10-Q 1 cia-201993010q.htm 10-Q Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2019
OR
o 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:  000-16509
citizenslogoa36.jpg
CITIZENS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Colorado
84-0755371
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
14231 Tandem Blvd, 2nd Floor
 
Austin, Texas
78728
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
 
 
2900 Esperanza Crossing, 2nd Floor
(512) 837-7100
Austin, Texas 78758
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code:)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report:)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
 
Class A Common Stock
CIA 
NYSE
(Title of Each Class)
(Trading Symbol(s))
(Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered)
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. x Yes o  No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). x Yes o  No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
 
Large accelerated
filer o
Accelerated
filer x
Non-accelerated
filer o
Smaller reporting
company o
Emerging growth
company o
 
 
 
 
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes x No
As of November 1, 2019, the Registrant had 52,364,993 shares of Class A common stock, no par value, outstanding and 1,001,714 shares of Class B common stock, no par value, outstanding.































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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page Number
Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 1


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Assets
(Unaudited)
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $1,278,293 and $1,223,747 in 2019 and 2018, respectively)
$
1,369,648

 
1,231,039

Equity securities, at fair value
15,845

 
15,068

Mortgage loans on real estate
180

 
186

Policy loans
81,964

 
80,825

Real estate held for investment (less $1,284 accumulated depreciation in 2018)

 
5,718

Real estate held-for-sale (less $1,325 and $4,411 accumulated depreciation in 2019 and 2018, respectively)
2,571

 
1,483

Other long-term investments
22

 
22

Short-term investments
2,453

 
7,865

Total investments
1,472,683

 
1,342,206

Cash and cash equivalents
47,147

 
45,492

Accrued investment income
17,648

 
18,467

Reinsurance recoverable
3,596

 
3,664

Deferred policy acquisition costs
150,289

 
155,747

Cost of customer relationships acquired
13,741

 
15,225

Goodwill
12,624

 
12,624

Other intangible assets
953

 
956

Property and equipment, net
6,639

 
5,943

Due premiums, net (less $1,640 and $1,990 allowance for doubtful accounts in 2019 and 2018, respectively)
10,737

 
13,325

Prepaid expenses
983

 
284

Other assets
1,319

 
1,628

Total assets
$
1,738,359

 
1,615,561


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 2


CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, Continued

 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except share amounts)
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Policy liabilities:
 
 
 
Future policy benefit reserves:
 
 
 
Life insurance
$
1,206,042

 
1,179,946

Annuities
76,427

 
76,377

Accident and health
997

 
944

Dividend accumulations
28,400

 
26,250

Premiums paid in advance
42,591

 
48,553

Policy claims payable
8,095

 
7,614

Other policyholders' funds
16,400

 
10,760

Total policy liabilities
1,378,952

 
1,350,444

Commissions payable
2,096

 
1,901

Current federal income tax payable
47,861

 
41,281

Deferred federal income tax payable
12,081

 
5,709

Payable for securities in process of settlement
6,030

 

Other liabilities
29,997

 
28,493

Total liabilities
1,477,017

 
1,427,828

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)


 


Stockholders' equity:
 

 
 

Class A, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 52,364,993 and 52,215,852 shares issued and outstanding in 2019 and 2018, respectively, including shares in treasury of 3,135,738 in 2019 and 2018
261,346

 
259,793

Class B, no par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized, 1,001,714 shares issued and outstanding in 2019 and 2018
3,184

 
3,184

Accumulated deficit
(75,920
)
 
(69,599
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
 

 
 

Net unrealized gains on securities, net of tax
83,743

 
5,366

Treasury stock, at cost
(11,011
)
 
(11,011
)
Total stockholders' equity
261,342

 
187,733

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,738,359

 
1,615,561


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 3


CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2019
 
2018
(As Restated*)
Revenues:
 
 
 
Premiums:
 
 
 
Life insurance
$
44,502

 
45,898

Accident and health insurance
350

 
323

Property insurance
1,157

 
1,208

Net investment income
15,039

 
13,587

Realized investment gains (losses), net
72

 
(498
)
Other income
347

 
643

Total revenues
61,467

 
61,161

Benefits and Expenses:
 

 
 

Insurance benefits paid or provided:
 

 
 

Claims and surrenders
28,751

 
25,076

Increase in future policy benefit reserves
6,409

 
1,653

Policyholders' dividends
1,560

 
1,595

Total insurance benefits paid or provided
36,720

 
28,324

Commissions
8,879

 
8,656

Other general expenses
11,530

 
12,402

Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(5,984
)
 
(5,561
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
7,835

 
11,412

Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired
355

 
366

Total benefits and expenses
59,335

 
55,599

Income before federal income tax
2,132

 
5,562

Federal income tax expense
86

 
12,671

Net income (loss)
2,046

 
(7,109
)
Per Share Amounts:
 

 
 

Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share of Class A common stock
0.04

 
(0.14
)
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share of Class B common stock
0.02

 
(0.07
)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 

 
 

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

 
 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period
24,201

 
(2,236
)
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income
(53
)
 
656

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities, net
24,148

 
(1,580
)
Income tax expense on unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities
1,627

 
454

Other comprehensive income (loss)
22,521

 
(2,034
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
$
24,567

 
(9,143
)
* See Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 4


CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2019
 
2018
(As Restated*)
Revenues:
 
 
 
Premiums:
 
 
 
Life insurance
$
127,795

 
133,058

Accident and health insurance
1,018

 
915

Property insurance
3,464

 
3,615

Net investment income
44,150

 
41,169

Realized investment gains (losses), net
3,164

 
(1,251
)
Other income
1,148

 
930

Total revenues
180,739

 
178,436

Benefits and Expenses:
 

 
 

Insurance benefits paid or provided:
 

 
 

Claims and surrenders
78,808

 
66,844

Increase in future policy benefit reserves
28,180

 
32,816

Policyholders' dividends
4,165

 
4,516

Total insurance benefits paid or provided
111,153

 
104,176

Commissions
25,147

 
26,284

Other general expenses
37,611

 
33,375

Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(16,224
)
 
(17,164
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
21,043

 
26,218

Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired
1,192

 
1,517

Total benefits and expenses
179,922

 
174,406

Income before federal income tax
817

 
4,030

Federal income tax expense
7,138

 
13,660

Net loss
(6,321
)
 
(9,630
)
Per Share Amounts:
 

 
 

Basic and diluted losses per share of Class A common stock
(0.13
)
 
(0.19
)
Basic and diluted losses per share of Class B common stock
(0.06
)
 
(0.10
)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 

 
 

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

 
 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period
84,222

 
(32,663
)
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income
(30
)
 
1,002

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities, net
84,192

 
(31,661
)
Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities
5,815

 
(5,852
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
78,377

 
(25,809
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
$
72,056

 
(35,439
)
* See Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 5


CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Accumulated
deficit
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
Treasury
stock
 
Total
Stock-holders'
equity
(In thousands)
Class A
 
Class B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
259,793

 
3,184

 
(69,599
)
 
5,366

 
(11,011
)
 
187,733

Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss

 

 
(3,802
)
 

 

 
(3,802
)
Unrealized investment gains, net

 

 

 
26,880

 

 
26,880

Total comprehensive income

 

 
(3,802
)
 
26,880

 

 
23,078

Stock-based compensation
1,083

 

 

 

 

 
1,083

Balance at March 31, 2019
260,876

 
3,184

 
(73,401
)
 
32,246

 
(11,011
)
 
211,894

Comprehensive income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net loss

 

 
(4,565
)
 

 

 
(4,565
)
Unrealized investment gains, net

 

 

 
28,976

 

 
28,976

Total comprehensive income

 

 
(4,565
)
 
28,976

 

 
24,411

Stock-based compensation
127

 

 

 

 

 
127

Balance at June 30, 2019
261,003

 
3,184

 
(77,966
)
 
61,222

 
(11,011
)
 
236,432

Comprehensive income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income

 

 
2,046

 

 

 
2,046

Unrealized investment gains, net

 

 

 
22,521

 

 
22,521

Total comprehensive income

 

 
2,046

 
22,521

 

 
24,567

Stock-based compensation
343

 

 

 

 

 
343

Balance at September 30, 2019
$
261,346

 
3,184

 
(75,920
)
 
83,743

 
(11,011
)
 
261,342


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 6


CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity, Continued
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Accumulated
deficit
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
Treasury
stock
 
Total
Stock-holders'
equity
(In thousands)
Class A
 
Class B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
259,383

 
3,184

 
(54,375
)
 
26,332

 
(11,011
)
 
223,513

Accounting standards adopted January 1, 2018

 

 
(4,162
)
 
4,162

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2018
259,383

 
3,184

 
(58,537
)
 
30,494

 
(11,011
)
 
223,513

Comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income

 

 
37

 

 

 
37

Unrealized investment losses, net

 

 

 
(14,104
)
 

 
(14,104
)
Total comprehensive loss

 

 
37

 
(14,104
)
 

 
(14,067
)
Balance at March 31, 2018
259,383

 
3,184

 
(58,500
)

16,390

 
(11,011
)
 
209,446

Comprehensive loss:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net loss

 

 
(2,558
)
 

 

 
(2,558
)
Unrealized investment losses, net

 

 

 
(9,671
)
 

 
(9,671
)
Total comprehensive loss

 

 
(2,558
)
 
(9,671
)
 

 
(12,229
)
Stock-based compensation
213

 

 

 

 

 
213

Balance at June 30, 2018
259,596

 
3,184

 
(61,058
)
 
6,719

 
(11,011
)
 
197,430

Comprehensive loss:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net loss (as restated*)

 

 
(7,109
)
 

 

 
(7,109
)
Unrealized investment losses, net

 

 

 
(2,854
)
 

 
(2,854
)
Unrealized gain from held-to-maturity securities transferred to available-for-sale

 

 

 
820

 

 
820

Total comprehensive loss (as restated*)

 

 
(7,109
)
 
(2,034
)
 

 
(9,143
)
Stock-based compensation
97

 

 

 

 

 
97

Balance at September 30, 2018 (as restated*)
$
259,693

 
3,184

 
(68,167
)
 
4,685

 
(11,011
)
 
188,384

* See Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.





September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 7


CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
(As Restated*)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(6,321
)
 
(9,630
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Realized (gains) losses on sale of investments and other assets
(3,164
)
 
1,251

Net deferred policy acquisition costs
4,819

 
9,054

Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired
1,192

 
1,517

Depreciation
1,269

 
921

Amortization of premiums and discounts on investments
10,422

 
12,781

Stock-based compensation
1,930

 
310

Deferred federal income tax benefit
560

 
59,329

Change in:
 

 
 

Accrued investment income
819

 
673

Reinsurance recoverable
68

 
89

Due premiums
2,588

 
427

Future policy benefit reserves
27,994

 
33,425

Other policyholders' liabilities
2,309

 
1,413

Federal income tax payable
6,580

 
(45,678
)
Commissions payable and other liabilities
1,699

 
558

Other, net
(1,851
)
 
(1,205
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
50,913

 
65,235

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Purchase of fixed maturities, available-for-sale
(210,445
)
 
(109,642
)
Sale of fixed maturities, available-for-sale
39,708

 
1,084

Maturities and calls of fixed maturities, available-for-sale
111,757

 
51,190

Maturities and calls of fixed maturities, held-to-maturity

 
20,699

Purchase of equity securities

 
(9
)
Principal payments on mortgage loans
6

 
7

Increase in policy loans, net
(1,141
)
 
(5,277
)
Sale of other long-term investments and real estate
6,981

 
14

Sale of property and equipment
15

 

Purchase of property and equipment
(509
)
 
(437
)
Maturity of short-term investments
7,940

 

Purchase of short-term investments
(2,456
)
 

Net cash used in investing activities
(48,144
)
 
(42,371
)
* See Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 8


CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Continued
(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
(As Restated*)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Annuity deposits
$
4,948

 
5,222

Annuity withdrawals
(5,685
)
 
(5,397
)
Other
(377
)
 

Net cash used in financing activities
(1,114
)
 
(175
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
1,655

 
22,689

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
45,492

 
46,064

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
47,147

 
68,753

* See Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, various fixed maturity issuers exchanged securities with book values of $12.2 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for securities of equal value.

The Company had net unsettled security trades of $6.0 million at September 30, 2019 and none at September 30, 2018.


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 9


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 


(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Citizens, Inc. ("Citizens"), a Colorado corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, CICA Life Insurance Company of America ("CICA"), Citizens National Life Insurance Company ("CNLIC"), CICA Life Ltd. ("CICA Ltd."), Security Plan Life Insurance Company ("SPLIC"), Security Plan Fire Insurance Company ("SPFIC"), Magnolia Guaranty Life Insurance Company ("MGLIC") and Computing Technology, Inc. ("CTI"). All significant inter-company accounts and interactions have been eliminated. Citizens and its wholly-owned subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the "Company", "we", "us" or "our".

The consolidated statements of financial position as of September 30, 2019, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and stockholders' equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 have been prepared by the Company without audit.  In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and changes in cash flows at September 30, 2019 and for comparative periods have been made.  The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").  Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.  Operating results for the interim periods disclosed herein are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year or any future period.

We provide primarily life insurance and a small amount of health insurance policies through our insurance subsidiaries - CICA, CNLIC, CICA Ltd., SPLIC and MGLIC.  CICA and CNLIC issued ordinary whole-life policies, credit life and disability, and accident and health related policies, throughout the Midwest and southern U.S. until they ceased most domestic sales beginning January 1, 2017.  CICA Ltd. primarily issues endowment and ordinary whole-life policies to non-U.S. residents. SPLIC offers final expense and home service life insurance in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi. SPFIC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SPLIC, writes a limited amount of property insurance in Louisiana. MGLIC provides industrial life policies through independent funeral homes in Mississippi.

