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EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - Texas Republic Capital Corpex32-2.htm
EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - Texas Republic Capital Corpex32-1.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - Texas Republic Capital Corpex31-2.htm
EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - Texas Republic Capital Corpex31-1.htm
EX-21.1 - EX-21.1 - Texas Republic Capital Corpex21-1.htm

United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

 
FORM 10-K
 

 
(Mark One)
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

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:  000-55621

TEXAS REPUBLIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas
45-5311713
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

13215 Bee Cave Parkway, Ste A120
Austin, Texas 78738
(Address of principal executive offices)

(512) 330-0099
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
 
Title of Each Class
None
 
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
 
Title of Each Class
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes      No  
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes      No  
 
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      No  



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes   No
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” accelerated filer” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
 
Large accelerated filer ☐
 
Accelerated filer ☐
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer ☐
 
Smaller Reporting Company 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company  ☐
 
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes       No
 
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
 
Because of the absence of an established trading market for the common stock, the registrant is unable to calculate the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.  Common stock $.01 par value as of March 13, 2018: 14,864,097 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be used in connection with its 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.


Texas Republic Capital Corporation

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
4
Item 2.
5
Item 3.
5
Item 4.
5
 
 
 
Part II 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
6
 
 
 
Item 7.
7
Item 8.
11
Item 9.
31
Item 9A.
31
Item 9B.
32
 
 
 
Part III 
 
 
 
 
Item 10.
33
Item 11.
33
Item 12.
33
Item 13.
33
Item 14.
33
Item 15.
34
 
 
35
 
Exhibit 21.1
Exhibit 24.1
Exhibit 31.1
Exhibit 31.2
Exhibit 32.1
Exhibit 32.2
Exhibit No. 101.INS
Exhibit No. 101.SCH
Exhibit No. 101.CAL
Exhibit No. 101.DEF
Exhibit No. 101.LAB
Exhibit No. 101.PRE
PART I

Item 1. Business

Business Development

Texas Republic Capital Corporation (the “Company”) is the parent holding company of Texas Republic Life Insurance Company (“TRLIC”) and Texas Republic Life Solutions, Inc. (“TRLS”).  The Company was incorporated in Texas on May 15, 2012, for the primary purpose of forming and capitalizing a life insurance company subsidiary.
 
The Texas Department of Insurance approved TRLIC’s life insurance charter on August 1, 2016.  The Company capitalized TRLIC with $3,000,000 and owns 100% of TRLIC.  TRLIC began insurance operations on April 3, 2017 and is currently selling life and annuity products in the state of Texas.  TRLS, an insurance agency, was incorporated February 1, 2017.  The Company capitalized TRLS with $50,000 and owns 100% of TRLS. 
 
Company Capitalization
 
From incorporation through April 2, 2017 the Company was involved in the sale of common stock to provide working capital.  During this time the Company completed an organizational offering, three private placement stock offerings and an intrastate public stock offering in the state of Texas.  The Company raised $10,336,500 and incurred $1,215,569 of offering costs through the issuance of 12,865,000 shares from the organizational offering and three private placement offerings. The intrastate public stock offering was registered to raise $25,000,000 by offering 5,000,000 shares of its common stock and ended on April 2, 2017.  This offering raised $10,010,485 and incurred $1,444,127 of offering costs through the sale of 2,002,097 shares of the common stock.  
 
Financial Information about Segments

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance requires a “management approach” in the presentation of business segments based on how management internally evaluates the operating performance of business units. The Company has evaluated our operations and has determine there is not definitive segregation between corporate and insurance operations or between life and annuity operations.  Therefore, the Company reports only consolidated operations.

Life Insurance and Annuity Operations

The Company began selling its life insurance and annuity products on April 3, 2017.  TRLIC currently has one life and two annuity products.  The life product is a modified whole life product with an annuity rider.  It is a ten or twenty year paid up policy, based on policyholder age, with 50% of the premium deposited into the annuity in years 2-10/20.  The annuity products are 5-year and 10-year fixed annuities.  Based on the product selected there is a 5% or 10% premium bonus immediately credited to the account balance which is vested over five or ten years unless surrendered prior to the end of the vesting period.

Competition and Ratings

TRLIC operates in a mature and highly competitive industry. We compete with hundreds of life and health insurance company groups in the United States as well as other financial intermediaries such as banks and securities firms who market insurance products. Competition is intense because the life insurance industry is consolidating, with larger, more efficient and more effective organizations emerging from consolidation. Many of these companies have more substantial capital and technological resources, possess greater brand recognition, and maintain higher ratings.  Competitive factors are primarily the breadth and quality of products offered, established positions in niche markets, pricing, relationships with distribution channels, commission structures, the perceived stability of the insurer, quality of underwriting and customer service, scale and cost efficiency.  Operating results of life insurers are subject to fluctuations not only from this competitive environment but also due to economic conditions, interest rate levels and changes and the performance of investments.

In order to compete successfully, life insurers focus initiatives toward improved technology and distribution, defined end market targets, speed to the market in terms of product development, and customer relationship management as ways of gaining a competitive edge. The Company’s management believes that it can be competitive in the market by servicing niche markets that are underserved by larger insurers.  By developing specialized products, the Company will reach underinsured segments providing cost effective solutions for our client’s needs.  Additionally, the Company can react quickly to changing market conditions and to bring new products to the market to service our client’s needs.

Reinsurance

TRLIC cedes reinsurance allowing management to control exposure to potential losses arising from large risks and providing additional capacity for growth and risk diversification. TRLIC reinsures all amounts of risk on any one life in excess of $50,000 for individual life insurance to Optimum Re Insurance Company (“Optimum Re”).



Governmental Regulation

TRLIC is subject to regulation and supervision by the Texas Department of Insurance (“TDI”).  The insurance laws of Texas give the TDI broad regulatory authority, including powers to: (i) grant and revoke licenses to transact business; (ii) regulate and supervise trade practices and market conduct; (iii) establish guaranty associations; (iv) license agents; (v) approve policy forms; (vi) approve premium rates for some lines of business; (vii) establish reserve requirements; (viii) prescribe the form and content of required financial statements and reports; (ix) determine the reasonableness and adequacy of statutory capital and surplus and (x) regulate the type and amount of permitted investments.

TRLIC can be required, under the solvency or guaranty laws of most states in which they do business, to pay assessments (up to prescribed limits) to fund policyholder losses or liabilities of other insurance companies that become insolvent.  These assessments may be deferred or foregone under most guaranty laws if they would threaten an insurer’s financial strength and, in certain instances, may be offset against future premium taxes.
 
TRLIC dividends available for distribution are based on provisions of the Texas Insurance Code. Without prior approval from the Commissioner of Insurance of Texas dividends to shareholders are limited to the greater of (a) 10% of TRLIC’s surplus as regards to policyholders as of December 31, next preceding, or (b) the net gain from operations of the insurer company for the twelve-month period ending December 31, next preceding year.

