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 |
||
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003
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) 996-9786
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANTS (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 o
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS AN ACCELERATED FILER (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes o No x
THE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING OF THE REGISTRANTS COMMON STOCK ON NOVEMBER 14, 2003 WAS AS FOLLOWS:
Common Stock (par value $10,000.00 per share) | 300 shares outstanding |
THE REGISTRANT MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-Q AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS FORM 10-Q WITH THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
INDEX
Page | ||||||||
Number(s) | ||||||||
Part I Financial Information | ||||||||
Balance Sheet (Unaudited) -
September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 |
3 | |||||||
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)- Three Months and Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2003 and 2002 |
4-5 | |||||||
Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) -
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 |
6-7 | |||||||
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
8-9 | |||||||
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations |
10-30 | |||||||
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk |
31 | |||||||
Controls & Procedures |
32 | |||||||
Part II Other Information | 33 | |||||||
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K |
35-38 |
2
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited)
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||||
2003 | 2002 | |||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||
Investments and cash: |
||||||||||
Cash and short-term investments |
$ | 181,418 | $ | 37,955 | ||||||
Bonds and notes available for sale,
at fair value (amortized cost: |
||||||||||
September 30, 2003, $2,129,860;
December 31, 2002, $1,375,026) |
2,184,658 | 1,410,053 | ||||||||
Mortgage loans |
218,787 | 193,035 | ||||||||
Policy loans |
35,399 | 36,052 | ||||||||
Common stocks available for sale, at
fair value (cost: September 30, 2003 and
December 31, 2002, $1,629) |
1,749 | 1,140 | ||||||||
Securities lending collateral |
112,105 | 29,569 | ||||||||
Total investments and cash |
2,734,116 | 1,707,804 | ||||||||
Variable annuity assets held in separate
accounts |
410,412 | 399,017 | ||||||||
Accrued investment income |
20,722 | 15,849 | ||||||||
Deferred acquisition costs |
129,240 | 104,459 | ||||||||
Income taxes currently receivable from Parent |
10,218 | 9,831 | ||||||||
Receivable from brokers |
1,594 | 1,025 | ||||||||
Other assets |
1,693 | 1,401 | ||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 3,307,995 | $ | 2,239,386 | ||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||||
Reserves, payables and accrued liabilities: |
||||||||||
Reserves for fixed annuity contracts |
$ | 2,051,386 | $ | 1,290,702 | ||||||
Reserves for universal life insurance
contracts |
233,381 | 237,862 | ||||||||
Securities lending payable |
112,105 | 29,569 | ||||||||
Payable to brokers |
152,153 | | ||||||||
Other liabilities |
39,398 | 38,804 | ||||||||
Total reserves, payables and accrued liabilities |
2,588,423 | 1,596,937 | ||||||||
Variable annuity liabilities related to
separate accounts |
410,412 | 399,017 | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
43,998 | 30,394 | ||||||||
Total liabilities |
3,042,833 | 2,026,348 | ||||||||
Shareholders equity: |
||||||||||
Common stock |
3,000 | 3,000 | ||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
184,428 | 144,428 | ||||||||
Retained earnings |
59,912 | 51,740 | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
17,822 | 13,870 | ||||||||
Total shareholders equity |
265,162 | 213,038 | ||||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
$ | 3,307,995 | $ | 2,239,386 | ||||||
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, 2003 and 2002
(Unaudited)
Three Months | Nine Months | |||||||||||||||||
2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
REVENUES |
||||||||||||||||||
Fee income: |
||||||||||||||||||
Variable annuity policy fees |
$ | 2,082 | $ | 1,722 | $ | 5,961 | $ | 5,604 | ||||||||||
Universal life insurance policy fees |
1,773 | 2,461 | 3,790 | 4,792 | ||||||||||||||
Surrender charges |
392 | 540 | 1,223 | 1,288 | ||||||||||||||
Total fee income |
4,247 | 4,723 | 10,974 | 11,684 | ||||||||||||||
Investment income |
30,022 | 22,753 | 82,027 | 69,981 | ||||||||||||||
Net realized investment (losses) gains |
(2,311 | ) | (1,943 | ) | 2,391 | (6,164 | ) | |||||||||||
Total revenues |
31,958 | 25,533 | 95,392 | 75,501 | ||||||||||||||
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES |
||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense: |
||||||||||||||||||
Fixed annuity contracts |
17,057 | 11,591 | 45,364 | 34,048 | ||||||||||||||
Universal life insurance contracts |
2,793 | 2,884 | 8,283 | 8,644 | ||||||||||||||
Securities lending agreements |
225 | | 469 | | ||||||||||||||
Total interest expense |
20,075 | 14,475 | 54,116 | 42,692 | ||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
1,267 | 1,265 | 5,544 | 5,106 | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition
costs |
7,050 | 4,218 | 18,300 | 12,807 | ||||||||||||||
Annual commissions |
352 | 188 | 807 | 596 | ||||||||||||||
Claims on universal life contracts,
net of reinsurance recoveries |
608 | 1,028 | 2,211 | 2,652 | ||||||||||||||
Guaranteed minimum death benefits |
125 | 404 | 583 | 1,142 | ||||||||||||||
Total benefits and expenses |
29,477 | 21,578 | 81,561 | 64,995 | ||||||||||||||
PRETAX INCOME |
2,481 | 3,955 | 13,831 | 10,506 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
980 | 1,642 | 5,659 | 4,282 | ||||||||||||||
NET INCOME |
$ | 1,501 | $ | 2,313 | $ | 8,172 | $ | 6,224 | ||||||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
4
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Continued)
For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002
(Unaudited)
Three Months | Nine Months | ||||||||||||||||
2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME,
NET OF TAX: |
|||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized (loss) gains on debt
and equity securities available for
sale identified in the current period |
$ | (770 | ) | $ | 20,593 | $ | 7,443 | $ | 21,874 | ||||||||
