10-Q 1 march10final.htm 10Q PERIOD END MARCH 31, 2010 UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

ý

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010

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   0-5486


Presidential Life Corporation

 

Delaware

 

13-2652144

(State of incorporation)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

69 Lydecker Street, Nyack, NY

 

10960

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

 

(845) 358-2300

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Not applicable.

  

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

 

Nasdaq

 

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨

  

Accelerated filer  x

 

 

Non-accelerated filer  ¨

  

Smaller reporting company  ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

 

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

The number of shares of registrant’s common stock outstanding as of May 10, 2010 was 29,574,697.







INDEX

 

 

 

Part I

Financial Information

Page No.

 

 

 

Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

March 31, 2010 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2009

3

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operation (Unaudited)

 

 

For the Three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

4

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders'

 

 

Equity (Unaudited) - For the Three months ended

 

 

March 31, 2010 and 2009

5

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) -

 

 

For the Three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

6

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

7-20

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of

21-31

 

Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

32

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

32

 

 

 

Part II -

Other Information

33

 

 

 

 

Item 1.     

Legal Proceedings

 

 

Item 1A.  

Risk Factors

 

 

Item 2.    

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

Item 3.    

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

 

Item 4.    

Other Information

 

 

Item 5.    

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

34

 

 

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

35

36

37

38

 




2



PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)


 

March 31,

2010

(Unaudited)

 

December 31,

2009

(Audited)

ASSETS:

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

    Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

         Available for sale at market (Amortized cost of

 

 

 

         $3,111,901 and $3,043,757 respectively)

$              3,223,363 

 

$               3,087,021 

    Common stocks (Cost of $476 and

 

 

 

        $475, respectively)

2,016 

 

             1,947 

    Derivative instruments, at fair value

 

390 

    Real estate

415 

 

                  415 

    Policy loans

18,814 

 

            18,959 

    Short-term investments

227,722 

 

            293,136 

    Other long-term investments

204,133 

 

          196,191 

             Total Investments

     3,676,463 

 

       3,598,059

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

2,472 

 

8,763 

Accrued investment income

42,932 

 

41,281 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

65,802 

 

76,762 

Furniture and equipment, net

425 

 

447 

Amounts due from reinsurers

15,575 

 

15,056 

Federal income taxes recoverable

16,525 

 

18,313 

Deferred federal income taxes, net

 

4,855 

Other assets

1,507 

 

             1,506 

TOTAL ASSETS

$                3,821,701 

 

$              3,765,042 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

Policy Liabilities:

 

 

 

   Policyholders' account balances

$                2,440,168 

 

$              2,444,984 

   Future policy benefits:

 

 

 

    Annuity

647,031 

 

645,801 

    Life and accident and health

77,562 

 

76,457 

   Other policy liabilities

11,563 

 

             10,592 

              Total Policy Liabilities

3,176,324 

 

3,177,834 

 

 

 

 

Deposits on policies to be issued

1,458 

 

1,905 

General expenses and taxes accrued

2,074 

 

             2,461 

Deferred federal income taxes, net

14,034 

 

         - 

Amounts due from security transactions

5,995 

 

         - 

Other liabilities

12,242 

 

14,462 

              Total Liabilities

3,212,127 

 

$              3,196,662 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

   Capital stock ($.01 par value; authorized

 

 

 

    100,000,000 shares outstanding,

 

 

 

    29,574,697 and 29,574,697 shares, respectively)

296 

 

               296 

    Additional paid in capital

6,783 

 

6,639 

    Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)

36,243 

 

(4,448)

    Retained earnings

566,252 

 

565,893 

               Total Shareholders’ Equity

609,574 

 

568,380 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$               3,821,701 

 

$               3,765,042 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.




3



PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except share data)



 

   THREE MONTHS ENDED

MARCH 31,

    (UNAUDITED)

REVENUES:

 2010

 

 2009

 Insurance Revenues:

 

 

 

 

     Premiums

$                   4,583 

 

$                 3,759 

     Annuity considerations

10,135 

 

4,216 

     Universal life and investment type policy fee income

525 

 

606 

  Net investment income

50,468 

 

35,840 

  Realized investment losses

(327)

 

(3,451)

  Other income

990 

 

129 

 

 

 

 

           TOTAL REVENUES

66,374 

 

41,099 

 

 

 

 

BENEFITS AND EXPENSES:

 

 

 

  Death and other life insurance benefits

4,460 

 

3,606 

  Annuity benefits

20,397 

 

19,457 

  Interest credited to policyholders' account balances

26,590 

 

26,901 

  Interest expense on notes payable

 

753 

  Other interest and other charges

339 

 

264 

  Increase (decrease) in liability for future policy benefits

1,982 

 

(3,964)

  Commissions to agents, net

1,812 

 

3,129 

  Costs related to consent revocation solicitation and related matters

968 

 

  General expenses and taxes

5,271 

 

4,995 

  Change in deferred policy acquisition costs

1,185 

 

(1,165)

 

 

 

 

           TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES

63,004 

 

53,976 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

3,370 

 

(12,877)

 

 

 

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes:

 

 

 

  Current

1,788 

 

(6,164)

  Deferred

(625)

 

1,721 

 

1,163 

 

(4,443)

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$                   2,207 

 

$                 (8,434)

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share, basic

$                       .07 

 

$                     (.29)

Earnings per common share, diluted

$                       .07 

 

$                     (.29)

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, basic

29,574,697 

 

29,574,315 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, diluted

29,574,697 

 

29,574,315 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures:

 

 

 

Net realized loss on investments:

 

 

 

  Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

$                           - 

 

 $                (5,377)

  Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

 

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

 $                (5,377)

  Other investments (losses) gains

(327)

 

1,926 

Total realized investment losses

$                    (327)

 

 $                (3,451)

 

 

 

 

 

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 




4



 

PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)



 



Capital Stock

 


Additional

Paid-in-

Capital

 



Retained

Earnings

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

 




Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2009

$        296 

 

$          5,851 

 

$      571,067 

 

$        (137,160)

 

$       440,054 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

 

 

 

(8,434)

 

 

 

(8,434)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Investment Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

(47,365)

 

(47,365)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (55,799)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share Based Compensation

 

 

219 

 

 

 

 

 

219

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid to Shareholders ($.0625 per share)

 

 


 

 


(1,848)

 

 

 


  (1,848)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2009

$        296 

 

$          6,070 

 

$      560,785 

 

$         (184,525) 

 

$       382,626 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2010

 $       296 

 

$          6,639 

 

$      565,893 

 

$              (4,448)

 

$        568,380 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

 

 

 

2,207 

 

 

 

2,207 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Investment Gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,691 

 

40,691 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   42,898 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share Based Compensation

 

 

144 

 

 

 

 

 

144 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid to Shareholders ($.0625 per share)

 

 


 

 


(1,848)

 

 

 


  (1,848)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2010

$        296 

 

$          6,783 

 

$      566,252 

 

$             36,243 

 

$        609,574 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.



5



PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)


 

THREE MONTHS ENDED

MARCH 31,

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

2010

 

2009

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

    Net income (loss)

 

$                 2,207 

 

$               (8,434)

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating                 activities:

 


 

 


 

    Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes

 

(625)

 

1,721 

    Depreciation and amortization

 

33 

 

130 

    Stock option expense

 

144 

 

219 

    Amortization of fixed maturity discounts and premiums

 

                (4,000)

 

                (4,190)

    Realized investment losses

 

                  327 

 

                 3,451 

    Changes in:

 

 

 

 

        Accrued investment income

 

                (1,651)

 

                  (1,311)

        Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

                1,185 

 

                  (1,165)

        Federal income tax recoverable

 

                1,788 

 

                (5,390)

        Liability for future policy benefits

 

                  2,335 

 

(3,685)

        Other items

 

(51)

 

4,756 

        

 

 

 

 

          Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities

 

$                1,692 

 

$              (13,898)

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

    Fixed Maturities:

 

 

 

 

      Available for Sale:

 

 

 

 

        Acquisitions

 

(104,525)

 

(65,110)

        Sales

 

40,444 

 

41,237 

    Decrease in short-term investments and policy loans

 

65,559 

 

90,352 

    Other long-term investments:

 

 

 

 

       Additions to other long-term investments

 

(8,504)

 

(8,957)

       Distributions from other long-term investments

 

2,476 

 

16,341 

    Amount due on security transactions

 

5,995 

 

12,516 

 

 

 

 

 

        Net Cash Provided By Investing Activities

 

$                1,445 

 

$               86,379 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

    Decrease in policyholders’ account balances

 

(4,816)

 

(2,507)

    Bank overdrafts

 

                (2,317)

 

                (1,463)

    Deposits on policies to be issued

 

                  (447)

 

                  2,095 

    Retirement of Senior Notes

 

 

(66,500)

    Dividends paid to shareholders

 

               (1,848)

 

               (1,848)

 

 

 

 

 

        Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

 

$               (9,428)

 

$              (70,223)

 

 

 

 

 

(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

(6,291)

 

2,258 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

 

8,763 

 

3,820 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

 

$                 2,472 

 

$                 6,078 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Income Taxes Paid

 

$                         - 

 

$                         - 

 

 

 

 

 

    Interest Paid

 

$                         - 

 

$                 2,618 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.



6



PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


A.

Business


Presidential Life Corporation (the “Company”), through its wholly owned subsidiary Presidential Life Insurance Company (“the Insurance Company”), is engaged in the sale of annuity contracts, life insurance and accident and health insurance.  The Insurance Company has assets of approximately $3.8 billion and shareholders’ equity of $594.6 million as of December 31, 2009 and is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.


B.  

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation


The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") applicable to stock life insurance companies for interim financial statements and in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP applicable to stock life insurance companies for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Interim results for the three months ended March 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2010.  Management believes that, although the disclosures are adequate, these consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K on March 11, 2010. 


C.  

Segment Reporting


The Company has one reportable segment and therefore, no additional disclosures are required in accordance with current FASB guidance.  Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.


We manage and report our business as a single segment in accordance with FASB guidance, which views certain qualitative and quantitative criteria for determining whether different lines of business should be aggregated for financial reporting purposes.  Substantially all of the Company’s business is divided between annuities (approximately 83%), life insurance (approximately 11%), and accident and health insurance (approximately 6%).  The nature of these product lines is sufficiently similar to permit their aggregation as a single reporting segment.  


Approximately 71% of our life insurance liabilities reflect single premium universal life policies, which bear similar economic and business characteristics to our single premium deferred annuity products.  Both products are funded by initial single premiums, both maintain accreting fund values credited with interest as earned, both are surrenderable before maturity with surrender charges in the early years and the Company does not make mortality charges on either product.  Moreover, the two products generate similar returns to the Company and carry similar risks of early surrender by the product holder.  Both are marketed and distributed by the same independent agents.  The products are administered and managed within the same administrative facility, with overlapping administrative functions.  The products are also directed at a similar market, namely mature consumers seeking financial protection for secure future cash streams for themselves and their heirs and associated tax benefits.  The regulatory frameworks for the products are also substantially the same, as both Insurance Company and its independent agents sell these products under single licenses issued by various state insurance departments.  The remaining business of the Company is not material to the overall performance of the Company.  


