2002 and $3.7 million in the nine months of 2001, representing effective annualized tax rate of 42%, 41%, 41% and 42%, respectively.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY increased to $215.4 million at September 30, 2002 from $193.6 million at December 31, 2001, due principally to $15.6 million in accumulated other comprehensive income and $6.2 million of net income recorded in 2002.
INVESTED ASSETS at September 30, 2002 totaled $1.58 billion, compared with $1.37 billion at December 31, 2001. The Company manages most of its invested assets internally. The Companys general investment philosophy is to hold fixed-rate assets for long-term investment. Thus, it does not have a trading portfolio. However, the Company has determined that all of its portfolio of bonds, notes and redeemable preferred stocks (the Bond Portfolio) is available to be sold in response to changes in market interest rates, changes in relative value of asset sectors and individual securities, changes in prepayment risk, changes in the credit quality outlook for certain securities, the Companys need for liquidity and other similar factors.
THE BOND PORTFOLIO, which constituted 77% of the Companys total investment portfolio at September 30, 2002, had an aggregate fair value that was $38.7 million greater than its amortized cost compared to an aggregate fair value that was $5.6 million greater than its amortized cost at December 31, 2001. The decrease in net unrealized losses and increase in net unrealized gains on the Bond Portfolio during 2002 principally reflects the
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decline in prevailing interest rates and the corresponding effect on the fair value of the Bond Portfolio at September 30, 2002.
At September 30, 2002, the Bond Portfolio (excluding $12,000 of redeemable preferred stocks) included $1.16 billion of bonds rated by Standard & Poors (S&P), Moodys Investors Service (Moodys), Fitch (Fitch) or the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and $60.7 million of bonds rated by the Company pursuant to statutory ratings guidelines established by the NAIC. At September 30, 2002, approximately $1.18 billion of the Bond Portfolio was investment grade, including $468.9 million of U.S. government/agency securities and mortgage-backed securities (MBSs).
At September 30, 2002, the Bond Portfolio included $40.5 million of bonds that were not investment grade. These non-investment-grade bonds accounted for approximately 1.9% of the Companys total assets and approximately 2.6% of its invested assets. Non-investment-grade securities generally provide higher yields and involve greater risks than investment-grade securities because their issuers typically are more highly leveraged and more vulnerable to adverse economic conditions than investment-grade issuers. In addition, the trading market for these securities is usually more limited than for investment-grade securities. These non-investment-grade securities are comprised of bonds spanning 19 industries with 18% of these assets concentrated in telecommunications and 13% concentrated in transportation services. No other industry concentration constituted more than 10% of these assets.
The table on the following page summarizes the Companys rated bonds by rating classification as of September 30, 2002.
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RATED BONDS BY RATING CLASSIFICATION
(Dollars in thousands)
Issues Rated by S&P/Moody's/Fitch | Issues not rated
by S&P/Moody's/ Fitch, by NAIC Category |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated | NAIC | Estimated | Estimated | Percent of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
S&P/Moody's/Fitch | Amortized | fair | category | Amortized | fair | Amortized | fair | invested | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
category (1) | cost | value | (2) | cost | value | cost | value | assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
AAA+ to A- (Aaa to A3) [AAA to A-] {AAA to A-} |
$ | 672,030 | $ | 708,728 | 1 | $ | 175,816 | $ | 185,836 | $ | 847,846 | $ | 894,564 | 56.50 | % | |||||||||||||||||
BBB+ to BBB- (Baa1 to Baa3) [BBB+ to BBB-] {BBB+ to BBB-} |
207,648 | 205,287 | 2 | 77,608 | 78,182 | 285,256 | 283,469 | 17.90 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
BB+ to BB- (Ba1 to Ba3) [BB+ to BB-] {BB+ to BB-} |
16,718 | 16,369 | 3 | | | 16,718 | 16,369 | 1.03 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
B+ to B- (B1 to B3) [B+ to B-] {B+ to B-} |
20,889 | 16,015 | 4 | | | 20,889 | 16,015 | 1.01 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CCC+ to C (Caa to C) [CCC] {CCC+ to C-} |
5,747 | 3,127 | 5 | 807 | 282 | 6,554 | 3,409 | 0.22 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CI to D [DD] {D} |
| | 6 | 2,556 | 4,701 | 2,556 | 4,701 | 0.30 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
TOTAL RATED ISSUES |
$ | 923,032 | $ | 949,526 | $ | 256,787 | $ | 269,001 | $ | 1,179,819 | $ | 1,218,527 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Footnotes appear on the following page.
