10-Q 1 ihc1q2016_10q.htm INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY 10Q FILING INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                             

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

__________________________________________


FORM 10-Q


[X]

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016.


[   ]

Transition Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the transition period from: ________ to _________  


Commission File Number: 001-32244


INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware

 

58-1407235

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


96 CUMMINGS POINT ROAD, STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT                      06902

                                  (Address of principal executive offices)                                              (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 358-8000


NOT APPLICABLE

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   [ ]   No [ X ]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes   [X]   No [  ]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large Accelerated Filer [    ]

Accelerated Filer   [ X  ]

Non-Accelerated Filer   [  ]

Smaller Reporting Company   [     ]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   [  ]   No   [X]


Class

Outstanding at July 30, 2016

Common stock, $ 1.00  par value

17,170,933 Shares






INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY


INDEX


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE

 

 

NO.

 

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

4

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

5

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

6

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

7

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

8

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

9

 

 

 

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

 

 

and Results of Operations

28

 

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

38

 

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

38

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

39

 

 

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

39

 

 

 

 

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

39

 

 

 

 

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

40

 

 

 

 

Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures

40

 

 

 

 

Item 5.    Other Information

40

 

 

 

Item 6.    Exhibits

41

 

 

 

Signatures

43

 

 

 

 



Copies of the Company’s SEC filings can be found on its website at www.ihcgroup.com.



2



Forward-Looking Statements


This report on Form 10Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. We have based our forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Our forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as the growth of our business and operations, our business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, plans, future capital expenditures and references to future successes may be considered forward-looking statements. Also, when we use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “probably” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.


Numerous risks and uncertainties may impact the matters addressed by our forward-looking statements, any of which could negatively and materially affect our future financial results and performance.  We describe some of these risks and uncertainties in greater detail in Item 1A, Risk Factors, of IHC’s annual report on Form 10-K as filed with Securities and Exchange Commission.


Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and, therefore, also the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements that are included in this report, our inclusion of this information is not a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we will not update these forward-looking statements unless the securities laws require us to do so. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, any forward-looking event discussed in this report may not occur.




3


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

    


INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2016

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

$

50 

 

$

50 

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

 

21,196 

 

 

28,285 

 

Trading securities

 

 

1,190 

 

 

1,259 

 

Fixed maturities, available-for-sale

 

 

520,638 

 

 

428,601 

 

Equity securities, available-for-sale

 

 

8,714 

 

 

8,426 

 

Other investments

 

 

20,501 

 

 

21,538 

 

Total investments

 

 

572,289 

 

 

488,159 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

145,696 

 

 

17,500 

 

Due and unpaid premiums

 

 

64,645 

 

 

69,075 

 

Due from reinsurers

 

 

462,087 

 

 

483,073 

 

Premium and claim funds

 

 

41,576 

 

 

22,015 

 

Goodwill

 

 

47,276 

 

 

47,276 

 

Other assets

 

 

48,257 

 

 

57,934 

 

Assets attributable to discontinued operations (Note 3)

 

 

 

 

12,931 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,381,826 

 

$

1,197,963 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy benefits and claims

 

$

247,900 

 

$

245,443 

 

Future policy benefits

 

 

235,251 

 

 

270,624 

 

Funds on deposit

 

 

149,147 

 

 

173,350 

 

Unearned premiums

 

 

13,350 

 

 

10,236 

 

Other policyholders' funds

 

 

9,675 

 

 

11,822 

 

Due to reinsurers

 

 

70,283 

 

 

46,355 

 

Due to securities brokers

 

 

99,803 

 

 

998 

 

Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities

 

 

57,020 

 

 

63,111 

 

Liabilities attributable to discontinued operations (Note 3)

 

 

6,085 

 

 

(15)

 

Debt

 

 

4,250 

 

 

5,189 

 

Junior subordinated debt securities

 

 

38,146 

 

 

38,146 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

 

930,910 

 

 

865,259 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

IHC STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock (none issued)

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock $1.00 par value, 23,000,000 shares authorized;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,569,183 shares issued; 17,215,758 and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,265,758 shares outstanding

 

 

18,569 

 

 

18,569 

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

128,053 

 

 

127,733 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(479)

 

 

(3,440)

 

Treasury stock, at cost; 1,353,425 and 1,303,425 shares

 

 

(14,782)

 

 

(13,961)

 

Retained earnings

 

 

300,457 

 

 

194,450 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL IHC STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

431,818 

 

 

323,351 

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

19,098 

 

 

9,353 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY

 

 

450,916 

 

 

332,704 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

$

1,381,826 

 

$

1,197,963 



See the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



4



INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2016

 

2015

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$

62,562 

$

122,114 

 

Net investment income

 

4,436 

 

5,422 

 

Fee income

 

5,079 

 

2,577 

 

Other income

 

3,258 

 

992 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

560 

 

2,000 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75,895 

 

133,105 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance benefits, claims and reserves

 

30,743 

 

79,620 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

35,227 

 

45,484 

 

Interest expense on debt

 

453 

 

432 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

66,423 

 

125,536 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

9,472 

 

7,569 

 

Income taxes

 

3,576 

 

2,868 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

5,896 

 

4,701 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations: (Note 3)

 

 

 

 

 

  Income from discontinued operations, before income taxes

 

117,636 

 

1,031 

 

  Income taxes on discontinued operations

 

7,866 

 

401 

 

  Income from discontinued operations

 

109,770 

 

630 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

115,666 

 

5,331 

 

Less: Income from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries

 

(9,656)

 

(112)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC

$

106,010 

$

5,219 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income per common share: (Note 2)

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

.34

$

.27 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

5.81

 

.03 

 

Basic income per common share

$

6.15

$

.30 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

17,243

 

17,364 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income per common share: (Note 2)

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

.33

$

.27 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

5.75

 

.03 

 

Diluted income per common share

$

6.08

$

.30 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

17,449

 

17,531 









See the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



5




INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March  31,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

115,666 

$

5,331 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, pre-tax

 

4,703 

 

1,320 

 

Tax expense on unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities

 

1,685 

 

403 

 

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes

 

3,018 

 

917 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

3,018 

 

917 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX

 

118,684 

 

6,248 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests:

 

 

 

 

Income from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries

 

(9,656)

 

(112)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

 

(57)

 

(43)

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax, attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

    noncontrolling interests

 

(57)

 

(43)

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX,

 

 

 

 

 

    ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

(9,713)

 

(155)

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX,

 

 

 

 

 

    ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC

$

108,971 

$

6,093 















See the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.




6



INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) (In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCUMULATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER

 

TREASURY

 

 

 

TOTAL IHC

 

CONTROLLING

 

 

 

 

COMMON

 

PAID-IN

 

COMPREHENSIVE

 

STOCK,

 

RETAINED

 

STOCKHOLDERS'

 

INTERESTS IN

 

TOTAL

 

 

STOCK

 

CAPITAL

 

INCOME

 

AT COST

 

EARNINGS

 

EQUITY

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE AT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DECEMBER 31, 2015

$

18,569

$

127,733

$

(3,440)

$

(13,961)

$

194,450 

$

323,351 

$

9,353

$

332,704 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

106,010 

 

106,010 

 

9,656

 

115,666 

Other comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

2,961 

 

 

 

 

 

2,961 

 

57

 

3,018 

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(821)

 

 

 

(821)

 

-

 

(821)

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

expenses and related

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tax benefits

 

 

 

193

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

193 

 

-

 

193 

Other capital transactions

 

 

 

127

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

124 

 

32

 

156 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE AT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARCH 31, 2016

$

18,569

$

128,053

$

(479)

$

(14,782)

$

300,457 

$

431,818 

$

19,098

$

450,916 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 













See the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



7




INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

 (In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

115,666 

 

$

5,331 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 operating  activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

 

(109,304)

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

86 

 

 

1,464 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

(560)

 

 

(2,000)

 

Equity (income) loss from equity method investments

 

30 

 

 

(365)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

472 

 

 

536 

 

Deferred tax  expense (benefit)

 

(901)

 

 

3,251 

 

Other

 

3,105 

 

 

2,341 

  Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (purchases) sales of trading securities

 

3,180 

 

 

1,291 

 

Change in insurance liabilities

 

(31,725)

 

 

2,935 

 

Change in  amounts due from reinsurers

 

20,985 

 

 

4,531 

 

Change in premium and claim funds

 

(19,562)

 

 

(376)

 

Change in current income tax liability

 

(1,428)

 

 

(789)

 

Change in due and unpaid premiums

 

4,430 

 

 

(14,183)

 

Other operating activities

 

(6,057)

 

 

2,749 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash from operating activities

 

(21,583)

 

 

6,716 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (purchases) sales of securities under resale agreements

 

7,089 

 

 

(34,147)

 

Sales of equity securities

 

 

 

3,902 

 

Sales of fixed maturities

 

32,447 

 

 

92,089 

 

Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities

 

10,342 

 

 

12,067 

 

Purchases of fixed maturities

 

(30,723)

 

 

(81,963)

 

Proceeds on sales of subsidiaries, net of cash divested

 

134,625 

 

 

 

Other investing activities

 

(1,107)

 

 

10 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash from investing activities

 

152,673 

 

 

(8,042)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY)  FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

(821)

 

 

(597)

 

Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

(1,609)

 

Withdrawals of investment-type insurance contracts

 

(500)

 

 

(607)

 

Repayments of debt

 

(939)

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(779)

 

 

(609)

 

Other financing activities

 

145 

 

 

144 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash from financing activities

 

(2,894)

 

 

(3,278)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

128,196 

 

 

(4,604)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

17,500 

 

 

23,408 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

145,696 

 

$

18,804 







See the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



8


INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)



Note 1.  

Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies


(A)

Business and Organization


Independence Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (“IHC”), is a holding company principally engaged in the life and health insurance business through: (i) its insurance companies, Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York ("Standard Security Life"),  Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. ("Madison National Life"), Independence American Insurance Company (“Independence American”); and (ii) its marketing and administrative companies, including IHC Specialty Benefits Inc. and IHC Carrier Solutions, Inc. IHC also owns a significant equity interest in: (i) Ebix Health Exchange Holdings, LLC (“Ebix Health Exchange”), an administration exchange for health and pet insurance; and (ii) a managing general underwriter (“MGU”) that writes medical stop-loss. On March 31, 2016, the Company sold IHC Risk Solutions, LLC (“Risk Solutions”), its managing general underwriter of excess or stop-loss insurance. In addition, all of the in-force stop-loss business of Standard Security Life and Independence American produced by Risk Solutions is 100% co-insured as of January 1, 2016 and IHC’s block of Medical Stop-Loss business is in run-off.  Standard Security Life, Madison National Life and Independence American are sometimes collectively referred to as the “Insurance Group”. IHC and its subsidiaries (including the Insurance Group) are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Company", or “IHC”, or are implicit in the terms “we”, “us” and “our”.  


Geneve Corporation, a diversified financial holding company, and its affiliated entities, held approximately 53% of IHC's outstanding common stock at March 31, 2016.

 

(B)

Consolidation


American Independence Corp.


At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company owned approximately 92%, respectively, of the outstanding common stock of American Independence Corp. ("AMIC"). In June 2016, IHC started the necessary proceedings to take AMIC private. AMIC is an insurance holding company engaged in the insurance and reinsurance business.  


Effects of Ownership Changes in Subsidiaries


The following table summarizes the effects of changes in the Company’s ownership interests in its subsidiaries on IHC’s equity for the periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

Changes in IHC’s paid-in capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Purchases of AMIC shares

 

$

-

 

$

(199)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         Net transfers from noncontrolling interests

 

$

-

 

$

(199)



 (C)

Basis of Presentation



The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, do not include all of the



9


information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of IHC and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect:  (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and (ii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. IHC’s annual report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


On March 31, 2016, the Company sold Risk Solutions, its managing general underwriter of excess or stop-loss insurance for self-insured employer groups that desire to manage the risk of large medical claims (“Medical Stop-Loss”). In addition, under the purchase and sale agreement, all of the in-force stop-loss business of Standard Security Life and Independence American produced by Risk Solutions is 100% co-insured as of January 1, 2016. IHC’s block of Medical Stop-Loss business is in run-off. The sale of Risk Solutions and exit from the medical stop-loss business represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. The disposal transaction qualified for reporting as a discontinued operation in the first quarter of 2016 as a result of the Board of Directors commitment to a plan for its disposal in January 2016. The assets, liabilities, and related income and expenses associated with the disposal group are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and Notes thereto. See Note 3 for more information.


In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) that are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods have been included. The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be anticipated for the entire year.



(D)

Reclassifications



Certain amounts in prior year’s consolidated financial statements and Notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation, primarily for the effects of discontinued operations.  



(E)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements



Recently Adopted Accounting Standards


In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination and eliminate the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. The adoption of this guidance is did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance that modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities for the purpose of consolidation. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In June 2014, the FASB issued explicit guidance for entities that grant their employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award include a performance target that affects vesting and could be achieved after the requisite service period.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted


In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring financial assets measured at amortized cost basis



10


to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. An allowance for credit losses will be deducted from the amortized cost basis to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected with changes in the allowance recorded in earnings. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will also be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than a write-down, which would be limited to the amount by which fair value is below the amortized cost. Certain existing requirements used to evaluate credit losses have been removed. For public entities that are SEC filers, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments in this Update should be applied through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that simplify several aspects of accounting for sharebased payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification in the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this Update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the requirement for retroactive adjustments on the date that a previously held investment qualifies for the equity method of accounting as a result of an increase in ownership interest or degree of influence. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016 and should be applied prospectively upon their effective date. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases, including operating leases, on the statement of financial position. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, using a modified retrospective approach. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the requirement to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values as trading or available-for-sale. The guidance requires equity securities (including other ownership interests, such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures, and limited liability companies) to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income, simplifies the impairment assessment of equity securities without readily determinable fair values and requires changes in disclosure requirements. For public entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in certain circumstances. The amendments in this Update should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The amendments related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values (including disclosure requirements) should be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption of the Update. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet or IHC’s stockholders’ equity.


In May 2015, the FASB issued guidance requiring additional disclosures for short-duration contracts regarding the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses. For public entities, the guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In May 2014, the FASB issued revenue recognition guidance for entities that either enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enter into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial



11


assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards such as insurance contracts or lease contracts. The amendment provides specific steps that an entity should apply in order to achieve its main objective which is recognizing revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In 2016, additional guidance was issued to clarify certain aspects of the implementation guidance and to clarify the identification of performance obligations. In August 2015, the effective date of this guidance has been deferred. For public entities, this guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and requires one of two specified retrospective methods of application. Earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Management has not yet determined the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.




Note 2.

Income Per Common Share



Diluted income per share was computed using the treasury stock method and includes incremental common shares, primarily from the dilutive effect of share-based payment awards, amounting to 206,000 and 167,000 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.



The following is a reconciliation of income available to common shareholders used to calculate income per share for the periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

5,896 

$

4,701 

Less:  Income from continuing operations attributable to

 

 

 

 

      noncontrolling interests

 

(106)

 

(70)

 

 

 

 

 

    Income from continuing operations attributable to IHC

 

 

 

 

      common shareholders

$

5,790 

$

4,631 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

$

109,770 

$

630 

Less:  Income from discontinued operations attributable to

 

 

 

 

      noncontrolling interests

 

(9,550)

 

(42)

 

 

 

 

 

    Income from discontinued operations attributable to IHC

 

 

 

 

      common shareholders

$

100,220 

$

588 

 

 

 

 

 





Note 3.

Discontinued Operations


On March 31, 2016, IHC and its subsidiary Independence American sold the stock of Risk Solutions to Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, a division of Swiss Re (“Swiss Re”).  In addition, under the purchase and sale agreement, all of the in-force stop-loss business of Standard Security Life and Independence American produced by Risk Solutions is co-insured by Westport Insurance Corporation (“Westport”), Swiss Re’s largest US carrier, as of January 1, 2016.  The aggregate purchase price was $152,500,000 in cash, subject to adjustments and settlements. Approximately 89% of the purchase price was allocated to AMIC, with the balance being paid to Standard Security Life and other IHC subsidiaries. The Company recorded a gain of $99,793,000, net of taxes and amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests, as a result of the transaction. The aforementioned transaction, which includes the sale of Risk Solutions and the corresponding coinsurance agreement, is collectively referred to as the “Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction”.  IHC’s block of Medical Stop-Loss business is in run-off. The sale of Risk Solutions and exit from the medical stop-loss business represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s



12


operations and financial results. The disposal transaction qualified for reporting as a discontinued operation in the first quarter of 2016 as a result of the Board of Directors commitment to a plan for its disposal in January 2016. Aside from reinsurance and marketing of Westport small group stop-loss, there will be no further involvement with the discontinued operation.



The following is a reconciliation of the major line items constituting the pretax profit of discontinued operations for the periods indicated (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

$

6,406 

$

1,160 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

5,689 

 

129 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretax profit of discontinued operations

 

717 

 

1,031 

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, pretax

 

116,919 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Income from discontinued operations, before income taxes

 

117,636 

 

1,031 

      Income taxes on discontinued operations

 

7,866 

 

401 

 

 

 

 

 

       Income from discontinued operations

$

109,770 

$

630 

 

 

 

 

 


The following is a reconciliation of the carrying amounts of major classes of assets and liabilities for discontinued operations for the periods indicated (in thousands):


 

 

March 31, 2016

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

Major classes of assets included in discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

   Cash

$

-

$

1,671 

   Goodwill

 

-

 

5,664 

   Intangible assets

 

-

 

919 

   Other assets

 

-

 

4,677 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets attributable to discontinued operations

$

-

$

12,931 

 

 

 

 

 

Major classes of liabilities included in discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

6,085

$

(15)

 

 

 

 

 

   Liabilities attributable to discontinued operations

$

6,085

$

(15)

 

 

 

 

 



Total operating cash flows from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 amounted to $339,000 and $116,000, respectively. The Company elected to classify the proceeds received from the sale of discontinued operations in the investing activities section of the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.


In connection with the Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction in March 2016, AMIC utilized a significant amount of its Federal NOL carryforwards and made a corresponding adjustment to its valuation allowance (see Note 9). On a consolidated basis, the Company recorded income taxes on discontinued operations of $7,866,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, consisting of $5,799,000 of state taxes and $2,067,000 of Federal taxes, net of a $38,565,000 decrease in AMIC’s valuation allowance.