CTI provides data processing systems and services to the Company.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 10


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

We converted to a new actuarial valuation software solution impacting both the Home Service Insurance and Life Insurance segments, providing enhanced modeling capabilities for the ordinary whole life policies of SPLIC as of July 1, 2019 and the ordinary whole life and endowment policies of CICA and CICA Ltd. as of July 1, 2018. The total impact of these system conversions reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 are summarized in the table below.
(In thousands)
 
September 30, 2019
 
September 30, 2018
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
 
 
 
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
 
$
(1,396
)
 
(4,339
)
Future policy benefit reserves:
 
 
 
 
Life insurance
 
(2,299
)
 
(10,197
)
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
Decrease in future policy benefit reserves
 
(2,299
)
 
(10,197
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
1,396

 
4,339

Income before federal income tax
 
903

 
5,858

Federal income tax expense
 
190

 
1,230

Net income
 
$
713

 
4,628


USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the 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.

Significant estimates include those used in the evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities, actuarially determined assets and liabilities and assumptions, tests of goodwill impairment, valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, valuation of uncertain tax positions and contingencies relating to litigation and regulatory matters.  Certain of these estimates are particularly sensitive to market conditions, and deterioration and/or volatility in the worldwide debt or equity markets could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

RESTATEMENT

As disclosed in Note 14. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company has restated its unaudited consolidated financial information as of and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018 to correct an immaterial error related to the accounting for the income tax effects of the novation of international insurance policies to our Bermuda-based subsidiary on July 1, 2018.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 11


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

Federal income tax expense and net income (loss) have been restated herein to properly reflect the reduction in federal income tax expense as compared to originally reported amounts. Basic & diluted earnings (losses) per share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock were also restated. The table below reflects the line items adjusted as a result of the restatement as of September 30, 2018 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
As Previously Reported
 
Adjustments
 
As Restated
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal income expense (benefit)
 
$
20,316

 
(7,645
)
 
12,671

Net income (loss)
 
(14,754
)
 
7,645

 
(7,109
)
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share of Class A common stock
 
(0.30
)
 
0.16

 
(0.14
)
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share of Class B common stock
 
(0.14
)
 
0.07

 
(0.07
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
(16,788
)
 
7,645

 
(9,143
)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal income expense (benefit)
 
$
21,305

 
(7,645
)
 
13,660

Net income (loss)
 
(17,275
)
 
7,645

 
(9,630
)
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share of Class A common stock
 
(0.35
)
 
0.16

 
(0.19
)
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share of Class B common stock
 
(0.17
)
 
0.07

 
(0.10
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
(43,084
)
 
7,645

 
(35,439
)
As of September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at June 30, 2018
 
$
197,430

 

 
197,430

Net income (loss)
 
(14,754
)
 
7,645

 
(7,109
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
(16,788
)
 
7,645

 
(9,143
)
Accumulated deficit
 
(75,812
)
 
7,645

 
(68,167
)
Balance at September 30, 2018
 
180,739

 
7,645

 
188,384

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(17,275
)
 
7,645

 
(9,630
)
Deferred federal income tax (expense) benefit
 
67,040

 
(7,711
)
 
59,329

Federal income tax payable
 
(45,744
)
 
66

 
(45,678
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
65,235

 

 
65,235


SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

For a description of our significant accounting policies, see Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, which should be read in conjunction with these accompanying consolidated financial statements.



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 12


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 


(2) ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ADOPTED

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The ASU requires organizations that lease assets, referred to as "lessees," to recognize on the consolidated statement of financial position the rights and obligations created by those leases. The ASU also requires disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements, providing additional information about the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements. The ASU on leases became effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.

The Company has several lease agreements, such as district office locations related to our Home Service Insurance segment. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2019 and recognizes these lease agreements on the consolidated statements of financial position as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. See Note 9. Leases for further discussion.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20). The amendments in this ASU shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The Company has a large portfolio of callable debt securities purchased at a premium. As such, the Company had already been amortizing the premium to the earliest call date (yield to worst), thus adoption of this guidance as of January 1, 2019 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This ASU is intended to simplify aspects of share-based compensation issued to non-employees by making the guidance consistent with the accounting for employee share-based compensation. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. We adopted the provisions of this ASU as of January 1, 2019. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOT YET ADOPTED

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), with the main objective to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. The ASU requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The income statement reflects the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. Credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities should be measured in a manner similar to current U.S. GAAP; however, the credit losses are recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a write-down. This approach is an improvement to current U.S. GAAP because an entity will be able to record reversals of credit losses (in situations in which the estimate of credit losses declines) in current period net income, which in turn should align the income statement recognition of credit losses with the reporting period in which changes occur. Current U.S. GAAP prohibits reflecting those improvements in current-period earnings. For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years.



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 13


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

The Company has evaluated the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and expects the impact to be immaterial.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-12, Financial Services-Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts. This ASU amends four key areas of the accounting and impacts disclosures for long-duration insurance and investment contracts:

Requires updated assumptions for liability measurement. Assumptions used to measure the liability for traditional insurance contracts, which are typically determined at contract inception, will now be reviewed at least annually, and, if there is a change, updated, with the effect recorded in net income;
Standardizes the liability discount rate. The liability discount rate will be a market-observable discount rate (upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument yield), with the effect of rate changes recorded in other comprehensive income;
Provides greater consistency in measurement of market risk benefits. The two previous measurement models have been reduced to one measurement model (fair value), resulting in greater uniformity across similar market-based benefits and better alignment with the fair value measurement of derivatives used to hedge capital market risk;
Simplifies amortization of deferred acquisition costs. Previous earnings-based amortization methods have been replaced with a more level amortization basis; and
Requires enhanced disclosures. The new disclosures include rollforwards and information about significant assumptions and the effects of changes in those assumptions.

For calendar-year public companies, the changes will be effective on January 1, 2022. The Company is evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements. This new guidance is expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Among the changes, entities will no longer be required to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, but will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. This ASU will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; however, early adoption is permitted. Entities are also allowed to elect early adoption of the eliminated or modified disclosure requirements and delay adoption of the new disclosure requirements until their effective date. As this ASU only revises disclosure requirements, it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In September 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. This ASU requires an entity in a cloud computing arrangement (i.e., hosting arrangement) that is a service contract to follow the internal-use software guidance in ASC 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as assets or expense as incurred. Capitalized implementation costs should be presented in the same line item on the balance sheet as amounts prepaid for the hosted service, if any (generally as an "other asset"). The capitalized costs will be amortized over the term of the hosting arrangement, with the amortization expense being presented in the same income statement line item as the fees paid for the hosted service. This ASU will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact of this guidance on our limited cloud computing arrangements and our consolidated financial statements.

No other new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during the year had, or is expected to have, a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

(3) SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company has two reportable segments:  Life Insurance and Home Service Insurance.  The Life Insurance and



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 14


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

Home Service Insurance portions of the Company constitute separate businesses. CICA, CICA Ltd. and CNLIC constitute the Life Insurance segment, and SPLIC, SPFIC and MGLIC constitute the Home Service Insurance segment. In addition to the Life Insurance and Home Service Insurance business, the Company also operates other non-insurance ("Other Non-Insurance Enterprises") portions of the Company, which primarily include the Company's IT and Corporate-support functions, and are included in the tables presented below to properly reconcile the segment information with the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

The accounting policies of the reportable segments and Other Non-Insurance Enterprises are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are the same as those used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.  The Company evaluates profit and loss performance based on U.S. GAAP income before federal income taxes for its two reportable segments.

The Company's Other Non-Insurance Enterprises are the only reportable difference between segments and consolidated operations.
 
Life Insurance
 
Home Service Insurance
 
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises
 
Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
34,385

 
11,624

 

 
46,009

Net investment income
11,340

 
3,309

 
390

 
15,039

Realized investment gains, net
61

 
3

 
8

 
72

Other income (loss)
349

 
(2
)
 

 
347

Total revenue
46,135

 
14,934

 
398

 
61,467

Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance benefits paid or provided:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Claims and surrenders
22,533

 
6,218

 

 
28,751

Increase in future policy benefit reserves
7,667

 
(1,258
)
 

 
6,409

Policyholders' dividends
1,551

 
9

 

 
1,560

Total insurance benefits paid or provided
31,751

 
4,969

 

 
36,720

Commissions
5,386

 
3,493

 

 
8,879

Other general expenses
5,358

 
4,669

 
1,503

 
11,530

Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(4,743
)
 
(1,241
)
 

 
(5,984
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
5,960

 
1,875

 

 
7,835

Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired
113

 
242

 

 
355

Total benefits and expenses
43,825

 
14,007

 
1,503

 
59,335

Income (loss) before income tax expense
$
2,310

 
927

 
(1,105
)
 
2,132




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 15


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

 
Life Insurance
 
Home Service Insurance
 
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises
 
Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
97,439

 
34,838

 

 
132,277

Net investment income
33,121

 
9,720

 
1,309

 
44,150

Realized investment gains (losses), net
5,586

 
639

 
(3,061
)
 
3,164

Other income
1,146

 

 
2

 
1,148

Total revenue
137,292

 
45,197

 
(1,750
)
 
180,739

Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance benefits paid or provided:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Claims and surrenders
61,011

 
17,797

 

 
78,808

Increase in future policy benefit reserves
27,499

 
681

 

 
28,180

Policyholders' dividends
4,136

 
29

 

 
4,165

Total insurance benefits paid or provided
92,646

 
18,507

 

 
111,153

Commissions
14,435

 
10,712

 

 
25,147

Other general expenses
18,021

 
15,071

 
4,519

 
37,611

Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(12,465
)
 
(3,759
)
 

 
(16,224
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
17,454

 
3,589

 

 
21,043

Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired
373

 
819

 

 
1,192

Total benefits and expenses
130,464

 
44,939

 
4,519

 
179,922

Income (loss) before federal income tax expense
$
6,828

 
258

 
(6,269
)
 
817





September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 16


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

 
Life Insurance
 
Home Service Insurance
 
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises
 
Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
35,784

 
11,645

 

 
47,429

Net investment income
10,062

 
3,276

 
249

 
13,587

Realized investment gains (losses), net
(475
)
 
(32
)
 
9

 
(498
)
Other income
643

 

 

 
643

Total revenue
46,014

 
14,889

 
258

 
61,161

Benefits and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance benefits paid or provided:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Claims and surrenders
19,212

 
5,864

 

 
25,076

Increase in future policy benefit reserves
544

 
1,109

 

 
1,653

Policyholders' dividends
1,581

 
14

 

 
1,595

Total insurance benefits paid or provided
21,337

 
6,987

 

 
28,324

Commissions
4,712

 
3,944

 

 
8,656

Other general expenses
6,583

 
4,502

 
1,317

 
12,402

Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(3,873
)
 
(1,688
)
 

 
(5,561
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
10,132

 
1,280

 

 
11,412

Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired
150

 
216

 

 
366

Total benefits and expenses
39,041

 
15,241

 
1,317

 
55,599

Income (loss) before income tax expense
$
6,973

 
(352
)
 
(1,059
)
 
5,562





September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 17


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

 
Life Insurance
 
Home Service Insurance
 
Other Non-Insurance Enterprises
 
Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
102,537

 
35,051

 

 
137,588

Net investment income
30,331

 
9,894

 
944

 
41,169

Realized investment losses, net
(684
)
 
(535
)
 
(32
)
 
(1,251
)
Other income (loss)
931

 
(1
)
 

 
930

Total revenue
133,115

 
44,409

 
912

 
178,436

Benefits and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance benefits paid or provided:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Claims and surrenders
49,522

 
17,322

 

 
66,844

Increase in future policy benefit reserves
29,509

 
3,307

 

 
32,816

Policyholders' dividends
4,483

 
33

 

 
4,516

Total insurance benefits paid or provided
83,514

 
20,662

 

 
104,176

Commissions
14,717

 
11,567

 

 
26,284

Other general expenses
12,607

 
15,438

 
5,330

 
33,375

Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(12,663
)
 
(4,501
)
 

 
(17,164
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
22,912

 
3,306

 

 
26,218

Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired
434

 
1,083

 

 
1,517

Total benefits and expenses
121,521

 
47,555

 
5,330

 
174,406

Income (loss) before federal income tax expense
$
11,594

 
(3,146
)
 
(4,418
)
 
4,030





September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 18


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

(4) EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.
Three Months Ended September 30,
2019
 
2018
(As Restated*)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
Numerator:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
2,046

 
(7,109
)
Net income (loss) allocated to Class A common stock
$
2,026

 
(7,036
)
Net income (loss) allocated to Class B common stock
20

 
(73
)
Net income (loss)
$
2,046

 
(7,109
)
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - basic
49,229

 
49,080

Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - diluted
49,327

 
49,127

Weighted average shares of Class B outstanding - basic and diluted
1,002

 
1,002

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share of Class A common stock
$
0.04

 
(0.14
)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share of Class B common stock
0.02

 
(0.07
)
* See Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Nine Months Ended September 30,
2019
 
2018
(As Restated*)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
Numerator:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(6,321
)
 
(9,630
)
Net loss allocated to Class A common stock
$
(6,257
)
 
(9,533
)
Net loss allocated to Class B common stock
(64
)
 
(97
)
Net loss
$
(6,321
)
 
(9,630
)
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - basic
49,229

 
49,080

Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - diluted
49,327

 
49,127

Weighted average shares of Class B outstanding - basic and diluted
1,002

 
1,002

Basic and diluted loss per share of Class A common stock
$
(0.13
)
 
(0.19
)
Basic and diluted loss per share of Class B common stock
(0.06
)
 
(0.10
)
* See Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 19


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

(5) INVESTMENTS

The Company invests primarily in fixed maturity securities, which totaled 90.1% of total cash, cash equivalents and investments at September 30, 2019. The Company's cash, cash equivalents and investments are listed below.