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Footnotes to the table of Rated Bonds by Rating Classification | ||
(1) | S&P and Fitch rate debt securities in rating categories ranging from AAA (the highest) to D (in payment default). A plus (+) or minus (-) indicates the debts relative standing within the rating category. A security rated BBB- or higher is considered investment grade. Moodys rates debt securities in rating categories ranging from Aaa (the highest) to C (extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing). The number 1, 2 or 3 (with 1 the highest and 3 the lowest) indicates the debts relative standing within the rating category. A security rated Baa3 or higher is considered investment grade. Issues are categorized based on the highest of the S&P, Moodys and Fitch ratings if rated by multiple agencies. | |
(2) | Bonds and short-term promissory instruments are divided into six quality categories for NAIC rating purposes, ranging from 1 (highest) to 5 (lowest) for nondefaulted bonds plus one category, 6, for bonds in or near default. These six categories correspond with the S&P/Moodys/Fitch rating groups listed above, with categories 1 and 2 considered investment grade. The NAIC categories include $60.7 million of assets that were rated by the Company pursuant to applicable NAIC rating guidelines. |
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Senior secured loans (Secured Loans) are included in the Bond Portfolio and aggregated $40.0 million at September 30, 2002. Secured Loans are senior to subordinated debt and equity and are secured by assets of the issuer. At September 30, 2002, Secured Loans consisted of $31.5 million of privately traded securities and $8.5 million of publicly traded securities. These Secured Loans are composed of loans to borrowers spanning 7 industries, with 43% of these assets concentrated in energy, 18% concentrated in utilities and 13% concentrated in financial institutions. No other industry concentration constituted more than 10% of these assets.
While the trading market for the Companys privately traded Secured Loans is more limited than for publicly traded issues, management believes that participation in these transactions has enabled the Company to improve its investment yield. As a result of restrictive financial covenants, these Secured Loans involve greater risk of technical default than do publicly traded investment-grade securities. However, management believes that the risk of loss upon default for these Secured Loans is mitigated by such financial covenants and the collateral values underlying the Secured Loans. The Companys Secured Loans are rated by S&P, Moodys, Fitch, the NAIC or by the Company, pursuant to comparable statutory ratings guidelines established by the NAIC.
MORTGAGE LOANS aggregated $180.3 million at September 30, 2002 and consisted of 88 commercial first mortgage loans with an average loan balance of approximately $2.1 million, collateralized by properties located in 31 states. Approximately 36% of this portfolio was office, 18% was retail, 17% was multifamily residential, 15% was industrial and 14% was other types. At September 30, 2002, approximately 33% of this portfolio was secured by properties located in California, approximately 12% by properties located in Michigan, and no more than 10% of this portfolio was secured by properties located in any other single state. At September 30, 2002, two mortgage loans had an outstanding balance of $10.0 million or more, which collectively aggregated approximately 19% of this portfolio. At September 30, 2002, approximately 22% of the mortgage loan portfolio consisted of loans with balloon payments due before October 1, 2005. During 2002 and 2001, loans delinquent by more than 90 days, foreclosed loans and restructured loans have not been significant in relation to the total mortgage loan portfolio.
At September 30, 2002, approximately 32% of the mortgage loans were seasoned loans underwritten to the Companys standards and purchased at or near par from other financial institutions. Such loans generally have higher average interest rates than loans that could be originated today. The balance of the mortgage loan portfolio has been originated by the Company under strict underwriting standards. Commercial mortgage loans on properties such as offices, hotels and shopping centers generally represent a higher level of risk than do mortgage loans secured by multifamily residences. This greater risk is due to several factors, including the larger size of such loans and the more immediate effects of general economic conditions on these commercial property types. However, due to the seasoned nature of the Companys mortgage loan portfolio and its strict underwriting standards, the Company believes that it has prudently managed the risk attributable to its mortgage loan portfolio while maintaining attractive yields.
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POLICY LOANS are included in other invested assets and totaled $36.7 million at September 30, 2002, compared to $37.3 million at December 31, 2001 and primarily represent loans taken against universal life policies.