13



Note  4.

Investment Securities


The cost (amortized cost with respect to certain fixed maturities), gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of investment securities are as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

March 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

GROSS

 

GROSS

 

 

 

 

AMORTIZED

 

UNREALIZED

 

UNREALIZED

 

FAIR

 

 

COST

 

GAINS

 

LOSSES

 

VALUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIXED MATURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

$

183,587

$

1,145

$

(4,844)

$

179,888

CMOs - residential (1)

 

2,986

 

63

 

 

3,049

U.S. Government obligations

 

124,898

 

421

 

(7)

 

125,312

Agency MBS - residential (2)

 

32

 

1

 

 

33

GSEs (3)

 

10,715

 

2

 

(208)

 

10,509

States and political subdivisions

 

192,965

 

3,675

 

(1,112)

 

195,528

Foreign government obligations

 

2,301

 

70

 

 

2,371

Redeemable preferred stocks

 

4,036

 

85

 

(173)

 

3,948

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

$

521,520

$

5,462

$

(6,344)

$

520,638


EQUITY SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stocks

$

4,926

$

155

$

(24)

$

5,057

Nonredeemable preferred stocks

 

3,588

 

95

 

(26)

 

3,657

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

$

8,514

$

250

$

(50)

$

8,714


 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

GROSS

 

GROSS

 

 

 

 

AMORTIZED

 

UNREALIZED

 

UNREALIZED

 

FAIR

 

 

COST

 

GAINS

 

LOSSES

 

VALUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIXED MATURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

$

172,621

$

93

$

(5,868)

$

166,846

CMOs - residential (1)

 

3,068

 

2

 

(14)

 

3,056

CMOs - commercial

 

899

 

296

 

 

1,195

U.S. Government obligations

 

44,738

 

120

 

(64)

 

44,794

Agency MBS - residential (2)

 

34

 

1

 

 

35

GSEs (3)

 

11,814

 

2

 

(254)

 

11,562

States and political subdivisions

 

194,364

 

2,159

 

(1,857)

 

194,666

Foreign government obligations

 

2,318

 

12

 

(6)

 

2,324

Redeemable preferred stocks

 

4,036

 

101

 

(14)

 

4,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

$

433,892

$

2,786

$

(8,077)

$

428,601


EQUITY SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stocks

$

4,926

$

$

(142)

$

4,784

Nonredeemable preferred stocks

 

3,588

 

56

 

(2)

 

3,642

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

$

8,514

$

56

$

(144)

$

8,426


(1)

Collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”).

(2)

Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”).

(3)

Government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”) are private enterprises established and chartered by the Federal Government or its various insurance and lease programs which carry the full faith and credit obligation of the U.S. Government.



14




The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities available-for-sale at March 31, 2016, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands). Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. CMOs and MBSs are shown separately, as they are not due at a single maturity.



 

 

 

AMORTIZED

 

 

FAIR

 

 

 

COST

 

 

VALUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

23,979

 

$

23,519

Due after one year through five years

 

 

180,141

 

 

180,071

Due after five years through ten years

 

 

126,709

 

 

128,460

Due after ten years

 

 

176,959

 

 

174,997

CMOs and MBSs

 

 

13,732

 

 

13,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

521,520

 

$

520,638



The following tables summarize, for all available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time those securities that have continuously been in an unrealized loss position for the periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

March 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

 

12 Months or Longer

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

$

43,714

 

$

687

 

$

71,655

 

$

4,157

 

$

115,369

$

4,844

U.S. Government obligations

 

104,478

 

 

7

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

104,478

 

7

GSEs

 

3,578

 

 

66

 

 

6,907

 

 

142

 

 

10,485

 

208

States and political subdivisions

 

38,859

 

 

584

 

 

20,900

 

 

528

 

 

59,759

 

1,112

Redeemable preferred stocks

 

3,590

 

 

173

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

3,590

 

173

   Total fixed maturities

 

194,219

 

 

1,517

 

 

99,462

 

 

4,827

 

 

293,681

 

6,344

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stocks

 

478

 

 

24

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

478

 

24

Nonredeemable preferred stocks

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1,301

 

 

26

 

 

1,301

 

26

   Total equity securities

 

478

 

 

24

 

 

1,301

 

 

26

 

 

1,779

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Total temporarily impaired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       securities

$

194,697

 

$

1,541

 

$

100,763

 

$

4,853

 

$

295,460

$

6,394

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of securities in an

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   unrealized loss position

 

80

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

110

 

 




15



 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

 

12 Months or Longer

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

$

101,903

 

$

2,559

 

$

55,217

 

$

3,309

 

$

157,120

$

5,868

CMO’s - residential

 

2,867

 

 

14

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

2,867

 

14

U.S. Government obligations

 

19,809

 

 

64

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

19,809

 

64

GSEs

 

6,539

 

 

128

 

 

4,997

 

 

126

 

 

11,536

 

254

States and political subdivisions

 

68,898

 

 

780

 

 

31,351

 

 

1,077

 

 

100,249

 

1,857

Foreign government obligations

 

484

 

 

6

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

484

 

6

Redeemable preferred stocks

 

3,749

 

 

14

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

3,749

 

14

   Total fixed maturities

 

204,249

 

 

3,565

 

 

91,565

 

 

4,512

 

 

295,814

 

8,077

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stocks

 

4,784

 

 

142

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

4,784

 

142

Nonredeemable preferred stocks

 

1,324

 

 

2

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1,324

 

2

   Total equity securities

 

6,108

 

 

144

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

6,108

 

144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Total temporarily impaired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       securities

$

210,357

 

$

3,709

 

$

91,565

 

$

4,512

 

$

301,922

$

8,221

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of securities in an

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   unrealized loss position

 

99

 

 

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

130

 

 



Substantially all of the unrealized losses on fixed maturities available-for-sale at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 relate to investment grade securities and are attributable to changes in market interest rates. Because the Company does not intend to sell, nor is it more likely than not that the Company will have to sell such investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2016.


Net realized investment gains are as follows for periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

   Fixed maturities

$

628 

$

1,300 

   Common stocks

 

 

1,465 

      Total sales of available-for-sale securities

 

628 

 

2,765 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading securities

 

 

(507)

      Total realized gains

 

628 

 

2,258 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities:

 

 

 

 

   Change in unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities

 

(70)

 

(251)

      Total unrealized gains (losses)  on trading securities

 

(70)

 

(251)

 

 

 

 

 

Gains (losses) on other investments

 

 

(7)

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

$

560 

$

2,000 



For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities were $31,494,000 and $106,415,000, respectively, and the Company realized gross gains of $615,000 and $3,114,000, respectively, and gross losses of $17,000 and $182,000, respectively, on those



16


sales.


Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Evaluations


We recognize other-than-temporary impairment losses in earnings in the period that we determine: 1) we intend to sell the security; 2) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or 3) the security has a credit loss. Any non-credit portion of the other-than-temporary impairment loss is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). See Note 1H(iv) to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2015 Annual Report for further discussion of the factors considered by management in its regular review to identify and recognize other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities. The Company did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities in the first three months of 2016 or 2015.


Credit losses were recognized on certain fixed maturities for which each security also had an impairment loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The rollforward of these credit losses were as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

$

473 

$

473

Securities sold

 

(473)

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

$

$

473





Note 5.

Fair Value Disclosures



For all financial and non-financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company utilizes valuation techniques based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market expectations. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:


Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.


Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.


Level 3 - Instruments where significant value drivers are unobservable.



The following section describes the valuation methodologies we use to measure different assets at fair value.

  

Investments in fixed maturities and equity securities:

  

Available-for-sale securities included in Level 1 are equities with quoted market prices. Level 2 is primarily comprised of our portfolio of government securities, agency mortgage-backed securities, corporate fixed income securities, foreign government obligations, collateralized mortgage obligations, municipals and GSEs that were priced with observable market inputs. Level 3 securities consist primarily of CMO securities backed by commercial mortgages and municipal tax credit strips.  For these securities, we use industry-standard pricing methodologies, including discounted cash flow models, whose inputs are based on management’s assumptions and available market information. Significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of CMO’s are prepayment rates, probability of default, and loss severity in the event



17


of default. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the probability of default is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for loss severity and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for prepayment rates. Further we retain independent pricing vendors to assist in valuing certain instruments.


Trading securities:


Trading securities included in Level 1 are equity securities with quoted market prices.


Contingent liabilities:


Contingent liabilities classified in Level 3 include; (i) a contingent liability assumed in connection with an acquisition related to an earn-out agreement whereby significant unobservable inputs are based on projected income; and (ii) a contingent liability recognized in connection with the deconsolidation of a former subsidiary and a newly formed joint venture transaction whereby significant unobservable inputs are based on projected cash flows.


