SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended Commission file number
December 31, 2001 1-12338
VESTA INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
Delaware 63-1097283
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
3760 River Run Drive, Birmingham, AL 35243
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(205) 970-7000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON
TITLE OF EACH CLASS CUSIP NUMBER: WHICH REGISTERED
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value 925391104 Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
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) AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE PAST 90 DAYS.
YES [X] NO [ ]
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK IF DISCLOSURE OF DELINQUENT FILERS PURSUANT TO ITEM 405
OF REGULATION S-K (Section 229.405 OF THIS CHAPTER) IS NOT CONTAINED HEREIN, AND
WILL NOT BE CONTAINED, TO THE BEST OF REGISTRANT'S KNOWLEDGE, IN DEFINITIVE
PROXY OR INFORMATION STATEMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN PART III OF THIS
FORM 10-K OR ANY AMENDMENT TO THIS FORM 10-K. [X]
THE AGGREGATE MARKET VALUE OF THE VOTING STOCK HELD BY NON-AFFILIATES OF
THE REGISTRANT AS OF MARCH 15, 2002:
$ 210,700,254
THE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING OF THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK, AS OF
MARCH 15, 2002 is 36,415,839
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
PORTIONS OF THE VESTA INSURANCE GROUP, INC. PROXY STATEMENT FOR ITS 2002
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO PART III HEREOF.
Table of Contents
Part I Page
Item 1 Business Overview 3
Significant Developments 3
Business Segments
Standard Property-Casualty 4
Life and Health Insurance 7
Non-Standard Auto Agency 7
Specialty Lines 8
Corporate and Other 9
Reserves 9
Investments 11
Regulation 11
A.M. Best 12
Competition 12
Employees 12
Item 2 Properties 13
Item 3 Legal Proceedings 13
Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 14
Part II
Item 5 Market for Registrants' Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 15
Item 6 Selected Financial Data 16
Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition 17
Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 23
Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures 49
Part III
Item 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrants 50
Item 11 Executive Compensation 50
Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 50
Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 50
Part IV
Item 14 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K 51
1
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any statement contained in this report which is not a historical fact, or
which might otherwise be considered an opinion or projection concerning Vesta or
its business, whether expressed or implied, is meant as and should be considered
a forward-looking statement as that term is defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1996. Forward-looking statements are based on
assumptions and opinions concerning a variety of known and unknown risks,
including but not necessarily limited to changes in market conditions, natural
disasters and other catastrophic events, increased competition, changes in
availability and cost of reinsurance, changes in governmental regulations, and
general economic conditions, as well as other risks more completely described in
Vesta's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including exhibit
99.1 to this Report on Form 10-K. If any of these assumptions or opinions proves
incorrect, any forward-looking statements made on the basis of such assumptions
or opinions may also prove materially incorrect in one or more respects.
2
PART I
Item 1. Business
Business Overview
As used in this Annual Report, unless the context otherwise requires, the
terms "Vesta," "we," and "our" refer to Vesta Insurance Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and its subsidiaries, collectively.
Vesta is an insurance holding company that offers a wide range of insurance
products for consumers. Our largest business segment is standard
property-casualty insurance, which underwrites and sells personal automobile and
residential property products distributed through approximately 1,500
independent sales agencies. Our standard lines business, like that of most of
our competitors, experienced increasing loss costs relative to pricing in recent
years, resulting in less than anticipated underwriting profits. Recognizing
these loss cost trends, we applied for and received approval for 50 rate changes
at an average of approximately 8% increase in 2001 in a number of key markets.
We believe these rate increases will begin to positively impact our underwriting
results in the second half of 2002 after we have earned a full year of increased
premiums from policies issued and renewed after the rate increase took effect.
In addition to rate increases, we took other actions in 2001 to improve our
results in the standard lines segment, including reducing the number of active
agencies in the Shelby-Vesta operations by approximately 40% and migrating a
substantial portion of our policy processing from an outside vendor to an in
house system.
