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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Fidelity & Guaranty Lifefgl-12312016x10xqex321.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Fidelity & Guaranty Lifefgl-12312016x10xqex311.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - Fidelity & Guaranty Lifefgl-12312016x10xqex322.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Fidelity & Guaranty Lifefgl-12312016x10xqex312.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
Form 10-Q
 
 
 
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2016
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to
Commission file number: 001-36227
 
 
 
FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 

Delaware
46-3489149
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Two Ruan Center
601 Locust Street, 14th Floor
Des Moines, Iowa
50309
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(800) 445-6758
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
 
 
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    or    No ¨.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes x    or    No ¨.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer
¨
 
Accelerated Filer
x
Non-accelerated Filer
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes ¨    or    No x
There were 58,984,637 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of February 2, 2017.
 



FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION & FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

2


PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements
FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share data)
 
December 31,
2016
 
September 30,
2016
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Investments:

 
 
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: December 31, 2016 - $19,173; September 30, 2016 - $18,521)
$
19,437

 
$
19,411

Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: December 31, 2016 - $691; September 30, 2016 - $640)
696

 
683

Derivative investments
314

 
276

Commercial mortgage loans
582

 
595

Other invested assets
47

 
60

Total investments
21,076

 
21,025

Related party loans
71

 
71

Cash and cash equivalents
632

 
864

Accrued investment income
201

 
214

Reinsurance recoverable
3,444

 
3,464

Intangibles, net
1,228

 
1,026

Deferred tax assets
68

 

Other assets
232

 
371

Total assets
$
26,952

 
$
27,035

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractholder funds
$
19,486

 
$
19,251

Future policy benefits
3,453

 
3,467

Funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities
1,142

 
1,172

Liability for policy and contract claims
53

 
55

Debt
300

 
300

Revolving credit facility
100

 
100

Deferred tax liability

 
10

Other liabilities
666

 
746

Total liabilities
25,200

 
25,101

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies ("Note 12")

 

 
 
 
 
Shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock ($.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016)
$

 
$

Common stock ($.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 58,984,034 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016; 58,956,127 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016)
1

 
1

Additional paid-in capital
715

 
714

Retained earnings
896

 
792

Accumulated other comprehensive income
153

 
439

Treasury stock, at cost (565,723 shares at December 31, 2016; 537,613 shares at September 30, 2016)
(13
)
 
(12
)
Total shareholders' equity
1,752

 
1,934

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
26,952

 
$
27,035

 
 
 
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except share data)

 
Three months ended
 
December 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
(Unaudited)
Revenues:
 
 
 
Premiums
$
11

 
$
15

Net investment income
240

 
222

Net investment gains
51

 
63

Insurance and investment product fees and other
38

 
29

Total revenues
340

 
329

Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves
20

 
181

Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals
28

 
28

Amortization of intangibles
123

 
41

        Total benefits and expenses
171

 
250

Operating income
169

 
79

Interest expense
(6
)
 
(6
)
Income before income taxes
163

 
73

Income tax expense
(55
)
 
(25
)
        Net income
$
108

 
$
48

 
 
 
 
Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.85

 
$
0.82

Diluted
$
1.85

 
$
0.82

Weighted average common shares used in computing net income per common share:
 
 
 
Basic
58,280,532

 
58,219,260

Diluted
58,366,009

 
58,542,588

 
 
 
 
Cash dividend per common share
$
0.065

 
$
0.065

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosures:
 
 
 
Total other-than-temporary impairments
$
(1
)
 
$
(10
)
Portion of other-than-temporary impairments included in other comprehensive income

 

Net other-than-temporary impairments
(1
)
 
(10
)
(Losses) Gains on derivative and embedded derivatives
51

 
70

Other realized investment gains
1

 
3

        Total net investment (losses) gains
$
51

 
$
63



See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In millions)
 
Three months ended
 
December 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
(Unaudited)
Net income
$
108

 
$
48

 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
Unrealized investment gains/(losses):
 
 
 
Change in unrealized investment gains/losses before reclassification adjustment
(663
)
 
(373
)
Net reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income
(2
)
 
7

Changes in unrealized investment gains/losses after reclassification adjustment
(665
)
 
(366
)
Adjustments to intangible assets
225

 
135

Changes in deferred income tax asset/liability
154

 
81

Net changes to derive comprehensive (loss) income for the period
(286
)
 
(150
)
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
$
(178
)
 
$
(102
)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


5


FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited) (In millions)

 
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, September 30, 2016
$

 
$
1

 
$
714

 
$
792

 
$
439

 
$
(12
)
 
$
1,934

Treasury shares purchased

 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Dividends

 

 

 
(4
)
 

 

 
(4
)
Net income

 

 

 
108

 

 

 
108

Unrealized investment losses, net

 

 

 

 
(286
)
 

 
(286
)
Stock compensation

 

 
1

 

 

 

 
1

Balance, December 31, 2016
$

 
$
1

 
$
715

 
$
896

 
$
153

 
$
(13
)
 
$
1,752

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


6


FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
 
Three months ended
 
December 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
108

 
$
48

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Stock based compensation
1

 
4

Amortization
(6
)
 
(15
)
Deferred income taxes
76

 
23

Interest credited/index credit to contractholder account balances
(13
)
 
136

Net recognized (gains) on investments and derivatives
(51
)
 
(63
)
Charges assessed to contractholders for mortality and administration
(32
)
 
(24
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net of related amortization
23

 
(39
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
     Reinsurance recoverable
(8
)
 
(9
)
     Future policy benefits
(14
)
 
5

  Funds withheld from reinsurers
(26
)
 
(16
)
  Collateral posted
40

 
66

     Other assets and other liabilities
(26
)
 
24

Net cash provided by operating activities
72

 
140

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from available-for-sale investments sold, matured or repaid
733

 
896

Proceeds from derivatives instruments and other invested assets
71

 
89

Proceeds from commercial mortgage loans
13

 
2

Cost of available-for-sale investments acquired
(1,355
)
 
(1,021
)
Costs of derivatives instruments and other invested assets
(54
)
 
(78
)
Costs of commercial mortgage loans

 
(87
)
Related party loans

 
(3
)
Capital expenditures
(2
)
 
(2
)
Net cash (used in) investing activities
(594
)
 
(204
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Treasury stock
(1
)
 
(1
)
Common stock issued under employee plans

 
2

Dividends paid
(4
)
 
(4
)
Contractholder account deposits
698

 
569

Contractholder account withdrawals
(403
)
 
(436
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
290

 
130

Change in cash & cash equivalents
(232
)
 
66

Cash & cash equivalents, beginning of period
864

 
502

Cash & cash equivalents, end of period
$
632

 
$
568

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
10

 
$
10

Taxes paid
$

 
$
1

Deferred sales inducements
$

 
$
6


See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

7


FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

(1) Basis of Presentation
Fidelity & Guaranty Life (“FGL” and, collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a subsidiary of HRG Group, Inc. (formerly, Harbinger Group Inc. (“HRG”)). The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  Therefore, the information contained in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Fidelity & Guaranty Life and Subsidiaries' Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended September 30, 2016 (“2016 Form 10-K”), should be read in connection with the reading of these interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Dollar amounts in the accompanying sections are presented in millions, unless otherwise noted.
FGL markets products through its wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries, Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company (“FGL Insurance”) and Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company of New York (“FGL NY Insurance”), which together is licensed in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.
On November 8, 2015, FGL entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended “Merger Agreement” and the merger contemplated thereby, the "Merger"), by and among FGL, Anbang Insurance Group Co., Ltd., a joint-stock insurance company established in the People’s Republic of China (“Anbang”), AB Infinity Holding, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anbang (“AB Infinity”), and AB Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of AB Infinity (“Merger Sub”), which was amended on November 3, 2016, to extend the outside termination date for the completion of the Merger from November 7, 2016 to February 8, 2017. Accordingly, either party may terminate the merger agreement if the closing of the merger does not occur prior to February 8, 2017. As of the date of this report, the parties were in discussions regarding an extension of the outside termination date beyond February 8, 2017. The Company expects to make an announcement on or about February 9, 2017 regarding the outcome of their discussions.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of FGL common stock will be canceled and converted automatically into the right to receive $26.80 in cash, without interest, other than any shares of common stock owned by FGL as treasury stock or otherwise or owned by Anbang, AB Infinity or Merger Sub (which will be canceled and no payment will be made with respect thereto), shares of common stock granted pursuant to FGL’s employee equity award plan and those shares of common stock with respect to which appraisal rights under Delaware law are properly exercised and not withdrawn.
At the effective time of the Merger, each, vested and unvested, FGL option to purchase shares of common stock and restricted shares of common stock will become fully vested and automatically converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount pursuant to the Merger Agreement.  In addition, at such time, each, vested and unvested, stock option and restricted stock unit relating to shares of Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of FGL (“FGLH”) will become fully vested and automatically converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and each dividend equivalent right held in respect of a share of FGLH stock (a “DER”), whether vested or unvested, will become fully vested and automatically converted into the right to receive a cash payment equal to the amount accrued with respect to such DER. All DER were vested as of March 31, 2016 and were paid out in April 2016.
The Merger is subject to closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals from the Iowa Insurance Division, New York Department of Financial Services, Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, China Insurance Regulatory Commission, and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ("CFIUS"). In the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated, FGL may be required to pay a termination fee to Anbang and its subsidiaries of $51.
On November 8, 2015, FS Holdco II Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HRG Group, Inc. and direct holder of 47,000 thousand shares of FGL’s common stock representing approximately 81% of the outstanding shares of FGL’s common stock, delivered a written consent adopting, authorizing, accepting and approving in all respects the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger. On November 25, 2015,

8


FGL obtained the requisite approval for the Merger from the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. On March 14, 2016, FGL received notification from CFIUS that it had concluded all action under Section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, and determined that there are no unresolved national security concerns with respect to the merger. The parties are not required to file a notification of the Merger under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, due to an available exemption. The adoption of the Merger Agreement by FGL’s shareholders required the affirmative vote or written consent of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of FGL’s common stock.
In the opinion of management, these statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s results.  Operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2016, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending September 30, 2017.  Amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive income are reflected in net investment gains in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Significant Accounting Policies and Practices
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all other entities in which FGL has a controlling financial interest. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
We are involved in certain entities that are considered variable interest entities ("VIEs") as defined under GAAP. Our involvement with VIEs is primarily to invest in assets that allow us to gain exposure to a broadly diversified portfolio of asset classes. A VIE is an entity that does not have sufficient equity to finance its own activities without additional financial support or where investors lack certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest. We assess our relationships to determine if we have the ability to direct the activities, or otherwise exert control to evaluate if we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE. See "Note 4. Investments" to the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Company’s investments in unconsolidated VIEs.
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
Share-Based Payments When a Performance Target is Achieved after the Requisite Service Period
In June 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on Stock Compensation (ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Term of an Award Provide that a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years. The new guidance requires performance targets that affect vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period to be treated as performance conditions. Such performance targets will not be included in the grant-date fair value calculation of the award, rather compensation cost will be recorded when it is probable the performance target will be reached and should represent the compensation cost attributable to period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. The Company adopted this guidance effective October 1, 2016, as required. The adoption of ASU 2014-12 will not impact the Company's consolidated financial statements or related disclosures, as the Company has historically treated the performance targets for its share-based payment awards as a performance condition that affects vesting and has not reflected the targets in the grant-date fair value calculation of the awards.
Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis
In February 2015, the FASB issued amended consolidation guidance (ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The amended guidance changes the consolidation analysis of reporting entities with variable interest entity ("VIE") relationships by i) modifying the criteria used to evaluate whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities and revising the primary beneficiary determination of a VIE, ii) eliminating the specialized consolidation model and guidance for limited partnerships thereby removing the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, iii) reducing the criteria in the variable interest model contained in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810, Consolidation, that is used to evaluate whether the fees paid to a decision maker or service provider represents a variable interest, and iv) exempting reporting entities from consolidating money market funds that operate in accordance with Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of

9


1940. The Company adopted ASU 2015-02 effective October 1, 2016, as required. The adoption of ASU 2015-02 will not impact the Company's consolidated financial statements or related disclosure as the Company determined that this new guidance does not change its conclusions regarding consolidation of its VIEs.
Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs
In April 2015, the FASB issued amended guidance (ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years. The amended guidance requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability, similar to the presentation of debt discounts or premiums. The cost of issuing debt will no longer be recorded as a separate asset, except when incurred before the receipt of the funding from the associated debt liability. Instead, debt issuance costs will be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, and the costs will be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. The Company adopted ASU 2015-03 effective October 1, 2016, as required. The Company retrospectively considered adjustments to adjust its historical balance sheets to present deferred debt issuance costs related to the Company's debt as a reduction of the debt liability. As the Company's debt issuance costs were fully amortized as of the period ended September 30, 2016, there is no impact to the current period financial statements.
Accounting for Fees Paid in Cloud Computing Arrangements
In April 2015, the FASB issued amended guidance (ASU 2015-05, Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years. Previous GAAP did not include explicit guidance regarding a customer's accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement, which may include software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as a service, and other similar hosting arrangements. The adopted guidance addresses whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If the cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The Company prospectively adopted ASU 2015-05 effective as of October 1, 2016, as required, for all new or materially modified cloud computing arrangements that contain a software license component.
Investments That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share
In May 2015, the FASB issued amended guidance (ASU 2015-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those years. Previous GAAP required that investments for which fair value is measured at net asset value (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient in Topic 820 be categorized within the fair value hierarchy using criteria that differ from the criteria used to categorize other fair value measurements within the hierarchy. Previously, investments valued using the practical expedient were categorized within the fair value hierarchy on the basis of whether the investment is redeemable with the investee at net asset value on the measurement date, never redeemable with the investee at net asset value, or redeemable with the investee at net asset value at a future date. For investments that are redeemable with the investee at a future date, a reporting entity will take into account the length of time until those investments become redeemable to determine the classification within the fair value hierarchy. There is diversity in practice related to how certain investments measured at net asset value with redemption dates in the future (including periodic redemption dates) are categorized within the fair value hierarchy. Under the amendments in this Update, investments for which fair value will be measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient should not be categorized in the fair value hierarchy. Removing those investments from the fair value hierarchy not only eliminates the diversity in practice resulting from the way in which investments measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent) with future redemption dates are classified, but also ensures that all investments categorized in the fair value hierarchy are classified using a consistent approach. Investments that calculate net asset value per share (or its equivalent), but for which the practical expedient is not applied will continue to be included in the fair value hierarchy. The Company adopted ASU 2015-07 effective October 1, 2016, as required, and has updated the fair value disclosures to reflect the amended guidance. Refer to "Note 6. Fair Value of Financial Instruments" for further details.

10


Future Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements
Presentation of Changes in Restricted Cash on the Cash Flow Statement
In November 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance (ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash), effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The ASU will require amounts generally described as changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU may be early adopted during any period or interim period, however, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The amendments should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company will not early adopt this standard and is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Technical Corrections and Improvements
In December 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the Simplification of Topics Within Insurance and Debt Restructuring (ASU 2016-19, Technical Corrections and Improvements), effective upon issuance for most amendments in the Update. For several items requiring transition guidance, the ASU identifies adoption dates specific to those items. The amendments cover a wide range of topics in the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") and will correct differences between original guidance and the ASC, clarify guidance through updated wording or corrected references, and simplify guidance through minor editing. The amendments in this ASU that do not require transition guidance were effective upon issuance, however, those that require transition guidance may be early adopted. The Company adopted the amendments that do not require transition guidance upon issuance of ASU 2016-19 with no impact on its financial statements. The Company will not early adopt the guidance in this standard that require transition guidance and is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

(3) Significant Risks and Uncertainties

Federal Regulation    

In April 2016, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) released its final “fiduciary” rule which could have a material impact on the Company, its products, distribution, and business model. The final rule treats persons who provide investment advice for a fee or other compensation with respect to assets of an employer plan or individual retirement account ("IRA") as fiduciaries of that plan or IRA. Significantly, the rule expands the definition of fiduciary to apply to persons, including insurance agents, who advise and sell products to IRA owners. As a practical matter, this means commissioned insurance agents selling the Company’s IRA products must qualify for a prohibited transaction exemption which requires the agent and financial institution to meet various conditions including that an annuity sale be in the “best interest” of the client without regard for the agent’s, financial institution’s or other party’s financial or other interests, and that any compensation paid to the agent and financial institution be reasonable. The final rule was effective June 2016 and generally applicable in April 2017. The rule has generated considerable controversy and is the subject of industry efforts to block implementation both in Congress and through court actions. The success or failure of these efforts cannot be predicted. Assuming the rule is not blocked, the precise impact of the rule on the financial services industry more generally, and the impact on the Company and its business in particular, is difficult to assess. We believe however it could have an adverse effect on sales of annuity products to IRA owners particularly in the independent agent distribution channel. A significant portion of our annuity sales are to IRAs. Compliance with the prohibited transaction exemptions would likely require additional supervision of agents, cause changes to compensation practices and product offerings, and increase litigation risk, all of which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and/or financial condition. Regardless of the outcome of the court and political challenges, FGL Insurance is prepared to execute on its implementation plans on the applicability date.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets

11


and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions used.
Concentrations of Financial Instruments
As of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, the Company’s most significant investment in one industry, excluding United States ("U.S.") Government securities, was its investment securities in the banking industry with a fair value of $2,570 or 12% and $2,448 or 12%, respectively, of the invested assets portfolio, and an amortized cost of $2,552 and $2,352, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s holdings in this industry include investments in 106 different issuers with the top ten investments accounting for 32% of the total holdings in this industry. As of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, the Company had no investments in issuers that exceeded 10% of shareholders' equity. The Company's largest concentration in any single issuer as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 was Wells Fargo & Company with a total fair value of $166 or 1% and $171 or 1% of the invested assets portfolio, respectively.

Concentrations of Financial and Capital Markets Risk
The Company is exposed to financial and capital markets risk, including changes in interest rates and credit spreads which can have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. The Company expects to continue to face challenges and uncertainties that could adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition. The Company attempts to mitigate the risk, including changes in interest rates by investing in less rate-sensitive investments, including senior tranches of collateralized loan obligations, non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities, and various types of asset backed securities.
The Company’s exposure to such financial and capital markets risk relates primarily to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in interest rates. A rise in interest rates, in the absence of other countervailing changes, will decrease the net unrealized gain position of the Company’s investment portfolio and, if long-term interest rates rise dramatically within a six to twelve month time period, certain of the Company’s products may be exposed to disintermediation risk. Disintermediation risk refers to the risk that policyholders may surrender their contracts in a rising interest rate environment, requiring the Company to liquidate assets in an unrealized loss position. Management believes this risk is mitigated to some extent by surrender charge protection provided by the Company’s products.
Concentration of Reinsurance Risk
The Company has a significant concentration of reinsurance with Wilton Reassurance Company (“Wilton Re”) and Front Street Re (Cayman) Ltd. ("FSRCI"), an affiliate, that could have a material impact on the Company’s financial position in the event that Wilton Re or FSRCI fail to perform their obligations under the various reinsurance treaties. Wilton Re is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board ("CPPIB"). CPPIB has an AAA issuer credit rating from Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") as of December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, the net amount recoverable from Wilton Re was $1,528 and the net amount recoverable from FSRCI was $1,087. The coinsurance agreement with FSRCI is on a funds withheld basis. The Company monitors both the financial condition of individual reinsurers and risk concentration arising from similar geographic regions, activities and economic characteristics of reinsurers to attempt to reduce the risk of default by such reinsurers.


12


(4) Investments
The Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities investments have been designated as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) net of associated adjustments for deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”), value of business acquired (“VOBA”), and deferred income taxes. The Company’s consolidated investments at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 are summarized as follows:
 
December 31, 2016
 
 Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for sale securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
$
2,629

 
$
17

 
$
(38
)
 
$
2,608

 
$
2,608

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
852

 
7

 
(22
)
 
837

 
837

Corporates
11,294

 
412

 
(227
)
 
11,479

 
11,479

Equities
691

 
17

 
(12
)
 
696

 
696

Hybrids
1,352

 
45

 
(64
)
 
1,333

 
1,333

Municipals
1,553

 
113

 
(25
)
 
1,641

 
1,641

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,269

 
65

 
(25
)
 
1,309

 
1,309

U.S. Government
224

 
6

 

 
230

 
230

Total available-for-sale securities
19,864

 
682

 
(413
)
 
20,133

 
20,133

Derivative investments
218

 
104

 
(8
)
 
314

 
314

Commercial mortgage loans
582

 

 

 
574

 
582

Other invested assets
47

 

 

 
43

 
47

Total investments
$
20,711

 
$
786

 
$
(421
)
 
$
21,064

 
$
21,076


 
September 30, 2016
 
 Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
 Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
$
2,528

 
$
16

 
$
(45
)
 
$
2,499

 
$
2,499

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
850

 
23

 
(9
)
 
864

 
864

Corporates
10,712

 
760

 
(132
)
 
11,340

 
11,340

Equities
640

 
47

 
(4
)
 
683

 
683

Hybrids
1,356

 
77

 
(47
)
 
1,386

 
1,386

Municipals
1,515

 
206

 
(4
)
 
1,717

 
1,717

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,327

 
63

 
(28
)
 
1,362

 
1,362

U.S. Government
233

 
10

 

 
243

 
243

Total available-for-sale securities
19,161

 
1,202

 
(269
)
 
20,094

 
20,094

Derivative investments
221

 
78

 
(23
)
 
276

 
276

Commercial mortgage loans
595

 

 

 
614

 
595

Other invested assets
60

 

 

 
58

 
60

Total investments
$
20,037

 
$
1,280

 
$
(292
)
 
$
21,042

 
$
21,025

Included in AOCI were cumulative gross unrealized gains of $1 and gross unrealized losses of $3 related to the non-credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments ("OTTI") on non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS") at December 31, 2016 and gross unrealized gains of $1 and gross unrealized losses of $3 related to the non-credit portion of OTTI on RMBS at September 30, 2016.
Securities held on deposit with various state regulatory authorities had a fair value of $18,155 and $18,075 at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively. Under Iowa regulations, insurance companies are required to hold securities on deposit in an amount no less than the Company's legal reserve as prescribed by Iowa regulations.