Less reclassification adjustment for
net realized (gains)losses included
in net income |
(594 | ) | 679 | (1,363 | ) | 2,171 | |||||||||||
Income tax benefit (expense) |
478 | (7,445 | ) | (2,128 | ) | (8,416 | ) | ||||||||||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME |
(886 | ) | 13,827 | 3,952 | 15,629 | ||||||||||||
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
$ | 615 | $ | 16,140 | $ | 12,124 | $ | 21,853 | |||||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
5
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002
(Unaudited)
2003 | 2002 | |||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 8,172 | $ | 6,224 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||
Interest credited to: |
||||||||||
Fixed annuity contracts |
45,364 | 34,048 | ||||||||
Universal life insurance contracts |
8,283 | 8,644 | ||||||||
Net realized investment (gains) losses |
(2,391 | ) | 6,164 | |||||||
Accretion of net discounts on investments |
(470 | ) | (1,191 | ) | ||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
18,300 | 12,807 | ||||||||
Acquisition costs deferred |
(57,381 | ) | (21,921 | ) | ||||||
Provision for deferred income taxes |
11,476 | 10,327 | ||||||||
Change in: |
||||||||||
Accrued investment income |
(4,873 | ) | 2,774 | |||||||
Income taxes currently receivable from Parent |
(387 | ) | (8,087 | ) | ||||||
Other liabilities |
(1,818 | ) | 5,368 | |||||||
Other, net |
2,049 | 1,986 | ||||||||
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
26,324 | 57,143 | ||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||
Purchases of: |
||||||||||
Bonds and notes |
(974,206 | ) | (295,184 | ) | ||||||
Mortgage loans |
(43,070 | ) | (30,839 | ) | ||||||
Common stocks |
| (777 | ) | |||||||
Other investments, excluding short-term
investments |
(749 | ) | (270 | ) | ||||||
Sales of: |
||||||||||
Bonds and notes |
173,976 | 153,273 | ||||||||
Redemptions and maturities of: |
||||||||||
Bonds and notes |
199,681 | 86,304 | ||||||||
Mortgage loans |
17,478 | 23,436 | ||||||||
Other investments, excluding short-term
investments |
1,402 | 894 | ||||||||
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
$ | (625,488 | ) | $ | (63,163 | ) | ||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
6
FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002
(Unaudited)
2003 | 2002 | ||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|||||||||
Deposits received on: |
|||||||||
Fixed annuity contracts |
$ | 808,160 | $ | 230,144 | |||||
Universal life insurance contracts |
7,427 | 7,489 | |||||||
Net exchanges to the fixed accounts
of variable annuity contracts |
1,520 | 24,996 | |||||||
Withdrawal payments on: |
|||||||||
Fixed annuity contracts |
(78,347 | ) | (105,458 | ) | |||||
Universal life insurance contracts |
(6,141 | ) | (7,479 | ) | |||||
Claims and annuity payments on: |
|||||||||
Fixed annuity contracts |
(23,153 | ) | (23,936 | ) | |||||
Universal life insurance contracts |
(9,251 | ) | (15,328 | ) | |||||
Capital contributions |
40,000 | | |||||||
Net repayments of other short term financings |
2,412 | 12,991 | |||||||
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
742,627 | 123,419 | |||||||
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS |
143,463 | 117,399 | |||||||
CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
37,955 | 28,982 | |||||||
CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AT END OF
PERIOD |
$ | 181,418 | $ | 146,381 | |||||
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: |
|||||||||
Interest paid on indebtedness |
$ | 470 | $ | | |||||
Net income taxes (paid to) refunded by Parent |
$ | (5,430 | ) | $ | 2,042 | ||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7
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). AIG is a holding company which through its subsidiaries is engaged in a broad range of insurance and insurance-related activities, financial services, retirement savings 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, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the results of its operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and its cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 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, 2002, contained in the Companys 2002 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 similar types of matters are not considered material in relation to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. |
3. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
On September 30, 2003, the Parent declared and paid a $40,000,000 capital contribution to the Company. |
4. | RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS |
In July 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) issued Statement of Position 03-1, Accounting and reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Non traditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts (SOP 03-1). This statement is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2004. Under SOP 03-1, variable annuity assets held in separate accounts will continue to be measured at fair value and reported in summary total on the Companys financial statements, with an equivalent summary total reported for related liabilities, if the separate account arrangement meets certain specified conditions. The adoption of SOP 03-1 will not have a material impact on the Companys separate accounts. |
In addition, SOP 03-1 will require the Company to recognize a liability for guaranteed minimum death benefits and modify certain disclosures and |
8
financial statement presentations for this product. The Company continues to evaluate the provisions of SOP 03-1. Management currently expects the one-time cumulative accounting charge upon adoption to approximate $5 million after taxes, to be recorded in the first quarter of 2004, which is not material to the Companys financial condition or liquidity. |
9
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, 2003 and September 30, 2002 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.
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 the debt and equity securities available for sale amounted to $20.8 million at September 30, 2003 and $28.4 million at December 31, 2002. When a decline in fair value below amortized cost is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the Company recognizes an impairment loss in the current period
10
operating results to the extent of the decline (See also discussion within Capital Resources and Liquidity herein).