The following tables present our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

March 31, 2016

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Corporate securities

$

-

 

$

179,888

$

-

$

179,888

   CMOs - residential

 

-

 

 

3,049

 

-

 

3,049

   US Government obligations

 

-

 

 

125,312

 

-

 

125,312

   Agency MBS - residential

 

-

 

 

33

 

-

 

33

   GSEs

 

-

 

 

10,509

 

-

 

10,509

   States and political subdivisions

 

-

 

 

193,385

 

2,143

 

195,528

   Foreign government obligations

 

-

 

 

2,371

 

-

 

2,371

   Redeemable preferred stocks

 

3,948

 

 

-

 

-

 

3,948

      Total fixed maturities

 

3,948

 

 

514,547

 

2,143

 

520,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Common stocks

 

5,057

 

 

-

 

-

 

5,057

   Nonredeemable preferred stocks

 

3,657

 

 

-

 

-

 

3,657

      Total equity securities

 

8,714

 

 

-

 

-

 

8,714

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading securities - equities

 

1,190

 

 

-

 

-

 

1,190

       Total trading securities

 

1,190

 

 

-

 

-

 

1,190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Financial Assets

$

13,852

 

$

514,547

$

2,143

$

530,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingent liabilities

$

-

 

$

-

$

1,555

$

1,555

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Financial Liabilities

$

-

 

$

-

$

1,555

$

1,555




18



 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Corporate securities

$

-

 

$

166,846

$

-

$

166,846

   CMOs - residential

 

-

 

 

3,056

 

-

 

3,056

   CMOs - commercial

 

-

 

 

-

 

1,195

 

1,195

   US Government obligations

 

-

 

 

44,794

 

-

 

44,794

   Agency MBS - residential

 

-

 

 

35

 

-

 

35

   GSEs

 

-

 

 

11,562

 

-

 

11,562

   States and political subdivisions

 

-

 

 

192,487

 

2,179

 

194,666

   Foreign government obligations

 

-

 

 

2,324

 

-

 

2,324

   Redeemable preferred stocks

 

4,123

 

 

-

 

-

 

4,123

      Total fixed maturities

 

4,123

 

 

421,104

 

3,374

 

428,601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Common stocks

 

4,784

 

 

-

 

-

 

4,784

   Nonredeemable preferred stocks

 

3,642

 

 

-

 

-

 

3,642

      Total equity securities

 

8,426

 

 

-

 

-

 

8,426

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading securities - equities

 

1,259

 

 

-

 

-

 

1,259

       Total trading securities

 

1,259

 

 

-

 

-

 

1,259

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Financial Assets

$

13,808

 

$

421,104

$

3,374

$

438,286

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Interest rate swap

$

-

 

$

11

$

-

$

11

   Contingent liabilities

 

-

 

 

-

 

1,650

 

1,650

Total Financial Liabilities

$

-

 

$

11

$

1,650

$

1,661




It is the Company’s policy to recognize transfers of assets and liabilities between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of a reporting period. The Company does not transfer out of Level 3 and into Level 2 until such time as observable inputs become available and reliable or the range of available independent prices narrow.



 The Company did not transfer any securities between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 in either 2016 or 2015. The following table presents the changes in fair value of our Level 3 financial instruments for the periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

Financial Assets:

 

Financial Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

States and

 

Total

 

 

 

Total

 

 

CMOs

 

Political

 

Level 3

 

Contingent

 

Level 3

 

 

Commercial

 

Subdivisions

 

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2015

$

1,195 

$

2,179 

$

3,374 

$

1,650 

$

1,650 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gains (losses) included in earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Net investment income

 

 

 

 

(633)

 

(633)

    Net realized investment gains

 

141 

 

 

141 

 

 

    Other income

 

 

 

 

538 

 

538 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gains (losses) included in other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Net unrealized gains (losses)

 

(296)

 

(11)

 

(307)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments and amortization of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    fixed maturities

 

(74)

 

(25)

 

(99)

 

 

Sales

 

(966)

 

 

(966)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2016

$

$

2,143 

$

2,143 

$

1,555 

$

1,555 



 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

States and

 

 

 

 

CMOs

 

Political

 

 

 

 

Commercial

 

Subdivisions

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

$

953

$

2,314 

$

3,267 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Net unrealized gains (losses)

 

63

 

(13)

 

50 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments and amortization of fixed maturities

 

-

 

(20)

 

(20)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

$

1,016

$

2,281 

$

3,297 



The following table provides carrying values, fair values and classification in the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial instruments, for the periods indicated, that are not carried at fair value but are subject to fair value disclosure requirements, for the periods indicated (in thousands):


 

 

 

March 31, 2016

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

Level 2

 

 

 

 

Level 2

 

 

 

 

 

Fair

 

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

 

Carrying

 

 

Value

 

 

Value

 

Value

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Policy loans

$

38

 

$

38

$

38

 

$

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Funds on deposit

$

149,404

 

$

149,147

$

173,625

 

$

173,350

  Debt and junior subordinated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     debt securities

$

42,344

 

$

42,396

$

43,283

 

$

43,335



The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the financial instruments that are not carried at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:


(A)

Policy Loans


The fair value of policy loans included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy is estimated by projecting aggregate loan cash flows to the end of the expected lifetime period of the life insurance business at the average policy loan rates, and discounting them at a current market interest rate.


(B)

Funds on Deposit


The Company has two types of funds on deposit. The first type is credited with a current market interest rate, resulting in a fair value which approximates the carrying amount. The second type carries fixed interest rates which are higher than current market interest rates. The fair value of these deposits was estimated by discounting the payments using current market interest rates. The Company's universal life policies are also credited with current market interest rates, resulting in a fair value which approximates the carrying amount. Both types of funds on deposit are included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.


(C)

Debt


The fair value of debt with variable interest rates approximates its carrying amount and is included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.





20



Note 6.

Variable Interest Entities


The Company has a minority interest in certain limited partnerships that we have determined to be Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”).  The aforementioned VIEs are not required to be consolidated in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as we are not the primary beneficiary since we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance.


The Company will periodically reassess whether we are the primary beneficiary in any of these investments. The reassessment process will consider whether we have acquired the power to direct the most significant activities of the VIE through changes in governing documents or other circumstances. Our maximum loss exposure is limited to our combined $8,844,000 carrying value in these equity investments that are included in other investments in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2016.




Note 7.

Related Party Transactions


Through a joint venture consummated in 2015, the Company has a significant equity interest in Ebix Health Exchange. Ebix Health Exchange administers various lines of health insurance for IHC’s insurance subsidiaries. The carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in Ebix Health Exchange was $9,061,000 and 9,838,000 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  Ebix Health Exchange reported a net loss of $821,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The Company recorded $188,000 of the loss in earnings and reduced the contingent liability, previously recognized on the acquisition date, by $633,000 of cash operating losses for the period. The Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 include $2,403,000 and $1,397,000, respectively, of notes and other amounts receivable from, and $1,083,000 and $405,000, respectively, of administrative fees and other expenses payable to, Ebix Health Exchange which are included in other assets and accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities, respectively.  The Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income include $113,000 in fee income from, and $1,247,000 of administrative fee expenses to, Ebix Health Exchange which are included in fee income and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2016. There are no comparable amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2015.




Note 8.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets


Certain prior year balances of goodwill and intangible assets were reclassified to assets attributable to discontinued operations on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015 to conform to the 2016 presentation (see Notes 1 and 3).


The carrying amount of goodwill was $47,276,000 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.


The Company has net other intangible assets of $14,258,000 and $14,598,000 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which are included in other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These intangible assets consist of: (i) finite-lived intangible assets, principally the fair value of acquired agent and broker relationships, which are subject to amortization; and (ii) indefinite-lived intangible assets which consist of the estimated fair value of insurance licenses that are not subject to amortization.




21


The gross carrying amounts of these other intangible assets are as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

March 31, 2016

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finite-lived Intangible Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Agent and broker relationships

$

18,201

$

12,805

$

18,201

$

12,497

   Trademarks

 

1,000

 

115

 

1,000

 

83

      Total finite-lived

 

19,201

$

12,920

$

19,201

$

12,580

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Insurance licenses

 

 

 

 

$

7,977

$

7,977

      Total indefinite-lived

 

 

 

 

$

7,977

$

7,977



Amortization expense was $340,000 and $404,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.





Note 9.

 

Income Taxes


The provisions for income taxes shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income were computed based on the Company's actual results, which approximate the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the balance of the current fiscal year in accordance with consolidated life/non-life group income tax regulations. Such regulations adopt a subgroup method in determining consolidated taxable income, whereby taxable income is determined separately for the life insurance company group and the non-life insurance company group.


As a result of the Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction (see Note 3), AMIC utilized approximately $110,185,000 of its operating loss carryforwards and made a corresponding adjustment to its valuation allowance. At March 31, 2016, AMIC had remaining net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $148,294,000 for federal income tax purposes, which expire in varying amounts through the year 2028, with a significant portion expiring in 2020.




Note 10.

Reinsurance


Effective January 1, 2016, all of the in-force stop-loss business of Standard Security Life and Independence American produced by Risk Solutions was co-insured in connection with the Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction (see Note 3). As a result of this transaction, the Company recorded $56,055,000 of estimated amounts due from reinsurers.


The Company is contingently liable with respect to reinsurance in the unlikely event that the assuming reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations. The ceding of reinsurance does not discharge the primary liability of the original insurer to the insured.




Note 11.

Stockholders’ Equity


Treasury Stock


In 2016, IHC repurchased 50,000 shares of its common stock in a private transaction for $821,000.




22


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)


Other comprehensive income (loss) includes the after-tax net unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available-for-sale, including the subsequent increases and decreases in fair value of available-for-sale securities previously impaired and the non-credit related component of other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturities.