13


At December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, the company held investments that were non-income producing for a period greater than twelve months with fair values of $0 and $2, respectively.
In accordance with the Company's Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) agreements, the investments supporting the funding agreement liabilities are pledged as collateral to secure the FHLB funding agreement liabilities. The collateral investments had a fair value of $622 and $649 at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively.
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities by contractual maturities, as applicable, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or pre-pay obligations.
 
December 31, 2016
 
Amortized Cost
 
 Fair Value
Corporates, Non-structured Hybrids, Municipal and U.S. Government securities:
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
$
290

 
$
294

Due after one year through five years
1,940

 
1,978

Due after five years through ten years
3,189

 
3,261

Due after ten years
8,256

 
8,433

Subtotal
13,675

 
13,966

Other securities which provide for periodic payments:
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
2,629

 
2,608

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
852

 
837

Structured hybrids
748

 
717

Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,269

 
1,309

Subtotal
5,498

 
5,471

Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities
$
19,173

 
$
19,437

The Company's available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses are reviewed for potential OTTI. In evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary, the Company considers several factors including, but not limited to the following: (1) the extent and the duration of the decline; (2) the reasons for the decline in value (credit event, currency or interest-rate related, including general credit spread widening); and (3) the financial condition of and near-term prospects of the issuer. The Company also considers the ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value.
The Company analyzes its ability to recover the amortized cost by comparing the net present value of cash flows expected to be collected with the amortized cost of the security. For mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, cash flow estimates consider the payment terms of the underlying assets backing a particular security, including interest rate and prepayment assumptions, based on data from widely accepted third-party data sources or internal estimates. In addition to interest rate and prepayment assumptions, cash flow estimates also include other assumptions regarding the underlying collateral including default rates and recoveries, which vary based on the asset type and geographic location, as well as the vintage year of the security. For structured securities, the payment priority within the tranche structure is also considered. For all other fixed maturity securities, cash flow estimates are driven by assumptions regarding probability of default and estimates regarding timing and amount of recoveries associated with a default. If the net present value is less than the amortized cost of the investment, an OTTI is recognized.
Based on the results of our process for evaluating available-for-sale securities in unrealized loss positions for OTTI discussed above, the Company determined that the unrealized losses as of December 31, 2016 increased due to upward movement in the U.S. Treasury rates. Bond prices in most sectors moved lower based on these higher Treasury yields. Based on an assessment of all securities in the portfolio in unrealized loss positions, the Company determined that the unrealized losses on the securities presented in the table below were not other-than-temporarily impaired as of December 31, 2016.

14


The fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category and duration of fair value below amortized cost, were as follows:
 
December 31, 2016
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized
Losses
Available-for-sale securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
$
439

 
$
(2
)
 
$
1,348

 
$
(36
)
 
$
1,787

 
$
(38
)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
327

 
(8
)
 
188

 
(14
)
 
515

 
(22
)
Corporates
2,716

 
(88
)
 
1,191

 
(139
)
 
3,907

 
(227
)
Equities
232

 
(9
)
 
64

 
(3
)
 
296

 
(12
)
Hybrids
246

 
(15
)
 
476

 
(49
)
 
722

 
(64
)
Municipals
440

 
(21
)
 
36

 
(4
)
 
476

 
(25
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
49

 
(1
)
 
486

 
(24
)
 
535

 
(25
)
U.S. Government
51

 

 

 

 
51

 

Total available-for-sale securities
$
4,500

 
$
(144
)
 
$
3,789

 
$
(269
)
 
$
8,289

 
$
(413
)
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position less than twelve months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
620

Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position twelve months or longer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
527

Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,147


 
September 30, 2016
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized
Losses
Available-for-sale securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
$
352

 
$
(4
)
 
$
1,368

 
$
(41
)
 
$
1,720

 
$
(45
)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
44

 
(1
)
 
182

 
(8
)
 
226

 
(9
)
Corporates
413

 
(9
)
 
1,031

 
(123
)
 
1,444

 
(132
)
Equities
51

 
(1
)
 
75

 
(3
)
 
126

 
(4
)
Hybrids
41

 
(2
)
 
412

 
(45
)
 
453

 
(47
)
Municipals
69

 
(2
)
 
38

 
(2
)
 
107

 
(4
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
70

 
(1
)
 
544

 
(27
)
 
614

 
(28
)
Total available-for-sale securities
$
1,040

 
$
(20
)
 
$
3,650

 
$
(249
)
 
$
4,690

 
$
(269
)
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position less than twelve months
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
193

Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position twelve months or longer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
543

Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
736

At December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, securities in an unrealized loss position were primarily concentrated in investment grade, corporate debt, asset-backed, and hybrid instruments.
At December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, securities with a fair value of $131 and $183, respectively, had an unrealized loss greater than 20% of amortized cost (excluding U.S. Government and U.S. Government sponsored agency securities), which represented less than 1% of the carrying value of all investments in both reporting periods.

15


The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the credit loss portion of OTTI on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities held by the Company for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, for which a portion of the OTTI was recognized in AOCI:
 
Three months ended
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Beginning balance
$
3

 
$
3

Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
 
 
 
OTTI was previously recognized

 

OTTI was not previously recognized

 

Ending balance
$
3

 
$
3

The Company recognized $1 of credit impairment losses in operations during the three months ended December 31, 2016 and $0 of change of intent impairment losses in operations during the three months ended December 31, 2016, related to fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $115 and a fair value of $114 at December 31, 2016. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized $10 of credit impairment losses in operations related to fixed maturity securities and other invested assets with an amortized cost of $64 and a fair value of $54 at December 31, 2015.
Details underlying write-downs taken as a result of OTTI that were recognized in "Net income" and included in net realized gains on securities were as follows:
 
Three months ended
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
OTTI Recognized in Net Income:
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
$
1

 
$
4

Corporates

 
6

Total
$
1

 
$
10

The portion of OTTI recognized in AOCI is disclosed in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).



16


Commercial Mortgage Loans
Commercial mortgage loans ("CMLs") represented approximately 3% of the Company’s total investments as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016. The Company primarily makes mortgage loans on income producing properties including hotels, industrial properties, retail buildings, multifamily properties and office buildings. The Company diversifies its CML portfolio by geographic region and property type to attempt to reduce concentration risk. Subsequent to origination, the Company continuously evaluates CMLs based on relevant current information to ensure properties are performing at a consistent and acceptable level to secure the related debt. The distribution of CMLs, gross of valuation allowances, by property type and geographic region is reflected in the following tables:
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
 
Gross Carrying Value
 
% of Total
 
Gross Carrying Value
 
% of Total
Property Type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funeral Home
$
1

 
%
 
$
1

 
%
Hotel
23

 
4
%
 
23

 
4
%
Industrial - General
46

 
8
%
 
58

 
10
%
Industrial - Warehouse
65

 
11
%
 
64

 
11
%
Multifamily
70

 
12
%
 
70

 
11
%
Office
159

 
27
%
 
160

 
27
%
Retail
219

 
38
%
 
220

 
37
%
Total commercial mortgage loans, gross of valuation allowance
$
583

 
100
%
 
$
596

 
100
%
Allowance for loan loss
(1
)
 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
Total commercial mortgage loans
$
582

 
 
 
$
595

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Region:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
East North Central
$
136

 
23
%
 
$
137

 
23
%
East South Central
20

 
4
%
 
21

 
4
%
Middle Atlantic
86

 
15
%
 
97

 
16
%
Mountain
68

 
12
%
 
67

 
12
%
New England
14

 
2
%
 
14

 
2
%
Pacific
136

 
23
%
 
136

 
23
%
South Atlantic
67

 
12
%
 
67

 
11
%
West North Central
14

 
2
%
 
14

 
2
%
West South Central
42

 
7
%
 
43

 
7
%
Total commercial mortgage loans, gross of valuation allowance
$
583

 
100
%
 
$
596

 
100
%
Allowance for loan loss
(1
)
 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
Total commercial mortgage loans
$
582

 
 
 
$
595

 
 
Within the Company's CML portfolio, 100% of all CMLs had a loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio of less than 75% at inception at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, all CMLs are current and have not experienced credit or other events which would require the recording of an impairment loss.
LTV and debt service coverage (“DSC”) ratios are measures commonly used to assess the risk and quality of mortgage loans. The LTV ratio, calculated at time of origination, is expressed as a percentage of the amount of the loan relative to the value of the underlying property. A LTV ratio in excess of 100% indicates the unpaid loan amount exceeds the underlying collateral. The DSC ratio, based upon the most recently received financial statements, is expressed as a percentage of the amount of a property’s net income to its debt service payments. A DSC ratio of less than 1.00 indicates that a property’s operations do not generate sufficient income to cover debt payments.

17


The following table presents the recorded investment in CMLs by LTV and DSC ratio categories and estimated fair value by the indicated loan-to-value ratios at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016:
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratios
 
Total Amount
 
% of Total
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total
 
>1.25
 
1.00 - 1.25
 
< 1.00
 
N/A(a)
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LTV Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 50%
$
195

 
$

 
$
18

 
$
1

 
$
214

 
37
%
 
$
210

 
37
%
50% to 60%
234

 

 

 

 
234

 
40
%
 
230

 
40
%
60% to 75%
112

 
7

 
16

 

 
135

 
23
%
 
134

 
23
%
Commercial mortgage loans
$
541

 
$
7

 
$
34

 
$
1

 
$
583

 
100
%
 
$
574

 
100
%
September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LTV Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 50%
$
158

 
$
18

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
177

 
29
%
 
$
181

 
29
%
50% to 60%
189

 

 

 

 
189

 
32
%
 
194

 
32
%
60% to 75%
230

 

 

 

 
230

 
39
%
 
239

 
39
%
Commercial mortgage loans
$
577

 
$
18

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
596

 
100
%
 
$
614

 
100
%
(a) N/A - Current DSC ratio not available.

We establish a general mortgage loan allowance based upon the underlying risk and quality of the mortgage loan portfolio using DSC ratio and LTV ratio. A higher LTV ratio will result in a higher allowance. A higher DSC ratio will result in a lower allowance. We believe that the DSC ratio is an indicator of default risk on loans. We believe that the LTV ratio is an indicator of the principal recovery risk for loans that default.
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
Gross balance commercial mortgage loans
$
583

 
$
596

Allowance for loan loss
(1
)
 
(1
)
Net balance commercial mortgage loans
$
582

 
$
595

The Company recognizes a mortgage loan as delinquent when payments on the loan are greater than 30 days past due. At December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, we had no CMLs that were delinquent in principal or interest payments. The following provides the current and past due composition of our CMLs:
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
Current to 30 days
$
583

 
$
596

Past due

 

Total carrying value
$
583

 
$
596

A Troubled Debt Restructuring ("TDR") is a situation where we have granted a concession to a borrower for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties that we would not otherwise consider. A mortgage loan that has been granted new terms, including workout terms as described previously, would be considered a TDR if it meets conditions that would indicate a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the new terms constitute a concession on our part. We analyze all loans where we have agreed to workout terms and all loans that we have refinanced to determine if they meet the definition of a TDR. We consider the following factors in determining whether or not a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty:
borrower is in default,
borrower has declared bankruptcy,
there is growing concern about the borrower's ability to continue as a going concern,
borrower has insufficient cash flows to service debt,
borrower's inability to obtain funds from other sources, and
there is a breach of financial covenants by the borrower.

18


If the borrower is determined to be in financial difficulty, we consider the following conditions to determine if the borrower will be granted a concession:
assets used to satisfy debt are less than our recorded investment,
interest rate is modified,
maturity date extension at an interest rate less than market rate,
capitalization of interest,
delaying principal and/or interest for a period of three months or more, and
partial forgiveness of the balance or charge-off.
Mortgage loan workouts, refinances or restructures that are classified as TDRs are individually evaluated and measured for impairment. As of December 31, 2016, our CML portfolio had no impairments, modifications or troubled debt restructuring.
Net investment income
The major sources of “Net investment income” on the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
 
Three months ended
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale
$
228

 
$
210

Equity securities, available-for-sale
10

 
8

Commercial mortgage loans
6

 
6

Related party loans

 
1

Invested cash and short-term investments

 

Other investments
1

 
1

Gross investment income
245

 
226

Investment expense
(5
)
 
(4
)
Net investment income
$
240

 
$
222

During the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015, the Company received notice that we are entitled to receive a settlement as a result of our ownership of certain RMBS that were issued by Countrywide Financial Corp. ("Countrywide"), an entity which was later acquired by Bank of America Corporation. An $18 cash settlement was received in the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 for a majority of the Countrywide securities, and another $2 is expected to be paid in the third fiscal quarter of 2017. In compliance with the Company's accounting policy described in "Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies and Practices" of the 2016 Form 10-K, the Company updated its cash flow projections for its best estimate of the recovery as of May 31, 2016 and determined the new effective yield, with the resulting immaterial impact recognized in “Net Investment Income”.

19


Net investment Gains (Losses)
Details underlying “Net investment gains (losses)” reported on the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
 
Three months ended
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Net realized gains (losses) on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities
$
2

 
$
(5
)
Realized gains (losses) on equity securities

 

Change in fair value of other derivatives and embedded derivatives

 
2

Realized losses on other invested assets
(2
)
 
(2
)
Net realized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities

 
(5
)
Realized gains (losses) on certain derivative instruments
1

 
(12
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on certain derivative instruments
38

 
53

Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative
12

 
27

Realized (losses) gains on hedging derivatives and reinsurance-related embedded derivatives
51

 
68

Net investment (losses) gains
$
51

 
$
63

For the three months ended December 31, 2016, proceeds from the sale of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities totaled $97, gross gains on such sales totaled $2, and gross losses totaled $2.
For the three months ended December 31, 2015, proceeds from the sale of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, totaled $564, gross gains on such sales totaled $13, and gross losses totaled $9, respectively.
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities
The Company owns investments in VIEs that are not consolidated within the Company’s financial statements. VIEs do not have sufficient equity to finance their own activities without additional financial support and certain of its investors lack certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest.  These VIEs are not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements for the following reasons: 1)  FGL Insurance does not have any voting rights or notice rights; 2)  the Company does not have any rights to remove the investment manager; and 3)  the Company was not involved in the design of the investment.  These characteristics indicate that FGL Insurance lacks the ability to direct the activities, or otherwise exert control, of the VIEs and is not considered the primary beneficiary of them. 
FGL Insurance participates in loans to third parties originated by Salus. Salus is an affiliated, limited liability company indirectly owned by HRG that originates senior secured asset-based loans to unaffiliated third-party borrowers. FGL Insurance also participates in CLOs managed by Salus and owns preferred equity in Salus within the funds withheld portfolio of the FSRCI treaty. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investments in or with Salus is limited to the carrying value of its investments in Salus which totaled $14 and $22 as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively. FGL’s investments in or with Salus are detailed in “Note 14. Related Party Transactions” to the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
During the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015, FGL invested in Boardwalk, an unaffiliated limited partnership fund that will invest in consumer whole loans, asset-backed investments, high yield, private investments, bank portfolio liquidations, bridge financing and other investments. The initial funding occurred March 20, 2015 with the remaining commitment expected to fund over the course of the next 3 years. FGL has funded $13 of a $35 commitment as of December 31, 2016.
FGL also executed a commitment of $75 to purchase common shares in an unaffiliated private business development company ("BDC"). The BDC invests in secured and unsecured fixed maturity and equity securities of middle market companies in the United States. Due to the voting structure of the transaction, FGL does not have voting power.  The initial capital call occurred June 30, 2015, with the remaining commitment expected to fund through 2017. FGL has funded $42 as of December 31, 2016.
During the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016, FGL executed a commitment to invest in two limited partnerships, Golub Capital Partners 10, L.P. and Golub Capital Partners 11, L.P, which invest in United States middle market, senior secured, floating rate loans and broadly syndicated loans primarily acquired from unaffiliated third parties. FGL has executed $20 and $40 commitments in Golub Capital Partners 10, L.P. and Golub Capital Partners 11, L.P, respectively, none of which was funded as of December 31, 2016.


20


(5) Derivative Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of derivative instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in fixed indexed annuity (“FIA”) contracts, is as follows:
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
Assets:
 
 
 
Derivative investments:
 
 
 
Call options
$
314

 
$
276

Futures contracts

 

Other invested assets:
 
 
 
Other derivatives and embedded derivatives
13

 
13

Other assets:
 
 
 
Reinsurance related embedded derivative
131

 
119

 
$
458

 
$
408

Liabilities:
 
 
 
Contractholder funds:
 
 
 
FIA embedded derivative
$
2,250

 
$
2,383

Funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities:
 
 
 
Call options payable to FSRCI
12

 
11

Other liabilities:
 
 
 
Futures contracts

 

 
$
2,262

 
$
2,394

 
The change in fair value of derivative instruments included in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:
 
Three months ended
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Revenues:
 
 
 
Net investment (losses) gains:
 
 
 
Call options
$
39

 
$
36

Futures contracts

 
5

Other derivatives and embedded derivatives

 
2

Reinsurance related embedded derivative
12

 
27

 
$
51

 
$
70

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves
 
 
 
FIA embedded derivatives
$
(133
)
 
$
51

Additional Disclosures
Other Derivatives and Embedded Derivatives
On June 16, 2014, FGL Insurance invested in a $35 fund-linked note issued by Nomura International Funding Pte. Ltd. The note provides for an additional payment at maturity based on the value of an embedded derivative in AnchorPath Dedicated Return Fund (the "AnchorPath Fund") of $11 which was based on the actual return of the fund. At December 31, 2016 the fair value of the fund-linked note and embedded derivative were $24 and $13, respectively. At maturity of the fund-linked note, FGL Insurance will receive the $35 face value of the note plus the value of the embedded derivative in the AnchorPath Fund. The additional payment at maturity is an embedded derivative reported in "Other invested assets", while the host is an available-for-sale security reported in "Fixed maturities, available-for-sale".

21


FGL Insurance participates in loans to third parties originated by Salus, an affiliated VIE, indirectly owned by HRG that provides asset-based financing. These participating loans are denominated in Canadian ("CAD") currency which is different from FGL Insurance's functional currency. At September 30, 2015, four loan participations were denominated in CAD currency. Three of the four loans denominated in CAD currency were settled prior to June 30, 2016. Therefore, as of both September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016 only one loan denominated in CAD currency remains.
Two of the loan participations included a provision for reimbursement from the borrower to FGL Insurance for any net foreign exchange losses realized by FGL Insurance under the loan agreements. FGL Insurance's ability to recover the foreign exchange losses under these loan participations was such that the Company established embedded derivatives equal to FGL Insurance's cumulative net foreign exchange loss on these loan participations. The value of the embedded derivatives, which is equal to the cumulative net foreign exchange loss recognized on these loan participations, net of an allowance for counterparty credit risk, was reflected in "Other invested assets" as of the balance sheet date with changes in fair value reflected in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of September 30, 2016, all of the loan participations were settled in full and the related embedded derivative balance was reduced to zero. The Company had realized losses of $0 for the three months ended December 31, 2015, related to these foreign exchange embedded derivatives included in "Net investment gains (losses)".
FGL Insurance also had two participating loans denominated in CAD currency which also required reimbursement from the borrower in CAD currency, but did not include a provision for reimbursement for any net foreign exchange losses from the borrower. Salus executed CAD swap agreements with FGL Insurance to convert the CAD cash flows into United States dollar ("USD") cash flows. Under these swap agreements, Salus reimbursed the Company for certain realized foreign exchange losses related to cash flows on these loan participations from origination date through the earlier of the maturity date of the loan or expiration of the swap agreement. Reimbursement under the swap agreements was reduced in the event the counterparties on the underlying loan participations were unable to fully repay amounts due on those loan participations. FGL Insurance's ability to recover the foreign exchange losses under these swap agreements was such that the Company established derivatives equal to FGL Insurance's cumulative net foreign exchange losses on these loan participations. During the year ended September 30, 2016, one of the loan participations was repaid in full and FGL Insurance recovered the full amount due under the related swap agreement. The other loan participation remains outstanding at December 31, 2016. The Company recognized an OTTI loss on the loan during the quarter ended September 30, 2016 and also recorded a reduction in the amount recoverable under the swap agreement. The related swap agreement with Salus expired in July 2016 and FGL Insurance recovered the amount due under the swap agreement. The value of these derivatives was reflected in “Other invested assets” with the changes in the fair value reflected in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The value of these derivatives was $0 and $0 at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively, which is equal to the cumulative net realized foreign exchange loss recognized on these loan participations, net of allowance for counterparty credit risk. The Company had realized losses of $0 for the three months ended December 31, 2016; and $2 realized gains for the three months ended December 31, 2015 related to these foreign exchange derivatives included in "Net investment gains (losses)". Additionally, a subsidiary of HRG, HGI Funding LLC, executed an agreement with the Company to guarantee, subject to the terms of the agreement, the fulfillment of the accumulated foreign exchange loss recoverable from Salus. The guarantee was terminated in the quarter ended September 30, 2016 concurrent with the settlement of the Salus swap agreement.
FGL Insurance has entered into two CAD currency forward contracts since August 2016 to economically hedge against unfavorable movements in CAD on the one CAD-denominated loan participation which remains outstanding at December 31, 2016. Under the forward contracts, FGL Insurance sold CAD equal to the estimated recovery amounts on the loan participation and will receive USD. The forward contracts will be settled in cash. No cash was exchanged upon execution of the forward contracts. The value of these derivatives at each balance sheet date is equal to the cumulative unrealized value and is reflected in “Other invested assets” with the changes in the fair value reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The value of the forward contracts as of December 31, 2016 was not material. The Company had realized gains of $0 for the three months ended December 31, 2016 related to the forward contracts included in "Net investment gains".

