-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, QBvviuZ6T9RvKXE3hVdMYYzFqVPADYIoXMrqT70yhgK2GL86V14FX02eO9lJBvm3 JWsrLWrIKnWtWdtxDJwGkw== 0000950131-99-001859.txt : 19990330 0000950131-99-001859.hdr.sgml : 19990330 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950131-99-001859 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19981231 FILED AS OF DATE: 19990329 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LTD CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001043309 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-23427 FILM NUMBER: 99576572 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: VICTORIA HALL 3RD FL STREET 2: 11 VICTORIA ST HM 11 BERMUDA CITY: HAMILTON BUSINESS PHONE: 4412957556 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: VICTORIA HALL 3RD FL STREET 2: 11 VICTORIA ST HM 11 BERMUDA CITY: HAMILTON 10-K 1 FORM 10-K ================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to ------------ ----------- COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-23427 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) BERMUDA NOT APPLICABLE (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (IRS EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER) VICTORIA HALL, 3RD FLOOR, 11 VICTORIA STREET, HAMILTON HM 11, BERMUDA (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) TELEPHONE NUMBER: (441) 295-7556 (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE) SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: NONE SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: TITLE OF EACH CLASS ------------------- Ordinary Shares, Par Value $0.25 per share Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No --- --- Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. NOT APPLICABLE. The aggregate market value of the shares of all classes of voting stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant on March 15, 1999 was approximately $59.8 million computed upon the basis of the closing sales price of the Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq National Market on that date. For purposes of this computation, shares held by directors and officers of the registrant have been excluded. Such exclusion is not intended, nor shall it be deemed to be an admission that such persons are affiliates of the registrant. As of March 15, 1999 there were 9,776,372 outstanding Ordinary Shares, the only class of the registrant's common stock outstanding, of $0.25 par value. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Certain portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement relating to its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on May 27, 1999 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K. Although Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited is a "foreign private issuer" within the meaning of Rule 3b-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, it is voluntarily electing to file its Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998 on a Form 10-K. ================================================================================ INDEX
PART I Page ---- Item 1 Business........................................................................................................ 1 Item 2 Properties...................................................................................................... 10 Item 3 Legal Proceedings............................................................................................... 10 Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders............................................................. 11 PART II Item 5 Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters........................................... 13 Item 6 Selected Financial Data......................................................................................... 14 Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations........................... 14 Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data..................................................................... 21 Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure............................ 47 PART III Item 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.............................................................. 47 Item 11 Executive Compensation.......................................................................................... 47 Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.................................................. 47 Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.................................................................. 47 PART IV Item 14 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K................................................. 48
Note: All dollar amounts are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise specifically noted. PART 1 ITEM 1--BUSINESS THE COMPANY Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited (the "Company") is a Bermuda holding company incorporated on December 12, 1995 which, through its subsidiaries, provides risk management services and products. The Company provides its range of services to independent insurance carriers and reinsurance companies as well as directly to the insureds. The Company arranges reinsurance for its products as well as for those offered by independent U.S.-based insurance carriers active in the workers compensation, occupational accident and health and casualty insurance markets. The Company, through its original operating subsidiary, Stirling Cooke Brown Insurance Brokers Limited, began operations in 1989 as an insurance broker in London specializing in the placement of alternatives to traditional workers' compensation insurance and the arrangement of associated reinsurance programs. The Company soon began to develop and market its own innovative services and products designed for employers seeking cost effective methods of alleviating onerous insurance costs. Beginning in 1992, the Company identified a number of opportunities and undertook certain strategic initiatives to enhance its growth prospects. To further these plans, the Company acquired Realm Investments Ltd. in January 1996. Realm Investments Ltd., a Bermuda company, acted as a holding company for a number of Bermuda and United States subsidiaries involved in the insurance industry. The Company has expanded to include a number of business segments including brokerage, program business, underwriting management, insurance and reinsurance located in Bermuda, the United Kingdom and the United States. Through these segments, the Company is able to diversify its revenues and increase its overall control of the risk transfer process. Refer to Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for further segmental and geographical information. Immediately after the acquisition of Realm Investments Ltd. in January 1996, certain investment funds affiliated with The Goldman Sachs Group, L.P. made an equity investment in the Company. The Company used the proceeds from this investment to acquire, and provide additional capital for, Realm National Insurance Company Limited ("Realm National") in September 1996. The Company is integrating Realm National's insurance underwriting capabilities with the Company's risk management services and will seek to earn additional income through a combination of policy issuance fees and net premiums earned associated with the underwriting function while retaining a minimum amount of risk. In December 1997, the Company and certain selling shareholders consummated an Initial Public Offering of 3,421,250 Ordinary Shares. Of these shares, 1,375,000 were sold by the Company and 2,046,250 were sold by the selling shareholders. Net proceeds of $26.8 million were received by the Company upon consummation of the Initial Public Offering. THE COMPANY'S OPERATIONS The Company's five main business segments are Brokerage, Program Business, Underwriting Management, Insurance and Reinsurance. As each segment comprises separate companies, the results of each segment reflect all fees and income for the companies in that segment. For example, revenues for the insurance segment which is comprised of Realm National include all of Realm National's income including premiums, policy issuance fees and interest income. 1 BROKERAGE The Company's brokerage segment comprises insurance and reinsurance brokering subsidiaries based in London, Bermuda and New York that for a fee or commission, place contracts which transfer risk and associated premium from one company to another. These subsidiaries specialize in placing insurance and reinsurance business in alternative and traditional workers' compensation, accident, health and specialty casualty lines. The Company generates fees and commission-based revenues from this business. The brokerage segment generated revenues of $27.1 million in 1998, $23.4 million in 1997 and $19.2 million in 1996. The Company, through its original operating subsidiary, Stirling Cooke Brown Insurance Brokers Limited, began operating in 1989 as an insurance broker in London specialising in the placement of alternatives to traditional workers' compensation insurance and the arrangement of assorted reinsurance programs. The Company now owns insurance and reinsurance brokering subsidiaries based in London, Bermuda and New York. PROGRAM BUSINESS The Company's program business segment comprises subsidiaries that market and manage insurance products and programs developed by the Company. Through these programs, the segment is able to transfer risk from an insured to insurers and ultimately to reinsurers in the workers' compensation market as well as for other specialty casualty lines. The segment's subsidiaries are integrated in such a manner so that the Company can offer complete business production and administration to reinsurers. The program business segment services are provided through various independent and group owned primary insurance carriers. This segment primarily includes managing general agents, program management, claims administration and loss control and premium audit companies. The program business segment generated revenues of $27.1 million in 1998, $19.8 million in 1997 and $11.9 million in 1996. The program managers are responsible for design, management and placement of a program. The program manager oversees the program and coordinates with reinsurers on all aspects of the program. The Company's Managing General Agency ("MGA") subsidiaries are responsible for marketing the program through their agency network. The MGA's are also responsible for underwriting the business, policy issuance, and administration of the business bound. The Company has in recent years expanded its MGA network to include offices in: Dallas, Texas; Sarasota, Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando in Florida; New York City, New York and Montgomery, Alabama. The programs also use the services of a claims administration, loss control and premium audit company to provide these services. UNDERWRITING MANAGEMENT The Company's underwriting management segment comprises two Managing General Underwriters ("MGUs") based in Bermuda who are authorized to underwrite and administer reinsurance business on behalf of various independent insurance and reinsurance companies. The MGUs earn fees for providing these underwriting and associated administration services relating to the business underwritten. The underwriting management segment generated revenues of $3.6 million in 1998, $4.2 million in 1997, and $4.3 million in 1996. INSURANCE The Company's insurance segment comprises Realm National. The Company currently uses independent primary insurance carriers, primarily Clarendon National Insurance Company ("Clarendon") and Legion Insurance Company ("Legion"), in connection with most of its existing workers' compensation business, and expects these arrangements to continue for much of this existing business. However, following the acquisition of Realm National in September 1996, the Company started to act as an issuing carrier for a portion of its new business opportunities and receives a combination of policy issuance fees and/or net premiums earned in respect of this business. Realm National provides the Company with the opportunity to generate business and receive premiums and fees from sources outside the Company's MGA network, as non-affiliated MGAs place business with Realm National. The Company expects that the revenues generated through the continuing integration of Realm National into the 2 Company's existing businesses will be an important component of future earnings growth. The insurance segment generated revenues of $11.1 million in 1998, $5.4 million in 1997 and $1.4 million in 1996. Realm National had shareholder's equity of approximately $22.5 million at December 31, 1998 (1997--$21.5 million), net premiums earned of approximately $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 (1997--$2.9 million) and a B+ (Very Good) rating from A.M. Best Company. Prior to its acquisition by the Company, Realm National primarily wrote property and casualty insurance in a limited number of states. For the year ended December 31, 1998, Realm National's gross premiums written were $48.6 million (1997--$21.7 million); net premiums written were $9.7 million (1997--$4.0 million), of which $8.2 million (1997-- $2.3 million) were related to workers' compensation insurance and $1.5 million (1997--$1.7 million) were related to property insurance. REINSURANCE The Company's reinsurance segment comprises Comp Indemnity Reinsurance Company Limited (CIRCL). CIRCL reinsures a portion of the underwriting risk on business provided to or by the Company and receives a reinsurance premium to cover that risk. CIRCL accepts a portion of the reinsurance risk from insurance carriers on programs managed by the Company, and then purchases reinsurance protection to reduce its risk. CIRCL primarily reinsures workers' compensation, and associated property and general liability risks. The reinsurance segment generated revenues of $10.9 million in 1998, $9.4 million in 1997 and $8.2 million in 1996. For the year ended December 31, 1998, CIRCL's gross premiums assumed were $11.8 million (1997--$14.1 million), of which $6.9 million (1997--$13.1 million) were related to workers' compensation insurance and $4.9 million (1997--$1.0 million) were related to property and general liability insurance. Net premiums assumed were $7.7 million (1997--$9.2 million). During the course of the year, the Company's management evaluated CIRCL's underwriting results, and as a result of unfavorable results, reduced CIRCL's underwriting. Management decided in early 1999 to cease underwriting any new programs in CIRCL and a number of existing contracts were not renewed for the 1999 year. Those renewed will be allowed to run until they expire at December 31, 1999. Because some contracts were not renewed by CIRCL during 1999, revenues should decrease accordingly. MARKETING The Company's marketing strategies vary by business segment. Marketing by the Brokering and Underwriting Management segments is focused on insurance and reinsurance companies while marketing by the Program Business and Insurance segments is focused on independent and wholesale insurance agents. The Company advertises in U.S. and international trade journals, and has also contributed articles to a quarterly trade magazine circulated to agents and policyholders. Additionally, the Company participates as an exhibitor in the annual Risk and Insurance Management Society conventions. The Insurance and Underwriting Management segments market to a number of specialty insurance markets and focus their marketing efforts on a number of insurance and reinsurance companies. The Company's Insurance segment which comprises Realm National markets its insurance products to independent agents and other procurers of insurance through unaffiliated networks and to a lesser extent through the Company's program business segment. The Company expects Realm National's marketing efforts to increase as it becomes licensed in additional states. The Company's Program Business segment markets its workers' compensation programs and other specialty lines to retail agents in the U.S. through its MGAs. Individual MGA offices market their services and products through sales representatives, targeted direct mail, local and regional advertising, seminars, and trade and industry conventions. Given its general reliance on retail agents as an important source of business production, special emphasis is placed on building and maintaining relationships with individual retail agents, and on expanding its network of retail producers. To encourage loyalty from the retail agents, the Company seeks to provide a high level of service, offer insurance products that satisfy the needs of clients and reward increased levels of production 3 through incentive compensation schedules. The Company believes that it has successfully developed a reputation for providing quality service, cost- effective products and strong marketing support which has enabled it to develop strong relationships with its retail agents, commercial customers, insurers and reinsurers. COMPETITION The business of providing risk management services and products to the workers' compensation and property and casualty insurance markets is highly competitive. The Company competes with providers of traditional insurance coverage and with other providers of alternative market services (including domestic and foreign insurance companies, reinsurers, insurance brokers, captive insurance companies, rent-a-captives, self-insurance plans, risk retention groups, state funds, assigned risk pools and other risk-financing mechanisms). The Company believes the key factors to effectively compete in the risk management market are price, the ability to tailor programs to the needs of the insured and the ability to rapidly develop new solutions to address changing market needs. The Company believes that its services and products are competitively priced, and that its combination of services and products enables it to rapidly develop tailored programs and act as a competitive single source provider of risk management services and products. Realm National is rated B+ (Very Good) by A.M. Best Company and in certain circumstances may be at a competitive disadvantage to insurance carriers with higher ratings. The Company's MGAs also represent carriers with higher ratings from A.M. Best Company, ensuring that the Company's MGAs are not negatively impacted in circumstances where Realm National is not selected as the insurance carrier due to its rating. EMPLOYEES As of December 31, 1998, the Company had 356 employees. The service nature of the Company's business makes its employees an important corporate asset. While the market for qualified personnel is extremely competitive, the Company believes that its relationship with its employees is good. None of the Company's employees is represented by a union. REGULATION The Company's subsidiaries that are engaged in the insurance and reinsurance segments (Realm National and CIRCL) are subject to regulation by government agencies in the states and foreign jurisdictions in which they do business. The nature and extent of such regulation vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but typically involve prior approval of the acquisition of control of an insurance company or of any company controlling an insurance company; regulation of certain transactions entered into by an insurance company with any of its affiliates; approval of premium rates, forms and policies used for many lines of insurance; standards of solvency and minimum amounts of capital and surplus which must be maintained; establishment of reserves required to be maintained for unearned premium, losses and loss expense or for other purposes; limitations on types and amounts of investments; restrictions on the size of risks which may be insured by a single company; licensing of insurers and agents; deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders; and the filing of periodic reports with respect to financial condition and other matters. Most states require property and casualty insurers licensed to transact insurance in the state to become members of insolvency funds or associations which generally protect policyholders against the insolvency of such insurers. Members of the fund or association must contribute to the payment of certain claims made against insolvent insurers. Maximum contributions required by law in any one year vary between 1% and 2% of annual premiums written by a member in that state. Assessments from insolvency funds paid by Realm National were immaterial in 1996, 1997 and 1998. The cost of most of these assessments is recoverable through future policy surcharges and premium tax deductions. 4 Realm National is also required to participate in various mandatory insurance facilities or in funding mandatory pools, which are generally designed to provide insurance coverage for consumers who are unable to obtain insurance in the voluntary insurance market. One such pool is the multi-state workers' compensation pool operated by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. These pools typically require all companies writing applicable lines of insurance in the state for which the pool has been established to fund deficiencies experienced by the pool based upon each company's relative premium writings in that state, with any excess funding typically distributed to the participating companies on the same basis. Total assessments incurred by Realm National from all such facilities for 1996, 1997, and 1998 were immaterial. Realm National is subject to various state statutory and regulatory restrictions, generally applicable to each insurance company in its state of incorporation, which limit the amount of dividends or distributions payable by an insurance company to its shareholders. The restrictions are generally based on certain levels of surplus, investment income, and operating income, as determined under statutory accounting practices. The insurance code of New York regulates the distribution of dividends and other payments to the Company by Realm National. Under the applicable New York statute, unless prior regulatory approval is obtained, an insurer may not declare or distribute any dividend to shareholders which, together with all dividends declared or distributed by it during the preceding twelve months, exceeds the lesser of (i) 10% of its surplus to policyholders as shown by its last statement on file with the New York Department of Insurance, or (ii) 100% of adjusted net investment income during such period. Such restrictions or any additional subsequently imposed restrictions may in the future affect the Company's ability to pay principal and interest on its debt, expenses, and any cash dividends to its shareholders. Future dividends from the Company's subsidiaries may also be limited by business considerations. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has adopted a methodology for assessing the adequacy of statutory surplus of property and casualty insurers which includes a risk-based capital requirement. Insurance companies are required to calculate and report information under a risk-based formula which attempts to measure statutory capital and surplus needs based on the risks in a company's mix of products and investment portfolio. The formula is designed to allow state insurance regulators to identify potential weakly capitalized companies. Under the formula, a company determines its "risk-based capital" ("RBC") by taking into account certain risks related to the insurer's assets (including risks related to its investment portfolio and ceded reinsurance) and the insurer's liabilities (including underwriting risks related to the nature and experience of its insurance business). The RBC rules provide for different levels of regulatory attention depending on the ratio of a company's total adjusted capital to its "authorized control level" of RBC. Under the formula, a higher ratio reflects a greater adequacy of capital. Based on calculations made by the Company, the RBC level for the Company's insurance subsidiaries exceeds levels that would trigger regulatory attention. At December 31, 1998, Realm National's RBC ratio was approximately 703% (1997--1,624%), and the threshold requiring minimum regulatory involvement was 200%. Therefore, the Company's capital exceeds all requirements of the Risk-Based Capital Model Act. The NAIC has also developed an Insurance Regulatory Information System ("IRIS") to assist state insurance departments in their oversight of the financial condition of insurance companies operating in their respective states. IRIS identifies 11 industry ratios and specifies "usual values" for each ratio. Departure from the usual values in four or more ratios generally leads to inquiries from individual state insurance commissioners. Management believes Realm National's IRIS ratios are such as to not attract such regulatory attention. In addition to the oversight of the Company's insurance subsidiaries, the Company, as the ultimate parent of a New York domiciled insurer (Realm National), is also subject to regulation under the New York Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act (the "Holding Company Act"). The Holding Company Act contains certain reporting requirements including those requiring the Company, as the ultimate parent company, to file information relating to its capital structure, ownership, and financial condition and general business operations of its insurance subsidiaries. The Holding Company Act contains special reporting and prior approval requirements with respect to transactions among affiliates. Realm National is organized under the insurance laws of the State of New York (the "Insurance Code of New York"). The Insurance Code of New York provides that the acquisition or change of "control" of a domestic insurer, or any person who controls a domestic insurer, cannot be consummated without the prior approval of the relevant insurance regulatory authority. A person seeking to acquire control, directly or indirectly, of a domestic insurance 5 company, or any person controlling a domestic insurance company, must generally file with the relevant insurance regulatory authority an application for change of control (commonly known as a "Form A") containing certain information required by statute and published regulations and provide a copy of such Form A to the domestic insurer. Under the Insurance Code of New York, control is presumed to exist if any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds with power to vote or holds proxies representing ten percent or more of the voting securities of any other person. In addition, many state insurance regulatory laws contain provisions that require pre-notification to state agencies of a change in control of a non- domestic admitted insurance company in that state. While such pre-notification statutes do not authorize the state agency to disapprove the change of control, such statutes do authorize issuance of a cease and desist order with respect to the non-domestic admitted insurer if certain conditions exist