ASSET-LIABILITY MATCHING is utilized by the Company to minimize the risks of interest rate fluctuations and disintermediation (i.e. the risk of being forced to sell investments during unfavorable market conditions). The Company believes that its fixed-rate liabilities should be backed by a portfolio principally composed of fixed-rate investments that generate predictable rates of return. The Company does not have a specific target rate of return. Instead, its rates of return vary over time depending on the current interest rate environment, the slope of the yield curve, the spread at which fixed-rate investments are priced over the yield curve, default rates, and general economic conditions. Its portfolio strategy is constructed with a view to achieve adequate risk-adjusted returns consistent with its investment objectives of effective asset-liability matching, liquidity and safety. The Companys fixed-rate products incorporate surrender charges or other restrictions in order to encourage persistency. Approximately 64% of the Companys fixed annuity and universal life reserves had surrender penalties or other restrictions at September 30, 2002.
As part of its asset-liability matching discipline, the Company conducts detailed computer simulations that model its fixed-rate assets and liabilities under commonly used stress-test interest rate scenarios. With the results of these computer simulations, the Company can measure the potential gain or loss in fair value of its interest-rate sensitive instruments and seek to protect its economic value and achieve a predictable spread between what it earns on its invested assets and what it pays on its liabilities by designing its fixed-rate products and conducting its investment operations to closely match the duration of the fixed-rate assets to that of its fixed-rate liabilities. The Companys fixed-rate assets include: cash and short-term investments; bonds, notes and redeemable preferred stocks; mortgage loans; and policy loans. At September 30, 2002, these assets had an aggregate fair value of $1.59 billion with a duration of 3.6. The Companys fixed-rate liabilities include fixed annuity and universal life insurance contracts. At September 30, 2002, these liabilities had an aggregate fair value (determined by discounting future contractual cash flows by related market rates of interest) of $1.42 billion with a duration of 2.9. The Companys potential exposure due to a relative 10% increase in prevailing interest rates from their September 30, 2002 levels is a loss of approximately $4.1 million, representing the decrease in fair value of its fixed-rate assets that is not offset by a decrease in fair value of its fixed-rate liabilities. Because the Company actively manages its assets and liabilities and has strategies in place to minimize its exposure to loss as interest rate changes occur, it expects that actual losses would be less than the estimated potential loss.
Duration is a common option-adjusted measure for the price sensitivity of a fixed-maturity portfolio to changes in interest rates. It measures the approximate percentage change in the market value of a portfolio if interest rates change by 100 basis points (i.e. 1%), recognizing the changes in cash flows resulting from embedded options such as policy surrenders, investment prepayments and bond calls. It also incorporates the assumption that the Company will continue to utilize its existing strategies of pricing its fixed annuity and universal life products, allocating its available cash flow
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amongst its various investment portfolio sectors and maintaining sufficient levels of liquidity. Because the calculation of duration involves estimation and incorporates assumptions, potential changes in portfolio value indicated by the portfolios duration will likely be different from the actual changes experienced under given interest rate scenarios, and the differences may be material.
The Company also seeks to provide liquidity by investing in MBSs. MBSs are generally investment-grade securities collateralized by large pools of mortgage loans. MBSs generally pay principal and interest monthly. The amount of principal and interest payments may fluctuate as a result of prepayments of the underlying mortgage loans.
There are risks associated with some of the techniques the Company uses to provide liquidity, enhance its spread income and match its assets and liabilities. The primary risk associated with MBSs is that a changing interest rate environment might cause prepayment of the underlying obligations at speeds slower or faster than anticipated at the time of their purchase. As part of its decision to purchase an MBS, the Company assesses the risk of prepayment by analyzing the securitys projected performance over an array of interest-rate scenarios. Once an MBS is purchased, the Company monitors its actual prepayment experience monthly to reassess the relative attractiveness of the security with the intent to maximize total return.
INVESTED ASSETS EVALUATION is routinely conducted by the Company. Management identifies monthly those investments that require additional monitoring and carefully reviews the carrying values of such investments at least quarterly to determine whether specific investments should be placed on a nonaccrual basis and to determine declines in value that may be other than temporary. In making these reviews for bonds, management principally considers the adequacy of any collateral, compliance with contractual covenants, the borrowers recent financial performance, news reports and other externally generated information concerning the creditors affairs. In the case of publicly traded bonds, management also considers market value quotations, if available. For mortgage loans, management generally considers information concerning the mortgaged property and, among other things, factors impacting the current and expected payment status of the loan and, if available, the current fair value of the underlying collateral.