Credit Risk
The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by its counterparties on the call options and reflects assumptions regarding this non-performance risk in the fair value of the call options. The non-performance risk is the net counterparty exposure based on the fair value of the open contracts less collateral held. The Company maintains a policy of requiring all derivative contracts to be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement.

22


Information regarding the Company’s exposure to credit loss on the call options it holds is presented in the following table:
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
Counterparty
 
Credit Rating
(Fitch/Moody's/S&P) (a)
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Collateral
 
Net Credit Risk
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Collateral
 
Net Credit Risk
Merrill Lynch
 
 A/*/A+
 
$
2,860

 
$
77

 
$
40

 
$
37

 
$
2,302

 
$
55

 
$
10

 
$
45

Deutsche Bank
 
 A-/Baa2/BBB+
 
468

 
24

 

 
24

 
1,620

 
46

 
12

 
34

Morgan Stanley
 
 */A1/A+
 
2,530

 
84

 
68

 
16

 
2,952

 
87

 
58

 
29

Barclay's Bank
 
 A/A1/A-
 
1,898

 
57

 
17

 
40

 
1,389

 
39

 

 
39

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
 
 AA-/Aa3/A+
 
2,254

 
72

 
73

 
(1
)
 
1,623

 
49

 
48

 
1

 Total
 
 
 
$
10,010

 
$
314

 
$
198

 
$
116

 
$
9,886

 
$
276

 
$
128

 
$
148

(a) An * represents credit ratings that were not available.
Collateral Agreements
The Company is required to maintain minimum ratings as a matter of routine practice as part of its over-the-counter derivative agreements on ISDA forms. Under some ISDA agreements, the Company has agreed to maintain certain financial strength ratings. A downgrade below these levels provides the counterparty under the agreement the right to terminate the open derivative contracts between the parties, at which time any amounts payable by the Company or the counterparty would be dependent on the market value of the underlying derivative contracts. The Company’s current rating allows multiple counterparties the right to terminate ISDA agreements. No ISDA agreements have been terminated, although the counterparties have reserved the right to terminate the ISDA agreements at any time. In certain transactions, the Company and the counterparty have entered into a collateral support agreement requiring either party to post collateral when the net exposures exceed pre-determined thresholds. These thresholds vary by counterparty and credit rating. As of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, counterparties posted $198 and $128 of collateral, respectively, of which $158 and $118 is included in "Cash and cash equivalents" with an associated payable for this collateral included in "Other liabilities" on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining $40 and $10 of non-cash collateral was held by a third-party custodian and is not included in the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively. Accordingly, the maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that the Company would incur if parties to the call options failed completely to perform according to the terms of the contracts was $116 and $148 at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively.
The Company held 540 and 559 futures contracts at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively. The fair value of the futures contracts represents the cumulative unsettled variation margin (open trade equity, net of cash settlements). The Company provides cash collateral to the counterparties for the initial and variation margin on the futures contracts which is included in "Cash and cash equivalents " in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of cash collateral held by the counterparties for such contracts was $3 and $3 at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively.



23


(6) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s measurement of fair value is based on assumptions used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability, which may include inherent risk, restrictions on the sale or use of an asset, or non-performance risk, which may include the Company’s own credit risk. The Company’s estimate of an exchange price is the price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the liability (“exit price”) in the principal market, or the most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market, for that asset or liability, as opposed to the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or receive a liability (“entry price”). The Company categorizes financial instruments carried at fair value into a three-level fair value hierarchy, based on the priority of inputs to the respective valuation technique. The three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement is defined as follows:
Level 1 - Values are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets accessible at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices from those willing to trade in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by market data for the term of the instrument. Such inputs include market interest rates and volatilities, spreads, and yield curves.
Level 3 - Certain inputs are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity) and significant to the fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s best estimate of what hypothetical market participants would use to determine a transaction price for the asset or liability at the reporting date based on the best information available in the circumstances.
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lower level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the investment.
When a determination is made to classify an asset or liability within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable inputs to the overall fair value measurement. Because certain securities trade in less liquid or illiquid markets with limited or no pricing information, the determination of fair value for these securities is inherently more difficult. However, Level 3 fair value investments may include, in addition to the unobservable or Level 3 inputs, observable components, which are components that are actively quoted or can be validated to market-based sources.
 

24


The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments for which the disclosure of fair values is required, including financial assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis, with the exception of investment contracts, related party loans, portions of other invested assets and debt which are disclosed later within this footnote, are summarized according to the hierarchy previously described, as follows:
 
December 31, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
632

 
$

 
$

 
$
632

 
$
632

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities

 
2,411

 
197

 
2,608

 
2,608

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
752

 
85

 
837

 
837

Corporates

 
10,401

 
1,078

 
11,479

 
11,479

Hybrids

 
1,323

 
10

 
1,333

 
1,333

Municipals

 
1,604

 
37

 
1,641

 
1,641

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
1,309

 

 
1,309

 
1,309

U.S. Government
54

 
176

 

 
230

 
230

Equity securities, available-for-sale
17

 
636

 
1

 
654

 
654

Derivative financial instruments

 
314

 

 
314

 
314

Reinsurance related embedded derivative, included in other assets

 
131

 

 
131

 
131

Other invested assets

 

 
19

 
19

 
19

Total financial assets at fair value
$
703

 
$
19,057

 
$
1,427

 
$
21,187

 
$
21,187

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds
$

 
$

 
$
2,250

 
$
2,250

 
$
2,250

Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities

 
12

 

 
12

 
12

Total financial liabilities at fair value
$

 
$
12

 
$
2,250

 
$
2,262

 
$
2,262



25


 
September 30, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
864

 
$

 
$

 
$
864

 
$
864

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities

 
2,327

 
172

 
2,499

 
2,499

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
785

 
79

 
864

 
864

Corporates

 
10,219

 
1,121

 
11,340

 
11,340

Hybrids

 
1,386

 

 
1,386

 
1,386

Municipals

 
1,676

 
41

 
1,717

 
1,717

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
1,362

 

 
1,362

 
1,362

U.S. Government
61

 
182

 

 
243

 
243

Equity securities, available-for-sale
22

 
617

 
3

 
642

 
642

Derivative financial instruments

 
276

 

 
276

 
276

Reinsurance related embedded derivative, included in other assets

 
119

 

 
119

 
119

Other invested assets

 

 
34

 
34

 
34

Total financial assets at fair value
$
947

 
$
18,949

 
$
1,450

 
$
21,346

 
$
21,346

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds
$

 
$

 
$
2,383

 
$
2,383

 
$
2,383

Call options payable for FSRCI, included in funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities

 
11

 

 
11

 
11

Total financial liabilities at fair value
$

 
$
11

 
$
2,383

 
$
2,394

 
$
2,394

The carrying amounts of accrued investment income, and portions of other insurance liabilities, approximate fair value due to their short duration and, accordingly, they are not presented in the tables above.
Valuation Methodologies

Fixed Maturity Securities & Equity Securities
The Company measures the fair value of its securities based on assumptions used by market participants in pricing the security. The most appropriate valuation methodology is selected based on the specific characteristics of the fixed maturity or equity security, and the Company will then consistently apply the valuation methodology to measure the security’s fair value. The Company's fair value measurement is based on a market approach, which utilizes prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. Sources of inputs to the market approach include a third-party pricing service, independent broker quotations, or pricing matrices. The Company uses observable and unobservable inputs in its valuation methodologies. Observable inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data. In addition, market indicators and industry and economic events are monitored and further market data will be acquired when certain thresholds are met.
For certain security types, additional inputs may be used, or some of the inputs described above may not be applicable. The Company has an equity investment in a private business development company which is not traded on an exchange or valued by other sources such as analytics or brokers. The Company based the fair value of this investment on an estimated net asset value provided by the investee. Management did not make any adjustments to this valuation. The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of equity securities available-for-sale for which the market approach valuation technique is employed is yields for comparable securities. Increases (decreases) in the yields would result in lower or higher, respectively, fair value measurements. For broker-quoted only securities, quotes from market makers or broker-dealers are obtained from sources recognized to be market participants. Management believes the broker quotes are prices at which trades could be executed based on historical trades executed at broker-quoted or slightly higher prices.The fair value of the Company's investment in mutual funds is based on the net asset value published by the respective mutual fund and represents the value the Company would have received if it withdrew its investment on the balance sheet date.

26


The Company did not adjust prices received from third parties as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016. However, the Company does analyze the third-party valuation methodologies and its related inputs to perform assessments to determine the appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The fair value of call option assets is based upon valuation pricing models, which represents what the Company would expect to receive or pay at the balance sheet date if it canceled the options, entered into offsetting positions, or exercised the options. Fair values for these instruments are determined internally, based on valuation pricing models which use market-observable inputs, including interest rates, yield curve volatilities, and other factors.
The fair value of the reinsurance-related embedded derivative in the funds withheld reinsurance agreement with FSRCI is estimated based upon the fair value of the assets supporting the funds withheld from reinsurance liabilities. As the fair value of the assets is based on a quoted market price of similar assets (Level 2), the fair value of the embedded derivative is based on market-observable inputs and is classified as Level 2.
The fair value of futures contracts represents the cumulative unsettled variation margin (open trade equity, net of cash settlements) which represents what the Company would expect to receive or pay at the balance sheet date if it canceled the futures contract or entered into offsetting positions. These contracts are classified as Level 1.
The fair value measurement of the FIA embedded derivatives included in contractholder funds is determined through a combination of market observable information and significant unobservable inputs. The market observable inputs are the market value of option and interest swap rates. The significant unobservable inputs are the mortality multiplier, surrender rates, and non-performance spread. The mortality multiplier at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 was applied to the Annuity 2000 mortality tables. Significant increases (decreases) in the market value of an option in isolation would result in a higher or lower, respectively, fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in interest swap rates, mortality multiplier, surrender rates, or non-performance spread in isolation would result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. Generally, a change in any one unobservable input would not directly result in a change in any other unobservable input.
Investment Contracts
Investment contracts include deferred annuities, FIAs, indexed universal life policies (“IULs”) and immediate annuities. The fair value of deferred annuity, FIA, and IUL contracts is based on their cash surrender value (i.e. the cost the Company would incur to extinguish the liability) as these contracts are generally issued without an annuitization date. The fair value of immediate annuities contracts is derived by calculating a new fair value interest rate using the updated yield curve and treasury spreads as of the respective reporting date. At December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, this resulted in higher fair value reserves relative to the carrying value. The Company is not required to, and has not, estimated the fair value of the liabilities under contracts that involve significant mortality or morbidity risks, as these liabilities fall within the definition of insurance contracts that are exceptions from financial instruments that require disclosures of fair value.
Other Invested Assets
Fair value of our loan participation interest securities approximates the unpaid principal balance of the participation interest as of December 31, 2016. In making this assessment, the Company considered the sufficiency of the underlying loan collateral, movements in the benchmark interest rate between origination date and December 31, 2016, the primary market participant for these securities, and the short-term maturity of these loans (less than 1 year).
Fair value of our loan participation interest JSN Jewellery, Inc. is based upon a best estimate of the expected liquidation value of the underlying collateral.
Fair value of the AnchorPath embedded derivative is based on an unobservable input, the net asset value of the AnchorPath fund at the balance sheet date.  The embedded derivative is similar to a call option on the net asset value of the AnchorPath fund with a strike price of zero since FGL Insurance will not be required to make any additional payments at maturity of the fund-linked note in order to receive the net asset value of the AnchorPath fund on the maturity date.  Therefore, the Black-Scholes model returns the net asset value of the AnchorPath fund as the fair value of the call option regardless of the values used for the other inputs to the option pricing model.  The net asset value of the AnchorPath fund is provided by the fund manager at the end of each calendar month and represents the value an investor would receive if it withdrew its investment on the balance sheet date. Therefore, the key unobservable input used in the Black-Scholes model is the value of the AnchorPath fund. As the value of the AnchorPath fund increases or decreases, the fair value of the embedded derivative will increase or decrease.

27


Fair value of foreign exchange derivatives and embedded derivatives, including CAD currency forward contracts, is based on the quoted USD/CAD exchange rates.
Related Party Loans - HGI Energy Loan
The HGI Energy loan's (discussed in "Note 14. Related Party Transactions" to the Company's unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements) fair value is based on the discounted cash flows of the loan. The discount rate was set by observing the market rate on other debt instruments of the issuer with an adjustment for liquidity.
Valuation Methodologies and Associated Inputs for Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
The following discussion outlines the methodologies and assumptions used to determine the fair value of our financial instruments not carried at fair value. Considerable judgment is required to develop these assumptions used to measure fair value. Accordingly, the estimates shown are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized in a one-time, current market exchange of all of our financial instruments.
Commercial Mortgage loans
The fair value of commercial mortgage loans is established using a discounted cash flow method based on credit rating, maturity and future income. This yield-based approach was sourced from our third-party vendor. The ratings for mortgages in good standing are based on property type, location, market conditions, occupancy, debt service coverage, loan-to-value, quality of tenancy, borrower, and payment record. The carrying value for impaired mortgage loans is based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent. The inputs used to measure the fair value of our commercial mortgage loans are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Policy Loans (included within Other Invested Assets)
Fair values for policy loans are estimated from a discounted cash flow analysis, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar credit risk.  Loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.
Limited Partnership Investment (included in Other Invested Assets)
Fair value of our limited partnership investment, a private equity fund, is based upon estimated net asset value information and is classified as Level 3. For further discussion about our limited partnership investment see “Note 4. Investments” to the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Related Party Loans
The related party loans (discussed in "Note 14. Related Party Transactions" to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements) carrying value at par approximates fair value, as this is the exit price for the obligation of these loans.
Debt
The fair value of debt is based on quoted market prices. The inputs used to measure the fair value of our outstanding debt are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Our revolving credit facility debt is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, and the estimated fair value reflects the carrying value as the revolver has no maturity date.

    

28


Quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs used for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of financial instruments carried at fair value as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 are as follows: 
 
 
Fair Value at
 
Valuation
 
 
 
Range (Weighted average)
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
Technique
 
Unobservable Input(s)
 
December 31, 2016
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
 
$
184

 
 Broker-quoted
 
 Offered quotes
 
96.93% - 100.08%
(99.32%)
Asset-backed securities (Salus CLO equity tranche)
 
13

 
 Third-party Valuation
 
 Offered quotes
 
21.78%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Discount rate
 
15.00%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Other loan recoveries
 
0.00% - 100.00%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
81

 
 Broker-quoted
 
 Offered quotes
 
100.00% - 118.00%
(110.27%)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
4

 
 Matrix pricing
 
 Quoted prices
 
98.63% - 98.63%
(98.63%)
Corporates
 
889

 
 Broker-quoted
 
 Offered quotes
 
50.00% - 111.00%
(99.50%)
Corporates
 
189

 
 Matrix pricing
 
 Quoted prices
 
93.01% - 116.92%
(102.58%)
Hybrids
 
10

 
 Broker-quoted
 
 Offered quotes
 
23,760% - 23,760%
(23,760%) (a)
Municipals
 
37

 
 Broker-quoted
 
 Offered quotes
 
109.18% - 109.18%
(109.18%)
Equity securities available-for-sale (Salus preferred equity)
 
1

 
 Income-approach
 
 Yield
 
0.70% - 3.10%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Discount rate
 
7.00% - 9.00%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Salus CLO Equity
 
21.78%
Other invested assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale embedded derivative
 
13

 
 Black-Scholes model
 
 Market value of AnchorPath fund
 
100.00%
Loan participation - JSN Jewellery, Inc.
 
6

 
 Liquidation value – 19% recovery estimate
 
 Recovery estimate (wind-down costs)
 
19.00%
Total
 
$
1,427

 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds
 
$
2,250

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Market value of option
 
0.00% - 21.60%
(2.89%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
SWAP rates
 
1.98% - 2.34%
(2.16%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortality multiplier
 
80.00% - 80.00%
(80.00%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Surrender rates
 
0.50% - 75.00%
(9.60%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-performance spread
 
0.25% - 0.25%
(0.25%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Future option budget
 
1.15% - 5.57%
(2.91%)
Total liabilities at fair value
 
$
2,250

 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Market value of $9,504,000 and par value of $400

29


 
 
Fair Value at
 
Valuation
 
Unobservable
 
Range (Weighted average)
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
Technique
 
Input(s)
 
September 30, 2016
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
 
$
144

 
Broker-quoted
 
Offered quotes
 
97.54% - 101.55%
(99.66%)
Asset-backed securities
 
9

 
 Matrix Pricing
 
 Quoted prices
 
98.75%
Asset-backed securities (Salus CLO equity tranche)
 
19

 
Third-Party Valuation
 
Offered quotes
 
28.37%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
 
15.00%
 
 
 
 
 
 
RSH recovery
 
5.50%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other loan recoveries
 
0.00% - 100.00%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
75

 
Broker-quoted
 
Offered quotes
 
104.31% - 122.19%
(114.10%)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
4

 
Matrix pricing
 
Quoted prices
 
98.41% - 98.41%
(98.41%)
Corporates
 
920

 
Broker-quoted
 
Offered quotes
 
50.00% - 118.33%
(103.37%)
Corporates
 
201

 
Matrix pricing
 
Quoted prices
 
99.00% - 150.23%
(107.65%)
Municipals
 
41

 
Broker-quoted
 
Offered quotes
 
119.04% - 119.04%
(119.04%)
Equity securities available-for-sale (Salus preferred equity)
 
3

 
Market-approach
 
Yield
 
11.00%
 
 
 
 
 
 
RSH recovery
 
5.50%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
 
15.00%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salus CLO equity
 
28.37%
Other invested assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale embedded derivative
 
13

 
Black-Scholes Model
 
Market value of AnchorPath fund
 
100.00%
Loan participations - Other
 
2

 
Market Pricing
 
 Offered quotes
 
100.00%
Loan participations - JSN Jewellery Inc.
 
17

 
 Liquidation value – 52.5% recovery estimate
 
Recovery estimate (wind-down costs)
 
49.93% - 56.67%
(52.50%)
Loan participation - RadioShack (RSH) Corporation
 
2

 
 Liquidation value – 5% recovery estimate
 
Recovery estimate (wind-down costs)
 
1.36% - 14.28%
Total
 
$
1,450

 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds
 
$
2,383

 
Discounted cash flow
 
 Market value of option
 
0.00% - 26.64%
(2.55%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SWAP rates
 
1.18% - 1.46%
(1.31%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mortality multiplier
 
80.00% - 80.00%
(80.00%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Surrender rates
 
0.50% - 75.00%
(9.59%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Non-performance spread
 
0.25% - 0.25%
(0.25%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Future option budget
 
1.15% - 5.57%
(2.91%)
Total liabilities at fair value
 
$
2,383

 
 
 
 
 
 
    
Changes in unrealized losses (gains), net in the Company’s FIA embedded derivatives are included in "Benefits and other changes in policy reserves" in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.


30


The following tables summarize changes to the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value and classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. This summary excludes any impact of amortization of VOBA and DAC. The gains and losses below may include changes in fair value due in part to observable inputs that are a component of the valuation methodology.
 
Three months ended December 31, 2016
 
Balance at Beginning
of Period
 
Total Gains (Losses)
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Net transfer In (Out) of
Level 3 (a)
 
Balance at End of
Period
 
 
Included in
Earnings
 
Included in
AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
$
172

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
63

 
$

 
$
(7
)
 
$
(29
)
 
$
197

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
79

 

 
(2
)
 
8

 

 

 

 
85

Corporates
1,121

 
(1
)
 
(41
)
 
51

 
(5
)
 
(48
)
 
1

 
1,078

Hybrids

 

 

 
10

 

 

 

 
10

Municipals
41

 

 
(3
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
37

Equity securities available-for-sale
3

 
(2
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
1

Other invested assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale embedded derivative
13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
13

Loan participations
21

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(14
)
 

 
6

Total assets at Level 3 fair value
$
1,450

 
$
(5
)
 
$
(47
)
 
$
132

 
$
(5
)
 
$
(70
)
 
$
(28
)
 
$
1,427

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds
$
2,383

 
$
(133
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,250

Total liabilities at Level 3 fair value
$
2,383

 
$
(133
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,250

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) The net transfers out of Level 3 during the three months ended December 31, 2016 were exclusively to Level 2.


31


 
Three months ended December 31, 2015
 
Balance at Beginning
of Period
 
Total Gains (Losses)
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Net transfer In (Out) of
Level 3 (a)
 
Balance at End of
Period
 
 
Included in
Earnings
 
Included in
AOCI
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
$
38

 
$
(4
)
 
$

 
$
22

 
$

 
$

 
$
23

 
$
79

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
144

 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(4
)
 
139

Corporates
964

 

 
(13
)
 
44

 

 
(8
)
 
(15
)
 
972

Municipals
39

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 
38

Equity securities available-for-sale
9

 

 
2

 

 

 

 

 
11

Other invested assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale embedded derivative
10

 
1

 

 

 

 

 

 
11

Loan participations
119

 
(3
)
 
1

 
18

 

 
(51
)
 

 
84

Total assets at Level 3 fair value
$
1,323

 
$
(6
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
84

 
$

 
$
(60
)
 
$
4

 
$
1,334

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds
$
2,149

 
$
51

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,200

Total liabilities at Level 3 fair value
$
2,149

 
$
51

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) The net transfers out of Level 3 during the three months ended December 31, 2015 were exclusively to Level 2.

The following tables provide the carrying value and estimated fair value of our financial instruments that are carried on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at amounts other than fair value, summarized according to the fair value hierarchy previously described.
 