such as undue market concentration. The Company is in the process of expanding Realm National's business to include workers' compensation and other specialty casualty insurance lines in each of the 20 states in which Realm National is currently licensed to provide property and casualty insurance. The Company intends to eventually license Realm National in substantially all of the remaining states and the District of Columbia. In order to obtain a license in a given state, Realm National must complete an application and demonstrate compliance with state licensing requirements. The applicable insurance regulatory authority reviews the application, which review may take from three months to two or more years. If all the requirements are met, a license is issued. In determining whether to issue a license to do business in a state, the state's insurance regulatory agency is required by statute or regulation to consider a number of factors, largely for the purpose of protecting policyholders within the state. Typically, the application process will involve a review of the applicant's recent audited and statutory financial statements, and in many states one or more years of operating projections, to assess the financial strength of the applicant; biographical information concerning the experience and fitness of directors, officers and major shareholders; reports of recent examinations as to the applicant's compliance record, finances and market practices in its state of domicile; proposed policy forms and rate schedules; and the applicant's experience in underwriting the line or lines of business to be offered. As a holding company, the Company is not subject to Bermuda insurance regulations. However, the Bermuda Insurance Act 1978, as amended (the "Insurance Act"), which regulates the insurance business of CIRCL, a reinsurance subsidiary of the Company, provides that no person shall carry on insurance business in or from within Bermuda unless registered as an insurer under the Insurance Act by the Minister of Finance (the "Minister"). The registration of an applicant as an insurer is subject to its compliance with the terms of its registration and such other conditions as the Minister may impose from time to time. In general, the regulation of insurers in Bermuda relies heavily upon auditors, loss reserve specialists, directors, and managers, who must certify that an insurer meets minimum capital and solvency requirements. Every registered insurer must appoint a government approved auditor who will annually audit and report on the Statutory Financial Statements and the Statutory Financial Return of the insurer. CIRCL is registered as a Class 3 insurer and, as such: (i) is required to maintain a minimum statutory capital and surplus equal to the greatest of: (a) $1 million; (b) 20% of the first $6 million of its net premiums written plus 15% of its net premiums written over $6 million; and (c) 15% of its net outstanding losses and loss expenses; (ii) is limited in declaring or paying any dividends during any financial year with respect to a specified minimum solvency margin or minimum liquidity ratio or if the declaration or payment of such dividends would cause it to fail to meet such margin or ratio; (iii) is prohibited, without the approval of the Minister, from reducing by 15% or more its total statutory capital, as set out in its previous year's financial statements; and (iv) is required to report its failure to meet its minimum solvency margin to the Minister within 30 days after becoming aware of such failure or having reason to believe that such failure has occurred. CIRCL is also required to obtain an annual loss reserve opinion issued by a government approved loss reserve specialist. The Insurance Act provides a minimum liquidity ratio for general business. An insurer engaged in general business is required to maintain the value of its relevant assets at not less than 75% of the amount of its relevant 6 liabilities. Relevant assets include cash and time deposits, quoted investments, unquoted bonds and debentures, first liens on real estate, investment income due and accrued, accounts and premiums receivable, reinsurance balances receivable and funds held by ceding reinsurers. There are certain categories of assets which, unless specifically permitted by the Minister, do not automatically qualify as relevant assets such as unquoted equity securities, investments in and advances to affiliates, real estate and collateral loans. The relevant liabilities are total general business insurance reserves and total other liabilities less deferred income tax and sundry liabilities (by interpretation, those not specifically defined), letters of credit and guarantees. An insurer is required to maintain a principal office in Bermuda and to appoint and maintain a principal representative in Bermuda to oversee the business of the insurer and to report to the Minister and the Bermuda Registrar of Companies in respect of certain events. Unless the approval of the Minister is obtained, an insurer may not terminate the appointment of its principal representative, and the principal representative may not cease to act as such, unless 30 days' notice in writing to the Minister is given of the intention to do so. Within 30 days of the principal representative's knowing or having reason to believe that the insurer the representative represents is likely to become insolvent or that an "event" has occurred, the principal representative must provide a written report to the Minister setting out all the particulars of the case that are available to the representative. Examples of such an "event" include failure by the insurer to comply substantially with a condition imposed upon the insurer by the Minister relating to a solvency margin or a liquidity or other ratio. The Minister may appoint an inspector with extensive powers to investigate the affairs of an insurer if the Minister believes that an investigation is required in the interest of the insurer's policyholders or persons who may become policyholders. In order to verify or supplement information otherwise provided to him, the Minister may direct an insurer to produce documents or information relating to matters connected with the insurer's business. If it appears to the Minister that there is a risk of the insurer becoming insolvent, the Minister may direct the insurer not to take on any new insurance business; not to vary any insurance contract if the effect would be to increase the insurer's liabilities; not to make certain investments; to realize certain investments; to maintain in Bermuda, or transfer to the custody of a Bermuda bank, certain assets; and to limit its premium income. The Bermuda Government actively encourages foreign investment in "exempted" entities like CIRCL that are based in Bermuda but do not operate in competition with local businesses. As well as having no restrictions on the degree of foreign ownership, CIRCL is exempted from taxes on its income until March 28, 2016 and is not subject to tax on its dividends or to any foreign exchange controls in Bermuda. In addition, there currently is no capital gains tax in Bermuda, and profits can be accumulated by CIRCL, as required, without limitation. Certain of the Company's subsidiaries are also subject to regulation as insurance intermediaries. Under the applicable regulations, the intermediary is responsible as a fiduciary for funds received for the account of the parties to the insurance or reinsurance transaction and is required to hold such funds in appropriate bank accounts subject to restriction on withdrawals and prohibitions on commingling. The Company's insurance intermediaries include several MGAs. MGAs produce, underwrite, and manage claims or negotiate reinsurance for a specific portion of an insurance company's business in certain states, and they are subject to regulation under state laws regarding licensure, fiduciary obligations with respect to premium and concerning the general management of the insurer's business. The activities of Stirling Cooke Brown Insurance Brokers Limited as an insurance broker in the UK require it to be authorized under the Insurance Brokers (Registration) Act of 1977 by the Insurance Brokers Registration Council (the "Council"). Authorization by this body involves continuing compliance with rules made by the Council, which require, among other things, that the Company maintain a minimum level of working capital, that it allocate not more than a specified level of its business to any particular insurance company or group of insurance companies, that it supply reports to the Council, and that it conduct its business in accordance with the conduct of business rules published by the Council. It is a condition to the authorization from the Council that a majority of the directors of Stirling Cooke Brown Insurance Brokers Limited are and remain registered as insurance brokers in the UK. 7 OUTSTANDING LOSSES AND LOSS EXPENSES Both Realm National and CIRCL maintain loss reserves to reflect anticipated future claims and claims expense payments. CIRCL was acquired in January 1996 and Realm National was acquired in September 1996. The Company establishes reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses related to claims which have been reported on the basis of the evaluations of independent claims adjusters and the Company's own claims staff. In addition, reserves are established for losses which have occurred but have not yet been reported and for adverse development of reserves on reported losses. The estimate of claims and claims expenses arising for accidents which have occurred but not yet been reported is based upon the Company's and the insurance industry's experience together with statistical information with respect to the probable number and nature of such claims. The Company engages independent actuaries to assist in this process. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses: RECONCILIATION OF OUTSTANDING LOSSES AND LOSS EXPENSES
For the Years Ended December 31, 1996 1997 1998 --------- ----------- ------------ (dollars in thousands) Balance beginning of year........................... $ -- $ 24,301 $ 36,276 Less outstanding losses recoverable................. -- (16,588) (23,072) Net balance for CIRCL, at acquisition............... 1,270 -- -- Net balance for Realm National, at acquisition...... 1,687 -- -- ------- -------- -------- Net balance......................................... 2,957 7,713 13,204 ------- -------- -------- Incurred related to: Current year.................................. 6,515 10,174 12,578 Prior years................................... 250 777 4,693 ------- -------- -------- Total incurred................................ 6,765 10,951 17,271 ------- -------- -------- Paid related to: Current year.................................. 1,334 2,011 3,066 Prior years................................... 675 3,449 9,438 ------- -------- -------- Total paid................................. 2,009 5,460 12,504 ------- -------- -------- Net balance......................................... 7,713 13,204 17,971 Plus outstanding losses recoverable................. 16,588 23,072 48,146 ------- -------- -------- Balance at end of year........................ $24,301 $ 36,276 $ 66,117 ======= ======== ========
The adverse development during 1998 on prior years reflects primarily an increase in claims frequency on one particular program that covers bodily injury and property risks in the construction industry, and the provision for doubtful recoveries of $2.5 million. This provision is included in the balance sheet as a component of paid and outstanding losses recoverable from reinsurers. The provision is necessarily an estimate and amounts not collectible from reinsurers may ultimately be significantly greater or lesser than the provision established. It is reasonably possible that management will revise this estimate significantly in the near term. Any subsequent differences arising will be recorded in the period in which they occur. The adverse development during 1997 on prior years primarily represents an increase in claims frequency on one particular program that covers bodily injury and property risks in the construction industry. The Company's underwriting loss ratio (i.e. the ratio of net losses and net loss expenses to net assumed premium earned) for 1998 was 97.2% (1997--92.9%). The Company believes that the provision for outstanding losses and loss expenses is adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of losses and loss expenses incurred; however, such a provision is necessarily an estimate and may ultimately be settled for a significantly greater or lesser amount. The Company has limited historical loss experience available to serve as a reliable basis for the estimation of ultimate losses. It is at least reasonably possible that management will revise the estimate of outstanding losses and loss expenses significantly in the near term. Any subsequent differences arising are recorded in the period in which they are determined. 8 The previous table represents a reconciliation of reserves in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals ("GAAP"). The following table reconciles the difference between the Company's portion of these reserves and those contained in regulatory filings made by the Company's subsidiaries in accordance with statutory accounting practices ("SAP"). RECONCILIATION OF SAP AND GAAP RESERVES
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------------------- 1996 1997 1998 ------------ ------------- ----------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, end of year SAP.................................................................. $ 7,843 $ 13,355 $18,024 Gross-up for ceded reinsurance reserves.................................. 16,588 23,072 48,146 Provision for salvage receivable not included on a SAP basis............. (29) (128) (30) Provision for loss portfolio transfer not included in SAP reserves............................................................. (101) (23) (23) ------- -------- ------- Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, end of year GAAP................................................................. $24,301 $ 36,276 $66,117 ======== ======= =======
The following table presents the development of the Company's ongoing net reserves for 1996 through 1998. The top line of the table shows the estimated reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recorded at the balance sheet date for each of the indicated years. This amount represents the estimated amount of losses and loss adjustment expenses for claims that are unpaid at the balance sheet date, including losses that have been incurred but not yet reported to the Company. The table also shows the re-estimated amount of the previously recorded reserve based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year. The estimate changes as more information becomes known about the frequency and severity of claims for individual years. The "Cumulative Deficiency" represents the aggregate change in the estimates over all prior years. The Company's insurance entities were both purchased in 1996 so, accordingly, there has only been two years' movement in the Company's reserves. It should be noted that the following table presents a "run-off" of balance sheet reserves rather than accident or policy year loss development. Therefore, each amount in the table includes the effects of changes in reserves for all prior years. ANALYSIS OF LOSS AND LOSS EXPENSE DEVELOPMENT (NET OF REINSURANCE RECOVERABLE)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------------------------- 1996 1997 1998 --------------- --------------- ------------ (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses......... $ 24,301 $ 36,276 $ 66,117 Less outstanding losses recoverable........................... (16,588) (23,072) (48,146) -------- -------- -------- Net reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses........... 7,713 13,204 17,971 Reserve re-estimated as of: One year later............................................. 8,490 17,897 Two years later............................................ 11,830 -------- -------- Cumulative deficiency......................................... (4,117) (4,693) -------- -------- Percentage.................................................... (53.4%) (35.5%) -------- -------- Cumulative amount of reserve paid through: One year later............................................. 3,449 9,438 Two years later............................................ 7,669
The increase in reserves one year later and two years later on 1996 and 1997 reserves reflects primarily an increase in claims frequency on one particular program that covers bodily injury and property risks in the 9 construction industry, and the provision for doubtful recoveries of $2.5 million discussed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements. NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward looking statements. The Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company's 1998 Annual Report, any Form 10-Q or Form 8-K of the Company, or any oral or written statements made by or on behalf of the Company, may include forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of such terms and phrases as "intends," "intend," "intended," "goal," "estimate," "estimates," "expects," "expect," "expected," "project," "projects," "projected," "projections," "plans," "anticipates," "anticipated," "should," "designed to," "foreseeable future," "believe," "believes" and "scheduled" and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Reference is made to the cautionary statements contained in Exhibit 99 to this Form 10-K for a discussion of the factors that may cause actual results to differ from the results discussed in these forward-looking statements. ITEM 2--PROPERTIES The Company's principal executive offices are located in Hamilton, Bermuda. This facility currently serves as the headquarters for senior management, the financial and administrative departments and the Company's Bermuda subsidiaries. The following table sets forth additional information concerning the Company's facilities:
APPROXIMATE PROPERTY SQUARE FEET LEASE EXPIRATION --------------------- ----------- ---------------- Hamilton, Bermuda................ 10,307 June 20, 2006 London, England.................. 12,500 August 10, 2009 Dallas, Texas.................... 27,200 August 31, 2003 New York, New York............... 7,900 October 3, 2003 Sarasota, Florida................ 12,350 June 28, 2008 Orlando, Florida................. 6,700 June 30, 2002 Fort Lauderdale, Florida......... 11,100 January 1, 2000 Montgomery, Alabama.............. 5,000 June 30, 1999 Southington, Connecticut......... 2,500 January 1, 2003 Dallas, Texas.................... 10,500 May 31, 2001
All of the Company's facilities are leased. Aggregate lease payments for 1998 were $2.2 million (1997 - $1.9 million). The Company anticipates that it will be able to extend these leases as they expire or, if necessary or desirable, locate substitute facilities on acceptable terms. ITEM 3--LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (a) There currently are pending several arbitration proceedings in England between reinsurers and their ceding insurers relating to reinsurance transactions involving the personal accident excess of loss market ("LMX") for the years 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996. Although, with one exception, neither the Company nor its subsidiaries are a party to any of these arbitrations, certain of the Company's subsidiaries acted as a reinsurance broker for ceding companies that are parties to certain of the arbitrations. The exception entails a subsidiary that is directly involved in an arbitration because it assumed the position of one of the reinsureds by way of portfolio transfer. The reinsurers have alleged that they sustained losses due to a spiral in the LMX market which was not disclosed to them by the ceding insurers or their reinsurance brokers. As a consequence, these reinsurers have 10 asserted that they are no longer obliged to honor their reinsurance agreements and have ceased paying claims. If one or more reinsurers prevail in the pending arbitration, it is possible that one or more ceding insurers that are reinsurance brokerage clients of the Company's subsidiaries or for whom a subsidiary performs the role of underwriting manager, may assert a claim against a subsidiary and in the case of the one exception the subsidiary would be unable to recover under certain contracts of reinsurance. During 1998 certain of the reinsurers and reinsureds filed a total of 7 writs in the English courts (which are the equivalent of a complaint in U.S. jurisdictions) against the Company or certain of its subsidiaries to toll the statute of limitations. Some of these writs were issued pending the outcome of related arbitrations. None of these writs specified an amount of damages sought. In most cases, the Company or the relevent subsidiaries have negotiated standstill agreements with the reinsurer or reinsured to toll the statute of limitations. The primary factual allegation by the reinsurers is that, although they believed they reinsured the subject risks only at high excess levels, the LMX spiral caused their high excess positions to not equate with their expectation of remoteness from the incidence of risk. As to the Company or its subsidiaries, the reinsurers and reinsureds have alleged in their writs that the Company or its subsidiary was negligent, misrepresented, or failed to disclose the potential effect of the spiral on the reinsurers' exposure to risk. The Company does not yet have sufficient information to determine whether any claims ultimately will be prosecuted against the Company or its subsidiaries or whether any such claims ultimately will result in payment of any liability or settlement by the Company or its subsidiaries. The Company understands that the parties to the arbitration and court proceedings and other participants in these markets currently are attempting to achieve a business solution that could involve a financial contribution by participants in the market. Although no assurances can be given as to the outcome of the pending proceedings and their effect on the Company, the Company believes, based on the information presently available to it, that any such effect should not materially adversely affect the Company's financial condition. (b) The Company is subject to other litigation and arbitration in the ordinary course of its business. While any of these proceedings contains an element of uncertainty, management presently believes the outcome of these currently pending proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company. ITEM 4--SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS No matters were submitted to a vote of shareholders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 1998. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT The following sets forth certain information regarding the Executive Officers of the Company.
NAME AGE POSITION - ------------------------------------- ----- -------------------------------------------------------- Nicholas Mark Cooke............ 41 Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (1) Nicholas Brown................. 40 Managing Director of Stirling Cooke Brown Insurance Brokers Limited and Stirling Cooke Brown Reinsurance Brokers Limited; Director (2) George W. Jones................ 44 Chief Financial Officer and Director (3)
(1) Term expires at annual shareholders meeting in 2000. (2) Term expires at annual shareholders meeting in 1999. (3) Term expires at annual shareholders meeting in 2001. 11 NICHOLAS MARK COOKE has been Chief Executive Officer of the Company or its predecessors since 1990 and Chairman, President and Director of the Company since it began operations in January 1996. Prior to 1990, Mr. Cooke was a director of two Lloyds brokers and has had continuous employment in the insurance and reinsurance industry in the London market since 1976. NICHOLAS BROWN has been a Director of the Company since it began operations in January 1996. Mr. Brown has been a Director and the Managing Director of Stirling Cooke Brown Insurance Brokers Limited and of Stirling Cooke Brown Reinsurance Brokers Limited, U.K. subsidiaries of the Company since 1992. Prior to 1992, Mr. Brown was a director of a Lloyds broker and has had continuous employment in the insurance and reinsurance industry in the London market since 1977. GEORGE W. JONES has been Chief Financial Officer and a Director of the Company since it began operations in January 1996, and was Chief Financial Officer and a Director of Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings (U.K.) Limited since 1992 and its subsidiaries since 1988. 12 PART II ITEM 5--MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS The Company's Ordinary Shares, $0.25 par value, have been quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "SCBHF" since November 26, 1997. The Ordinary Shares were listed in connection with the Company's Initial Public Offering completed in December 1997. As of March 15, 1999, the approximate number of holders of the Company's Ordinary Shares was 800. The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale prices per share of the Company's Ordinary Shares for the period from November 26, 1997 through the year ended December 31, 1998:
HIGH LOW -------- -------- November 26, 1997 -- December 31, 1997................ $25 1/2 $23 3/8 Year ended December 31, 1998 First Quarter.................................... $27 3/4 $23 5/16 Second Quarter................................... $30 $25 1/4 Third Quarter.................................... $27 7/8 $11 5/8 Fourth Quarter................................... $20 $11 1/8
The closing market price of the Ordinary Shares on March 15, 1999 was $11 3/4. During 1998, the Company paid dividends of $0.12 per Ordinary Share. Dividends are paid quarterly. During 1997, the Company did not pay any dividends. A dividend of $0.03 per Ordinary Share was declared on March 8, 1999 and will be paid on March 30, 1999 to record holders at March 19, 1999. The declaration and payment of future dividends is at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, future earnings, capital requirements, the general financial condition of the Company, general business conditions and other factors. The Company's ability to pay dividends is restricted due to certain insurance regulations. See "Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In October 1998, the Company purchased a further 47,000 Ordinary Shares on the open market for a total cost of $567,000. These shares were recorded as treasury stock at cost. Subsequent to the year end, the Company has purchased a further 346,400 Ordinary Shares on the open market at a total cost of $4,306,000. Under current Bermuda law, there is no income tax, withholding tax, capital gains or capital transfer tax on the Company or its Shareholders. 13 ITEM 6--SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The selected consolidated financial data below should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto presented under Item 8.