Carrying Value
(In thousands, except for %)
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
$
1,369,648

 
90.1
%
 
$
1,231,039

 
88.7
%
Equity securities
15,845

 
1.0
%
 
15,068

 
1.1
%
Mortgage loans
180

 
%
 
186

 
%
Policy loans
81,964

 
5.4
%
 
80,825

 
5.8
%
Real estate and other long-term investments
2,593

 
0.2
%
 
7,223

 
0.5
%
Short-term investments
2,453

 
0.2
%
 
7,865

 
0.6
%
Cash and cash equivalents
47,147

 
3.1
%
 
45,492

 
3.3
%
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments
$
1,519,830

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,387,698

 
100.0
%

The following tables represent the cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of fixed maturities as of the dates indicated.
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
September 30, 2019
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
9,729

 
1,775

 

 
11,504

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
3,522

 
1,124

 

 
4,646

States and political subdivisions
567,551

 
29,392

 
125

 
596,818

Corporate
560,701

 
45,148

 
1,741

 
604,108

Commercial mortgage-backed
1,107

 

 

 
1,107

Residential mortgage-backed
118,101

 
15,787

 
23

 
133,865

Asset-backed
17,480

 
11

 
11

 
17,480

Foreign governments
102

 
18

 

 
120

Total fixed maturities
$
1,278,293

 
93,255

 
1,900

 
1,369,648





September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 20


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
9,864

 
1,410

 

 
11,274

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
3,540

 
740

 

 
4,280

States and political subdivisions
713,991

 
7,614

 
1,490

 
720,115

Corporate
384,817

 
6,725

 
9,746

 
381,796

Commercial mortgage-backed
39,694

 
386

 
66

 
40,014

Residential mortgage-backed
66,960

 
1,726

 
2

 
68,684

Asset-backed
4,764


1


8


4,757

Foreign governments
117

 
2

 

 
119

Total fixed maturities
$
1,223,747

 
18,604

 
11,312

 
1,231,039

 
Most of the Company's equity securities are diversified stock and bond mutual funds.
 
Fair Value
(In thousands)
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
Stock mutual funds
$
3,166

 
2,906

Bond mutual funds
12,242

 
11,774

Common stock
127

 
94

Non-redeemable preferred stock
310

 
294

Total equity securities
$
15,845

 
15,068


VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS

Available-for-sale securities are reported in the consolidated financial statements at fair value. Equity securities are measured at fair value with the change in fair value recorded through net income. The Company recognized net realized gains of $18 thousand and $0.8 million on equity securities held for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and gains of $0.2 million and losses of $0.2 million for the same periods ended September 30, 2018, respectively. An impairment loss of $3.1 million was recorded during the second quarter of 2019 related to our Citizens Academy training facility property located near Austin, Texas. It was determined during the second quarter that the property met the held-for-sale criteria. As a result, this investment was reclassified from real estate held for investment to real estate held-for-sale. This resulted in an impairment loss of $3.1 million as the carrying amount of the property was written down to the net realizable value. This investment is considered a Level 3 asset in the fair value hierarchy.

The Company monitors all debt securities on an on-going basis relative to changes in credit ratings, market prices, earnings trends and financial performance, in addition to specific region or industry reviews.  The assessment of whether other-than-temporary impairments ("OTTI") have occurred is based on a case-by-case evaluation of underlying reasons for the decline in fair value.  The Company determines OTTI by reviewing relevant evidence related to the specific security issuer as well as the Company's intent to sell the security, or if it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 21


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

When an OTTI has occurred, the amount of the OTTI recognized in earnings depends on whether the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.  If the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the OTTI is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment's amortized cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date.  If the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the OTTI is separated into the following: (a) the amount representing the credit loss; and (b) the amount related to all other factors.  The amount of the total OTTI related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings.  The amount of the total OTTI related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes.  The previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment.  The new amortized cost basis is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value.

The Company evaluates whether a credit impairment exists for fixed maturity securities by considering primarily the following factors: (a) changes in the financial condition of the security's underlying collateral; (b) whether the issuer is current on contractually obligated interest and principal payments; (c) changes in the financial condition, credit rating and near-term prospects of the issuer; (d) the length of time to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost of the security; and (e) the payment structure of the security.  The Company's best estimate of expected future cash flows used to determine the credit loss amount is a quantitative and qualitative process.  Quantitative review includes information received from third party sources such as financial statements, pricing and rating changes, liquidity and other statistical information.  Qualitative factors include judgments related to business strategies, economic impacts on the issuer and overall judgment related to estimates and industry factors.  

The Company's best estimate of future cash flows involves assumptions including, but not limited to, various performance indicators, such as historical and projected default and recovery rates, credit ratings, and current delinquency rates.  These assumptions require the use of significant management judgment and include the probability of issuer default and estimates regarding timing and amount of expected recoveries, which may include estimating the underlying collateral value.  In addition, projections of expected future debt security cash flows may change based upon new information regarding the performance of the issuer.

No fixed maturity investment impairments were recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.  OTTI of $0.6 million and $0.8 million was recognized on several fixed maturity security issuer for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.

The following tables present the fair values and gross unrealized losses of fixed maturity securities that have remained in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated.

September 30, 2019
Less than 12 months
Greater than 12 months
Total
(In thousands, except for # of securities)
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
# of
Securities
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
# of
Securities
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
# of
Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
States and political subdivisions
$
11,307

54

14

$
3,435

71

7

$
14,742

125

21

Corporate
53,407

1,331

51

6,310

410

4

59,717

1,741

55

Commercial mortgage-backed
882


1




882


1

Residential mortgage-backed
1,701

21

9

93

2

3

1,794

23

12

Asset-backed
7,736

11

10




7,736

11

10

Total fixed maturities
$
75,033

1,417

85

$
9,838

483

14

$
84,871

1,900

99





September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 22


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

December 31, 2018
Less than 12 months
Greater than 12 months
Total
(In thousands, except for # of securities)
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
# of
Securities
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
# of
Securities
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
# of
Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
States and political subdivisions
$
227,132

883

233

$
33,891

607

46

$
261,023

1,490

279

Corporate
230,030

8,770

191

9,936

976

8

239,966

9,746

199

Commercial mortgage-backed
14,992

66

11




14,992

66

11

Residential mortgage-backed
18


3

98

2

4

116

2

7

Asset-backed
3,747

8

4




3,747

8

4

Total fixed maturities
$
475,919

9,727

442

$
43,925

1,585

58

$
519,844

11,312

500

 
We have reviewed the securities in an unrealized loss position for the periods ended September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and determined that no OTTI exists that have not been recognized based on our evaluation of the credit worthiness of the issuers and the fact that we do not intend to sell the investments nor is it likely that we will be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases which may be maturity.  We continue to monitor all securities on an on-going basis and future information may become available which could result in other-than-temporary impairments being recorded.

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2019 by contractual maturity are shown in the table below.  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. Securities not due at a single maturity date have been reflected based upon final stated maturity.

September 30, 2019
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
(In thousands)
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
$
111,775

 
112,511

Due after one year through five years
118,968

 
124,385

Due after five years through ten years
198,215

 
212,237

Due after ten years
849,335

 
920,515

Total fixed maturity securities
$
1,278,293

 
1,369,648


The Company uses the specific identification method of the individual security to determine the cost basis used in the calculation of realized gains and losses related to security sales.  
 
Fixed Maturity Securities, Available-for-Sale
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
2018
 
2019
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds
$
29,294

1,084

 
39,708

1,084

Gross realized gains
$
125

54

 
234

54

Gross realized losses
$
22


 
387






September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 23


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

There were sales of twenty-three and forty-one available-for-sale fixed maturity securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. One available-for-sale fixed maturity security was sold during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. No equity securities were sold during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.

(6) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  We hold available-for-sale fixed maturity securities, which are carried at fair value. We also report our equity securities at fair value with changes in fair value reported through the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Fair value measurements are generally based upon observable and unobservable inputs.  Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our view of market assumptions in the absence of observable market information.  We utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  All assets and liabilities carried at fair value are required to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs or whose significant value drivers are observable.
Level 3 - Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable.

Level 1 primarily consists of financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices such as U.S. Treasury securities and actively traded mutual fund and stock investments.

Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued by independent pricing services or broker quotes.  These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various inputs, such as interest rates, credit spreads and foreign exchange rates for the underlying financial instruments.  All significant inputs are observable or derived from observable information in the marketplace or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.  Financial instruments in this category primarily include corporate securities, U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise securities, municipal securities and certain mortgage and asset-backed securities.

Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on non-binding broker prices utilizing significant inputs not based on or corroborated by readily available market information.  There were no securities in this category at September 30, 2019.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 24


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

The following tables set forth our assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates indicated.
September 30, 2019
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Fair Value
(In thousands)
 
 
 
Financial Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities available-for-sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
$
11,504

 
4,646

 

 
16,150

States and political subdivisions

 
596,818

 

 
596,818

Corporate
52

 
604,056

 

 
604,108

Commercial mortgage-backed

 
1,107

 

 
1,107

Residential mortgage-backed

 
133,865

 

 
133,865

Asset-backed

 
17,480

 

 
17,480

Foreign governments

 
120

 

 
120

Total fixed maturities available-for-sale
11,556

 
1,358,092

 

 
1,369,648

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Stock mutual funds
3,166

 

 

 
3,166

Bond mutual funds
12,242

 

 

 
12,242

Common stock
127

 

 

 
127

Non-redeemable preferred stock
310

 

 

 
310

Total equity securities
15,845

 

 

 
15,845

Total financial assets
$
27,401

 
1,358,092

 

 
1,385,493





September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 25


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

December 31, 2018
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Fair Value
(In thousands)
 
 
 
Financial Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities available-for-sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
$
11,274

 
4,280

 

 
15,554

States and political subdivisions

 
720,115

 

 
720,115

Corporate
47

 
381,749

 

 
381,796

Commercial mortgage-backed

 
40,014

 

 
40,014

Residential mortgage-backed

 
68,684

 

 
68,684

Asset-backed

 
4,757

 

 
4,757

Foreign governments

 
119

 

 
119

Total fixed maturities available-for-sale
11,321

 
1,219,718

 

 
1,231,039

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Stock mutual funds
2,906

 

 

 
2,906

Bond mutual funds
11,774

 

 

 
11,774

Common stock
94

 

 

 
94

Non-redeemable preferred stock
294

 

 

 
294

Total equity securities
15,068

 

 

 
15,068

Total financial assets
$
26,389

 
1,219,718

 

 
1,246,107

 
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS VALUATION

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CARRIED AT FAIR VALUE

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale.  At September 30, 2019, our fixed maturity securities, valued using a third-party pricing source, totaled $1.4 billion for Level 2 assets and comprised 98.0% of total reported fair value of our financial assets.  The Level 1 and Level 2 valuations are reviewed and updated quarterly through random testing by comparisons to separate pricing models, other third-party pricing services, and back tested to recent trades.  In addition, we obtain information annually relative to the third-party pricing models and review model parameters for reasonableness.  There were no Level 3 assets at September 30, 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, there were no material changes to the valuation methods or assumptions used to determine fair values, and no broker or third-party prices were changed from the values received. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Equity securities.  Our equity securities are classified as Level 1 assets as their fair values are based upon quoted market prices.

We review the fair value hierarchy classifications each reporting period.  Changes in the observability of the valuation attributes may result in a reclassification of certain financial assets.  Such reclassifications are reported as transfers in and out of Level 3 at the beginning fair value for the reporting period in which the changes occur. There were no transfers in or out of Level 3 during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 26


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS NOT CARRIED AT FAIR VALUE

Estimates of fair values are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market prices and information about the financial instruments.  The estimated fair values of financial instruments presented below are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company might realize in actual market transactions.

The carrying amount and fair value for the financial assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets not otherwise disclosed for the periods indicated are as follows:
 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
(In thousands)
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loans
$
180

 
219

 
186

 
222

Policy loans
81,964

 
81,964

 
80,825

 
80,825

Short-term investments
2,453

 
2,453

 
7,865

 
7,865

Cash and cash equivalents
47,147

 
47,147

 
45,492

 
45,492

Financial Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Annuity - investment contracts
57,306

 
62,653

 
56,658

 
55,977


Mortgage loans. Mortgage loans are secured principally by residential properties.  Weighted average interest rates for these loans were approximately 6.6% at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. At September 30, 2019, maturities ranged from 18 to 23 years.  Management estimated the fair value using an annual interest rate of 6.25% at September 30, 2019.  Our mortgage loans are considered Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy.

Policy loans. Policy loans had a weighted average annual interest rate of 7.7% at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, and no specified maturity dates.  The aggregate fair value of policy loans approximates the carrying value reflected on the consolidated balance sheets.  These loans typically carry an interest rate that corresponds to the crediting rate applied to the related policy and contract reserves.  Policy loans are an integral part of the life insurance policies we have inforce, cannot be valued separately and are not marketable.  Therefore, the fair value of policy loans approximates the carrying value and policy loans are considered Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Other. The fair value of short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents approximate carrying value and are characterized as Level 1 assets in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Annuity liabilities. The fair value of the Company's liabilities under annuity contract policies, which are considered Level 3 assets, was estimated at September 30, 2019 using discounted cash flows based upon spot rates ranging from 1.84% to 2.96% adjusted for various risk adjustments. The fair value of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the overall management of interest rate risk, which seeks to minimize exposure to changing interest rates through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.

(7) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

QUALIFICATION OF LIFE PRODUCTS

We have previously reported that a portion of the life insurance policies issued by our subsidiary insurance companies failed to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment afforded by Section 7702 of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") of 1986. Further, we have determined that the structure of our policies sold to non-U.S. citizens, which were novated to CICA Ltd. effective July 1, 2018, may have inadvertently generated U.S. source income over time. We completed the remediation of domestic life and annuity policies to U.S. citizens to comply with the IRC. For the



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 27


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

novated policies sold to non-U.S. citizens, we expect to settle any past liabilities with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). The Company has continued to refine its estimate of the exposure and expenses related to these tax issues, as described below for the current reporting period. The products have been and continue to be appropriately reported as life insurance under U.S. GAAP for financial reporting.

These tax issues result in an estimated liability as of September 30, 2019 of $9.9 million, after tax, related to projected IRS settlement amounts of $9.0 million and reserve increases totaling $0.9 million to bring policies into compliance. The probability weighted range of financial estimates relative to this issue is $6.0 million to $52.5 million, after tax. This estimated range includes projected taxes and interest and penalties payable to the IRS, as well as estimated increased payout obligations to current holders of non-compliant domestic life insurance policies expected to result from remediation of those policies. The estimated liability and the estimated range will be updated as we continue to refine our estimates.