The carrying values of investments that are determined to have declines in value that are other than temporary are reduced to net realizable value and, in the case of bonds, no further accruals of interest are made. The provisions for impairment on mortgage loans are based on losses expected by management to be realized on transfers of mortgage loans to real estate, on the disposition and settlement of mortgage loans and on mortgage loans that management believes may not be collectible in full. Accrual of interest is suspended when principal and interest payments on mortgage loans are past due more than 90 days.
DEFAULTED INVESTMENTS, comprising all investments that are in default as to the payment of principal or interest, totaled $3.4 million of bonds at September 30, 2002, and constituted approximately 0.2% of total invested assets. At December 31, 2001, defaulted investments totaled $3.4 million of bonds and constituted less than 0.3% of total invested assets.
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SOURCES OF LIQUIDITY are readily available to the Company in the form of the Companys existing portfolio of cash and short-term investments, and if required, proceeds from invested asset sales. The Companys liquidity is primarily derived from operating cash flows. At September 30, 2002, approximately $1,057.7 million of the Companys Bond Portfolio had an aggregate unrealized gain of $67.1 million while approximately $160.8 million of the Bond Portfolio had an aggregate unrealized loss of $28.5 million. In addition, the Companys investment portfolio currently provides approximately $12.5 million of monthly cash flow from scheduled principal and interest payments. Historically, cash flows from operations and from the sale of the Companys annuity products have been more than sufficient in amount to satisfy the Companys liquidity needs.
Management is aware that prevailing market interest rates may shift significantly and has strategies in place to manage either an increase or decrease in prevailing rates. In a rising interest rate environment, the Companys average cost of funds would increase over time as it prices its new and renewing annuities to maintain a generally competitive market rates. Management would seek to place new funds in investments that were matched in duration to, and higher yielding than, the liabilities assumed. The Company believes that liquidity to fund withdrawals would be available through incoming cash flow, the sale of short-term or floating-rate instruments or Reverse Repos on the Companys substantial MBS segment of the Bond Portfolio, thereby avoiding the sale of fixed-rate assets in an unfavorable bond market.
In a declining rate environment, the Companys cost of funds would decrease over time, reflecting lower interest crediting rates on its fixed annuities. Should increased liquidity be required for withdrawals, the Company believes that a significant portion of its investments could be sold without adverse consequences in light of the general strengthening that would be expected in the bond market.
If a substantial portion of the Companys Bond Portfolio diminished significantly in value and/or defaulted, the Company would need to liquidate other portions of its investment portfolio and/or arrange financing. Such events that may cause such a liquidity strain could be the result of economic collapse or terrorist acts.
REGULATION
The Company, in common with other insurers, is subject to regulation and supervision by the states and other jurisdictions in which it does business. Within the United States, the method of such regulation varies but generally has its source in statutes that delegate regulatory and supervisory powers to a state insurance official. The regulation and supervision relate primarily to approval of policy forms and rates, the standards of solvency that must be met and maintained, including risk based capital measurements, the licensing of insurers and their agents, the nature of and limitations on investments, restrictions on the size of risks which may be insured under a single policy, deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders, methods of accounting, periodic examinations of the affairs of insurance companies, the form and content of reports of financial condition required to be filed, and reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other purposes. In general, such regulation is for the protection of policyholders rather than security holders.
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Risk based capital (RBC) standards are designed to measure the adequacy of an insurers statutory capital and surplus in relation to the risks inherent in its business. The standards are intended to help identify inadequately capitalized companies and require specific regulatory actions in the event an insurers RBC is deficient. The RBC formula develops a risk adjusted target level of adjusted statutory capital and surplus by applying certain factors to various asset, premium and reserve items. Higher factors are applied to more risky items and lower factors are applied to less risky items. Thus, the target level of statutory surplus varies not only as a result of the insurers size, but also on the risk profile of the insurers operations. The RBC Model Law provides four incremental levels of regulatory attention for insurers whose surplus is below the calculated RBC target. These levels of attention range in severity from requiring the insurer to submit a plan for corrective action to actually placing the insurer under regulatory control. The statutory capital and surplus of the Company exceeded its RBC requirements by a considerable margin as of September 30, 2002.