AS OF OR FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1994 1995 1996(1) 1997 1998 ------------ ------------- ---------------- ------------ ------------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) INCOME STATEMENT DATA: Revenues........................................ $ 12,373 $ 19,048 $ 47,061 $ 65,310 $ 85,093 Income Before Taxation.......................... 4,131 7,154 12,199 15,918 19,808 Taxation........................................ 1,298 2,560 2,281 2,925 3,790 Net income...................................... $ 2,833 $ 4,594 $ 9,918 $ 12,993 $ 16,018 BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE Net Income per share(2)......................... $ 0.66 $ 1.07 $ 1.22 $ 1.55 $ 1.63 Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding............................. 4,288,908 4,288,908 8,100,782 8,383,482 9,814,101 DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE Net Income per share assuming dilution(2)....... $ 0.66 $ 1.07 $ 1.19 $ 1.53 $ 1.63 Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding assuming dilution........... 4,288,908 4,304,098 8,306,610 8,515,473 9,840,159 Dividends per Ordinary Share.................... $ 0.19 $ 0.53 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.12 BALANCE SHEET DATA: Total assets(3)................................. $ 61,914 $ 103,273 $ 235,084 $ 406,330 $ 649,641 Long term debt.................................. 0 0 0 0 0 Ordinary Shares subject to redemption(4)........ 0 0 14,457 0 0 Total shareholders' equity...................... $ 4,596 $ 7,055 $ 29,001 $ 83,103 $ 97,632
(1) Includes the operations of Realm Investments Limited from its January 1996 acquisition by the Company. Realm National from its September 1996 acquisition by the Company and the operations of North American Risk, Inc. from its July 1996 acquisition by the Company. All of such acquisitions were accounted for as purchases. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". (2) See Note 2(k) of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for an explanation of the methods used to determine Net Income per share. (3) Total assets comprise corporate assets together with cash held and insurance balances receivable in a fiduciary capacity. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. (4) The Ordinary Shares subject to redemption were reclassified to shareholders' equity upon consummation of the Initial Public Offering since those shares were no longer redeemable. ITEM 7--MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited (the "Company") was incorporated in Bermuda on December 12, 1995. The Company is a holding company engaged, through its subsidiaries, in providing insurance services primarily in the United States, Bermuda and the U.K. The Company's activities include brokerage, program business, underwriting management, insurance and reinsurance. In January 1996, the Company acquired all the outstanding common shares of Realm Investments Ltd. in exchange for 1,999,980 of its newly issued ordinary shares. The Company also acquired in September 1996 its own United States domiciled insurance company (Realm National) which, together with the Company's Bermuda based reinsurance company (CIRCL), writes insurance and reinsurance business. Realm National also earns policy issuance fees. The Company specializes in the North American occupational accident and workers' compensation alternative risk transfer markets. The Company did not conduct any business from the date of its incorporation until January 1996. In January 1996, under the terms of a share purchase agreement, the Company exchanged 4,000,020 of its newly issued ordinary shares for 100% of the outstanding share capital of Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings (UK) Limited. Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings (UK) Limited was incorporated in England on February 5, 1990 and formerly acted as the 14 ultimate holding company for a number of United Kingdom subsidiaries involved in the insurance brokering industry. Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings (UK) Limited was the predecessor entity of the Company. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1996 are those of Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings (UK) Limited. The following is a discussion of the Company's results of operations and financial condition. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto presented under Item 8. Results of Operations For the Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998. REVENUES AND NET INCOME
For the Years Ended December 31, -------------------------------- 1996 1997 1998 -------- -------- -------- (dollars in thousands) Revenues $47,061 $65,310 $85,093 Expenses 34,862 49,392 65,285 ------- ------- ------- Income before Taxation 12,199 15,918 19,808 Taxation 2,281 2,925 3,790 ------- ------- ------- Net Income $ 9,918 $12,993 $16,018 ======= ======= ======= Net Income per Share - Basic $ 1.22 $ 1.55 $ 1.63 Net Income per Share assuming dilution $ 1.19 $ 1.53 $ 1.63
Revenues of $85.1 million in 1998 represents a $19.8 million or 30.3% increase over 1997 revenues of $65.3 million which was in turn a $18.2 million or 38.8% increase over the 1996 revenues of $47.1 million. Net income of $16.0 million in 1998 represents a $3.0 million or 23.3% increase over 1997 net income of $13.0 million which was in turn a $3.1 million or 31.0% increase over the 1996 net income of $9.9 million. Basic net income per share increased to $1.63 in 1998 from $1.55 in 1997 (excluding the profit on disposal of subsidiaries during 1997, basic net income per share was $1.49 during the year) and $1.22 in 1996. Diluted net income per share increased to $1.63 in 1998 from $1.53 in 1997 (excluding the profit on disposal of subsidiaries during 1997, diluted net income per share was $1.47 during the year) and $1.19 in 1996. REVENUES AND NET INCOME BY SEGMENT
Segment Revenues Segment Net Income (loss) For the Years Ended December 31, For the Years Ended December 31, --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- 1996 1997 1998 1996 1997 1998 ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------- --------------- ------------ (dollars in thousands) (dollars in thousands) Brokerage $19,219 $23,385 $27,144 $ 5,980 $ 8,591 $11,501 Program Business 11,912 19,770 27,119 3,091 3,938 5,187 Underwriting Management 4,276 4,174 3,554 2,790 2,491 1,689 Insurance 1,426 5,399 11,073 51 471 1,169 Reinsurance 8,187 9,382 10,905 201 57 (3,357) Other 2,041 3,200 5,798 86 370 3,619 Adjustments & Eliminations -- -- (500) -- -- -- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ----------- Total $47,061 $65,310 $85,093 $12,199 $15,918 $19,808 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ===========
15 Brokerage - --------- Revenues of $27.1 million in 1998 represented an increase of $3.8 million or 16.1% from revenues of $23.4 million in 1997 which was in turn a $4.2 million or 21.7% increase from revenues of $19.2 million in 1996. Despite competitive pressures in the marketplace, the brokerage operations, primarily based in the United Kingdom, provided growth throughout the year. The brokerage segment's profit of $11.5 million in 1998 represented an increase of $2.9 million or 33.9% from segment profit of $8.6 million in 1997 which was in turn a $2.6 million or 43.7% increase from segment profit of $6.0 million in 1996. The segment benefited from increased margins due to volume efficiencies. Program Business - ---------------- The Company's program business segment also grew in terms of both revenues and profits. Revenues of $27.1 million in 1998 represented an increase of $7.3 million or 36.9% from revenues of $19.8 million in 1997 which was in turn a $7.9 million or 66.0% increase from revenues of $11.9 million in 1996. Despite increasingly competitive market conditions particularly in the latter part of the year, the Company was able to increase the volume of premiums written through its program business segment during the year. The increasingly competitive workers compensation market in which the majority of the Company's programs compete has resulted in a change in the Company's fee arrangements with reinsurers which is expected to negatively impact earnings in 1999. The Company is trying to minimize the effect of these changes in fee structure but it is expected that while the workers compensation market remains so competitive, the Company's fees will continue to be under pressure. Segment profit of $5.2 million in 1998 represented an increase of $1.2 million or 31.7% from segment profit of $3.9 million in 1997 which was in turn a $0.8 million or 27.4% increase from segment profit of $3.1 million in 1996. Underwriting Management - ----------------------- The Company's underwriting management segment continued to experience significant competitive pressures during 1998 following the already competitive market in 1997. Revenues of $3.6 million in 1998 represented a decrease of $0.6 million or 14.9% from revenues of $4.2 million in 1997 which was in turn a $0.1 million or 2.4% decrease from revenues of $4.3 million in 1996. The Company has not seen any change in market conditions in the early part of 1999 and consequently expects revenues for this segment to continue to decline until market conditions improve. Segment profit of $1.7 million in 1998 represented a decrease of $0.8 million or 32.2% from segment profit of $2.5 million in 1997 which was in turn a $0.3 million or 10.7% decrease from segment profit of $2.8 million in 1996. Insurance - --------- The Company's insurance segment comprising Realm National experienced significant growth in 1998 following 1997 which also saw significant growth. During 1998 Realm National continued its relicensing process to facilitate the growth of its business during the year and promote the opportunity for growth in the years ahead. By the end of the year, Realm National was fully licensed in 20 states and partially licensed in 8 states. During 1998, Realm National wrote business in 15 states compared to 12 states in 1997 and 18 states in 1996. Revenues of $11.1 million in 1998 represented an increase of $5.7 million or 105.1% from revenues of $5.4 million in 1997 which was in turn a $4.0 million or 278.6% increase from revenues of $1.4 million in 1996 (1996 figures for Realm National reflect amounts from the Company's acquisition in September of 1996). A useful indicator of Realm National's growth is the increase in gross written premiums which were $48.6 million in 1998 which represents a $26.9 million or 123.6% increase from $21.7 million in 1997 which represented a $17.7 million or 442.4% increase from $4.0 million in 1996. Net premiums earned increased to $7.7 million in 1998 which represents a $4.8 million 16 or 164.2% increase from $2.9 million in 1997 which represented a $2.1 million or 248.8% increase from $0.8 million in 1996. The remainder of the growth in revenues is due to policy issuance fees and interest income. Policy issuance fees increased to $2.1 million in 1998 which represents a $1.3 million or 167.8% increase from $0.8 million in 1997 which represented a $0.6 million or 257.8% increase from $0.2 million in 1996. Market conditions in the workers compensation insurance market in which Realm National writes the majority of its business grew increasingly competetive during 1998 and this trend has continued into 1999. While these competitive market conditions continue they are likely to restrict Realm National's ability to continue its rate of expansion in its workers compensation book of business during 1999. Realm National is continuing to seek to expand its volume of business in other lines of insurance, where market conditions are less competetive. Segment profit of $1.2 million in 1998 represented an increase of $0.7 million or 148.2% from segment profit of $0.5 million in 1997 which was in turn a $0.4 million or 823.5% increase from segment profit of $0.1 million in 1996. Reinsurance - ----------- The Company's reinsurance segment comprising CIRCL experienced limited growth in revenues in 1998 and 1997. Revenues of $10.9 million in 1998 represented an increase of $1.5 million or 16.2% from revenues of $9.4 million in 1997 which was in turn a $1.2 million or 14.6% increase from revenues of $8.2 million in 1996. Net premiums earned are the largest component of revenues in CIRCL. Net premiums earned of $10.1 million in 1998 represented an increase of $1.2 million or 13.4% from net premiums earned of $8.9 million in 1997 which was in turn a $1.0 million or 12.0% decrease from net premiums earned of $7.9 million in 1996. Segment loss of $3.4 million in 1998 represented a decrease of $3.5 million from segment profit of $0.1 million in 1997 which was in turn a $0.1 million decrease from segment profit of $0.2 million in 1996. There were two main factors leading to the segment loss in 1998, adverse development on one program and a provision of $2.5 million against reinsurance recoveries. The adverse development during 1998 reflects primarily an increase in claims frequency on one particular program that covers bodily injury and property risks in the construction industry. This program was not renewed by CIRCL in 1999. At December 31, 1998, the Company was in dispute with certain of its reinsurers in respect of amounts due under retrocession coverages. The Company has provided $2.5 million against reinsurance contracts with total recoveries of $13.4 million of which $10.2 million has been reported to date. The provision represents management's best estimates at this time of a possible shortfall in recoveries. This provision is included in the balance sheet as a component of paid losses recoverable from reinsurers. The provision is necessarily an estimate and amounts not collectible from reinsurers may ultimately be significantly greater or lesser than the provision established. It is reasonably possible that management will revise this estimate significantly in the near term. Any subsequent differences arising will be recorded in the period in which they occur. During the course of the year, the Company's management evaluated CIRCL's underwriting results and, as a result of unfavorable results, reduced CIRCL's underwriting. Management decided in early 1999 to cease underwriting any new programs in CIRCL and a number of existing contracts were not renewed for the 1999 year. Those renewed will be allowed to run until they expire at December 31, 1999. Because some contracts were not renewed by CIRCL during 1999, revenues should decrease accordingly. Other - ----- Other includes primarily the Company's holding companies and other operating subsidiaries, and income earned in investments in affiliates. Revenues, consisting primarily of interest earnings, of $5.8 million in 1998 represented an increase of $2.6 million or 81.3% from revenues of $3.2 million in 1997 which was in turn a $1.2 million or 60.0% increase from revenues of $2.0 million in 1996. The increase in revenues in 1998 as compared to 1997 is primarily due to interest earnings on proceeds received from the Company's initial public offering in December, 1997, as well as income earned in investments in affiliates. 17 Segment profit of $3.6 million in 1998 represented an increase of $3.2 million from $0.4 million in 1997 which was in turn a $0.3 million increase from of $0.1 million in 1996. As with revenues, the increase in net income in 1998 as compared to 1997 is primarily due to interest earnings on proceeds received from the Company's initial public offering in December, 1997, as well as income earned on equity investments. Liquidity and Capital Resources At December 31, 1998, the Company held cash and marketable securities of $97.4 million compared to $71.7 million at December 31, 1997 and $38.2 million at December 31, 1996. In addition, the Company held cash in fiduciary accounts relating to insurance client premiums amounting to $63.9 million at December 31, 1998 compared to $60.2 million at December 31, 1997 and $50.2 million at December 31, 1996. These increased cash balances reflect the growth in the Company's business activities for 1998 together with the cash held following completion of the initial public offering. Of the $97.4 million of cash and marketable securities held by the Company at December 31, 1998 (1997--$71.7 million, 1996--$38.2 million), $58.9 million (1997--$40.9 million, 1996--$35.9 million) were held by subsidiaries whose payment of dividends to the Company was subject to regulatory restrictions or possible tax liabilities. At December 31, 1998, the Company's investment portfolio (at fair market value) totalled $29.2 million (1997--$21.0 million, 1996--$22.6 million). The portfolio consisted primarily of U.S. Treasury, short-term cash and A-rated corporate debt securities. During 1998, the Company's operating activities generated $28.7 million of net cash, compared to generating $8.1 million of net cash during 1997 and $14.8 million in 1996. The cash generated from operating activities varies according to the timing of collections and payments of insurance and reinsurance balances. The Company expects its operations will continue to generate positive cash flow for 1999. Shareholders' equity increased by $14.5 million, to $97.6 million, at December 31, 1998 from $83.1 million at December 31, 1997 due primarily to net income earned during the year. Shareholders' equity increased by $54.1 million, to $83.1 million, at December 31, 1997 from $29.0 million at December 31, 1996. This increase was primarily attributable to the following: (i) $26.8 million of net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering during the year; (ii) a reclassification of Ordinary Shares subject to redemption of $14.5 million since these shares are no longer redeemable after consummation of the Initial Public Offering; and (iii) net income of $13.0 million earned during 1997. Total assets increased to $649.6 million at December 31, 1998 from $406.3 million at December 31, 1997 and $235.1 million at December 31, 1996, principally as a result of increased business activity and a significant increase in client insurance balances outstanding. The Company had no outstanding debt at December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998. Accounting Pronouncements In December 1997, the AICPA Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued Statement of Position (SOP) 97-3. Accounting by Insurance and Other Enterprises for Insurance-Related Assessments. The accounting guidance of this SOP focuses on the timing of recognition and measurement of liabilities for insurance- related assessments. Guidance is also provided on recording assets representing future recoveries of assessments through premium tax offsets or policy surcharges. The SOP is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998. The Company does not anticipate the statement to have a significant impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. During 1998, the AICPA Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-5. Reporting on the costs of start-up activities. The accounting guidance of this SOP requires that the costs of start-up activities be expensed as incurred and any costs that are carried as an asset prior to adoption of SOP 98-5 would be written off by reporting a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the statement of income as of January 1, 1999. The cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle to be recorded in the statement of income for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 will be approximately $495. In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". This statement is effective for all quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 18 15, 1999. Given the limited number of transactions currently entered into by the Company that are covered by the Statement, the Company does not anticipate any significant changes to its current financial reporting. In November 1998, the AICPA Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-7, "Deposit accounting: Accounting for Insurance and Reinsurance Contracts that do not transfer risk". This SOP provides accounting guidance for insurance and reinsurance contracts that do not transfer risk, as determined by the provisions of SFAS 113. The Company is currently reviewing the impact of this standard on its financial reporting. In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income". This statement establishes rules for the reporting of comprehensive income and its components. Comprehensive income consists of net income and unrealized gains and losses on available for sale investments, and is presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income. The adoption of SFAS 130 had no impact on total shareholders' equity. Prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the SFAS 130 requirements. In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". SFAS 131 establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments and related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. This disclosure is located within Note 15 to the Company's consolidated financial statements. Year 2000 The Year 2000 Issue is the result of computer programs being written using two digits rather than four digits to define the applicable year. Any of the Company's programs or non-information systems that have date-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This could result in a major system failure or in miscalculations. In 1997, the Company appointed individuals in each of the Company's geographic regions to review and assess the Company's state of readiness and its ability to process transactions in the Year 2000. These individuals and the overall committee that they are a part of are providing guidance to the operating and support departments, and have and will continue to monitor the progress of efforts made to address the Year 2000 issue. The Company is currently implementing its plan and preparing its various computer systems and selected applications for the Year 2000. This process involves taking inventory, testing, evaluating and adjusting all known date-sensitive systems and equipment for Year 2000 compliance. In addition, the Company is reviewing its essential non-information technology systems for Year 2000 compliance. The Company has also consulted with various third parties, including, but not limited to, outside consultants, outside service providers and infrastructure providers to develop approaches to the Year 2000 issue, to gain insight to problems and to provide additional perspective on solutions. The Company expects that compliance work with respect to the internal systems will be substantially completed by the end of the first quarter of 1999. In 1999, all systems critical to the Company's core businesses will be retested. The individuals in each geographic region report at least quarterly to the overall committee that they are a part of and update that committee on their respective region's progress. The latest update is that each geographic region is proceeding on schedule as planned. In the US and Bermuda, the Company's internal computer system and software is relatively modern and few costs have been or are expected to be incurred to bring those systems into compliance. In the U.K., the Company's internal systems and software were not as modern and the majority of the Company's Year 2000 costs in upgrading the Company's systems and software have been incurred in that region. Because of the Year 2000 issue, one large system in the U.K. was replaced in late 1998. The Company continues to assess its external relationships with third parties. The Company is in the process of communicating with its significant vendors and large customers to determine the extent to which the Company is vulnerable to those third parties' failure to remediate their own Year 2000 issues. Where deemed necessary by the Company, this process involves onsite review of the third party's procedures and plans for Year 2000 compliance. However, there can be no assurance that the systems of third parties, such as utility companies, regulatory bodies, government entities, insurance related companies or insurance carriers on which the Company's operations rely, will be timely converted, or that a failure to convert by another company would not have a material adverse effect on the 19 Company's operating results. However, management believes that ongoing communication with and assessment of third parties will minimize these risks. The Company's insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries may also have an underwriting exposure to the Year 2000 phenomenon. Although the subsidiaries have not received any claims of coverage from insureds based on losses resulting from Year 2000 issues, there can be no assurance that insureds will be free from losses of this type or that these subsidiaries will be free from claims made under their policies. The total estimated cost of compliance is $0.8 million. Approximately $0.5 million of the cost is related to reprogramming or replacement of software, and approximately $0.3 million is related to acquisition of hardware. Costs related to non-information technology are expected to be immaterial. Approximately $0.5 million of the $0.8 million cost of compliance has been incurred as of the end of December 31, 1998. All of these costs are being funded through operating cash flows. Total costs have not had and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial results. Based on the review of the state of readiness of the Company and its risks, the Company currently anticipates minimal business disruption will occur as a result of Year 2000 issues. Nonetheless, the Year 2000 issue represents a risk that cannot be assessed with precision nor controlled with certainty. Possible consequences of disruptions that could occur given non-compliance include, but are not limited to, loss of communication links with subsidiaries and insurance carriers, loss of electric power, inability to process transactions or inability to engage in similar normal business activities. Furthermore, failure of significant third parties with which the Company conducts business, including insurance carriers, to meet Year 2000 compliance could have a materially detrimental effect on the Company. To date, the Company has not established a contingency plan for possible Year 2000 issues. Where needed, the Company will establish contingency plans based on actual testing experience with its systems and assessment of outside risks. Inflation The Company does not believe its operations have been materially affected by inflation. The potential adverse impacts of inflation include: (a) a decline in the market value of the Company's fixed maturity investment portfolio; (b) an increase in the ultimate cost of settling claims which remain unresolved for a significant period of time; and (c) an increase in the Company's operating expenses. However, the Company generally holds its fixed maturity investments to maturity and currently believes that an acceptable amount is included in the yield to compensate the Company for the risk of inflation. Any increase in the cost of settling claims will be offset by increases in investment income earned and, generally, an increase in operating expenses resulting from inflation should be matched by similar increases in investment income earned on the Company's general surplus funds. ITEM 7A--MARKET RISK The Company's investment portfolio is comprised of fixed maturity investments, equity securities, and short term investments. The Company's exposure to market risk is primarily limited to changing interest rates, primarily in the United States, as all fixed maturity investments are denominated in U.S. dollars. The fair value of the fixed maturity investments as at December 31, 1998 was $17.1 million. A change in interest rates will affect the fair value of the Company's investments and will lead to fluctuations in "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income" on the balance sheet. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments to manage market risk in its portfolio. The table below (expressed in millions of U.S. dollars) presents the par value amounts and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity for the Company's U.S. dollar denominated investment portfolio. 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2012 2019 2020 Total ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- Investments Fixed Maturity ($) 1.0 2.4 1.0 0.7 2.5 1.5 4.9 0.3 0.5 0.4 1.3 16.5 Weighted average interest rate 7.7% 6.9% 6.7% 7.5% 5.9% 5.5% 5.5% 6.0% 5.6% 6.3% 6.5% 6.2%