In the standard lines segment, we also acquired Florida Select Insurance
Holdings, Inc. in 2001. Florida Select is one of the largest insurers of
residential property in the state of Florida. We intend to leverage Florida
Select's expertise in selecting and managing risk in catastrophe prone areas to
improve our underwriting in our existing business, particularly the northeastern
United States which is subject to hurricane risk, as well as to expand into
other geographic areas such as Texas, South Carolina and California.
The operating earnings in our standard lines segment are not highly
predictable because they are subject to weather related damages and catastrophic
events such as hurricanes and tropical storms. Over the last three years, we
have executed a strategy to grow and stabilize operating earnings by entering
other businesses with lower volatility of earnings. To this end, we have:
. Entered the life and health insurance and annuity business, which is
subject to more predictable and extended claim payment (loss)
patterns, thereby stabilizing underwriting results and providing
greater opportunities to earn investment income;
. Developed an agency operation to earn fee and commission income from
the distribution of non-standard automobile insurance policies; and
. Began offering specialty "fronting" products in exchange for fees to
agencies and reinsurers who produce and underwrite large programs,
particularly non-standard auto programs, but which do not have the
state licenses necessary to issue the policies directly.
Vesta, a Delaware corporation, was founded in 1993 as a subsidiary of
Torchmark Corporation ("Torchmark") to be the holding company for Torchmark's
property and casualty subsidiaries. We completed our initial public offering in
1993, and, at that time, Torchmark retained ownership of approximately 25% of
our shares of capital stock and was our largest shareholder. Torchmark divested
its remaining shares of our capital stock in 2000.
Significant Developments
The following events have occurred since January 1, 2001 and have had a
positive impact on Vesta:
. Settlement of Securities Litigation: In the fourth quarter of 2001, we
settled the securities litigation that had been pending against Vesta
and certain current and former officers and directors since June 1998.
. Strengthening of the Balance Sheet: During 2001 and in 2002, we
continued to engage in transactions to reduce annual interest expense
obligations and improve our debt to total capital ratio:
. On January 26, 2001, we effectively retired 2,950,000 shares
of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, eliminating $2.25
million in annual dividend payments. The preferred stock
holders converted the preferred stock pursuant to their
original conversion terms, and we then repurchased the
5,900,000 shares of common stock issued upon conversion for
$15 million cash and a $32.2 million note. We subsequently
resold 5.5 million of these shares in privately negotiated
transactions and repaid the $32.2 million note in full on
March 14, 2001.
. Debt Exchanges and Repurchases: During 2001 and through
February 2002, we redeemed $10.8 million face amount of our
8.525% Deferrable Capital Securities for approximately 1.03
million shares of Vesta common stock. We also redeemed $11.6
million face amount of our 8.75% Senior Debentures for 1.03
million shares of Vesta common stock.
As a result of this series of transactions, we reduced our outstanding
debt by approximately $22.4 million and have reduced our annual
ongoing interest obligations by $1.9 million. These transactions also
continued the reduction of our debt to total capital ratio from 48.5%
at December 31, 1999 to 33.8% at December 31, 2001.
. Acquisition of Florida Select Insurance Holdings, Inc.: In 2001, we
closed on a $64.5 million acquisition of Florida Select Insurance
Holdings, Inc. Florida Select is one of the largest insurers of
residential property in Florida. To finance the acquisition, we
completed a public offering of 8.625 million shares of our common
stock in June 2001, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $64
million.
3
. Formation and Growth of Non-Standard Auto Business: In 2001, we began
reporting results in a non-standard automobile business segment due to
our acquisition of approximately 52% economic interest of Instant
Insurance Holdings, Inc. In December 2001, we increased our majority
ownership in Instant Insurance Holdings to approximately 92%. Instant
Insurance Holdings and Vesta affiliates acquired several non-standard
auto wholesale and retail agencies in 2001 and in early 2002:
. Instant Insurance Holdings gained control of the Spacecoast
agencies in Florida;
. Instant Insurance Holdings acquired A-Affordable Insurance
agency in Texas;
. In January 2002, Vesta formed a new agency and acquired
certain assets of InsureOne Independent Insurance Agency,
Inc., a non-standard insurance agency headquartered in
Chicago. In addition, Vesta acquired the renewal rights to
the non-standard auto business of InsureOne's insurance
company's affiliates, Gallant Insurance Company and Valor
Insurance Company;
. In February 2002, Instant Insurance Holdings, Inc. acquired
certain assets of the non-standard auto business of Harbor
Insurance Group, Inc and purchased the stock of Old American
Investments, Inc.