D.  

Investments


Fixed maturity investments available for sale represent investments that may be sold in response to changes in various economic conditions.  These investments are carried at fair value and net unrealized gains (losses), net of the effects of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred federal income taxes, if any, are credited or charged directly to shareholders’ equity, unless a decline in market value is considered to be other than temporary in which case the investment is reduced to its fair value and the portion related to credit loss is recorded in the income statement.  Equity securities include common stocks and non-redeemable preferred stocks and are carried at market value, with the related unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred federal income tax effect, if any, charged or credited directly to shareholders’ equity, unless a decline in market value is deemed to be other than temporary in which case the investment is reduced to its fair value and the loss is recorded in the income statement.


“Other long-term investments” are recorded using the equity method and primarily include interests in limited partnerships, which principally are engaged in real estate, international opportunities, acquisitions of private growth companies, debt restructuring and merchant banking and substantially all of their investments are at fair value.  In general, risks associated with such limited partnerships include those related to their underlying investments (i.e., equity securities, debt securities and real estate), plus a level of illiquidity, which is mitigated by the practice of many of the partnerships, with the exception of hedge fund limited partnerships, to typically make quarterly distributions (to the extent that distributions are available) of partnership earnings.  Investment income from limited partnerships is recorded based on the Company’s share of earnings reported in the partnership’s most recent audited financial statements and income distributed by the partnerships.  Management considers the quarterly financial information received from the limited partnerships to be unreliable or insufficient to record investment income, other than from distributions, on a quarterly basis.  Management estimates the classification of cash distributions received between investment income and return of capital based on correspondence from the respective partnerships.  The Company adjusts its estimate of investment income recorded during the year to the actual realized gains and other income reported in the limited partnerships’ most recent annual audited financial statements, which are generally received in the second quarter of the subsequent year.  As a result, there is generally a reporting lag of up to one year for recording investment income that is not distributed during the year, which may result in significant adjustments in the subsequent year.  During periods of rapid growth in the economy, or rapid declines, the delayed impact on market values, either positive or negative, may be more pronounced.  The adjustments to its estimates of investment income recorded during the preceding year (“true-up”) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009 resulted in an increase in net investment income of approximately $1.8 million and a decrease of approximately $8.4 million, respectively.  The Company records its share of net unrealized gains and losses (net of taxes) from the audited financial statements of the limited partnerships.  As a result, there is also generally a one-year reporting lag for reporting unrealized gains and losses, which may result in significant adjustments to other comprehensive income in 2010.  Net unrealized losses (cumulative, after tax effects) totaled approximately $26.3 million at March 31, 2010 and $27.5 million at December 31, 2009 and are included in the balance sheet under other comprehensive income.  To evaluate the appropriateness of the carrying value of a limited partnership interest, management maintains ongoing discussions with the investment manager and considers the limited partnership’s operation, its current and near term projected financial condition, earnings capacity, and distributions received by the Company during the year. Because it is not practicable to obtain an independent valuation for each limited partnership interest, for purposes of disclosure the market value of a limited partnership interest is estimated at book value based on the most recent available audited financial statements plus capital contributions subsequently made by the Company less subsequent distributions received from the partnerships.  Other long term investments totaled approximately $204.1 million as of March 31, 2010 and $196.2 million as of December 31, 2009.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company was committed to contribute, if called upon, an aggregate of approximately $83.1 million of additional capital to certain of these limited partnerships.  Commitments of $12.1 million, $27.1 million, $38.4 million and $5.5 million will expire in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.  The commitment expirations are estimates based upon the commitment periods of each of the partnerships.  Certain partnerships provide, however, that in the event capital from the investments are returned to the limited partners prior to the end of the commitment period (generally 3-5 years) the capital may be recalled.


The Company is invested in six hedge fund limited partnerships with a carrying value of $64.6 million as of March 31, 2010.  These partnerships each contain liquidity provisions which allow the Company to withdraw amounts equal to the total capital account balance at least annually with notice requirements of 30-90 days.  These withdrawals may be subject to a holdback of 5-10%, with final distributions pending the completion of the partnership’s annual audit.  The Company has two hedge fund positions with private special investments, which currently range from approximately 15-30% of its carrying value, which would be excluded from the withdrawal process.


In evaluating whether an investment security or other investment has suffered an impairment in value that is deemed to be other than temporary, management considers all available evidence.  When a decline in the value of an investment security or other investment is considered to be other than temporary, the investment is reduced to its fair value (which contemplates the price that can be obtained from the sale of such asset in the ordinary course of business), which becomes the new cost basis.  The amount of reduction is recorded in the income statement as a realized loss. A recovery from the adjusted cost basis is recognized as a realized gain only at sale.


Realized gains and losses on disposal of investments are determined for fixed maturities, other long-term investments and equity securities by the specific identification method.


Investments in short-term securities, which consist primarily of commercial paper and corporate debt issues maturing in less than one year, are recorded at amortized cost, which approximates market value.  Policy loans are stated at their unpaid principal balance.


The Company's investments in real estate consist of two acres of undeveloped land and two buildings in Nyack, New York, which are occupied entirely by the Company.  The investments are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Both buildings are fully depreciated and have no depreciation expense.


The Company accounts for its derivative financial instruments under ASC 815-10  which requires all derivative instruments to be recorded in the balance sheet at fair value.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recorded as other income (loss) in the period in which they arise.  The Company has not designated its derivatives related to marketable securities as hedges, in accordance with ASC 815-10.  Accordingly, the change in fair value of derivatives is recognized as a component of realized investment gains and losses in earnings as described above.  The Company does not hold or issue any derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.



7




E.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs


The costs of acquiring new business (principally commissions and certain underwriting, agency and policy issue expenses), all of which vary with the production of new business, have been deferred.  Deferred policy acquisition costs are subject to recoverability testing at time of policy issue and loss recognition testing at the end of each year.


For immediate annuities with life contingencies, deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized over the life of the contract in proportion to expected future benefit payments.


For traditional life policies, deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized over the premium paying periods of the related policies using assumptions that are consistent with those used in computing the liability for future policy benefits.  Assumptions as to anticipated premiums are estimated at the date of policy issue and are consistently applied during the life of the contracts.  For these contracts, the amortization periods generally are for the scheduled life of the policy, not to exceed 30 years.


Deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC) are amortized over periods ranging from 15 to 25 years for universal life products and investment type products as a constant percentage of estimated gross profits arising principally from surrender charges and interest and mortality margins based on historical and anticipated future experience, updated regularly.  The effects of revisions to reflect actual experience on previous amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, subject to the limitation that the outstanding DAC asset can never exceed the original DAC plus accrued interest, are reflected in earnings in the period estimated gross profits are revised.  DAC is also adjusted for the impact of unrealized gains or losses on investments as if these gains or losses had been realized with corresponding credits or charges included in accumulated other comprehensive income.  For that portion of the business where acquisition costs are not deferred, (i.e., medical stop loss business) management believes the expensing of policy acquisition costs is immaterial.


F.

Future Policy Benefits


Future policy benefits for traditional life insurance policies are computed using a net level premium method on the basis of actuarial assumptions as to mortality, persistency and interest established at policy issue.  Assumptions established at policy issue as to mortality and persistency are based on anticipated experience, which, together with interest and expense assumptions, provide a margin for adverse deviation.  Benefit liabilities for deferred annuities during the accumulation period are equal to accumulated contract holders' fund balances and, after annuitization, are equal to the present value of expected future payments.  


G.

Policyholders' Account Balances


Policyholders' account balances for universal life and investment type contracts are equal to the policy account values.  The policy account values represent an accumulation of gross premium payments plus credited interest less mortality and expense charges and withdrawals.


H.

Federal Income Taxes


The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The asset and liability method in recording income taxes on all transactions that have been recognized in the financial statements is used.  FASB guidance provides that deferred income taxes are adjusted to reflect tax rates at which future tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or realized.


I.

Earnings Per Common Share  (“EPS”)


Basic EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the first three months.  Diluted EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares including contingently issuable shares and other dilutive items.  The weighted average number of common shares used to compute diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was 29,574,697 and 29,574,315, respectively.  The dilution from the potential exercise of stock options outstanding did not reduce EPS during the three months ended March 31, 2010 or 2009.


Options totaling 699,948 and 1,166,886 shares of common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, respectively were not included in the computation of weighted average shares because the impact of these options was antidilutive.



8




J.

New Accounting Pronouncements


Adoption of new accounting pronouncements


On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted the new guidance on transfers of financial assets. This new guidance amends the derecognition guidance and eliminates the exemption from consolidation for qualifying special-purpose entities. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted the new guidance on the accounting for a variable interest entity (“VIE”). This new guidance amends the consolidation guidance applicable to VIEs to require a qualitative assessment in the determination of the primary beneficiary of the VIE, to require an ongoing reconsideration of the primary beneficiary, to amend the events that trigger a reassessment of whether an entity is a VIE and to change the consideration of kick-out rights in determining if an entity is a VIE. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.


New Accounting pronouncements issued during 2010 impacting the Company are as follows:


In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-09, “Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements”, that amends guidance on subsequent events. This amendment removes the requirement for SEC filers to disclose the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events. However, the date-disclosure exemption does not relieve management of an SEC filer from its responsibility to evaluate subsequent events through the date on which financial statements are issued. This standard became effective for the Company upon issuance. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” that requires entities to make new disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair-value measurements and provides clarification of existing disclosure requirements. For assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the ASU requires disclosure of significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2, and transfers into and out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and the reasons for those transfers. Significant transfers into each level must be disclosed and discussed separately from transfers out of each level. Significance is judged with respect to earnings, total assets, total liabilities or total equity. An accounting policy must be determined and disclosed as to when transfers between levels are recognized; (1) actual date, (2) beginning of period or (3) end of period. The ASU amends the reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of Level 3 recurring fair value measurements to present information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis rather than as a net number. The ASU amends ASC 820 to require fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities and clarifies that a description of the valuation technique and inputs used to measure fair value is required for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. This standard became effective this quarter, except for the requirement to provide the Level activity of purchases, sales, issuances and settlement on a gross basis, which will be effective for us beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2011. Since this standard impacts disclosure requirements only, its adoption did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.




9




2.

INVESTMENTS


There were no investments in any one issuer that totaled 10% or more of Shareholders’ Equity as of March 31, 2010.