20 Given the limited value of balances and transactions in foreign currencies, the Company's exposure to foreign currency movements is considered to be insignificant Item 8--Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Related Notes:
Page # Independent Auditor's Report............................................ 22 Consolidated Balance Sheets............................................. 23 Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.............. 24 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity.............. 25 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows................................... 26 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.............................. 27-47
21 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited and subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with United States generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited and subsidiaries as at December 31, 1997 and 1998 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles. /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick KPMG Peat Marwick Hamilton, Bermuda March 5, 1999 22 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DECEMBER 31, 1997 and 1998 (EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS OF UNITED STATES DOLLARS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
ASSETS 1997 1998 ------ ------------ ------------ Marketable securities, at fair value (Note 5) Debt securities (amortized cost, 1997--$14,882, 1998--$16,722)....................... $ 14,971 $ 17,057 Equity securities (cost, 1997--$454, 1998--$2,384)................................... 486 2,536 Short term investments (amortized cost, 1997--$5,579, 1998--$9,643).................. 5,579 9,643 -------- -------- Total marketable securities............................................................ 21,036 29,236 Cash and cash equivalents (Note 3)..................................................... 50,631 68,165 Fiduciary funds-restricted (Notes 3 and 4)............................................. 60,224 63,895 Insurance and reinsurance balances receivable (affiliates, 1997--$8,118, 1998--$9,994) (Notes 3, 4 and 18)................................................................... 211,339 382,417 Paid losses recoverable from reinsurers (Note 8)....................................... 3,542 8,916 Outstanding losses recoverable from reinsurers (Notes 8 and 9)......................... 23,072 48,146 Deferred acquisition costs............................................................. 579 2,286 Deferred reinsurance premiums ceded (Note 8)........................................... 12,503 18,711 Deferred tax asset (Note 12)........................................................... 1,109 1,755 Goodwill (Note 2(i))................................................................... 8,613 8,775 Other assets (Note 6).................................................................. 10,926 14,026 Assets related to deposit liabilities (Note 7)......................................... 2,756 3,313 -------- -------- Total assets........................................................................ $406,330 $649,641 ======== ======== LIABILITIES ----------- Outstanding losses and loss expenses (Note 9).......................................... $ 36,276 $ 66,117 Unearned premiums...................................................................... 19,187 25,037 Deferred income........................................................................ 2,853 3,992 Insurance and reinsurance balances payable (affiliates, 1997--$16,187, 1998--$957) (Notes 3, 4 and 18)................................................................... 251,713 438,456 Funds withheld......................................................................... 1,314 1,359 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities............................................... 6,170 10,719 Income taxes payable (Note 12)......................................................... 2,958 3,016 Deposit liabilities (Note 7)........................................................... 2,756 3,313 -------- -------- Total liabilities................................................................... 323,227 552,009 -------- -------- Contingencies (Note 19) SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY -------------------- Share capital Authorized 20,000,000 ordinary shares of par value $0.25 each. Issued and fully paid 9,863,372 ordinary shares (Note 10)................................................... 2,466 2,466 Additional paid in capital............................................................. 54,167 54,167 Accumulated other comprehensive income................................................. 63 319 Retained earnings...................................................................... 27,074 41,914 -------- -------- 83,770 98,866 Less: Ordinary shares in treasury (1997--40,000, 1998--87,000) at cost (Note 10)....... (667) (1,234) -------- -------- Total shareholders' equity.......................................................... 83,103 97,632 -------- -------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity.......................................... $406,330 $649,641 ======== ========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 23 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998 (EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS OF UNITED STATES DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
1996 1997 1998 --------- ---------- ---------- REVENUES Risk management fees (Note 2 (f)).............................. $34,061 $45,664 $55,580 Net premiums earned (Note 8)................................... 8,754 11,790 17,774 Net investment income (Note 5)................................. 3,405 5,782 8,771 Other income................................................... 841 2,074 2,968 ------- ------- ------- Total revenues.............................................. 47,061 65,310 85,093 ------- ------- ------- EXPENSES Net losses and loss expenses incurred (Notes 2(e) and 9)....... 6,765 10,951 17,271 Acquisition costs.............................................. 1,837 1,344 3,618 Depreciation and amortization of capital assets................ 1,018 1,199 1,562 Amortization of goodwill....................................... 423 707 740 Salaries and benefits.......................................... 13,106 18,503 22,805 Other operating expenses....................................... 11,713 16,688 19,289 ------- ------- ------- Total expenses.............................................. 34,862 49,392 65,285 ------- ------- ------- Income before taxation........................................... 12,199 15,918 19,808 Taxation (Note 12)............................................... 2,281 2,925 3,790 ------- ------- ------- Net income....................................................... $ 9,918 $12,993 $16,018 ------- ------- ------- Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Unrealized holding gains arising during the year (net of tax of $75, $130 and $130).................... 147 188 314 Less: reclassification adjustments for realized gains included in net income (net of tax of $0, $166 and $1)......... -- (272) (58) ------- ------- ------ Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.................. 147 (84) 256 Comprehensive income........................................... $10,065 $12,909 $16,274 ======= ======= ======= Net income per share (Note 13)................................... $1.22 $1.55 $1.63 ======= ======= ======= Net income per share assuming dilution (Note 13)................. $1.19 $1.53 $1.63 ======= ======= =======
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 24 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998 (EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS OF UNITED STATES DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
1996 1997 1998 ------- ------- ------- Ordinary shares of par value $0.25 each Balance at beginning of year.................................. $ 1,000 $ 1,500 $ 2,466 Issuance of shares............................................ 500 344 -- Options exercised............................................. -- 150 -- Cancellation of ordinary shares in treasury................... -- (100) -- Reclassification of ordinary shares subject to redemption..... -- 572 -- ------- ------- ------- Balance at end of year........................................ $ 1,500 $ 2,466 $ 2,466 ------- ------- ------- Additional paid in capital Balance at beginning of year.................................. $ -- $12,319 $54,167 Issuance of shares............................................ 12,319 26,488 -- Proceeds from exercise of options in excess of par............ -- 1,475 -- Issuance of shares (conversion of Class A).................... -- (72) -- Reclassification of ordinary shares subject to redemption..... -- 13,957 -- ------- ------- ------- Balance at end of year........................................ $12,319 $54,167 $54,167 ------- ------- ------- Notes receivable Balance at beginning of year.................................. $ -- $ -- $ -- Receivable on exercise of options............................. -- (1,625) -- Repayment of notes............................................ -- 1,625 -- ------- ------- ------- Balance at end of year........................................ $ -- $ -- $ -- ------- ------- ------- Accumulated other comprehensive income Balance at beginning of year.................................. $ -- $ 147 $ 63 Change in unrealized gain..................................... 147 (84) 256 ------- ------- ------- Balance at end of year........................................ $ 147 $ 63 $ 319 ------- ------- ------- Retained earnings Balance at beginning of year.................................. $ 6,055 $15,973 $27,074 Net income.................................................... 9,918 12,993 16,018 Dividends..................................................... -- -- (1,178) Cancellation of ordinary shares in treasury................... -- (1,892) -- ------- ------- ------- Balance at end of year........................................ $15,973 $27,074 $41,914 ------- ------- ------- Treasury stock Balance at beginning of year.................................. $ -- $ (938) $ (667) Purchase of ordinary shares in treasury....................... (938) (1,807) (567) Sale of ordinary shares from treasury......................... -- 86 -- Cancellation of ordinary shares in treasury................... -- 1,992 -- ------- ------- ------- Balance at end of year........................................ $ (938) $ (667) $(1,234) ------- ------- ------- Total shareholders' equity.................................... $29,001 $83,103 $97,632 ======= ======= =======
Dividends per share were $0, $0 and $0.12 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 25 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998 (EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS OF UNITED STATES DOLLARS)
1996 1997 1998 -------- --------- --------- Operating activities Net income.......................................................................... $ 9,918 $ 12,993 $ 16,018 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization of capital assets................................... 1,018 1,199 1,562 Net gain on sale of subsidiaries.................................................. -- (478) -- Amortization of goodwill.......................................................... 423 707 740 Amortization of marketable securities............................................. (10) 197 68 Net realized gains on sale of marketable securities............................... -- (438) (59) Equity in income of affiliates.................................................... (282) (1,266) (2,631) Gain on sale of capital assets.................................................... -- -- (67) Changes in non cash operating assets and liabilities: Fiduciary funds................................................................... (18,349) (13,245) (3,671) Insurance and reinsurance balances receivable..................................... (30,292) (115,935) (170,926) Paid losses recoverable from reinsurers........................................... (731) (2,811) (5,374) Outstanding losses recoverable from reinsurers.................................... (5,159) (6,484) (25,074) Deferred acquisition costs........................................................ 1,436 (408) (1,707) Deferred reinsurance premiums ceded............................................... (762) (5,281) (6,208) Other assets...................................................................... (942) (3,620) (1,405) Deferred tax asset................................................................ 141 (801) (710) Assets related to deposit liabilities............................................. (579) 1,292 (557) Outstanding losses and loss expenses.............................................. 9,916 11,975 29,841 Unearned premiums................................................................. 938 6,672 5,850 Insurance and reinsurance balances payable........................................ 47,065 120,887 186,743 Funds withheld.................................................................... (355) (69) 45 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.......................................... 893 2,431 4,467 Income taxes payable.............................................................. (559) 782 58 Deferred income................................................................... 522 1,060 1,139 Deposit liabilities............................................................... 579 (1,292) 557 -------- --------- --------- Net cash provided by operating activities....................................... 14,829 8,067 28,699 -------- --------- --------- Investing activities Purchase of capital assets........................................................ (1,446) (1,619) (2,899) Sale of capital assets............................................................ 58 88 229 Purchase of debt securities....................................................... (13,751) (318) (12,584) Purchase of equity securities..................................................... (39) (3,977) (2,530) Purchase of short-term investments, net........................................... (120) (5,459) (4,064) Proceeds on sale of debt securities............................................... 2,273 4,190 10,680 Proceeds on sale of equity securities............................................. 15 7,262 658 Purchase of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired.................................... (290) (1,197) (1,055) Cash received upon sale of subsidiaries........................................... -- 861 -- Investments in affiliates......................................................... (134) (198) -- Dividends received from affiliates................................................ -- 593 2,145 -------- --------- --------- Cash (used) provided by investing activities.................................... (13,434) 226 (9,420) -------- --------- --------- Financing activities Dividends......................................................................... -- -- (1,178) Net proceeds of subscription to share capital subject to redemption............... 14,457 -- -- Net proceeds from subscriptions to share capital.................................. -- 26,832 -- Proceeds from exercise of options................................................. -- 1,625 -- Purchase of ordinary shares in treasury........................................... (938) (1,807) (567) Sales of ordinary shares in treasury.............................................. -- 86 -- -------- --------- --------- Cash provided (used) by financing activities.................................... 13,519 26,736 (1,745) -------- --------- --------- Increase in cash and cash equivalents............................................... 14,914 35,029 17,534 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year...................................... $ 688 $ 15,602 $ 50,631 -------- --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year............................................ $ 15,602 $ 50,631 $ 68,165 ======== ========= ========= Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Cash paid during the year for income taxes...................................... $ 1,928 $ 3,755 $ 3,275 ======== ========= =========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 26 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998 (EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS OF UNITED STATES DOLLARS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) 1. GENERAL Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited (the "Company") was incorporated in Bermuda on December 12, 1995. The Company is a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, provides risk management services and products. The Company provides its range of services to independent insurance carriers and reinsurance companies as well as directly to the insureds. The Company arranges reinsurance for its products as well as for those offered by independent U.S.-based insurance carriers active in the workers compensation, occupational accident and health and casualty insurance markets. In January 1996, the Company acquired all the outstanding common shares of Realm Investments Ltd. in exchange for 1,999,980 of its newly issued ordinary shares. The Company also acquired, in September 1996, its own United States domiciled insurance company Realm National Insurance Company ("Realm National") which, together with the Company's Bermuda based reinsurance company, writes insurance and reinsurance business. The Company specializes in the North American occupational accident and workers' compensation alternative risk transfer markets. The Company did not conduct any business from the date of its incorporation until January 1996. In January 1996, under the terms of a share purchase agreement, the Company exchanged 4,000,020 of its newly issued ordinary shares for 100% of the outstanding share capital of Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings (UK) Limited. Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings (UK) Limited was incorporated in England on February 5, 1990 and formerly acted as the ultimate holding company for a number of United Kingdom subsidiaries involved in the insurance brokering industry. On December 2, 1997, the Company and certain Selling Shareholders consummated an initial public offering of 3,421,250 ordinary shares. Of these shares, 1,375,000 were sold by the Company and 2,046,250 were sold by Selling Shareholders. Net proceeds of $26,832 were received by the Company upon consummation of the initial public offering. 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following are the significant accounting policies adopted by the Company: a) Basis of presentation These consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and all of its majority owned subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Company"). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. The results of a number of subsidiaries have been included from the dates of their acquisition. b) Marketable securities Marketable securities comprise investments in debt and equity securities and short term investments. All investments are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value. The difference between fair value and amortized cost/cost is recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component of shareholders' equity, net of applicable deferred income taxes. Bond discounts and premiums are amortized over the remaining term of the securities. Such amortization is included as a component of net investment income in the consolidated statements of income. Realized gains and losses are determined 27 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) on the basis of specific identification. Investment income is recorded as earned and accrued to the balance sheet date. c) Premiums written, assumed and ceded Premiums written and assumed are recorded on the accruals basis and included in income on a pro-rata basis over the life of the policies or reinsurance agreements to which they relate, with the unearned portion deferred in the consolidated balance sheets. Adjustment premiums arising from premium audits are recorded in the period in which they are determined. Reinsurance premiums ceded are similarly pro-rated over the terms of the reinsurance contract with the unearned portion being deferred in the consolidated balance sheets as deferred reinsurance premiums ceded. d) Acquisition costs Acquisition costs associated with the acquisition of new or renewal business, including commissions and brokerage, are deferred and amortized to income over the periods in which the premiums are earned. The method followed in determining the deferred acquisition expenses limits the amount of the deferral to its realizable value by giving consideration to losses and expenses expected to be incurred as premiums are earned. Future investment income is anticipated in determining whether a premium deficiency exists. e) Losses and loss expenses Losses and related loss adjustment expenses are charged to income as they are incurred and are net of losses recovered and recoverable of $6,775, $16,866 and $44,312 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 respectively. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the underlying liability associated with the reinsured policy. Outstanding losses recoverable are shown separately on the consolidated balance sheets. Reserves are established for losses and loss expenses relating to claims which have been reported. In addition, reserves are established, in consultation with the Company's independent actuaries, for losses which have occurred but have not yet been reported to the Company and for adverse development of reserves on reported losses. Management believes that the resulting provision for outstanding losses and loss expenses is adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of losses and loss expenses incurred; however, such a provision is necessarily an estimate and may ultimately be settled for a significantly greater or lesser amount. The Company has limited historical loss experience available to serve as a reliable basis for the estimation of ultimate losses. It is at least reasonably possible that management will revise the estimate of outstanding losses and loss expenses significantly in the near term. Any subsequent differences arising are recorded in the period in which they are determined. f) Risk management fees
For the Years Ended ------------------------------- December 31, ------------------------------- 1996 1997 1998 --------- --------- --------- Brokerage fees and commissions................. $20,117 $23,965 $26,968 Managing general agency fees................... 6,016 11,391 14,743 Underwriting management fees................... 4,045 4,022 3,357 Program and captive management fees............ 1,625 2,876 3,908 Loss control and audit fees.................... 2,039 2,627 4,508 Policy issuance fees........................... 219 783 2,096 ------- ------- ------- Total risk management fees............... $34,061 $45,664 $55,580 ======= ======= =======