. Increase in Annual Dividend Rate: In May 2001, the Board of Directors
doubled the annual dividend rate to $0.10 per share.
. Life and Health Insurance Acquisitions: Our lead life insurance
subsidiary, American Founders, continued to execute its growth
strategy of acquiring blocks of policies and efficiently integrating
them into its operations. In August 2001, American Founders acquired
Washington Life Insurance Company. Also, American Founders acquired
Teton National Insurance Company and Imperial General Life Insurance
Company.
. Increase in Share Repurchase Authority: In November 2001, the Board of
Directors authorized company management to repurchase up to an
additional 5 million shares of its common stock. During 2001, we
repurchased 1,410,210 shares of our common stock at prices ranging
from $5.75 to $11.57.
Business Segments
Summary. In 2001, we changed our segment reporting to reflect the start-up
of the non-standard automobile agency business. This data should be read in
conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes
thereto. For additional information on our business segments, see "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
Note K to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Each segment is discussed in
detail on following pages.
Standard Property-Casualty
General. In our standard property-casualty segment, we write primarily
personal auto and residential property insurance, along with other miscellaneous
products targeted for particular markets. For the last several years, we have
taken a disciplined approach to our standard property-casualty business,
maintaining relationships with only our core agencies. Our independent agency
force stands at approximately 1,500 agencies. These agents have historically
produced our most profitable business. As a result of this approach, our gross
written premium in this segment declined in 1999 and 2000, but premium increased
in 2001 largely due to the acquisition of Florida Select Insurance Holdings,
Inc. Through these actions, we believe we are positioned to achieve an
underwriting profit from our standard property-casualty operations and
strengthen our relationships with our most profitable independent agencies. The
following table shows our combined ratio and surplus leverage in our standard
lines segment:
Selected Operational Ratios for Standard Property-Casualty Segment
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
Loss and LAE ratio 64.7% 58.6% 66.5%
Underwriting expense ratio 34.9% 37.1% 30.3%
---- ---- ----
Combined ratio 99.6% 95.7% 96.8%
==== ==== ====
Net premiums written to Surplus Ratio 1.12x .76x .98x
==== ==== ====
The following table illustrates the source of our gross premium written in
our standard property-casualty lines operations. This data should be read in
conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes
appearing later in this annual report.
Year Ended December 31
2001 2000 1999
--------------- --------------------------------- --------------
(in thousands,except percentages)
Residential Property $179,813 63% $121,483 54% $107,025 42%
Personal Auto 104,667 36% 98,449 44% 141,868 56%
Other 2,046 1% 3,405 2% 6,098 2%
-------------- --------------------------------- --------------
Total $286,526 100% $223,337 100% $254,991 100%
============== ================================= ==============
4
Residential Property. Our residential property, homeowner and dwelling
insurance products cover the full range of homes, starting with lower valued
dwellings in the $10,000 to $50,000 range, through middle valued homes in the
$50,000 to $150,000 range, and occasionally we insure higher valued homes up to
$10 million. The majority of our homeowners business covers properties valued
between $40,000 and $250,000.
We write residential property insurance through various insurance
subsidiaries, but we generally divide it into four books of business:
. Hawaiian coverage, primarily written by our wholly-owned
subsidiary, The Hawaiian Insurance and Guaranty Company, Ltd.;
. The Property Plus business, a large book of homeowners business
that we acquired from CIGNA in 1998;
. Shelby homeowners, written through our wholly owned subsidiary,
Shelby Insurance Company;
. Florida and Texas residential property business, written through
our wholly owned subsidiary, Florida Select Insurance Holdings,
Inc., which we acquired in 2001.