Changes in the balances of accumulated other comprehensive income, shown net of taxes, for the periods indicated were as follows (in thousands):



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

$

(3,440)

 

$

22 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

3,424 

 

 

2,694 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI

 

(406)

 

 

(1,777)

   Net other comprehensive income

 

3,018 

 

 

917 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Other comprehensive income attributable

 

 

 

 

 

    to noncontrolling interests

 

(57) 

 

 

(43)

Acquired from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending balance

$

(479)

 

$

901 



Presented below are the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in earnings for each of the periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

   reclassified during the period to the following income

 

 

 

 

 

   statement line items:

 

 

 

 

 

      Net realized investment gains

$

628

 

$

2,765

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Income before income tax

 

628

 

 

2,765

      Tax effect

 

222

 

 

988

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Net income

$

406

 

$

1,777





Note 12.

Share-Based Compensation


IHC and AMIC each have share-based compensation plans. The following is a summary of the activity pertaining to each of these plans.


A)  IHC Share-Based Compensation Plans



Under the terms of IHC’s stock-based compensation plan, option exercise prices are more than or equal to the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant; option terms are generally five years; and vesting periods are generally three years. The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. In addition to stock options, the Company has also granted restricted stock units and share appreciation rights (“SARs”) under the plan. Restricted share units are valued



23


at the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant and have a three year vesting period. Compensation costs for options and restricted share units are recognized over the stated vesting periods on a straight-line basis. Exercise prices of SARs are more than or equal to the quoted market price of IHC shares at the date of the grant and have three year vesting periods. The fair value of SARs is calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model at the grant date and each subsequent reporting period until settlement. Compensation cost is based on the proportionate amount of the requisite service that has been rendered to date. Once fully vested, changes in fair value of the SARs continue to be recognized as compensation expense in the period of the change until settlement.



At March 31, 2016, there were no shares available for future stock-based compensation grants under IHC’s stock incentive plans. The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, applicable to the IHC plans, by award type for each of the periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2016

 

2015

IHC’s Share-based Compensation Plan:

 

 

 

 

Stock options

$

170 

$

55 

Restricted stock units

 

23 

 

21 

SARs

 

258 

 

(29)

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation expense, pre-tax

 

451 

 

47 

Tax benefits

 

180 

 

19 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation expense, net

$

271 

$

28 



Stock Options


The IHC’s stock option activity during 2016 was as follows:



 

 

Shares

 

Weighted- Average

 

 

Under Option

 

Exercise Price

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

584,080 

 

$

9.35

Exercised

 

-

 

 

-

March 31, 2016

 

584,080 

 

$

9.35



In the first quarter of 2016, option agreements affecting 13 employees were modified to extend the expirations of their terms from 2017 to 2019 and as a result, the Company recorded incremental compensation costs of $170,000.


The following table summarizes information regarding IHC’s outstanding and exercisable options:



 

 

March 31, 2016

 

 

Outstanding

 

Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

Number of options

 

584,080

 

584,080

Weighted average exercise price per share

$

9.35

$

9.35

Aggregate intrinsic value for all options (in thousands)

$

3,840

$

3,840

Weighted average contractual term remaining

 

2.5 years

 

2.5 years



As of March 31, 2016, all of IHC’s outstanding stock options are fully vested and all of the related compensation costs have been recognized.




24


Restricted Stock


At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were 14,850 unvested restricted stock units outstanding with a weighted average grant-date fair value of $12.26 per share.


As of March 31, 2016, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock unit awards was $106,000 which is expected to be recognized over the remaining requisite weighted-average service period of 1.5 years.


SARs


IHC had 123,000 and 125,850 of SAR awards outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. In the first quarter of 2016, 2,850 SARs were exercised with an aggregate intrinsic value of $16,000.  Included in Other Liabilities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are liabilities of $985,000 and $743,000, respectively, pertaining to SARs.


B)

AMIC Share-Based Compensation Plans



Under the terms of the AMIC’s stock-based compensation plan, option exercise prices are equal to the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant; option terms are ten years; and have various vesting criteria depending on the grant with most grants vesting ratably over four years.  The Company may also grant shares of restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and share-based performance awards.  



The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, applicable to the AMIC share-based compensation plans, by award type for each of the periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

AMIC’s Share-based Compensation Plans:

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

$

11

$

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation expense, pre-tax

 

 

11

 

11

Tax benefits

 

 

4

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation expense, net

 

$

7

$

7



Stock Options


AMIC’s stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2016 is as follows:



 

 

Shares

 

Weighted- Average

 

 

Under Option

 

Exercise Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

71,558 

 

$

8.88

Exercised

 

(13,778)

 

 

10.52

March 31, 2016

 

57,780 

 

$

8.49





25


The following table summarizes information regarding AMIC’s outstanding and exercisable options as of March 31, 2016:



 

 

March 31, 2016

 

 

Outstanding

 

Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

Number of options

 

57,780

 

58,224

Weighted average exercise price per share

$

8.49

$

8.24

Aggregate intrinsic value for all options (in thousands)

$

490

$

403

Weighted average contractual term remaining

 

4.50 years

 

3.88 years



During the first quarter of 2016, AMIC received $145,000 in cash from the exercise of stock options with aggregate intrinsic values of $(2,000).


As of March 31, 2016, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to AMIC’s non-vested options was $29,000 which will be recognized over the remaining requisite service periods.




Note 13.

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information


Net cash payments (receipts) for income taxes were $5,591,000 and $(132,000) during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.


Cash payments for interest were $505,000 and $438,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.




Note 14.

 Segment Reporting


The Insurance Group principally engages in the life and health insurance business. Information by business segment is presented below for the periods indicated (in thousands):



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2016

 

2015

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

7,850 

$

54,851 

Fully Insured Health

 

40,087 

 

46,532 

Group disability, life and DBL

 

25,536 

 

20,748 

Individual life, annuities and other

 

751 

 

8,925 

Corporate

 

1,111 

 

49 

 

 

75,335 

 

131,105 

Net realized investment gains

 

560 

 

2,000 

    Total revenues

$

75,895 

$

133,105 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

   before income taxes:

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

7,802 

$

4,321 

Fully Insured Health(A)

 

395 

 

1,277 

Group disability, life and DBL

 

6,701 

 

3,215 

Individual life, annuities and other (B)

 

(1,793)

 

(1,052)

Corporate

 

(3,740)

 

(1,760)

 

 

9,365 

 

6,001 

Net realized investment gains

 

560 

 

2,000 

Interest expense

 

(453)

 

(432)

 

 

 

 

 

    Income from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

       before income taxes

$

9,472 

$

7,569 




26



(A)

The Fully Insured Health segment includes amortization of intangible assets. Total amortization expense was $340,000 and $263,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. Amortization expense for the other segments is not material to their operating results.


(B)

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Individual life, annuities and other segment includes $1,370,000 and $354,000 of amortization of deferred charges in connection with the assumptions of certain ceded life and annuity policies.




27


ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of Independence Holding Company ("IHC") and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the related Notes thereto appearing in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this quarterly report.


Overview


Independence Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (“IHC”), is a holding company principally engaged in the life and health insurance business through: (i) its insurance companies, Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York ("Standard Security Life"),  Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. ("Madison National Life"), Independence American Insurance Company (“Independence American”); and (ii) its marketing and administrative companies, including IHC Specialty Benefits Inc. and IHC Carrier Solutions, Inc.  IHC also owns a significant equity interest in: (i) Ebix Health Exchange Holdings, LLC (“Ebix Health Exchange”), an administration exchange for health insurance; and (ii) a managing general underwriter (“MGU”) that writes medical stop-loss. On March 31, 2016, the Company sold IHC Risk Solutions, LLC (“Risk Solutions”), its managing general underwriter of excess or stop-loss insurance. In addition, under the purchase and sale agreement, all of the in-force stop-loss business of Standard Security Life and Independence American produced by Risk Solutions is 100% co-insured as of January 1, 2016. IHC’s block of Medical Stop-Loss business is in run-off. Standard Security Life, Madison National Life and Independence American are sometimes collectively referred to as the “Insurance Group”. IHC and its subsidiaries (including the Insurance Group) are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Company", or “IHC”, or are implicit in the terms “we”, “us” and “our”.   At March 31, 2016, the Company also owned approximately a 92% interest in American Independence Corp. ("AMIC"). In June 2016, IHC started the necessary proceedings to take AMIC private.


While management considers a wide range of factors in its strategic planning and decision-making, underwriting profit is consistently emphasized as the primary goal in all decisions as to whether or not to increase our retention in a core line, expand into new products, acquire an entity or a block of business, or otherwise change our business model.  Management's assessment of trends in healthcare and morbidity, with respect to specialty health, disability and DBL; mortality rates with respect to life insurance; and changes in market conditions in general play a significant role in determining the rates charged, deductibles and attachment points quoted, and the percentage of business retained. IHC also seeks transactions that permit it to leverage its vertically integrated organizational structure by generating fee income from production and administrative operating companies as well as risk income for its carriers and profit commissions.  Management has always focused on managing the costs of its operations and providing its insureds with the best cost-containment tools available.