The following information summarizes the components of net investment income:


 

 

For the three months ended

March 31, 2010

(in thousands)

 

For the three months ended

March 31, 2009

 (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

$                          48,853 

 

$                          49,067 

 

Limited Partnerships

 

                    2,358 

 

                    (11,698)

 

Common stocks

 

10 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

94 

 

338 

 

Other investment income

 

582 

 

448 

 

 

 

         51,897 

 

         38,162 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less investment expenses

 

          1,429 

 

          2,322 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

$                         50,468 

 

$                         35,840 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The following table presents fair value and gross unrealized losses for fixed maturities and common stock where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost at March 31, 2010:


 

Less Than 12 Months

 

12 Months or More

 

Total

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized Losses

Description of Securities

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Treasury obligations and direct obligations of US Government Agencies



$               - 

 



$             - 

 

 


$        2,005 

 



$         280 

 



$        2,005 

 



 $        280 

Corporate Bonds

194,090 

 

7,713 

 

444,737 

 

54,059 

 

638,827 

 

61,771 

Preferred Stocks

606 

 

40 

 

63,955 

 

10,613 

 

64,561 

 

10,654 

Subtotal Fixed Maturities

194,696 

 

7,753 

 

510,697

 

64,952 

 

705,393 

 

72,705 

Common Stock

60 

 

20 

 

0

 

 

60 

 

20 

Total Temporarily Impaired Securities


$    194,756 

 


$      7,773 

 


$    510,697 

 


$    64,952 

 


$    705,453 

 


 $   72,725 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




10




The following table presents the fair value and gross unrealized losses for fixed maturities and common stock where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost at December 31, 2009:


 

Less Than 12 Months

 

12 Months or More

 

Total

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized Losses

Description of Securities

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Treasury obligations and direct obligations of US Government Agencies



$        1,841 

 



$         482 

 



$              - 

 



$              - 

 



$        1,841 

 



$         482 

Corporate Bonds

243,428 

 

13,654 

 

563,197 

 

73,100 

 

806,625 

 

86,754 

Preferred Stocks

1,942 

 

109 

 

61,407 

 

15,525 

 

63,349 

 

15,634 

Subtotal Fixed Maturities

247,211 

 

14,245 

 

624,604 

 

88,625 

 

871,815 

 

102,870 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

Total Temporarily Impaired Securities

$    247,212 

 

$    14,249 

 

$  624,604 

 

$    88,625 

 

$    871,816 

 

$  102,874 



The following table presents the total gross unrealized losses for fixed maturities where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by March 31, 2010.

 

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 


% Of

Total

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Less than twelve months

 

$       7,753 

 

10.66 

Twelve months or more

 

64,952 

 

89.34 

Total

 

$     72,705 

 

100.00 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table presents the total gross unrealized losses for fixed maturities where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below amortized cost by December 31, 2009.


 

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 


% Of

Total

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Less than twelve months

 

$     14,245 

 

13.85

Twelve months or more

 

88,625 

 

86.15

Total

 

$   102,870 

 

100.00

 

 

 

 

 




As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $184.2 million and $146.1 million, respectively, of gross unrealized gains in fixed maturities.


The Company’s investments are concentrated in fixed income securities that are exposed to a variety of risks, including interest rate and credit risk, which can significantly impact fluctuations in overall market valuation. During the first three months of 2010, the portfolio experienced an improvement in market value caused by a tightening of corporate bond spreads, particularly in BBB-rated and high-yield bonds, against comparable U.S. Treasuries.  Spreads on 10-year, BBB-rated industrial bonds tightened from 198 basis points higher than 10-year Treasuries at December 31, 2009 to 177 over the 10-year Treasury at March 31, 2010, as evidenced by the Banc of America/Merrill Lynch Corporate Spline Index.  BBB-rated financial bonds tightened from 381 basis points higher than the 10-year Treasury yield at year-end 2009 to 304 over the U.S Treasury yield at March 31, 2010. This tightening in corporate spreads produced a rise in market value for the Company’s fixed income portfolio, resulting in a corresponding increase in the Company’s book value. 



11




If an Other than Temporary Impairment (“OTTI”) exists and we have the intent to sell the security, we conclude that the entire OTTI is credit-related and the amortized cost for the security is written down to current fair value with a corresponding charge to realized loss on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  If we do not intend to sell a fixed maturity security or it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell a fixed maturity security before recovery of its amortized cost basis but the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost of the fixed maturity security (referred to as the credit loss), we conclude that an OTTI has occurred and the amortized cost is written down to the estimated recovery value with a corresponding charge to realized loss on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, as this is also deemed the credit portion of the OTTI.  The remainder of the decline to fair value is recorded to other comprehensive income (“OCI”), as an unrealized OTTI loss on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, as this is considered a noncredit (i.e. recoverable) impairment.


To determine the recovery period of a fixed maturity security, we consider the facts and circumstances surrounding the underlying issuer including, but not limited to, the following:


·

Historic and implied volatility of the security;

·

Length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost;

·

Adverse conditions specifically related to the security or to specific conditions in an industry or geographic area;

·

Failure, if any, of the issuer of the security to make scheduled payments; and

·

Recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date.


For all fixed maturities securities evaluated for OTTI, we consider the timing and amount of the cash flows. When evaluating whether our collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) are other-than-temporarily impaired, we also examine the characteristics of the underlying collateral, such as delinquency, loss severities and default rates, the quality of the underlying borrower, the type of collateral in the pool, the vintage year of the collateral, subordination levels within the structure of the collateral pool, the quality of any credit guarantors, the susceptibility to variability of prepayments, our intent to sell the security and whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. In assessing corporate fixed maturities securities for OTTI, we evaluate the ability of the issuer to meet its debt obligations and the value of the company or specific collateral securing the debt position including the fundamentals of the issuer to determine what we would recover if they were to file bankruptcy versus the price at which the market is trading; fundamentals of the industry in which the issuer operates; expectations regarding defaults and recovery rates; and changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency.  


For an equity security, if we do not have the ability and intent to hold the security for a sufficient period of time to allow for a recovery in value, we conclude that an OTTI has occurred, and the cost of the equity security is written down to the current fair value, with a corresponding change to realized gain (loss) in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.   We base our review on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the severity and duration of the decline in fair value of the equity security as well as the cause of the decline, the length of time we have held the equity security, any third party research reports or analysis, and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the security’s issuer, taking into consideration the economic prospects of the issuer’s industry and geographical location.  The Company had no write-downs attributable to other than temporary impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $5.4 million and $3.8 million in write-downs attributable to other than temporary impairments in fixed maturities and other long term investments.



3.

NOTES PAYABLE


The Company’s 7 7/8% Senior Notes (“Senior Notes”) were paid in full on February 17, 2009.  This was financed through the sale of short-term commercial paper, fixed maturities and an upstream dividend payment from the Insurance Company in January 2009 in the amount of $16 million.


4.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


During 2009 and the first quarter of 2010, the Board of Directors maintained a quarterly dividend of $.0625 per share.  During 2009 and through the first quarter of 2010, the Company had not purchased or retired shares of its common stock.  The Company is authorized pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors to purchase 385,000 shares of common stock.

 



12




5.

NET UNREALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS/(LOSSES)





Pre Tax

Amount

 


Tax

(Expense)/

Benefit

 



After-Tax

Amount

For the Three months ended March 31, 2010:

(in thousands)

Net unrealized gains on investment securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 Net unrealized holding gains arising during year

$    52,954 

 

$        (18,534)

 

$    34,420 

 Plus: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income

    (327)

 

      114 

 

      (213)

       Change related to deferred policy acquisition costs

    9,975 

 

      (3,491)

 

      6,484 

Net unrealized investment gains

$    62,602 

 

$        (21,911)

 

$    40,691 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three months ended March 31, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized losses on investment securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 Net unrealized holding losses arising during year

$    (63,722)

 

$          22,302 

 

$    (41,420)

 Plus: reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income

    (3,451)

 

      1,208 

 

      (2,243)

       Change related to deferred policy acquisition costs

    (5,696)

 

      1,994 

 

      (3,702)

Net unrealized investment losses

$    (72,869)

 

$          25,504 

 

$    (47,365)


6.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS


Employee Savings Plan


The Company adopted an Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 401(k) plan for its employees effective January 1, 1992. Under the plan, participants may contribute up to the dollar limit as prescribed by IRC Section 415(d).  In January 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an annual contribution to the 401(k) plan equal to 4% of all employees’ salaries, allocated to each of the Company’s employees without regard to the amounts, if any, contributed to the plan by the employees.  Beginning January 1, 2010, the Board of Directors approved an increase to 5% in the Company’s contribution.  The Company contribution is subject to a vesting schedule.  The Company contributed approximately $103,300 and $80,000 into this plan during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, respectively.


7.

INCOME TAXES


Income taxes represent the net amount of income taxes that the Company expects to pay to or receive from various taxing jurisdictions in connection with its operations. The Company provides for federal and state income taxes currently payable, as well as those deferred due to temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Company’s accounting for income taxes represents management’s best estimate of various events and transactions.


Deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities are measured at the balance sheet date using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years the temporary differences are expected to reverse.  Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of (a) temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, (b) operating loss carry forwards, and (c) a valuation allowance.   A significant portion of the deferred tax assets relate to unrealized losses in the Company’s bond portfolio.  If the Company determines that any of its deferred income tax assets will not result in future tax benefits, a valuation allowance must be established for the portion of these assets that are not expected to be realized.  Upon review, the Company’s management concluded that it is “more likely than not” that the net deferred income tax assets will be realized.  The Company does not record a tax valuation allowance relating to the net unrealized losses on investments, excluding stocks, because it is more likely than not that these losses would reverse or be utilized in future periods. The Company has the ability and it is the Company’s intent to fully recover the principal, which could allow the Company to hold these securities until their maturity; therefore, the Company considers the impairment to be temporary.


The Company files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions.  In the United States, the Company is no longer subject to federal income tax examinations by tax authorities, generally for the years prior to 2005.  For 2004 and 2005, however, the Company may be subject to tax examinations because the IRS and the Company extended the statute of limitations due to the amended returns filed by the Company.  While the Company cannot predict the outcome of the current IRS examination, any adjustments are not expected to be material.  The examination is expected to be concluded during 2010.



13




In order to calculate income tax expense the Company estimates an annual effective income tax rate based on projected results for the year and applies this projected rate to income before taxes to calculate income tax expense. Any refinements made, due to subsequent information that affects the estimated annual effective income tax rate, are reflected as adjustments in the current period.  The Company currently estimates the annual effective income tax rate from continuing operations as of March 31, 2010 to be 34.5%.   



The Company applied FASB guidance relating to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes   The balance of the unrecognized tax benefits was $712,149 at December 31, 2009 and $733,499 as of March 31, 2010.  If recognized, this entire adjustment would reduce the effective tax rate.


The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued on unrecognized tax benefits as well as interest received from favorable settlements within income tax expense.  The total amount of accrued interest and penalties included in the uncertain tax liability above was $392,000 as of December 31, 2009 and $414,000 as of March 31, 2010.


As of March 31, 2010, the Company is not aware of any positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months.


8.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES


From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings, the adverse outcome of which, in management's opinion, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.



9.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS


The following estimated fair value disclosures of financial instruments have been determined using available market information, current pricing information and appropriate valuation methodologies.  If quoted market prices were not readily available for a financial instrument, management determined an estimated fair value.


The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value.


For fixed maturities and common stocks, estimated fair values were based primarily upon quoted market prices. For a limited number of privately placed securities, where quoted market prices are not available, the Company estimates market values using a matrix pricing model, based on the issuer's credit standing and the security's interest rate spread over U.S. Treasury bonds.