Our Hawaiian homeowners business generally covers higher valued dwellings
against fire and other catastrophic loss. Until recently, we did not underwrite
significant wind, or hurricane, risk of loss in Hawaii, because most
policyholders procured that coverage through a state-sponsored insurance pool.
In 2000, that state insurance pool disbanded, and many of our policyholders
began purchasing wind, or hurricane, coverage from us in Hawaii. Although this
increases the total risk in our Hawaiian portfolio, we have effectively managed
this risk through reinsurance coverage procured in the capital markets as well
as the traditional reinsurance markets. During 2000, Vesta entered into a
transaction with NeHi Re, L.P., a special purpose limited syndicate under the
INEX Insurance Exchange, to provide $50.0 million of excess-of-loss reinsurance
protection to potential losses arising in Hawaii and in the Northeast United
States for a period of three years. We paid $3.0 million in annual premiums for
this catastrophe reinsurance. In 2001, we wrote approximately $17.4 million in
annual premiums in this book of business.
Our Property Plus book of business covers mid-to-high valued homes
primarily in the northeastern region of the United States as well as a limited
amount across the entire country. We have taken a conservative approach in the
northeastern section of the country and minimized our exposure on the coastal
regions. This book of homeowners business was acquired from CIGNA in 1998
through a reinsurance arrangement, coupled with CIGNA's commitment to use
reasonable efforts to cause the policyholder base to renew their coverage with
us. In 2001, we wrote approximately $52.0 million in annual premium in this book
of business.
The Shelby homeowners business focuses on the Midwestern and Mid Atlantic
sections of the United States covering homes primarily from $100,000 to $250,000
in value. Homes in this book of business have very minimal exposure to
hurricanes. This section of our business had a renewal rate of approximately 86%
for 2001, and we wrote $32.5 million in annual premium in 2001.
Florida Select utilizes various risk management techniques to underwrite
residential property in Florida, Texas and South Carolina. The majority of
Florida Select's policyholders are former customers of the Florida Residential
Property and Casualty Joint Underwriting Association ("JUA"), a state sponsored
insurer created by the Florida Legislature following Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Florida Select was originally organized for the purpose of assuming policies
from the JUA, which initiated various incentives programs to encourage carriers
to assume the policies from the JUA. Florida Select was one of the first
companies to assume policies from the JUA and it has operated profitably since
its inception. In addition to renewals of policies assumed from the JUA, Florida
Select produces new business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Florida Select
Insurance Agency, Inc. Florida Select also owns Select Insurance Services, Inc.,
the attorney-in-fact for Texas Select Lloyds Insurance Company, which is a Texas
unincorporated association.
Personal Auto. Our standard personal auto line targets drivers over age
thirty-five with above average driving records. We write policies with liability
limits up to $500,000, with personal umbrella liability coverage available up to
$5 million. The vast majority of our personal umbrella coverage is written at
limits of $1 million or $2 million. We write the majority of our standard auto
business in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, Illinois, and
Wisconsin through The Shelby Insurance Company and its affiliated companies. Our
renewal rate for this line of business was approximately 83% for active agents
in 2001.
Underwriting. The goal of our underwriting operations is to manage the
quality of our book of business. Working in concert with our agency force, our
underwriting staff supports our agents on a daily basis. Vesta's agency force
understands our underwriting philosophy and goals and, in turn, we rely on our
agents to exercise a high degree of underwriting knowledge in the field.
Our target market profile is families with multiple insurance policies, who
own more than one automobile and who live in a home valued between $100,000 and
$250,000. Our underwriting staff is highly trained and operates in an efficient
manner in order to maintain and manage expenses.