December 31, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial mortgage loans
$

 
$

 
$
574

 
$
574

 
$
582

Policy loans, included in other invested assets

 

 
10

 
10

 
14

Related party loans

 

 
71

 
71

 
71

Total
$

 
$

 
$
655

 
$
655

 
$
667

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds
$

 
$

 
$
15,301

 
$
15,301

 
$
17,236

Debt

 
299

 
100

 
399

 
400

Total
$

 
$
299

 
$
15,401

 
$
15,700

 
$
17,636



32


 
September 30, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial mortgage loans
$

 
$

 
$
614

 
$
614

 
$
595

Policy loans, included in other invested assets

 

 
13

 
13

 
14

Related party loans

 

 
71

 
71

 
71

Total
$

 
$

 
$
698

 
$
698

 
$
680

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds
$

 
$

 
$
14,884

 
$
14,884

 
$
16,868

Debt

 
300

 
100

 
400

 
400

Total
$

 
$
300

 
$
14,984

 
$
15,284

 
$
17,268

The following table includes assets that have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy as the fair value of these investments is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. For further discussion about this adoption see “Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies” to the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Carrying Value After Measurement
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
Equity securities available-for-sale
$
42

 
$
41

Limited partnership investment, included in other invested assets
$
14

 
$
12

The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classifications each reporting period. Changes in the observability of the valuation attributes may result in a reclassification of certain financial assets or liabilities. Such reclassifications are reported as transfers in and out of Level 3, or between other levels, at the beginning fair value for the reporting period in which the changes occur. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
 
The transfers into and out of Level 3 were related to changes in the primary pricing source and changes in the observability of external information used in determining the fair value. Accordingly, the Company’s assessment resulted in gross transfers into Level 3 with valuation of $1 related to corporate securities and gross transfers out of Level 3 with valuation of $29 related to asset-backed securities during the three months ended December 31, 2016. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, there were gross transfers into Level 3 of $23 related to asset-backed securities and gross transfers out of level 3 of $19, related to commercial mortgage-backed and corporate securities.

33


(7) Intangible Assets
Information regarding VOBA and DAC which includes deferred sales inducement, is as follows:
 
 
VOBA
 
DAC
 
Total
Balance at September 30, 2016
 
$
19

 
$
1,007

 
$
1,026

Deferrals
 

 
100

 
100

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unlocking
 
6

 
(6
)
 

Interest
 
2

 
11

 
13

Amortization
 
(31
)
 
(105
)
 
(136
)
Adjustment for unrealized investment losses (gains)
 
122

 
103

 
225

Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$
531

 
$
697

 
$
1,228

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated amortization
 
$
419

 
 
 
 
 
 
VOBA
 
DAC
 
Total
Balance at September 30, 2015
 
$
187

 
$
801

 
$
988

Deferrals
 

 
80

 
80

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unlocking
 
6

 

 
6

Interest
 
3

 
8

 
11

Amortization
 
(25
)
 
(33
)
 
(58
)
Adjustment for unrealized investment losses
 
1

 
134

 
135

Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$
172

 
$
990

 
$
1,162

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated amortization
 
$
407

 
 
 
 
Amortization of VOBA and DAC is based on the historical, current and future expected gross margins or profits recognized, including investment gains and losses. The interest accrual rate utilized to calculate the accretion of interest on VOBA ranged from 4% to 5%. The adjustment for unrealized net investment losses (gains) represents the amount of VOBA and DAC that would have been amortized if such unrealized gains and losses had been recognized. This is referred to as the “shadow adjustments” as the additional amortization is reflected in AOCI rather than the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, the VOBA balance included cumulative adjustments for net unrealized investment (gains) losses of $(40) and $(162), respectively, and the DAC balances included cumulative adjustments for net unrealized investment losses (gains) of $7 and $(96), respectively.
The above DAC balances include $86 and $86 of deferred sales inducements, net of shadow adjustments, as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively.
The weighted average amortization period for VOBA is approximately 5.2 years. Estimated amortization expense for VOBA in future fiscal periods is as follows:
 
 
Estimated Amortization Expense
Fiscal Year
 
VOBA
2017
 
18

2018
 
23

2019
 
20

2020
 
16

2021
 
14

Thereafter
 
67



34


(8) Debt
The Company's outstanding debt as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 is as follows:
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
Debt
 
$
300

 
$
300

Revolving credit facility
 
100

 
100

As of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, the Company has drawn $100 on the revolver, and carried interest rates equal to 3.88% and 5.50%, respectively. As of both December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, the amount available to be drawn on the revolver was $50, respectively.
The interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs of the Company's debt for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were as follows:
 
 
Three months ended
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
Interest Expense
 
Amortization
 
Interest Expense
 
Amortization
Debt
 
$
5

 
$

 
$
5

 
$
1

Revolving credit facility
 
1

 

 

 



(9)    Equity
Share Repurchases
On September 2, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 500 thousand shares of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock over the next twelve months. As of June 30, 2015, the share repurchase program was completed. The Company's share repurchase activity is shown in the table below.
 
 
Shares
 
Total Cost
Shares purchased pursuant to the repurchase program
 
500

 
$
11

Shares acquired to satisfy employee income tax withholding pursuant to the Company's stock compensation plan
 
12

 

Total shares of common stock at completion of repurchase program as of June 30, 2015
 
512

 
11

Shares acquired to satisfy employee income tax withholding pursuant to the Company's stock compensation plan during the three months ended December 31, 2015
 
22

 
1

Shares acquired to satisfy employee income tax withholding pursuant to the Company's stock compensation plan during the three months ended March 31, 2016
 
3

 

Shares acquired to satisfy employee income tax withholding pursuant to the Company's stock compensation plan during the three months ended December 31, 2016
 
28

 
1

Total shares of common stock repurchased as of December 31, 2016
 
565

 
$
13

Subsequent to the Company's repurchase of shares, HRG indirectly held 47,000 thousand shares of FGL's outstanding common stock, representing an 80% interest at December 31, 2016.

35


Dividends
The Company declared the following cash dividends during the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
Date Declared
 
Date Paid
 
Date Shareholders of record
 
Shareholders of record (in thousands)
 
Cash Dividend declared (per share)
 
Total cash paid
November 12, 2015
 
December 14, 2015
 
November 30, 2015
 
58,144
 
$0.065
 
$4
November 10, 2016
 
December 12, 2016
 
November 28, 2016
 
58,245
 
$0.065
 
$4

On February 2, 2017, FGL’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.065 per share. The dividend will be paid on March 6, 2017 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 21, 2017.

36


(10) Stock Compensation

The Merger Agreement with Anbang provides for accelerated vesting of all unvested awards under the FGL Plans and FGLH Plans and the automatic conversion into a right to receive a cash payment in an amount pursuant to the Merger Agreement for all vested and unvested awards under these Plans. See “Note 1. Basis of Presentation”. All of these awards contain a “change in control” provision which requires vesting of the awards to be accelerated if the awards are not replaced by substantially similar awards after a change in control which has not yet occurred.
The Company recognized total stock compensation expense related to the FGL Plans and FGLH Plans as follows:
 
 
Three months ended
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
FGL Plans
 
 
 
 
Restricted shares
 
1

 
1

Performance restricted stock units
 

 
1

 
 
1

 
2

FGLH Plans
 
 
 
 
Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan - stock options
 

 
1

Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan - restricted stock units
 

 
1

 
 

 
2

Total stock compensation expense
 
1

 
4

Related tax benefit
 

 
1

Net stock compensation expense
 
$
1

 
$
3

The stock compensation expense is included in "Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals" in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Total compensation expense related to the FGL Plans and FGLH Plans not yet recognized as of December 31, 2016 and the weighted-average period over which this expense will be recognized are as follows:
 
 
Unrecognized Compensation
Expense
 
Weighted Average Recognition
Period in Years
FGL Plans
 
 
 
 
Stock options
 
$

 
2
Restricted shares
 
2

 
2
Total unrecognized stock compensation expense
 
$
2

 
2
FGL Plans
FGL’s Compensation Committee is authorized to grant up to 2,838 thousand equity awards under the FGL Plans. At December 31, 2016, 1,082 thousand equity awards are available for future issuance under the FGL Plans.
FGL granted 47 thousand and 119 thousand stock options to a certain officer in the three months ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. These stock options vest in equal installments over a period of 3 years and expire on the seventh anniversary of the grant date. The total fair value of the options granted in the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $0 and $0, respectively.
At December 31, 2016, the intrinsic value of stock options outstanding, exercisable and vested or expected to vest was $1, $1, and $1, respectively. At December 31, 2016, the weighted average remaining contractual term of stock options outstanding, exercisable and vested or expected to vest was 5 years, 5 years and 5 years, respectively.
During the three months ended December 31, 2016, the intrinsic value of stock options exercised, total cash received upon exercise and the related tax benefit realized was $0, $0 and $0, respectively. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, the intrinsic value of stock options exercised, total cash received upon exercise and the related tax benefit realized was $0, $2 and $0, respectively.

37


A summary of FGL’s outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2016, and related activity during the three months then ended, is as follows (share amount in thousands):
Stock Option Awards
 
Options
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2016
 
346

 
$
22.40

Granted
 
47

 
23.35

Exercised
 
(6
)
 
17.00

Forfeited or expired
 
(7
)
 
20.86

Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2016
 
380

 
22.62

Exercisable at December 31, 2016
 
209

 
21.10

Vested or projected to vest at December 31, 2016
 
380

 
22.62

The following assumptions were used in the determination of the grant date fair values using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and based on the value of FGL's common stock for stock options granted during the three months ended December 31, 2016:
Weighted average fair value per options granted
$2.57
Risk-free interest rate
1.11%
Assumed dividend yield
1.12%
Expected option term
2.0 years
Volatility
20.00%
    
The dividend yield is based on the expected dividend rate during the expected life of the option. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of FGL’s stock prices after the announcement of the pending merger transaction with Anbang as well as the estimated timing of the closing of the transaction. The expected life of the options granted represents the period of time from the grant date to the estimated closing date of the merger transaction with Anbang, reflecting the midpoint of possible scenarios. Upon closing of the merger transaction the vesting of the options will be accelerated and the options will be paid out as described in “Note 1. Basis of Presentation”, and the option agreement contains a “change in control” provision which requires vesting of the options to be accelerated if the options are not replaced by substantially similar awards after the change in control.

FGL granted 29 thousand and 26 thousand restricted shares to a certain officer in the three months ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. These shares vest in equal installments over a period of 3 years. The total fair value of the restricted shares granted in 2016 and 2015 was $1 and $1, respectively.
A summary of FGL’s nonvested restricted shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016, and related activity during the three months then ended, is as follows (share amount in thousands):
Restricted Stock Awards
 
Shares
 
Weighted Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Nonvested restricted shares outstanding at September 30, 2016
 
154

 
$
22.91

Granted
 
29

 
23.35

Vested
 
(80
)
 
21.93

Forfeited
 
(3
)
 
21.54

Nonvested restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2016
 
100

 
23.86

PRSUs subject to vesting are adjusted based on FGL's financial yearly performance, which is evaluated on two non-GAAP measures: (1) pre-tax adjusted operating income, and (2) return on equity. Depending on the performance results for each year, the ultimate payout of PRSUs could range from zero to 200% of the target award for each year. One-half of the award is earned based on each year’s results for the awards granted in 2015. One-third of the award is earned based on each year's results for the awards granted in 2014. Based on the results achieved in 2016, a total of 11 thousand additional PRSUs were earned and vested during the three months ended

38


December 31, 2016 and the total fair value of the additional PRSUs earned in 2016 was $0. A summary of nonvested PRSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2016, and related activity during the period then ended, is as follows (share amount in thousands):
Performance Restricted Stock Units (PRSUs)
 
Shares
 
Weighted Average Grant
Date Fair Value
PRSUs outstanding at September 30, 2016
 

 
$

Granted
 
11

 
17.82

Vested
 
(11
)
 
17.82

Forfeited or expired
 

 

PRSUs outstanding at December 31, 2016
 

 

In fourth quarter 2016, FGL decided to settle the Performance Restricted Stock Unit (“PRSU”) awards granted under the FGL Plans in cash upon vesting and, therefore, reclassified these awards from equity to Other Liabilities. The liability for the PRSUs was valued at fair value (market value of the underlying stock) upon reclassification. A total of 634 thousand PRSUs became fully vested as of September 30, 2016 with a total cash payment of $15 made in November 2016 based on the fair value of the award at the time of settlement, which was $23.30 per PRSU.

39


FGLH Plans
A summary of FGLH's outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2016, and related activity during the three months then ended, is as follows (share amount in thousands):
 
 
FGLH
Stock Option Awards
 
Options
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2016
 
82

 
$
44.82

Granted
 

 

Exercised
 

 

Forfeited or expired
 

 

Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2016
 
82

 
44.82

Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2016
 
82

 
44.82

At December 31, 2016, the liability for vested or expected to vest stock options was based on the fair values of the outstanding options. The following assumptions were used in the determination of these fair values using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and based on the value of FGLH's common stock:
Weighted average stock option fair value
 
$
76.73

FGLH common stock fair value
 
$
123.16

FGL common stock fair value
 
$
23.70

Risk-free interest rate
 
1.22
%
Assumed dividend yield
 
1.12
%
Expected option term
 
2.00

Volatility
 
20.00
%
The primary input used in the determination of the fair value of FGLH's common stock is the value of the Company's common stock and a discount for lack of liquidity which was increased to 7.5% from the historical assumption of 5% to reflect the estimated timing of the closing of the pending merger transaction with Anbang. The dividend yield is based on the expected dividend rate during the expected life of the option. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at December 31, 2016. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of FGL’s stock prices after the announcement of the pending merger transaction with Anbang as well as the estimated timing of the closing of the transaction. The expected life of the options granted represents the period of time from December 31, 2016 to the estimated closing date of the merger transaction with Anbang, reflecting the midpoint of possible scenarios. Upon closing of the merger transaction, the vesting of the options will be accelerated and the options will be paid out as described in “Note 1. Basis of Presentation”, and the option agreements contain a “change in control” provision which requires vesting of the options to be accelerated if the options are not replaced by substantially similar awards after the change in control.
At December 31, 2016, the intrinsic value of stock options outstanding, exercisable and vested or expected to vest was $6, $6 and $6, respectively. At December 31, 2016, the weighted average remaining contractual term of stock options outstanding, exercisable and vested or expected to vest was 3 years, 3 years and 3 years, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised and the amount of cash paid upon exercise during the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $0 and $0, respectively.
The amount of cash paid upon vesting for restricted stock units which vested during the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $0 and $2, respectively.
(11) Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes represents federal income taxes. The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was 34%. The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2015 was

40


34%. The effective tax rate on pre-tax income for the current three month period differs from the U.S Federal statutory rate primarily due to the impact of favorable permanent adjustments. The effective tax rate on pre-tax income for the three month period ended December 31, 2015 differed from the U.S Federal statutory rate primarily due to the impact of favorable permanent adjustments.
The Company maintains a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets of its non-life insurance company subsidiaries. The non-life insurance company subsidiaries have a history of losses and insufficient sources of future income in order to recognize any portion of their deferred tax assets. All other deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized based on expectations as to our future taxable income and considering all other available evidence, both positive and negative.
The valuation allowance is reviewed quarterly and will be maintained until there is sufficient positive evidence to support a release. At each reporting date, management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could impact the future realization of deferred tax assets. Management will consider a release of the valuation allowance once there is sufficient positive evidence that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. Any release of the valuation allowance will be recorded as a tax benefit increasing net income or other comprehensive income.
As of December 31, 2016, the Company had a partial valuation allowance of $51 against its gross deferred tax assets of $118. The valuation allowance is an offset to the non-life company deferred tax assets that are considered more likely than not to be unrecoverable due to insufficient sources of future income.
(12) Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
The Company has unfunded investment commitments as of December 31, 2016 based upon the timing of when investments are executed compared to when the actual investments are funded, as some investments require that funding occur over a period of months or years. A summary of unfunded commitments by invested asset class are included below:
Asset Type
December 31, 2016
Other invested assets
$
82

Equity securities, available-for-sale
33

Other assets
29

Total
$
144

Contingencies
Regulatory and Litigation Matters
    
FGL is involved in various pending or threatened legal proceedings, including purported class actions, arising in the ordinary course of business. In some instances, these proceedings include claims for unspecified or substantial punitive damages and similar types of relief in addition to amounts for alleged contractual liability or requests for equitable relief. In the opinion of FGL management and in light of existing insurance and other potential indemnification, reinsurance and established accruals, such litigation is not expected to have a material adverse effect on FGL’s financial position, although it is possible that the results of operations and cash flows could be materially affected by an unfavorable outcome in any one period.
FGL is assessed amounts by the state guaranty funds to cover losses to policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurance companies. Those mandatory assessments may be partially recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes in certain states. At December 31, 2016, FGL has accrued $2 for guaranty fund assessments that is expected to be offset by estimated future premium tax deductions of $2.
The Company has received inquiries from a number of state regulatory authorities regarding its use of the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File (the "Death Master File") and compliance with state claims practices regulation. Legislation requiring insurance companies to use the Death Master File to identify potential claims has been enacted in a number of states. As a result of these legislative and regulatory developments, in May

41


2012, the Company undertook an initiative to use the Death Master File and other publicly available databases to identify persons potentially entitled to benefits under life insurance policies, annuities and retained asset accounts. In addition, FGL has received audit and examination notices from several state agencies responsible for escheatment and unclaimed property regulation in those states and in some cases has challenged the audits including litigation against the Controller for the State of California which is subject to a stay. FGL believes its current accrual will cover the reasonably estimated liability arising out of these developments, however costs that cannot be reasonably estimated as of the date of this filing are possible as a result of ongoing regulatory developments and other future requirements related to these matters.
Except for the Eddie L. Cressy v. Fidelity Guaranty [sic] Life Insurance Company, et. al. ("Cressy"), which has been settled, and the putative class action complaint filed by Dale R. Ludwick, discussed below, there have been no material updates to our legal proceedings during the period. See "Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies" in our 2016 Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of our legal proceedings.
On July 5, 2013, Plaintiff Eddie L. Cressy filed a putative class Complaint captioned Cressy v. Fidelity Guaranty [sic] Life Insurance Company, et. al. in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (the "Court"), Case No. BC-514340. The Complaint was filed after the Plaintiff was unable to maintain an action in federal court. The Complaint asserts, inter alia, that the Plaintiff and members of the putative class relied on Defendants’ advice in purchasing allegedly unsuitable equity-indexed insurance policies.
On January 2, 2015, the Court entered Final Judgment in Cressy, certifying the class for settlement purposes, and approving the class settlement reached on April 4, 2014. On August 10, 2015, the Company tendered $1 to the Settlement Administrator for a claim review fund. The Company implemented an interest enhancement feature for certain policies as part of the class settlement, which enhancement began on October 12, 2015. On October 24, 2016, the parties filed a Joint Motion to amend the January 2, 2015 Final Order and Judgment, to extend the deadline for settlement completion from October 24, 2016 to December 5, 2016. On December 5, 2016, Plaintiff Cressy filed a Notice of Filing Declaration of Settlement Administrator and Status of Completion of Settlement; the Declaration of Settlement Administrator included a certification by the Settlement Administrator that the Company had complied in all respects with the class settlement and that all eligible claims had been paid and the interest enhancement had been implemented pursuant to the terms of the class settlement.
At December 31, 2016, the Company estimated the total cost for the settlement, legal fees and other costs related to Cressy would be $9, with a liability for the unpaid portion of the estimate of less than $1. The Company has incurred and paid $6 related to legal fees and other costs and $3 related to settlement costs as of December 31, 2016. Based on the information currently available the Company does not expect the actual cost for settlement, legal fees and other related costs to differ materially from the amount accrued.
On January 7, 2015, a putative class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court, Western District of Missouri (the "District Court"), captioned Dale R. Ludwick, on behalf of Herself and All Others Similarly Situated v. Harbinger Group Inc., Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company, Raven Reinsurance Company, and Front Street Re (Cayman) Ltd. The complaint alleges violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO"), requests injunctive and declaratory relief and seeks unspecified compensatory damages for the putative class in an amount not presently determinable, treble damages, and other relief, and claims Plaintiff Ludwick overpaid at least $0 for her annuity. On April 13, 2015, the Company joined in the filing of a Joint Motion to Dismiss the complaint. On February 12, 2016, the District Court granted the defendants’ Joint Motion to Dismiss. Judgment was entered on February 12, 2016. On March 3, 2016, Plaintiff Ludwick filed a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (the “Court of Appeals”) from the District Court’s Order and Judgment. As of December 31, 2016, the Company did not have sufficient information to determine whether the Company is exposed to any losses that would be either probable or reasonably estimable beyond an expense contingency estimate of $2, which was accrued during the year ended September 30, 2016.

42


(13) Reinsurance
The effect of reinsurance on premiums earned and benefits incurred and reserve changes (net benefits incurred) for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
 
Three months ended
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Net Premiums Earned
 
Net Benefits Incurred
 
Net Premiums Earned
 
Net Benefits Incurred
Direct
$
57

 
$
69

 
$
64

 
$
247

Assumed

 

 

 

Ceded
(46
)
 
(49
)
 
(49
)
 
(66
)
     Net
$
11

 
$
20

 
$
15

 
$
181

Amounts payable or recoverable for reinsurance on paid and unpaid claims are not subject to periodic or maximum limits. During the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not write off any reinsurance balances. During the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not commute any ceded reinsurance.
Effective September 1, 2016, Security Life of Denver ("SLD") recaptured a certain block of life insurance ceded to Swiss Re and simultaneously ceded this business to Wilton Re.
No policies issued by the Company have been reinsured with any foreign company, which is controlled, either directly or indirectly, by a party not primarily engaged in the business of insurance.
The Company has not entered into any reinsurance agreements in which the reinsurer may unilaterally cancel any reinsurance for reasons other than non-payment of premiums or other similar credit issues.