28 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED) (i) Brokerage fees and commissions are recorded and earned as premiums are billed since substantially all placement services have been provided at that time. Any subsequent adjustments, including adjustments due to policy cancellations, premium rate adjustments and profit commissions are recognized in risk management fees when advised by the client. (ii) Managing general agency fees are included within Program Business revenue, and are reported net of commission expense to agents and are initially recorded as of the effective date of the related insurance policy. Fee income on installment premiums is recognized periodically when the installment is billed. Such fees are recognized in income over the period that services are performed in accordance with the Company's contractual obligations, typically ranging up to five years, based on the Company's estimation of expected claims handling requirements in each accounting period. Such estimation is based upon the Company's claims handling experience over recent years. Any subsequent adjustments, including adjustments due to policy cancellation and premium adjustments, are recorded when advised by the client or agent. The portion that will be earned in the future is deferred and reported as deferred income in the consolidated balance sheets. (iii) Underwriting management fees are initially recorded when premium is billed in accordance with terms of trade. Fee income on installment premiums is recognized periodically when the installment is billed. Fees are recognized in income over the period that services are performed in accordance with the Company's contractual obligations. Such fees are recognized in income over the period that contractual services are performed, typically up to five years, based on the Company's estimation of expected claims handling requirements in each accounting period. Such estimation is based upon the Company's claims handling experience over recent years. Any subsequent adjustments, including adjustments due to policy cancellations, and premium adjustments are recorded when advised by the client or agent. The portion of recorded management fees that will be earned in the future is deferred and reported as deferred income in the consolidated balance sheets. (iv) Program and captive management fees are included within Program Business revenue, and are initially recorded as of the effective date of the insurance policy or, in the case of installment premiums, when the installment is billed and are recognized in income over the period of the underlying policy (which is typically one year) in proportion to the level of services provided in accordance with the Company's contractual obligations. Any subsequent adjustments are recognized in income when advised by the client or agent. The portion of recorded management fees that will be earned in the future is deferred and reported as deferred income in the consolidated balance sheets. (v) Loss control and audit fees are included within Program Business revenue, and comprise claims administration handling, loss and safety control fees and premium audit fees. Such fees are recorded as the fees are billed and are recognized in income over the period that services are performed in accordance with the Company's contractual obligations, typically ranging up to five years depending on the type of service provided, based on the Company's estimation of expected claims handling requirements in each accounting period. Such estimation is based upon the Company's claims handling experience over recent years. The proportion that will be earned in the future is deferred and reported as deferred income in the consolidated balance sheets. (vi) Policy issuance fees are recorded as the premium is written and earned over the applicable policy period. The unearned portion is included in deferred income in the consolidated balance sheet. g) Cash and cash equivalents The Company considers time deposits with original maturity dates of three months or less to be equivalent to cash. Fiduciary funds are restricted from use and are not considered cash equivalents. 29 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED) h) Investments in affiliates The Company's investments in affiliated companies which are not majority owned or controlled are accounted for using the equity method if the Company is able to exert significant influence upon such companies. Other investments in affiliates are carried at cost. Investments in affiliates of $1,350 and $1,982 for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively, are recorded in other assets. The Company's equity share in the net income of affiliates, for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 of $282, $1,266 and $2,631 respectively, is included in other income. Dividends received from affiliated companies of $0, $593 and $2,145 during 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively, are recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the investment. i) Goodwill Goodwill in the amount of $8,613 and $8,775 at December 31, 1997, and 1998, respectively, represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected periods to be benefited, generally 5 to 20 years. Accumulated amortization at December 31, 1997 and 1998 is $1,130 and $1,870, respectively. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset by determining whether the amortization of the goodwill balance over its remaining life can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows of the acquired operation. The amount of goodwill impairment, if any, is measured based on projected discounted future operating cash flows using a discount rate reflecting the Company's average cost of funds. The assessment of the recoverability of goodwill will be impacted if estimated future operating cash flows are not achieved. j) Capital assets and depreciation Capital assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over four to five years, which is the estimated useful lives of the related assets. k) Earnings per share Earnings per share have been calculated in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128. Net income per share is calculated by dividing income available to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding. The ordinary shares which were subject to redemption are included in the computation of the weighted average number of outstanding ordinary shares since they have identical rights. Shares held in treasury are not considered outstanding for purposes of the computation. Net income per share assuming dilution is computed by dividing income available to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares and potentially dilutive securities such as stock options. The dilutive effect of options are reflected in the computation by application of the treasury stock method. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 98, ordinary shares which were issued in connection with the conversion of 25 class "A" non-voting shares are considered outstanding for all periods presented for purposes of both basic and diluted presentations. l) Income taxes Under the asset and liability method used by the Company, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the consolidated financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is provided for a portion or all of the deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that such portion or all such deferred assets will not be realized. 30 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED) m) Foreign exchange The United States Dollar is the Company's functional currency. Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Fixed assets and deferred income are translated at their historical exchange rates. Foreign currency revenues and expenses are translated at exchange rates in effect at the date of the transaction. Net exchange gains of $559, $311 and $223 are included in other income for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. n) Derivative financial instruments The Company is party to certain derivative financial instruments, being forward foreign exchange contracts which are used to manage foreign currency exposures on non-U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities. The Company does not engage in derivatives for any other purpose. Forward foreign exchange contracts are recorded at their fair value. The fair values of open contracts at the balance sheet dates are based on the quoted market prices of forward contracts with similar maturities. Changes in fair values are recognized in other income as appropriate in the period in which the changes occur. Amounts receivable or payable on open positions are recorded in other assets or accounts payable and accrued liabilities as appropriate. See Note 14(c). o) Stock compensation plans As permitted by FASB Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", the Company has elected to continue to account for stock option grants in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees", and, accordingly, recognizes compensation expense for stock option grants to the extent that the fair value of the stock exceeds the exercise price of the option at the measurement date. Any resulting compensation expense is recorded over the shorter of the vesting or service period. p) Accounting pronouncements In December 1997, the AICPA Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued Statement of Position (SOP) 97-3. "Accounting by Insurance and Other Enterprises for Insurance-Related Assessments." The accounting guidance of this SOP focuses on the timing of recognition and measurement of liabilities for insurance- related assessments. Guidance is also provided on recording assets representing future recoveries of assessments through premium tax offsets or policy surcharges. The SOP is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998. The Company does not anticipate the statement to have a significant impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. During 1998, the AICPA Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-5. "Reporting on the costs of start-up activities." The accounting guidance of this SOP requires that the costs of start-up activities be expensed as incurred and any costs that are carried as an asset prior to adoption of SOP 98-5 would be written off by reporting a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the statement of income as of January 1, 1999. The cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle to be recorded in the statement of income for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 will be approximately $495. In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". This statement is effective for all quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999. Given the limited number of transactions currently entered into by the 31 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(CONTINUED) Company that are covered by the Statement, the Company does not anticipate any significant changes to its current financial reporting. In November 1998, the AICPA Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-7. "Deposit accounting: Accounting for Insurance and Reinsurance Contracts that do not transfer risk." This SOP provides accounting guidance for insurance and reinsurance contracts that do not transfer risk, as determined by the provisions of SFAS 113. The Company is currently reviewing the impact of this standard on its financial reporting. In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income". This statement establishes rules for the reporting of comprehensive income and its components. Comprehensive income consists of net income and unrealized gains and losses on available for sale investments, and is presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income. The adoption of SFAS 130 had no impact on total shareholders' equity. Prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the SFAS 130 requirements. In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". SFAS 131 establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments and related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. This disclosure is located within Note 15. 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT AND ASSETS HELD IN TRUST In the normal course of reinsurance operations the Company's bankers have issued letters of credit totalling $12,226 and $13,141 at December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively in favor of ceding insurance companies. At December 31, 1997 and 1998, $12,226 and $13,141, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents were pledged as collateral for these letters of credit. One of the Company's subsidiaries is registered with the Society of Lloyd's as a registered Lloyd's Broker. As required by Lloyd's Brokers Byelaw (No. 5 of 1988), the subsidiary has entered into a trust deed under which all insurance broking account assets are subject to a floating lien held in trust for the Society of Lloyd's for the benefit of the insurance creditors. Insurance and reinsurance balances payable covered by the floating lien at December 31, 1997 and 1998, amounted to $95,279 and $139,216, respectively, including relevant creditors of other subsidiaries. The purpose of the trust deed is to provide security to the Lloyds Broker's insurance creditors in the event of the Brokers insolvency by creating a charge over the Broker's insurance transaction assets. The lien becomes enforceable only in the event the Lloyds Broker becomes insolvent or breaches Lloyds solvency rules or regulations. The assets which were subject to this floating lien at December 31, 1997 and 1998 were:
1997 1998 -------- --------- Fiduciary funds................................. $13,872 $ 22,797 Insurance and reinsurance balances receivable..................................... 83,937 117,753 ------- -------- $97,809 $140,550 ======= ========
4. FIDUCIARY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES In its various capacities as an insurance intermediary, the Company acts as a conduit for insurance and reinsurance premiums from insureds and other intermediaries, and after deducting its risk management fee and, where appropriate, surplus lines taxes and stamping fees, remits the premium to the respective insurance company or underwriter. Additionally, the Company acts as a conduit for loss payments. Pending the remittance of such funds to the insurance company or underwriter in accordance with the applicable insurance contract, the Company holds collected funds in its own segregated bank accounts and is entitled to any accrued interest on such funds. The obligation to remit these funds is recorded as insurance and 32 STERLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED) reinsurance balances payable on the Company's balance sheet. The period for which the Company holds such funds is dependent upon the date the insured remits the payment of the premium to the Company and the date the Company is required to forward such payment to the insurer. 5. Marketable securities a) The cost/amortized cost and estimated fair value of marketable securities held as available for sale are as follows:
1997 ----------------------------------- COST/ GROSS GROSS ESTIMATED --------- ---------- ----------- --------- AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR --------- ---------- ----------- --------- COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE --------- ---------- ----------- --------- U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies...................................................... $ 5,082 $107 $ -- $ 5,189 Foreign government............................................. 1,032 1 20 1,013 Obligations of states and political subdivisions............... 75 -- -- 75 Corporate securities........................................... 8,693 2 1 8,694 ------- ---- ----------- ------- Debt securities................................................ 14,882 110 21 14,971 Equity securities.............................................. 454 32 -- 486 Short term investments......................................... 5,579 -- -- 5,579 ------- ---- ----------- ------- Total..................................................... $20,915 $142 $ 21 $21,036 ======= ==== =========== ======= 1998 ---------------------------------- COST/ GROSS GROSS ESTIMATED --------- ---------- ----------- --------- AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR --------- ---------- ----------- --------- COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE --------- ---------- ----------- --------- U.S. Treasury securities and obligations Of U.S. Government agencies...................................................... $ 5,694 $152 $ -- $ 5,846 Foreign government............................................. 29 1 -- 30 Obligations of states and political subdivisions............... 6,897 90 -- 6,987 Corporate securities........................................... 4,102 92 -- 4,194 ------- ---- ----------- ------- Debt securities................................................ 16,722 335 -- 17,057 Equity securities.............................................. 2,384 152 -- 2,536 Short term investments......................................... 9,643 -- -- 9,643 ------- ---- ----------- ------- Total..................................................... $28,749 $487 $ -- $29,236 ======= ==== =========== =======
A deferred tax liability of $39 and $168 at December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively, has been provided against unrealized gains on marketable securities held as "available for sale" which has been presented net as accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders' equity. b) The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity are shown in the following table. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
1998 -------------------- AMORTIZED ESTIMATED --------- --------- COST FAIR VALUE --------- ---------- Due in one year or less....................... $ 1,105 $ 1,117 Due after one year through five years......... 6,713 6,880 Due after five years through ten years........ 6,675 6,816 Due after ten years through twenty years...... 540 548 Due after twenty years........................ 1,689 1,696 ------- ------- $16,722 $17,057 ======= =======
33 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED) c) Proceeds from sales of investments in debt securities during 1997 and 1998 were $4,190 and $10,680, respectively. Proceeds from sales of investments in equity securities during 1997 and 1998 were $7,262 and $658, respectively. There was $5 of realized losses and $443 of realized gains during 1997. There was $0 of realized losses and $59 of realized gains during 1998. d) At December 31, 1997 and 1998, debt securities having an amortized cost of $2,925 and $2,878 respectively, were on deposit with government authorities as required by law. e) At December 31, 1997 and 1998, there were no individual investments, other than investments in U.S. Government securities, which exceeded 10% of shareholders' equity. f) Net investment income by source is as follows:
1996 1997 1998 ------ ------ ------ Debt securities........................................... $ 134 $1,029 $ 731 Equity securities......................................... 67 70 52 Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments......... 3,216 4,754 8,068 Other..................................................... 1 2 16 ------ ------ ------ Total investment income................................... 3,418 5,855 8,867 Less applicable expenses.................................. 13 73 96 ------ ------ ------ Net investment income.................................. $3,405 $5,782 $8,771 ====== ====== ======
6. OTHER ASSETS a) Capital assets Included within other assets are capital assets as follows:
1997 1998 ------------------------------ -------------------------------- ACCUMULATED NET BOOK ACCUMULATED NET BOOK ------------ -------- ------------ -------- COST DEPRECIATION VALUE COST DEPRECIATION VALUE ------ ------------ -------- ------ ------------ -------- Furniture and fixtures... $1,266 $ 580 $ 686 $1,732 $ 875 $ 857 Computer equipment....... 3,305 1,664 1,641 4,598 2,409 2,189 Office equipment......... 700 341 359 973 483 490 Motor vehicles........... 950 491 459 1,321 482 839 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total............... $6,221 $3,076 $3,145 $8,624 $4,249 $4,375 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
b) Investment in affiliates Included within other assets are investments in affiliates. Summarized condensed financial information of a Bermuda based underwriting management company, a 39% owned affiliate, which is accounted for by the equity method, is as follows:
1996 1997 1998 ------ ------ ------ INCOME STATEMENT DATA Underwriting management fees............... $1,191 $3,959 $8,057 Interest income............................ 63 88 195 Net income................................. 633 3,294 7,250 Company's share of net income.............. $ 247 $1,285 $2,828 ====== ====== ======
34 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, ----------------- 1997 1998 ------- ------- BALANCE SHEET DATA Cash and cash equivalents..................... $ 1,224 $ 1,785 Fiduciary cash................................ 2,267 5,782 Insurance balances receivable................. 12,821 4,925 Other assets.................................. 60 85 ------- ------- Total assets............................. $16,372 $12,577 ------- ------- Insurance balances payable.................... $13,179 $ 6,835 Deferred income............................... 496 1,543 Other liabilities............................. 56 105 Shareholders' equity.......................... 2,641 4,094 ------- ------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $16,372 $12,577 ======= ======= Company's share of shareholders' equity.. $ 1,030 $ 1,597 ======= =======
The Company received dividends from this affiliate of $0, $593 and $2,145 during 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. 7. DEPOSIT LIABILITIES AND RELATED ASSETS Certain of the Company's reinsurance contracts, referred to as rent-a-captive programs, do not satisfy the conditions for reinsurance accounting as the maximum exposure to loss is fully funded by premium, cash and other collateral and indemnity agreements. Accordingly, these contracts are accounted for as deposit liabilities. The assets related to these programs represent funds under management as the insured retains the risks and rewards of ownership. Such assets are recorded as assets related to deposit liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. These assets comprised cash and short-term deposits at December 31, 1997 and 1998. The Company receives a fee based on a percentage of premiums written and investment income earned for structuring and providing ongoing management of the programs. In addition, deposit liabilities and related assets include $2,459 and $2,687 of deposits received from customers as security for the timely payment of premiums for workers' compensation insurance at December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The deposit is restricted from use by the Company, and is the property of the customer. The deposit is refunded to the customer after the policy expires or is canceled and all claims related to the insurance policy have been settled. The interest income earned by these restricted deposit accounts is the property of the customer, and is therefore excluded from the Company's operating results. 8. REINSURANCE ASSUMED AND CEDED The Company accounts for reinsurance assumed and ceded in accordance with SFAS 113 "Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long- Duration Contracts". Net premiums earned are the result of the following:
1996 1997 1998 ------------ ------------ ----------- Premiums written........................................ $ 4,009 $21,743 $48,625 Premiums assumed........................................ 12,467 14,115 11,806 Change in unearned premiums............................. (938) (6,672) (5,850) ------- ------- ------- Premiums earned......................................... 15,538 29,186 54,581 ------- ------- ------- Premiums ceded.......................................... 7,546 22,677 43,015 Change in deferred reinsurance premiums ceded........... (762) (5,281) (6,208) ------- ------- ------- Net premiums ceded...................................... 6,784 17,396 36,807 ------- ------- ------- Net premiums earned..................................... $ 8,754 $11,790 $17,774 ======= ======= =======