Exposure to Catastrophic Events. In our standard lines operations, the
greatest risk of loss we face is property damage resulting from catastrophic
events, particularly hurricanes and tropical storms affecting Hawaii, the
northeastern United States and Florida. Our exposure to loss from other
catastrophic events, such as tornadoes and earthquakes, is not as significant,
because we do not insure significant levels of property in areas traditionally
affected by these events. While we seek to reinsure a significant portion of our
risk of catastrophic losses, there can be no assurance that our losses will be
within the coverage limits of our reinsurance programs.
Exposure to Mold Claims. Our standard lines operations experienced growth
in Texas during the latter half of 2001 and we have been diligent in attempting
to contain our exposure to mold claims not only in Texas, but also in all of our
markets. Effective February 15, 2002, all of the policies written or renewed in
Texas will have an endorsement that limits our exposure to mold to $5,000 per
policy unless policyholders choose to buy back coverage up to the full amount of
the policy limit.
Standard Property-Casualty Lines Reinsurance. We seek to manage our risk
exposure on standard property-casualty lines insurance through the purchase of
reinsurance. We obtain reinsurance principally to reduce our net liability on
individual risks and to provide protection for individual loss occurrences,
including catastrophic losses, in order to stabilize our underwriting results.
In exchange for reinsurance, we pay to our reinsurers a portion of the premiums
received under the reinsured policies.
In addition to our traditional catastrophe reinsurance program, we obtained
additional catastrophe coverage for potential hurricane and tropical storm loss
in Hawaii and hurricane loss in the northeastern United States through a
securitization transaction effected through the INEX insurance exchange.
5
Although we reinsure a significant portion of potential losses on the
policies that we issue, we initially pay all claims and seek to recover the
reinsured losses from our reinsurers. Although we report as assets the amount of
claims paid which we expect to recover from reinsurers, there is no guarantee
that we will be able to collect those amounts. The possibility exists that
reinsurers would be unable to pay, or reinsurers may dispute our calculation of
the amounts recoverable. In either of these circumstances, we may not have the
anticipated liquidity to pay the claims on the reinsured policies. We believe
that our procurement of a portion of our reinsurance through the capital markets
in the manner described above mitigates these credit and collection risks
inherent in the traditional reinsurance market.
Marketing. We have chosen to distribute our standard property-casualty
products through Independent Insurance Agents. We strive to develop and maintain
relationships with agencies in rural or suburban areas and provide them with
above average compensation when policies are issued through our companies. Our
product offerings in the standard property-casualty market fit the needs of a
wide range of consumers. Vesta supports its agency force through advertising and
promotions aimed to create top-of-mind awareness of the agency and our companies
as well as creating business to business technology that has the potential to
increase agent productivity while decreasing our operating expenses.
We believe that the Independent Agent is best able to sell and service the
needs of our target market because of the agent's close relationship with their
customers. Consumers who use independent agents typically keep using the
services of the same independent agent year after year. This means once Vesta
acquires a new customer, the likelihood that particular customer will renew
his/her policy with us the following year is very high. This will keep our
policy acquisition expenses to a minimum over time. We currently have a
marketing force of approximately 1,500 agencies in 24 states that distribute our
standard property-casualty products.
Our agency force has a voice in Vesta through the Agency Advisory Council.
The Council was created to foster ideas and give the agents the opportunity to
suggest new initiatives to improve both our businesses. In 2001, we implemented
a stock incentive plan for our agents so that top-performing agents have the
opportunity to acquire Vesta common stock at a discount to market prices.
The following table sets forth the principal geographic distribution of our
gross premiums written in our standard property-casualty business for the three
years indicated. The states listed below comprise the ten states with the
largest gross premiums written for the year ending December 31, 2001 and their
comparative amounts for prior years.