There are certain factors specific to the life insurance business which may have an adverse effect on the statutory operating results of TRLIC.  One such factor is that the costs associated with issuing a new policy in force is usually greater than the first year’s policy premium.  Accordingly, in the early years of a new life insurance company, these initial costs and the required provisions for reserves often have an adverse effect on statutory operating results.

Employees

As of March 13, 2018, the Company had five full-time employees and one part-time employee.

Item 2. Properties
 
The Company entered into a lease with a third-party lessor in 2014 for utilization of office space in Austin, Texas.  The lease agreement ended September 30, 2017.  The lease required a deposit in the amount of $3,992 and abated the first month’s rent.  The monthly rental payments were $2,432 for the first twelve months with annual increases of approximately 3% thereafter and the Company also paid a pro rata share of the operating expenses of the building. 
 
The Company entered into a new 62-month lease agreement with a third-party lessor in 2017 for utilization of office space in Austin, Texas.  The lease agreement ends November 30, 2022.  The lease required a deposit in the amount of $7,109 and abated the first two month’s rent.  The monthly rental payments are $4,864 for the first twelve months after abatement.  The Company also pays a pro rata share of the operating expenses of the building.  Rent expense was $56,946 under the two agreements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and $50,583 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 under the expired agreement.  Total future minimum lease payments and a pro rata share of the buildings operating expenses to be paid under the current non-cancellable lease agreement are $80,938 in 2018, $82,487 in 2019, $84,036 in 2020, $85,585 in 2021 and $78,485 in 2022. 
 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings

None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None



PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Small Business Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
(a)
Market Information
 
 
 
Trading of the Company’s common stock is limited, and an established public market does not exist.
 
 
(i)
Holders
 
 
 
As of March 13, 2018, there were 1,576 shareholders of the Company’s outstanding common stock.
 
 
(ii)
Dividends
 
 
 
The Company has not paid any cash dividends since inception (May 15, 2012). The Board of Directors of the Company has not adopted a dividend payment policy; however, dividends must necessarily depend upon the Company’s earnings and financial condition, applicable legal restrictions from the Texas Business Organization Code and other factors relevant at the time the Board of Directors considers a dividend policy. Cash available for dividends to shareholders of the Company must initially come from income and capital gains earned on its investment portfolio and dividends paid by the Company’s subsidiaries.
 
 
 
TRLIC dividends available for distribution are based on provisions of the Texas Insurance Code. Without prior approval from the Commissioner of Insurance of Texas dividends to shareholders are limited to the greater of (a) 10% of TRLIC’s surplus as regards to policyholders as of December 31, next preceding, or (b) the net gain from operations of the insurer company for the twelve-month period ending December 31, next preceding year.
   
(iii)
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
 
 
 
There are no plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance.
 
 
(b)
Related Stockholder Matters
 
 
(i)
Sale of unregistered equity securities
 
 
 
The Company sold 4,375,000 common shares at $.02 per share to its organizing shareholders in May of 2012 for total proceeds of $87,500.  Subsequently, the Company completed three private placement stock offerings which raised $10,249,000 through the issuance of 8,490,000 shares from the private placement offerings in 2012 and 2013, including a private placement of 2,000,000 shares for $5,000,000 between February and November 2013.  These shares were sold in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) contained in Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Regulation D, Rule 506.  No underwriter was involved in connection with the issuance of our shares, and we paid no finder’s fees in the private placements.
 
 
 
On April 2, 2014, the Company commenced an offering of 5,000,000 shares of common stock at $5.00 per share ($25,000,000 maximum) with a 10% over sale provision, in an intrastate public offering registered with the Texas State Securities Board.  This offering was ended on April 2, 2017 and was sold only to Texas residents pursuant to an exemption from the 1933 Act contained in Section 3(a)(11) of the 1933 Act and Rule 147 promulgated by the SEC.  It was sold by issuer agents registered with the Texas State Securities Board.  The Company raised $10,010,485 and incurred offering costs of  $1,444,127 from the sale of 2,002,097 shares in this offering.  Through December 31, 2017 the Company purchased 3,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for $15,000 held as treasury stock.  Proceeds have been used for working capital and the capitalization of a life insurance company and insurance agency.
 
 
(c)
Purchases of Equity Securities by Issuer
 
 
 
The Company purchased 1,000 shares of its common stock at a cost of $5,000 during 2017 and 2,000 shares of its common stock at a cost of $10,000 during 2016.

 

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Texas Republic Capital Corporation (“we” “us”, “our”, “TRCC” or the “Company”) was incorporated in May 2012 as a financial services holding company.  Between May 2012 and November 2013, we conducted an organizational offering and three private placements of our common stock.  From the organizational offering and private placements, we raised $10,336,500, incurred $1,215,569 of offering costs and issued 12,865,000 shares of our common stock.  During 2012, the funds raised, offering costs incurred and shares subscribed from the private placements were $5,051,300, $180,835 and 10,636,840, respectively.  During 2013, the funds raised, offering costs incurred and shares subscribed from the private placements were $5,285,200, $1,034,734 and 2,228,160, respectively.

We began an intrastate public offering of our common stock at a price per share of $5.00 on April 2, 2014 and completed that offering on April 2, 2017.  The Company raised $10,010,485 and incurred $1,444,127 of offering costs through the issuance of 2,002,097 shares of the Company’s common stock less treasury stock of 3,000 shares from the intrastate public stock offering.  During 2014, the funds raised, offering costs incurred and shares subscribed from the offering were $3,143,800, $576,613 and 628,760, respectively.  During 2015, the funds raised, offering costs incurred and shares subscribed from the offering were $1,901,925, $326,734 and 380,385, respectively.  During 2016 the funds raised, offering costs incurred and shares subscribed from the offering were $3,062,510, $330,516 and 612,502, respectively.  During 2017 the funds raised, offering costs incurred and shares subscribed from the offering were $1,902,250, $210,264 and 380,450, respectively. 
 
The Texas Department of Insurance approved TRLIC’s life insurance charter on August 1, 2016.  The Company capitalized TRLIC with $3,000,000 and owns 100% of TRLIC.  TRLIC began insurance operations on April 3, 2017 and is currently selling life and annuity products in the state of Texas.  Texas Republic Life Solutions (“TRLS”), an insurance agency, was incorporated February 1, 2017.  The Company capitalized TRLS with $50,000 and owns 100% of TRLS. 
 
We are a financial services holding company and have incurred significant net losses since our inception. As of December 31, 2017, we had an accumulated deficit of $4,218,199. These losses have resulted primarily from costs incurred while raising capital. We expect to continue to incur operating losses until we achieve a volume of inforce life insurance policies that provides premiums that are sufficient to cover our operating costs.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. On a continuing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions.