The amount of our liabilities and expenses depends on a number of uncertainties, including the number of prior tax years for which we may be liable to the IRS and the methodology applicable to the calculation of the tax liabilities for policies. Given the range of potential outcomes and the significant variables assumed in establishing our estimates, actual amounts incurred may exceed our reserve and could exceed the high end of our estimated range of liabilities and expenses. To the extent the amount reserved by the Company is insufficient to meet the actual amount of our liabilities and expenses, or if our estimates of those liabilities and expenses change in the future, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. Management believes that based upon current information we have recorded the best estimate liability to date.

Accruals for loss contingencies are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The process of determining our best estimate and the estimated range was a complex undertaking including insight from external consultants and involved management’s judgment based upon a variety of factors known at the time. We expect to incur additional costs ranging from $0.2 million to $0.9 million related to performing this analysis, but due to the uncertainty of actions, we cannot reasonably estimate these costs with any reliability. Actual amounts incurred may exceed this estimate and will be recorded as they become probable and can be reasonably estimated.

On May 17, 2017, we submitted an offer to enter into Closing Agreements with the IRS covering certain CICA and CNLIC domestic life insurance policies (the "Closing Agreements"), which was accepted by the IRS on June 7, 2019. Pursuant to the Closing Agreements, CICA and CNLIC agreed to pay the IRS $123,779 and $4,118, respectively, by August 6, 2019, and follow the corrective steps for the policies outlined in the Closing Agreements by September 5, 2019. These payments were made to the IRS on July 12, 2019. For certain life insurance policies that failed to satisfy the requirements of the cash value accumulation test of Section 7702 ("CVAT") of the IRC, we agreed to amend such policies retroactively to their original dates of issue by adding an endorsement (which provides that the death benefit of such policies will not be less than the amount of life insurance necessary to maintain CVAT compliance). For the life insurance policies that failed to satisfy the premium requirements of the guideline premium test of Section 7702 of the IRC, we agreed as needed to refund each policyholder the amount of premiums paid that exceeded the guideline premium limitation plus interest thereon. We completed these corrective steps prior to September 5, 2019, the deadline set forth in the Closing Agreements.

LITIGATION AND REGULATORY ACTIONS

From time to time we are subject to legal and regulatory actions relating to our business. We may incur defense costs, including attorneys' fees, and other direct litigation costs associated with defending claims. If we suffer an adverse judgment as a result of litigation claims, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 28


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

(8) INCOME TAXES

Our provision for income taxes may not have the customary relationship of taxes to income. CICA Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens, is considered a controlled foreign corporation for federal tax purposes. As a result, the insurance activity of CICA Ltd. is subject to Subpart F of the IRC and is included in Citizens’ taxable income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Subpart F income inclusion generated $18.7 million of federal income tax expense and this amount was largely driven by the impact of the novation transaction. The novation transaction also resulted in somewhat offsetting adjustments to the current tax liability for CICA, notably an increased amortization of DAC under Section 848 of the IRC, a reduction of premium income and a release of the $52.1 million uncertain tax position related to tax reserves on product qualification issues. A reconciliation between the U.S. corporate income tax rate and the effective income tax rate is as follows:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
2019
 
2018
(As Restated*)
(In thousands, except for %)
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Federal income tax expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expected tax expense (benefit)
$
448

 
21.0
 %
 
$
1,168

 
21.0
 %
Foreign income tax rate differential
(521
)
 
(24.4
)%
 
(7,967
)
 
(143.2
)%
Annualized effective tax rate adjustment
(1,796
)
 
(84.2
)%
 
(743
)
 
(13.4
)%
Adjustment of prior year taxes
1,923

 
90.2
 %
 

 
 %
Effect of uncertain tax position
(2,284
)
 
(107.1
)%
 
1,024

 
18.4
 %
Nondeductible costs to remediate tax compliance issue
(27
)
 
(1.3
)%
 
469

 
8.4
 %
CICA Ltd. Subpart F income
2,253

 
105.7
 %
 
18,657

 
335.4
 %
Other
90

 
4.2
 %
 
63

 
1.1
 %
Total federal income tax expense
$
86

 
4.1
 %
 
$
12,671

 
227.7
 %
* See Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Nine Months Ended September 30,
2019
 
2018
(As Restated*)
(In thousands, except for %)
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Federal income tax expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expected tax expense (benefit)
$
172

 
21.0
 %
 
$
846

 
21.0
 %
Foreign income tax rate differential
(632
)
 
(77.4
)%
 
(7,967
)
 
(197.7
)%
Annualized effective tax rate adjustment
1,468

 
179.7
 %
 
231

 
5.7
 %
Adjustment of prior year taxes
1,923

 
235.4
 %
 

 
 %
Effect of uncertain tax position
132

 
16.2
 %
 
2,688

 
66.7
 %
Nondeductible costs to remediate tax compliance issue
(27
)
 
(3.3
)%
 
(735
)
 
(18.2
)%
CICA Ltd. Subpart F income
3,848

 
471.0
 %
 
18,657

 
463.0
 %
Other
254

 
31.1
 %
 
(60
)
 
(1.5
)%
Total federal income tax expense
$
7,138

 
873.7
 %
 
$
13,660

 
339.0
 %
* See Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

A reconciliation of federal income tax expense above is computed by applying the federal income tax rate of 21% in 2019 and 2018 to income before federal income tax expense.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 29


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 


Income tax expense consists of:

Nine Months Ended September 30,
2019
 
2018
(As Restated*)
(In thousands)
 
Federal income tax expense:
 
 
 
Current
$
6,580

 
(45,669
)
Deferred
558

 
59,329

Total federal income tax expense
$
7,138

 
13,660

* See Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The components of deferred federal income taxes are as follows:

Net Deferred Tax Asset (Liability)
(In thousands)
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Future policy benefit reserves
$
2,359

 
2,795

Net operating and capital loss carryforwards
188

 
191

Accrued expenses
6

 
30

Investments
1,650

 
1,841

Deferred intercompany loss
4,456

 
5,190

Other
801

 
309

Total gross deferred tax assets
9,460

 
10,356

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs, cost of customer relationships acquired and intangible assets
(8,479
)
 
(8,745
)
Unrealized gains on investments available-for-sale
(7,919
)
 
(1,968
)
Tax reserves transition liability
(4,671
)
 
(4,864
)
Other
(472
)
 
(488
)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities
(21,541
)
 
(16,065
)
Net deferred tax liability
$
(12,081
)
 
(5,709
)

(9) LEASES

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASC No. 842"). We also elected the package of practical expedients, which among other things, does not require reassessment of lease classification. As a result of the adoption of the new lease accounting guidance, the Company recognized on January 1, 2019 a lease liability of $1.8 million discounted using an incremental borrowing rate of 4.76% and a right-of-use asset of $1.8 million. There was $1.5 million of undiscounted lease liability remaining as of September 30, 2019. The Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is derived from information available at lease commencement date, in determining present value of lease payments.

The Company leases home office space in Austin, Texas for Citizens and in Bermuda for CICA Ltd. as well as several district office locations related to our Home Service Insurance segment across Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas, which are classified as operating leases. Certain operating leases include renewal options that extend the lease term. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 30


CITIZENS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 

option. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements and are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term and not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet.

The table below summarizes the number of weighted-average years remaining in our lease liabilities.
Lease Term
 
September 30, 2019
 
 
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
 
 
Operating leases
 
1.4

Maturities of our remaining lease liabilities as of September 30, 2019 are as follows.
(In thousands)
 
Operating Lease Payments (a)
Maturity of Lease Liabilities
 
 
2019
 
$
340

2020
 
968

2021
 
174

2022
 
32

2023
 

After 2023
 

Total lease payments
 
1,514

Interest expense
 
(50
)
Present value of lease liabilities
 
$
1,464

(a) Operating lease payments exclude $13.5 million of legally binding minimum lease payments for leases signed but not yet commenced.

We recorded the lease right-of-use asset in Other Assets and the lease liability in Other Liabilities. Cash payments related to lease liabilities were $0.2 million and $1.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, and were reported in operating cash flows.

In January 2019, the Company entered into a long-term lease agreement with an unrelated party for its new home office in Austin, Texas.  The building in which we have leased office space is under construction and is expected to be completed in 2020. The long-term lease will commence after construction of the building is complete and has a 121-month term, and therefore is not included in the tables above. Payments under the new long-term lease agreement will average approximately $112,340 per month.

The Company does not engage in lease agreements among related parties.

(10) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has various routine related party transactions in conjunction with our holding company structure, such as a management service agreement related to costs incurred, a tax sharing agreement between entities, and inter-company dividends and capital contributions. There were no other changes related to these relationships during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.  See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for a comprehensive discussion of related party transactions.

In September 2019, CICA contributed $0.5 million in capital to CNLIC.



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 31


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this report are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements specifically identified as forward-looking statements within this document.  Many of these statements contain risk factors as well.  In addition, certain statements in future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by or with the approval of the Company, which are not statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:  (i) projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or non-payment of dividends, capital structure, and other financial items, (ii) statements of our plans and objectives by our management or Board of Directors, including those relating to products or services, (iii) statements of future economic performance and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements.  Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "assumes," "estimates," "plans," "projects," "could," "expects," "intends," "targeted," "may," "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause the Company's future results to differ materially from expected results include, but are not limited to:

Changes in the application, interpretation or enforcement of foreign insurance laws that impact our business, which derives the substantial majority of its revenues from residents of foreign countries;
Potential changes in amounts reserved for in connection with intended proposals for settlement with the IRS related to tax withholding and product compliance matters for international policies issued by CICA Ltd.;
The transition of our international business to a new Bermuda-based entity, the regulatory oversight of our international business by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and potential shifts in policyholder behavior arising from these changes;
Changes in foreign and U.S. general economic, market, and political conditions, including the performance of financial markets and interest rates;
Changes in consumer behavior or regulatory oversight, which may affect our ability to sell our products and retain business;
The timely development of and acceptance of our new products and the perceived overall value of these products and services by existing and potential customers;
Fluctuations in experience regarding current mortality, morbidity, persistency and interest rates relative to expected amounts used in pricing our products;
The performance of our investment portfolio, which may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates, adverse developments and ratings of issuers whose debt securities we may hold, and other adverse macroeconomic events;
Results of litigation we may be involved in;
Changes in assumptions related to deferred acquisition costs and the value of any businesses we may acquire;
Regulatory, accounting or tax changes that may affect the cost of, or the demand for, our products or services;
Our concentration of business from persons residing in Latin America and the Pacific Rim;
Changes in tax laws;
Our ability to maintain effective information systems;



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 32


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

Changes in statutory, United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("U.S. GAAP") or Bermuda Monetary Authority ("BMA"), policies or practices;
Changes in leadership among our board and senior management team;
Our success at managing risks involved in the foregoing; and
The risk factors disclosed in Part II, Item 1A. of this Form 10-Q and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, and in Part I. Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.

The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including the Company, that file electronically with the SEC. The public can obtain any documents that the Company files with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. We also make available, free of charge, through our Internet website (http://www.citizensinc.com), our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Section 16 Reports filed by officers and directors, news releases, and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with, or furnish such reports to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We are not including any of the information contained on our website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this report.

OVERVIEW

Citizens, Inc. ("Citizens" or the "Company") is an insurance holding company incorporated in Colorado serving the life insurance needs of individuals in the U.S. since 1969 and internationally since 1975. Through our insurance subsidiaries, we pursue a strategy of offering traditional insurance products in niche markets where we believe we can achieve competitive advantages.  As of September 30, 2019, we had approximately $1.7 billion of total assets and approximately $4.7 billion of insurance inforce.  Our core insurance operations include issuing and servicing:

U.S. dollar-denominated ordinary whole life insurance and endowment policies predominantly to foreign residents, located principally in Latin America and the Pacific Rim through independent marketing consultants;
ordinary whole life insurance policies to middle income households concentrated in the Midwest, Mountain West and southern U.S. through independent marketing consultants; and
final expense and limited liability property policies to middle and lower income households in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi through employee and independent agents in our home service distribution channel and funeral homes.

We were formed in 1969 and historically, our Company has experienced growth through acquisitions in the domestic market and organic market expansion in the international market.  We strive to generate bottom line returns using knowledge of our niche markets and our well-established distribution channels.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

The Company remains committed to cultivating enduring value for its key stakeholders through the execution of a customer-centric growth strategy. 

In 2017, the Company's executive management team, in cooperation with its Board of Directors, began a strategic realignment of its Life and Home Service Insurance segments.  Specifically, we focused on (1) product enhancements and increasing our product profitability; (2) modernization of our IT operations with an emphasis on digitization, our future business needs and cyber risk; (3) effectively operating our international life insurance business in Bermuda through CICA Ltd.; and (4) assessing and optimizing our investment portfolio.  To date, our strategic realignment within



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 33


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

the Company's Life Insurance segment is largely complete, and a leadership transition within the Company’s  Home Service Insurance segment is underway.

Carrying that momentum forward, in 2019, we identified three areas of strategic focus for cultivating value:   

1.
We are focused on building a foundation of operational excellence, as our high impact and values-based culture takes root.
2.
We are focused on growth initiatives within the markets in which we operate, as we set targets for growing premium revenues and implementing growth strategies.  
3.
We are focused on new capabilities that will create business opportunities aligned with our essential purpose. 

As we seek to optimize value for the Company, its customers and its collaborators, we believe our efforts will put the Company on a stronger financial footing and drive sustainable growth.