28


The following is a summary of key performance information and events:


The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$

75,895 

$

133,105 

Expenses

 

66,423 

 

125,536 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

9,472 

 

7,569 

Income taxes

 

3,576 

 

2,868 

 

 

 

 

 

   Income from continuing operations

 

5,896 

 

4,701 

 

 

 

 

 

   Income from discontinued operations

 

109,770 

 

630 

 

 

 

 

 

   Net income

 

115,666 

 

5,331 

 

 

 

 

 

   Less: Income from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries

 

(9,656)

 

(112)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to IHC

$

106,010 

$

5,219 

 

 

 

 

 


o

Income from continuing operations of $.33 per share, diluted, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $.27 per share, diluted, for the same period in 2015.


o

Consolidated investment yields (on an annualized basis) of 2.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to 3.2% for the comparable period in 2015;


o

Book value of $25.08 per common share at March 31, 2016 compared to $18.73 at December 31, 2015.


The following is a summary of key performance information by segment:


o

The Medical Stop-Loss segment reported income before taxes of $7.8 million for the first quarter of 2016 compared to $4.3 million in the same quarter in 2015. The increase is principally due to $2.9 million in ceding commission on coinsurance in the first quarter of 2016 due to the sale of Risk Solutions and exit from the medical stop-loss business, as well as lower loss ratios and a negative expense ratio due to lower than anticipated premium tax expense and other reductions in expenses as a function of the medical stop-loss line being in run-off.


o

Premiums earned decreased $50.0 million for the three months March 31, 2016 when compared to the same periods in 2015. The decrease in premiums earned is primarily due to the sale of Risk Solutions and the 100% coinsurance of the block produced by it as a result of IHC exiting the medical stop-loss business.


o

Underwriting experience for the Medical Stop-Loss segment, as indicated by its U.S. GAAP Combined Ratios, is as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):



29



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums Earned

$

3,753 

$

53,758

Insurance Benefits, Claims & Reserves

 

1,833 

 

39,421

Expenses

 

(1,790)

 

11,104

 

 

 

 

 

Loss Ratio(A)

 

48.8 %

 

73.3%

Expense Ratio (B)

 

(47.7)%

 

20.7%

Combined Ratio (C)

 

1.1 %

 

94.0%


(A)

Loss ratio represents insurance benefits, claims and reserves divided by premiums earned.

(B)

Expense ratio represents commissions, administrative fees, premium taxes and other underwriting expenses divided by premiums earned.

(C)

The combined ratio is equal to the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio.


o

The lower loss ratio and negative expense ratio in 2016 is primarily attributable to the effects of exiting the medical stop-loss business in connection with the sale of Risk Solutions.



·

The Fully Insured Health segment reported $.4 million of income before taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to $1.3 million for the comparable period in 2015;


o

Premiums earned decreased $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 over the comparable period in 2015. A decrease in major medical premiums of $10.0 million as a result of the strategic decision to focus on ancillary products was partially offset by increases from broader marketing of our short-term medical scheduled benefit and gap plans and growth in the pet insurance line of business.


o

Underwriting experience, as indicated by its U.S. GAAP Combined Ratios, for the Fully Insured segment are as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums Earned

$

35,167

$

43,292

Insurance Benefits, Claims & Reserves

 

18,169

 

24,157

Expenses

 

16,578

 

16,730

 

 

 

 

 

Loss Ratio

 

51.7%

 

55.8%

Expense Ratio

 

47.1%

 

38.6%

Combined Ratio

 

98.8%

 

94.4%


o

Although the loss ratio in 2016 was lower than 2015, the loss ratio would have been 36.7% excluding the occupational accident line of business.   We are strategically evaluating this line of business and taking steps to improve the underwriting results.  Expense ratios are higher in 2016 because of a change in the mix of business from major medical to specialty



30


health products and as a result of the reallocation of certain fixed costs from the medical stop loss line to the specialty health line.


·

Income before taxes from the Group disability, life, annuities and DBL segment increased $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. The increase in the first-quarter results primarily reflects increases in LTD and group term life lines due to increased volume and retentions combined with lower loss ratios;


·

The Individual life, annuities and other segment reported losses before income taxes of $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  The increased losses were related to the accelerated amortization of deferred costs in connection with the assumption of certain ceded life and annuity policies.


·

Losses before tax from the Corporate segment increased $2.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016 over the same period of 2015 primarily due to increased legal and accounting expenses; and


·

Premiums by principal product for the periods indicated are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

Gross Direct and Assumed

 

 

 

 

 

Earned Premiums:

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

83,344

$

74,480

Fully Insured Health

 

37,866

 

47,993

Group disability, life and DBL

 

30,276

 

28,696

Individual, life, annuities and other

 

4,753

 

6,358

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

156,239

$

157,527



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

Net Direct and Assumed

 

 

 

 

 

Earned Premiums:

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

3,753

$

53,758

Fully Insured Health

 

35,167

 

43,292

Group disability, life and DBL

 

23,627

 

19,936

Individual, life, annuities and other

 

15

 

5,128

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

62,562

$

122,114



CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES


The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company's management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. A summary of the Company's significant accounting policies and practices is provided in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. Management has identified the accounting policies



31


related to Insurance Premium Revenue Recognition and Policy Charges, Insurance Liabilities, Deferred Acquisition Costs, Investments, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and Deferred Income Taxes as those that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in those policies, are critical to an understanding of the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and this Management's Discussion and Analysis. A full discussion of these policies is included under the heading, “Critical Accounting Policies” in Item 7 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.  During the three months ended March 31, 2016, there were no additions to or changes in the critical accounting policies disclosed in the 2015 Form 10-K except for the recently adopted accounting standards discussed in Note 1(E) of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015


Information by business segment for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:


 

 

 

 

Benefits,

Selling,

 

 

 

Net

Fee and

Claims

General

 

March 31, 2016

Premiums

Investment

Other

and

and

 

(In thousands)

Earned

Income

Income

Reserves

Administrative

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

3,753

1,036

3,061

1,833

(1,785)

$

7,802 

Fully Insured Health

35,167

356

4,564

18,169

21,523 

 

395 

Group disability,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

life and DBL

23,627

1,595

314

10,487

8,348 

 

6,701 

Individual life,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

annuities and other

15

388

348

254

2,290 

 

(1,793)

Corporate

-

1,061

50

-

4,851 

 

(3,740)

Sub total

$

62,562

$

4,436

$

8,337

$

30,743

$

35,227 

 

9,365 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

560 

Interest expense on debt

 

(453)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

9,472 

Income taxes

 

3,576 

Income from continuing operations

$

5,896 


 

 

 

 

Benefits,

Selling,

 

 

 

Net

Fee and

Claims

General

 

March 31, 2015

Premiums

Investment

Other

and

and

 

(In thousands)

Earned

Income

Income

Reserves

Administrative

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

53,758

1,093

-

39,421

11,109

$

4,321 

Fully Insured Health

43,292

605

2,635

24,157

21,098

 

1,277 

Group disability,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

life and DBL

19,936

771

41

11,345

6,188

 

3,215 

Individual life,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

annuities and other

5,128

2,904

893

4,697

5,280

 

(1,052)

Corporate

-

49

-

-

1,809

 

(1,760)

Sub total

$

122,114

$

5,422

$

3,569

$

79,620

$

45,484

 

6,001 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

2,000 

Interest expense on debt

 

(432)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

7,569 

Income taxes

 

2,868 

Income from continuing operations

$

4,701 


Premiums Earned


In the first quarter of 2016, premiums earned decreased $59.5 million over the comparable period of 2015. The decrease is primarily due to: (i) a decrease of $50.0 million in the Stop Loss segment as a result of the sale of Risk Solutions and exit from the medical stop-loss business, further described in Note 3 and (ii) a decrease of $8.1 million in the Fully Insured Health segment principally as a result of a $10.0.million decrease in premiums from exiting the Major Medical line, a $1.8 million decrease in the fixed indemnity limited benefit line and a $.6 million decrease in international medical business premiums, partially offset by premium increases in the short-term medical and pet lines of business of $3.1 million and $1.0 million,



32


respectively, as a result of higher volume; and (iii) a decrease of $5.1 million in the Individual life, annuities and other segment as a result of business in run-off; partially offset by (iv) a $3.7 million increase in earned premiums from the Group disability, life, annuities and DBL segment primarily due to increased volume and retention in the LTD and group term life lines.


Net Investment Income


Total net investment income decreased $1.0 million. The overall annualized investment yields were 2.8% and 3.2% in the first quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively. The overall decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in investment income on bonds, equities and short-term investments due to cash transferred out in the third quarter of 2015 in connection with a coinsurance and sale transaction, partially offset by cash received in connection with the sale of Risk Solutions in the first quarter of 2016. Additionally, income from partnerships was lower in 2016.


 The annualized investment yields on bonds, equities and short-term investments were 3.0% in both the first quarter of 2016 and 2015. IHC has approximately $224.6 million in highly rated shorter duration securities earning on average 1.2%. A portfolio that is shorter in duration enables us, if we deem prudent, the flexibility to reinvest in much higher yielding longer-term securities, which would significantly increase investment income.


Net Realized Investment Gains


The Company had net realized investment gains of $.6 million in 2016 compared to $2.0 million in 2015. These amounts include gains and losses from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities available-for-sale and other investments. Decisions to sell securities are based on management's ongoing evaluation of investment opportunities and economic and market conditions, thus creating fluctuations in gains and losses from period to period.