We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following accounting policies, judgments and estimates are the most critical to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Investments

Fixed maturity securities are comprised of bonds that are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable income taxes, reported in accumulated other comprehensive income.  The amortized cost of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale is generally adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount.

Interest income, as well as the related amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is included in net investment income under the effective yield method.  The amortized cost of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale is written down to fair value when a decline in value is considered to be other-than-temporary.


The Company evaluates the difference between the cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value of its investments to determine whether any decline in value is other-than-temporary in nature.  This determination involves a degree of uncertainty.  If a decline in the fair value of a security is determined to be temporary, the decline is recorded as an unrealized loss in stockholders’ equity.  If a decline in a security’s fair value is considered to be other-than-temporary, the Company then determines the proper treatment for the other-than-temporary impairment.  For fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, the amount of any other-than-temporary impairment related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings and reflected as a reduction in the cost basis of the security; and the amount of any other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) with no change to the cost basis of the security.

The assessment of whether a decline in fair value is considered temporary or other-than-temporary includes management’s judgment as to the financial position and future prospects of the entity issuing the security.  It is not possible to accurately predict when it may be determined that a specific security will become impaired.  Future adverse changes in market conditions, poor operating results of underlying investments and defaults on mortgage loan payments could result in losses or an inability to recover the current carrying value of the investments, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future.

Likewise, if a change occurs in the Company’s intent to sell temporarily impaired securities prior to maturity or recovery in value, or if it becomes more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell such securities prior to recovery in value or maturity, a future impairment charge could result.  If an other-than-temporary impairment related to a credit loss occurs with respect to a bond, the Company amortizes the reduced book value back to the security’s expected recovery value over the remaining term of the bond.  The Company continues to review the security for further impairment that would prompt another write-down in the value.

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis.  Interest earned on investments is recorded on the accrual basis and is included in net investment income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks and money market instruments.

Income Taxes

We evaluate our deferred income tax assets, which partially offset our deferred tax liabilities, for any necessary valuation allowances. In doing so, we consider our ability and potential for recovering income taxes associated with such assets, which involve significant judgment. Revisions to the assumptions associated with any necessary valuation allowances would be recognized in the financial statements in the period in which such revisions are made.

Results of Operations – Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

Revenues
 
Our revenues are from the initial sales of insurance products and investment income from investments in fixed maturity available-for-sale securities.  We began selling insurance products in May 2017.  Revenue included $304,163 from sales of life insurance for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017.  The Company also accepted annuity considerations of $1,398,041 during 2017 which will generate revenue on investments but are not classified as revenue for GAAP reporting.
 
Investment income was $96,678 for the year ending December 31, 2017, an increase of $4,790 from $91,888 for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The increase is from bank interest in 2017 on accounts that were not open until the later part of 2016.  Total revenues were $401,213 for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $309,325 from $91,888 for the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
Expenses
 
Our expenses relate to operating a financial services holding company, a life insurance company and an insurance agency.
 
Expenses were $1,736,796 for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $713,412 from $1,023,384 for the year ended December 31, 2016.  Direct policy related expense of $217,658 related to commissions, policyholder benefits and deferred expense were new in 2017.  Increases in professional fees, third-party administrative fees, salaries, wages and benefits, travel, meals and entertainment, and office and other expenses accounted for $453,050 of this increase.  We expect our general and administrative expenses to continue to increase in the future based on administrative expenses necessary for the entry into the life insurance business.



Net Loss

The net loss was $1,335,583, or $(0.09) per share, for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to a net loss of $931,496, or $(0.07) per share, for the year ended December 31, 2016. The $404,087 increase in the net loss was primarily attributable to the increase in expenses described above. We expect our losses to increase in the future as we incur increased costs to grow the life insurance business.  The weighted average common shares outstanding and subscribed were 14,804,853 and 14,113,976 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  The total shares outstanding and subscribed were 14,864,097 and 14,484,647 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Financial Position –  As of December 31, 2017 and 2016

Total assets of the Company increased from $13,187,732 as of December 31, 2016 to $15,343,986 as of December 31, 2017, an increase of $2,156,254 or 16.4% and was attributable to insurance sales in 2017 and stock sales during the first quarter 2017.

The $34,508 increase in available-for-sale fixed maturity securities for the year ended December 31, 2017 is primarily due to an increase in unrealized appreciation of $32,566.

Total shareholder equity of the Company increased from $13,156,388 as of December 31, 2016 to $13,540,357 as of December 31, 2017, an increase of $383,969.  The increase is mainly due to proceeds from the public stock offering of $1,902,250 which offset the net loss from operations of $1,335,583 and offering costs of $210,264.  Additionally, the increase in unrealized appreciation added $32,566 but was somewhat offset by the purchase of treasury shares of $5,000.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since inception, our operations have been financed primarily through an organizational offering, three private placement offerings and an intrastate public stock offering. Through December 31, 2017, we received $20,346,985 from the sale of 14,867,097 shares and incurred offering costs of $2,659,696.  During 2017 and 2016 we paid $5,000 and $10,000 for 1,000 and 2,000 shares of Company’s common stock that is held as treasury stock, respectively.  Our operations have not been profitable and have generated significant operating losses since we were incorporated in 2012.

We had cash and cash equivalents totaling $12,578,650 and $10,780,672 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents at multiple institutions.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insures interest and non-interest-bearing accounts up to $250,000.  Uninsured balances aggregate $4,993,908 and $8,754,470 as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 respectively.  Other funds are invested in mutual funds that invest in U.S. government securities.  We monitor the solvency of all financial institutions in which we have funds to minimize the exposure for loss.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Capital provided from the public offering will provide a considerable amount of operating funds for current and future operations.  The operations of TRLIC should provide ample cash flows from premium income and investment income to meet operating requirements.  Life insurance contract liabilities are generally long term in nature and are generally paid from future cash flows.

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our anticipated operating expenses and capital expenditures for at least 12 months. We have based this estimate upon assumptions that may prove to be wrong and we could use our capital resources sooner than we currently expect. The growth of TRLIC may require additional capital as it continues to grow.  As discussed above, the Company capitalized TRLIC with $3,000,000 cash during the third quarter of 2016.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

SPECIAL NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and include estimates and assumptions related to economic, competitive and legislative developments. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “will” or words of similar meaning; and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook of our business and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to change and uncertainty, which are, in many instances, beyond our control and have been made based upon our expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect upon us.
There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with our expectations, or that the effect of future developments on us will be as anticipated. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. There are certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from expectations or estimates reflected in such forward-looking statements.