(14) Related Party Transactions
FSRCI
We have reinsured certain of our liabilities and obligations to FSRCI. As we are not relieved of our liability to our policyholders for this business, the liabilities and obligations associated with the reinsured policies remain on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding reinsurance recoverable from FSRCI. In addition to various remedies that we would have in the event of a default by FSRCI, we continue to hold assets in support of the transferred reserves.
At December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, the Company's reinsurance recoverable included $1,087 and $1,120, respectively, and funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities included $1,142 and $1,172, respectively, related to FSRCI.

43


Below are the ceded operating results to FSRCI for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
Three Months Ended
Revenues:
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 Premiums
 
$

 
$

 Net investment income
 
11

 
17

 Net investment (losses) gains
 
(3
)
 
1

 Insurance and investment product fees
 
1

 
1

 Total revenues
 
9

 
19

 
 
 
 
 
Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 Benefits and other changes in policy reserves
 
(2
)
 
(13
)
 Acquisition & operating expenses, net of deferrals
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 Total benefits and expenses
 
(3
)
 
(14
)
 
 
 
 
 
 Operating income
 
$
6

 
$
5

FGL Insurance invested in CLO securities issued by Fortress Credit Opportunities III CLO LP ("FCO III") and also invested in securities issued by Fortress Credit BSL Limited ("Fortress BSL"). The parent of both FCO III and Fortress BSL is Fortress Investment Group LLC, which acquired interests greater than 10% ownership in HRG as of September 30, 2014. In March 2016, Hildene Leveraged Credit, LLC (“HLC”) sold four CLOs to Fortress Investment Group LLC.  The four Hildene CLOs are now managed by an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, Fortress Credit Advisors, LLC.  As of December 31, 2016, the Company held two of these CLOs at par with a carrying value of $25. In August 2016, FGL purchased $15 of a commercial real estate CLO from Fortress Investment Group LLC. In October 2016, FGL purchased $2 bonds of Spectrum Brands, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of HRG Group.
FGL Insurance participates in loans to third parties originated by Salus, an affiliated, limited liability company indirectly owned by HRG. Salus is also considered a VIE as described in “Note 4. Investments” to the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Salus originated senior secured asset-based loans to unaffiliated third-party borrowers. In January 2014, FSRCI acquired preferred equity interests in Salus which have a 10% per annum return and a total par value of $30 which is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio. Accordingly, all income on this asset is ceded to FSRCI. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investments in Salus is limited to the carrying value of the preferred equity interests. The carrying value of these investments in Salus as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 are disclosed in the tables below.

On February 27, 2015, FGL Insurance entered into a transaction with Salus whereby Salus transferred $14 of loan participations and $16 of CLO subordinated debt (i.e., equity tranche) to FGL Insurance in exchange for retirement of the $20 promissory note and $10 revolving loan owed by Salus to FGL Insurance resulting in the termination of these facilities. Additionally, FGL Insurance also entered into a transaction with the Salus CLO whereby FGL Insurance transferred $29 of loan participations into the CLO in exchange for $27 of CLO subordinated notes (i.e., equity tranche) and a promissory note of $3 from Salus.  Both transactions qualified as sales of financial assets accounted for at fair value and therefore did not result in any gain or loss. FGL Insurance also concluded that it was not the primary beneficiary of the Salus CLO before and after these two transactions as FGL Insurance lacks the power to direct the activities that significantly affect the economic performance of the CLO and, to a lesser extent, FGL Insurance continues to own less than a majority ownership of the CLO subordinated notes after the two transactions. On June 13, 2016, the Salus promissory note was repaid for $2 and all obligations under the note were satisfied.
Please refer to "Note 5. Derivative Financial Instruments" to the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure of a Canadian dollar foreign exchange swap agreement for one of our Salus loan participations.

In August of 2015 and October of 2015, FGL entered into separate engagement letters with Credit Suisse and Jefferies, respectively, pursuant to which Credit Suisse and Jefferies agreed (on a non-exclusive basis) to

44


provide financial advisory services to FGL in connection with a transaction involving a merger or other similar transaction with respect to at least a majority of the capital stock of FGL.  HRG, the holder of a majority of shares of outstanding common stock of FGL, is also a party to each engagement letter. Under each engagement letter, Credit Suisse and Jefferies, respectively, are entitled to receive a fee which represents a percentage of the value of the transaction, plus reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Credit Suisse or Jefferies, as applicable, in connection with their engagement.  FGL has also agreed to indemnify Credit Suisse and Jefferies for certain liabilities in connection with their engagement.  Under each engagement letter, HRG is required to reimburse FGL for compensation paid by FGL to Credit Suisse or Jefferies under certain circumstances.  Specifically, if compensation to Credit Suisse or Jefferies becomes payable in respect of a transaction that involves a disposition of shares of FGL held by HRG (and not other stockholders of FGL), HRG will reimburse FGL for the full amount of such compensation.  If compensation to Credit Suisse or Jefferies becomes payable in respect of a transaction that involves a disposition of shares of FGL held by HRG and a disposition of not more than 50% of the shares of FGL held by stockholders of FGL other than HRG, HRG will reimburse FGL for its pro rata portion of such compensation (based on its relative number of shares compared to those held by stockholders of FGL other than HRG).    

The Company’s related party investments as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, and related net investment income for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
Type
 
Balance Sheet Classification
 
Asset carrying value
 
Accrued Investment Income
 
Total carrying value
Salus CLOs
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
 
$
13

 
$

 
$
13

Fortress Investment Group CLOs
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
 
226

 
3

 
229

Spectrum Brands, Inc.
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
2

 

 
2

Salus preferred equity (a)
 
Equity securities, available-for-sale
 
1

 

 
1

Salus participations (b)
 
Other invested assets
 
6

 

 
6

HGI energy loan (c)
 
Related party loans
 
71

 

 
71

(a) Salus preferred equity is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly all income on this asset is ceded to FSRCI.
(b) Includes loan participations with 3 different borrowers with an average loan fair value of $2 as of December 31, 2016.
(c) The HGI energy loan is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly the income related to this portion is ceded to FSRCI.
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2016
Type
 
Balance Sheet Classification
 
Asset carrying value
 
Accrued Investment Income
 
Total carrying value
Salus CLOs
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
$
19

 
$

 
$
19

Fortress Investment Group CLOs
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
225

 
2

 
227

Salus preferred equity(a)
 
Equity securities, available for sale
 
3

 

 
3

Salus participations (b)
 
Other invested assets
 
21

 

 
21

HGI energy loan (c)
 
Related party loans
 
71

 

 
71

(a) Salus preferred equity is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly all income on this asset is ceded to FSRCI.
(b) Includes loan participations with 4 different borrowers with an average loan fair value of $5 as of September 30, 2016.
(c) The HGI energy loan is included in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio, accordingly the income related to this portion is ceded to FSRCI.


45


 
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Type
 
Investment Income Classification
 
Net investment income
 
Net investment income
Salus CLOs
 
Fixed maturities
 
$
1

 
$
3

Fortress Investment Group CLOs
 
Fixed maturities
 
3

 
2

Salus participations
 
Other invested assets
 

 
1

HGI energy loan
 
Related party loans
 

 
1

The Company had net realized foreign exchange losses of $1 and $2 for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, related to its CAD denominated loan participations originated by Salus. Additionally, the Company had net foreign exchange derivative and embedded derivative losses of $0 and gains of $2, including losses on CAD currency forward contracts, for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, included in net investment gains (losses). See "Note 5. Derivative Financial Instruments" to the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
In August 2016, FGL Insurance exchanged the $71 2013 HGI Energy Loan issued by HGI Energy for new notes issued by HGI Energy for the same fair value with an August 2017 maturity date. The new notes issued are held in the FSRCI funds withheld portfolio.
The Company had net realized gains of $1 and $0 on the Salus Participations within other invested assets for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
The Company had net realized impairment losses of $1 and $4 on the Salus CLO within available-for-sale fixed maturity securities for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
During the three months ended December 31, 2016, the Company has investment management agreements with Salus, a wholly-owned subsidiary of HGI Asset Management Holdings, LLC, which is also a wholly owned subsidiary of HRG. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, the Company has investment management agreements with Salus, CorAmerica Capital, LLC and Energy & Infrastructure Capital, LLC ("EIC"), all wholly-owned subsidiaries of HGI Asset Management Holdings, LLC, which is also a wholly owned subsidiary of HRG. The agreement for EIC was terminated in July 2016, and CorAmerica is no longer a wholly-owned subsidiary of HGI Asset Management Holdings. The Company paid management fees to these entities for the services provided under these agreements which are usual and customary for these types of services. The Company paid Salus $0 and $0 during the three months ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, paid CorAmerica Capital, LLC $1 and $1 three months ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively and  paid EIC $0 during the three months ended December 31, 2015.


46


(15) Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (share amounts in thousands):
 
Three months ended
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Net income attributable to common shares - basic
$
108

 
$
48

 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic
58,281

 
58,219

Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock & PRSU
57

 
294

Dilutive effect of stock options
28

 
30

Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted
58,366

 
58,543

 
 
 
 
Net income per common share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.85

 
$
0.82

Diluted
$
1.85

 
$
0.82

The number of shares of common stock outstanding used in calculating the weighted average thereof reflects the actual number of FGL shares of common stock outstanding, excluding unvested restricted stock and shares held in treasury.
The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 excludes the incremental effect related to certain outstanding stock options and restricted shares due to their anti-dilutive effect. The number of weighted average equivalent shares excluded is 31 thousand and 4 thousand shares for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In the fourth quarter 2016, we decided to settle the performance restricted stock units in cash upon vesting and, therefore, the performance restricted stock units are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in the three months ended December 31, 2016.   Also, stock-based compensation awards under the FGLH Plans are settled in cash and, therefore, are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

(16) Insurance Subsidiary Financial Information and Regulatory Matters
FGL Insurance’s statutory carrying value of Raven Re reflects the effect of permitted practices Raven Re received to treat the available amount of a letter of credit as an admitted asset which increased Raven Re’s statutory capital and surplus by $195 and $201 at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively. Raven Re is also permitted to follow Iowa prescribed statutory accounting practice for its reserves on reinsurance assumed from FGL Insurance which increased Raven Re’s statutory capital and surplus by $4 at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016. Without such permitted statutory accounting practices Raven Re’s statutory capital and surplus would be $8 and $5 as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively, and its risk-based capital would fall below the minimum regulatory requirements. The letter of credit facility is collateralized by National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) 1 rated debt securities. If the permitted practice was revoked, the letter of credit could be replaced by the collateral assets with Nomura’s consent. FGL Insurance’s statutory carrying value of Raven Re at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 was $207 and $210, respectively.

On November 1, 2013, FGL Insurance re-domesticated from Maryland to Iowa. After re-domestication, FGL Insurance elected to apply Iowa-prescribed accounting practices that permit Iowa-domiciled insurers to report equity call options used to economically hedge FIA index credits at amortized cost for statutory accounting purposes and to calculate FIA statutory reserves such that index credit returns will be included in the reserve only after crediting to the annuity contract. This resulted in no increase to statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 2016. Also, the Iowa Insurance Division granted FGL Insurance a permitted statutory accounting practice to reclassify its negative unassigned surplus balance of $806 (unaudited) to additional paid in capital as of April 6, 2011, the date the Company acquired FGL Insurance, which had the effect of setting FGL Insurance’s statutory unassigned surplus to zero as of this date. The prescribed and permitted statutory accounting practices have no impact on the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements which are prepared in accordance with GAAP.

47


Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report includes forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terms such as “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “seeks”, “intends”, “plans”, “estimates”, “anticipates” or other comparable terms. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not related to present facts or current conditions or that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this report and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects and growth strategies and the industries in which we operate and including, without limitation, statements relating to our future performance.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual consolidated results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and industry development may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this report. In addition, even if our consolidated results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and industry development are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this report, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by the forward-looking statements, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended September 30, 2016 (“2016 Form 10-K”), which can be found at the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission's ("SEC's") website, www.sec.gov. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those reflected in forward-looking statements relating to our operations and business include:

the ability to satisfy the closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, contained in the Merger Agreement
the impact on the stock price, business, financial condition and results of operations if the proposed merger is not consummated or not consummated timely;
the impact of the operating restrictions in the Merger Agreement and their impact on FGL;
litigation arising from the proposed merger;
regulatory changes or actions, including those relating to regulation of financial services affecting (among other things) underwriting of insurance products and regulation of the sale, underwriting and pricing of products and minimum capitalization and statutory reserve requirements for insurance companies, or the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to make cash distributions to us (including dividends or payments on surplus notes those subsidiaries issue to us);
the impact of the Department of Labor "fiduciary" rule, finalized in April 2016, on the Company, its products, distribution and business model;
the impact on our business of new accounting rules or changes to existing accounting rules;
the impact of restrictions in FGL’s debt instruments on its ability to operate its business, finance its capital needs or pursue or expand its business strategies;
the accuracy of management’s assumptions and estimates;
the accuracy of our assumptions regarding the fair value and future performance of our investments;
our ability and our insurance subsidiaries’ ability to maintain or improve financial strength ratings;
our potential need and our insurance subsidiaries’ potential need for additional capital to maintain our and their financial strength and credit ratings and meet other requirements and obligations;
the continued availability of capital required for our insurance subsidiaries to grow;
our ability to defend ourselves against or respond to, potential litigation, enforcement investigations or increased regulatory scrutiny;
the impact of potential litigation, including class action litigation;
the impact of our reinsurers failing to meet or timely meet their assumed obligations, increasing their rates, or becoming subject to adverse developments that could materially adversely impact their ability to provide reinsurance to us at consistent and economical terms;
restrictions on our ability to use captive reinsurers and the impact of the anticipated implementation of principle-based reserving
the impact of interest rate fluctuations and withdrawal demands in excess of our assumptions;
the impact of market and credit risks;

48


equity market volatility;
credit market volatility or disruption;
changes in the federal income tax laws and regulations which may affect the relative income tax advantages of our products;
increases in our valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, and restrictions on our ability to fully utilize such assets;
potential adverse tax consequences if we generate passive income in excess of operating expenses;
the performance of third parties including third party administrators, independent distributors, underwriters, actuarial consultants and other service providers;
the loss of key personnel;
interruption or other operational failures in telecommunication, information technology and other operational systems, or a failure to maintain the security, integrity, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data residing on such systems;
our exposure to unidentified or unanticipated risk not adequately addressed by our risk management policies and procedures;
general economic conditions and other factors, including prevailing interest and unemployment rate levels and stock and credit market performance;
our ability to protect our intellectual property;
the impact on our business of natural and man-made catastrophes, pandemics, and malicious and terrorist acts;
our ability to compete in a highly competitive industry;
our ability to maintain competitive policy expense costs;
adverse consequences if the independent contractor status of our insurance marketing organizations ("IMOs") is successfully challenged;
our ability to attract and retain national marketing organizations and independent agents;
the inability of our subsidiaries and affiliates to generate sufficient cash to service all of their obligations;
conflicts of interest between HRG Group Inc. or its affiliates, including Front Street Re (Cayman) Ltd. (“FSRCI”);
the impact of non-performance of loans originated by Salus Capital Partners, LLC ("Salus");
our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends to us;
the ability to maintain or obtain approval of Iowa Insurance Division ("IID") and other regulatory authorities as required for our operations and those of our insurance subsidiaries; and
the other factors discussed in “Risk Factors” of our 2016 Form 10-K.
You should read this report completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from expectations. All forward looking statements made in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this report and we do not undertake any obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends, or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.


49


Introduction
Management's discussion and analysis reviews our consolidated financial position at December 31, 2016 (unaudited) and September 30, 2016, and the unaudited consolidated results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and where appropriate, factors that may affect future financial performance. This analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of Fidelity & Guaranty Life ("FGL"), which was included with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2016 included within the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K. Certain statements we make under this Item 2 constitute "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. See "Forward-Looking Statements" in this report. You should consider our forward-looking statements in light of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, related notes, and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report, and our filings with the SEC, including our 2016 Form 10-K, which can be found at the SEC website, www.sec.gov. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q we refer to the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 as the "Fiscal 2017 Quarter" and the "Fiscal 2016 Quarter", respectively.
Overview
We provide our principal life and annuity products through our insurance subsidiaries - Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company ("FGL Insurance") and Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company of New York ("FGL NY Insurance"). Our customers range across a variety of age groups and are concentrated in the middle-income market. Our fixed indexed annuities (“FIAs”) provide for pre-retirement wealth accumulation and post-retirement income management. Our life insurance provides wealth protection and transfer opportunities through indexed universal life products. Life and annuity products are primarily distributed through Independent Marketing Organizations ("IMOs") and independent insurance agents.
In setting the features and pricing new FIA products relative to our targeted net margin, we take into account our expectations regarding (1) net investment spread, which is the difference between the net investment income we earn and the sum of the interest credited to policyholders and the cost of hedging our risk on the policies; (2) fees, including surrender charges and rider fees, partly offset by vesting bonuses that we pay our policyholders; and (3) a number of related expenses, including benefits and reserves, acquisition costs, and general and administrative expenses.
Trends and Uncertainties
The following factors represent some of the key trends and uncertainties that have influenced the development of our business and our historical financial performance and that we believe will continue to influence our business and financial performance in the future.
Market Conditions
Market volatility has affected and may continue to affect our business and financial performance in varying ways. Volatility can pressure sales and reduce demand as consumers hesitate to make financial decisions. To enhance the attractiveness and profitability of our products and services, we continually monitor the behavior of our customers, as evidenced by mortality rates, morbidity rates, annuitization rates and lapse rates, which vary in response to changes in market conditions.
Interest Rate Environment
Some of our products include guaranteed minimum crediting rates, most notably our fixed rate annuities. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's reserves, net of reinsurance, and average crediting rate on our fixed rate annuities were $3 billion and 3%, respectively. We are required to pay these guaranteed minimum crediting rates even if earnings on our investment portfolio decline, which would negatively impact earnings. In addition, we expect more policyholders to hold policies with comparatively high guaranteed rates for a longer period in a low interest rate environment. Conversely, a rise in average yield on our investment portfolio would increase earnings if the average interest rate we pay on our products does not rise correspondingly. Similarly, we expect that policyholders would be less likely to hold policies with existing guarantees as interest rates rise and the relative value of other new business offerings are increased, which would negatively impact our earnings and cash flows.
See “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” for a more detailed discussion of interest rate risk.

50


Aging of the U.S. Population
We believe that the aging of the U.S. population will increase the demand for our products. As the “baby boomer” generation prepares for retirement, we believe that demand for retirement savings, growth and income products will grow. The impact of this growth may be offset to some extent by asset outflows as an increasing percentage of the population begins withdrawing assets to convert their savings into income.
Industry Factors and Trends Affecting Our Results of Operations
Demographics and macroeconomic factors are increasing the demand for our FIA and indexed universal life (“IUL”) products, for which demand is large and growing: over 10,000 people will turn 65 each day in the United States over the next 15 years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the proportion of the U.S. population over the age of 65 is expected to grow from 15% in 2015 to 20% in 2030.
We operate in the sector of the insurance industry that focuses on the needs of middle-income Americans. The underserved middle-income market represents a major growth opportunity for FGL. As a tool for addressing the unmet need for retirement planning, we believe that many middle-income Americans have grown to appreciate the “sleep at night protection” that annuities such as our FIA products afford. Accordingly, the FIA market grew from nearly $12 billion of sales in 2002 to $53 billion of sales in 2015. Additionally, this market demand has positively impacted the IUL market as it has expanded from $100 million of annual premiums in 2002 to $2 billion of annual premiums in 2015.
 