In 1998, the NAIC adopted the codification of statutory accounting principles (Codification) which replaced the NAICs previous primary guidance on statutory accounting, which became effective January 1, 2001. Codification changes prescribed statutory accounting practices and has resulted in changes to the accounting practices that the Company uses to prepare its statutory basis financial statements. Codification has been adopted by all fifty states as the prescribed basis of accounting. New York, however, has made certain modifications (e.g., no deferred taxes will be recorded for companies domiciled in the State of New York). The adoption of Codification resulted in a decrease to the Companys statutory surplus of approximately $14.2 million and was recorded as a cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles in 2001.
Privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act became fully effective in 2001 and establish new consumer protections regarding the security, confidentiality, and uses of nonpublic personal information of individuals. The law also requires financial institutions to fully disclose their privacy policies to their customers. Additional privacy legislation pending in the United States Congress and several states is designed to provide further privacy protections to consumers of financial products and services. These statutes and regulations may result in additional regulatory compliance costs, may limit the Companys ability to market its products, and may otherwise constrain the nature or scope of the Companys insurance and financial services operations. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act also allows combinations between insurance companies, banks, and other entities. In addition, from time to time, Federal initiatives are proposed that could affect the Companys businesses. Such initiatives include employee benefit plan regulations and tax law changes affecting the taxation of insurance companies and the tax treatment of insurance and other investment products. Proposals made in recent years to limit the tax deferral of annuities or otherwise modify the tax rules related to the treatment of annuities have not been enacted. While certain of such proposals, if implemented, could have an adverse effect on the Companys sales of affected products, and, consequently, on its results of operations, the Company believes these proposals have a small likelihood of being enacted, because they would discourage retirement savings and there is strong public and industry opposition to them.
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QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are contained in the Asset-Liability Matching section of Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations on pages 20 and 21 herein.
CONTROLS & PROCEDURES
(A) | Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The conclusions of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer about the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures within 90 days prior to filing the September 30, 2002 Form 10-Q are as follows: | |
The Companys disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required timeframes. The Companys disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to the Companys management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. | ||
The Companys management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, assesses the adequacy of our disclosure controls and procedures quarterly. Based on these assessments, management has concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures have functioned effectively. | ||
(B) | Changes in internal control. There were no significant changes in the Companys internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of managements most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. |
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PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Various lawsuits against the Company have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Contingent liabilities arising from litigation, income taxes and other matters are not considered material in relation to the financial position of the Company. The Company previously reported on a matter, McMurdie et al. v. SunAmerica et al., Case No. BC 194082, filed on July 10, 1998 in the Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles. The lawsuit was settled in September 2002.
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4. Submissions of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
Not applicable.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
EXHIBITS
There were no exhibits filed during the three months ended September 30, 2002.
REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
Current Report of Form 8-K dated August 14, 2002 was furnished under Item 9 of Form 8-K pursuant to Regulation FD with respect to certifications made by the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer of the Company to accompany the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY Registrant |
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Date: November 12, 2002 |
/s/ N. SCOTT GILLIS N. Scott Gillis Senior Vice President (Principal Financial Officer) |
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Date: November 12, 2002 |
/s/ MAURICE S. HEBERT Maurice S. Hebert Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) |
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Certifications
I, Jay S. Wintrob, Chief Executive Officer of First SunAmerica Life Insurance Company, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of First SunAmerica Life Insurance Company; | |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order 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 quarterly report; | |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report; | |
4. | The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have: |
a) | designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to us by others within the entity, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared; | ||
b) | evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the date of this quarterly report (the Evaluation Date"]; and | ||
c) | presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; |
5. | The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrants auditors and to the audit committee of registrants board of directors: |
a) | all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrants auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and | ||
b) | any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal controls; and |
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6. | The registrants other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. |
Date: November 12, 2002
/s/ JAY S. WINTROB
Jay S. Wintrob Chief Executive Officer |
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Certifications
I, N. Scott Gillis, Senior Vice President (Principal Financial Officer) of First SunAmerica Life Insurance Company, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of First SunAmerica Life Insurance Company; | |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order 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 quarterly report; | |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report; | |
4. | The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have: |
a. | designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to us by others within the entity, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared; | ||
b. | evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the date of this quarterly report (the Evaluation Date"]; and | ||
c. | presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; |
5. | The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrants auditors and to the audit committee of registrants board of directors: |
a. | all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrants auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and | ||
b. | any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal controls; and |
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6. | The registrants other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. |
Date: November 12, 2002
/s/ N. SCOTT GILLIS
N. Scott Gillis, Senior Vice President (Principal Financial Officer) |
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