These factors include among others:
 
  
 
general economic conditions and financial factors, including the performance and fluctuations of fixed income, equity, real estate, credit capital and other financial markets;
  
 
differences between actual experience regarding mortality, morbidity, persistency, surrenders, investment returns, and our pricing assumptions establishing liabilities and reserves or for other purposes;
  
 
the effect of increased claims activity from natural or man-made catastrophes, pandemic disease, or other events resulting in catastrophic loss of life;
  
 
inherent uncertainties in the determination of investment allowances and impairments and in the determination of the valuation allowance on the deferred income tax asset;
  
 
investment losses and defaults;
  
 
competition in our product lines;
  
 
attraction and retention of qualified employees and agents;
 
 
ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures in identifying, monitoring and managing risks;
  
 
the availability, affordability and adequacy of reinsurance protection;
  
 
the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues;
  
 
the cyclical nature of the insurance business;
   
 
interest rate fluctuations;
  
 
changes in our experiences related to deferred policy acquisition costs;
  
 
the ability and willingness of counterparties to our reinsurance arrangements to pay balances due to us;
  
 
rating agencies’ actions;
  
 
domestic or international military actions;
  
 
the effects of extensive government regulation of the insurance industry;
  
 
changes in tax and securities law;
  
 
changes in statutory or U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), practices or policies;
  
 
regulatory or legislative changes or developments;
  
 
the effects of unanticipated events on our disaster recovery and business continuity planning;
  
 
failures or limitations of our computer, data security and administration systems;
  
 
risks of employee error or misconduct;
  
 
the assimilation of life insurance businesses we acquire and the sound management of these businesses; and
  
 
the availability of capital to expand our business.
 
It is not our corporate policy to make specific projections relating to future earnings, and we do not endorse any projections regarding future performance made by others.  In addition, we do not publicly update or revise forward-looking statements based on the outcome of various foreseeable or unforeseeable developments.

 
Item 8.   Financial Statements
 

TEXAS REPUBLIC CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

Consolidated Financial Statements
Page Number
 
 
 
 
12
 
 
13
 
 
14
 
 
15
 
 
16
 
 
17
 
 
18


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 
To the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of Texas Republic Capital Corporation

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements).  In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.  The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.  As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.


 
/s/ Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP                    
 
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012.
 
Springfield, Illinois
March 13, 2018

 
Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
 
           
Assets
           
Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities at fair value
(Amortized cost: $2,288,321 and $2,286,379 as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)
 
$
2,374,588
   
$
2,340,080
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
12,578,650
     
10,780,672
 
Accrued investment income
   
22,709
     
22,709
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
   
193,585
     
-
 
Deferred sales inducement costs
   
79,866
     
-
 
Advances and notes receivable
   
24,850
     
35,775
 
Security deposit
   
7,109
     
3,992
 
Prepaid and other assets
   
29,381
     
-
 
Furniture and equipment, net
   
33,230
     
4,504
 
    Total assets
 
$
15,343,968
   
$
13,187,732
 
 
               
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
               
Policy liabilities
               
Policyholders’ account balances
 
$
1,487,763
   
$
-
 
Future policy benefits
   
175,023
     
-
 
Policy claims and other benefits
   
2,504
     
-
 
Other policyholder liabilities
   
83,201
     
-
 
Total policy liabilities
   
1,748,491
     
-
 
Accounts payable
   
55,120
     
31,344
 
Total liabilities
   
1,803,611
     
31,344
 
 
               
Shareholders’ equity
               
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, 25,000,000 shares authorized,
14,867,097 and 13,939,147 issued as of December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively, 14,864,097 and 13,937,147 outstanding as of December 31,
2017 and 2016, respectively and 547,500 subscribed as of December 31, 2016
   
148,671
     
144,866
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
20,198,314
     
18,299,869
 
Treasury stock, at cost (3,000 and 2,000 shares as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)
   
(15,000
)
   
(10,000
)
Offering costs
   
(2,659,696
)
   
(2,449,432
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
86,267
     
53,701
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(4,218,199
)
   
(2,882,616
)
Total shareholders’ equity
   
13,540,357
     
13,156,388
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
15,343,968
   
$
13,187,732
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations

 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
   
2016
 
Revenues
           
Premiums and other considerations
 
$
304,163
   
$
-
 
Net investment income
   
96,678
     
91,888
 
Commission income
   
372
     
-
 
Total revenues
   
401,213
     
91,888
 
Benefits, claims and expenses
               
Increase in future policy benefits
   
174,665
     
-
 
Death and other benefits
   
2,504
     
-
 
Interest credited to policyholders
   
9,856
     
-
 
Total benefits and claims
   
187,025
     
-
 
Policy acquisition costs deferred
   
(193,585
)
   
-
 
Commissions
   
224,218
     
-
 
Salaries and wages
   
669,433
     
510,598
 
Employee benefits
   
80,482
     
62,335
 
Taxes, licenses and fees
   
50,509
     
35,632
 
Office rent
   
56,946
     
50,583
 
Director fees
   
51,250
     
34,218
 
Third-party administration fees
   
194,605
     
109,668
 
Service and transfer agent fees
   
32,515
     
17,264
 
Travel, meals and entertainment
   
98,006
     
27,924
 
Professional fees
   
159,337
     
98,773
 
Furniture, equipment and software
   
21,792
     
4,557
 
Bad debt
   
-
     
28,054
 
Office and other expenses
   
104,263
     
43,778
 
Total benefits, claims and expenses
   
1,736,796
     
1,023,384
 
Net loss
 
$
(1,335,583
)
 
$
(931,496
)
 
               
Net loss per common share outstanding and subscribed
 
$
(0.09
)
 
$
(0.07
)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
   
2016
 
 
           
Net loss
 
$
(1,335,583
)
 
$
(931,496
)
Other comprehensive income
               
Total net unrealized gains arising during the period
   
32,566
     
62,862
 
Total other comprehensive income
   
32,566
     
62,862
 
Total comprehensive loss
 
$
(1,303,017
)
 
$
(868,634
)

 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

 
   
Common Stock
$.01 Par
Value
     
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
      
Treasury
Stock
      
Offering
Costs
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
      
Accumulated
Deficit
     
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
 
                           
 
                           
 
                           
Balance as of January 1, 2016
 
$
138,742
   
$
15,243,483
   
$
-
   
$
(2,118,916
)
 
$
(9,161
)
 
$
(1,951,120
)
 
$
11,303,028
 
Subscriptions of common stock:
                                                       
$5.00 per share
   
6,124
     
3,056,386
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
3,062,510
 
Purchase of common stock
                   
(10,000
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(10,000
)
Offering costs
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(330,516
)
   
-
     
-
     
(330,516
)
Other comprehensive loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
62,862
     
-
     
62,862
 
Net loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(931,496
)
   
(931,496
)
Balance as of December 31, 2016
 
$
144,866
   
$
18,299,869
   
$
(10,000
)
 
$
(2,449,432
)
 
$
53,701
   
$
(2,882,616
)
 
$
13,156,388
 
 
                                                       
Subscriptions of common stock:
                                                       
$5.00 per share
 
$
3,805
   
$
1,898,445
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,902,250
 
Purchase of common stock
   
-
     
-
     
(5,000
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(5,000
)
Offering costs
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(210,264
)
   