CURRENT FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Financial highlights for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018 were:

Insurance premiums declined 3.0% for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, totaling $46.0 million and $47.4 million, respectively. The decline was driven by fewer renewal premiums in our Life Insurance segment. However, first year premiums in our Life Insurance segment increased 31.0% for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 and increased 25.7% from the second quarter of 2019 as we invested heavily in our sales and marketing activities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, insurance premiums declined 3.9%, totaling $132.3 million, compared to $137.6 million for the same period in 2018. The decline was driven by fewer renewal premiums in our Life Insurance segment throughout the nine months and lower first year premiums during the first quarter of 2019.
Net investment income increased 10.7% for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018, totaling $15.0 million and $13.6 million, respectively. The increase was driven by a growing asset base derived from cash flows from our insurance operations, improvements in cash management, and a strategic focus on achieving greater yields while maintaining a prudent risk profile for our investment portfolio. We were able to achieve strong portfolio returns despite facing a difficult investment environment during the quarter. Net investment income was lower during the third quarter of 2018 due in part to the need to maintain sufficient cash balances to fund our Bermuda novation that occurred in July 2018. As these funds were not available for investment, we experienced lower overall portfolio yields and net investment income.  The average yield on the consolidated portfolio as of the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was an annualized rate of 4.34% compared to 4.29% for the same period in 2018.
An impairment loss of $3.1 million was recorded during the second quarter of 2019 in our Other Non-Insurance enterprises related to our Citizens Academy training facility located near Austin, Texas.  This investment was reclassified from real estate held for investment to held-for-sale.  A realized gain of $5.5 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2019 related to the sale of our former corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas.  We also recorded realized gains of $0.8 million during the first nine months of 2019 related to fair value changes in our equity securities owned at September 30, 2019. Realized losses of $0.8 million were recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 related to our fixed maturities portfolio and we recorded equity losses of $0.2 million during the same period.
Claims and surrenders expense increased 14.7% for the third quarter of 2019 and 17.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. The increase was driven primarily by an increase in surrender benefits and matured endowments in the Life Insurance segment, which were within expected levels.
General expenses decreased 7.0% for the third quarter of 2019 and increased 12.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. For both the third quarter



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 34


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

and the nine months ended in September 30, 2019, we had reduced audit fees, partially offset by increased costs relating to higher executive compensation, compared to the same periods in 2018. In addition, due to a change in our 7702/72(s) tax compliance best estimate liability from the estimate at year end 2017, general expenses increased by $1.8 million for the third quarter of 2018 and decreased by $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

OUR OPERATING SEGMENTS

Our business is comprised of two operating business segments, as detailed below.

Life Insurance
Home Service Insurance

Our insurance operations are the primary focus of the Company, as those operations generate most of our income.  See the discussion under Segment Operations below for detailed analysis.  The amount of insurance, number of policies, and average face amounts of ordinary life policies issued during the periods indicated are shown below.
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2019
 
2018
 
Amount of
Insurance
Issued
 
Number of
Policies
Issued
 
Average Policy
Face Amount
Issued
 
Amount of
Insurance
Issued
 
Number of
Policies
Issued
 
Average Policy
Face Amount
Issued
Life Insurance
$
166,580,870

 
2,519

 
$
66,130

 
$
169,392,236

 
2,797

 
$
60,562

Home Service Insurance
124,529,689

 
17,288

 
7,203

 
134,494,004

 
19,054

 
7,059


The number of policies issued decreased 9.9% and 9.3% for the Life Insurance and Home Service Insurance segments, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. The decline in new business applications in our Life Insurance segment is driven by ceasing sales in Brazil and terminating agreements with several independent consultants in Latin America who did not align with our vision, values and culture.   Excluding these two factors, the number of policies issued by our international business increased during the period as we invested heavily in our sales and marketing activities and achieved better alignment with our sales collaborators on vision, value and strategy.  While the number of policies issued has declined in the Life Insurance and Home Service Insurance segments during 2019, the average face amount issued has increased, resulting in overall premium income not declining at the same rate as policy issuances.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 35


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

A discussion of consolidated results is presented below, followed by a discussion of segment operations and financial results by segment.

REVENUES

Revenues are generated primarily by insurance premiums and investment income on invested assets.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life insurance
$
44,502

 
45,898

 
127,795

 
133,058

Accident and health insurance
350

 
323

 
1,018

 
915

Property insurance
1,157

 
1,208

 
3,464

 
3,615

Net investment income
15,039

 
13,587

 
44,150

 
41,169

Realized investment gains (losses), net
72

 
(498
)
 
3,164

 
(1,251
)
Other income
347

 
643

 
1,148

 
930

Total revenues
$
61,467

 
61,161

 
180,739

 
178,436


Premium Income.  Premium income derived from life, accident and health, and property insurance sales decreased 3.0% for the third quarter of 2019 and 3.9% for nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. The decrease is driven primarily by a decline in renewal premiums in our Life Insurance segment and slightly offset by an increase in first year premiums in the third quarter of 2019. See the detail distribution of premiums within Segment Operations discussed below.

Net Investment Income. Net investment income performance is summarized as follows.
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
September 30,
(In thousands, except for %)
2019
 
2018
 
2018
 

 
 
 
 
Net investment income, annualized
$
58,867

 
54,205

 
54,892

Average invested assets, at amortized cost
1,357,720

 
1,300,755

 
1,280,592

Annualized yield on average invested assets
4.34
%
 
4.17
%
 
4.29
%

The annualized yield increased during the first nine months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, despite a decline in overall market yields. We have been successful in achieving higher yields while maintaining a prudent risk profile for our portfolio despite facing an increasingly challenging investment environment. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2018, we repositioned our portfolio into more diversified holdings and maturities as part of our investment management strategy. We increased our purchases of AA rated mortgage backed securities while reducing our municipal holdings. While these securities generally have a higher rating than our municipal holdings, average yields are lower. As part of the ongoing process of managing our portfolio and optimizing performance, we are continuing to identify and consider new asset classes.



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 36


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

Investment income from debt securities accounted for approximately 87.7% of total investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross investment income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
$
13,637

 
11,792

 
39,898

 
36,773

Equity securities
154

 
143

 
479

 
471

Mortgage loans
2

 
3

 
8

 
9

Policy loans
1,619

 
1,544

 
4,820

 
4,600

Long-term investments

 
3

 
1

 
3

Other investment income
96

 
380

 
279

 
470

Total investment income
15,508

 
13,865

 
45,485

 
42,326

Investment expenses
(469
)
 
(278
)
 
(1,335
)
 
(1,157
)
Net investment income
$
15,039

 
13,587

 
44,150

 
41,169


Fixed maturity securities income increased 15.6% for the third quarter of 2019 and 8.5% for nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to the same periods in 2018. We continue to adjust our investment management strategy to increase our investment yields while maintaining a prudent risk profile. In addition, the increase in policy loans, which represents policyholders utilizing their accumulated policy cash value to pay for premiums, contributed to the increase in investment income.

Realized Investment Gains (Losses), Net.  An impairment loss of $3.1 million was recorded for the second quarter of 2019 in connection with classifying the Citizens Academy training facility near Austin, Texas as real estate held-for-sale. We also recorded a realized gain of $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2019 relating to the sale of our former corporate headquarters. Finally, we recorded realized gains of $0.8 million due to fair value changes related to equity securities still owned at September 30, 2019.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 37


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insurance benefits paid or provided:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Claims and surrenders
$
28,751

 
25,076

 
78,808

 
66,844

Increase in future policy benefit reserves
6,409

 
1,653

 
28,180

 
32,816

Policyholders' dividends
1,560

 
1,595

 
4,165

 
4,516

Total insurance benefits paid or provided
36,720

 
28,324

 
111,153

 
104,176

Commissions
8,879

 
8,656

 
25,147

 
26,284

Other general expenses
11,530

 
12,402

 
37,611

 
33,375

Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(5,984
)
 
(5,561
)
 
(16,224
)
 
(17,164
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
7,835

 
11,412

 
21,043

 
26,218

Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired
355

 
366

 
1,192

 
1,517

Total benefits and expenses
$
59,335

 
55,599

 
179,922

 
174,406

 
Claims and Surrenders.  A detail of claims and surrender benefits is provided below.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Claims and Surrenders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Death claims
$
5,797

 
6,031

 
18,227

 
17,742

Surrender benefits
13,959

 
11,078

 
37,124

 
29,612

Endowments
3,012

 
3,313

 
9,079

 
9,819

Matured endowments
4,232

 
3,251

 
10,597

 
5,881

Property claims
625

 
482

 
1,115

 
1,296

Accident and health benefits
92

 
140

 
208

 
254

Other policy benefits
1,034

 
781

 
2,458

 
2,240

Total claims and surrenders
$
28,751

 
25,076

 
78,808

 
66,844


Death claims decreased 3.9% for the third quarter of 2019 and increased 2.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. Mortality experience is closely monitored by the Company and the activity is within expected levels.
Surrenders increased 26.0% for the third quarter of 2019 and 25.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. Surrenders represented less than 1.0% of total direct ordinary whole life insurance in force of $4.7 billion as of September 30, 2019. The increase in surrender expense is primarily related to our international business and was within expected levels. A significant portion of surrenders relate to policies that have been in force over fifteen years and no longer have associated surrender charges.
Matured endowments increased 30.2% for the third quarter of 2019 and 80.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. We anticipated this increase based



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 38


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

upon the dates of when our policy endowment contracts were sold and their expected maturities as set forth in the contracts.

Increase in Future Policy Benefit Reserves.  The change in future policy benefit reserves increased 287.7% for the third quarter of 2019 and decreased 14.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. The conversion resulted in a decrease in future policy benefit reserves of $11.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 relating to our international business. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the conversion resulted in a decrease in future policy benefit reserves of $2.4 million in our Home Service Insurance segment when compared to the same periods in 2018. Changes in surrender and maturity activity between periods also impacts this line item.

Commissions. Commission expense for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2019 fluctuated directly in relation to the decrease in first year and renewal premiums compared to premium levels for the same periods in 2018.

Other General Expenses. Expenses declined 7.0% in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 due to a decrease in audit fees and our 7702/72(s) tax compliance best estimate liability. We recognized $1.8 million in expense related to our 7702/72(s) liability during the third quarter of 2018. We have continued to refine our estimated liability related to this matter. These declines were partially offset by additional costs relating to higher executive compensation. Expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 increased 12.7% compared to the same period in 2018 as expenses during the 2018 period were reduced by $3.6 million from the reduction in our 7702/72(s) liability estimate. We also had additional costs related to salaries, bonuses and other compensation paid to executive officers, partially offset by lower audit fees, during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.

Capitalization and Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs.  Costs capitalized include certain commissions, policy issuance costs, and underwriting and agency expenses that relate to successful sales efforts for insurance contracts.  Capitalized costs increased during the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 as we experienced an increase in first year premium production.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, capitalized costs decreased compared to the same period last year as first year premium production declined slightly. Commissions paid on renewal premiums are significantly lower than those paid on first year business. The decline in production for the entire period also resulted in lower amortization during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs is also impacted by persistency and may fluctuate from quarter to quarter. In addition, the conversion to a new actuarial valuation system impacted amortization in both periods. The conversion resulted in an increase in amortization of $3.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $0.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Federal Income Tax. Tax expense decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. The Company's tax rate was impacted by differences between our effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate resulting from income and expense items that are treated differently for financial reporting and tax purposes as well as impacts from our uncertain tax position. In addition, CICA Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens, is considered a controlled foreign corporation for federal tax purposes and CICA Ltd.'s activity gives rise to taxable income in the U.S. as Subpart F Income, which is treated as a permanent tax difference and therefore included in the Company's effective tax rate calculation. See Note 8. Income Taxes in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

SEGMENT OPERATIONS

The Company has two reportable segments:  Life Insurance and Home Service Insurance.  These segments are reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  The Company also operates other non-insurance portions of the Company, which primarily include the Company's IT and Corporate-support functions, which are included in the table presented below to properly reconcile the segment information with the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 39


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

Company evaluates profit and loss performance of its segments based on income (loss) before federal income taxes. The following table shows income (loss) before federal income taxes by segments during the periods indicated.

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Segments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Life Insurance
$
2,310

 
6,973

 
6,828

 
11,594

  Home Service Insurance
927

 
(352
)
 
258

 
(3,146
)
Total segments
3,237

 
6,621

 
7,086

 
8,448

Other Non-Insurance enterprises
(1,105
)
 
(1,059
)
 
(6,269
)
 
(4,418
)
Income before federal income tax expense
$
2,132

 
5,562

 
817

 
4,030



LIFE INSURANCE

Our Life Insurance segment issues ordinary whole life insurance in the U.S. and in U.S. Dollar-denominated amounts to foreign residents.  These contracts are designed to provide a fixed amount of insurance coverage over the life of the insured and can utilize rider benefits to provide additional increasing or decreasing coverage and annuity benefits to enhance accumulations.  Additionally, endowment contracts are issued by the Company, which are principally accumulation contracts that incorporate an element of life insurance protection.  For the majority of our business, we retain the first $0.1 million of risk on any one life, reinsuring the remainder of the risk.  Historically, we have operated this segment through our CICA and CNLIC insurance subsidiaries. Since July 1, 2018, we have operated the international business in this segment through CICA Ltd.

INTERNATIONAL SALES

We focus our sales of U.S. Dollar-denominated ordinary whole life insurance and endowment policies to residents in Latin America and the Pacific Rim.  We have participated in the foreign marketplace since 1975.  We believe positive attributes of our international insurance business include:

larger face amount policies typically issued when compared to our U.S. operations, which results in lower underwriting and administrative costs per unit of coverage;
premiums typically paid annually rather than monthly or quarterly, which reduces our administrative expenses, accelerates cash flow and results in lower policy lapse rates than premiums with more frequently scheduled payments; and
persistency experience and mortality rates that are comparable to U.S. policies.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 40


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTS

We offer several ordinary whole life insurance and endowment products designed to meet the needs of our non-U.S. policyholders.  These policies have been structured to provide:

U.S. Dollar-denominated cash values that accumulate, beginning in the first policy year, to a policyholder during his or her lifetime;
premium rates that are competitive with most foreign local companies;
a hedge against local currency inflation;
protection against devaluation of foreign currency;
capital investment in a more secure economic environment (i.e., the U.S.); and
lifetime income guarantees for an insured or for surviving beneficiaries.