The Company determines the fair value of its limited partnership investments based upon financial reports and valuations provided by the general partners.  During 2009, the Company’s unrealized gain from its limited partnership investments decreased by $82.0 million (pre-tax), ending the year with an unrealized loss, which carried a book value of $196.2 million at December 31, 2009.  In the first three months of 2010, the Company’s unrealized loss of $42.4 million at December 31, 2009 decreased by $1.9 million (pre-tax) to an unrealized loss of $40.5 million at March 31, 2010.  The limited partnership investments carried a book value of $204.1 million at March 31, 2010.


The market value of short-term investments and policy loans is estimated to approximate the carrying value.


Estimated fair values of policyholders' account balances for investment type products (i.e., deferred annuities, immediate annuities without life contingencies and universal life contracts) are calculated by projecting the contract cash flows and then discounting them back to the valuation date at an appropriate discount rate.  For immediate annuities without life contingencies, the cash flows are defined contractually.  For all other products, projected cash flows are based on an assumed lapse rate and crediting rate (based on the current treasury yield curve), adjusted for any anticipated surrender charges. The discount rate is based on the current duration matched treasury curve, plus an adjustment to reflect the anticipated spread above treasuries on investment grade fixed maturity securities, less an expense and profit spread.



14




The following represents the fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are not required to be carried at fair value as of the dates indicated:


March 31, 2010

 

Carrying Value

 

Estimated Fair Value

Assets

 

(in thousands)

  Policy Loans

 

18,814 

 

18,814 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

  Policyholders' Account Balances

$

2,440,168 

$

               2,532,592 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2009

 

Carrying Value

 

Estimated Fair Value

Assets

 

(in thousands)

  Policy Loans

 

18,959 

 

18,959 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

  Policyholders' Account Balances

$

               2,444,984 

$

               2,520,480 

 

 

 

 

 



Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted ASC 820-10 (formerly SFAS No. 157), Fair Value Measurements. ASC 820-10 clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. As of January 1, 2009, ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements,” applies to both the Company’s financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities.  ASC 820-10 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and only applies when other standards require or permit the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities. It does not expand the use of fair value measurements. The Company did not have any fair value measurements for its non-financial assets and liabilities during 2009 or the first three months of 2010. The adoption of ASC 820-10 did not have a material impact on our fair value measurements.


Beginning January 1, 2008, assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Level inputs, as defined by ASC 820-10, are as follows:

 

 

 

Level Input:

  

Input Definition:

Level 1

  

Observable inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.  Level 1 securities include highly liquid U.S. Treasury securities, certain common stocks and cash and cash equivalents.

 

 

Level 2

  

Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability through corroboration with market data at the measurement date.  Most debt securities, preferred stocks, certain equity securities, short-term investments and derivatives are model priced using observable inputs and are classified with Level 2.

 

 

Level 3

  

Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.  The Company’s Level 3 assets include investments in limited partnerships.


Valuation of Investments

 

For investments that have quoted market prices in active markets, the Company uses the quoted market prices as fair value and includes these prices in the amounts disclosed in Level 1 of the hierarchy.  The Company receives the quoted market prices from a third party, nationally recognized pricing service (pricing service).  When quoted market prices are unavailable, the Company utilizes a pricing service to determine an estimate of fair value, which is mainly for its fixed maturity investments.  The fair value estimates provided from this pricing service are included in the amount disclosed in Level 2 of the hierarchy.  If quoted market prices and an estimate from a pricing service are unavailable, the Company secures an estimate of fair value from brokers who utilize valuation techniques, which, depending on the level of observable market inputs, will render the fair value estimate as Level 2 or Level 3.  The following section describes the valuation methods used by the Company for each type of financial instrument it holds that is carried at fair value.

 



15




Fixed Maturities

 

The Company utilizes an independent third-party pricing service to estimate fair value measurements for approximately 99% of its fixed maturities.  The majority of the remaining fair value measurements are based on non-binding broker prices.  The pricing service utilizes market quotations for fixed maturity securities that have quoted prices in active markets, such as U.S Treasury Securities.  Since fixed maturities other than U.S. Treasury securities generally do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements for these securities using its proprietary pricing applications and models which include available relevant market information, benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing.   The priced developed is an “evaluated price”, representing a “bid”-side valuation for the security as of 3:00 PM on the closing date of the quarterly financial statements. Additionally, the pricing service uses an Option Adjusted Spread model to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios for issues that have early redemption features.

 

The pricing service evaluates each asset class based on relevant market information, relevant credit information, perceived market movements and sector news.  The market inputs utilized in the pricing evaluation include: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, reference data and industry and economic events.  If the pricing service discontinues pricing an investment due to the lack of objectively verifiable data, the Company would be required to produce an estimate of fair value using some of the same methodologies as the pricing service, but would have to make assumptions for market based inputs that are unavailable due to market conditions.

 

The fair value estimates of most fixed maturity investments are based on observable market information rather than market quotes.  Accordingly, the estimates of fair value for such fixed maturities, other than U.S. Treasury securities, provided by the pricing service are included in the amount disclosed in Level 2 of the hierarchy.  The estimated fair value of U.S. Treasury securities are included in the amount disclosed in Level 1 as the estimates are based on unadjusted market prices.

 

The Company holds privately placed corporate bonds and estimates the fair value of these bonds using an internal matrix that is based on market information regarding interest rates, credit spreads and liquidity.  The underlying source data for calculating the matrix of credit spreads relative to the U.S. Treasury curve are the Merrill Lynch U.S. Corporate Index and the Merrill Lynch High Yield BB Rated Index.  The Company includes the fair value estimates of these corporate bonds in Level 2 since all significant inputs are market observable.

 

The Company holds privately placed securities and estimates the fair value of these bonds using either an internal matrix that is based on market information regarding interest rates, credit spreads and liquidity or a discounted cash flow model.  The Company includes the fair value estimates of these securities in Level 3.

 

Equities

 

For public common and preferred stocks, the Company receives prices from a nationally recognized pricing service that are based on observable market transactions and includes these estimates in the amount disclosed in Level 1.  When current market quotes in active markets are unavailable for certain non-redeemable preferred stocks held by the Company, the Company receives an estimate of fair value from the pricing service that provides fair value estimates for the Company’s fixed maturities. The service utilizes some of the same methodologies to price the non-redeemable preferred stocks as it does for the fixed maturities. The Company includes the estimate in the amount disclosed in Level 2.

 

For private equity, the Company adjusts its estimate of investment income recorded during the year to the actual realized gains and other income reported in the limited partnerships’ most recent annual audited financial statements, which are generally received in the second quarter of the subsequent year.  As a result, there may be up to a one year reporting lag for recording investment income that is not distributed during the year, which may result in significant adjustments.  The Company records its share of net unrealized gains and losses (net of taxes) from the audited financial statements of the limited partnerships.  As a result, there may be up to a one year reporting lag for reporting unrealized gains and losses, which may result in significant adjustments to other comprehensive income in 2009.  Because it is not practicable to obtain an independent valuation for each limited partnership interest, for purposes of disclosure the market value of a limited partnership interest is estimated at book value based on the most recent available audited financial statements.  Due to the significant unobservable inputs in these valuations, the Company includes the total fair value estimate for all of these investments at March 31, 2010 in the amount disclosed in Level 3.

 



16




Derivatives

 

Valuations are secured monthly from each Counterparty which is a major money center bank for the Payor Swaption owned by the Insurance Company. Factors considered in the valuation include interest rate volatility, decay (remaining life of the Swaption before expiration), delta (duration), gamma (convexity), Swap rates and Swap spreads against U.S. Treasuries. Each dealer has its own proprietary software that evaluates each of these components to determine the Swaption valuation at the end of each month. Presidential Life also obtains a competing valuation from its consultant, Milliman Inc., which uses its own proprietary valuation software called MG Hedge-Information Dashboard. The Company compares the two valuations and generally selects the valuation of the bank, as each Counterparty is responsible for settling for cash with Presidential Life if the Payor Swaption expires with value. All of the factors noted are observable inputs; consequently the Company includes the Swaption Valuations in Level 2.

The following tables present our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy.


 ($ in thousands)

Fair Value Measurements Using

 

 

 

 

 

Description



As of

3/31/2010

Quoted prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)


Significant Other Observable Inputs

(Level 2)


Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

Fixed Maturities:

 

 

 

 

  U.S. government and agencies

256,392 

228,773 

26,530 

1,089 

  States and municipalities

146,120 

-

146,120 

  Corporate debt securities

2,524,815 

-

2,510,314 

14,501 

  Mortgage backed securities

190,036 

-

190,000 

36 

  Preferred Stock

106,000 

-

102,502 

3,498 

Fixed Maturities

3,223,363 

228,773 

2,975,466 

19,124 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

2,016 

771 

1,245

Cash and cash equivalents

2,472 

2,472 

Short-Term investments

227,722 

-

227,722 

Other Long-Term Investments

204,133 

204,133 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

3,659,706 

232,016 

3,203,188 

224,502 



($ in thousands)

Fair Value Measurements Using

 

 

 

 

 

Description



As of

12/30/2009

Quoted prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)


Significant Other Observable Inputs

(Level 2)


Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

Fixed Maturities:

 

 

 

 

  U.S. government and agencies

254,878 

227,937 

22,398 

4,543 

  States and municipalities

99,856 

-

99,856 

  Corporate debt securities

2,435,429 

-

2,419,252 

16,177 

  Mortgage backed securities

197,189 

-

182,210 

14,979 

  Preferred Stock

99,669 

-

96,211 

3,458 

Fixed Maturities

3,087,021 

227,937 

2,819,927 

39,157 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

1,947 

703 

1,244 

Derivatives

390 

390 

Cash and cash equivalents

8,763 

8,763 

Short-Term investments

293,136 

-

293,136 

Other Long-Term Investments

196,191 

196,191 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

3,587,448 

237,403 

3,113,453 

236,592 




17




A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs is as follows:


($ in thousands)

 

Recurring Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Long-Term Investments

Common Stock

Fixed Maturities

Total

For the Three months ended March 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

Beginning Balance at December 31, 2009

$        196,191 

$             1,244 

$            39,157 

$       236,592 

Total gains or losses   (realized/unrealized)

 

 

 

 

    Included in earnings

(1)

(1)

Included in other comprehensive income

1,914 

(213)

1,702 

Purchases

8,504 

8,504 

Sales

(2,476)

(546)

(3,022)

Transfers in and /or out of Level 3

(19,273)

(19,273)

Ending Balance at March 31, 2010

$        204,133 

$             1,245 

$            19,124 

$       224,502 


During the three months ended March 31, 2010, certain fixed maturity securities were transferred into Level 2 from Level 3 as a result of the availability of market observable quoted prices received from an independent third-party pricing service.


The table below summarizes the fair value and balance sheet location of the Company’s outstanding derivatives at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.


Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

 

($ in thousands)

Asset Derivatives

 

As of March 31, 2010

As of December 31, 2009

 

Balance Sheet Location

Fair

Value

Balance Sheet Location

Fair

Value

 

 

 

 

 

Payor Swaptions

Derivative Instruments

$          -

Derivatives Instruments

$    390

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

$          -

 

$    390

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

 

$          -

 

$    390


The table below summarizes the fair value and income statement location of the Company’s outstanding derivatives at March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009.


Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

($ in thousands)

Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative

Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative

Three months ended March 31,

 

2010

2009

 

 

 

 

Payor Swaptions

Realized investment (losses) gains

$               (390)

$                 99

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$               (390)

$                 99




18




10.

CONSENT REVOCATION SOLICITATION


In October 2009, the Company’s former Chairman, Herbert Kurz, filed a Schedule 13-D amendment indicating his intention to commence a consent solicitation to replace members of the Company’s Board of Directors.  In December 2009, Mr. Kurz commenced a solicitation of stockholder consents for the purpose of, among other things, removing from office, without cause, all of the current directors (other than Mr. Kurz) and electing in their place a slate of nominees proposed by Mr. Kurz.  Mr. Kurz further stated that, upon their election, his proposed directors would re-install Mr. Kurz as CEO, purportedly on an "interim" basis.  The independent directors of the Company determined that it was in the best interests of all of the Company's stockholders to oppose Mr. Kurz's consent solicitation.  In that regard, the Company engaged the services of special counsel, a proxy soliciting firm and a financial public relations firm, as is customary.  In addition, in connection with the Company's due diligence review of Mr. Kurz and his consent solicitation, the independent directors discovered several irregularities relating to the 2007 tax return for the Kurz Family Foundation, Ltd. (the "Foundation") filed by Mr. Kurz as part of an application that he submitted to the New York State Insurance Department (“NYSID”) seeking the NYSID's approval of (i) the Foundation's acquisition of a controlling interest of the Insurance Company, and (ii) continuing treatment of Mr. Kurz individually as a controlling person of the Insurance Company.  Mr. Kurz is an officer and director of the Foundation, which is a separate entity from the Company.  A special committee of the independent directors of the Company commenced an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 2007 Foundation tax return and related matters. The special committee retained independent counsel to lead the investigation.  All of the foregoing resulted in approximately $2.5 million of expenses in 2009 and an additional $968,000 of expenses for the first three months of 2010, as reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

On February 12, 2010, Mr. Kurz notified the Company of his intention to nominate, for election at the next annual shareholders' meeting, the same slate of nominees that he had proposed in his unsuccessful consent solicitation.  Mr. Kurz further indicated that he may initiate a proxy contest in connection with those nominations.




19




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


General


Presidential Life Corporation (the “Corporation” or “Company”) is an insurance holding company that, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Presidential Life Insurance Company (the “Insurance Company”), manages and reports as a single segment whose products are divided among annuities, life insurance and accident and health.  Unless the context otherwise requires, the “Corporation” or “Company” shall be deemed to include Presidential Life Corporation and its subsidiaries.  The Corporation was founded in 1969 and, through the Insurance Company, is licensed to market its product in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  Our revenues are derived primarily from considerations received from the sale of annuity contracts, premiums received from the sale of life and accident and health insurance products and gains (or losses) from our investment portfolio.


For financial statement purposes, our revenues from the sale of whole life and term life insurance products and annuity contracts with life contingencies are treated differently from our revenues from the sale of annuity contracts without life contingencies, deferred annuities and universal life insurance products.  Revenues from the sale of whole or term life insurance products and life contingency annuities are reported as income on our financial statements.  Revenues from the sale of deferred annuities, universal life insurance products and annuities without life contingencies are not reported as revenues, but rather are reported as additions to policyholders’ account balances.  From these products, revenues are recognized over time in the form of policy fee income, surrender charges and mortality and other charges deducted from policyholders’ account balances.


Profitability in the Insurance Company’s individual annuities and individual life insurance depends largely on the size of its inforce block, the adequacy of product pricing and underwriting discipline, the efficiency of its claims and expense management, and the performance of the investment portfolio.


When we use the term “We,” “Us” and “Our” we mean Presidential Life Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.


In this discussion we have included statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only our beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control.  These statements may relate to our future plans and objectives.  By identifying these statements for you in this manner, we are alerting you to the possibility that our actual results may differ, possibly materially, from the results indicated in these forward-looking statements.  


Executive Overview


Results


The Corporation’s earnings per share were $0.07 for the first quarter of 2010, as compared to a loss of $0.29 for the same period in 2009.  The improved results in 2010 primarily reflect an increase in investment income.  Our total revenues in the first quarter of 2010 were $66.4 million, compared to $41.1 million in the first quarter of 2009.  Benefits and expenses in the first three months in 2010 were $63 million, compared to $54 million for the same three month period in 2009.  Net income in the first quarter of 2010 was $2.2 million as compared to a loss of $8.4 million for the same period in 2009.    



Pricing


Management believes that the Company is able to offer its products at competitive prices to its targeted markets as a result of: (i) maintaining relatively low issuance costs by selling through the independent general agency system; (ii) minimizing home office administrative costs; and (iii) utilizing appropriate underwriting guidelines.


The long-term profitability of sales of life and most annuity products depends on the degree of margin of the actuarial assumptions that underlie the pricing of such products.  Actuarial calculations for such products, and the ultimate profitability of sales of such products, are based on four major factors: (i) persistency; (ii) rate of return on cash invested during the life of the policy or contract; (iii) expenses of acquiring and administering the policy or contract; and (iv) mortality.


Persistency is the rate at which insurance policies remain in force, expressed as a percentage of the number of policies remaining in force over the previous year. Policyholders sometimes do not pay premiums/annuity considerations, thus causing their policies/annuity contracts to lapse.


The assumed rate of return on invested cash and desired spreads during the period that insurance policies or annuity contracts are in force also affects pricing of products and currently includes an assumption by the Company of a specified rate of return and/or spread on its investments for each year that such insurance or annuity product is in force.


Investments


The Company¢s principal investments are in fixed maturities, all of which are exposed to at least one of three primary sources of investment risk: credit, interest rate and market valuation.  The financial statement risks are those associated with the recognition of impairments and income, as well as the determination of fair values. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements “Investments” for a discussion of the evaluation of available-for-sale securities holdings in accordance with our impairment policy, whereby we evaluate whether such investments are other-than-temporarily impaired and factors considered by security classification in the OTTI evaluation.  In addition, the earnings on certain investments are dependent upon market conditions, which could result in prepayments and changes in amounts to be earned due to changing interest rates or equity markets.  The determination of fair values in the absence of quoted market values is based on valuation methodologies, securities the Company deems to be comparable, and assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances.  The use of different methodologies and assumptions may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.


The Company derives a major portion of its total revenues from investment income. The Company manages most of its investments internally.  All investments made on behalf of the Company are governed by the general requirements and guidelines established and approved by the Company's investment committee (the “Investment Committee”) and by qualitative and quantitative limits prescribed by applicable insurance laws and regulations.  The Investment Committee meets regularly to set and review investment policy and to approve current investment plans.  The actions of the Investment Committee are subject to review and approval by the Board of Directors of the Insurance Company.  The Company's investment policy must comply with New York State Insurance Department (“NYSID”) regulations and the regulations of other applicable regulatory bodies.


The Company's investment philosophy generally focuses on purchasing investment grade securities with the intention of holding such securities to maturity.  The Company's investment philosophy is focused on the intermediate longer-term horizon and is not oriented towards trading.  However, as market opportunities, liquidity, or regulatory considerations may dictate, securities may be sold prior to maturity.  The Company has categorized all fixed maturity securities as available for sale and carries such investments at market value.


The Company manages its investment portfolio to meet the diversification, yield and liquidity requirements of its insurance policy and annuity contract obligations. The Company's liquidity requirements are monitored regularly so that cash flow needs are sufficiently satisfied.  Adjustments are made periodically to the Company's investment policies to reflect changes in the Company's short and long-term cash needs, as well as changing business and economic conditions.


The Company seeks to manage its investment portfolio in part to reduce its exposure to interest rate fluctuations.  In general, the market value of the Company's fixed maturity portfolio increases or decreases in an inverse relationship with fluctuations in interest rates, and the Company's net investment income increases or decreases in direct relationship with interest rate changes.  For example, if interest rates decline, the Company's fixed maturity investments generally will increase in market value, while net investment income will decrease as fixed income investments mature or are sold and proceeds are reinvested at the declining rates.  Management is aware that prevailing market interest rates frequently shift and, accordingly, the Company has adopted strategies that are designed to address either an increase or decrease in prevailing rates.


The primary market risk in the Company’s investment portfolio is interest rate risk and to a lesser degree, equity price risk.  The Company's exposure to foreign exchange risk is not significant.  The Company has no direct commodity risk.  Changes in interest rates can potentially impact the Company’s profitability.  In certain scenarios where interest rates are volatile, the Company could be exposed to disintermediation risk and reduction in net interest rate spread or profit margin.  To help address this risk, the Company has entered into a series of Payor Swaption investments designed to protect the Company against an instantaneous rise in the interest rates of 300 basis points. (See the discussion below in “Asset/Liability Management” for additional information related to the Company’s payor swaption investments.)


Risk-Based Capital


Under the NAIC's risk-based capital formula, insurance companies must calculate and report information under a risk-based capital formula.  The standards require the computation of a risk-based capital amount, which then is compared to a company’s actual total adjusted capital.  The computation involves applying factors to various financial data to address four primary risks: asset default, adverse insurance experience, disintermediation and external events.  This information is intended to permit insurance regulators to identify and require remedial action for inadequately capitalized insurance companies, but is not designed to rank adequately capitalized companies.  The NAIC formula provides for four levels of potential involvement by state regulators for inadequately capitalized insurance companies, ranging from a requirement for an insurance company to submit a plan to improve its capital (Company Action Level) to regulatory control of the insurance company (Mandatory Control Level).  At December 31, 2009, the Insurance Company’s Company Action Level was $72.3 million and the Mandatory Control Level was $25.3 million. The Insurance Company’s adjusted capital at December 31, 2009 was $280.5 million, which exceeds all four action levels.  The Company’s RBC ratio as of December 31, 2009 was 388%.



20




Agency Ratings


Ratings are an important factor in establishing the competitive position in the insurance and financial services marketplace.  There can be no assurance that the Corporation’s or the Insurance Company’s ratings will continue for any given period of time or that they will not be changed.  In the event the ratings are downgraded, the level of revenues or the persistency of the Insurance Company’s business may be adversely impacted.


In December 2009, A.M. Best Company reaffirmed the Insurance Company’s rating at “B+” (Good) and placed the Company under review with negative implications.  According to A.M Best, the rating actions primarily reflect the lack of clarity regarding the Company’s future management structure and the future strategic direction of the Company.  The Company’s ratings will remain under review while A.M. Best conducts further discussions with management and gains a better understanding of the future make –up of the management team and any changes in strategic direction.  In addition, A.M. Best will continue to monitor the financial performance of the Company.


At the time of the B+ rating, publications of A.M. Best indicated that the “B+” rating was assigned to those companies that, in A.M. Best's opinion, have achieved a very good overall performance when compared to the norms of the insurance industry and that generally have demonstrated a good ability to meet their respective policyholder and other contractual obligations over a long period of time.  The B+ rating is within A.M Best’s “Secure” classification, along with A++, A+, A, A-, and B++ ratings.