-
     
-
     
(210,264
)
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
32,566
     
-
     
32,566
 
Net loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,335,583
)
   
(1,335,583
)
Balance as of December 31, 2017
 
$
148,671
   
$
20,198,314
   
$
(15,000
)
 
$
(2,659,696
)
 
$
86,267
   
$
(4,218,199
)
 
$
13,540,357
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
   
2016
 
 
           
Operating activities
           
Net loss
 
$
(1,335,583
)
 
$
(931,496
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
operating activities:
               
Accretion of discount on investments
   
(1,942
)
   
(1,872
)
Bad debt
   
-
     
28,054
 
Provision for depreciation
   
4,240
     
1,962
 
Policy acquisition costs deferred
   
(193,585
)
   
-
 
Interest credited to policyholders
   
9,856
     
-
 
Change in assets and liabilities:
               
Advances and notes receivable
   
10,925
     
(24,788
)
Security deposit
   
(3,117
)
   
-
 
Prepaid and other assets
   
(29,381
)
   
-
 
Future policy benefits
   
175,023
     
-
 
Policy claims
   
2,504
     
-
 
Other policy liabilities
   
83,201
     
-
 
Accounts payable
   
23,776
     
12,496
 
Net cash used in operating activities
   
(1,254,083
)
   
(915,644
)
 
               
Investing activities
               
Purchases of furniture and equipment
   
(32,966
)
   
(1,669
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(32,966
)
   
(1,669
)
 
               
Financing activities
               
Proceeds from public stock offering
   
1,902,250
     
3,062,510
 
Offering costs
   
(210,264
)
   
(330,516
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(5,000
)
   
(10,000
)
Policyholder deposits
   
1,398,041
     
-
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
3,085,027
     
2,721,994
 
 
               
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
1,797,978
     
1,804,681
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
   
10,780,672
     
8,975,991
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
12,578,650
   
$
10,780,672
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.



Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
1.          Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations
 
Texas Republic Capital Corporation (the “Company”) is the parent holding company of Texas Republic Life Insurance Company (“TRLIC”) and Texas Republic Life Solutions, Inc. (“TRLS”).  The Company was incorporated in Texas on May 15, 2012, for the primary purpose of forming and capitalizing a life insurance company subsidiary.
 
The Texas Department of Insurance approved TRLIC’s life insurance charter on August 1, 2016.  The Company capitalized TRLIC with $3,000,000 and owns 100% of TRLIC.  TRLIC began insurance operations on April 3, 2017 and is currently selling life and annuity products in the state of Texas.  TRLS, an insurance agency, was incorporated February 1, 2017.  The Company capitalized TRLS with $50,000 and owns 100% of TRLS. 
 
From incorporation through April 2, 2017, the Company was involved in the sale of common stock to provide working capital.  During this time the Company completed an organizational offering, three private placement stock offerings and an intrastate public stock offering in the state of Texas.  The Company raised $10,336,500 and incurred $1,215,569 of offering costs through the issuance of 12,865,000 shares from the organizational offering and three private placement offerings. The intrastate public stock offering was registered to raise $25,000,000 by offering 5,000,000 shares of its common stock and was ended on April 2, 2017.  This offering raised $10,010,485 and incurred $1,444,127 of offering costs through the sale of 2,002,097 shares of the common stock. 
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
 
Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Although these estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, they may ultimately differ from actual results.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior year financial statements to conform to current year classifications.  These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported net loss or shareholders equity.


Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
1.          Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
 
Investments

Fixed maturity securities are comprised of bonds that are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable income taxes, reported in accumulated other comprehensive income.  The amortized cost of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale is generally adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount.

Interest income, as well as the related amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is included in net investment income under the effective yield method.  The amortized cost of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale is written down to fair value when a decline in value is considered to be other-than-temporary.

The Company evaluates the difference between the cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value of its investments to determine whether any decline in value is other-than-temporary in nature.  This determination involves a degree of uncertainty.  If a decline in the fair value of a security is determined to be temporary, the decline is recorded as an unrealized loss in stockholders’ equity.  If a decline in a security’s fair value is considered to be other-than-temporary, the Company then determines the proper treatment for the other-than-temporary impairment.  For fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, the amount of any other-than-temporary impairment related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings and reflected as a reduction in the cost basis of the security; and the amount of any other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) with no change to the cost basis of the security.

The assessment of whether a decline in fair value is considered temporary or other-than-temporary includes management’s judgment as to the financial position and future prospects of the entity issuing the security.  It is not possible to accurately predict when it may be determined that a specific security will become impaired.  Future adverse changes in market conditions, poor operating results of underlying investments and defaults on mortgage loan payments could result in losses or an inability to recover the current carrying value of the investments, thereby possibly requiring an impairment charge in the future.

Likewise, if a change occurs in the Company’s intent to sell temporarily impaired securities prior to maturity or recovery in value, or if it becomes more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell such securities prior to recovery in value or maturity, a future impairment charge could result.  If an other-than-temporary impairment related to a credit loss occurs with respect to a bond, the Company amortizes the reduced book value back to the security’s expected recovery value over the remaining term of the bond.  The Company continues to review the security for further impairment that would prompt another write-down in the value.

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis.  Interest earned on investments is recorded on the accrual basis and is included in net investment income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks and money market instruments.
 
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Costs that relate to and vary with the successful production of new business are deferred over the life of the policy.  Deferred acquisition costs, (DAC), consist of commissions and policy issuance, underwriting and agency expenses.  DAC expenses are amortized primarily over the premium-paying period of the policies, using the same assumptions as were used in computing liabilities for future policy benefits.
 
Deferred Sales Inducement Costs
 
Sales inducement costs (SIC) are related to policy bonuses issued on some of the Company’s annuity products.  SIC is deferred at the issuance of the policy and amortized over the shorter of the bonus period or the life of the policy based on the expected future profits of the business.  The amount deferred is based on the difference between the fund value with the bonus and the fund value without the bonus.  There was $79,866 of SIC deferred at December 31, 2017 and no SIC amortized at December 31, 2017.  There was no SIC deferred or amortized during 2016.


Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016

1.          Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
 
Advances and Notes Receivable

Advances and notes receivable are recorded at unpaid principal balances.  Management evaluates the collectability of advances and notes receivable on the specific identification basis. Uncollectible amounts are reported in the results of operations in the year the determination is made.

Furniture and Equipment

Furniture and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation or amortization. Office furniture, equipment and EDP equipment is recorded at cost or fair value at acquisition less accumulated depreciation or amortization using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the respective assets of three to seven years.

Policyholders’ Account Balances

The Company’s liability for policyholders’ account balances represents the contract value that has accrued to the benefit of the policyholder as of the financial statement date. This liability is generally equal to the accumulated account deposits plus applicable bonus and interest credited less policyholders’ withdrawals and other charges assessed against the account balance. Interest crediting rates for individual annuities range from 2.65% to 4.50%.
 