Securities in our portfolio with a carrying value of approximately $513.3 million at September 30, 2003 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: We amortize our deferred acquisition costs (DAC) 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 and universal life contracts) supporting the annuity obligations, the anticipated value of guaranteed minimum death benefits to be paid, 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 72% of the Companys DAC balance at September 30, 2003 related to fixed annuity and universal life products and 28% related to variable annuity products.
DAC amortization is sensitive to surrender rates, claims costs, 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 the performance of the investment options available under the annuity contract and the allocation of assets among these various investment options.
The assumption we use for the long-term annual net growth of the separate account assets in the determination of DAC amortization with respect to our variable annuity policies is 10% (the long-term growth rate assumption). We use a reversion to the mean methodology which allows us 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
11
the mean assumption is common within the industry; however, the parameters used in the methodology are subject to judgment and vary within the industry.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
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 fixed annuity products offer investors a guaranteed fixed rate investment. 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 spread on the fixed-rate account options.
On December 9, 2002, the Company entered into a profit sharing agreement with AIG SunAmerica Asset Management Corp. (SAAMCO), an affiliate, whereby SAAMCO will contribute to the Company on a monthly basis its profits earned in connection with its role as investment advisor and/or business manager to several open-end investment management companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that fund the variable investment options available to investors through the Companys variable annuity contracts (the SAAMCO Agreement). The SAAMCO Agreement was retroactive to January 1, 2002. Amounts paid to or accrued by the Company under this agreement totaled $0.4 million for the third quarter of 2003 and $1.2 million for the nine months of 2003. The Company accrued and received $1.8 million of fee income for the entire year of 2002 in December of 2002. Thus, no amounts were recorded in the first three quarters of 2002.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NET INCOME totaled $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2003, compared to $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months, net income amounted to $8.2 million in 2003, compared to $6.2 million in 2002. The operating results for 2003 include $0.4 million and $1.2 million of fees earned by the Company pursuant to the SAAMCO Agreement in the three months and nine months ending September 30, 2003, respectively.
PRETAX INCOME totaled $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2003, compared to $4.0 million in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months, pretax income totaled $13.8 million in 2003, compared to $10.5 million in 2002. The decrease in the third quarter of 2003 primarily resulted from higher DAC amortization, partially offset by higher net investment spread. The increase in the nine months of 2003 primarily resulted from higher net realized investment gains, partially offset by higher DAC amortization.
NET INVESTMENT SPREAD, which is the spread between the income earned on invested assets and the interest credited to fixed annuity contracts and paid on other interest-bearing liabilities, totaled $9.9 million in the third quarter of 2003, compared to $8.3 million in the third quarter of 2002. These amounts equal 1.77% on average invested assets (computed on a daily basis) of $2.25 billion in the third quarter of 2003 and 2.28% on average invested assets of $1.45 billion in the third quarter of 2002 on an
12
annualized basis. For the nine months, net investment spread increased to $27.9 million in 2003 from $27.3 million in 2002, representing 1.88% of average invested assets of $1.98 billion in 2003 and 2.61% of average invested assets of $1.40 billion in 2002 on an annualized basis. The decrease in the net investment spread rate was primarily due to the investment of new deposits into invested assets with shorter durations than the Companys fixed rate liabilities.
Growth in average invested assets resulted primarily from increased sales in the latter half of 2002 and in 2003 relating to the marketing of fixed annuities through new distribution relationships. Also contributing to the increased sales was higher demand for guaranteed fixed-return products, as investors sought security in an uncertain market environment. Changes in average invested assets also reflect net exchanges to fixed accounts from the separate accounts of variable annuity contracts, sales of fixed account options of the Companys variable annuity products, and renewal deposits on its universal life products (UL Deposits). Sales of fixed annuities and fixed account options (Fixed Annuity Deposits) and UL Deposits totaled $339.6 million in the third quarter of 2003, $154.7 million in the third quarter of 2002, $815.6 million in the nine months of 2003 and $218.6 million in the nine months of 2002, and are largely deposits for the fixed annuities. On an annualized basis, these deposits represent 69%, 49%, 71% and 23%, respectively, of the related reserve balances at the beginning of the respective periods. The increase in Fixed Annuity Deposits in 2003 is due primarily to increased sales relating to the marketing of fixed annuities through new distribution relationships.
Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, deposits collected on non-traditional life and annuity insurance products, such as those sold by the Company, are not reflected as revenues in the Companys statement of income, as they are recorded directly upon receipt to reserves for fixed annuity and universal life contracts.
Net investment spreads include the effect of income earned or interest paid on the difference between average invested assets and average interest-bearing liabilities. Average invested assets exceeded average interest-bearing liabilities by $89.3 million in the third quarter of 2003, compared to $116.6 million in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months, average invested assets exceeded average interest-bearing liabilities by $106.0 million in 2003, compared with $102.2 million in 2002. The difference between the Companys yield on average invested assets and the rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities (the Spread Difference) was 1.62% in the third quarter of 2003, 1.93% in the third quarter of 2002, 1.67% in the nine months of 2003 and 2.28% in the nine months of 2002.
Investment income (and the related yields on average invested assets) totaled $30.0 million (5.33%) in the third quarter of 2003, $22.8 million (6.27%) in the third quarter of 2002, $82.0 million (5.53%) in the nine months of 2003 and $70.0 million (6.68%) in the nine months of 2002. The decrease in the investment yield in 2003 compared to 2002 primarily reflects a lower prevailing interest rate environment. Investment income has been reduced by expenses incurred to manage the investment portfolio of $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2003, $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2002, $0.5 million in the nine months of 2003 and $0.4 million in the nine months of 2002.