Competition
Our insurance subsidiaries operate in highly competitive markets. We face a variety of large and small industry participants. These companies compete for the growing pool of retirement assets driven by a number of factors, such as the continued aging of the U.S. population and the reduction in financial safety nets provided by governments and corporations. In many segments, product differentiation is difficult as product development and life cycles have shortened.
Annuity and Life Sales
Sales of annuities and IULs by quarter were as follows:
 

Annuity Sales

IUL Sales
(dollars in millions) 
 
Fiscal 2017
 
Fiscal 2016
 
Fiscal 2017
 
Fiscal 2016
First fiscal quarter
 
$
648

 
$
489

 
$
17

 
$
13

Total
 
$
648

 
$
489

 
$
17

 
$
13

Key Components of Our Historical Results of Operations
Under GAAP, premium collections for fixed indexed annuities, fixed rate annuities, and immediate annuities without life contingency are reported in the financial statements as deposit liabilities (i.e., contractholder funds) instead of as sales or revenues. Similarly, cash payments to customers are reported as decreases in the liability for contractholder funds and not as expenses. Sources of revenues for products accounted for as deposit liabilities are net investment income, surrender and other charges deducted from contractholder funds, and net realized gains (losses) on investments. Components of expenses for products accounted for as deposit liabilities are interest-sensitive and index product benefits (primarily interest credited to account balances or the cost of providing index credits to the policyholder), amortization of deferred acquisition cost (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”), other operating costs and expenses, and income taxes.
Through our insurance subsidiaries, we issue a broad portfolio of deferred annuities (fixed indexed and fixed rate annuities) and immediate annuities. A deferred annuity is a type of contract that accumulates value on a tax deferred basis and typically begins making specified periodic or lump sum payments a certain number of years after the contract has been issued. An immediate annuity is a type of contract that begins making specified payments within one annuity period (e.g., one month or one year) and typically makes payments of principal and interest earnings over a period of time.
The Company hedges certain portions of its exposure to product related equity market risk by entering into derivative transactions. We purchase derivatives consisting predominantly of call options and, to a lesser degree, futures contracts on the equity indices underlying the applicable policy. These derivatives are used to fund the statutory reserve impact of the index credits due to policyholders under the FIA contracts. The majority of all such call options are one-year options purchased to match the funding requirements underlying the FIA contracts. We

51


attempt to manage the cost of these purchases through the terms of our FIA contracts, which permit us to change caps, spread, or participation rates, subject to certain guaranteed minimums that must be maintained. The change in the fair value of the call options and futures contracts is generally designed to offset the equity market related change in the fair value of the FIA contract’s reserve liability. The call options and futures contracts are marked to fair value with the change in fair value included as a component of net investment gains (losses). The change in fair value of the call options and futures contracts includes the gains and losses recognized at the expiration of the instruments’ terms or upon early termination and the changes in fair value of open positions.
Earnings from products accounted for as deposit liabilities are primarily generated from the excess of net investment income earned over the sum of interest credited to policyholders and the cost of hedging our risk on FIA policies, known as the net investment spread. With respect to FIAs, the cost of hedging our risk includes the expenses incurred to fund the index credits, and where applicable, minimum guaranteed interest credited. Proceeds received upon expiration or early termination of call options purchased to fund annual index credits are recorded as part of the change in fair value of derivatives, and are largely offset by an expense for index credits earned on annuity contractholder fund balances.
Our profitability depends in large part upon the amount of assets under management (“AUM”), the net investment spreads earned on our average assets under management ("AAUM"), our ability to manage our operating expenses and the costs of acquiring new business (principally commissions to agents and bonuses credited to policyholders). As we grow AUM, earnings generally increase. AUM increases when cash inflows, which include sales, exceed cash outflows. Managing net investment spreads involves the ability to manage our investment portfolios to maximize returns and minimize risks on our AUM such as interest rate changes and defaults or impairment of investments, and our ability to manage interest rates credited to policyholders and costs of the options and futures purchased to fund the annual index credits on the FIAs or IULs. We analyze returns on AAUM pre- and post-DAC and VOBA as well as pre- and post-tax to measure our profitability in terms of growth and improved earnings.
Adjusted Operating Income ("AOI")
Management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures may be useful in certain instances to provide additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. Reconciliations of such measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are included herein.
AOI is a non-GAAP economic measure we use to evaluate financial performance each period. AOI is calculated by adjusting net income to eliminate (i) the impact of net investment gains including other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses recognized in operations, but excluding gains and losses on derivatives hedging our indexed annuity policies, (ii) the effect of changes in the interest rates used to discount the FIA embedded derivative liability, and (iii) the effect of change in fair value of the reinsurance related embedded derivative. All adjustments to AOI are net of the corresponding VOBA and DAC impact. The income tax impact related to these adjustments is measured using an effective tax rate of 35%, as appropriate.
While these adjustments are an integral part of the overall performance of FGL, market conditions impacting these items can overshadow the underlying performance of the business. Accordingly, we believe using a measure which excludes their impact is effective in analyzing the trends of our operations. Our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other organizations because other organizations may not calculate such non-GAAP measures in the same manner as we do.
Together with net income we believe AOI provides a meaningful financial metric that helps investors understand our underlying results and profitability.
AOI should not be used as a substitute for net income. However, we believe the adjustments made to net income in order to derive AOI provide an understanding of our overall results of operations. For example, we could have strong operating results in a given period, yet report net income that is materially less, if during such period the fair value of our derivative assets hedging the FIA index credit obligations decreased due to general equity market conditions but the embedded derivative liability related to the index credit obligation did not decrease in the same proportion as the derivative assets because of non-equity market factors such as interest rate movements. Similarly, we could also have poor operating results in a given period yet show net income that is materially greater, if during such period the fair value of the derivative assets increases but the embedded derivative liability did not increase in the same proportion as the derivative assets. We hedge our FIA index credits with a combination of static and dynamic strategies, which can result in earnings volatility, the effects of which are generally likely to reverse over time. Our management and board of directors review AOI and net income as part of their examination

52


of our overall financial results. However, these examples illustrate the significant impact derivative and embedded derivative movements can have on our net income. Accordingly, our management and board of directors perform a review and analysis of these items, as part of their review of our hedging results each period.
The adjustments to net income are net of DAC and VOBA amortization. Amounts attributable to the fair value accounting for derivatives hedging the FIA index credits and the related embedded derivative liability fluctuate from period to period based upon changes in the fair values of call options purchased to fund the annual index credits for FIAs, changes in the interest rates used to discount the embedded derivative liability, and the fair value assumptions reflected in the embedded derivative liability. The accounting standards for fair value measurement require the discount rates used in the calculation of the embedded derivative liability to be based on risk-free interest rates. The impact of the change in risk-free interest rates has been removed from net income in calculating AOI. Additionally the effect of change in the fair value of the reinsurance related embedded derivative has been removed from net income in calculating AOI.
AUM is the sum of (i) total invested assets at amortized cost, excluding derivatives; and including (ii) related party loans and investments and (iii) cash and cash equivalents. AAUM is the sum of AUM at the end of each month in the period divided by the number of months in the period.
In addition, we regularly monitor and report the production volume metric titled “Sales”. Sales are not derived from any specific GAAP income statement accounts or line items and should not be viewed as a substitute for any financial measure determined in accordance with GAAP. For GAAP purposes annuity sales are recorded as deposit liabilities (i.e. contract holder funds). Management believes that presentation of sales as measured for management purposes enhances the understanding of our business and helps depict longer term trends that may not be apparent in the results of operations due to the timing of sales and revenue recognition.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures regarding contingencies and commitments. Actual results could differ from these estimates. During the three months ended December 31, 2016, the Company did not make any material changes in its critical accounting policies as previously disclosed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K as filed with the SEC.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Please refer to "Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies and Practices" to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure of recent accounting pronouncements.


53



Results of Operations
(All amounts presented in millions unless otherwise noted)
The following tables set forth the consolidated results of operations and compare the amount of the change between the fiscal periods:
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
11

 
$
15

 
$
(4
)
 
Net investment income
240

 
222

 
18

 
Net investment gains
51

 
63

 
(12
)
 
Insurance and investment product fees and other
38

 
29

 
9

 
        Total revenues
340

 
329

 
11

 
Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves
20

 
181

 
(161
)
 
Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals
28

 
28

 

 
Amortization of intangibles
123

 
41

 
82

 
        Total benefits and expenses
171

 
250

 
(79
)
 
Operating income
169

 
79

 
90

 
Interest expense
(6
)
 
(6
)
 

 
Income before income taxes
163

 
73

 
90

 
Income tax expense
(55
)
 
(25
)
 
(30
)
 
        Net income
$
108

 
$
48

 
$
60

 
Annuity sales during the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter were $648 and $489, respectively, including FIA sales of $551 and $437, respectively. FIA sales in the current quarter reflect continued strong and productive partnerships with our IMO's. Sales of multi-year guarantee annuities ("MYGA") were $97 in the current quarter as compared to $52 in the same period last year. Indexed universal life sales during the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter were $17 and $13, respectively.
Revenues
Premiums
Premiums primarily reflect insurance premiums for traditional life insurance products which are recognized as revenue when due from the policyholder. FGL Insurance has ceded the majority of its traditional life business to unaffiliated third party reinsurers. The traditional life business is primarily related to the return of premium riders on traditional life contracts. While the base contract has been reinsured, we continue to retain the return of premium rider.
Premiums decreased $4, or 27%, to $11 from $15 for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter primarily due to higher life-contingent immediate annuity premiums during the Fiscal 2016 Quarter resulting from an increase in deferred annuity policies reaching their required annuitization period.

54


Net investment income
Below is a summary of the major components included in net investment income for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter:
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale
$
228

 
$
210

 
$
18

 
Equity securities, available-for-sale
10

 
8

 
2

 
Commercial mortgage loans, related party loans, invested cash, short term investments, and other investments
7

 
8

 
(1
)
 
Gross investment income
245

 
226

 
19

 
Investment expense
(5
)
 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
Net investment income
$
240

 
$
222

 
$
18

 
Our net investment spread and AAUM for the period is summarized as follows (annualized):
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Yield on AAUM (at amortized cost)
4.85
 %
 
4.87
 %
 
(0.02
)%
 
Less: Interest credited and option cost
(2.56
)%
 
(2.73
)%
 
0.17
 %
 
Net investment spread
2.29
 %
 
2.14
 %
 
0.15
 %
 
AAUM
$
19,768

 
$
18,239

 
$
1,529

 
The increase in net investment income of $18, or 8%, from the Fiscal 2016 Quarter to the Fiscal 2017 Quarter was primarily due to an increase in AAUM (volume). The volume increase period over period resulted in net investment income growth of $19.
The increase in AAUM of $1.5 billion or 8% from the Fiscal 2016 Quarter to the Fiscal 2017 Quarter was primarily due to annuity sales and FHLB institutional spread based sales over the past year and stable in force retention trends.

Net investment gains
Below is a summary of the major components included in net investment gains for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter:
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Net realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
$

 
$
(5
)
 
$
5

 
Realized and unrealized gains on certain derivative instruments
39

 
41

 
(2
)
 
Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative
12

 
27

 
(15
)
 
Net investment (losses) gains
$
51

 
$
63

 
$
(12
)
 

The increase in net investment gains on available-for-sale securities of $5 from the Fiscal 2016 Quarter to the Fiscal 2017 Quarter was primarily due to a decrease in impairments. The Fiscal 2017 Quarter net realized losses on available-for-sale securities includes $1 of net impairments, primarily related to loan participations and Salus CLO, completely offset by other net gains of $1 on available-for-sale securities. Comparatively, the Fiscal 2016 Quarter net realized losses on available-for-sale securities includes $10 of net impairments related to asset-backed and corporate securities, partially offset by other net gains of $5 on available-for-sale securities. Refer to impairment disclosures in "Note 4. Investments" of our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.

55


Net realized and unrealized gains on certain derivative instruments decreased $2 from the Fiscal 2016 Quarter to the Fiscal 2017 Quarter. See the table below for primary drivers of this decrease.
Also offsetting the increase in net investment gains on available-for-sale securities from the Fiscal 2016 Quarter to the Fiscal 2017 Quarter was a $15 period over period decrease in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative, which is based on the change in fair value of the underlying assets held in the funds withheld ("FWH") portfolio. Specifically, the reinsurance related embedded derivative increased $12 during the Fiscal 2017 Quarter resulting from a decrease in the net unrealized gain position of the FSRCI FWH portfolio during the quarter; primarily due to an increase in treasury yields as a result of the political and economic uncertainty from the U.S. presidential election. Comparatively, the reinsurance related embedded derivative increased $27 in the Fiscal 2016 Quarter as a result of a decrease in fair value of the FWH portfolio primarily due to an increase in credit spreads during a period characterized by increased volatility in the capital markets. The impact of reinsurance related embedded derivative gains (losses) is largely offset in stockholders’ equity as the change in the net unrealized gains (losses) on the FSRCI FWH portfolio is included in AOCI.
We utilize a combination of static (call options) and dynamic (long futures contracts) instruments in our hedging strategy. A substantial portion of the call options and futures contracts are based upon the S&P 500 Index with the remainder based upon other equity and bond market indices.
The components of the realized and unrealized gains on certain derivative instruments hedging our indexed annuity products are as follows:
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Call options:
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Losses) gains on option expiration
$

 
$
(15
)
 
$
15

 
Change in unrealized gains
39

 
51

 
(12
)
 
Futures contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains on futures contracts expiration
1

 
3

 
(2
)
 
Change in unrealized gains/losses
(1
)
 
2

 
(3
)
 
Total net change in fair value
$
39

 
$
41

 
$
(2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in S&P 500 Index during the period
3
%
 
6
%
 
(3
)%
 
Realized gains and losses on certain derivative instruments are directly correlated to the performances of the indices upon which the call options and futures contracts are based and the value of the derivatives at the time of expiration compared to the value at the time of purchase. Additionally, the fair value of call options are primarily driven by the underlying performance of the S&P 500 index relative to the S&P index on the policyholder buy dates during each respective year.
The decrease in certain derivative instruments from the Fiscal 2016 Quarter to the Fiscal 2017 Quarter was primarily due to the change in net realized and unrealized gains/losses on call options and future contracts during the respective quarters, as well as timing of option purchases and expirations. The S&P 500 Index increased 3% during the Fiscal 2017 Quarter, increased 6% during the Fiscal 2016 Quarter (the percentages noted are a fiscal period over period comparison of the growth of the S&P 500 Index only and do not reflect the change for each option buy date).

56



The average index credits to policyholders were as follows:
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Average Crediting Rate
2
%
 
1
%
 
1
 %
 
S&P 500 Index:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Point-to-point strategy
4
%
 
2
%
 
2
 %
 
Monthly average strategy
2
%
 
2
%
 
 %
 
Monthly point-to-point strategy
1
%
 
%
 
1
 %
 
3 year high water mark
15
%
 
19
%
 
(4
)%
 
The credits for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter were based on comparing the S&P 500 Index on each issue date in these respective periods to the same issue date in the respective prior year periods. The volatility at different points in these periods created a decline in crediting rates for the 3 year high water mark strategies in the Fiscal 2017 Quarter.
Actual amounts credited to contractholder fund balances may differ from the index appreciation due to contractual features in the FIA contracts (caps, spreads and participation rates) which allow the Company to manage the cost of the options purchased to fund the annual index credits.
Insurance and investment product fees and other
Below is a summary of the major components included in Insurance and investment product fees and other for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter:
 
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
 
Insurance and investment product fees and other:
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Surrender charges
 
$
7

 
$
4

 
$
3

 
Cost of insurance fees and other income
 
31

 
25

 
6

 
Total insurance and investment product fees and other
 
$
38

 
$
29

 
$
9

 
Insurance and investment product fees and other consists primarily of the cost of insurance, policy rider fees and surrender charges assessed against policy withdrawals in excess of the policyholder's allowable penalty-free amounts (up to 10% of the prior year's value, subject to certain limitations).
The $9 increase in insurance and investment product fees and other in the Fiscal 2017 Quarter compared to the Fiscal 2016 Quarter was primarily due to increases in rider fees on FIA policies as well as increases in cost of insurance ("COI") charges on IUL policies over the past year. Specifically, guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit ("GMWB") rider fees increased period over period by $3 as a result of growth in benefit base, which is partially offset by a corresponding increase in income rider reserves (included in Benefits and other changes in policy reserves). GMWB rider fees are based on the policyholder's benefit base and are collected at the end of the policy year. Thus, FIA sales and growth of benefit base in Fiscal 2016 resulted in higher fee income due to policyholder anniversary dates in the current quarter. The COI charges on IUL policies also increased $3 quarter over quarter due to continued growth in life sales over the past year.
The period over period increase in surrender charges of $3 in the Fiscal 2017 Quarter to the Fiscal 2016 Quarter is primarily due to surrender charges from contractholders surrendering their contracts during the surrender charge periods. These surrender charges protect the Company from premature withdrawals. The lower interest rate environment in prior years resulted in lower than expected surrenders, and the current surrender charge experience is in line with expectations.

57


Benefits and expenses
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves
Below is a summary of the major components included in Benefits and other changes in policy reserves for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter:
 
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
FIA market value option liability change
 
$
37

 
$
62

 
$
(25
)
 
FIA present value future credits & guarantee liability change
 
(173
)
 
(23
)
 
(150
)
 
Index credits, interest credited & bonuses
 
112

 
88

 
24

 
Annuity Payments
 
40

 
43

 
(3
)
 
Other policy benefits and reserve movements
 
4

 
11

 
(7
)
 
     Total benefits and other changes in policy reserves
 
$
20

 
$
181

 
$
(161
)
 
The FIA market value option liability change increased $37 during the Fiscal 2017 Quarter compared to a $62 increase during the Fiscal 2016 Quarter and was driven by the corresponding change in fair value of FIA options during the respective periods. In general, a decrease or increase in market value of derivative assets hedging FIA index credits will result in a corresponding decrease or increase in the market value option liability, respectively. See table above for summary and discussion of net unrealized gains (losses) on certain derivative instruments.
The FIA present value of future credits and guarantee liability change decreased $173 during the Fiscal 2017 Quarter compared to a $23 decrease during the Fiscal 2016 Quarter. The increase in longer duration risk free rates year over year decreased reserves by $167 and $19 during the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter, respectively.
Index credits, interest credited & bonuses were $112 during the Fiscal 2017 Quarter compared to $88 during the Fiscal 2016 Quarter. The quarter over quarter increase of $24 was primarily due to higher index credits on FIA policies reflecting the favorable performance of the S&P 500 Index relative to the S&P 500 Index level on the policyholder buy dates and related increase in proceeds from options and futures which fund FIA index credits. Fixed interest credits remained in line with historical experience in the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter. Proceeds from option expirations were sufficient to cover index credits for the period. Should index credits to policyholders exceed option expiration proceeds, investment spread earnings and futures income would fund the excess index credits.

Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals
Below is a summary of the major components included in acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter:
 
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
 
Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals:
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
General expenses
 
$
25

 
$
26

 
$
(1
)
 
Acquisition expenses
 
92

 
73

 
19

 
Deferred acquisition costs
 
(89
)
 
(71
)
 
(18
)
 
Total acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals
 
$
28

 
$
28

 
$

 
Gross acquisition expenses increased $19 from the Fiscal 2017 Quarter compared to the Fiscal 2016 Quarter due to higher commissions driven by increased annuity and IUL sales. This increase was partially offset by a corresponding increase in deferred acquisition costs of $18.
 

58


Amortization of intangibles
Below is a summary of the major components included in amortization of intangibles for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter:
 
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
 
Amortization of intangibles related to:
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Unlocking
 
$

 
$
(6
)
 
$
6

 
Interest
 
(13
)
 
(11
)
 
(2
)
 
Amortization
 
136

 
58

 
78

 
Total amortization of intangibles
 
$
123

 
$
41

 
$
82

 
Amortization of intangibles is based on historical, current and future expected gross margins (pre-tax operating income before amortization). The quarter over quarter increase in total net amortization of $82 was primarily due to higher actual gross profits ("AGPs") on the DAC lines of business (LOBs), excluding the impact of the reinsurance related embedded derivative. The quarter over quarter increase in AGPs during 2017 was primarily driven by a $167 decrease in FIA reserves during the current quarter due to market movements in risk free rates (see benefit and reserve discussion above). Also contributing to the quarter over quarter increase in net amortization was $6 of favorable unlocking during the Fiscal 2016 Quarter primarily related to equity market fluctuations as well as lower current gross profits than expected.
Other items affecting net income
Interest expense
Interest expense for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter was $6 compared to expense of $6 for the Fiscal 2016 Quarter. The interest expense for both the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter reflects the interest incurred on the $300 of outstanding 6.375% senior notes (the "Senior Notes") issued by Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc. ("FGLH") in March 2013. The outstanding Senior Notes pay interest semi-annually at a coupon rate of 6.375%. Additionally, the Fiscal 2017 Quarter includes interest incurred on the $100 revolving credit facility outstanding which the Company drew on during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2016. This increase was offset by a decrease from the Fiscal 2016 Quarter to the Fiscal 2017 Quarter due to the amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs related to the Senior Notes which were fully amortized in March of 2016.
Income tax expense
Below is a summary of the major components included in Income tax expense (benefit) for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter:
 
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Income before taxes
 
$
163

 
$
73

 
$
90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax before valuation allowance
 
55

 
97

 
(42
)
 
Change in valuation allowance
 

 
(72
)
 
$
72

 
Income tax
 
$
(55
)
 
$
(25
)
 
$
(30
)
 
Effective Rate
 
34
%
 
34
%
 
 
 
Income tax expense for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter was $55, net of a valuation allowance expense of $0 compared to income tax expense of $25 for the Fiscal 2016 Quarter, inclusive of a valuation allowance release of $72. The increase in income tax expense of $30 quarter over quarter was primarily due to an increase in the Fiscal 2017 Quarter's pre-tax income of $90 compared to the Fiscal 2016 Quarter. The valuation allowance release of $72 for the Fiscal 2016 Quarter is related to the removal of the valuation allowance against life company capital loss deferred tax assets that expired and were written off during the quarter, and therefore had no net impact to the overall tax expense.

59


            
AOI
The table below shows the adjustments made to reconcile net income to our AOI:
 
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
 
Reconciliation from Net income to AOI:
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
Net income
 
$
108

 
$
48

 
$
60

 
Adjustments to arrive at AOI:
 
 
 
 
 


 
Effect of investment losses (gains), net of offsets
 
(1
)
 
4

 
(5
)
 
Effect of change in FIA embedded derivative discount rate, net of offsets
 
(92
)
 
(10
)
 
(82
)
 
Effect of change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative, net of offsets
 
(10
)
 
(20
)
 
10

 
Tax impact of adjusting items
 
36

 
9

 
27

 
AOI
 
$
41

 
$
31

 
$
10

 
AOI increased $10 from $31 in the Fiscal 2016 Quarter to $41 in the Fiscal 2017 Quarter. The current year results included approximately $2 of net favorable adjustments related to net favorable performance in the single premium immediate annuity product line; and $2 of bond prepayment income. Comparatively, the Fiscal 2016 Quarter AOI included approximately $3 of unfavorable mortality experience in the single premium immediate annuity product line as well as $3 of expenses related to the Merger transaction costs and the Company's legacy incentive compensation plan. Partially offsetting these decreases were $3 of favorable adjustments primarily related to lower DAC due to equity market fluctuations and bond prepayment income.