Future Policy Benefits

Future policy benefit reserves have been computed by the net level premium method with assumptions as to investment yields, mortality and withdrawals based upon the Company’s experience.  The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of policy liabilities and the increase in future policy benefit reserves.  Management’s judgments and estimates for future policy benefit reserves provide for possible unfavorable deviation.
 
Common Stock

Common stock is fully paid, non-assessable and has a par value of $.01 per share.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock, representing shares of the Company’s common stock that have been reacquired after having been issued and fully paid, are recorded at cost.

Federal Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes.  Deferred income taxes are provided for cumulative temporary differences between balances of assets and liabilities determined under GAAP and balances determined using tax bases.

Offering Costs

Certain costs directly related to the sale of the Company’s securities are capitalized against the proceeds from the sales. These costs include legal fees, recruiting and training expenses, commissions, printing, mailing and other expenses related to the offering.


Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
1.          Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
 
Net Loss Per Common Share Outstanding and Subscribed

Net loss per common share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and subscribed during the year. Shares sold during the period are considered to be outstanding for one half of the month in which they were sold. The weighted average common shares outstanding and subscribed were 14,804,853 and 14,113,976 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

Related Party Transactions

During 2015, the Company entered into an administrative service agreement with First Trinity Financial Corporation (“FTFC”) for accounting and other services incidental to the operations of the Company and paid FTFC $11,963 and $33,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively related to this agreement.  The Company also paid FTFC $8,320 and $21,668 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively for additional services performed outside of the administrative service agreement.  The Chairman of the Company is also the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of FTFC.  The administrative service agreement with FTFC was terminated effective April 30, 2017.

Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
 
Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements
 
In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-15”).  ASU 2014-15 requires management to evaluate an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Management must evaluate whether conditions and events raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and then whether its plans alleviate that doubt. ASU 2014-15 was effective for annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter.  Management has performed and continues to perform such required evaluation and has concluded there were no such conditions or events that raised substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07 “Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), (“ASU 2016-07”).  ASU 2016-07 eliminates the requirement to retroactively apply the equity method of accounting when an investment that was previously accounted for using another method of accounting becomes qualified to apply the equity method due to an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence. If the investment was previously accounted for as an available-for-sale security, any related unrealized gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for the equity method is recognized through earnings. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016 and is to be applied prospectively. Early adoption was permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
 
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”).  ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions. It requires excess tax benefits from share-based awards be reported as operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Previously, these cash flows were included in financing activities. ASU 2016-09 was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements as the Company does not have a stock compensation plan.
 
 
Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016

1.          Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
 
Pronouncements to be effective in the future
 
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”).  ASU 2016-15 adds or clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows, including, but not limited to: (1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; (2) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; (3) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; (4) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; (5) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies; (6) distributions received from equity method investees; (7) beneficial interests in securitization transactions and (8) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle.  ASU 2016-15 is effective, with retrospective adoption, for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has evaluated the impact of this guidance which will not have any material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations from the adoption of this guidance.
 
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs: Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities” (“ASU 2017-08”).  ASU 2017-08 revises the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium, requiring the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. Under current GAAP, entities generally amortize the premium as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life of the instrument. ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the securities the Company owns which were purchased at a premium.
 
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – “Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”).  ASU 2016-01 provides guidance to improve certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Specifically, the guidance: (1) Require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. (2) Simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair value. (3) Eliminate the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for entities that are not public business entities. (4) Eliminate the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. (5) Require public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. (6) Require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. (7) Require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that is, securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements. (8) Clarify that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods and will not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016

1.          Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
 
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”).  ASU 2016-02 requires all lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset, measured at the present value of the future minimum lease payments, at the lease commencement date. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within that fiscal year, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016-02 requires the application of a modified retrospective approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. While the Company is currently evaluating ASU 2016-02, the Company does not expect a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations from the adoption of this guidance.
 
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses” (“ASU 2016-13”).  ASU 2016-13 will change the way entities recognize impairment of financial assets by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of many financial assets, including, among others, held-to-maturity debt securities, trade receivables, and reinsurance recoverable. ASU 2016-13 requires a valuation allowance to be calculated on these financial assets and that they be presented on the financial statements net of the valuation allowance.  This methodology is referred to as the current expected credit loss model. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.  However, currently the Company does not expect a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations from the adoption of this guidance.
 
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other” (“ASU 2017-04”).  ASU 2017-04 will amend and simplify current goodwill impairment testing to eliminate Step 2 from the current provisions. Under the new guidance, an entity should perform the goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. An entity still has the option to perform the quantitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU 2017-04 will be effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019.  As the Company currently has no Goodwill on its balance sheet ASU 2017-04 is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2018-02”).  ASU 2018-02 was issued to address the income tax accounting treatment of the stranded tax effects within other comprehensive income due to the prohibition of backward tracing due to an income tax rate change that was initially recorded in other comprehensive income. This issue came about from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017 that changed the Company’s income tax rate from 35% to 21%. The ASU changed current accounting whereby an entity may elect to reclassify the stranded tax effect from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is evaluating the effects of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and ASU 2018-02, but does not expect a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations from the adoption of this guidance.

 


Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016

2.           Investments

Fixed Maturity Securities Available-For-Sale

Investments in fixed maturity securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are summarized as follows:
 

 
       
Gross
   
Gross
       
 
 
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
December 31, 2017
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Fixed maturity securities
                       
Corporate bonds
 
$
2,288,321
   
$
93,942
   
$
7,675
   
$
2,374,588
 
Total fixed maturity securities
 
$
2,288,321
   
$
93,942
   
$
7,675
   
$
2,374,588
 
 
 
       
Gross
   
Gross
       
 
 
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
December 31, 2016
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Fixed maturity securities
                       
Corporate bonds
 
$
2,286,379
   
$
68,490
   
$
14,789
   
$
2,340,080
 
Total fixed maturity securities
 
$
2,286,379
   
$
68,490
   
$
14,789
   
$
2,340,080
 
 
For securities in an unrealized loss position as of the financial statement dates, the estimated fair value, pre-tax gross unrealized loss and number of securities by length of time that those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are summarized as follows:

 
       
Unrealized
   
Number of
 
December 31, 2017
 
Fair Value
   
Loss
   
Securities
 
Fixed maturity securities
                       
Greater than 12 months
                       
 Corporate bonds
  $
94,250
    $
7,675
   
1
 
Total fixed maturity securities
 
$
94,250
   
$
7,675
   
 
1
 
 
 
       
Unrealized
   
Number of
 
December 31, 2016
 
Fair Value
   
Loss
   
Securities
 
Fixed maturity securities
                 
Less than 12 months
                 
 Corporate bonds
 
$
143,625
   
$
4,872
   
 
1
 
 
                       
Greater than 12 months
                       
 Corporate bonds
   
192,103
     
9,917
     
2
 
Total fixed maturity securities
 
$
335,728
   
$
14,789
   
 
3
 
 
 


Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016

2.           Investments (continued)

As of December 31, 2017, and 2016, all the fixed maturity securities had a fair value to amortized cost ratio equal to or greater than 92%.  Two fixed maturity securities with a par value of $250,000 are below investment grade as rated by Standard and Poor’s as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

The Company’s decision to record an impairment loss is primarily based on whether the security’s fair value is likely to remain significantly below its book value based on all of the factors considered.  Factors that are considered include the length of time the security’s fair value has been below its carrying amount, the severity of the decline in value, the credit worthiness of the issuer and the coupon and/or dividend payment history of the issuer.  The Company also assesses whether it intends to sell or whether it is more likely than not that it may be required to sell the security prior to its recovery in value.