Interest expense totaled $20.1 million in the third quarter of 2003 and $14.5 million in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months,
13
interest expense aggregated $54.1 million in 2003, compared with $42.7 million in 2002. The average rate paid on all interest-bearing liabilities was 3.71% in the third quarter of 2003, compared to 4.34% in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months, the average rate paid on all interest-bearing liabilities was 3.86% for 2003 and 4.40% for 2002. Interest-bearing liabilities averaged $2.16 billion during the third quarter of 2003, $1.34 billion during the third quarter of 2002, $1.87 billion during the nine months of 2003 and $1.29 billion during the nine months of 2002. The decline in overall rates paid in 2003 compared to 2002 resulted primarily from the impact of a declining interest rate environment, as the Company issued new fixed annuities at rates substantially below the prior year average rates.
NET REALIZED INVESTMENT LOSSES totaled $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2003 and $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2002 and include impairment writedowns of $2.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively. For the nine months, net realized investment gains totaled $2.4 million in 2003, compared with net realized investment losses of $6.2 million in 2002 and include impairment writedowns of $2.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively. Thus, there were no realized gains from sales and redemptions of investments in the third quarter of 2003, compared to net realized losses of $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months, net realized gains from sales and redemptions of investments totaled $5.0 million in 2003, compared to net realized losses of $3.4 million in 2002.
The Company sold or redeemed invested assets, principally bonds and notes, aggregating $136.5 million in the third quarter of 2003, $120.5 million in the third quarter of 2002, $388.1 million in the nine months of 2003 and $268.2 million in the nine months 2002. 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, represent 0.00%, 0.03%, 0.34% and 0.33% of average invested assets in the third quarter of 2003, the third quarter of 2002, the nine months of 2003 and the nine months of 2002, 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 $2.3 million, $1.8 million, $2.6 million and $2.7 million of provisions applied to bonds in the third quarter of 2003, the third quarter of 2002, the nine months of 2003 and the nine months of 2002, respectively. On an annualized basis, impairment writedowns represent 0.41%, 0.50%, 0.18% and 0.26% of average invested assets in the respective periods. For the twenty quarters ended September 30, 2003, impairment writedowns, as an annualized percentage of average invested assets, have ranged up to 3.99% and have averaged 0.80%. Such writedowns are based upon estimates of the fair 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.
14
VARIABLE ANNUITY POLICY FEES are based on the market value of assets in separate accounts supporting variable annuity contracts. Such fees totaled $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2003 (including $0.4 million attributable to the SAAMCO Agreement) and $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months, variable annuity fees totaled $6.0 million in 2003 (including $1.2 million attributable to the SAAMCO Agreement), compared to $5.6 million in 2002. Excluding the impact of the SAAMCO Agreement, variable annuity fees would have been $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2003 and $4.8 million in the nine months of 2003. The decreased fees in the nine months of 2003 as compared to the nine months of 2002 primarily reflects the unfavorable equity market conditions in 2002 and the early part of 2003, and the resulting unfavorable impact on market values of the assets in the separate accounts. On an annualized basis, variable annuity fees represent 2.0%, 1.6%, 2.0% and 1.6% of average variable annuity assets in the third quarters of 2003 and 2002 and the nine months of 2003 and 2002, respectively. Excluding the impact of the SAAMCO Agreement, variable annuity fees would have represented 1.6% of average variable annuity assets in both periods of 2003. Variable annuity assets averaged $418.9 million, $433.7 million, $404.9 million and $480.1 million during the respective periods. Variable annuity deposits, which exclude deposits allocated to the fixed accounts of variable annuity products, totaled $6.1 million and $15.1 million in the third quarters of 2003 and 2002, respectively. For the nine months, variable annuity deposits totaled $17.9 million in 2003, compared with $60.6 million in 2002. On an annualized basis, these amounts represent 6%, 13%, 6% and 16% of separate account liabilities at the beginning of the respective periods. Variable annuity deposits were higher in 2002 due to increased demand for FSA Advisor, which was 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 $52.8 million, $25.8 million, $98.0 million and $89.5 million in the third quarters of 2003 and 2002 and the nine months of 2003 and 2002, respectively. The increase in Variable Annuity Product Sales reflect the sales of the Companys new products, WM Diversified Strategies III and Polaris II. Introduced at the beginning of 2003, WM Diversified Strategies III, product sales totaled $25.6 million in the third quarter of 2003 and $41.9 million in the nine months of 2003. Polaris II was introduced in late 2002, product sales totaled $20.9 million in the third quarter of 2003 and $35.8 million in the nine months of 2003.
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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 annuities (see Regulation).
UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE POLICY FEES amounted to $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2003 and $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months, universal life insurance fees totaled $3.8 million in 2003 and $4.8 million in 2002. Universal life insurance policy fees consist of mortality charges, up-front fees earned on deposits received and administrative fees, net of reinsurance premiums. The administrative fees are assessed based on the number of policies in force as of the end of each month. The Company acquired its universal life contracts as part of the acquisition of business from MBL Life Assurance Corporation on July 1, 1999 and does not actively market such contracts. Such fees annualized represent 3.0%, 4.1%, 2.2% and 2.6% of average reserves for universal life insurance contracts in the respective periods.