60


Investment Portfolio
(All dollar amounts presented in millions unless otherwise noted)
The types of assets in which we may invest are influenced by various state laws, which prescribe qualified investment assets applicable to insurance companies. Within the parameters of these laws, we invest in assets giving consideration to four primary investment objectives: (i) maintain robust absolute returns; (ii) provide reliable yield and investment income; (iii) preserve capital and (iv) provide liquidity to meet policyholder and other corporate obligations.
Our investment portfolio is designed to contribute stable earnings and balance risk across diverse asset classes and is primarily invested in high quality fixed income securities.
As of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, the fair value of our investment portfolio was approximately $21 billion and $21 billion, respectively, and was divided among the following asset class and sectors:

 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
 
 
Fair Value
 
Percent
 
Fair Value
 
Percent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    United States Government full faith and credit
$
230

 
1
%
 
$
243

 
1
%
    United States Government sponsored entities
107

 
1
%
 
115

 
1
%
    United States municipalities, states and territories
1,641

 
8
%
 
1,717

 
8
%
Corporate securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Finance, insurance and real estate
5,563

 
26
%
 
5,463

 
26
%
    Manufacturing, construction and mining
850

 
4
%
 
863

 
4
%
    Utilities, energy and related sectors
1,816

 
9
%
 
1,881

 
9
%
    Wholesale/retail trade
1,330

 
6
%
 
1,277

 
6
%
    Services, media and other
1,920

 
9
%
 
1,856

 
9
%
Hybrid securities
1,333

 
6
%
 
1,386

 
7
%
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities
1,202

 
6
%
 
1,247

 
6
%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
837

 
4
%
 
864

 
4
%
Asset-backed securities
2,608

 
12
%
 
2,499

 
12
%
Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities
19,437

 
92
%
 
19,411

 
93
%
Equity securities (a)
696

 
3
%
 
683

 
3
%
Commercial mortgage loans
574

 
3
%
 
614

 
3
%
Other (primarily derivatives and loan participations)
357

 
2
%
 
334

 
1
%
Total investments
$
21,064

 
100
%
 
$
21,042

 
100
%
(a) Includes investment grade non-redeemable preferred stocks ($586 and $577, respectively) and Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta common stock ($39 and $40, respectively).
Insurance statutes regulate the type of investments that our life insurance subsidiaries are permitted to make and limit the amount of funds that may be used for any one type of investment. In light of these statutes and regulations, and our business and investment strategy, we generally seek to invest in (i) corporate securities rated investment grade by established nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (each, an “NRSRO”), (ii) U.S. Government and government-sponsored agency securities, or (iii) securities of comparable investment quality, if not rated.

61


As of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, our fixed maturity available-for-sale ("AFS") securities portfolio was approximately $19 billion and $19 billion, respectively. The following table summarizes the credit quality, by Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organization ("NRSRO") rating, of our fixed income portfolio:

 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
Rating
 
Fair Value
 
Percent
 
Fair Value
 
Percent
AAA
 
$
1,488

 
8
%
 
$
1,509

 
8
%
AA
 
1,748

 
9
%
 
1,933

 
10
%
A
 
5,231

 
27
%
 
5,126

 
27
%
BBB
 
8,561

 
44
%
 
8,404

 
43
%
BB (a)
 
1,027

 
5
%
 
1,017

 
5
%
B and below (b)
 
1,382

 
7
%
 
1,422

 
7
%
Total
 
$
19,437

 
100
%
 
$
19,411

 
100
%
(a) Includes $64 and $67 at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively, of non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS") that carry a National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) 1 designation.
(b) Includes $1,010 and $1,047 at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively, of non-agency RMBS that carry a NAIC 1 designation.
As of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, included in our fixed maturity AFS securities portfolio are the collateral assets of the funds withheld coinsurance agreement with FSRCI of approximately $1 billion. The following table summarizes the credit quality, by NRSRO rating, of FSRCI fixed income portfolio:
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
Rating
 
Fair Value
 
Percent
 
Fair Value
 
Percent
AAA
 
$
72

 
8
%
 
$
90

 
10
%
AA
 
26

 
3
%
 
58

 
7
%
A
 
109

 
13
%
 
84

 
10
%
BBB
 
248

 
29
%
 
247

 
28
%
BB
 
160

 
19
%
 
155

 
18
%
B and below
 
245

 
28
%
 
238

 
27
%
Total
 
$
860

 
100
%
 
$
872

 
100
%
The NAIC’s Securities Valuation Office ("SVO") is responsible for the day-to-day credit quality assessment and valuation of securities owned by state regulated insurance companies. Insurance companies report ownership of securities to the SVO when such securities are eligible for regulatory filings. The SVO conducts credit analysis on these securities for the purpose of assigning an NAIC designation or unit price. Typically, if a security has been rated by an NRSRO, the SVO utilizes that rating and assigns an NAIC designation based upon the following system:
NAIC Designation
 
NRSRO Equivalent Rating
1
 
AAA/AA/A
2
 
BBB
3
 
BB
4
 
B
5
 
CCC and lower
6
 
In or near default
The NAIC has adopted revised designation methodologies for non-agency RMBS, including RMBS backed by subprime mortgage loans and for commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS"). The NAIC’s objective with the revised designation methodologies for these structured securities was to increase accuracy in assessing expected losses and to use the improved assessment to determine a more appropriate capital requirement for such structured securities. The NAIC designations for structured securities, including subprime and Alternative A-paper ("Alt-A") RMBS, are based upon a comparison of the bond’s amortized cost to the NAIC’s loss expectation for each security. Securities where modeling does not generate an expected loss in all scenarios are given the highest designation of NAIC 1. A large percentage of our RMBS securities carry a NAIC 1 designation while the NRSRO

62


rating indicates below investment grade. The revised methodologies reduce regulatory reliance on rating agencies and allow for greater regulatory input into the assumptions used to estimate expected losses from such structured securities. In the tables below, we present the rating of structured securities based on ratings from the revised NAIC rating methodologies described above (which in some cases do not correspond to rating agency designations). All NAIC designations (e.g., NAIC 1-6) are based on the revised NAIC methodologies.
The tables below present our fixed maturity securities by NAIC designation as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016:

 
December 31, 2016
NAIC Designation
 
 Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Percent of Total Fair Value
1
 
$
10,286

 
$
10,535

 
54
%
2
 
7,594

 
7,681

 
40
%
3
 
942

 
929

 
5
%
4
 
262

 
219

 
1
%
5
 
77

 
62

 
%
6
 
12

 
11

 
%
Total
 
$
19,173

 
$
19,437

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2016
NAIC Designation
 
 Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Percent of Total Fair Value
1
 
$
10,052

 
$
10,678

 
55
%
2
 
7,209

 
7,534

 
39
%
3
 
885

 
866

 
5
%
4
 
277

 
255

 
1
%
5
 
94

 
75

 
%
6
 
4

 
3

 
%
Total
 
$
18,521

 
$
19,411

 
100
%
The tables below present the collateral assets of the funds withheld coinsurance agreement with FSRCI which were included in our fixed maturity securities as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016:
 
 
December 31, 2016
NAIC Designation
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Percent of Total Fair Value
1
 
$
271

 
$
266

 
31
%
2
 
235

 
229

 
27
%
3
 
173

 
166

 
19
%
4
 
146

 
144

 
17
%
5
 
53

 
44

 
5
%
6
 
12

 
11

 
1
%
Total
 
$
890

 
$
860

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2016
NAIC Designation
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Percent of Total Fair Value
1
 
$
308

 
$
307

 
35
%
2
 
202

 
206

 
24
%
3
 
159

 
153

 
17
%
4
 
159

 
154

 
18
%
5
 
58

 
49

 
6
%
6
 
4

 
3

 
%
Total
 
$
890

 
$
872

 
100
%

63


Investment Industry Concentration
The tables below present the top ten industry categories of our AFS securities, including the fair value and percent of total AFS securities fair value as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016:
 
 
December 31, 2016
Top 10 Industry Concentration
 
Fair Value
 
Percent of Total Fair Value
 Banking
 
$
2,570

 
13
%
 ABS Collateralized Loan Obligation ("CLO")
 
2,057

 
10
%
 Municipal
 
1,907

 
9
%
 Life Insurance
 
1,261

 
6
%
 Electric
 
1,048

 
5
%
 Property and Casualty Insurance
 
917

 
5
%
 Whole Loan Collateralized Mortgage Obligation ("CMO")
 
879

 
4
%
 Other Financial Institutions
 
777

 
4
%
 CMBS
 
725

 
4
%
ABS Other
 
529

 
3
%
Total
 
$
12,670

 
63
%
 
 
September 30, 2016
Top 10 Industry Concentration
 
Fair Value
 
Percent of Total Fair Value
 Banking
 
$
2,448

 
12
%
 ABS CLO
 
2,084

 
10
%
 Municipal
 
1,985

 
10
%
Life insurance
 
1,200

 
6
%
Electric
 
1,096

 
5
%
Property and casualty insurance
 
966

 
5
%
Whole loan CMO
 
909

 
5
%
Other financial institutions
 
825

 
4
%
CMBS
 
740

 
4
%
 Pipelines
 
480

 
2
%
Total
 
$
12,733

 
63
%
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity AFS securities by contractual maturities as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, as applicable, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
 
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Corporate, Non-structured Hybrids, Municipal and U.S. Government securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
 
$
290

 
$
294

 
$
261

 
$
263

Due after one year through five years
 
1,940

 
1,978

 
1,863

 
1,919

Due after five years through ten years
 
3,189

 
3,261

 
3,233

 
3,407

Due after ten years
 
8,256

 
8,433

 
7,710

 
8,346

Subtotal
 
$
13,675

 
$
13,966

 
$
13,067

 
$
13,935

Other securities which provide for periodic payments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
 
$
2,629

 
$
2,608

 
$
2,528

 
$
2,499

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
852

 
837

 
850

 
864

Structured hybrids
 
748

 
717

 
749

 
751

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
1,269

 
1,309

 
1,327

 
1,362

Subtotal
 
$
5,498

 
$
5,471

 
$
5,454

 
$
5,476

Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities
 
$
19,173

 
$
19,437

 
$
18,521

 
$
19,411


64


Non-Agency RMBS Exposure    
In late 2011 and 2012, following stabilization in the housing market, and a review of the loss severity methodology utilized by the NAIC, which took into account home price appreciation vectors, rather than NRSRO ratings criteria, we began to increase exposure to non-agency RMBS securities across the spectrum. These investment decisions were driven by rigorous analysis of the underlying collateral, as well as considerations of structural characteristics associated with these positions.
In all cases, we have been buyers of non-agency RMBS securities in the secondary market. We do not originate non-agency whole loans, regardless of underlying collateral.
Our investment in non-agency RMBS securities is predicated on the conservative and adequate cushion between purchase price and NAIC 1 rating, general lack of sensitivity to interest rates, positive convexity to prepayment rates and correlation between the price of the securities and the unfolding recovery of the housing market.
The fair value of our investments in subprime and Alt-A RMBS securities was $305 and $699, respectively, as of December 31, 2016 and $322 and $717, respectively, as of September 30, 2016.
During the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015, we learned of a settlement that we are entitled to receive as a result of our ownership of certain residential mortgage-backed securities that were issued by Countrywide Financial Corporation ("Countrywide"), which was later acquired by Bank of America Corporation. An $18 cash settlement was received in the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 for a majority of the Countrywide securities, and another $2 is expected to be paid in the third fiscal quarter of 2017. Please refer to "Note 4. Investments" to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.
The following tables summarize our exposure to subprime and Alt-A RMBS by credit quality using NAIC designations, NRSRO ratings and vintage year as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016:
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
NAIC Designation:
 
Fair Value
 
Percent of Total
 
Fair Value
 
Percent of Total
1
 
994

 
99
%
 
1,026

 
99
%
2
 
2

 
%
 
2

 
%
3
 
8

 
1
%
 
4

 
%
4
 

 
%
 
7

 
1
%
5
 

 
%
 

 
%
6
 

 
%
 

 
%
Total
 
1,004

 
100
%
 
1,039

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NRSRO:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AAA
 
8

 
1
%
 
13

 
1
%
AA
 
7

 
1
%
 
8

 
1
%
A
 
53

 
5
%
 
47

 
5
%
BBB
 
26

 
2
%
 
27

 
3
%
BB and below
 
910

 
91
%
 
944

 
90
%
Total
 
1,004

 
100
%
 
1,039

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vintage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007
 
205

 
20
%
 
210

 
20
%
2006
 
370

 
37
%
 
381

 
37
%
2005 and prior
 
429

 
43
%
 
448

 
43
%
Total
 
1,004

 
100
%
 
1,039

 
100
%

65


ABS Exposure
As of December 31, 2016, our asset-backed security ("ABS") exposure was largely composed of NAIC 1 rated tranches of CLOs, which comprised 79% of all ABS holdings. These exposures are generally senior tranches of CLOs which have leveraged loans as their underlying collateral. The remainder of our ABS exposure was largely diversified by underlying collateral and issuer type, including automobile and home equity receivables.
The following tables summarize our ABS exposure. The non-CLO exposure represents 21% of total ABS assets, or 3% of total invested assets. As of December 31, 2016, the CLO and non-CLO positions were trading at a net unrealized loss position of $16 and $4, respectively.
The non-CLO exposure as of September 30, 2016 represented 17% of total ABS assets, or 2%, of total invested assets. As of September 30, 2016, the CLO and non-CLO positions were trading at a net unrealized gain/loss position of $25 and $(4), respectively.
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
Asset Class
 
Fair Value
 
Percent
 
Fair Value
 
Percent
ABS CLO
 
$
2,057

 
79
%
 
$
2,084

 
83
%
ABS Auto
 
15

 
1
%
 
13

 
1
%
ABS Home Equity
 

 
%
 

 
%
ABS Credit Card
 
7

 
%
 

 
%
ABS Other
 
529

 
20
%
 
402

 
16
%
Total ABS
 
$
2,608

 
100
%
 
$
2,499

 
100
%

66



Commercial Mortgage Loans
We rate all CMLs to quantify the level of risk. We place those loans with higher risk on a watch list and closely monitor them for collateral deficiency or other credit events that may lead to a potential loss of principal and/or interest. If we determine the value of any CML to be impaired (i.e., when it is probable that we will be unable to collect on amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement), the carrying value of the CML is reduced to either the present value of expected cash flows from the loan, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or fair value of the collateral. For those mortgage loans that are determined to require foreclosure, the carrying value is reduced to the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of estimated costs to obtain and sell at the point of foreclosure. The carrying value of the impaired loans is reduced by establishing a specific write-down recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Loan-to-value (“LTV”) and debt service coverage (“DSC”) ratios are measures commonly used to assess the risk and quality of CMLs. The LTV ratio, calculated at time of origination, is expressed as a percentage of the amount of the loan relative to the value of the underlying property. An LTV ratio in excess of 100% indicates the unpaid loan amount exceeds the value of the underlying collateral. The DSC ratio, based upon the most recently received financial statements, is expressed as a percentage of the amount of a property’s net income (loss) to its debt service payments. A DSC ratio of less than 1.0 indicates that property’s operations do not generate sufficient income to cover debt payments. These ratios are utilized as part of the review process described above. We normalize our DSC ratios to a 25-year amortization period for purposes of our general loan allowance evaluation.
 
Debt Service Coverage Ratios
 
Total Amount
 
% of Total
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total
 
>1.25
 
1.00 - 1.25
 
<1.00
 
N/A(a)
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LTV Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 50%
$
195

 
$

 
$
18

 
$
1

 
$
214

 
37
%
 
$
210

 
37
%
50% to 60%
234

 

 

 

 
234

 
40
%
 
230

 
40
%
60% to 75%
112

 
7

 
16

 

 
135

 
23
%
 
134

 
23
%
Commercial mortgage loans
$
541

 
$
7

 
$
34

 
$
1

 
$
583

 
100
%
 
$
574

 
100
%
September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LTV Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 50%
$
158

 
$
18

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
177

 
29
%
 
$
181

 
29
%
50% to 60%
189

 

 

 

 
189

 
32
%
 
194

 
32
%
60% to 75%
230

 

 

 

 
230

 
39
%
 
239

 
39
%
Commercial mortgage loans
$
577

 
$
18

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
596

 
100
%
 
$
614

 
100
%
(a) N/A - Current DSC ratio not available.

As of December 31, 2016, our mortgage loans on real estate portfolio had a weighted average DSC ratio of 2.03 times, and a weighted average LTV ratio of 52%.

67


Unrealized Losses
The amortized cost and fair value of the fixed maturity securities and the equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 were as follows:
 
December 31, 2016
 
Number of securities
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States Government full faith and credit
5

 
51

 
0

 
51

United States Government sponsored agencies
28

 
29

 
(1
)
 
28

United States municipalities, states and territories
69

 
501

 
(25
)
 
476

Corporate securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finance, insurance and real estate
173

 
1,625

 
(56
)
 
1,569

Manufacturing, construction and mining
49

 
414

 
(30
)
 
384

Utilities, energy and related sectors
95

 
667

 
(61
)
 
606

Wholesale/retail trade
87

 
519

 
(25
)
 
494

Services, media and other
127

 
909

 
(55
)
 
854

Hybrid securities
51

 
786

 
(64
)
 
722

Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities
132

 
531

 
(24
)
 
507

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
78

 
537

 
(22
)
 
515

Asset-backed securities
225

 
1,825

 
(38
)
 
1,787

Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities
1,119

 
8,394

 
(401
)
 
7,993

Equity securities
28

 
308

 
(12
)
 
296

Total
1,147

 
$
8,702

 
$
(413
)
 
$
8,289


 
September 30, 2016
 
Number of securities
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States Government full faith and credit
2

 
$

 
$

 
$

United States Government sponsored agencies
29

 
30

 
(1
)
 
29

United States municipalities, states and territories
18

 
111

 
(4
)
 
107

Corporate securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finance, insurance and real estate
56

 
349

 
(16
)
 
333

Manufacturing, construction and mining
29

 
224

 
(31
)
 
193

Utilities, energy and related sectors
72

 
444

 
(47
)
 
397

Wholesale/retail trade
32

 
181

 
(7
)
 
174

Services, media and other
60

 
378

 
(31
)
 
347

Hybrid securities
29

 
500

 
(47
)
 
453

Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities
141

 
612

 
(27
)
 
585

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
46

 
235

 
(9
)
 
226

Asset-backed securities
211

 
1,765

 
(45
)
 
1,720

Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities
725

 
4,829

 
(265
)
 
4,564

Equity securities
11

 
130

 
(4
)
 
126

Total
736

 
$
4,959

 
$
(269
)
 
$
4,690

The gross unrealized loss position on the available-for-sale fixed and equity portfolio as of December 31, 2016, was $413, a decrease of $144 from $269 as of September 30, 2016. Most components of the portfolio exhibited price declines as the increase in Treasury yields resulting from the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election in November moved bond prices lower. The total book value of all securities in an unrealized loss position increased by 75% to  $8,702 from $4,959, with the average market value/book value of this group remaining unchanged at 95%. In aggregate, corporate bonds represented 55% of the total unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2016, up from 49% as of September 30, 2016

68


Our municipal bond exposure is a combination of general obligation bonds (fair value of $315 and an amortized cost of $292 as of December 31, 2016) and special revenue bonds (fair value of $1,326 and amortized cost of $1,261 as of December 31, 2016).
Across all municipal bonds, the largest issuer represented 7% of the category, less than 1% of the entire portfolio and is rated NAIC 1. Our focus within municipal bonds is on NAIC 1 rated instruments, and 97% of our municipal bond exposure is rated NAIC 1.
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities and equity securities (excluding U.S. Government and U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities) in an unrealized loss position greater than 20% and the number of months in an unrealized loss position with fixed maturity investment grade securities (NRSRO rating of BBB/Baa or higher) as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, were as follows:
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
 
Number of securities
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Number of securities
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
Investment grade:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than six months
1

 
$
7

 
$
5

 
$
(2
)
 

 
$

 
$

 
$

Six months or more and less than twelve months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twelve months or greater
4

 
47

 
36

 
(11
)
 
6

 
125

 
96

 
(29
)
Total investment grade
5

 
54

 
41

 
(13
)
 
6

 
125

 
96

 
(29
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Below investment grade:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than six months
3

 
22

 
16

 
(6
)
 

 

 

 

Six months or more and less than twelve months
1

 

 

 

 
3

 
9

 
7

 
(2
)
Twelve months or greater
20

 
135

 
74

 
(61
)
 
23

 
142

 
80

 
(62
)
Total below investment grade
24

 
157

 
90

 
(67
)
 
26

 
151

 
87

 
(64
)
Total
29

 
$
211

 
$
131

 
$
(80
)
 
32

 
$
276

 
$
183

 
$
(93
)
OTTI and Watch List
We have a policy and process in place to identify securities in our investment portfolio each quarter for which we should recognize impairments.
At each balance sheet date, we identify invested assets which have characteristics that create uncertainty as to our future assessment of an OTTI (i.e. significant unrealized losses compared to amortized cost and industry trends). As part of this assessment, we review not only a change in current price relative to the asset's amortized cost, but also the issuer’s current credit rating and the probability of full recovery of principal based upon the issuer’s financial strength. Specifically, for corporate issues, we evaluate the financial stability and quality of asset coverage for the securities relative to the term to maturity for the issues we own. On a quarterly basis, we review structured securities for changes in default rates, loss severities and expected cash flows for the purpose of assessing potential OTTI and related credit losses to be recognized in operations. A security which has a 20% or greater change in market price relative to its amortized cost and a possibility of a loss of principal will be included on a list which is referred to as our watch list. At December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, our watch list included 32 and 35 securities, respectively, in an unrealized loss position with an amortized cost of $211 and $276, unrealized losses of $80 and $93, and a fair value of $131 and $183, respectively. As part of the cash flow testing analysis, we evaluated each of these securities to assess the following:
whether the issuer is currently meeting its financial obligations
its ability to continue to meet these obligations
its existing cash available
its access to additional available capital

69


any expense management actions the issuer has taken; and
whether the issuer has the ability and willingness to sell non-core assets to generate liquidity
Based on our analysis, these securities demonstrated that the December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 carrying values were fully recoverable.
There were 7 and 8 structured securities with a fair value of $7 and $6, respectively, on the watch list to which we had potential credit exposure as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016. Our analysis of these structured securities, which included cash flow testing results, demonstrated the December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 values were fully recoverable.
Exposure to Sovereign Debt
Our investment portfolio had no direct exposure to European sovereign debt as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016.
As of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, the Company also had no material exposure risk related to financial investments in Puerto Rico.
Available-For-Sale Securities
For additional information regarding our AFS securities, including the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains (losses), and fair value of AFS securities as well as the amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity AFS securities by contractual maturities as of December 31, 2016, refer to "Note 4. Investments" to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Net Investment Income and Net Investment Gains
For discussion regarding our net investment income and net investment gains refer to "Note 4. Investments" to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Concentrations of Financial Instruments
For detail regarding our concentration of financial instruments refer to "Note 3. Significant Risks and Uncertainties" to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Derivatives
We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by our counterparties on call options. We attempt to reduce this credit risk by purchasing such options from large, well-established financial institutions.
We also hold cash and cash equivalents received from counterparties for call option collateral, as well as U.S. Government securities pledged as call option collateral, if our counterparty’s net exposures exceed pre-determined thresholds. See "Note 5. Derivative Financial Instruments" to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our derivatives and our exposure to credit loss on call options.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity refers to the ability of an enterprise to generate adequate amounts of cash from its normal operations to meet cash requirements with a prudent margin of safety. Our principal sources of cash flow from operating activities are insurance premiums and fees and investment income, however, sources of cash flows from investing activities also result from maturities and sales of invested assets. Our operating activities provided cash of $72 and $140 in the Fiscal 2017 Quarter and the Fiscal 2016 Quarter, respectively. When considering our liquidity and cash flow, it is important to distinguish between the needs of our insurance subsidiaries and the needs of the holding company, FGL. As a holding company with no operations of its own, FGL derives its cash primarily from its insurance subsidiaries and FGLH, a downstream holding company that provides additional sources of liquidity.  Dividends from our insurance subsidiaries flow through FGLH to FGL.