35 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued) The Company, in the ordinary course of business, reinsures certain risks with other companies. Such arrangements serve to enhance the Company's capacity to write business and limit the Company's maximum loss on large or unusually hazardous risks. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company; consequently, allowances are established for amounts deemed uncollectible. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic regions, activities, or economic characteristics of the reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. At December 31, 1998, the Company is in dispute with certain of its reinsurers in respect of amounts due under retrocessional coverages. Management believes that approximately $2.5 million (1997 - $0) of paid and outstanding losses recoverable from reinsurers is uncollectible and has established a provision for doubtful recoveries accordingly. This provision of $2.5 million against reinsurance recoveries of $13.4 million represents management's best estimate at this time of a shortfall in recoveries. This provision is included in the balance sheet as a component of paid and outstanding losses recoverable from reinsurers. The provision is necessarily an estimate and amounts not collectible from reinsurers may ultimately be significantly greater or lesser than the provision established. It is reasonably possible that management will revise this estimate significantly in the near term. Any subsequent differences arising will be recorded in the period in which they occur. At December 31, 1998 there was an amount due from one reinsurer that totaled $17,276. This reinsurer is rated `Superior' by A.M. Best. At December 31, 1997 there were no amounts due from any individual reinsurer in excess of 10% of the Company's shareholders' equity. The Company recognizes reinsurance recoveries when the associated loss is booked. Realm National Insurance Company ("Realm National"), a subsidiary of the Company, has written property and workers compensation business since its acquisition. Realm National's workers' compensation business is subject to quota share reinsurance whereby it retains 25% of the first $1,000. Realm National's retention under the quota share treaty is further protected by common account excess coverage in excess of $3. Realm National purchases excess loss coverage on an occurrence basis up to $200,000. Realm National has also purchased a standard property reinsurance program whereby Realm National retains 25% of the first $1,000 on any one risk and purchased facultative per risk reinsurance for limits above $1,000 to $200,000. In addition, Realm National's net retained line is further protected by a per risk excess of loss cover which reduces the maximum loss on any one risk to $125. Comp Indemnity Reinsurance Company Limited ("CIRCL"), a subsidiary of the Company, assumes various quota shares of workers' compensation, employers' liability on both a primary and excess basis, bodily injury, difference in conditions, general liability risks, and property written on a treaty basis. CIRCL's exposure under the reinsurance contracts assumed is limited in most instances to $25 and $1,000 per occurrence for workers' compensation and employers liability, respectively and is subject to an annual aggregate limit based on various percentages of original gross written premium income. CIRCL further limits its exposure through the purchase of reinsurance protection for certain risks covering losses in excess of $1 and $50 per occurrence for workers' compensation and employers' liability. 9. OUTSTANDING LOSSES AND LOSS EXPENSES Outstanding losses and loss expenses relate to the insurance activities of CIRCL and Realm National. The changes in outstanding losses and loss expenses are summarized as follows:
1996 1997 1998 --------- ----------- ------------ Balance beginning of year........................... $ -- $ 24,301 $ 36,276
36 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) Less outstanding losses recoverable.............. -- (16,588) (23,072) Net balance for CIRCL, at acquisition............ 1,270 -- -- Net balance for Realm National, at acquisition... 1,687 -- -- ------- -------- -------- Net balance...................................... 2,957 7,713 13,204 ------- -------- -------- Incurred related to: Current year............................... 6,515 10,174 12,578 Prior years................................ 250 777 4,693 ------- -------- -------- Total incurred............................. 6,765 10,951 17,271 ------- -------- -------- Paid related to: Current year............................... 1,334 2,011 3,066 Prior years................................ 675 3,449 9,438 ------- -------- -------- Total paid.............................. 2,009 5,460 12,504 ------- -------- -------- Net balance...................................... 7,713 13,204 17,971 Plus outstanding losses recoverable.............. 16,588 23,072 48,146 ------- -------- -------- Balance at end of year..................... $24,301 $ 36,276 $ 66,117 ======= ======== ========
The adverse development during 1998 on prior years reflects primarily an increase in claims frequency on one particular program that covers bodily injury and property risks in the construction industry, and the provision for doubtful recoveries of $2,500 discussed in Note 8. The adverse development during 1997 on prior years primarily represents an increase in claims frequency on one particular program that covers bodily injury and property risks in the construction industry. 10. SHARE CAPITAL AND ADDITIONAL PAID IN CAPITAL The Company's authorized share capital at December 31, 1997 and 1998 comprised 20,000,000 ordinary shares of par value $0.25 each of which 9,863,372 ordinary shares were issued and fully-paid at that date. The Company's authorized share capital at December 31, 1996 comprised 8,048,000 ordinary shares of par value $0.25 each and 25 Class "A" non-voting shares with a par value of $1 each, of which 8,000,000 ordinary shares and 25 Class "A" non-voting shares were issued and fully-paid at that date. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, during 1996, the Company issued 1,999,980 shares in exchange for 100% of the share capital of Realm Investments Ltd. The fair value assigned to the shares issued was $12,819. The excess of the fair value of the shares issued over par value was recorded in additional paid in capital. This represents a non-cash financing and investing activity for the purpose of the statements of cash flows. The Company also issued 2,000,000 ordinary shares and 25 Class "A" non-voting shares to a private investor group. Contemporaneously, the private investor group also acquired additional ordinary shares from existing shareholders on a pro-rata basis, such that the private investor group's total ownership represented 32.5% of the total number of issued ordinary share capital at that time. The 2,000,000 ordinary shares and related 25 Class "A" shares issued to the private investor group were subject to a put option whereby, after 2004, the holders of such shares could request that the Company repurchase the shares for fair market value at that date. As such shares were subject to redemption at the option of the holder, the aggregate subscription price was classified outside of shareholders' equity as at December 31, 1996. The put option expired upon the consummation by the Company of an Initial Public Offering ("IPO") in December 1997 and accordingly the shares were reclassified into shareholders' equity at that date. Treasury stock is recorded at cost as a deduction from shareholders' equity. During 1996 the Company repurchased 202,784 of its ordinary shares from one of its founding shareholders at a price negotiated between the Company and the shareholder. The shares were held as treasury stock at December 31, 1996. In April 1997, the Company purchased a further 213,732 of its ordinary shares from a founding shareholder for a total cost of $1,141. Such shares were recorded as treasury stock at cost. 37 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) In June 1997, the Company reissued 16,000 ordinary shares of its treasury stock for a total subscription price of $86. On June 30, 1997, the remaining 400,516 ordinary shares held in treasury at that date were cancelled. The excess cost of treasury shares over their par value was recorded as a deduction from retained earnings. On June 30, 1997, the Company increased its authorized share capital to 20,000,000 ordinary shares of par value $0.25 each and effected a four for one stock split whereby each of the Company's ordinary shares of par value $1.00 each was divided into four ordinary shares of par value $0.25 each. On June 30, 1997, the shareholders exercised their options to purchase 600,000 ordinary shares in the Company (see Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements) at an exercise price of $2.71 per share. Contemporaneously, 288,888 ordinary shares of par value of $0.25 each were issued to the holders of the Class "A" shares pursuant to certain anti- dilution rights, and the Class "A" shares were repurchased by the Company for nominal consideration. The $72 excess of the par value of the ordinary shares issued over the original par value of the Class "A" shares was recorded as a deduction from additional paid in capital. On the same date the Company loaned the shareholders $1,625, an amount equal to the aggregate exercise price of the options. Such loans were evidenced by promissory notes, bearing interest at 7% per annum until maturity in June 1998 or earlier in the event of early repayment. Included within notes receivable was $325, $866 and $109 due from Messrs. Cooke, Brown and Jones, respectively. The loans were repaid in full in December 1997 following the successful completion of the IPO of the Company's ordinary shares. On December 2, 1997, the Company and certain Selling Shareholders consummated the IPO of 3,421,250 ordinary shares at $22 per share. Of these shares 1,375,000 were sold by the Company and 2,046,250 were sold by Selling Shareholders. The Company received net proceeds of $26,832 after deducting underwriting commissions of $2,117 and expenses of $1,301 relating to the issue. In December 1997, under a put and call option originally granted in April 1997, the Company purchased 40,000 ordinary shares for a total cost of $667. These shares were held as treasury stock at December 31, 1997 and 1998. In October 1998, the Company purchased a further 47,000 of its ordinary shares on the open market for a total cost of $567. These shares were held as treasury stock at cost at December 31, 1998. 11. STOCK OPTIONS Employees have been granted options to purchase Ordinary Shares in the Company. These options have been issued in two series: i) Options issued to Employees--Shareholders On June 29, 1995, the Company granted 600,000 options to certain employee shareholders. The terms of the options were subsequently amended in 1996 to reflect the share exchange factor in the Share Purchase Agreement between the Company and Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings (UK) Limited discussed in Note 1. The options had an exercise price of $2.71 per share, which reflected the estimated fair value of the shares at the original grant date as updated for the exchange factor. The options were fully vested at the grant date and were able to be exercised at any time prior to January 23, 2003. On June 30, 1997, the shareholders exercised these options and purchased 600,000 ordinary shares in the Company at an exercise price of $2.71. 38 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) (ii) Options issued under Equity Incentive Plan On November 25, 1997 the Company granted 300,000 options to certain employees. The options have an exercise price of $22 per share, which reflected the estimated fair value of the shares at the grant date. The options vest ratably over a three year period and may be exercised at any time prior to November 25, 2007. All of these options were outstanding at December 31, 1997 and 1998. In accordance with the provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, the Company applies APB Opinion 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock option plans and accordingly, recognizes compensation cost based on the intrinsic value of the options at the grant date. If the Company had elected to recognize compensation cost based on the fair value of the options granted at the grant date as prescribed by SFAS 123, net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated in the table below:
1996 1997 1998 ------ ------- ------- Net income--as reported................................. $9,918 $12,993 $16,018 Net income--pro forma................................... $9,918 $12,926 $14,820 Net income per share--as reported....................... $ 1.22 $ 1.55 $ 1.63 Net income per share--pro forma......................... $ 1.22 $ 1.54 $ 1.51 Net income per share assuming dilution--as reported..... $ 1.19 $ 1.53 $ 1.63 Net income per share assuming dilution--pro forma....... $ 1.19 $ 1.52 $ 1.51
These pro forma compensation costs may not be representative of those to be expected in future years. As the options were granted on November 25, 1997, only approximately one month's compensation cost was expensed within the pro-forma net income for the year ended December 31, 1997. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions used: Expected dividend yield................ 0.55% Expected stock price volatility........ 30.00% Risk-free interest rate................ 5.00% Expected life of options............... 4 years
There were no options granted during 1996 or 1998. The fair value of options granted during 1997 was $6.59 per share. 12. TAXATION Under current Bermuda law, the Company is not required to pay any taxes in Bermuda on either income or capital gains. The Company has received an undertaking from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda that in the event of any such taxes being imposed the Company will be exempted from taxation until the year 2016. Total income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 was allocated as follows:
1996 1997 1998 ------ ------ ------ Income from continuing operations............... $2,281 $2,925 $3,790 Shareholders' equity (for unrealized gains on marketable securities)........................ 75 (36) 129 ------ ------ ------ $2,356 $2,889 $3,919 ====== ====== ======
39 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) Income tax expense attributable to income from continuing operations consists of:
CURRENT DEFERRED TOTAL ------- -------- ------ Year ended December 31, 1996 U.S. Federal and State......... $ 627 $ (339) $ 288 Foreign (U.K.)................. $1,993 -- 1,993 ------ ------ ------ $2,620 $ (339) $2,281 ====== ====== ====== Year ended December 31, 1997 U.S. Federal and State......... $ 934 $ (809) $ 125 Foreign (U.K.)................. 2,800 -- 2,800 ------ ------ ------ $3,734 $ (809) $2,925 ====== ====== ====== Year ended December 31, 1998 U.S. Federal and State......... $1,324 $ (753) $ 571 Foreign (U.K.)................. 3,219 -- 3,219 ------ ------ ------ $4,543 $ (753) $3,790 ====== ====== ======
Income tax expense attributable to income from continuing operations was $2,281, $2,925 and $3,790 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 respectively, and differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 34% to income before taxation as a result of the following:
1996 1997 1998 -------- -------- -------- Computed expected tax expense.................... $ 4,148 $ 5,412 $ 6,888 Foreign income not subject to US taxes........... (1,813) (2,305) (2,988) Income subject to tax at foreign rates........... (55) (200) (99) Change in valuation allowance.................... 190 (86) (104) Miscellaneous permanent differences.............. 56 98 94 Acquired temporary difference.................... (320) -- -- State taxes...................................... 75 80 79 Utilization of acquired net operating losses..... -- (74) (80) ------- ------- ------- Actual tax expense............................... $ 2,281 $ 2,925 $ 3,790 ======= ======= =======
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 1997 and 1998, are presented below:
1997 1998 ------ ------ Deferred tax assets: Deferred revenue............................................... $ 687 $1,220 Discount on unearned premiums and outstanding loss reserves.... 104 459 Deferred interest deductions................................... 316 280 Other.......................................................... 145 -- Valuation allowance............................................ (104) -- ------ ------ 1,148 1,959 Deferred tax liabilities: Unrealized investment gains.................................... (39) (168) Other.......................................................... -- (36) ------ ------ Net deferred tax asset......................................... $1,109 $1,755 ====== ======
Valuation allowances of $104 and $0 have been established against the deferred tax asset as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively. There was no valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 1998, since it is management's belief that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. However, the amount of deferred tax assets could be reduced in the near term if estimates of taxable income are reduced. The Company has not recognized a deferred tax liability for the undistributed earnings of its United States subsidiaries. (A 30% tax is generally imposed in the United States on dividends paid by United States corporations to non-United States shareholders). The Company does not expect those unremitted 40 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) earnings to become taxable in the foreseeable future. A deferred tax liability will be recognized when the Company expects that it will recover those undistributed earnings in a taxable manner, such as the receipt of dividends. The deferred tax liability relating to these unremitted earnings which is not recognized by the Company is approximately $200, $542 and $986 at December 31, 1996, 1997, 1998, respectively. 13. EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings per share have been calculated in accordance with SFAS 128:
1996 1997 1998 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net Income....................................................... $ 9,918 $ 12,993 $ 16,018 ---------- ---------- ---------- Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding........... 8,100,782 8,383,482 9,814,101 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income per share............................................. $ 1.22 $ 1.55 $ 1.63 ========== ========== ========== Income available to ordinary shareholders........................ $ 9,918 $ 12,993 $ 16,018 ---------- ---------- ---------- Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding........... 8,100,782 8,383,482 9,814,101 Plus: incremental shares from assumed exercise of options........ 205,828 131,991 26,058 ---------- ---------- ---------- Adjusted weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding.. 8,306,610 8,515,473 9,840,159 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income per share assuming dilution........................... $ 1.19 $ 1.53 $ 1.63 ========== ========== ==========
See Notes 10 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of share capital and share option transactions. 14. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS a) Fair value The carrying values of all financial instruments, as defined by SFAS 107 and as recorded in the consolidated balance sheets approximate their fair value. The Company does not have any significant off-balance sheet financial instruments. The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating fair values: Cash and cash equivalents and fiduciary funds: The fair values for these instruments approximate their carrying amounts because of the short maturity of such instruments. Marketable securities: The fair values of debt and equity securities are based on quoted market prices and dealer quotes at the consolidated balance sheet dates. Deposit liabilities and related assets: Underlying assets comprise mainly cash and deposits. The fair values of these assets and related liabilities approximate their carrying value due to the short maturity of these instruments. Forward foreign exchange contracts: The fair values of such contracts are based on quoted forward rates available for the remaining duration of the contracts at the balance sheet dates. Other assets and liabilities: The fair values of all other financial instruments, as defined by SFAS 107, approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature. The estimates of fair values presented herein are subjective in nature and are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company would actually realize in a current market exchange. Any differences 41 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) would not be expected to be material. Certain instruments such as prepaid expenses, other assets, goodwill and deferred expenses, deferred fee income, outstanding losses recoverable from reinsurers, and outstanding losses and loss expenses are excluded from fair value disclosure. Thus the total fair value amounts cannot be aggregated to determine the underlying economic value of the Company. b) Concentrations of credit risk and provision for doubtful accounts The Company's financial instruments exposed to possible concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of its cash and cash equivalents, paid and outstanding losses recoverable from reinsurers and insurance and reinsurance balances receivable. The Company maintains a substantial portion of its cash and cash equivalents in two financial institutions which the Company considers of high credit quality. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to other financial instruments are to some extent limited due to the number of reinsurers, agents and customers comprising the Company's receivable base. At December 31, 1998 there was an amount due from one reinsurer that totals $17,276 as discussed in Note 8. As at December 31, 1998, management believes that approximately $2,500 (1997 - $Nil) of paid and outstanding losses recoverable from reinsurers is uncollectible and has established a provision for doubtful accounts accordingly, as discussed in Note 8. c) Forward foreign exchange contracts The Company's functional currency is the U.S. dollar; however, as the Company operates internationally, it has exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These exposures include net cash inflows on non-U.S. dollar denominated transactions. To manage the Company's exposure to these risks, the Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts in the currencies to which the Company is exposed. These contracts generally involve the exchange of one currency for another at some future date. The Company had a notional principal amount outstanding of (Pounds)1,000 and (Pounds)Nil at December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively, relating to contracts to buy British Pounds Sterling in the future. Net unrealized gains on the forward exchange contracts for the year ended December 31, 1997 and 1998 amounted to $83 and $Nil, respectively and have been accrued in other income and included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. A net realized gain (loss) of $465, $(22) and $182 is included in other income in the consolidated statements of income in respect of such contracts during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. 15. SEGMENTAL INFORMATION (a) The Company has five main business segments; Brokerage, Program Business, Underwriting Management, Insurance, and Reinsurance. Brokerage companies design and arrange, for a fee or commission, insurance and reinsurance contracts which transfer risk and associated premium from one company to another. Program Business companies market and manage insurance products and programs developed by the Company on behalf of reinsurers. Underwriting Management companies underwrite and administer reinsurance business on behalf of a number of independent reinsurance companies. The insurance and reinsurance segments represent companies that retain risks and their revenues include premiums earned on insurance polices, investment income and policy issuance fees. Other includes the Company's holding companies, group services companies, and income earned from investments in affiliated companies (1996 - $282, 1997 - $1,266, 1998- $2,631). Intercompany transactions are recorded under normal terms of trade. Adjustments and eliminations to revenue are in respect of intersegment revenues that are eliminated at the consolidated level. Adjustments and eliminations to assets are primarily in respect of intersegment insurance balances receivable that are eliminated at the consolidated level. 42 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
Adj. and Program Underwriting ---------- Brokerage Business Management Insurance Reinsurance Other eliminations Total --------- -------- ------------ --------- ----------- ----- ------------ ----- DECEMBER 31, 1996 Revenues 19,219 11,912 4,276 1,426 8,187 2,041 -- 47,061 Income before tax 5,980 3,091 2,790 51 201 86 -- 12,199 Assets 138,297 15,282 32,736 45,423 22,798 9,676 (29,128) 235,084 DECEMBER 31, 1997 Revenues 23,385 19,770 4,174 5,399 9,382 3,200 -- 65,310 Income (loss) before tax 8,591 3,938 2,491 471 57 370 -- 15,918 Assets 249,334 22,465 32,038 58,306 40,452 35,029 (31,294) 406,330 DECEMBER 31, 1998 Revenues 27,144 27,119 3,554 11,073 10,905 5,798 (500) 85,093 Income (loss) before tax 11,501 5,187 1,689 1,169 (3,357) 3,619 -- 19,808 Assets 462,420 35,015 38,179 94,843 58,761 47,123 (86,700) 649,641
(b) Summarized financial information by geographic location of subsidiary for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 is as follows:
Adjustments & Bermuda U.K. U.S.A. eliminations Consolidated ------- ------ ------ ------------- ------------ REVENUES FOR THE YEAR ENDED December 31, 1996 16,436 19,284 11,534 (193) 47,061 December 31, 1997 21,326 22,459 22,262 (737) 65,310 December 31, 1998 27,485 23,632 34,713 (737) 85,093 IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS AT THE YEAR ENDED December 31, 1996 68,306 139,494 60,825 (33,541) 235,084 December 31, 1997 119,066 250,668 85,006 (48,410) 406,330 December 31, 1998 178,489 477,639 127,851 (134,338) 649,641
(c) The Company's Program Business companies market and manage insurance products and programs developed by the Company on behalf of independent insurance carriers. In addition, the Company, through its brokerage operations and managing general underwriters provide additional business and services to certain of these independent insurance carriers in respect of these products and other insurance and reinsurance policies. For the year ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 revenues received from one independent insurance carrier approximately accounted for the following percentage of total revenues.