Standard Property-Casualty
Gross Written Premium
Year Ended December 31
2001 2000 1999
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Florida $ 65,585 22.9% $ 1,815 0.8% $ 1,029 0.4%
Pennsylvania 43,655 15.2% 40,305 18.0% 48,822 19.1%
West Virginia 28,187 9.8% 25,258 11.3% 26,677 10.5%
Hawaii 20,909 7.3% 17,187 7.7% 18,426 7.2%
Texas 14,550 5.1% 2,607 1.2% 18,992 7.4%
Ohio 13,594 4.7% 15,126 6.8% 19,307 7.6%
North Carolina 11,609 4.1% 9,910 4.4% 10,426 4.1%
New York 11,229 3.9% 9,877 4.4% 1,983 0.8%
Tennessee 10,434 3.6% 14,971 6.7% 20,065 7.9%
Illinois 9,485 3.3% 11,642 5.2% 15,936 6.2%
All Other 57,289 20.1% 74,639 33.5% 73,328 28.8%
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Total $286,526 100.0% $223,337 100.0% $254,991 100.0%
================ ================ ================
Our independent agents have limited authority to bind insurance coverages
without prior approval from us, as long as such coverages fit within our
established guidelines. However, our underwriting staff reviews all coverages
bound by these agents and ultimately decides whether to continue such coverages.
Because of the broad base of our independent agency force, the contractual
limitation on their authority to bind coverage and our underwriting review
procedures, we do not believe that the authority of our agents to bind us
presents any material risk to our operations.
Claims. Claim costs represent actual payments made and changes in estimated
future payments to be made to or on behalf of policyholders, including expenses
required to settle claims and losses. These costs include a loss estimate for
future assignments and assessments. Claims arising under our policies are
managed by our Claims Department. When we receive notice of a loss, our claims
personnel open a claim file and establish a reserve based on specific loss codes
with respect to the loss. All claims are reviewed and all payments are made by
our employees, with the exception of claims on certain products, which are
adjusted by a managing general agency and periodically audited by our claims
personnel. Management believes that utilizing our trained employee adjusters
permits faster, more efficient service at a lower cost.
Claims settlement authority levels are established for each adjuster or
manager based upon each employee's ability and level of experience. Upon loss
notification, each claim is reviewed and assigned to an adjuster or manager
based upon the type of claim. Home office litigation supervisors monitor
claims-related litigation. We emphasize prompt, fair and equitable settlement of
meritorious claims, adequate reserving for claims and controlling of claims
adjustment and legal expenses.
Systems. In 2001, we completed a conversion of substantially all our Shelby
policy management systems to an in-house system. We have been working to upgrade
our core infrastructure and expanding the scope of our capabilities in recent
years. The policy management systems conversion was the last major expense that
we intend to incur as a result of the integration of the Shelby Companies
acquisition.
Our efforts in e-commerce and technology have a high priority, and during
the year we intensified our resources devoted to Internet-based technology. To
assist the marketing and servicing capabilities of our agency force, we maintain
an Internet-based programs that give agents the ability to quote, enter new
business, perform endorsements and perform inquiries on policies, billing and
claims. This information is exchanged through Vesta Internet Access (VIA), which
is located on our web site -- www.vesta.com -- and provides Agents fast,
convenient access to product, policy and claims information. We are committed to
utilizing the latest electronic technology to allow our agency force to securely
conduct transactions, access information and communicate with our insurance
subsidiaries.
6
Life and Health Insurance
We diversified our product offering by entering the Life and Health
Insurance business through strategic acquisitions in 2000. Similar to the
property-casualty industry, life and health insurance is a mature industry
experiencing consolidation. One major difference, however, is that as the
overall population ages, individuals will focus on efficiently transferring
wealth between generations. As a result, we believe that consumers will be
attracted to savings-oriented products with tax-advantaged status to both fund
their retirement years and protect their accumulated savings.
Even though the demand for life, annuity and health products has increased
in recent years, this business remains extremely competitive. Access and
retention of distribution channels is a key factor in the success in this
business, and we utilize an independent agency force to distribute these
products.
Life and health insurance is expected to have a different impact on Vesta's
earnings stream as compared to property-casualty business. Losses in the
property-casualty business are difficult to predict due to potential
catastrophes, such as hurricanes, tornadoes and other weather-related events. In
addition, losses in the property-casualty line can take years to ultimately
determine due to litigation and other factors. On the other hand, financial
results from life and health insurance businesses are easier to predict and the
ultimate results are not as volatile. Accordingly, we believe that our earnings
from the life and health segment should be more predictable and consistent than
our property-casualty segment.