In evaluating a company's statutory financial and operating performance, A.M. Best reviews the Company's profitability, leverage and liquidity, as well as the company's book of business, the adequacy and soundness of its reinsurance, the quality and estimated market value of its assets, the adequacy of its reserves and the experience and competency of its management.


A.M. Best's rating is based on factors which primarily are relevant to policyholders, agents and intermediaries and is not directed towards the protection of investors, nor is it intended to allow investors to rely on such a rating in evaluating the financial condition of the Insurance Company.


In February 2009, the Company repaid its corporate debt in full. The senior notes had been rated by Standard and Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s at the time of repayment at B+ (positive) and B1 (positive), respectively.  In consideration of this repayment the Company decided that it was no longer necessary to retain the rating services and ongoing credit surveillance by S&P and Moody’s.  Due to the repayment of the corporate debt, Fitch Ratings also withdrew its evaluation of the Company. The Company will maintain the Financial Strength Rating services of A.M. Best & Company.



21



Results of Operations - Comparison of First Quarter 2010 and First Quarter 2009.



A.

Revenues


Annuity Considerations and Life Insurance Premiums


Total annuity considerations and life and accident and health  insurance premiums increased from approximately $8.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 to approximately $14.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  Life insurance and accident and health premiums were $4.6 million, and $3.8 million for the first quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Annuity considerations were approximately $10.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to approximately $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The increase is primarily due to increased sales in our immediate annuities with life contingencies. These amounts do not include consideration from the sales of deferred annuities or immediate annuities without life contingencies. Under GAAP, such sales are reported as additions to policyholder account balances. Consideration from such sales was approximately $24.1 million and $56.8 million in the first quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The decrease was primarily due to the low interest rate environment that continued into the first quarter of 2010.


Policy Fee Income


Universal life and investment type policy fee income was approximately $0.5 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 and approximately $0.6 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009.


Net Investment Income


Net investment income totaled approximately $50.5 million during the first three months of 2010, as compared to approximately $35.8 million during the first three months of 2009.  This represents an increase of approximately $14.7 million.  This increase is primarily due to an increase in income from limited partnerships of approximately $14.1 million.  The Company's ratios of net investment income to average cash and invested assets  (based on book value) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009 were 5.7% and 4.0%, respectively.  Without taking into account the returns on the Company’s limited partnership investments, the ratio for the first quarter of 2010 would have been 5.8% versus 5.7% in the 2009 comparable period.


Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses


Realized investment losses amounted to approximately $0.3 million during the first three months of 2010, as compared to realized investment losses of approximately $3.5 million during the first three months of 2009.  The improvement of approximately $3.2 million was primarily due to realized gains on fixed maturities of approximately $63 thousand in the first quarter of 2010 as opposed to realized losses on fixed maturities of approximately $3.6 million in the first quarter of 2009.  During the first quarters of 2010 and 2009, payor swaptions had realized losses of $390 thousand and realized gains of $99 thousand, respectively.  The change in the fair value of the derivative instruments is reflected in the income statement as a realized loss or gain.



B.

Benefits and Expenses


Interest Credited and Benefits to Policyholders


Interest credited and benefits paid to policyholders amounted to $53.8 million in the first quarter of 2010 as compared to $46.3 million in the first quarter of 2009.  This represents an increase of approximately 16%.  This increase was primarily due to an increased liability for future policy benefits.


In the first quarter of 2010, the Insurance Company’s average credited rate for reserves and account balances was less than the Company’s ratio of net investment income to mean assets (based on book value) for the same period.  In the first quarter of 2009, the average credited rate was greater than the Company’s ratio of net investment income to mean assets (based on book value).  There can be no assurance that the difference in the Company's ratio of net investment income to book value mean assets and the average credited rate for reserves and account balances (the “spread”) will not decline in future periods or that such decline will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.  Depending, in part, upon competitive factors affecting the industry in general, and the Company in particular, the Company may, from time to time, change the average credited rates on certain of its products.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to reduce such rates or that any such reductions will broaden the Spread.  The actual Spread, excluding capital gains, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009 was 0.61% and (1.34%), respectively.  



22




Interest Expense on Notes Payable


The Company had no interest expense on notes payable for the three months ended March 31, 2010, and approximately $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  On February 17th, 2009, the Corporation retired the remaining $67 million of its 7 7/8%, $100 million Senior Note.  


General Expenses and Taxes, Commissions, Costs Related to Consent Revocation Solicitation and Related Matters


General expenses, taxes and commissions to agents and costs related to the Company’s consent revocation solicitation totaled approximately $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to approximately $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Excluding the costs of the consent revocation solicitation and related matters, these expenses would have decreased by $1.0 million or 12.8%, compared to the same period in 2009.  This decrease primarily resulted from decreased commissions paid to agents based upon decreased sales of deferred annuities.

  

Change in Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DAC”)


The change in the net DAC for the three months ended March 31, 2010 resulted in a charge of approximately $1.2 million, as compared to a benefit of approximately $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Changes in DAC consist of three elements:  deferred costs associated with product sales, amortization of the DAC on deferred annuity business and amortization of the DAC on the remainder of the Company’s business.  Deferred costs consisted of credits of $1.6 million and $3.0 million for the first three months of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Amortization of the DAC on deferred annuity business consisted of charges of $1.5 million and $0.5 million in the first three months of 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Amortization of the DAC on the remainder of the Company’s business consisted of charges of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2010 and $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2009.


Under applicable accounting rules, DAC related to deferred annuities is amortized in proportion to the estimated gross profits over the estimated lives of the contracts.  Essentially, as estimated profits of the Insurance Company related to these assets increase, the amount and timing of amortization is accelerated.  The higher level of amortization in the first quarter of 2010 relates primarily to unrealized capital gains reported as of March 31, 2010.   


C.

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes


For the reasons discussed above, income (loss) before income taxes amounted to approximately $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to approximately ($12.9) million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.


D.

Income Taxes


Income tax expense (benefit) was approximately $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to ($4.4) million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The income tax expense was attributable to a net income in the first quarter 2010 while the income tax benefit was attributable to a net loss in the first quarter of 2009.


In order to calculate income tax expense the Company estimates an annual effective income tax rate based on projected results for the year and applies this projected rate to income before taxes to calculate income tax expense. Any refinements made, due to subsequent information that affects the estimated annual effective income tax rate, are reflected as adjustments in the current period.  The Company currently estimates the annual effective income tax rate from continuing operations as of March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009 to be 34.5%. 


E.

Net Income


For the reasons discussed above, the Company had a net income of approximately $2.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and a net loss of approximately $8.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2009.  


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income


Accumulated other comprehensive income increased from a loss of approximately $4.4 million at December 31, 2009 to a gain of $36.2 million at March 31, 2010.  The increase was due to an increase in net unrealized investment gains, net of taxes, during the first three months of the year of approximately $40.7 million.  General economic and market conditions were the primary reasons for the increase.



23




Liquidity and Capital Resources


The Company is an insurance holding company and its primary uses of cash are operating expenses and dividend payments.  The Company's principal sources of cash are interest on its investments, dividends from the Insurance Company, and rent from its real estate.  During the first quarter of 2010, the Company's Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.0625 per share payable on April 1, 2010.  During the first three months of 2010 the Company did not purchase or retire any shares of common stock.



The Insurance Company is subject to various regulatory restrictions on the maximum amount of payments, including loans or cash advances, which it may make to the Company without obtaining prior regulatory approval. Under the New York Insurance Law, the Insurance Company is permitted, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, to pay a stockholder dividend to the Company as long as the aggregate amount of all such dividends in any calendar year does not exceed the lesser of (i) 10% of its surplus as of the immediately preceding calendar year or (ii) its net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year (excluding realized capital gains and losses).  The Insurance Company will be permitted to pay a stockholder dividend to the Company in excess of the lesser of such two amounts only if it files notice of its intention to declare such a dividend and the amount thereof with the Superintendent and the Superintendent does not disapprove the distribution.  Under the New York Insurance Law, the Superintendent has broad discretion in determining whether the financial condition of a stock life insurance company would support the payment of such dividends to its stockholders.  The New York State Insurance Department has established informal guidelines for such determinations. The guidelines, among other things, focus on the insurer's overall financial condition and profitability under statutory accounting practices.  Management of the Company cannot provide assurance that the Insurance Company will have statutory earnings to support payment of dividends to the Company in an amount sufficient to fund its cash requirements and pay cash dividends or that the Superintendent will not disapprove any dividends that the Insurance Company must submit for the Superintendent's consideration.  In 2009, the Insurance Company made $24.8 million in dividend payments to the Company.  The Insurance Company has not made any dividends payment to the Company during the first quarter of 2010. The Board of Directors passed a resolution to upstream up to $23 million in 2010, if necessary.


The key need for liquidity in the Insurance Company is the need to fund policy benefit payments on surrendered or expired annuities.  Approximately 43.6% of the deferred annuities held by the Company have provisions that allow the purchaser to surrender the policy in exchange for the payment of a surrender fee.  In an environment of flat or falling interest rates, surrender activity is generally low, as annuitants prefer to lock in the higher rates obtained.  In an environment of rising interest rates, or even in an environment where interest rates are decreasing at the same time surrender charges are expiring, surrender activity would be expected to increase, as investors seek to place their money in higher interest rate instruments.  In 2009, annuity surrenders and death claims outpaced new sales causing a minor decline in total annuity inforce.  In 2010, the Company believes that surrenders and death claim activity combined with the challenging low interest rate environment for annuity sales, total annuities inforce may decline slightly.  Policyholder account balance surrenders totaled approximately $28.9 million and $56.4 million for the three-month periods ending March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In 2010, approximately 3.9% of account values have expiring surrender charges.  This allows the annuitant to terminate or withdraw funds from his or her annuity contract without incurring substantial penalties in the form of surrender charges.  The existing surrender charges act as a disincentive to surrender, as the annuitant must take into account the cost of surrender in calculating the likelihood of higher post-surrender returns, although, if interest rates climb sufficiently, such fees may not have a significant deterrent effect.  Also, the Company’s ability to increase the interest rate on certain of these policies can act as a disincentive to surrender.  On the other hand, a significant reduction in the credited rates at the same time the surrender charge is expiring can result in an increase in surrenders.  The Company has operated in the annuity business throughout rising and falling interest rate periods and has consistently managed this business regardless of the rate trends.  The Company's ratio of surrenders to average reserves on its deferred annuity business for the first three months of 2010 is approximately 5.4% on an annualized basis.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s ratio of surrenders to average reserves on its deferred annuity business was 7.6%.


The Company conducts testing of its cash flow needs based on varying interest rate scenarios.  These tests are conducted pursuant to the New York State Insurance Department requirements and are filed with that Department. Recent testing indicates that in a moderately increasing interest rate environment, annuity surrenders would not materially alter the Company's liquidity needs.   This is partially due to the fact that the Company's average annuity credited rate is somewhat higher than the market average.  The Company's blend of deferred and immediate annuities and its payor swaption investments have operated as a buffer to the Company against the impact of interest sensitive surrenders in a rising interest rate environment.  