Program Underwriting --------- ------------ Brokerage Business Management Insurance Reinsurance Other Total --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------- ----- ------ December 31, 1996 28% 71% 82% 0% 93% 26% 55% December 31, 1997 22% 79% 89% 0% 83% 30% 51% December 31, 1998 19% 71% 94% 0% 74% 11% 43%
The loss of this carrier could have a material adverse effect on the Company. However, the Company believes that the availability of alternative underwriting capacity at Realm National and other independent insurance carriers would reduce the impact of such a loss. 16. COMMITMENTS Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as at December 31, 1998 are as follows:
1999.................... $2,452 2000.................... 2,142 2001.................... 2,050 2002.................... 1,737
43 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
2003...................... 1,467 2004 and thereafter....... 4,673 ------ 14,521 ------
Total rental expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, was $1,319, $1,894, and $2,191, respectively. Certain lease commitments are subject to annual adjustment under escalation clauses, for real estate taxes and the landlord's operating expenses. Such adjustments will not be material to the Company. 17. STATUTORY SURPLUS AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS The Company's ability to pay dividends is subject to certain restrictions including the following: a) The Company is subject to a 30% withholding tax on certain dividends and interest received from its United States subsidiaries. b) Under New York law, Realm National may pay cash dividends only from earned surplus determined on a statutory basis. Further, Realm National is restricted (on the basis of the lower of 10% of statutory surplus at the end of the preceding twelve month period or 100% of the adjusted net investment income for the preceding twelve month period) as to the amount of dividends it may declare or pay in any twelve month period without the approval of the Insurance Department of the State of New York. Realm National did not have any earned surplus available for the payment of dividends in 1997 and 1998 due to its statutory-basis accumulated deficit. Additionally, $21 and $21 of statutory surplus has been segregated as special funds as of December 31, 1997 and 1998 and will not become available for dividend payments until earned. Realm National's total capital and surplus and net income determined on a New York statutory basis are as follows:
1997 1998 ------- ------- Total capital and surplus at December 31.... $18,991 $18,889 Net income for year ended December 31....... $ 370 $ 663
By agreement with the Insurance Department of the State of New York, Realm National was restricted from declaring dividends for a two year period from September 5, 1996 the date upon which its acquisition by the Company was completed. c) The NAIC has a model law which establishes certain minimum risk- based capital ("RBC") requirements for property-casualty insurance companies. The RBC calculation serves as a benchmark for the regulation of insurance companies by state insurance regulators. The calculation specifies various formulas and weighting factors that are applied to financial balances or various levels of activity based on the perceived degree of risk and are set forth in the RBC requirements. The capital of Realm National as of December 31, 1997 and 1998 exceeded the amount calculated using the RBC requirements. d) The Company's Bermuda reinsurance subsidiary, CIRCL, is required by its license to maintain capital and surplus greater than a minimum statutory amount determined as the greater of a percentage of outstanding losses and loss expenses (net of reinsurance recoverable) or a given fraction of net written premiums. At December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively, CIRCL was required to maintain a 44 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) minimum statutory capital and surplus of $1,680 and $2,135. Accordingly, approximately $1,664 of contributed surplus and retained earnings is restricted from distribution. CIRCL's total surplus and net loss determined on a Bermuda statutory basis is as follows:
1997 1998 -------- -------- Total surplus at December 31........................... $2,261 $ 2,304 Net loss for year ended December 31.................... $ (85) $(3,558)
CIRCL is also required to maintain a minimum liquidity ratio whereby the value of its relevant assets are not less than 75% of the amount of its relevant liabilities. Certain categories of assets do not qualify as relevant assets under the statute. At December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively, CIRCL was required to maintain relevant assets of at least $17,900 and $25,000. At that date relevant assets were approximately $23,900 and $35,600 and the minimum liquidity ratio was therefore met. 18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS a) Amounts due from/to affiliates are interest free and unsecured with no fixed terms of repayment. b) Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as a co-managing underwriter for the Company's IPO completed in December 1997, from which the underwriters received aggregate underwriting discounts of $5.3 million from the Company and selling shareholders. Goldman, Sachs & Co. or certain of their affiliates maintain certain contractual relationships with the Company and have provided investment banking services to the Company. Goldman, Sachs & Co. also provide investment management services to Realm National pursuant to a Corporate Account Agreement dated December 24, 1996 and received customary fees and expenses of approximately $20 during 1998 (1997 - $52) for such services. 19. CONTINGENCIES (a) There currently are pending several arbitration proceedings in England between reinsurers and their ceding insurers relating to reinsurance transactions involving the personal accident excess of loss market ("LMX") for the years 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996. Although, with one exception, neither the Company nor its subsidiaries are a party to any of these arbitrations, certain of the Company's subsidiaries acted as a reinsurance broker for ceding companies that are parties to certain of the arbitrations. The exception entails a subsidiary that is directly involved in an arbitration because it assumed the position of one of the reinsureds by way of portfolio transfer. The reinsurers have alleged that they sustained losses due to a spiral in the LMX market which was not disclosed to them by the ceding insurers or their reinsurance brokers. As a consequence, these reinsurers have asserted that they are no longer obliged to honor their reinsurance agreements and have ceased paying claims. If one or more reinsurers prevail in the pending arbitration, it is possible that one or more ceding insurers that are reinsurance brokerage clients of the Company's subsidiaries or for whom a subsidiary performs the role of underwriting manager, may assert a claim against a subsidiary and in the case of the one exception the subsidiary would be unable to recover under certain contracts of reinsurance. During 1998 certain of the reinsurers and reinsureds filed a total of 7 writs in the English courts (which are the equivalent of a complaint in U.S. jurisdictions) against the Company or certain of subsidiaries to toll the statute of limitations. Some of these writs were issued pending the outcome of related arbitrations. None of these writs specified an amount of damages sought. In most cases, the Company or the relevent subsidiaries have negotiated standstill agreements with the reinsurer or reinsured to toll the statute of limitations. 45 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued) The primary factual allegation by the reinsurers is that, although they believed they reinsured the subject risks only at high excess levels, the LMX spiral caused their high excess positions to not equate with their expectation of remoteness from the incidence of risk. As to the Company or its subsidiaries, the reinsurers and reinsureds have alleged in their writs that the Company or its subsidiary was negligent, misrepresented, or failed to disclose the potential effect of the spiral on the reinsurers' exposure to risk. The Company does not yet have sufficient information to determine whether any claims ultimately will be prosecuted against the Company or its subsidiaries or whether any such claims ultimately will result in payment of any liability or settlement by the Company or its subsidiaries. The Company understands that the parties to the arbitration and court proceedings and other participants in these markets currently are attempting to achieve a business solution that could involve a financial contribution by participants in the market. Although no assurances can be given as to the outcome of the pending proceedings and their effect on the Company, the Company believes, based on the information presently available to it, that any such effect should not materially adversely affect the Company's financial condition. (b) The Company is subject to other litigation and arbitration in the ordinary course of its business. While any of these proceedings contains an element of uncertainty, management presently believes the outcome of these currently pending proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company. 20. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA--UNAUDITED
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH ------- ------- ------- ------- QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER ------- ------- ------- ------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 (i) --- Total revenues............................... $14,345 $16,645 $17,019 $17,301 Net income................................... 2,820 3,172 3,590 3,411 Net income per share......................... 0.35 0.40 0.42 0.38 Net income per share assuming dilution....... $ 0.34 $ 0.39 $ 0.42 $ 0.38 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 (ii) ---- Total revenues (iii)......................... $19,989 $22,245 $20,925 $21,934 Net income................................... 3,987 4,025 4,129 3,877 Net income per share......................... 0.41 0.41 0.42 0.40 Net income per share assuming dilution....... $ 0.40 $ 0.41 $ 0.42 $ 0.40
(i) Total revenues and net income includes $478 net gain on the sale of subsidiaries during the fourth quarter of 1997. (ii) As discussed in Note 8, the Company recorded a provision of $2,500 against paid and outstanding losses recoverable from reinsurers during the fourth quarter of 1998. (iii) Quarterly revenues have been reclassified to conform to the year end presentation. 46 ITEM 9--CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE There have been no changes in, nor any disagreements with, accountants on accounting and financial disclosure within the three years ending December 31, 1998. PART III ITEM 10--DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT Certain of the information required by this item is included in Part 1 of this Form 10-K. The remainder of this item is omitted because the information will be contained in a definitive proxy statement, which involves the election of directors, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after December 31, 1998. Such information is hereby incorporated by reference. ITEM 11--EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION This item is omitted because the information will be contained in a definitive proxy statement, which involves the election of directors, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after December 31, 1998. Such information is hereby incorporated by reference. ITEM 12--SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT This item is omitted because the information will be contained in a definitive proxy statement, which involves the election of directors, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after December 31, 1998. Such information is hereby incorporated by reference. ITEM 13--CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS This item is omitted because the information will be contained in a definitive proxy statement, which involves the election of directors, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after December 31, 1998. Such information is hereby incorporated by reference. 47 PART IV ITEM 14--EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (A) EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description - -------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- 3.l Memorandum of Association of the Company (1) 3.2 Bye-Laws of the Company (1) 4.1 Shareholders' Agreement, dated as of January 24, 1996, among the Management Shareholders (as defined therein), Bridge Street Fund 1995, L.P., Goldman Sachs & Co. Verwaltungs GmbH (for GS Capital Partners II German Civil Law Partnership), GS Capital Partners II, L.P., GS Capital Partners Offshore, L.P., Stone Street Fund 1995, L.P. and the Company (1) 4.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 24, 1996, between the Company, the Management Shareholders (as defined therein) and the Investors (as defined therein) (1) 10.1 Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited 1997 Equity Incentive Plan (1)* 10.2 Employment Agreement dated September 1, 1997 between Realm Investments Ltd. and Nicholas Mark Cooke (1)* 10.3 Employment Agreement dated September 1, 1997 between Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited and Nicholas Brown (1)* 10.4 Employment Agreement dated September 1, 1997 between Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited and George W. Jones (l)* 10.5 Agency Agreement dated as of June 1, 1995 between Clarendon National Insurance Company and Stirling Cooke Insurance Services, Inc. (1) 10.6 Amendment Number One to Agency Agreement dated as of June 1, 1995 between Clarendon National Insurance Company and Stirling Cooke Insurance Services, Inc. (1) 10.7 Amendment Number Two to Agency Agreement dated as of June 1, 1995 between Clarendon National Insurance Company and Stirling Cooke Insurance Services, Inc. (1) 10.8 Addendum dated April 1, 1997 to Agency Agreement dated as of June 1, 1995 between Clarendon National Insurance Company and Stirling Cooke Insurance Services, Inc. (1) 10.9 Agency Agreement dated as of October 1, 1995 between Clarendon National Insurance Company and Stirling Cooke Texas, Inc. (1) 10.10 Management Agreement dated as of August 1, 1995 between Legion Insurance Company and Stirling Cooke Insurance Services, Inc. (1) 11. Statement Re Computation of Per Share Earnings 21. Subsidiaries of the Company (1) 99. Forward-Looking Information
(1) Incorporated by reference from Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333- 32995) of Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited. *Management Compensation 48 (B) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. The Company filed a Form 8-K on October 7, 1998 to report a press release announcing that the Company had authorized a subsidiary of the Company to repurchase up to 250,000 of the Company's Ordinary Shares. The Company filed a Form 8-K on November 9, 1998 to report a press release announcing the Company's results for the 3rd quarter ended September 30, 1998. (C) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 1. Financial Statements Included in Part II--Item 8 of this report. 2. Index to Financial Statement Schedules Included in Part IV of this report:
SCHEDULE -------- NUMBER PAGE ------ ----- Report of Independent Accountants on financial statement schedules included in Form 10-K. 50 Schedule of Investments excluding Investments in Related Parties as of December 31, 1998 I 51 Condensed Financial Information of Registrant as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 II 52-54 Supplementary Insurance Information as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 III 55 Reinsurance for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 IV 56 Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 V 57 Supplemental Information concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 VI 58
49 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited Under date of March 5, 1999, we reported on the consolidated balance sheets of Stirling Cooke Brown Holdings Limited and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, retained earnings, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998, which are included in item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998. In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also audited the related financial statement schedules listed in the accompanying index. These financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statement schedules based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick KPMG Peat Marwick Hamilton, Bermuda March 5, 1999 50 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS EXCLUDING INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES SCHEDULE I
AMOUNT AT WHICH ----------------- SHOWN IN THE ----------------- FAIR BALANCE SHEET --------- ----------------- COST VALUE DECEMBER 31, 1998 --------- --------- ----------------- Fixed maturities Bonds: United States Government and government agencies and authorities................................................. $ 5,694 $ 5,846 $ 5,846 States, municipalities and political subdivisions............. 29 30 30 Foreign governments........................................... 6,897 6,987 6,987 All other corporate bonds..................................... 4,102 4,194 4,194 ------- ------- ------- Total fixed maturities..................................... 16,722 17,057 17,057 Equity securities Common stocks: Industrial, miscellaneous and all other....................... 2,056 2,168 2,168 Nonredeemable preferred stocks.................................. 328 368 368 ------- ------- ------- Total equity securities.................................... 2,384 2,536 2,536 Short-term investments.......................................... 9,643 9,643 9,643 ------- ------- ------- Total investments.......................................... $28,749 $29,236 $29,236
51 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT PARENT COMPANY ONLY BALANCE SHEETS--SCHEDULE II DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1998 (Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars, except share and per share data)
1997 1998 ------- ------- Assets Cash and cash equivalents............................................................ $27,803 $28,007 Due from subsidiaries................................................................ 11,238 15,569 Investments in subsidiaries.......................................................... 44,908 49,786 Other assets......................................................................... 295 427 Marketable securities................................................................ -- 4,092 ------- ------- Total Assets...................................................................... $84,244 $97,881 Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities............................................. $ 1,141 $ 249 ------- ------- Total Liabilities................................................................. 1,141 249 ------- ------- Shareholders' equity Share capital Authorized 20,000,000 ordinary shares of par value $0.25 each issued and fully paid 9,863,372 ordinary shares.................................................... 2,466 2,466 Additional paid in capital........................................................... 54,167 54,167 Accumulated other comprehensive income............................................... 63 319 Retained earnings.................................................................... 27,074 41,914 ------- ------- 83,770 98,866 Less: ordinary shares in treasury (1997--40,000, 1998--87,000) at cost............... (667) (1,234) ------- ------- Total shareholders' equity........................................................ 83,103 97,632 ------- ------- Total Liabilities and Shareholders' equity............................................. $84,244 $97,881 ======= =======
52 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT PARENT COMPANY ONLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME--SCHEDULE II YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998 (EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS OF UNITED STATES DOLLARS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
1996 1997 1998 ------- ------- ------- REVENUES Net investment income..................................... $ 489 $ 139 $ 1,920 Other income.............................................. 465 -- -- ------- ------- ------- Total Revenues.............................................. 954 139 1,920 EXPENSES Salaries and benefits..................................... -- 395 184 Other operating expenses.................................. 432 683 1,015 ------- ------- ------- Total Expenses.............................................. 432 1,078 1,199 NET INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES... 522 (939) 721 Equity in income of subsidiaries............................ 9,396 13,932 15,297 ------- ------- ------- NET INCOME.................................................. $ 9,918 $12,993 $16,018 ------- ------- ------- Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Unrealized holding gains arising during the year (net of tax of $75, $130 and $130) 147 188 314 Less: reclassification adjustments for realized gains included in net income (net of tax of $0, $166 and $1) -- (272) (58) ------- ------- ------- Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 147 (84) 256 Comprehensive income $10,065 $12,909 $16,274 ======= ======= =======
53 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT PARENT COMPANY ONLY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS--SCHEDULE II YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998 (Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars, except share and per share data)
1996 1997 1998 -------- -------- -------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income.............................................................. $ 9,918 $ 12,993 $ 16,018 Items not effecting cash Amortization of goodwill................................................ 373 373 373 Amortization of marketable securities................................... 0 0 (8) Depreciation and amortization of capital assets......................... 0 0 2 Equity in income of subsidiaries........................................ (9,396) (13,932) (15,297) Gain on sale of marketable securities................................... 0 0 (55) Changes in non cash operating assets and liabilities Other assets.......................................................... 0 (258) (134) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............................. 16 1,125 (892) Due to subsidiaries................................................... 193 (193) 0 -------- -------- -------- Net cash provided by operating activities............................ 1,104 108 7 -------- -------- -------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of capital assets.............................................. 0 (37) 0 Investments in subsidiaries............................................. (8,965) (274) 960 Due from subsidiaries................................................... (5,638) (5,600) (4,331) Dividends received from subsidiaries.................................... 0 6,850 9,250 Purchase of debt securities............................................. 0 0 (3,992) Purchase of equity securities........................................... 0 0 (503) Proceeds on sale of equity securities................................... 0 0 558 -------- -------- -------- Cash (used) provided by investing activities......................... (14,603) 939 1,942 -------- -------- -------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Dividends............................................................... 0 0 (1,178) Net proceeds of subscription to share capital subject to redemption..... 14,457 0 0 Net proceeds from subscription to share capital......................... 0 26,832 0 Proceeds from exercise of options....................................... 0 1,625 0 Purchase of ordinary shares in treasury................................. (938) (1,807) (567) Sales of ordinary shares in treasury.................................... 0 86 0 -------- -------- -------- Cash provided (used) by financing activities......................... 13,519 26,736 (1,745) -------- -------- -------- INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS..................................... 20 27,783 204 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR............................ 0 20 27,803 -------- -------- -------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS FROM END OF YEAR................................ $ 20 $ 27,803 $ 28,007 ======== ======== ========