For any fixed maturity securities that are other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company determines the portion of the other-than-temporary impairment that is credit-related and the portion that is related to other factors.  The credit-related portion is the difference between the expected future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the fixed maturity security and that difference is charged to earnings.  The non-credit-related portion representing the remaining difference to fair value is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).

Only in the case of a credit-related impairment where management has the intent to sell the security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, is a fixed maturity security adjusted to fair value and the resulting losses recognized in realized gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations.  Any other-than-temporary impairments on equity securities are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations in the periods incurred as the difference between fair value and cost.

Based on management’s review, the Company experienced no other-than-temporary impairments during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Management believes that the Company will fully recover its cost basis in the securities held as of December 31, 2017, and management does not have the intent to sell nor is it more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell such securities until they recover or mature.  The temporary impairments shown herein are primarily the result of the current interest rate environment rather than credit factors that would imply other-than-temporary impairment.

Net unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income (loss) for investments classified as available-for-sale are summarized as follows:

 
 
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
Net unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale securities
 
$
86,267
   
$
53,701
 

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2017, by contractual maturity, are summarized as follows:

 
 
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
 
Due after one year through five years
 
$
201,243
   
$
197,416
 
Due after five years through ten years
   
2,087,078
     
2,177,172
 
Total all durations
 
$
2,288,321
   
$
2,374,588
 

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016

2.           Investments (continued)

Major categories of net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
   
2016
 
 
           
Fixed maturity securities
 
$
91,828
   
$
91,368
 
Short-term and other investments
   
4,850
     
520
 
Net investment income
 
$
96,678
   
$
91,888
 
 
3.  Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) on the measurement date.  The Company also considers the impact on fair value of a significant decrease in volume and level of activity for an asset or liability when compared with normal activity.

The Company holds fixed maturity securities that are measured and reported at fair market value on the statement of financial position.  The Company determines the fair market values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, as follows:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Company has no Level 1 assets that would include securities traded in an active exchange market.

Level 2 - Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.  The Company’s Level 2 assets and liabilities include fixed maturity securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments or assets and liabilities whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.  This category generally includes U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed debt securities and corporate debt securities.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.  This category generally includes investments where independent pricing information was not able to be obtained for a significant portion of the underlying assets.

The Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into the three-level fair value hierarchy.  If the inputs used to measure the financial instruments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.  A review of fair value hierarchy classifications is conducted on a quarterly basis.  Changes in the valuation inputs, or their ability to be observed, may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities. Reclassifications impacting the levels of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in and out of the specific level category as of the beginning of the period in which the reclassifications occur.


Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016

3.           Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The Company’s fair value hierarchy for those financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are summarized as follows:

December 31, 2017
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale
                       
Corporate bonds
 
$
-
   
$
2,374,588
   
$
-
   
$
2,374,588
 
Total fixed maturity securities
 
$
-
   
$
2,374,588
   
$
-
   
$
2,374,588
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale
                       
Corporate bonds
 
$
-
   
$
2,340,080
   
$
-
   
$
2,340,080
 
Total fixed maturity securities
 
$
-
   
$
2,340,080
   
$
-
   
$
2,340,080
 

Fair values for Level 2 assets for the Company’s fixed maturity securities available-for-sale are primarily based on prices supplied by a third-party investment service.  The third-party investment service provides quoted prices which use observable inputs in developing such rates.

The Company analyzes market valuations received to verify reasonableness and to understand the key assumptions used and the sources.  Since the fixed maturity securities owned by the Company do not trade on a daily basis, the third-party investment service prepares estimates of fair value measurements using relevant market data, benchmark curves, sector groupings and matrix pricing.  As the fair value estimates of the Company’s fixed maturity securities are based on observable market information rather than market quotes, the estimates of fair value on these fixed maturity securities are included in Level 2 of the hierarchy.  The Company’s Level 2 investments include corporate bonds.

The Company’s fixed maturity securities available-for-sale portfolio is highly liquid and allows for a high percentage of the portfolio to be priced through pricing services.

Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016

3.           Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s financial assets disclosed, but not carried, at fair value as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the level within the fair value hierarchy at which such assets and liabilities are measured on a recurring basis are summarized as follows:

Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Carried, at Fair Value:
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Carrying
   
Fair
                   
 
 
Amount
   
Value
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Financial assets
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
12,578,650
   
$
12,578,650
   
$
12,578,650
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Accrued investment income
   
22,709
     
22,709
     
-
     
-
     
22,709
 
Advances and notes receivable
   
24,850
     
24,850
     
-
     
-
     
24,850
 
Total financial assets
 
$
12,626,209
   
$
12,626,209
   
$
12,578,650
   
$
-
   
$
47,559
 
 
                                       
Financial liabilities
                                       
Policyholders’ account balances
 
$
1,487,763
   
$
1,155,525
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,155,525
 
Policy claims
   
2,504
     
2,504
     
-
     
-
     
2,504
 
Total financial liabilities
 
$
1,490,267
   
$
1,158,029
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
1,158,029
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
Carrying
   
Fair
                   
 
 
Amount
   
Value
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Financial assets
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
10,780,672
   
$
10,780,672
   
$
10,780,672
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Accrued investment income
   
22,709
     
22,709
     
-
     
-
     
22,709
 
Advances and notes receivable
   
35,775
     
35,775
     
-
     
-
     
35,775
 
Total financial assets
 
$
10,839,156
   
$
10,839,156
   
$
10,780,672
   
$
-
   
$
58,484
 

The estimated fair value amounts have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies.  However, considerable judgment was required to interpret market data to develop these estimates.  Accordingly, the estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts which could be realized in a current market exchange.  The use of different market assumptions or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the fair value amounts.

The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value disclosures for financial instruments in the accompanying financial statements and notes thereto:

Fixed Maturity Securities
 
The fair values of fixed maturity securities are based on the principles previously discussed as Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accrued Investment Income and Advances and Notes Receivable

The carrying value of these financial instruments approximates their fair values due to the expected short-term nature until the cash settlement of these items.  Cash and cash equivalents are included in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy due to their highly liquid nature.  Accrued investment income and advances and notes receivable are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy due to little or no availability of market activity for these types of assets.
 

Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
3.           Fair Value Measurements (continued)
 
Policyholders’ Account Balances
 
The fair value for liabilities under investment-type insurance contracts (accumulation annuities) is calculated using a discounted cash flow approach. Cash flows are projected using actuarial assumptions and discounted to the valuation date using risk-free rates adjusted for credit risk and the nonperformance risk of the liabilities.
 
The fair values for insurance contracts other than investment-type contracts are not required to be disclosed.
 
Policy Claims
 
The carrying amounts reported for these liabilities approximate their fair value.
 
4.          Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 is summarized as follows:
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
Total property and equipment
 
$
42,293
   
$
9,326
 
Less - accumulated depreciation
   
(9,063
)
   
(4,822
)
Property and equipment net of accumulated depreciation
 
$
33,230
   
$
4,504
 
 
5.          Income Taxes

The Company files a federal income tax return but does not file a consolidated tax return with TRLIC.  In 2016 TRLIC had no insurance sales or reserves, however TRLIC began insurance operations on April 3, 2017 and will be taxed as a life insurance company under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.  Life insurance companies must file separate tax returns until they have been a member of the consolidated filing group for five years.  Certain items included in income reported for financial statement purposes are not included in taxable income for the current period, resulting in deferred income taxes.
 
The Company has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $3.6 million expiring in 2032 through 2037.  A valuation allowance of $735,111 has been established for net operating losses arising from 2012 through 2017 since the Company has not demonstrated the ability to generate taxable income.  The utilization of those losses is restricted by the tax laws and some or all the losses may not be available for use.
 
The Company and its subsidiaries have  no known uncertain tax benefits within its provision for income taxes.  In addition, the Company does not believe it would be subject to any penalties or interest relative to any open tax years and, therefore, have not accrued any such amounts.  The Company files U.S. federal income tax returns and income tax returns in various state jurisdictions.  The 2014 through 2017 U.S. federal tax years are subject to income tax examination by tax authorities.  The Company classifies any interest and penalties (if applicable) as income tax expense in the financial statements.
 
The Company will file a consolidated return with its subsidiary TRLS.  The Company’s other subsidiary TRLIC files a separate federal return for life insurance companies.  At August 1, 2016, TRLIC received its Certificate of Authority from the Texas Department of Insurance.  As of December 31, 2017, TRLIC has $588,413 in operating loss carryforwards that have originated since 2016.  The operating loss carryforwards will expire in 2031 and 2032.  TRLIC’s net deferred tax asset of $135,301 has a valuation allowance against it at December 31, 2017, as the Company has not demonstrated the ability to generate taxable income.
Texas Republic Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
 
6.          Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents at multiple institutions.  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insures non-interest-bearing accounts up to $250,000.  Uninsured balances aggregate $4,993,908 as of December 31, 2017.  The Company monitors the solvency of all financial institutions in which it has funds to minimize the exposure for loss.  The Company has not experienced any losses in these accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.
 
7.          Lease Commitment
 
The Company entered into a lease with a third-party lessor in 2014 for utilization of office space in Austin, Texas.  The lease agreement ended September 30, 2017.  The lease required a deposit in the amount of $3,992 and abated the first month’s rent.  The monthly rental payments were $2,432 for the first twelve months with annual increases of approximately 3% thereafter and the Company also paid a pro rata share of the operating expenses of the building. 
 
The Company entered into a new 62-month lease agreement with a third-party lessor in 2017 for utilization of office space in Austin, Texas.  The lease agreement ends November 30, 2022.  The lease required a deposit in the amount of $7,109 and abated the first two month’s rent.  The monthly rental payments are $4,864 for the first twelve months after abatement. The Company also pays a pro rata share of the operating expenses of the building.  Rent expense was $56,946 under the two agreements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and $50,583 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 under the expired agreement. Total future minimum lease payments and a pro rata share of the buildings operating expenses to be paid under the current non-cancellable lease agreement are $80,938 in 2018, $82,487 in 2019, $84,036 in 2020, $85,585 in 2021 and $78,485 in 2022.
 
 


Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.  (This report shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section).

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (“Certifying Officers”), has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (“Exchange Act”) as of the end of the fiscal period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Based upon such evaluation, the Certifying Officers have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is made known to management, including our Certifying Officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operating, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and our management necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. As of the end of the period covered by this annual report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Certifying Officers, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The standard measures adopted by management in making its evaluation are the measures in the Internal-Control Integrated Framework (2013) published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based upon such evaluation, management has determined that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s report was not subject to the attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

The Company’s management, including the Certifying Officers, does not expect that the disclosure controls and internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. 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. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.

Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management or board override of the control.



The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Changes to Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None

Part III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the Company’s proxy statement for the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 

Item 15. Exhibits
 
Exhibit
 
 
Number
 Description of Exhibit
 
 
 
 
3.1
 
     
3.2
 
     
10.1
 
     
10.2
 
     
10.3
 
     
10.4
 
     
10.5
 
     
21.1*
 
 
 
 
24.1*
 
 
 
 
31.1*
 
 
 
 
31.2*
 
 
 
 
32.1*
 
 
 
 
32.2*
 
 
 
 
101.INS**
XBRL Instance
 
 
 
 
101.SCH**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
 
 
101.CAL**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
 
 
 
 
101.DEF**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
 
 
 
 
101.LAB**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
 
 
 
 
101.PRE**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
 
 
*
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
**
 
XBRL Information is furnished and not filed as part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
 
SIGNATURES

In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
TEXAS REPUBLIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
Date March 13, 2018
By:
/s/ Timothy R. Miller
 
 
 
Timothy R. Miller
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
TEXAS REPUBLIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
Date March 13, 2018
By:
/s/ Thomas F. Kopetic
 
 
 
Thomas F. Kopetic
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 

SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
By
/s/ Timothy R. Miller
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
Timothy R. Miller
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ William S. Lay
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
William S. Lay
 
 
 
 
Secretary and Treasurer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ Charles R. Bailey
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
Charles R. Bailey, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ Steven D. Braley
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
Steven D. Braley, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ David L. Cleavinger
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
David L. Cleavinger, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ Kenneth R. Davis
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
Kenneth R. Davis, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ Patrick C. Green
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
Patrick C. Green, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ J. Pete Laney
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
J. Pete Laney, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ Adrian G. McDonald Jr.
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
Adrian G. McDonald Jr., Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ Alvie J. Mitchell Jr.
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
Alvie J. Mitchell Jr., Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ James E. Sandberg Jr.
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
James E. Sandberg Jr., Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ Vernon R. Woelke
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
Vernon R. Woelke, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ Gregg E. Zahn
 
Date
March 13, 2018
 
Gregg E. Zahn. Director
 
 
 
 
36