The Company's life and accident and health insurance liabilities are actuarially calculated on a regular basis and the Company is capable of meeting such liabilities.  Reserves for such business are carefully monitored and regulated by the New York State Insurance Department.  Because life and accident and health insurance products represent a relatively small percentage of the Company's product mix and because the business is heavily reinsured, it is not anticipated that any spike in life and accident and health insurance claims would have a material impact on the Company's liquidity.  



24




The Company's asset/liability management process is designed to limit the duration mismatch of its assets and liabilities.  For the three year period ending with December 31, 2009, investments have been largely short-term in an effort to mitigate interest rate risk in the event that a substantial call on liabilities required the Company to liquidate some investments.  In such event, the Company would experience a decline in overall investment income due to the sale of higher yielding invested assets.  The Company would attempt to minimize the loss of income by the selection for sale of those shorter-term assets, which would produce the highest possible price.  Moreover, the mix of the Company's products between deferred and immediate annuities provides the Company with some protection against excessive calls on liabilities.


The Company does not currently rely on credit facilities to fund its liquidity needs for the payment of policyholder withdrawals or claims and does not anticipate such a need in the coming year. Moreover, based on projected trends within the Company and in the economy as a whole and on the Company's financial condition, the Company does not anticipate the need to liquidate a material amount of its investment portfolio to meet surrender and policy claim liabilities in the coming year.


Principal sources of funds at the Insurance Company are premiums and other considerations paid, contract charges earned, net investment income received and proceeds from investments called, redeemed or sold.  The principal uses of these funds are the payment of benefits on life insurance policies and annuity contracts, operating expenses and the purchase of investments.  Net cash provided by (used in) the Company's operating activities (reflecting principally: (i) premiums and contract charges collected less (ii) benefits paid on life insurance and annuity products plus (iii) income collected on invested assets, less (iv) commissions and other general expenses paid) was approximately $1.7 million and ($13.9) million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Net cash provided by the Company's investing activities (principally reflecting investments purchased less investments called, redeemed or sold) was approximately $1.4 million, and $86.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


For purposes of the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows, financing activities relate primarily to sales and surrenders of the Company's universal life insurance and annuity products.  The payment of dividends by the Company is also considered to be a financing activity.  Net cash used in the Company's financing activities amounted to approximately ($9.4) million and ($70.2) million during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Under GAAP, consideration from single premium annuity contracts without life contingencies, universal life insurance products and deferred annuities are not reported as premium revenues, but are reported as additions to policyholder account balances, which are liabilities on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheet.


Given the Insurance Company's historic cash flow and current financial results, management believes that, for the next twelve months and for the reasonably foreseeable future, the Insurance Company's cash flow from investments and operating activities will provide sufficient liquidity for the operations of the Insurance Company, as well as provide sufficient funds to the Company, so that the Company will be able to pay its other operating expenses.   Due to the extraordinary nature of the current economic climate, the Company can make no reasonable assurances with respect to the payment of future dividends.


To meet its anticipated liquidity requirements, the Company purchases investments taking into account the anticipated future cash flow requirements of its underlying liabilities.  In managing the relationship between assets and liabilities, the Company analyzes the cash flows necessary to correspond with the expected cash needs on the underlying liabilities under various interest rate scenarios.  In addition, the Company invests a portion of its total assets in short-term investments (approximately 6.0% and 7.8% as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively).  The effective duration of the Company's debt portfolio was approximately 5.1 years and 4.5 years as of March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, respectively.  The Company's fixed maturity investments are all classified as available for sale and may be sold in response to, among other things, changes in market interest rates, changes in the security's prepayment risk, the Company's need for liquidity and various other economic conditions.  


Fixed maturity investments available for sale represent investments that may be sold in response to changes in various economic conditions.  These investments are carried at fair value and net unrealized gains (losses), net of the effects of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred federal income taxes, if any, are credited or charged directly to shareholders’ equity, unless a decline in market value is considered to be other than temporary in which case the investment is reduced to its fair value and the loss is recorded in the income statement.  Equity securities include common stocks and non-redeemable preferred stocks and are carried at market value, with the related unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred federal income tax effect, if any, charged or credited directly to shareholders’ equity, unless a decline in market value is deemed to be other than temporary in which case the investment is reduced to its fair value and the loss is recorded in the income statement.


The Insurance Company is subject to Regulation 130 adopted and promulgated by the New York State Insurance Department ("NYSID").  Under this Regulation, the Insurance Company's ownership of below investment grade debt securities is limited to 20.0% of total admitted assets, as calculated under statutory accounting practices.  As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, approximately 5.5% and 5.7%, respectively, of the Insurance Company's total admitted assets were invested in below investment grade debt securities.


The Company’s portfolio includes below investment grade fixed maturity debt securities, of which approximately 99.95% were originally purchased as investment grade investments.  All of these are classified as available for sale and reported at fair value. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the carrying value of these securities was approximately $199.6 million and $201.0 million, respectively, (representing approximately 5.4% and 5.5% of the Company's investment portfolio, respectively).


Investments in below investment grade securities have different risks than investments in corporate debt securities rated investment grade.  Risk of loss upon default by the borrower is significantly greater with respect to below investment grade securities than with other corporate debt securities because below investment grade securities generally are unsecured and often are subordinated to other creditors of the issuer.  Also, issuers of below investment grade securities usually have high levels of indebtedness and often are more sensitive to adverse economic conditions, such as recession or increasing interest rates, than are investment grade issuers.  Typically, there is only a thinly traded market for such securities and recent market quotations may not be available for some of these securities.  Market quotes generally are available only from a limited number of dealers and may not represent firm bids of such dealers or prices for actual sales.  The Company attempts to reduce the overall risk in its below investment grade portfolio, as in all of its investments, through careful credit analysis, investment policy limitations, and diversification by company and by industry.  Below investment grade debt investments, as well as other investments, are being monitored on an ongoing basis.


As of March 31, 2010, the carrying value of the Company’s limited partnerships was approximately $204.1 million or 5.5% of the Company's total invested assets.  Pursuant to NYSID regulations, the Company's investments in equity securities, including limited partnership interests, may not exceed 20% of the Company's total invested assets.  At March 31, 2010, the Company’s investments in equity securities, including limited partnership interests, were approximately 5.5% of the Company’s total invested assets. Such investments are included in the Company's consolidated balance sheet under the heading "Other long-term investments."  The Company is committed, if called upon during a specified period, to contribute an aggregate of approximately $83.1 million of additional capital to certain of these limited partnerships.  However, management does not expect the entire amount to be drawn down, as certain of these limited partnerships are nearing the end of the period during which investors are required to make contributions.  Commitments of $12.1 million, $27.1 million, $38.4 million, and $5.5 million will expire in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.  The commitment expirations are estimates based upon the commitment periods of each of the partnerships.  Certain partnerships provide, however, that in the event capital from the investments are returned to the limited partners prior to the end of the commitment period (generally 3-5 years) the capital may be recalled.  The Company may make selective investments in additional limited partnerships as opportunities arise.  In general, risks associated with such limited partnerships include those related to their underlying investments (i.e., equity securities, debt securities and real estate), plus a level of illiquidity, which is mitigated by the ability of the Company to typically take quarterly distributions (to the extent that distributions are available) of partnership earnings, except for hedge fund limited partnerships.  There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to achieve the same level of returns on its investments in limited partnerships as it has historically or that the Company will achieve any returns on such investments at all.  Further, there can be no assurance that the Company will receive a return of all or any portion of its current or future capital investments in limited partnerships.  The failure of the Company to receive the return of a material portion of its capital investments in limited partnerships, or to achieve historic levels of return on such investments, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.


The Company is invested in six hedge fund limited partnerships with a carrying value of $64.6 million as of March 31, 2010.  These partnerships each contain liquidity provisions which allow the Company to withdraw amounts equal to the total capital account balance at least annually with notice requirements of 30-90 days.  These withdrawals may be subject to a holdback of 5-10%, with final distributions pending the completion of the partnership’s annual audit.  The Company has two hedge fund positions with private special investments, which currently range from approximately 15-30% of its carrying value, which would be excluded from the withdrawal process.



All 50 states of the United States and the District of Columbia have insurance guaranty fund laws requiring all life insurance companies doing business within the jurisdiction to participate in guaranty associations that are organized to pay contractual obligations under insurance policies (and certificates issued under group insurance policies) issued by impaired or insolvent life insurance companies.  These associations levy assessments (up to prescribed limits) on all member insurers in a particular state on the basis of the proportionate share of the premiums written by member insurers in the lines of business in which the impaired or insolvent insurer is engaged.  Some states permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax offsets.  These assessments may be deferred or forgiven under most guaranty laws if they would threaten an insurer's solvency.  The amount of these assessments in prior years has not been material.  However, the amount and timing of any future assessment on the Insurance Company under these laws cannot be reasonably estimated and are beyond the control of the Company and the Insurance Company.  Recent failures of substantially larger insurance companies could result in future assessments in material amounts.



25




Market Risk


Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and other relevant market rate or price changes.  Market risk is directly influenced by the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the related underlying assets are traded.  The following is a discussion of the Company's primary market risk exposures and how those exposures are currently managed as of March 31, 2010.


We believe that a portfolio composed principally of fixed-rate investments that generate predictable rates of return should back our fixed-rate liabilities.  We do not have a specific target rate of return.  Instead, our rates of return vary over time depending on the current interest rate environment, the slope of the yield curve, the spread at which fixed-rate investments are priced over the yield curve, and general economic conditions. Our portfolio strategy is designed to achieve adequate risk-adjusted returns consistent with our investment objectives of effective asset-liability matching, liquidity and safety.


The market value of the Company's fixed maturity portfolio changes as interest rates change.  In general, rate decreases cause asset prices to rise, while rate increases cause asset prices to fall.  


Asset/Liability Management


A persistent focus of the Insurance Company’s management is maintaining the appropriate balance between the duration of its invested assets and the duration of its contractual liabilities to its annuity holders and credit suppliers.  Towards this end, at least quarterly, the investment department of the Company determines the duration of the Company’s invested assets in coordination with the Company’s actuaries, who are responsible for calculating the liability duration.  In the event it is determined that the duration gap between its assets and liabilities exceeds target levels, the Company may re-position its assets through the sale of invested assets or the purchase of new investments.


Another element of the asset liability management strategy has been to hedge against the risks posed by a rapid and sustained rise in interest rates by entering into a form of derivative transaction known as a Payor Swaption. The effect of this transaction would be to lessen the negative impact on the Insurance Company of a significant increase in interest rates. As noted below, the Company’s Payor Swaption contract is due to expire in June 2010.  The Company’s management is currently determining if current market conditions warrant extending its payor swaption program beyond June of 2010.