SURRENDER CHARGES on fixed annuity, variable annuity and universal life contracts totaled $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2003 and $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months, such surrender charges totaled $1.2 million in 2003 and $1.3 million in 2002. Surrender charge periods range from zero to nine years from the date a deposit is received. Surrender charges generally are assessed on withdrawals at declining rates. Withdrawal payments, which exclude claims and annuitization benefits, totaled $46.9 million in the third quarter of 2003, compared to $47.4 million in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months, such withdrawal payments totaled $131.2 million in 2003 and $145.3 million in 2002. Annualized, these payments, when expressed as a percentage of average related reserves, represent 7.67%, 11.0%, 8.08% and 11.2% for the third quarters of 2003 and 2002 and the nine months of 2003 and 2002, respectively.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES totaled $1.3 million in the third quarters of 2003 and 2002. For the nine months, general and administrative expenses totaled $5.5 million in 2003 and $5.1 million in 2002. 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 $7.1 million in the third quarter of 2003, compared to $4.2 million in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months, such amortization totaled $18.3 million in 2003, compared to $12.8 million in 2002. The increase in amortization in 2003 was primarily related to the substantial increase in fixed annuity deposits, as well as the impact of increased net investment gains.
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ANNUAL COMMISSIONS totaled $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2003, compared to $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months, annual commissions amounted to $0.8 million in 2003 and $0.6 million in 2002. Annual commissions represent renewal commissions paid quarterly in arrears to maintain the persistency of certain of the Companys 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.
CLAIMS ON UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE CONTRACTS, NET OF REINSURANCE RECOVERIES totaled $0.6 million in the third quarter of 2003, compared to $1.0 million in 2002 (net of reinsurance recoveries of $1.2 million in 2003 and $0.6 million in 2002). For the nine months, such claims totaled $2.2 million in 2003, compared to $2.7 million in 2002 (net of reinsurance recoveries of $3.1 million in 2003 and $3.0 million in 2002).
GUARANTEED MINIMUM DEATH BENEFITS on variable annuity contracts totaled $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2003, compared to $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months, guaranteed minimum death benefits amounted to $0.6 million in 2003 and $1.1 million in 2002. The decrease in such benefits reflects the upturn in the equity markets in the second and third quarters of 2003. 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). The Company bears the risk that death claims following a decline in the equity 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. However, effective January 1, 2004, the Company will be required to record a liability for GMDBs (see Note 3 of notes to financial statements).
INCOME TAX EXPENSE totaled $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2003, $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2002, $5.7 million in the nine months of 2003 and $4.3 million in the nine months of 2002, representing effective annualized tax rates of 40%, 42%, 41% and 41%, respectively.
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CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY increased to $265.2 million at September 30, 2003 from $213.0 million at December 31, 2002. The increase reflected a capital contribution of $40.0 million, net income of $8.2 million and other comprehensive income of $4.0 million.
INVESTMENTS AND CASH at September 30, 2003 totaled $2.73 billion, compared to $1.71 billion at December 31, 2002. The Companys invested assets are managed by its affiliates. The following table summarizes the Companys portfolio of bonds and notes (the Bond Portfolio) and other investments and cash at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002:
September 30, 2003 | December 31, 2002 | |||||||||||||||
Carrying | Percent of | Carrying | Percent of | |||||||||||||
Value | Portfolio | Value | Portfolio | |||||||||||||
Bond Portfolio: | (in thousands, except for percentages) | |||||||||||||||
U.S. government securities |
$ | 3,467 | 0.1 | % | $ | 3,208 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
549,293 | 20.1 | 471,065 | 27.6 | ||||||||||||
Other bonds and notes |
1,631,898 | 59.7 | 935,780 | 54.8 | ||||||||||||
Total Bond Portfolio |
2,184,658 | 79.9 | 1,410,053 | 82.6 | ||||||||||||
Mortgage loans |
218,787 | 8.0 | 193,035 | 11.3 | ||||||||||||
Common stocks |
1,749 | 0.1 | 1,140 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Cash and short-term
investments |
181,418 | 6.6 | 37,955 | 2.2 | ||||||||||||
Other |
147,504 | 5.4 | 65,621 | 3.8 | ||||||||||||
Total investments and cash |
$ | 2,734,116 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,707,804 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
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 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 80% of the Companys total investment portfolio at September 30, 2003, had an aggregate fair value that was $54.8 million greater than its amortized cost at September 30, 2003, compared with $35.0 million at December 31, 2002. The increase in net unrealized gains on the Bond Portfolio during 2003 principally reflected the impact of impairment writedowns in 2003 as well as the decrease in prevailing interest rates and the corresponding effect on the fair value of the Bond Portfolio at September 30, 2003.
At September 30, 2003, the Bond Portfolio had an aggregate carrying value (i.e. fair value) of $2.18 billion and an aggregate amortized cost of $2.13 billion. At September 30, 2003, the Bond Portfolio included $1.94 billion of bonds rated by Standard & Poors (S&P), Moodys Investors Services (Moodys), Fitch (Fitch) or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and $242.5 million of bonds rated by the Company pursuant to statutory rating guidelines established by the NAIC. At
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September 30, 2003, approximately $2.04 billion of the Bond Portfolio was investment grade, including $546.9 million of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and U.S. government/agency securities.