Our international products have living benefit features. Most policies contain guaranteed cash values and are participating (i.e., provides for cash dividends as apportioned by the board of directors).  Once a policyholder pays the annual premium and the policy is issued, the owner becomes entitled to policy cash dividends as well as annual premium benefits, if the annual premium benefit was elected.  According to the policy language, the policyholder has several options with regard to the policy dividends and annual premium benefits. Any annual policy cash dividend may, at the option of the policyholder and provided the value of a dividend is not encumbered by a policy loan, be applied under one of the following options: (1) paid in cash to the policy owner; (2) credited toward payment of premiums on the policy; (3) left with the Company to accumulate at a defined interest rate; (4) applied to increase the amount of insurance benefit by purchase of paid-up additions to the policy; or (5) be assigned to a third party. If the policy is encumbered by a loan, only option 3 will apply to secure the outstanding loan. Similarly, all annual premium benefits credited to the policy may, at the option of the policyholder and provided the policy is not encumbered by a policy loan, be applied under one of the following options: (1) paid in cash to the policy owner; (2) credited toward payment of premiums on the policy; (3) left with the Company to accumulate at an annually company declared interest rate; or (4) be assigned to a third party. Likewise, if the policy is encumbered by a loan, only option (3) will apply to secure the outstanding loan. Under the "assigned to a third party" provision, the Company has historically allowed policyholders, after receiving a copy of the Citizens, Inc. Stock Investment Plan (the "CISIP") prospectus and acknowledging their understanding of the risks of investing in Citizens Class A common stock, the right to assign policy values outside of the policy to the CISIP, which is administered in the U.S. by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., our plan administrator and an affiliate of Computershare Inc., our transfer agent. The CISIP is a direct stock purchase plan available to policyholders, shareholders, our employees and directors, independent consultants, and other potential investors through the Computershare website. The Company has registered the shares of Class A common stock issuable to participants under the CISIP on a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") that is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Computershare administers the CISIP in accordance with the terms and conditions of the CISIP, which is available on the Computershare website and as part of the Company’s registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 41


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

The following table sets forth, by country, our direct premiums from the top five premium producing countries in our international life insurance business for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 as indicated below.
chart-7436a6419065521185b.jpg
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Country:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colombia
$
6,465

 
6,990

 
18,567

 
20,016

Venezuela
5,740

 
6,420

 
16,471

 
18,574

Taiwan
4,393

 
4,282

 
13,504

 
13,161

Ecuador
3,641

 
3,770

 
10,454

 
11,232

Argentina
2,539

 
2,556

 
7,199

 
7,135

Other Non-U.S.
10,485

 
10,934

 
28,660

 
29,954

Total
$
33,263

 
34,952

 
94,855

 
100,072

 
We reported declines in premiums during the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018 due primarily to a decrease in renewal premiums. We continue to monitor key indicators in these markets. This business is dependent on our clients having access to U.S. dollars. Our international business may also be affected by our ongoing strategic review of our business model and by economic or other events in foreign countries in which our policies are marketed. In April 2018, in connection with our review of our international business model, we discontinued accepting life insurance applications from Brazilian citizens or residents. Brazil had traditionally been one of our top five premium-producing countries in our international life insurance business for the past several years. We recorded premiums from the Brazilian portion of our business of $6.1 million, or 6.4% of total international premiums, as of September 30, 2019 and $7.1 million, or 7.1% of total international premiums, as of September 30, 2018. We also terminated agreements with several independent consultants in Latin America who did not align with our vision, values, and culture.

Direct premiums from Venezuela have declined as Venezuela continues to experience widespread public demonstrations against crime, corruption, soaring inflation and poor utility infrastructure, and we expect that overall premiums from Venezuela will continue to decline if the deteriorating political and economic environment and infrastructure continue to adversely impact our ability to make sales and collect premiums. Our international business and premium collections also could be impacted by our inability to comply with current or future foreign laws or regulations applicable to the Company or our independent consultants in the countries from which we accept applications and by marketing or operational changes made by the Company to comply with those laws or regulations. See the risk factors disclosed in Part II, Item 1A. of this Form 10-Q and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 42


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, and in Part I. Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for additional information.

DOMESTIC SALES

Most of our domestic inforce business results from blocks of business of insurance companies we have acquired over the past 20 years.  We discontinued new sales of our non-home service domestic products beginning January 1, 2017.

The following table sets forth our direct premiums by state for the top five premium producing U.S. states for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 as indicated below.
chart-34bdef9b761d5521b88.jpg
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
State:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Texas
$
503

 
399

 
1,432

 
1,217

Indiana
255

 
295

 
773

 
882

Florida
194

 
186

 
439

 
504

Missouri
85

 
80

 
274

 
288

Louisiana
84

 
71

 
199

 
193

Other States
433

 
441

 
1,283

 
1,377

Total
$
1,554

 
1,472

 
4,400

 
4,461


We report premiums based upon the current residence of our policyholders. A number of domestic life insurance companies we acquired had blocks of accident and health insurance policies, which we did not consider to be a core part of our business.  We have ceded the majority of our accident and health insurance business to an unaffiliated insurance company under a coinsurance agreement.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 43


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

The results of operations for the Life Insurance segment for the periods indicated are as follows.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
34,385

 
35,784

 
97,439

 
102,537

Net investment income
11,340

 
10,062

 
33,121

 
30,331

Realized investment gains (losses), net
61

 
(475
)
 
5,586

 
(684
)
Other income
349

 
643

 
1,146

 
931

Total revenue
46,135

 
46,014

 
137,292

 
133,115

Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insurance benefits paid or provided:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Claims and surrenders
22,533

 
19,212

 
61,011

 
49,522

Increase in future policy benefit reserves
7,667

 
544

 
27,499

 
29,509

Policyholders' dividends
1,551

 
1,581

 
4,136

 
4,483

Total insurance benefits paid or provided
31,751

 
21,337

 
92,646

 
83,514

Commissions
5,386

 
4,712

 
14,435

 
14,717

Other general expenses
5,358

 
6,583

 
18,021

 
12,607

Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(4,743
)
 
(3,873
)
 
(12,465
)
 
(12,663
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
5,960

 
10,132

 
17,454

 
22,912

Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired
113

 
150

 
373

 
434

Total benefits and expenses
43,825

 
39,041

 
130,464

 
121,521

Income before federal income tax expense
$
2,310

 
6,973

 
6,828

 
11,594


Premiums.  Premium revenues decreased 3.9% for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 due to a decrease in renewal business. However, first year premiums from our international business increased 31.0% during the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 as we invested heavily in our sales and marketing activities and achieved better alignment with our sales collaborators on vision, value and strategy. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, premium revenues declined 5.0% compared to the same period in 2018 due primarily to a decrease in renewal business. Since the first quarter of 2019, we have experienced progressive improvement in our new business production for our international business.

Life insurance premium breakout is detailed below.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First year
$
3,361

 
2,566

 
8,308

 
8,340

Renewal
31,024

 
33,218

 
89,131

 
94,197

Total premiums
$
34,385

 
35,784

 
97,439

 
102,537





September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 44


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

Net Investment Income.  Net investment income increased primarily due to the growth in average invested assets and a strategic focus on increasing yields in a prudent manner.
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
September 30,
(In thousands, except for %)
2019
 
2018
 
2018
Net investment income, annualized
$
44,163

 
39,985

 
40,439

Average invested assets, at amortized cost
1,010,578

 
958,135

 
945,241

Annualized yield on average invested assets
4.37
%
 
4.17
%
 
4.28
%

The annualized yield in the third quarter of 2019 increased compared to the third quarter of 2018. We are continually adjusting our investment management strategy to identify opportunities to improve our yields while maintaining risk discipline. This continues to be a challenge in the current low interest rate environment.

Realized Investment Gains (Losses), Net.  The realized gains for the nine month period were primarily due to a $5.5 million realized gain from the sale of our former corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas. We recorded realized investment losses for the third quarter of 2018 of $0.4 million due to losses on securities we had not intended to hold until recovery. We also recorded realized investment losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 that were primarily due to an additional impairment of one single issuer which totaled $0.2 million.
 
Claims and Surrenders.  These amounts fluctuate from period to period but were within anticipated ranges based upon management's expectations. The following table represents the amount of claims and surrenders incurred within the Life Insurance segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.
chart-5456dd0b063855e7a0e.jpg



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 45


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 


 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Claims and Surrenders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Death claims
$
1,249

 
1,619

 
4,599

 
4,434

Surrender benefits
13,104

 
10,307

 
34,591

 
27,387

Endowment benefits
3,008

 
3,309

 
9,070

 
9,809

Matured endowments
4,103

 
3,114

 
10,190

 
5,481

Accident and health benefits
41

 
86

 
117

 
183

Other policy benefits
1,028

 
777

 
2,444

 
2,228

Total claims and surrenders
$
22,533

 
19,212

 
61,011

 
49,522


Death claims expense was favorable for the third quarter and unfavorable for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared with the same periods in 2018. Mortality experience is closely monitored by the Company as a key performance indicator and these amounts were within expected levels.
Surrenders increased 27.1% for the third quarter of 2019 and 26.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. As we have a mature book of business, the majority of policy surrender benefits paid are for policies in the later durations of their terms, after the surrender charges have been reduced or have ended.
Endowment benefits primarily result from the election by policyholders of a product feature providing an annual guaranteed benefit.  This is a fixed benefit over the life of the contract, thus this expense will vary with new sales and persistency of the business.
Matured endowments increased 31.8% for the third quarter of 2019 and 85.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018, as a large number of our endowment contracts reached maturity in the current period. We anticipate this trend will continue as endowments products sold reach their stated maturities.
Other policy benefits resulted primarily from interest paid on premium deposits and policy benefit accumulations.

Increase in Future Policy Benefit Reserves.  The increase in policy benefit reserves for the third quarter of 2019 was due primarily to the impact of the new actuarial valuation system conversion in 2018. The conversion resulted in a decrease in reserves of $11.9 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared to 2017. In addition, change in reserves was impacted by the premium income and increases in surrender and maturity activity in the current period as described above. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, change in policy benefit reserves was lower due to the impact of the actuarial valuation system conversion offsetting the impact of increased surrender and maturity activity and lower premiums compared to the same period in 2018.

Policyholders' Dividends. Policyholders' dividends were lower for both the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. The decrease was due to changes in persistency and production.

Commissions.  Commission expense increased during the third quarter of 2019 as we experienced higher first year premiums compared to the same period last year. Commission expense decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 as we experienced fewer renewal premiums and lower first year premiums in the first quarter of 2019.  Commission expense is driven primarily, but not exclusively, by new business as commission rates paid are higher on first year premium sales.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 46


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

Other General Expenses.   Expenses are allocated by segment based upon an annual expense study performed by the Company. Expenses decreased for the third quarter of 2019 due to lower audit fees partially offset by additional costs related to salaries, bonuses and other compensation. Expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 increased compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to the reduction in the 7702 tax compliance estimated costs recorded in the first quarter of 2018, which resulted in lower expenses during the 2018 period. We also had lower audit fees somewhat offset by additional costs related to salaries, bonuses and other compensation in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018

Capitalization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs.  Capitalized costs fluctuate in direct relation to commissions, increasing for the third quarter and decreasing for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, based upon first year and renewal premiums and commissions paid compared to the same periods in 2018.  

Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs.  Amortization costs fluctuate with changes in first year premium activity, surrenders, and persistency in general. As previously described, persistency is monitored closely by the Company. In addition, the conversion to a new actuarial valuation system impacted amortization. The conversion resulted in an increase in amortization of $3.7 million for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

HOME SERVICE INSURANCE

We operate in the Home Service insurance market through our subsidiaries Security Plan Life Insurance Company ("SPLIC"), Magnolia Guaranty Life Insurance Company ("MGLIC") and Security Plan Fire Insurance Company ("SPFIC"), and focus on the life insurance needs of the middle and lower income markets, primarily in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.  Our policies are sold and serviced through a home service marketing distribution system of employee-agents who work full time on a debit route system and through funeral homes that sell policies, collect premiums and service policyholders.

The following table sets forth our direct premiums by state for the periods indicated.

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
State:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Louisiana
$
10,688

 
10,679

 
31,997

 
32,098

Mississippi
508

 
527

 
1,546

 
1,618

Arkansas
398

 
413

 
1,222

 
1,272

Other States
235

 
230

 
694

 
684

Total
$
11,829

 
11,849

 
35,459

 
35,672


HOME SERVICE INSURANCE PRODUCTS

Our Home Service Insurance products consist primarily of small face amount ordinary whole life and pre-need policies, which are designed to fund final expenses for the insured, primarily consisting of funeral and burial costs.  To a much lesser extent, our Home Service Insurance segment sells limited-liability, named-peril property policies covering dwellings and contents.  We provide $30,000 maximum coverage on any one dwelling and contents, while content only coverage and dwelling only coverage is limited to $20,000, respectively.

We provide final expense ordinary life insurance and annuity products primarily to middle and lower income individuals in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.  




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 47


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

The results of operations for the Home Service Insurance segment for the periods indicated are as follows.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
$
11,624

 
11,645

 
34,838

 
35,051

Net investment income
3,309

 
3,276

 
9,720

 
9,894

Realized investment gains (losses), net
3

 
(32
)
 
639

 
(535
)
Other income (loss)
(2
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Total revenue
14,934

 
14,889

 
45,197

 
44,409

Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insurance benefits paid or provided:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Claims and surrenders
6,218

 
5,864

 
17,797

 
17,322

Increase in future policy benefit reserves
(1,258
)
 
1,109

 
681

 
3,307

Policyholders' dividends
9

 
14

 
29

 
33

Total insurance benefits paid or provided
4,969

 
6,987

 
18,507

 
20,662

Commissions
3,493

 
3,944

 
10,712

 
11,567

Other general expenses
4,669

 
4,502

 
15,071

 
15,438

Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
(1,241
)
 
(1,688
)
 
(3,759
)
 
(4,501
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
1,875

 
1,280

 
3,589

 
3,306

Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired
242

 
216

 
819

 
1,083

Total benefits and expenses
14,007

 
15,241

 
44,939

 
47,555

Income (loss) before federal income tax expense
$
927

 
(352
)
 
258

 
(3,146
)

Premiums.  Premiums were down slightly for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018.

Net Investment Income.  Net investment income for our Home Service Insurance segment increased slightly during the third quarter and declined the nine months ending September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018 as a fall in yields and an increase in investment expenses offset a slight increase in average invested assets. As previously described, it has been challenging to find attractive yields in the current low interest rate environment. Net investment income yield for our Home Service segment is summarized below.