The sources of liquidity of the holding company are principally comprised of dividends from subsidiaries, bank lines of credit (at FGLH level) and the ability to raise long-term public financing under an SEC-filed registration statement or private placement offering. These sources of liquidity and cash flow support the general

70


corporate needs of the holding company, including its common stock dividends, interest and debt service, funding acquisitions and investment in core businesses.

Our cash flows associated with collateral received from and posted with counterparties change as the market value of the underlying derivative contract changes. As the value of a derivative asset declines (or increases), the collateral required to be posted by our counterparties would also decline (or increase). Likewise, when the value of a derivative liability declines (or increases), the collateral we are required to post to our counterparties would also decline (or increase).
Discussion of Consolidated Cash Flows
Summary of Consolidated Cash Flows
Presented below is a table that summarizes the cash provided or used in our activities and the amount of the respective increases or decreases in cash provided or used from those activities between the fiscal periods (in millions):
 
 
Fiscal Quarter
 
 
Cash provided by (used in):
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase / (Decrease)
Operating activities
 
$
72

 
$
140

 
$
(68
)
Investing activities
 
(594
)
 
(204
)
 
(390
)
Financing activities
 
290

 
130

 
160

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
(232
)
 
$
66

 
$
(298
)
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities totaled $72 for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter compared to cash provided by operating activities of $140 for the Fiscal 2016 Quarter. The $68 decrease was principally due to a $26 decrease in cash and short-term collateral from our derivative counterparties and a $20 increase in policy acquisition costs due to higher sales during the current period.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $594 for the Fiscal 2017 Quarter, as compared to cash used in investing activities of $204 for the Fiscal 2016 Quarter. The $390 increase in cash used in investing activities was due to a $393 increase in purchases of fixed maturity securities and other investments, net of cash proceeds from sales, maturities and repayments, partially offset by a $3 reduction in cash used by related party loans period over period.
Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities was $290 for Fiscal 2017 Quarter compared to cash provided by financing activities of $130 for Fiscal 2016 Quarter. The issuance of investment contracts and pending new production, including annuity and universal life insurance contracts, net of redemptions and benefit payments resulted in an increase in net cash of $162 period over period.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Throughout our history, we have entered into indemnifications in the ordinary course of business with our customers, suppliers, service providers, business partners and in certain instances, when we sold businesses. Additionally, we have indemnified our directors and officers who are, or were, serving at our request in such capacities. Although the specific terms or number of such arrangements is not precisely known due to the extensive history of our past operations, costs incurred to settle claims related to these indemnifications have not been material to our financial statements. We have no reason to believe that future costs to settle claims related to our former operations will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.    
As of August 26, 2014, FGLH, a wholly owned subsidiary of FGL, as borrower, and the Company as guarantor, entered into a three-year $150 unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) with certain lenders and RBC Capital Markets and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, acting as joint lead arrangers. The loan proceeds

71


from the Credit Agreement may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. On September 30, 2016, the Company drew $100 on the revolver and the total drawn as of December 31, 2016 was $100.

During the third quarter of Fiscal 2015, we made two investments that required us to execute commitments for additional future investment. The Company committed to fund a $75 investment in a business development company over a four year period, and has funded $42 as of December 31, 2016, resulting in a $33 remaining commitment as of December 31, 2016. Additionally, the Company committed to fund a $35 investment in a limited partnership fund over three years, $13 of which was funded as of December 31, 2016, resulting in a $22 remaining commitment as of December 31, 2016. During the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016, FGL executed a commitment to invest in two additional limited partnerships for $20 and $40, none of which was funded as of December 31, 2016. Please refer to "Note 4. Investments" to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on these new investments and "Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies" to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details of these unfunded commitments.

We have other unfunded investment commitments as result of the timing of when investments are executed compared to the timing of when they are required to be funded. Please refer to "Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies" to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on unfunded investment commitments.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market Risk Factors
Market risk is the risk of the loss of fair value resulting from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. Market risk is directly influenced by the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the related underlying financial instruments are traded. We have significant holdings in financial instruments and are naturally exposed to a variety of market risks. We are primarily exposed to interest rate risk, credit risk and equity price risk and have some exposure to counterparty risk, which affect the fair value of financial instruments subject to market risk.
Enterprise Risk Management
For information about our enterprise risk management see "Part II - Item 7a Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" included our 2016 Form 10-K.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is our primary market risk exposure. We define interest rate risk as the risk of an economic loss due to adverse changes in interest rates. This risk arises from our holdings in interest sensitive assets and liabilities, primarily as a result of investing life insurance premiums and fixed annuity deposits received in interest-sensitive assets and carrying these funds as interest-sensitive liabilities. Substantial and sustained increases or decreases in market interest rates can affect the profitability of the insurance products and the fair value of our investments, as the majority of our insurance liabilities are backed by fixed maturity securities.
The profitability of most of our products depends on the spreads between interest yield on investments and rates credited on insurance liabilities. We have the ability to adjust the rates credited, primarily caps and credit rates, on the majority of the annuity liabilities at least annually, subject to minimum guaranteed values. In addition, the majority of the annuity products have surrender and withdrawal penalty provisions designed to encourage persistency and to help ensure targeted spreads are earned. However, competitive factors, including the impact of the level of surrenders and withdrawals, may limit our ability to adjust or maintain crediting rates at the levels necessary to avoid a narrowing of spreads under certain market conditions.
In order to meet our policy and contractual obligations, we must earn a sufficient return on our invested assets. Significant changes in interest rates exposes us to the risk of not earning the anticipated spreads between the interest rate earned on our investments and the credited interest rates paid on outstanding policies and contracts. Both rising and declining interest rates can negatively affect interest earnings, spread income and the attractiveness of certain of our products.

72


During periods of increasing interest rates, we may offer higher crediting rates on interest-sensitive products, such as IUL insurance and fixed annuities, and we may increase crediting rates on in-force products to keep these products competitive. A rise in interest rates, in the absence of other countervailing changes, will result in a decline in the market value of our investment portfolio.
As part of our asset liability management (“ALM”) program, we have made a significant effort to identify the assets appropriate to different product lines and ensure investing strategies match the profile of these liabilities. Our ALM strategy is designed to align the expected cash flows from the investment portfolio with the expected liability cash flows. As such, a major component of our effort to manage interest rate risk has been to structure the investment portfolio with cash flow characteristics that are consistent with the cash flow characteristics of the insurance liabilities. We use actuarial models to simulate the cash flows expected from the existing business under various interest rate scenarios. These simulations enable us to measure the potential gain or loss in the fair value of interest rate-sensitive financial instruments, to evaluate the adequacy of expected cash flows from assets to meet the expected cash requirements of the liabilities and to determine if it is necessary to lengthen or shorten the average life and duration of our investment portfolio. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a security to a small change in interest rates. When the durations of assets and liabilities are similar, exposure to interest rate risk is minimized because a change in the value of assets could be expected to be largely offset by a change in the value of liabilities.
The duration of the investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, derivatives, policy loans, common stocks and the collateral assets of the funds withheld coinsurance agreement with FSRCI as of December 31, 2016, is summarized as follows:
 
(dollars in millions)
 
 
 
 
Duration 
 
Amortized Cost

 
% of Total
0-4
 
$
7,331

 
37
%
5-9
 
6,243

 
32
%
10-14
 
4,931

 
25
%
15-20
 
1,205

 
6
%
Total
 
$
19,710

 
100
%
Credit Risk and Counterparty Risk
We are exposed to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligation resulting in financial loss. The major source of credit risk arises predominantly in our insurance operations’ portfolios of debt and similar securities. The fair value of our fixed maturity portfolio totaled $19 billion and $19 billion at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively. Our credit risk materializes primarily as impairment losses. We are exposed to occasional cyclical economic downturns, during which impairment losses may be significantly higher than the long-term historical average. This is offset by years where we expect the actual impairment losses to be substantially lower than the long-term average. Credit risk in the portfolio can also materialize as increased capital requirements as assets migrate into lower credit qualities over time. The effect of rating migration on our capital requirements is also dependent on the economic cycle and increased asset impairment levels may go hand in hand with increased asset related capital requirements.
We attempt to manage the risk of default and rating migration by applying disciplined credit evaluation and underwriting standards and limiting allocations to lower quality, higher risk investments. In addition, we diversify our exposure by issuer and country, using rating based issuer and country limits. We also set investment constraints that limit our exposure by industry segment. To limit the impact that credit risk can have on earnings and capital adequacy levels, we have portfolio-level credit risk constraints in place. Limit compliance is monitored on a daily or, in some cases, monthly basis.
In connection with the use of call options, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk-the risk that a counterparty fails to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. We have adopted a policy of only dealing with credit worthy counterparties and obtaining sufficient collateral where appropriate, as a means of attempting to mitigate the financial loss from defaults. The exposure and credit rating of the counterparties are continuously monitored and the aggregate value of transactions concluded is spread amongst five different approved counterparties to limit the concentration in one counterparty. Our policy allows for the purchase of derivative instruments from

73


counterparties and/or clearinghouses that meet the required qualifications under the Iowa Code. The internal credit department reviews the ratings of all the counterparties periodically. Collateral support documents are negotiated to further reduce the exposure when deemed necessary. See "Note 5. Derivatives" to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our exposure to credit loss.
Information regarding the Company's exposure to credit loss on the call options it holds is presented in the following table:
(dollars in millions)

December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
Counterparty
 
Credit Rating
(Fitch/Moody's/S&P) (a)
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Collateral
 
Net Credit Risk
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Collateral
 
Net Credit Risk
Merrill Lynch
 
 A/*/A+
 
$
2,860

 
$
77

 
$
40

 
$
37

 
$
2,302

 
$
55

 
$
10

 
$
45

Deutsche Bank
 
 A-/Baa2/BBB+
 
468

 
24

 

 
24

 
1,620

 
46

 
12

 
34

Morgan Stanley
 
 */A1/A+
 
2,530

 
84

 
68

 
16

 
2,952

 
87

 
58

 
29

Barclay's Bank
 
 A/A1/A-
 
1,898

 
57

 
17

 
40

 
1,389

 
39

 

 
39

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
 
 AA-/Aa3/A+
 
2,254

 
72

 
73

 
(1
)
 
1,623

 
49

 
48

 
1

 Total
 
 
 
$
10,010

 
$
314

 
$
198

 
$
116

 
$
9,886

 
$
276

 
$
128

 
$
148

(a) An * represents credit ratings that were not available.
We also have credit risk related to the ability of reinsurance counterparties to honor their obligations to pay the contract amounts under various agreements. To minimize the risk of credit loss on such contracts, we diversify our exposures among many reinsurers and limit the amount of exposure to each based on credit rating. We also generally limit our selection of counterparties with which we do new transactions to those with an “A-” credit rating or above or that are appropriately collateralized and provide credit for reinsurance. When exceptions are made to that principle, we ensure that we obtain collateral to mitigate our risk of loss. The following table presents our reinsurance recoverable balances and financial strength ratings for our five largest reinsurance recoverable balances as of December 31, 2016:
(in millions)
 
 
 
Financial Strength Rating
Parent Company/Principal Reinsurers
 
Reinsurance Recoverable
 
AM Best
 
S&P
 
Moody's
Wilton Reinsurance
 
$1,528
 
 A
 
 Not Rated
 
 Not Rated
Front Street Re
 
1,087
 
 Not Rated
 
 Not Rated
 
 Not Rated
Scottish Re
 
155
 
 Not Rated
 
 Not Rated
 
 Not Rated
Security Life of Denver
 
145
 
A
 
A
 
A2
London Life
 
104
 
 A
 
 Not Rated
 
 Not Rated
In the normal course of business, certain reinsurance recoverables are subject to reviews by the reinsurers. We are not aware of any material disputes arising from these reviews or other communications with the counterparties as of December 31, 2016 that would require an allowance for uncollectible amounts.

Equity Price Risk
We are primarily exposed to equity price risk through certain insurance products, specifically those products with GMWB. We offer a variety of FIA contracts with crediting strategies linked to the performance of indices such as the S&P 500 Index, Dow Jones Industrials or the NASDAQ 100 Index. The estimated cost of providing GMWB incorporates various assumptions about the overall performance of equity markets over certain time periods. Periods of significant and sustained downturns in equity markets, increased equity volatility or reduced interest rates could result in an increase in the valuation of the future policy benefit or policyholder account balance

74


liabilities associated with such products, resulting in a reduction in our net income. The rate of amortization of intangibles related to FIA products and the cost of providing GMWB could also increase if equity market performance is worse than assumed.
To economically hedge the equity returns on these products, we purchase derivatives to hedge the FIA equity exposure. The primary way we hedge FIA equity exposure is to purchase over the counter equity index call options from broker-dealer derivative counterparties approved by our internal credit department. The second way to hedge FIA equity exposure is by purchasing exchange traded equity index futures contracts. Our hedging strategy enables us to reduce our overall hedging costs and achieve a high correlation of returns on the call options purchased relative to the index credits earned by the FIA contractholders. The majority of the call options are one-year options purchased to match the funding requirements underlying the FIA contracts. These hedge programs are limited to the current policy term of the FIA contracts, based on current participation rates. Future returns, which may be reflected in FIA contracts’ credited rates beyond the current policy term, are not hedged. We attempt to manage the costs of these purchases through the terms of our FIA contracts, which permit us to change caps or participation rates, subject to certain guaranteed minimums that must be maintained.
The derivatives are used to fund the FIA contract index credits and the cost of the call options purchased is treated as a component of spread earnings. While the FIA hedging program does not explicitly hedge GAAP income volatility, the FIA hedging program tends to mitigate a significant portion of the GAAP reserve changes associated with movements in the equity market and risk-free rates. This is due to the fact that a key component in the calculation of GAAP reserves is the market valuation of the current term embedded derivative. Due to the alignment of the embedded derivative reserve component with hedging of this same embedded derivative, there should be a reasonable match between changes in this component of the reserve and changes in the assets backing this component of the reserve. However, there may be an interim mismatch due to the fact that the hedges which are put in place are only intended to cover exposures expected to remain until the end of an indexing term. To the extent index credits earned by the contractholder exceed the proceeds from option expirations and futures income, we incur a raw hedging loss.
See "Note 5. Derivatives" to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on the derivatives portfolio.
Fair value changes associated with these investments are intended to, but do not always, substantially offset the increase or decrease in the amounts added to policyholder account balances for index products. When index credits to policyholders exceed option proceeds received at expiration related to such credits, any shortfall is funded by our net investment spread earnings and futures income. For the Fiscal 2017 Quarter, the annual index credits to policyholders on their anniversaries were $49. Proceeds received at expiration on options related to such credits were $48. This shortfall is funded by futures income and our net investment spread earnings.
Other market exposures are hedged periodically depending on market conditions and our risk tolerance. The FIA hedging strategy economically hedges the equity returns and exposes us to the risk that unhedged market exposures result in divergence between changes in the fair value of the liabilities and the hedging assets. We use a variety of techniques including direct estimation of market sensitivities and value-at-risk to monitor this risk daily. We intend to continue to adjust the hedging strategy as market conditions and risk tolerance change.
Sensitivity Analysis
The analysis below is hypothetical and should not be considered a projection of future risks. Earnings projections are before tax and non-controlling interest.
Interest Rate Risk
We assess interest rate exposures for financial assets, liabilities and derivatives using hypothetical test scenarios that assume either increasing or decreasing 100 basis point parallel shifts in the yield curve, reflecting changes in either credit spreads or risk-free rates.
If interest rates were to increase 100 basis points from levels at December 31, 2016, the estimated fair value of our fixed maturity securities would decrease by approximately $1,301 of which $49 relates to the FSRCI funds withheld assets. The fair values of the reinsurance related embedded derivative would increase by the amount of the FSRCI funds withheld assets and be reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations. The impact on shareholders’ equity of such decrease, net of income taxes (assumes a 35% tax rate) and intangibles adjustments, and the change in reinsurance related derivative would be a decrease of $551 in AOCI and a decrease

75


of $528 in total shareholders’ equity. If interest rates were to decrease by 100 basis points from levels at December 31, 2016, the estimated impact on the FIA embedded derivative liability of such a decrease would be an increase of $184.
The actuarial models used to estimate the impact of a one percentage point change in market interest rates incorporate numerous assumptions, require significant estimates and assume an immediate and parallel change in interest rates without any management of the investment portfolio in reaction to such change. Consequently, potential changes in value of financial instruments indicated by these simulations will likely be different from the actual changes experienced under given interest rate scenarios, and the differences may be material. Because we actively manage our investments and liabilities, the net exposure to interest rates can vary over time. However, any such decreases in the fair value of fixed maturity securities, unless related to credit concerns of the issuer requiring recognition of an OTTI, would generally be realized only if we were required to sell such securities at losses prior to their maturity to meet liquidity needs. Our liquidity needs are managed using the surrender and withdrawal provisions of the annuity contracts and through other means.
Equity Price Risk
Assuming all other factors are constant, we estimate that a decline in equity market prices of 10% would cause the market value of our equity investments to decrease by approximately $70, our call option investments to decrease by approximately $7 based on equity positions and our FIA embedded derivative liability to decrease by approximately $28 as of December 31, 2016. Because our equity investments are classified as AFS, the 10% decline would not affect current earnings except to the extent that it reflects OTTI. These scenarios consider only the direct effect on fair value of declines in equity market levels and not changes in asset-based fees recognized as revenue, or changes in our estimates of total gross profits used as a basis for amortizing DAC and VOBA.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that, as of December 31, 2016, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be no assurance that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will detect or uncover all failures of persons within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s periodic reports. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
An evaluation was performed under the supervision of the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of whether any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2016. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems,

76


no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.




77


 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
See "Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies" to the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I—Item 1. Financial Statements.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors
A detailed discussion of our risk factors can be found in our 2016 Form 10-K, which can be found at the SEC's website www.sec.gov. There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report.    


Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.

Item 3.    Defaults upon Senior Securities
None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

Item 5.
Other Information
None.
 

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Item 6.
Exhibits
 
Exhibit
No. 
 
Description of Exhibits
 
 
 
2.1
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 8, 2015, by and among Anbang Insurance Group Co., Ltd., AB Infinity Holding, Inc., AB Merger Sub, Inc. and Fidelity & Guaranty Life (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K, filed on November 9, 2015 (File No. 001-36227)).
2.2
 
Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 3, 2016, by and among
Anbang Insurance Group Co., Ltd., AB Infinity Holding, Inc., AB Merger Sub, Inc. and
Fidelity & Guaranty Life (incorporated by reference to our Form 8-K, filed on November 4,
2016 (File No. 001-36227)).
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Fidelity & Guaranty Life (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed on December 13, 2013 (File No. 333-192849)).
3.2
 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Fidelity & Guaranty Life (incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 7, 2014 (File No. 001-36227)).
4.1
 
Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2.
4.2
 
Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, filed on December 3, 2013 (File No. 333-190880)).
4.3
 
Indenture, dated March 27, 2013, among Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc., as issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors from time to time parties thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, relating to the 6.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, filed on October 17, 2013 (File No. 333-190880)).
4.4
 
First Supplemental Indenture, dated March 27, 2013, among Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc., as issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors from named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, relating to the 6.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, filed on October 17, 2013 (File No. 333-190880)).
4.5
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 18, 2013, between Fidelity & Guaranty Life, and Harbinger Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on February 7, 2014 (file No. 001-36227)).
31.1 *
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 *
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 *
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2 *
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
101.INS *
 
XBRL Instance Document.
 
 
 
101.SCH *
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
 
 
 
101.CAL *
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
 
 
 
101.DEF *
 
XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase.
 
 
 
101.LAB *
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
 
 
 
101.PRE *
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.

*
Filed herewith


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
FIDELITY & GUARANTY LIFE (Registrant)
 
 
 
 
Dated:
February 6, 2017
By:
/s/ Dennis Vigneau
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(on behalf of the Registrant and as Principal Financial Officer)
 


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