At September 30, 2003, the Bond Portfolio included $146.1 million of bonds that were not rated investment grade. These non-investment-grade bonds accounted for approximately 4.5% of the Companys total assets and approximately 5.5% 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. An economic downturn could produce higher than average issuer defaults on the non-investment-grade securities, which could cause the Companys investment returns and net income to decline. At September 30, 2003, the Companys non-investment-grade portfolio consisted of 61 issues with one issuer representing 10.2% of the total non-investment grade bond portfolio. No other issuer represented more than 10% of the total non-investment grade bond portfolio. These non-investment-grade securities are comprised of bonds spanning 10 industries with 23% of these assets concentrated in financial institutions, 20% concentrated in communications, 14% concentrated in utilities and 14% concentrated in cyclical consumer industries. 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, 2003.
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RATED BONDS BY RATING CLASSIFICATION
(Dollars in thousands)
Issues not rated by S&P/Moody's/ |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issues rated by S&P/Moody's/Fitch | Fitch, by NAIC category | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated | NAIC | Estimated | Estimated | of total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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-] |
$ | 1,242,089 | $ | 1,278,162 | 1 | $ | 255,789 | $ | 264,539 | $ | 1,497,878 | $ | 1,542,701 | 57.58 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
BBB+ to BBB- (Baa1 to Baa3) [BBB+ to BBB-] |
377,090 | 390,543 | 2 | 103,230 | 105,345 | 480,320 | 495,888 | 18.51 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BB+ to BB- (Ba1 to Ba3) [BB+ to BB-] |
76,689 | 74,612 | 3 | 21,000 | 21,024 | 97,689 | 95,636 | 3.57 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B+ to B- (B1 to B3) [B+ to B-] |
25,050 | 24,864 | 4 | 16,909 | 16,934 | 41,959 | 41,798 | 1.56 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
CCC+ to C (Caa to C) [CCC] |
7,781 | 6,068 | 5 | 2,183 | 2,484 | 9,964 | 8,552 | 0.32 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C1 to D [DD] {D} |
| | 6 | 2,050 | 83 | 2,050 | 83 | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
TOTAL RATED ISSUES |
$ | 1,728,699 | $ | 1,774,249 | $ | 401,161 | $ | 410,409 | $ | 2,129,860 | $ | 2,184,658 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 $242.5 million of assets that were rated by the Company pursuant to applicable NAIC rating guidelines. |
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The valuation of invested assets involves obtaining a fair value for each security. The source for the fair value is generally from market exchanges, with the exception of non-traded securities.
Another aspect of valuation pertains to impairment. As a matter of policy, the determination that a security has incurred an other-than-temporary decline in value and the amount of any loss recognition requires the judgment of the Companys management and a continual review of its investments.
In general, a security is considered a candidate for impairment if it meets any of the following criteria:
| Trading at a significant discount to par, amortized cost (if lower) or cost for an extended period of time; |
| The occurrence of a discrete credit event resulting in; (i) the issuer defaulting on a material outstanding obligation; or (ii) the issuer seeking protection from creditors under the bankruptcy laws or similar laws intended for the court supervised reorganization of insolvent enterprises; or (iii) the issuer proposing a voluntary reorganization pursuant to which creditors are asked to exchange their claims for cash or securities having a fair value substantially lower than the par value of their claims; or |
| In the opinion of the Companys management, it is unlikely the Company will realize a full recovery on its investment, irrespective of the occurrence of one of the foregoing events. |
Once a security has been identified as potentially impaired, the amount of such impairment is determined by reference to that securitys contemporaneous market price. However, the market price following a significant credit event of any issuer may be volatile after such an event. Factors such as market liquidity, hedge fund activity, sensitivity to headline risk, and the widening of bid/ask spreads contribute to price volatility. Because of such volatility, the market price may not be indicative of the fair value or a reasonable estimate of realizable value.
The Company has the ability to hold any security to its stated maturity. Therefore, the decision to sell reflects the judgment of the Companys management that the security sold is unlikely to provide, on a relative value basis, as attractive a return in the future as alternative securities entailing comparable risks. With respect to distressed securities, the sale decision reflects managements judgment that the risk-discounted anticipated ultimate recovery is less than the value achieved on sale.
As a result of these policies, the Company recorded pretax impairment writedowns of $2.6 million in the nine months of 2003 and $2.7 million in the nine months of 2002.
Excluding the impairments noted above, the changes in market value for the Companys Bond Portfolio, which constitutes the vast majority of the Companys investments, were recorded as a component of other comprehensive income in shareholders equity as unrealized gains or losses.
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At September 30, 2003, the Companys Bond Portfolio had gross unrealized gains of $75.6 million and gross unrealized losses of $20.8 million. No single issuer accounted for more than 10% of the unrealized losses.
At September 30, 2003, the fair value of the Companys Bond Portfolio aggregated $2.18 billion. Of this aggregate fair value, approximately 0.6% represented securities trading at or below 75% of amortized cost. The impact of unrealized losses on net income will be further mitigated upon realization by the impact of the realized losses on DAC amortization and income taxes.
At September 30, 2003, approximately $522.5 million of the Bond Portfolio had a gross unrealized loss of $20.8 million. The gross unrealized losses in the Bond Portfolio included the following concentrations:
Gross | ||||
Concentration | Unrealized Losses | |||
(In thousands) | ||||
Investment Grade: |
||||
Communications |
$ | 267 | ||
Finance companies |
5,502 | |||
Non-Corporate |
2,754 | |||
Transportation |
2,166 | |||
Utility |
255 | |||
Other |
298 | |||
Not rated and Below Investment Grade: |
||||
Communications |
1,468 | |||
Finance companies |
5,733 | |||
Non-Corporate |
404 | |||
Transportation |
37 | |||
Utility |
725 | |||
Other |
1,189 |
The amortized cost of the Bond Portfolio in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2003, by contractual maturity, is shown below.