 
Nine Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
September 30,
(In thousands, except for %)
2019
 
2018
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income, annualized
$
13,098

 
13,125

 
13,189

Average invested assets, at amortized cost
291,712

 
290,443

 
288,723

Annualized yield on average invested assets
4.49
%
 
4.52
%
 
4.57
%
 
Realized Investment Gains (Losses), Net.  Realized net gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were primarily related to equity securities fair value adjustments of $0.7 million, as financial markets performed well during the first nine months of 2019. We recorded losses of $0.2 million due to fair value changes related to equity securities



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 48


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

and an additional impairment on one fixed maturity security issuer totaling $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Claims and Surrenders.  These amounts fluctuate from period to period but were generally within anticipated ranges based upon management's expectations.

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Claims and Surrenders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Death claims
$
4,548

 
4,412

 
13,628

 
13,308

Surrender benefits
855

 
771

 
2,533

 
2,225

Endowment benefits
6

 
4

 
10

 
10

Matured endowments
129

 
137

 
407

 
400

Property claims
625

 
482

 
1,115

 
1,296

Accident and health benefits
52

 
54

 
92

 
71

Other policy benefits
3

 
4

 
12

 
12

Total claims and surrenders
$
6,218

 
5,864

 
17,797

 
17,322


Death claims expense fluctuates based upon reported claims. We experienced a small increase in reported claims in the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. Mortality experience is closely monitored by the Company as a key performance indicator and amounts were within expected levels.
Surrender benefits increased for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2019, but were within anticipated ranges based on management expectations.
Property claims increased in the third quarter due to the impact of Tropical Storm Barry that affected Louisiana. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, property claims decreased as we experienced favorable weather-related claim activity in 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.

Increase in Future Policy Benefit Reserves.  The change in future policy benefit reserves for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was lower due primarily to the impact of our actuarial valuation system conversion. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the conversion resulted in a decrease in reserves of $2.3 million.

Commissions.  Commission expense decreased for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018, consistent with premium collection levels. In addition, management initiated a change in commission policy in 2018 that has resulted in generally lower commission payouts.

Other General Expenses.  Expenses are allocated by segment based upon an annual expense study performed by the Company. Expenses were relatively flat for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018.

Capitalization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC").  Capitalized costs decreased for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018.  DAC capitalization is directly correlated to fluctuations in new business and commissions.

Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs.  Amortization for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2019 increased of $0.9 million compared to the same periods in 2018 primarily due to the impact of the conversion to a new actuarial valuation system.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 49


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

Amortization of Cost of Customer Relationships Acquired. Amortization decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, mainly due to an annual review and true up performed in the first quarter of 2019.

OTHER NON-INSURANCE ENTERPRISES

This represents the administrative support entities to the insurance operations whose revenues are primarily intercompany and have been eliminated in consolidation under GAAP, which typically results in a loss. Losses reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, are also impacted by the impairment of the Citizens Academy training facility property.

INVESTMENTS

The administration of our investment portfolios is handled by our management and a third-party investment manager pursuant to board-approved investment guidelines, with all trading activity approved by a committee of each entity's respective boards of directors.  The guidelines used require that fixed maturities, both government and corporate, are investment grade and comprise a majority of the investment portfolio.  State insurance statutes prescribe the quality and percentage of the various types of investments that may be made by insurance companies and generally permit investment in qualified state, municipal, federal and foreign government obligations, high quality corporate bonds, preferred and common stock, mortgage loans and real estate within certain specified percentages.  The investments are generally intended to mature in accordance with the average maturity of the insurance products and provide the cash flow for our insurance company subsidiaries to meet their respective policyholder obligations.

The following table shows the carrying value of our investments by investment category and cash and cash equivalents, and the percentage of each to total invested cash, cash equivalents and investments.
Carrying Value
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
(In thousands, except for %)
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
$
16,150

 
1.1
%
 
$
15,554

 
1.1
%
States and political subdivisions
596,818

 
39.2
%
 
720,115

 
52.0
%
Corporate
604,108

 
39.7
%
 
381,796

 
27.5
%
Mortgage-backed (1)
134,972

 
8.9
%
 
108,698

 
7.8
%
Asset-backed
17,480

 
1.2
%
 
4,757

 
0.3
%
Foreign governments
120

 
%
 
119

 
%
Total fixed maturity securities
1,369,648

 
90.1
%
 
1,231,039

 
88.7
%
Short-term investments
2,453

 
0.2
%
 
7,865

 
0.6
%
Cash and cash equivalents
47,147

 
3.1
%
 
45,492

 
3.3
%
Other investments:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Policy loans
81,964

 
5.4
%
 
80,825

 
5.8
%
Equity securities
15,845

 
1.0
%
 
15,068

 
1.1
%
Mortgage loans
180

 
%
 
186

 
%
Real estate and other long-term investments
2,593

 
0.2
%
 
7,223

 
0.5
%
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments
$
1,519,830

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,387,698

 
100.0
%
(1) Includes $133.7 million and $108.5 million of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 50


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 


Cash and cash equivalents increased as of September 30, 2019 due to timing of cash inflows and investments of cash into marketable securities.

The following table sets forth the distribution of the credit ratings of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities by carrying value as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
Carrying Value
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
(In thousands, except for %)
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
AAA
$
70,860

 
5.5
%
 
$
96,333

 
7.8
%
AA
485,716

 
38.0
%
 
551,978

 
44.8
%
A
321,764

 
25.2
%
 
281,553

 
22.9
%
BBB
378,468

 
29.6
%
 
277,584

 
22.6
%
BB and other
21,485

 
1.7
%
 
23,591

 
1.9
%
Totals
$
1,278,293

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,231,039

 
100.0
%

Credit ratings reported for the periods indicated are assigned by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization ("NRSRO") such as Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s or Fitch Ratings.  A credit rating assigned by an NRSRO is a quality based rating, with AAA representing the highest quality and D the lowest, with BBB and above being considered investment grade.  In addition, the Company may use credit ratings of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") Securities Valuation Office ("SVO") as assigned, if there is no NRSRO rating.  Securities rated by the SVO are grouped in the equivalent NRSRO category as stated by the SVO and securities that are not rated by an NRSRO are included in the "other" category.

The Company has no direct sovereign European debt exposure as of September 30, 2019.  

As of September 30, 2019, the Company held municipal securities that include third party guarantees.  Detailed below is a presentation by NRSRO rating of our municipal holdings by funding type as of September 30, 2019.
 
General Obligation
 
Special Revenue
 
Other
 
Total
 
% Based on Amortized
Cost
(In thousands, except for %)
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Municipal securities including third party guarantees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AAA
$
42,617

 
41,626

 
14,515

 
14,050

 

 

 
57,132

 
55,676

 
9.8
%
AA
131,634

 
126,823

 
190,960

 
183,750

 
18,898

 
17,432

 
341,492

 
328,005

 
57.8
%
A
21,942

 
20,682

 
133,469

 
122,146

 
7,820

 
7,130

 
163,231

 
149,958

 
26.4
%
BBB
5,419

 
5,273

 
18,640

 
18,032

 
1,570

 
1,450

 
25,629

 
24,755

 
4.4
%
BB and other
5,808

 
5,696

 
3,526

 
3,461

 

 

 
9,334

 
9,157

 
1.6
%
Total
$
207,420

 
200,100

 
361,110

 
341,439

 
28,288

 
26,012

 
596,818

 
567,551

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Municipal securities excluding third party guarantees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AAA
$
17,390

 
17,235

 
1,032

 
1,023

 

 

 
18,422

 
18,258

 
3.2
%
AA
94,931

 
92,780

 
126,363

 
122,714

 
11,823

 
10,704

 
233,117

 
226,198

 
39.9
%
A
51,317

 
49,182

 
160,533

 
147,546

 
10,751

 
9,857

 
222,601

 
206,585

 
36.4
%
BBB
10,728

 
10,123

 
33,784

 
32,611

 

 

 
44,512

 
42,734

 
7.5
%
BB and other
33,054

 
30,780

 
39,398

 
37,545

 
5,714

 
5,451

 
78,166

 
73,776

 
13.0
%
Total
$
207,420

 
200,100

 
361,110

 
341,439

 
28,288

 
26,012

 
596,818

 
567,551

 
100.0
%



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 51


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 


The Company held investments in special revenue bonds that had a greater than 10% exposure based upon activity as noted in the table below as of September 30, 2019.
(In thousands)
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
% of Total
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utilities
$
132,188

 
124,107

 
22.2
%
Education
89,985

 
84,497

 
15.1
%

The Company's exposure to municipal holdings is spread across many states, with Texas and Florida as the two states with the largest municipal holdings as of September 30, 2019. The Company holds 21.4% of its municipal security holdings in Texas issuers and 11.0% in Florida issuers based on fair value. There were no other states or individual issuer holdings that represented or exceeded 10% of the total municipal portfolio as of September 30, 2019.

The tables below represent the exposure the Company holds in these two states.

September 30, 2019
General Obligation
 
Special Revenue
 
Other
 
Total
(In thousands)
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
Texas securities including third party guarantees
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

AAA
$
41,111

 
40,197

 
11,068

 
10,626

 

 

 
52,179

 
50,823

AA
35,434

 
34,874

 
25,436

 
24,494

 

 

 
60,870

 
59,368

A

 

 
7,272

 
6,538

 

 

 
7,272

 
6,538

BBB

 

 
6,393

 
6,309

 

 

 
6,393

 
6,309

BB and other
718

 
716

 
511

 
519

 

 

 
1,229

 
1,235

Total
$
77,263

 
75,787

 
50,680

 
48,486

 

 

 
127,943

 
124,273

Texas securities excluding third party guarantees
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

AAA
$
16,465

 
16,317

 

 

 

 

 
16,465

 
16,317

AA
44,587

 
43,634

 
22,840

 
22,296

 

 

 
67,427

 
65,930

A
13,221

 
12,962

 
15,060

 
13,793

 

 

 
28,281

 
26,755

BBB
1,237

 
1,156

 
6,955

 
6,843

 

 

 
8,192

 
7,999

BB and other
1,753

 
1,718

 
5,825

 
5,554

 

 

 
7,578

 
7,272

Total
$
77,263

 
75,787

 
50,680

 
48,486

 

 

 
127,943

 
124,273





September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 52


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

September 30, 2019
General Obligation
 
Special Revenue
 
Other
 
Total
(In thousands)
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
Florida securities including third party guarantees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AA
$

 

 
45,841

 
44,911

 
2,153

 
2,029

 
47,994

 
46,940

A

 

 
10,053

 
9,840

 
7,820

 
7,131

 
17,873

 
16,971

Total
$

 

 
55,894

 
54,751

 
9,973

 
9,160

 
65,867

 
63,911

Florida securities excluding third party guarantees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AA
$

 

 
34,550

 
34,032

 
513

 
508

 
35,063

 
34,540

A

 

 
17,012

 
16,694

 
7,820

 
7,131

 
24,832

 
23,825

BB and other

 

 
4,332

 
4,025

 
1,640

 
1,521

 
5,972

 
5,546

Total
$

 

 
55,894

 
54,751

 
9,973

 
9,160

 
65,867

 
63,911


VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS

We evaluate the carrying value of our fixed maturity and equity securities at least quarterly.  The Company monitors all debt and equity securities on an on-going basis relative to changes in credit ratings, market prices, earnings trends and financial performance, in addition to specific region or industry reviews.  The assessment of whether other-than-temporary impairments have occurred is based on a case-by-case evaluation of underlying reasons for the decline in fair value.  The Company determines other-than-temporary impairment by reviewing all relevant evidence related to the specific security issuer as well as the Company's intent to sell the security, or if it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost.

When an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, the amount of the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings depends on whether the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.  If the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment's cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date.  If the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into the following: (a) the amount representing the credit loss; and (b) the amount related to all other factors.  The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings.  The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes.  The previous amortized cost basis less the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment.  The new amortized cost basis is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value.

There were no other-than-temporary impairments recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 The Company recognized other-than-temporary impairments of $0.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 related to securities we did not intend to hold until recovery of value and $0.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity refers to a company's ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the needs of its operations.  Liquidity is managed on insurance operations to ensure stable and reliable sources of cash flows to meet obligations and is provided by a variety of sources.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 53


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

Our liquidity requirements are met primarily by funds provided from operations.  Premium deposits and revenues, investment income and investment maturities are the primary sources of funds, while investment purchases, policy benefits, and operating expenses are the primary uses of funds.  We historically have not had to liquidate investments to provide cash flow, and there were no liquidity issues during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.  Our investments consist of 93.0% of marketable debt securities classified as available-for-sale and 1.1% of equity securities that could be readily converted to cash for liquidity needs.

A primary liquidity concern is the risk of an extraordinary level of early policyholder withdrawals.  We include provisions in our insurance policies, such as surrender charges, that help limit and discourage early withdrawals.  Since these contractual withdrawals, as well as the level of surrenders experienced, have been largely consistent with our assumptions in asset liability management, our associated cash outflows historically have not had an adverse impact on our overall liquidity.  Individual life insurance policies are less susceptible to withdrawal than annuity reserves and deposit liabilities because policyholders may incur surrender charges and undergo a new underwriting process in order to obtain a new insurance policy.  Cash flow projections and cash flow tests under various market interest rate scenarios are also performed annually to assist in evaluating liquidity needs and adequacy.  

Our whole life and endowment products provide the policyholder with alternatives once the policy matures. The policyholder can choose to take a lump sum payout or leave the money on deposit at interest with the Company. The Company has a significant amount of endowment products representing 41% of total insurance in force with older contracts sold historically that will begin reaching their maturities over the next several years and policyholder election behavior is not known. If a large number of policyholders elect lump sum distributions, the Company could be exposed to liquidity risk in years of high maturities. Meeting these distributions could require the Company to sell securities at inopportune times to pay policyholder withdrawals. Alternatively, if the policyholders were to leave the money on deposit with the Company at interest, our profitability could be negatively impacted if the product guaranteed rate is higher than the current market rate we can earn on our investments. We currently anticipate that available liquidity sources and future cash flows will be adequate to meet our needs for funds, but we will monitor closely our policyholder behavior patterns.