Primary Products. The primary products of our life and health segment
consist of traditional life products, universal life products, annuity and
pension contracts and related products. Fixed-rate annuities are a substantial
portion of our offerings. The critical illness product is designed to bridge the
gap between disability insurance and life insurance by paying the face amount of
the policy at death or earlier in the event of the occurrence of certain
critical illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease, organ transplants or loss of
sight.
Strategy. We believe our life and health insurance business is well
positioned for growth. We intend to grow by acquisitions, joint ventures and
internal sales. The main drivers of these strategies are an efficient and
flexible operating and administrative system and maintaining seasoned management
with industry expertise to identify potential targets and successfully integrate
blocks of policies efficiently into the current administrative system.
Marketing. We distribute our life and health products through agents
recruited and contacted directly by our life and health insurance subsidiaries,
American Founders and Aegis Financial.
Reinsurance Ceded. Our life business engages in reinsurance to
appropriately spread reinsurance-ceded risks among reinsurers. American Founders
maintains excess of loss reinsurance agreements for more than $50,000 on
policies issued prior to October 24, 1990 and for more than $250,000 on policies
issued subsequently.
Systems. A key criteria in our diversification strategy was to acquire
effective information systems to support new products offered. We believe that
each of American Founders and Aegis have efficient and flexible administrative
systems that have demonstrated the ability to quickly and efficiently assimilate
and provide administration for acquired blocks of policies. The result is an
ongoing low-cost administration of the insurance and annuity policies.
Non-Standard Auto Agency
Our mission for the non-standard agency segment is to acquire, develop and
grow non-standard auto insurance agencies consisting of operations with both
"wholesaling" and "retailing" capabilities. Generally, a non-standard auto
"wholesaler," or managing general agency ("MGA"), provides marketing, policy
issuance, underwriting, policy billings, claims management and other client
services on behalf of various insurers. The MGA utilizes independent "retail"
agencies or captive "retail agencies" to produce customers (insureds). A
"retail" agency advertises to acquire customers and provides points of
sale/service to customers and through convenient and sometimes extensive branch
store locations. A fully integrated non-standard auto agency operation should
include a common "wholesaler" with the technology and resources necessary to
support an ever-expanding "retail" branch network. In 2001, we took important
steps towards developing such an operation through acquisitions.
Recent Acquisitions. Structurally, we own approximately 92% of the
outstanding stock of Instant Insurance Holdings, Inc., which serves as a vehicle
to acquire both wholesale and retail insurance agencies. In 2001 and the first
quarter of 2002, we acquired five "wholesale" agencies and two "retail" agencies
which collectively produced approximately $250 million in premium during the
twelve months ended 2001:
. Spacecoast Agencies, of which we own 75%, a "wholesaler"
operating primarily in the state of Florida, which produced
approximately $28 million in annual premium in 2001;
. A-Affordable, a fully integrated MGA with its own captive
"retail" agency network operating through approximately 38 retail
stores in the state of Texas, which produced approximately $26
million in premium in 2001;
. Harbor Insurance Managers, a "wholesaler" utilizing independent
retail agencies operating in Texas, Nevada and New Mexico, which
produced and administered approximately $29 million in premium in
2001. We anticipate discontinuing the business in Nevada in 2002;
. American Agencies General Agency (formerly affiliated with Old
American County Mutual), a "wholesaler" utilizing independent
agencies operating in Texas, which produced approximately $38
million in premium in 2001;
. InsureOne, a "wholesale" and "retail" agency utilizing both
captive and independent retail agencies operating in the states
of Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa, which
produced and administered approximately $121 million in premium
in 2001. InsureOne's captive retail agencies operate through 99
retail stores located primarily in Illinois and Missouri. This
agency was initially acquired by subsidiaries other than Instant
Insurance Holdings, but we anticipate contributing these assets
to Instant Insurance Holdings in 2002.