Fee Income and Other Income


Fee income increased $2.5 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 primarily due to increased fee income related to the increased ownership in an agency holding company partially offset by decreased fees due to the partial sale and deconsolidation of a previously wholly owned Third Party Administrator in the Fully Insured Health segment.


Other income in the first quarter of 2016 increased $2.3 million from the same period in 2015 primarily due to fees received in conjunction with the administration of the runoff of the Medical Stop Loss segment.


Insurance Benefits, Claims and Reserves


In the first quarter of 2016, insurance benefits, claims and reserves decreased $48.9 million over the comparable period in 2015. The decrease is primarily attributable to: (i) a decrease of $37.6 million in the Medical Stop Loss segment primarily as a result of the sale of Risk Solutions and exit from the medical stop-loss business, further described in Note 3; (ii) a decrease of $6.0 million in the Fully Insured Health segment, primarily due to a decrease of $10.3 million in benefits, claims and reserves related to the run-off of the Major Medical business and from $1.2 million in decreased reserves from decreased retention in the international line; partially offset by increases of $4.3 million in claims in the occupational accident lines due to higher claim activity and reserves and increases of $.7 million due to volume in the short term medical line; (iii) a decrease of $4.4 million in the Individual life, annuity and other segment, primarily as a result of business in run-off and (iv) a decrease of $.9 million in benefits, claims and reserves in the group disability, life, annuities and DBL segment, primarily due to decreased loss ratios on group term life and LTD lines and DBL business.



33



Selling, General and Administrative Expenses


Total selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $10.3 million over the comparable period in 2015. The decrease is primarily attributable to: (i) a decrease of $12.9 million in the Medical Stop Loss segment primarily as a result of the sale of Risk Solutions and exit from the medical stop-loss business, further described in Note 3, (ii) a decrease of $3.0 million in the Individual life, annuity and other segment largely due to lower amortization of deferred costs and general expenses from business in run-off; partially offset by (iii) an increase of $3.0 million in Corporate principally from increased audit, consulting and legal fees, and (iv) an increase of 2.2 million in the group disability, life, annuities and DBL segment primarily due to increased commission expense in the LTD line as a result of volume; and (iv) an increase of $0.4 million in the Fully Insured Health segment.  


Income Taxes


The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 of 37.8% was comparable to the rate for the three months ended 2015 of 37.9%.


LIQUIDITY


Insurance Group


The Insurance Group normally provides cash flow from: (i) operations; (ii) the receipt of scheduled principal payments on its portfolio of fixed maturities; and (iii) earnings on investments. Such cash flow is partially used to fund liabilities for insurance policy benefits. These liabilities represent long-term and short-term obligations.


Corporate


Corporate derives its funds principally from: (i) dividends from the Insurance Group; (ii) management fees from its subsidiaries; and (iii) investment income from Corporate liquidity. Regulatory constraints historically have not affected the Company's consolidated liquidity, although state insurance laws have provisions relating to the ability of the parent company to use cash generated by the Insurance Group. No dividends were declared or paid by the Insurance Group during the three months ended March 31, 2016 or 2015.  


Cash Flows


The Company had $145.6 million and $17.5 million of cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.


For the three months ended March 31, 2016, operating activities of the Company utilized $21.6 million of cash, $152.7 million was provided for the settlement of investment activities and $2.9 million of cash was utilized for financing activities. The increase in cash from investing is primarily related to the net proceeds of $134.5 from the sale of Risk Solutions. Financing activities include $0.9 million utilized for the repayment of debt, $0.8 million for the payment of dividends and $0.8 million for treasury share purchases.


The Company has $483.2 million of liabilities for future policy benefits and policy benefits and claims that it expects to ultimately pay out of current assets and cash flows from future business. If necessary, the Company could utilize the cash received from maturities and repayments of its fixed maturity investments if the timing of claim payments associated with the Company's insurance resources does not coincide with future cash flows. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, cash received from the maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities was $10.3 million.




34


The Company believes it has sufficient cash to meet its currently anticipated business requirements over the next twelve months including working capital requirements and capital investments.  



BALANCE SHEET


The Company had receivables due from reinsurers of $462.1 million at March 31, 2016 compared to $483.1 million at December 31, 2015. The $21.0 million decrease is primarily due to the novation of assumed policies related to the 2015 coinsurance transaction on individual life and annuity business, partially offset by increased amounts from the 2016 coinsurance transaction on the medical stop-loss business. All of such reinsurance receivables are from highly rated companies or are adequately secured. No allowance for doubtful accounts was necessary at March 31, 2016.


In connection with the sale of IHC Risk Solutions, the Company purchased securities with the proceeds from the sale which had not yet settled, producing an increase in amounts due to securities brokers of $98.8 million in the first quarter of 2016.


The Company's liability for policy benefits and claims by segment are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

Policy Benefits and Claims

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Stop-Loss

$

103,410

$

100,088

Fully Insured Health

 

42,859

 

41,477

Group Disability

 

95,130

 

97,986

Individual A&H and Other

 

6,501

 

5,892

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

247,900

$

245,443


Major factors that affect the Projected Net Loss Ratio assumption in reserving for medical stop-loss relate to: (i) frequency and severity of claims; (ii) changes in medical trend resulting from the influences of underlying cost inflation, changes in utilization and demand for medical services, the impact of new medical technology and changes in medical treatment protocols; and (ii) the adherence to the Company's underwriting guidelines. Changes in these underlying factors are what determine the reasonably likely changes in the Projected Net Loss Ratio.


The primary assumption in the determination of fully insured reserves is that historical claim development patterns tend to be representative of future claim development patterns. Factors which may affect this assumption include changes in claim payment processing times and procedures, changes in product design, changes in time delay in submission of claims, and the incidence of unusually large claims. The reserving analysis includes a review of claim processing statistical measures and large claim early notifications; the potential impacts of any changes in these factors are minimal. The time delay in submission of claims tends to be stable over time and not subject to significant volatility. Since our analysis considered a variety of outcomes related to these factors, the Company does not believe that any reasonably likely change in these factors will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.


The $108.4 million increase in IHC’s stockholders' equity in the first three months of 2016 is primarily due to the $106.0 million of net income attributable to IHC and $3.0 million of other comprehensive income attributable to IHC, partially offset by $0.8 million of treasury stock purchases.





35



Asset Quality and Investment Impairments


The nature and quality of insurance company investments must comply with all applicable statutes and regulations, which have been promulgated primarily for the protection of policyholders. Although the Company's gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities totaled $6.4 million at March 31, 2016, 100% of the Company’s fixed maturities were investment grade and continue to be rated on average AA. The Company marks all of its available-for-sale securities to fair value through accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. These investments tend to carry less default risk and, therefore, lower interest rates than other types of fixed maturity investments. At March 31, 2016, no fixed maturities were invested in non-investment grade fixed maturities. The Company does not have any non-performing fixed maturities at March 31, 2016.


The Company reviews its investments regularly and monitors its investments continually for impairments. There were no securities with fair values less than 80% of their amortized cost at March 31, 2016 and the Company did not record any other-than-temporary impairment losses in the three months ended March 31, 2016 or 2015.

 

The unrealized losses on all available-for-sale securities have been evaluated in accordance with the Company's impairment policy and were determined to be temporary in nature at March 31, 2016. In 2016, the Company recorded $5.3 million of net unrealized gains on available-for sale securities, pre-tax, in other comprehensive income (loss) prior to reclassification adjustments. From time to time, as warranted, the Company may employ investment strategies to mitigate interest rate and other market exposures. Further deterioration in credit quality of the companies backing the securities, further deterioration in the condition of the financial services industry, a continuation of the current imbalances in liquidity that exist in the marketplace, a continuation or worsening of the current economic recession, or additional declines in real estate values may further affect the fair value of these securities and increase the potential that certain unrealized losses be designated as other-than-temporary in future periods and the Company may incur additional write-downs.


CAPITAL RESOURCES


Due to its strong capital ratios, broad licensing and excellent asset quality and credit-worthiness, the Insurance Group remains well positioned to increase or diversify its current activities. It is anticipated that future acquisitions or other expansion of operations will be funded internally from existing capital and surplus and parent company liquidity. In the event additional funds are required, it is expected that they would be borrowed or raised in the public or private capital markets to the extent determined to be necessary or desirable.


IHC enters into a variety of contractual obligations with third parties in the ordinary course of its operations, including liabilities for insurance reserves, funds on deposit, debt and operating lease obligations.  However, IHC does not believe that its cash flow requirements can be fully assessed based solely upon an analysis of these obligations.  Future cash outflows, whether they are contractual obligations or not, also will vary based upon IHC’s future needs.  Although some outflows are fixed, others depend on future events. The maturity distribution of the Company’s obligations, as of March 31, 2016, is not materially different from that reported in the schedule of such obligations at December 31, 2015 which was included in Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.  



36



OUTLOOK


For 2016, we anticipate:


·

A decrease in premiums and earnings due to exiting the medical stop-loss business as a result of the closing of the Risk Solutions Sale and Coinsurance Transaction.

·

Continued significant increase in specialty health premiums (including short-term and supplemental health products, such as dental, accidental medical, gap and critical illness products), and continued decrease in major medical premiums, which is in run-off. Increasing emphasis on direct-to-consumer and career advisor distribution initiatives as we believe this will be a growing means for selling health insurance in the coming years, and accompanying start-up costs of expanding our sales through our call center, career model (including our newly launched Aspira A Mas outreach to the Hispanic community) and transactional websites.