A large portion of our debt security investment portfolio will mature in the next several years and could be called sooner. We were subject to significant call activity beginning in 2009 due to the declining interest rate environment, which required us to reinvest in debt securities with shorter durations that are now approaching maturity. We will need to reinvest these maturing funds in the current interest rate environment. Our profitability could be negatively impacted depending on the market rates at the time of reinvestment. This could result in a decrease in our spread between our policy liability crediting rates and our investment earned rates which could also negatively impact our liquidity.

Cash flows from our insurance operations historically have been sufficient to meet current needs.  Cash flows from operating activities were $50.9 million and $65.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  We have traditionally also had significant cash flows from both scheduled and unscheduled investment security maturities, redemptions, and prepayments.  These cash flows, for the most part, are reinvested in fixed income securities.  Net cash outflows from investing activities totaled $48.1 million and $42.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The investing activities fluctuate from period to period due to timing of securities activities such as calls and maturities and reinvestment of those funds. 

We have established an estimated liability of $9.9 million, net of tax, as of September 30, 2019 for probable liabilities and expenses associated with a tax compliance matter related to the qualification of certain of our policies as described in Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies, which represents management’s estimate. We have disclosed an estimated range related to probable liabilities and expenses of $6.0 million to $52.5 million, net of tax. This estimated range includes projected taxes, interest and penalties payable to the IRS, as well as estimated increased payout obligations to current holders of non-compliant domestic life insurance policies expected to result from remediation of those policies. The amount of our liabilities and expenses depends on a number of uncertainties, including the number of prior tax years for which we may be liable to the IRS, and the methodology applicable to the calculation of the tax liabilities for policies. Given the range of potential outcomes and the significant variables assumed in establishing our



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 54


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

estimates, actual amounts incurred may exceed our reserve and exceed the high end of our estimated range of liabilities and expenses.

The NAIC has established minimum capital requirements in the form of risk-based capital ("RBC").  RBC considers the type of business written by an insurance company, the quality of its assets, and various other aspects of an insurance company's business to develop a minimum level of capital called "Authorized Control Level Risk-Based Capital" and compares this level to an adjusted statutory capital that includes capital and surplus as reported under statutory accounting principles, plus certain investment reserves.  Should the ratio of adjusted statutory capital to control level RBC fall below 200%, a series of remedial actions by the affected company would be required. We have a parental guarantee between Citizens and CICA, Citizens' wholly-owned subsidiary domiciled in Colorado, to maintain a RBC level above 350%.

The Bermuda Monetary Authority ("BMA") established risk-based regulatory capital adequacy and solvency margin requirements for Bermuda insurers that mandate that a Bermuda-domiciled subsidiary’s Enhanced Capital Requirement ("ECR") be calculated by either (a) Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement ("BSCR"), or (b) an internal capital model that the BMA has approved for use for this purpose. CICA Ltd., Citizens' wholly-owned subsidiary domiciled in Bermuda, uses the BSCR in calculating its solvency requirements. The Economic Balance Sheet ("EBS") framework is embedded as part of the BSCR and forms the basis of its ECR.

In order to minimize the risk of a shortfall in capital arising from an unexpected adverse deviation, the BMA has established a threshold capital level (termed the Target Capital Level ("TCL")), set at 120 percent of ECR, which serves as an early warning tool for the BMA. Failure to maintain statutory capital at least equal to the TCL would likely result in increased BMA regulatory oversight.

All U.S. insurance subsidiaries exceeded the RBC minimums at September 30, 2019.  CICA Ltd. held capital in excess of the BSCR requirements at September 30, 2019.
 
PARENT COMPANY LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Citizens is a holding company and has had minimal operations of its own.  Our assets consist of the capital stock of our subsidiaries, cash, fixed income securities, mutual funds and real estate held-for-sale.  Our cash flows depend primarily upon the availability of statutorily permissible payments, primarily payments under management agreements from our life insurance subsidiaries.  The ability to make payments is limited by applicable laws and regulations of Bermuda and U.S. states of domicile, which subject insurance operations to significant regulatory restrictions.  These laws and regulations require, among other things, that these insurance subsidiaries maintain minimum solvency requirements and limit the amount of dividends these subsidiaries can pay to the holding company.  We historically have not relied upon dividends from subsidiaries for our cash flow needs.  However, our subsidiaries have made dividend payments of available funds from time to time in relation to business strategies.  

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

There have been no material changes in contractual obligations from those reported in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.  The Company does not have off-balance sheet arrangements at September 30, 2019.  We do not utilize special purpose entities as investment vehicles, nor are there any such entities in which we have an investment that engage in speculative activities of any nature, and we do not use such investments to hedge our investment positions.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We have prepared a current assessment of our critical accounting policies and estimates in connection with preparing our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. We believe that the accounting policies set forth in the notes to our consolidated financial statements and "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 55


CITIZENS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
 
 
 

Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 continue to describe the significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

GENERAL

The nature of our business exposes us to market risk relative to our invested assets and policy liabilities.  Market risk is the risk of loss that may occur when changes in interest rates and public equity prices adversely affect the value of our invested assets.  Interest rate risk is our primary market risk exposure.  Substantial and sustained increases and decreases in market interest rates can affect the fair value of our investments.  The fair value of our fixed maturity securities portfolio generally increases when interest rates decrease and decreases when interest rates increase. For additional information regarding market risks to which we are subject, see Item 1. Financial Statements - Note 5. Investments - Valuation of Investments in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

The following table summarizes net unrealized gains and losses as of the dates indicated.

 
September 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
(In thousands)
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Net
Unrealized
Gains
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Net
Unrealized
Gains
Total fixed maturities
$
1,278,293

 
1,369,648

 
91,355

 
1,223,747


1,231,039

 
7,292

Total equity securities
$
15,055

 
15,845

 
790

 
15,055

 
15,068

 
13


MARKET RISK RELATED TO INTEREST RATES

Our exposure to interest rate changes results from our significant holdings of fixed maturity investments, which comprised 93.0% of our investment portfolio based on carrying value as of September 30, 2019.  These investments are mainly exposed to changes in U.S. Treasury rates.  Our fixed maturity investments include U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, U.S. Government bonds, securities issued by government agencies, municipal bonds and corporate bonds.  

To manage interest rate risk, we perform periodic projections of asset and liability cash flows to evaluate the potential sensitivity of our investments and liabilities.  We assess interest rate sensitivity annually with respect to our available-for-sale fixed maturities investments using hypothetical test scenarios that assume either upward or downward shifts in the prevailing interest rates.  The changes in fair values of our debt and equity securities as of September 30, 2019 were within the expected range of this analysis.

Changes in interest rates typically have a sizable effect on the fair values of our debt and equity securities.  The interest rate of the ten-year U.S. Treasury bond decreased to 1.68% at September 30, 2019, from 2.69% at December 31, 2018.  Net unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities totaled $91.4 million at September 30, 2019, compared to $7.3 million at December 31, 2018.

The fixed maturity securities portfolio is exposed to call risk, as a significant portion of the current bond holdings are callable.  A decreasing interest rate environment can result in increased call activity, and an increasing rate environment will likely result in securities being paid at their stated maturity.

There are no fixed maturities or other investments classified as trading instruments.  All of the Company's fixed maturities were held in available-for-sale at September 30, 2019.  At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had no investments in derivative instruments, nor did we have any subprime or collateralized debt obligation risk.



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 56


CITIZENS, INC.
 
 
 



MARKET RISK RELATED TO EQUITY PRICES

Changes in the level or volatility of equity prices affect the value of equity securities we hold as investments.  Our equity investments portfolio represented 1.1% of our total investments based upon carrying value at September 30, 2019, with 97.2% invested in diversified equity and bond mutual funds.  In light of our minimal ownership of equity investments, we believe that significant decreases in the equity markets would not have a material adverse impact on our total investment portfolio.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of September 30, 2019.   Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at a reasonable assurance level due to the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting that was reported in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 ("2018 Annual Report"), which remains unremediated as of September 30, 2019.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

During the three months ended September 30, 2019, there were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

REMEDIATION OF MATERIAL WEAKNESS

As previously described in Part II, Item 9A of our 2018 Annual Report, we began implementing a remediation plan to address the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting related to ineffectively designing and maintaining controls to analyze and account for significant and unusual transactions. The material weakness will not be considered remediated until management has designed and implemented internal controls to establish policies and procedures that clearly communicate expectations of personnel regarding significant and unusual transactions. We expect the newly designed and implemented controls to include, among other controls, the preparation and review of sufficiently detailed analysis to evaluate the accounting treatment for all potentially significant impacts of significant and unusual transactions on a timely basis, the engagement of relevant subject matter experts as necessary and the review to ensure advice is appropriately considered in the analysis and conclusions regarding the accounting treatment of significant and unusual transactions. We expect that the remediation of this material weakness will be completed by December 31, 2019.



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 57


CITIZENS, INC.
 
 
 



PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material pending legal proceedings in which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party or in which any of our or their property is the subject, except as set forth below.

On November 7, 2018, Citizens, CICA Ltd. and CICA filed a lawsuit in the District Court of Travis County, Texas (the “District Court”) against (i) Randall Riley (“Riley”), a former Citizens executive and son of Citizens’ founder Harold E. Riley, (ii) Citizens American Life, LLC and Citizens American Life, Inc. (collectively, “CALI”), copycat companies formed by Riley and (iii) Alexis Enrique Delgado, Carlos Nalsen Landa, Enrique Pinzon Ruiz, Johan Emilio Mikuski Silva and Esperanza Peralta de Delgado (collectively, the “Los Raudales Defendants,” and together with Riley and CALI, collectively the “Defendants”), former independent consultants of Citizens, for unfair competition, misappropriation of Citizens’ trade secrets, tortious interference with Citizens’ existing contracts with its independent consultants and, with respect to the Los Raudales Defendants, breach of their independent consultant contracts with Citizens. The lawsuit sought (i) a declaration that Citizens had grounds to terminate the Los Raudales Defendants for cause under the independent consultant contracts and the Los Raudales Defendants are not entitled to future commissions under such contracts, (ii) injunctive relief, (iii) damages and (iv) attorneys’ fees and costs. Among other things, the suit alleges that Riley formed CALI and misappropriated trade secrets during the time he was employed by Citizens, in violation of his contractual and other duties to Citizens, and that the Los Raudales defendants breached their independent consultant contracts with Citizens by inducing or attempting to induce other independent consultants to terminate or reduce service to Citizens and disclosing confidential information.

On January 25, 2019, the Defendants filed a motion to dismiss certain claims alleged in the suit, and on April 11, 2019, the District Court denied the Defendants’ motion in its entirety. On May 29, 2019, Citizens, CICA Ltd. and CICA filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to bar the Defendants from continuing to engage in unfair competition and misappropriation of Citizens’ trade secrets and tortious interference with Citizens’ existing contracts with its independent consultants. A hearing for the preliminary injunction was held on August 12, 2019. On August 13, 2019, the District Court denied the application for a temporary injunction, and on August 19, 2019, Citizens, CICA Ltd. and CICA filed the notice of appeal in the Third Court of Appeals in Austin, Texas with respect to the District Court’s August 13, 2019 decision. The Defendants have until November 11, 2019 to respond.

On September 10, 2019, Citizens, CICA Ltd. and CICA filed an amended complaint and added additional defendants to the lawsuit, including (i) Michael P. Buchweitz, Jonathan M. Pollio, Jeffrey J. Wood and Steven A. Rekedal, former Citizens executives and employees and, in the case of Steven A. Rekedal, a former Citizens independent consultant, (ii) First Trinity Financial Corporation, and Trinity American, Inc. (collectively, “First Trinity”) and International Marketing Group S.A., LLC, entities that have founded a business on the exploitation of Citizens’ trade secrets and goodwill, and (iii) Gregg E. Zahn, a First Trinity executive. The amended complaint asserted additional claims for breach of contract, conspiracy and unjust enrichment.

While it is not possible at this time to predict with any degree of certainty the ultimate outcome of the appeal of the District Court’s denial of the preliminary injunction or this litigation, Citizens believes it has a basis for an injunctive relief and intends to vigorously pursue its action against the Defendants and seek appropriate compensation and any other remedies to which it may be entitled.

From time to time, we may be subject to other legal and regulatory actions relating to our business. We may incur defense costs, including attorneys' fees, and other direct litigation costs associated with defending any claims. If we suffer an adverse judgment as a result of litigation claims, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 58


CITIZENS, INC.
 
 
 



Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, except as discussed below.

Failures of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, impair our ability to timely file reports with the SEC and subject us to litigation and/or regulatory scrutiny and penalties.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that we timely report information as specified in SEC rules and regulations. We also maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting. However, these controls may not achieve, and in some cases have not achieved, their intended objectives. Control processes that involve human diligence and oversight, such as our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, are subject to human error. Controls that rely on models may be subject to inadequate design or inaccurate assumptions or estimates. Controls also can be circumvented by improper management override of such controls. Because of such limitations, there are risks that material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected, and that information may not be reported on a timely basis. The failure of our controls to be effective could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market for our common stock, and could subject us to litigation, regulatory scrutiny and/or penalties.

As disclosed in Part II, Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, we have identified a deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting that constitutes a material weakness and for which remediation is still in process as of September 30, 2019. If we fail to design effective controls, remediate control deficiencies or otherwise maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, such failures could result in a material misstatement of our annual or quarterly financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis and which could cause investors to lose confidence in our financial statements, have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock, limit our ability to obtain financing if needed or increase the cost of any financing we may obtain. In addition, these failures may negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations, impair our ability to timely file our periodic reports with the SEC, subject us to litigation and regulatory scrutiny and cause us to incur substantial additional costs in future periods relating to the implementation of remedial measures.

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 59


CITIZENS, INC.
 
 
 


Item 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number
 
The following exhibits are filed herewith:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema*
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase*
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase*
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase*
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase*
* Filed herewith.




September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 60


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
CITIZENS, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Geoffrey M. Kolander
 
 
 
Geoffrey M. Kolander
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Jeffery P. Conklin
 
 
 
Jeffery P. Conklin
 
 
 
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 6, 2019
 
 



September 30, 2019 Form | 10-Q 61