Amortized Cost | ||||
(In thousands) | ||||
Due in one year or less |
$ | 2,000 | ||
Due after one year through five years |
118,704 | |||
Due after five years through ten years |
240,696 | |||
Due after ten years |
181,903 | |||
Total |
$ | 543,303 | ||
In the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the pretax realized losses incurred with respect to the sale of fixed securities in the Bond Portfolio were $1.7 million. The aggregate fair value of securities sold was $80.1 million, which was approximately 98.% of amortized cost. The average period of time that securities sold at a loss during 2003 were trading continuously at a price below amortized cost was approximately 15 months.
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The aging of the Bond Portfolio in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2003 is shown below:
Amortized | Unrealized | Number of | |||||||||||
Cost | Losses | Items | |||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||
Investment Grade: |
|||||||||||||
0-6 months |
$ | 203,539 | $ | 4,115 | 22 | ||||||||
7-12 months |
3,121 | 11 | 2 | ||||||||||
>12 months |
17,044 | 445 | 5 | ||||||||||
Below Investment Grade: |
|||||||||||||
0-6 months |
$ | 218,545 | $ | 7,057 | 47 | ||||||||
7-12 months |
24,992 | 166 | 4 | ||||||||||
>12 months |
76,062 | 9,006 | 24 | ||||||||||
Total: |
|||||||||||||
0-6 months |
$ | 422,084 | $ | 11,172 | 69 | ||||||||
7-12 months |
28,113 | 177 | 6 | ||||||||||
>12 months |
93,106 | 9,451 | 29 |
As stated previously, the valuation for the Companys Bond Portfolio comes from market exchanges or dealer quotations, with the exception of non-traded securities. The Company considers non-traded securities to mean certain fixed income investments and certain structured securities. The aggregate carrying value of these securities at September 30, 2003 was approximately $513.3 million.
The methodology used to estimate fair value of non-traded fixed income investments is by reference to traded securities with similar attributes and using a matrix pricing methodology. This technique takes into account such factors as the industry, the securitys rating and tenor, its coupon rate, its position in the capital structure of the issuer and other relevant factors. The change in fair value is recognized as a component of other comprehensive income.
For certain structured securities, the carrying value is based on an estimate of the securitys future cash flows pursuant to the requirements of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 99-20 Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets. The change in carrying value is recognized in income.
Each of these investment categories is regularly tested to determine if impairment in value exists. Various valuation techniques are used with respect to each category in this determination.
Senior secured loans (Secured Loans) are included in the Bond Portfolio and aggregated $79.6 million at September 30, 2003. Secured Loans are senior to subordinated debt and equity and are secured by assets of the issuer. At September 30, 2003, Secured Loans consisted of $53.6 million of privately traded securities and $26.0 million of publicly traded securities. These Secured Loans are composed of loans to borrowers spanning 8 industries, with 34% of these assets concentrated in the electric industry, 17% of these assets concentrated in consumer services, 17% of these assets concentrated in energy and 12% of these assets concentrated in utilities. No other industry concentration constituted more than 10% of these assets.
24
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 $218.8 million at September 30, 2003 and consisted of 88 commercial first mortgage loans with an average loan balance of approximately $2.5 million, collateralized by properties located in 29 states. The properties collateralizing the portfolios were approximately 42% office, 21% multifamily residential, 12% industrial, 14% retail, and 11% other types. At September 30, 2003, approximately 31% and 12% of this portfolio was secured by properties located in California and Texas, respectively, and no more than 10% of this portfolio was secured by properties located in any other single state. At September 30, 2003, there were 3 mortgage loans with an outstanding balance of $10 million or more, which collectively aggregated approximately 22% of the portfolio. At the time of their origination or purchase by the Company, virtually all mortgage loans had loan-to-value ratios of 75% or less. At September 30, 2003, approximately 23% of the mortgage loan portfolio consisted of loans with balloon payments due before October 1, 2006. During 2003 and 2002, 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, 2003, approximately 22% 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 its 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 underwriting standards, the Company believes that it has prudently managed the risk attributable to its mortgage loan portfolio while maintaining attractive yields.
POLICY LOANS totaled $35.4 million at September 30, 2003, compared to $36.1 million at December 31, 2002, and primarily represent loans taken against universal life insurance policies.
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL totaled $112.1 million at September 30, 2003, compared to $29.6 million at December 31, 2002, and consisted of cash collateral invested in highly rated short-term securities received in connection with the Companys securities lending program. Although the cash collateral is currently invested in highly rated short-term securities, the applicable collateral agreements permit the cash collateral to be invested in highly liquid short and long-term investment portfolios. At least 75% of the
25
portfolios short-term investments must have external issue ratings of A-1/P-1, one of the highest ratings for short-term credit quality. Long-term investments include corporate notes with maturities of five years or less and a credit rating by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSRO), with no less than a S&P rating of A or equivalent by any other NRSRO.
ASSET-LIABILITY MATCHING is utilized by the Company in an effort 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, 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, market value adjustments or other restrictions in order to encourage persistency. Approximately 75% of the Companys fixed annuity and universal life reserves had surrender penalties or other restrictions at September 30, 2003.