The Company has established an International Swaps and Derivatives Association “ISDA” Credit Support Agreement with its counterparty against whom it holds the Swaption currently held by the Company. The counterparty is a major money center bank that carries credit ratings of Aa3 by Moody's and A+ by S&P.  The ISDA Credit Support Agreement requires the counterparty to post collateral in the event that the bank credit rating falls below A3 by Moody’s and A- by S&P.  This contract expires in June 2010 at a strike rate based on the 10-year swap rate.  The Company has determined that the Payor Swaption represents a "non-qualified hedge".  The aggregate market value of the Payor Swaption as of March 31, 2010 was $348.  A variety of factors affect the value of the Payor Swaptions.  These include overall Treasury interest rate levels, swap spreads, overall market volatility and the length of time remaining before the expiration of a Payor Swaption.  This investment is classified on the balance sheet as a "Derivative Instrument".  The value of the Payor Swaptions is recognized at "fair value" (market value), with any resulting change in fair value reflected in the statement of income as a realized loss or gain.  The change in market value for the first quarter of 2010 was a loss of $389,622.  The Company has determined that the average fair value for the first quarter of 2010 was $19,576.


The Insurance Company conducts periodic cash flow tests assuming different interest rates scenarios in order to demonstrate the reserve adequacy.  If a test reveals a potential deficiency, the Insurance Company may be required to increase its reserves to satisfy its statutory accounting requirements. Based on testing as of December 31, 2009, the Insurance Company held a reserve of $46.2 million.  

 



26




Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements


The Company has not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements and has made no financial commitments or guarantees with any unconsolidated subsidiary or special purpose entity.  All of the Company’s subsidiaries are wholly owned and their results are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.


Contractual Obligations


The following presents a summary of the Company’s significant contractual obligations.


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS TABLE


 

 

Payment Due By Period (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Contractual

Obligations

 

Less than

1 Year

 


1-3 Years

 


4-5 Years

 


After 5 Years


Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfunded Limited Partnership Commitments (1)

 

$     12,110 

 

$     70,978 

 

$               - 

 

$                   - 

$      83,088 

FIN 48 Liabilities

 

$               - 

 

$          733 

 

$               - 

 

$                   - 

$             733 

Policy Liabilities (2)

 

$   482,316 

 

$   904,147 

 

$   728,652 

 

$    2,578,732 

$   4,693,847 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1) See Note 1(C) “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Investments”, of the consolidated financial statements


(2) The difference between the recorded liability of $3,176.3 million, and the total payment obligation amount of $4,693.8 million, is $1,517.5 million and is comprised of (i) future interest to be credited; (ii) the effect of mortality discount for those payments that are life contingent; and (iii) the impact of surrender charges on those contracts that have such charges.


Of the total payment of $4,693.8 million, $3,052.1 million, or 65.0%, is from the Company’s deferred annuity, life, and accident and health business.  Determining the timing of these payments involves significant uncertainties, including mortality, morbidity, persistency, investment returns, and the timing of policyholder surrender.  Notwithstanding these uncertainties, the table reflects an estimate of the timing of such payments.  


Effects of Inflation and Interest Rate Changes


In a rising interest rate environment, the Company's average cost of funds would be expected to increase over time as it prices its new and renewing annuities to maintain a generally competitive market rate. In addition, the market value of the Company's fixed maturity portfolio decreases resulting in a decline in shareholders' equity.  Concurrently, the Company would attempt to place new funds in investments that were matched in duration to, and higher yielding than, the liabilities associated with such annuities.  Management believes that the liquidity necessary in such an interest rate environment to fund withdrawals, including surrenders, would be available through income, cash flow, and the Company's cash reserves or from the sale of short-term investments.


In a declining interest rate environment, the Company's cost of funds would be expected to decrease over time, reflecting lower interest crediting rates on its fixed annuities.  Should increased liquidity be required for withdrawals in such an interest rate environment, management believes that the portion of the Company's investments which are designated as available for sale in the Company's consolidated balance sheet could be sold without materially adverse consequences in light of the general strengthening in market prices which would be expected in the fixed maturity security market.


Interest rate changes also may have temporary effects on the sale and profitability of our universal life and annuity products.  For example, if interest rates rise, competing investments (such as annuity or life insurance products offered by the Company's competitors, certificates of deposit, mutual funds and similar instruments) may become more attractive to potential purchasers of the Company's products until the Company increases the rates credited to holders of its universal life and annuity products.  In contrast, as interest rates fall, we would attempt to lower our credited rates to compensate for the corresponding decline in net investment income.  As a result, changes in interest rates could materially adversely affect the financial condition and results of operations of the Company depending on the attractiveness of alternative investments available to the Company's customers.  In that regard, in the current interest rate environment, the Company has attempted to maintain its credited rates at competitive levels designed to discourage surrenders and also to be considered attractive to purchasers of new annuity products.  Because the level of prevailing interest rates impacts the Company’s competitors in the same fashion, management does not believe that the current interest rate environment will materially affect the Company's competitive position vis a vis other life insurance companies that emphasize the sale of annuity products.


Notwithstanding the foregoing, if interest rates continue at current levels or decline, there can be no assurance that this segment of the life insurance industry would not experience increased levels of surrenders and reduced sales and thereby be materially adversely affected. Conversely, if interest rates rise, competing investments (such as annuity or life insurance products offered by the Company’s competitors, certificates of deposit, mutual funds and similar investments) may become more attractive to potential purchasers of the Company’s products until the Company increases its credited rates.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES


The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (²GAAP²) requires management to adopt accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.  In applying these accounting policies, management makes subjective and complex judgments that frequently require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain.  Many of these policies, estimates and related judgments are common in the insurance and financial services industries; others are specific to the Insurance Company’s business operations.  The accounting policies considered by management to be critically important in the preparation and understanding of our financial statements and related disclosures are presented in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.


New Accounting Pronouncements


See Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements for a full description of the new accounting pronouncements including the respective dates of adoption and the effects on the results of operations and financial condition.



27




Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.


For a discussion of market risks, refer to the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. During the first three months of 2010, there were no material changes or developments that would materially alter the market risk assessment performed as of December 31, 2009.


Item 4.  Controls and Procedures


Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under Rules 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of such disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and its principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  During or subsequent to the three month period ended March 31, 2010, there were no changes in our internal controls that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.




28



PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.  Legal Proceedings


On December 30, 2009, an alleged stockholder plaintiff, Alan R. Kahn (the "Plaintiff"), filed a derivative action (the "Kahn Action"), for the purported benefit of the Company, against Mr. Kurz and the Company's other directors, and the Company itself (as a nominal defendant). Plaintiff alleges that Mr. Kurz and the other directors breached their fiduciary duties and wasted the Company's assets by authorizing the continued payment of compensation and fringe benefits to Mr. Kurz after he resigned as President of the Company and CEO of the Insurance Company, and in view of Mr. Kurz's failure to disclose that, as he later represented in the 2008 tax return for the Kurz Family Foundation (the "Foundation"), he allegedly spent 40 hours a week working as a director of the Foundation; that Mr. Kurz pledged his support for Donald Barnes around and before the time of the annual stockholders' meeting in May 2009, but then, in statements filed in October and November 2009, disclosed that he was commencing a consent solicitation to remove, without cause, Mr. Barnes and the other directors (except for himself); that in or around December 2009, the directors (other than Mr. Kurz) disclosed, allegedly belatedly, that they did not believe that Mr. Kurz, at his advanced age of nearly 90, could effectively serve in a management capacity for a public company, that an Independent Committee of the Board had uncovered a pattern of self-dealing by Mr. Kurz that included, among other things; misuse of the Company's health insurance plan and Kurz's use of charitable assets, of the Foundation, for non-charitable purposes, and that the New York State Insurance Department has instituted an official investigation into the affairs, conduct and practices of the Foundation. In addition to the fiduciary and waste claims asserted against the directors, Plaintiff also brought a claim for unjust enrichment against Mr. Kurz alone, demanding that he disgorge all purported unearned compensation. Plaintiff also demands that the directors account to the Company for all damages and return all remuneration paid to them while they were allegedly in breach of their duties. Plaintiff also seeks to enjoin the Company from continuing to pay compensation and benefits to Mr. Kurz, as well as attorneys' fees and other relief that the Court may deem proper. The Company and the directors (other than Mr. Kurz) have filed motions to dismiss based on failure to state a claim and failure to make a demand on the board. Management does not believe that this action will have a material effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.


Item 1A.  Risk Factors


The Company’s business is subject to certain risks and events that, if they occur, could adversely affect the financial condition and results of operations and the trading price of our common stock.  For a discussion of these risks, please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.  In connection with its preparation of this quarterly report, management has reviewed and considered these risk factors and has determined that there have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors since the date of filing the Annual Report.


Under the current economic environment, the Company’s Enterprise Risk Management ("ERM") program has become more critical in supporting executive decision making regarding capital management, investment decisions, and other key decisions, contributing to preserve and enhance shareholder value.   In 2007, the Company adopted an ERM policy as a methodology and process for the Company to actively manage risks. Management adopted the use of robust capital modeling to help optimize executives’ key decisions. Management has developed a structured ERM framework in order to identify, monitor, and mitigate major risks.  Status on key risk management initiatives, as well as risk dashboard reports, is provided to the Board of Directors quarterly.  The framework also allows the Company to clarify corporate governance structure, ensure clear accountability and identify any potential gaps that may emerge in current risk management practices.


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

None


Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None


Item 4.  Other Information

None


Item 5.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

a) Exhibits

31.1

     Certification of Chief Executive Officer

31.2

     Certification of Chief Financial Officer

32.1

     Certification of Chief Executive Officer

32.2

     Certification of Chief Financial Officer


b)

Reports on Form 8-K

None



29




PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORPORATION

May 10, 2010




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.




   Presidential Life Corporation    

(Registrant)



Date:   May 10, 2010

  /s/ Donald L. Barnes                  

Donald L. Barnes, President and Duly

Authorized Officer of the Registrant



Date:   May 10, 2010

  /s/ Dominic D’Adamo             

Dominic D’Adamo, Acting Chief Financial

Officer of the Registrant
































30




Exhibit 31.1


Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15f


I, Donald L. Barnes, Chief Executive Officer of Presidential Life Corporation certify that:


1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Presidential Life Corporation;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The company's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The company's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company's auditors and the audit committee of the company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: May 10, 2010

   /s/Donald L. Barnes

---------------------

                 Donald L. Barnes

                 Chief Executive Officer



 









31





Exhibit 31.2


Certification of Chief Financial Officer

       Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15f


I, Dominic D’Adamo, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Presidential Life Corporation certify that:


       1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Presidential Life Corporation,

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The company's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The company's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company's auditors and the audit committee of the company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: May 10, 2010

                                          /s/Dominic D’Adamo

                                                                                                    ----------------------

Dominic D’Adamo                       

                                          

Acting Chief Financial Officer












32





Exhibit 32.1




CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO


18 U.S.C SECTION 1350,


AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO


SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of Presidential Life Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Donald L. Barnes, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:



(1)

        Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and


(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.



/s/Donald L. Barnes

------------------

Donald L. Barnes

Chief Executive Officer

May 10, 2010

 



 

























33





Exhibit 32.2




CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO


18 U.S.C SECTION 1350,


AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO


SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of Presidential Life Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Dominic D’Adamo, Acting Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:


(1)

Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and


     (2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.



/s/Dominic D’Adamo

-------------------

Dominic D’Adamo

Acting Chief Financial Officer

May 10, 2010
































34