·

Increasing retention in our group life and disability lines of business. In 2016, we expect a continuation of the increase in premiums from group long-term and short-term disability driven by higher retention amounts and a full year of premiums generated by a relatively new distribution partnership.

·

Continued evaluation of strategic transactions.  As a result of the sale of Risk Solutions, we have significant cash.  We plan to redeploy some of this cash in making investments and acquisitions to bolster existing or new lines of business.  Subsequent to March 31, 2016, Specialty Benefits made a $0.6 million investment in a call center that will begin writing substantially all of its specialty health business with carriers affiliated with IHC.  We are currently negotiating several similar transactions.

·

Continued focus on administrative efficiencies, including a reduced operating loss at EHAE.

·

Concluding the process to take AMIC private.

On March 31, 2016, IHC and its subsidiary Independence American Holdings Corp. sold the stock of Risk Solutions.  In addition, under the purchase and sale agreement, all of the in-force stop-loss business of Standard Security Life and Independence American produced by Risk Solutions is co-insured by Westport as of January 1, 2016.  The aggregate purchase price was $152.5 million in cash, subject to adjustments and settlements.  This transaction resulted in a gain of $99.8 million, net of taxes and amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests.  As a result, IHC is highly liquid and has excess capital; however its Medical Stop-Loss line of business will be in run-off, which will have a negative impact on future earnings.


The Company will remain highly liquid in 2016 as a result of the continuing shorter duration of the portfolio. As a result, the yields on our investment portfolio were, and continue to remain, lower than in prior years and investment income may continue to be depressed for 2016. IHC has approximately $224.6 million in highly rated shorter maturity securities earning on average 1.2%; our portfolio as a whole is rated, on average, AA. The low duration of our portfolio enables us, if we deem prudent, the flexibility to reinvest in much higher yielding longer-term securities, which would significantly increase investment income in the future.  A low duration portfolio such as ours also mitigates the adverse impact of potential inflation.  IHC will continue to monitor the financial markets and invest accordingly.


Our results depend on the adequacy of our product pricing, our underwriting, the accuracy of our reserving methodology, returns on our invested assets, and our ability to manage expenses.  We will also need to be diligent with the increased rate review scrutiny to effect timely rate changes and will need to stay focused on the management of medical cost drivers as medical trend levels cause margin pressures.  Therefore, factors affecting these items, as well as unemployment and global financial markets, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.



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ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


The Company manages interest rate risk by seeking to maintain an investment portfolio with a duration and average life that falls within the band of the duration and average life of the applicable liabilities. Options and other derivatives may be utilized to modify the duration and average life of such assets.


The Company monitors its investment portfolio on a continuous basis and believes that the liquidity of the Insurance Group will not be adversely affected by its current investments. This monitoring includes the maintenance of an asset-liability model that matches current insurance liability cash flows with current investment cash flows. This is accomplished by first creating an insurance model of the Company's in-force policies using current assumptions on mortality, lapses and expenses. Then, current investments are assigned to specific insurance blocks in the model using appropriate prepayment schedules and future reinvestment patterns.


The results of the model specify whether the investments and their related cash flows can support the related current insurance cash flows. Additionally, various scenarios are developed changing interest rates and other related assumptions. These scenarios help evaluate the market risk due to changing interest rates in relation to the business of the Insurance Group.


The expected change in fair value as a percentage of the Company's fixed income portfolio at March 31, 2016 given a 100 to 200 basis point rise or decline in interest rates is not materially different than the expected change at December 31, 2015 included in Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.


 In the Company's analysis of the asset-liability model, a 100 to 200 basis point change in interest rates on the Insurance Group's liabilities would not be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company. With respect to its liabilities, if interest rates were to increase, the risk to the Company is that policies would be surrendered and assets would need to be sold. This is not a material exposure to the Company since a large portion of the Insurance Group's interest sensitive policies are burial policies that are not subject to the typical surrender patterns of other interest sensitive policies, and many of the Insurance Group's universal life and annuity policies were acquired from liquidated companies which tend to exhibit lower surrender rates than such policies of continuing companies. Additionally, there are charges to help offset the benefits being surrendered. If interest rates were to decrease substantially, the risk to the Company is that some of its investment assets would be subject to early redemption. This is not a material exposure because the Company would have additional unrealized gains in its investment portfolio to help offset the future reduction of investment income. With respect to its investments, the Company employs (from time to time as warranted) investment strategies to mitigate interest rate and other market exposures.


ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and procedures


IHC’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer supervised and participated in IHC’s evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in IHC’s periodic reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.  


As previously disclosed in Item 9A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, management concluded that there was a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting for income taxes. Management determined that we did not maintain effective controls over the accounting for



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and disclosures of technical accounting matters as they relate to income taxes. Specifically, we did not have (i) sufficient tax accounting resources with adequate knowledge of the Company’s process and controls over financial reporting related to income taxes to effectively design, operate, and document controls over accounting for income taxes, (ii) an adequate risk assessment process related to income tax accounting to identify and appropriately account for income taxes associated with significant, non-routine transactions and (iii) effective process level controls over completeness, existence, accuracy and disclosure of deferred tax balances.


Plan for Remediation of Material Weakness


The Company is actively engaged in evaluating and determining implementation steps to remediate the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting identified related to accounting for income taxes. The Company has begun and will continue to (i) augment existing tax staff with additional skilled tax accounting resources and providing additional training to existing staff on the design and operation of tax related financial reporting and corresponding internal controls, (ii) enhance risk assessment processes that operate over accounting for income taxes, with a particular focus on the tax accounting and disclosure for unusual and complex transactions, and (iii) review the processes and controls in place to measure and record transactions related to tax accounting to enhance the effectiveness of the design and operation of those controls. Though the Company has begun to address the remediation efforts described above, until the remediation actions are fully implemented and the operational effectiveness of related internal controls validated through testing, the material weaknesses described above will continue to exist.


Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

  

There has been no change in IHC’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, IHC's internal control over financial reporting.


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


We are involved in legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our businesses. We have established reserves that we believe are sufficient given information presently available related to our outstanding legal proceedings and claims. We do not anticipate that the result of any pending legal proceeding or claim will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or cash flows, although there could be such an effect on our results of operations for any particular period.


ITEM 1A.   

RISK FACTORS


There were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 in Item 1A to Part 1 of Form 10-K.


ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS


Share Repurchase Program


IHC has a program, initiated in 1991, under which it repurchases shares of its common stock. In August 2014, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of IHC’s common stock, in addition to prior authorizations, under the 1991 plan. As of March 31, 2016, 274,911 shares were still authorized to be repurchased under the plan.




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Share repurchases during the first quarter of 2016 are summarized as follows:


2016

 

 

 

 

Maximum Number

 

 

Average Price

Of Shares Which

 

 

Month of

Shares

of Repurchased

Can be

 

Repurchase

 

Repurchased

 

Shares

 

Repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

January

-

$

-

324,911

 

February

50,000

$

16.42

274,911

 

March

 

-

$

-

274,911


ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES


Not applicable.


ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES


Not applicable.


ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION


Not applicable.

 




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ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS


3.1

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Independence Holding Company (Filed as Exhibit 3(i) to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2

Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Independence Holding Company (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 29, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.3

By-Laws of Independence Holding Company (Filed as Exhibit 3.3 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference), as amended by Amendment to By-Laws of Independence Holding Company (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.1

Officer Employment Agreement, made as of April 18, 2011, by and among Independence Holding Company, Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York and Mr. David T. Kettig (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 22, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.2

Officer Employment Agreement, made as of April 18, 2011, by and among Independence Holding Company, Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. and Mr. Larry R. Graber (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 22, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.3

Officer Employment Agreement, made as of April 18, 2011, by and between Independence Holding Company and Ms. Teresa A. Herbert (Filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 22, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.4

Officer Employment Agreement, made as of May 11, 2011, by and between Independence Holding Company and Mr. Roy T.K. Thung (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011 that was filed with the SEC on May 12, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.5

Officer Employment Agreement, by and among Independence Holding Company, IHC Risk Solutions, LLC and Mr. Michael A. Kemp, dated as of May 22, 2012 (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 29, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.6

Retirement Benefit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1991, between Independence Holding Company and Mr. Roy T.K. Thung, as amended. (Filed as an Exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference; Amendment No. 1 filed as Exhibit 10(iii)(A)(4a) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference; Amendment No. 2 filed as Exhibit 10(iii)(4)(b) to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 22, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference; Amendment No. 3 filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 7, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.)

10.7

Purchase Agreement, made and entered into on June 15, 2015, by and among Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc., Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York and National Guardian Life Insurance Company (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 16, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference).




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31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and President Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *


31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *


32.1

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *


32.2

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *


101.INS

XBRL Instance Document. *


101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. *


101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. *


101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. *


101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. *


101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. *





* Filed herewith.





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SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

(REGISTRANT)




By:

/s/Roy T. K. Thung                                    

Date:

August 1, 2016     

Roy T.K. Thung

Chief Executive Officer, President

and Chairman





 By:

/s/Teresa A. Herbert                                    

Date:

August 1, 2016  

             Teresa A. Herbert

Senior Vice President and

   

Chief Financial Officer



 




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