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 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 and cash flows of the fixed-rate assets to that of its fixed-rate liabilities. The fixed-rate assets in the Companys asset-liability modeling included: cash and short-term investments; bonds and notes; mortgage loans; and policy loans. At September 30, 2003, these assets had an aggregate fair value of $2.73 billion with an option-adjusted duration of 3.4. The Companys fixed-rate liabilities include fixed annuity and universal life insurance contracts. At September 30, 2003, these liabilities had an aggregate fair value (determined by discounting future contractual cash flows by related market rates of interest) of $2.38 billion with an option-adjusted duration of 3.8. The Companys potential exposure due to a relative 10% increase in prevailing interest rates from their September 30, 2003 levels is a loss of approximately $0.6 million, representing a 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.
Option-adjusted duration is a common measure for the price sensitivity of a fixed-maturity portfolio to changes in interest rates. For example, if interest rates increase 1%, the fair value of an asset with a duration of 5.0 is expected to decrease in value by approximately 5%. The Company estimates the option-adjusted duration of its assets and liabilities using a number of different interest rate scenarios, assuming continuation of existing
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investment and interest crediting strategies, including maintaining an appropriate level of liquidity. Actual company and contract owner behaviors may be different than was assumed in the estimate of option-adjusted duration and these differences may be material.
The overall interest-credited rate environment has continued to decline in 2003. A significant portion of the Companys fixed annuity contracts (including the fixed option of variable contracts) has reached or is near the minimum contractual guaranteed rate (generally 3%). Continual declines in interest rates could cause the spread between the yield on the portfolio and the interest rate credited to policyholders to deteriorate. In 2003, the State of New York adopted legislation reducing the minimum contractual rate that can be credited to policyholders on new contracts to 1.5%. As a result, certain contracts issued in 2003 will have a 1.5% minimum contractual guaranteed rate. This will not impact the previously issued contracts.
The Company seeks to enhance its spread income with dollar roll repurchase agreements (Dollar Roll Repos). Dollar Roll Repos involve a sale of MBS by the Company and an agreement to repurchase substantially similar MBS at a later date at an agreed upon price. 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 the Companys Dollar Roll Repos is counterparty risk. The Company believes, however, that the counterparties to its Dollar Roll Repos are financially responsible and that the counterparty risk associated with those transactions is minimal. It is the Companys policy that these agreements are entered into with counterparties who have a debt rating of A/A2 or better from both S&P and Moodys. The Company continually monitors its credit exposure with respect to these agreements. 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 such a security, the Company assesses the risk of prepayment by analyzing the securitys projected performance over an array of interest-rate scenarios. Once such a security 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 conducting 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,
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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 fair value. 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. Impairment losses on securitized assets are recognized if the fair value of the security is less than its book value, and the net present value of expected future cash flows is less than the net present value of expected future cash flows at the most recent(prior) estimation date.
DEFAULTED INVESTMENTS, comprising all investments that are in default as to the payment of principal or interest, totaled $1.4 million of bonds at September 30, 2003, which constituted approximately 0.05% of total invested assets. At December 31, 2002, defaulted investments totaled $5.7 million of bonds which constituted less than 0.3% of total invested assets.
SOURCES OF LIQUIDITY are readily available to the Company in the form of the Companys existing portfolio of cash and short-term investments, Dollar Roll Repo capacity on invested assets and if required, proceeds from invested asset sales. The Companys liquidity is primarily derived from operating cash flows. At September 30, 2003, approximately $1.66 billion of the Bond Portfolio had an aggregate unrealized gain of $75.6 million while approximately $522.5 million of the Companys Bond Portfolio had an aggregate unrealized loss of $20.8 million. In addition, the Companys investment portfolio currently provides approximately $15.5 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 rate. 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 Dollar Roll 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
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events that may cause such a liquidity strain could be the result of economic collapse or terrorist acts.
Management believes that the Companys liquid assets and its net cash provided by operations will enable the Company to meet any foreseeable cash requirements for at least the next twelve months.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In July 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) issued Statement of Position 03-1, Accounting and reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Non traditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts (SOP 03-1). This statement is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2004. Under SOP 03-1, variable annuity assets held in separate accounts will continue to be measured at fair value and reported in summary total on the Companys financial statements, with an equivalent summary total reported for related liabilities, if the separate account arrangement meets certain specified conditions. The adoption of SOP 03-1 will not have a material impact on the Companys separate accounts.
In addition, SOP 03-1 will require the Company to recognize a liability for guaranteed minimum death benefits and modify certain disclosures and financial statement presentations for this product. The Company continues to evaluate the provisions of SOP 03-1. Management currently expects the one-time cumulative accounting charge upon adoption to approximate $5 million after taxes, to be recorded in the first quarter of 2004, which is not material to the Companys financial condition or liquidity.
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 on 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.
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
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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 as of September 30, 2003.
Privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act became fully effective in 2001 and established new consumer protections regarding the security, confidentiality, and uses of nonpublic personal information of individuals. The law also requires financial institutions to 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 25 and 26 herein.
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CONTROLS & PROCEDURES
The Companys disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Companys management, including the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Companys Chief Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer have reviewed the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2003 and have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There was no change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting, that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2003, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
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FIRST SUNAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
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, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
Item 5. Other Information
Not applicable.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
EXHIBITS
Exhibits are listed in the Exhibit Index beginning on page 35 herein.
REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
There were no current reports on Form 8-K filed during the three months ended September 30, 2003.
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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 13, 2003 |
/s/ N. SCOTT GILLIS N. Scott Gillis Senior Vice President and Director (Principal Financial Officer) |
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Date: |
November 13, 2003 |
/s/ STEWART POLAKOV Stewart Polakov Senior Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) |
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit | ||
(31.1) | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications | |
(31.2) | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications | |
(32) | Section 1350 Certifications |
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