All dividends received were from consolidated subsidiaries. 54 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION--SCHEDULE III (EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS OF UNITED STATES DOLLARS)
FUTURE ------ POLICY ------ BENEFITS, OTHER BENEFITS, AMORTIZATION -------- ----- --------- ------------ DEFERRED LOSSES, POLICY CLAIMS, OF DEFERRED -------- ------- ------ ------- ----------- POLICY CLAIMS CLAIMS NET LOSSES AND POLICY OTHER ------ ------ ------ --- ---------- ------ ----- ACQUISITION AND LOSS UNEARNED AND PREMIUM INVESTMENT SETTLEMENT ACQUISITION OPERATING PREMIUMS ----------- -------- -------- --- ------- ---------- ---------- ----------- --------- -------- COSTS EXPENSES PREMIUMS BENEFITS REVENUE INCOME EXPENSES COSTS EXPENSES WRITTEN ----- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------ -------- ----- -------- ------- Year ended December 31, 1996 Insurance.................. $ 77 $14,371 $ 7,003 $0 $ 838 $ 370 $ 630 $ 237 $ 508 $ 799 Reinsurance................ 94 9,930 5,512 0 7,916 271 6,135 1,600 251 8,131 Brokerage.................. 0 0 0 0 0 1,773 0 0 13,239 0 Program Business........... 0 0 0 0 0 255 0 0 8,821 0 Underwriting Management.... 0 0 0 0 0 232 0 0 1,486 0 Other...................... 0 0 0 0 0 504 0 0 1,955 0 ------ ------- ------- -- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------- $ 171 $24,301 $12,515 $0 $ 8,754 $3,405 $ 6,765 $1,837 $26,260 $ 8,930 Year ended December 31, 1997 Insurance.................. $ 343 $14,969 $13,338 $0 $ 2,921 $1,696 $ 2,426 $ 840 $ 1,662 $ 3,988 Reinsurance................ 236 21,307 5,849 0 8,869 517 8,525 504 296 9,193 Brokerage.................. 0 0 0 0 0 2,531 0 0 14,794 0 Program Business........... 0 0 0 0 0 740 0 0 15,832 0 Underwriting Management.... 0 0 0 0 0 152 0 0 1,684 0 Other...................... 0 0 0 0 0 146 0 0 2,829 0 ------ ------- ------- -- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------- $ 579 $36,276 $19,187 $0 $11,790 $5,782 $10,951 $1,344 $37,097 $13,181 Year ended December 31, 1998 Insurance.................. $1,848 $30,788 $22,477 $0 $ 7,716 $1,261 $ 4,790 $2,052 $ 3,062 $ 9,676 Reinsurance................ 438 35,329 2,560 0 10,058 847 12,481 1,566 215 7,740 Brokerage.................. 0 0 0 0 0 3,336 0 0 15,643 0 Program Business........... 0 0 0 0 0 777 0 0 21,932 0 Underwriting Management.... 0 0 0 0 0 197 0 0 1,865 0 Other...................... 0 0 0 0 0 2,353 0 0 1,679 0 ------ ------- ------- -- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------- $2,286 $66,117 $25,037 $0 $17,774 $8,771 $17,271 $3,618 $44,396 $17,416
55 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED REINSURANCE--SCHEDULE IV (EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS OF UNITED STATES DOLLARS)
ASSUMED PERCENTAGE CEDED TO FROM OF AMOUNT GROSS OTHER OTHER NET ASSUMED AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES AMOUNT TO NET ------- --------- --------- ------- ---------- Year ended December 31, 1996..... $ 4,493 $ 6,784 $11,045 $ 8,754 126% Year ended December 31, 1997..... $15,408 $17,396 $13,778 $11,790 117% Year ended December 31, 1998..... $39,526 $36,807 $15,055 $17,774 85%
56 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS--SCHEDULE V (EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS OF UNITED STATES DOLLARS)
CHARGED TO ---------- BALANCE AT CHARGED TO OTHER ---------- ---------- ----- BEGINNING COSTS AND ACCOUNTS- DEDUCTIONS- BALANCE AT --------- --------- --------- ----------- ---------- OF PERIOD EXPENSES DESCRIBE DESCRIBE END OF PERIOD --------- -------- -------- -------- ------------- DESCRIPTION Year ended December 31, 1996 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- Year ended December 31, 1997 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- Year ended December 31, 1998 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $ -- $ $2,500 $ -- $ -- $ 2,500
57 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS--SCHEDULE VI (EXPRESSED IN THOUSANDS OF UNITED STATES DOLLARS)
RESERVE FOR LOSSES AND LOSS AMORTIZATION ----------- ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES ------------ LOSSES AND INCURRED RELATED TO OF DEFERRED PAID LOSSES ---------- ----------- ----------- DEFERRED LOSS DISCOUNT, NET (1) POLICY AND LOSS -------- ---- --------- --- --- ------ -------- ACQUISITION ADJUSTMENT IF ANY, UNEARNED EARNED INVESTMENT CURRENT (2) ACQUISITION ADJUSTMENT PREMIUMS ----------- ---------- ------- -------- ------ ---------- ------- --- ----------- ---------- -------- COSTS EXPENSES DEDUCTED PREMIUMS PREMIUMS INCOME YEAR PRIOR YEAR COSTS EXPENSES WRITTEN ----- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------ ---- ---------- ----- -------- ------- Year ended December 31, 1996 Property/Casualty entities............ $ 171 $24,301 $ -- $12,515 $ 8,754 $ 641 $ 6,515 $ 250 $1,837 $ 2,009 $ 8,930 Year ended December 31, 1997 Property/Casualty entities............ $ 579 $36,276 $ -- $19,187 $11,790 $2,213 $10,174 $ 777 $1,344 $ 5,460 $13,181 Year ended December 31, 1998 Property/Casualty entities............ $2,286 $66,117 $ -- $25,037 $17,774 $2,108 $12,578 $4,693 $3,618 $12,504 $17,416
58 SIGNATURES PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 13 OR 15(D) 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 IN HAMILTON, BERMUDA, ON THE 26TH DAY OF MARCH, 1999. STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED /s/ George W. Jones By George W. Jones Chief Financial Officer and Director PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THIS REPORT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW AS OF THIS 26TH DAY OF MARCH, 1999, BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED:
Signature Title - -------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ /s/ NICHOLAS MARK COOKE Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) Nicholas Mark Cooke /s/ GEORGE W. JONES Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) George W. Jones /s/ NICHOLAS BROWN Director Nicholas Brown /s/ REUBEN JEFFERY III Director Reuben Jeffery III
59 EX-11 2 COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME EXHIBIT 11 STIRLING COOKE BROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME PER ORDINARY SHARE (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and per share data)
AS OF OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------ 1996 1997 1998 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income............................................. $ 9,918 $ 12,993 $ 16,018 ========== ========== ========== BASIC Number of shares: Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares out- standing.............................................. 7,879,121 8,382,434 9,863,372 Weighted average treasury shares held.................. (67,227) (143,396) (49,271) Shares issued in June 1997............................. 288,888 144,444 -- ---------- ---------- ---------- 8,100,782 8,383,482 9,814,101 ========== ========== ========== Net income per share................................... $ 1.22 $ 1.55 1.63 ========== ========== ========== DILUTED Number of shares: Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares out- standing.............................................. 7,879,121 8,237,990 9,863,372 Weighted average treasury shares held.................. (67,227) (143,396) (49,271) Shares issued in June 1997............................. 288,888 288,888 Incremental shares from assumed exercise of options.... 205,828 131,991 26,058 ---------- ---------- ---------- 8,306,610 8,515,473 9,840,159 ========== ========== ========== Net income per share assuming dilution................. $ 1.19 $ 1.53 1.63 ========== ========== ==========
60 EX-99 3 FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION EXHIBIT 99--FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. The Company's Form l0-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, any Form 10-Q or Form 8-K of the Company, or any other oral or written statements made by or on behalf of the Company, may include forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of such terms and phrases as "intends," "intend," "intended," "goal," "estimate," "estimates," "expects," "expect," "expected," "project," "projects," "projected," "projections," "plans," "anticipates," "anticipated," "should," "designed to," "foreseeable future," "believe," "believes," and "scheduled" and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The actual results of the Company may differ significantly from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include but are not limited to, (a) the general political, economic and competitive conditions in the United States, Bermuda and the United Kingdom, and other markets where the Company operates; (b) changes in capital availability or costs, such as changes in interest rates; (c) market perceptions of the industry in which the Company operates, or security or insurance ratings; (d) government regulation; (e) authoritative generally accepted accounting principles or policy changes from such standard-setting bodies as the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission, (f) possible disruptions from the Year 2000 problem, and the factors set forth below. COMPETITION; CYCLICALITY OF INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE BUSINESSES The business of providing risk management services and products to the workers' compensation and property and casualty insurance markets is highly competitive. The Company competes with other providers of alternative market services (including domestic and foreign insurance companies, reinsurers, insurance brokers, captive insurance companies, rent-a-captives, self-insurance plans, risk retention groups, state funds, assigned risk pools and other risk- financing mechanisms) and with providers of traditional insurance coverage. Many of the Company's competitors have significantly greater financial resources, longer operating histories, and better financial or insurance ratings and offer a broader line of insurance products than the Company. Factors affecting the traditional insurance and reinsurance industry influence the environment for alternative risk management services and products. Insurance market conditions historically have been subject to cyclicality and volatility due to premium rate competition, judicial trends, changes in the investment and interest rate environment, regulation and general economic conditions, causing many insurance buyers to search for more stable alternatives. The traditional insurance and reinsurance industry is in a protracted period of significant price competition, due in part to excess capacity in most lines of business. While some form of workers' compensation insurance is a statutory requirement in most states, the choices exercised by employers in response to the underwriting cycle in traditional insurance and reinsurance markets have had and will continue to have a material effect on the Company's results of operations. Although most of the Company's revenues are derived from fees and commissions rather than underwriting activities, a substantial portion of the Company's fees are calculated as a percentage of premium volume, and therefore the Company's fee revenues are directly and adversely affected by highly competitive market conditions. Additionally, changes in risk retention patterns by purchasers of insurance and reinsurance products could have an adverse effect upon the Company. DEPENDENCE ON RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDEPENDENT PRIMARY INSURANCE CARRIERS The Company's Managing General Agencies market insurance products and programs developed by the Company on behalf of insurers and reinsurers. The primary insurers are Clarendon National Insurance Company and its affiliates ("Clarendon") and Legion Insurance Company and its affiliates ("Legion"). In addition, the Company's insurance brokering and reinsurance brokering operations, Managing General Underwriters, and claims 61 and loss control servicing operations provide additional business and services to Clarendon and Legion in respect of these products and other insurance and reinsurance policies. In 1998, fees received from Clarendon accounted for approximately 43% (1997 -- 51%) of the Company's total revenues, while fees received from Legion accounted for less than 10% (1997 -- same) of the Company's total revenues. Historically, the Company has had a good relationship with both Clarendon and Legion. There can be no assurance, however, that Clarendon or Legion will not institute changes which affect their relationships with the Company. The loss of business from Clarendon or Legion could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial conditions. Additionally, any decline in or disruption of Clarendon's or Legion's business could disrupt the Company's business and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition. REINSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS; AVAILABILITY AND COSTS; CREDIT RISKS The Company relies upon the use of reinsurance agreements in its various programs to limit and manage the amount of risk retained by the Company or its customers, including insurance companies. The availability and cost of reinsurance may vary over time and is subject to prevailing market conditions. A lack of available reinsurance coverage could limit the Company's ability to continue certain of its insurance programs. In respect of the Company's own insurance operations, the lack of available reinsurance or increases in the cost of reinsurance could also increase the amount of risk retained by the Company. In addition, while the Company seeks to obtain reinsurance with coverage limits intended to be appropriate for the risk exposures assumed, there can be no assurance that losses experienced by the Company will be within the coverage limits of the Company's reinsurance agreements. The Company is also subject to credit risk as a result of its reinsurance arrangements, as the Company is not relieved of its liability to policyholders by ceding risk to its reinsurers. The Company is selective in regard to its reinsurers, placing reinsurance with only those reinsurers that it believes have strong balance sheets. The Company monitors the financial strength of its reinsurers on an ongoing basis. The insolvency, inability, or unwillingness of any of the reinsurers used by the Company to meet its obligations could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations and financial position of the Company. No assurance can be given regarding the future ability of any of the Company's reinsurers to meet their obligations. The establishment of provisions against reinsurance balances receivable is an inherently uncertain process and there can be no assurance that the ultimate provision will not materially increase or decrease. Although the Company has no reason to believe that its provision against reinsurance balances receivable are inadequate, it is possible that the Company will need to revise the provision significantly in the near term. In the event of such an increase or decrease, the amount would be reflected in the Company's income statement in the period in which the provision was adjusted. DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL The Company's success depends to a substantial extent on the ability and experience of its executive officers. The loss of the services of one or more such persons could have a material adverse effect on the business of the Company and its future operations. POSSIBLE REVISIONS TO LOSS RESERVES To the extent its activities involve any retention of risk of loss, the Company maintains loss reserves to cover its estimated ultimate liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to reported and unreported claims incurred. Reserves are estimates involving actuarial and statistical projections at a given time of what the Company expects to be the cost of the ultimate settlement and administration of claims based on facts and circumstances then known, estimates of future trends in claims severity and other variable factors such as inflation. To the extent that reserves prove to be inadequate in the future, the Company would have to increase such reserves and incur a charge to earnings in the period such reserves are increased, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition. The establishment of appropriate reserves is an 62 inherently uncertain process and there can be no assurance that ultimate losses will not materially exceed the Company's loss reserves. The Company has limited historical claim loss experience to serve as a reliable basis for the estimation of ultimate claim losses. Although the Company has no reason to believe that its loss reserves are inadequate, it is possible that the Company will need to revise the estimate of claim losses significantly in the near term. In the event of such an increase, the amount, net of associated reinsurance recoveries, would be reflected in the Company's income statement in the period in which the reserves were increased. ADVERSE EFFECT OF LEGISLATION AND REGULATORY ACTIONS The Company conducts business in a number of states and foreign countries. Certain of the Company's subsidiaries are subject to comprehensive regulation and supervision by government agencies in the states and foreign jurisdictions in which they do business. The primary purpose of such regulation and supervision is to provide safeguards for policyholders rather than to protect the interests of shareholders. The laws of the various state jurisdictions establish supervisory agendas with broad administrative powers with respect to, among other things, licensing to transact business, licensing of agents, admittance of assets, regulating premium rates, approving policy forms, regulating unfair trade and claims practices, establishing reserve requirements and solvency standards, requiring participation in guarantee funds and shared market mechanisms, and restricting payment of dividends. Also, in response to perceived excessive cost or inadequacy of available insurance, states have from time-to-time created state insurance funds and assigned risk pools which compete directly, on a subsidized basis, with private providers such as the Company. Any such event, in a state in which the Company has substantial operations, could substantially affect the profitability of the Company's operations in such state, or cause the Company to change its marketing focus. State insurance regulators and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners continually re-examine existing laws and regulations. It is impossible to predict the future impact of potential state, federal and foreign country regulations on the Company's operations, and there can be no assurance that future insurance-related laws and regulations, or the interpretation thereof, will not have an adverse effect on the operations of the Company's business. POSSIBLE ADVERSE IMPACT OF LICENSING PROCESS ON REALM NATIONAL The Company is in the process of seeking the regulatory approvals necessary to expand Realm National Insurance Company Limited's ("Realm National") business to include workers' compensation and other specialty casualty insurance lines in each of the states in which Realm National is currently licensed to offer other insurance products, and intends to license Realm National in substantially all of the remaining 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Company expects that as Realm National receives such approvals and licenses, the revenues to be generated by Realm National and its integration into the Company's existing businesses will become an important component of the Company's future earnings growth. However, no assurance can be given that Realm National will receive such approvals and licenses, or when such approvals and licenses will be granted if Realm National does receive them. A state may require as part of its licensing process that the insurer or its management have a certain period of experience (typically one to three years) in the lines of business for which a license is being sought. Although the Company's management has been involved in offering workers' compensation products and services for many years, Realm National's own experience in this line of business began for all material purposes after Realm National's acquisition by the Company in September 1996. Therefore, some states may determine that Realm National does not have the requisite experience to meet this requirement. In the absence of such experience, the insurance regulatory authority may delay issuing a license until such time as the experience is obtained. The failure to receive, or a delay in receiving, one or more of such approvals and licenses could have a material adverse impact on Realm National's ability to generate future earnings growth for the Company. TAXATION OF THE COMPANY AND CERTAIN OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES 63 The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are incorporated outside the United States and, as foreign corporations, do not file United States tax returns. These entities believe that they operate in such a manner that they will not be subject to U.S. tax (other than U.S. excise tax on reinsurance premiums and withholding tax on certain investment income from U.S. sources) because they do not engage in business in the United States. There can be no assurance, however, that these entities will not become subject to U.S. tax because U.S. law does not provide definitive guidance as to the circumstances in which they would be considered to be doing business in the United States. If such entities are deemed to be engaged in business in the United States (and, if the Company were to qualify for benefits under the income tax treaty between the United States and Bermuda or the United States and the United Kingdom, such business would be attributable to a "permanent" establishment in the United States), the Company would be subject to U.S. tax at regular corporate rates on its income that is effectively connected with its U.S. business plus an additional 30% "branch profits" tax on income remaining after the regular tax. INTEREST RATE FLUCTUATIONS The Company maintains most of its cash in the form of short-term, fixed- income securities, the value of which is subject to fluctuation depending on changes in prevailing interest rates. The Company generally does not hedge its cash investments against interest rate risk. Accordingly, changes in interest rates may result in fluctuations in the income derived from the Company's cash investments. 64 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----