During 2002, we are focused on integrating the various technological
platforms that we have acquired with the "wholesale" and "retail" agencies into
a common information system and administration platform capable of providing
more cost efficient support for all policies distributed through the operation.
The call center which Instant Insurance Holdings had developed prior to
implementation of its acquisition strategy has already proven to be an effective
and complimentary tool to the retail agencies that we have acquired, even as
they continue to operate independently. As the "wholesale" functions of our
agency operation are centralized and refined, we believe that we will experience
even greater operational synergies and cost saving opportunities.
7
Financial Summary. The primary sources of revenue in our non-standard auto
segment are (i) agent's commissions and fees collected by retailers and (ii)
policy fees and commissions collected by wholesalers. These revenue streams are
not risk-bearing and are intended to be more stable than the related
underwriting income, which is earned by the insurers and reinsurers who bear the
underwriting risk on the business produced by our agencies. A typical agency
contract provides for a minimum commission or a fixed policy fee on all business
produced. However, the level of "profit sharing" commissions that we collect in
excess of contractually stated minimums is directly related to the losses
incurred on the policies produced in relation to written premium (i.e., loss
ratios).
The primary expenses of our retail agency operation are workforce costs,
advertising, and rent. In our wholesale operations, the major expense is
commissions to independent agencies.
Consolidation Strategy. We believe the consolidation of the production and
administration of smaller books of business into a larger book of business
subject to common agency contracts and reinsurance will increase marginal
revenues and decrease marginal expenses. From a revenue perspective, we believe
that such consolidation will generate increased revenue from the overlay of
better technological platforms, infrastructure and business approach, as well as
stronger leverage based on increased volumes to negotiate more favorable
commissions, profit sharing and reinsurance terms. From an expense perspective,
we believe that once we have successfully integrated to common and more
efficient systems, we should be able to increase the volume of business
produced, with proportionately less relative increases in fixed cost.
Fronting Companies and Risk Bearers. In our non-standard auto agency
operation, we typically contract with various carriers to issue the policies
which we distribute. In turn, those carriers will typically cede substantial
amounts of premiums received on those policies to various reinsurers, depending
upon the carrier's appetite for underwriting risk, and the availability and
pricing of reinsurance. Generally speaking, the issuing carrier retains anywhere
from 10% to 100% of the underwriting risk, and cedes the balance to reinsurers.
An issuing carrier that cedes more than 80% of the premiums and liabilities
arising from its policies to reinsurers is generally known as a "fronting"
company. Such a fronting company typically earns in addition to underwriting
income, the collection of "front" fees from reinsurers as compensation for the
use of its licenses, rate and form filings and other assets necessary to issue
insurance policies. From time to time, our affiliated insurance companies may
act as a fronting company and bear underwriting risk as an issuing carrier or
reinsurer for the non standard business produced by our agency. See, Specialty
Lines, below.
Specialty Lines
As a holding company for 14 insurance subsidiaries, we hold certificates of
authority to write various types of insurance in 48 states. In many states, we
have several insurance company subsidiaries licensed to write the same types of
insurance business, and we are licensed to write business in other states where
we are not actively underwriting business. We use our authority to write
business in these circumstances, which would otherwise go unused, to write
certain lines of business and reinsure the risks in exchange for fees. This can
be a valuable asset to reinsurance companies desiring to underwrite insurance
business in these states but which do not hold certificates of authority to do
so. We may also decide to retain some underwriting risk on selected business, at
our discretion and any underwriting results that we retain will be reported in
this segment.
Non-Standard Auto. Certain of our affiliated insurance companies may issue
or reinsure the policies of insurance distributed by our agency operation or
unaffiliated agencies. To the extent our insurance companies retain underwriting
risks, the results of such risk retention, including premiums received, loss and
loss adjustment expenses, policy acquisition expenses, and the resulting
underwriting income or loss, is reported separately in the specialty lines
segment. In addition, where one of our affiliated insurers acts as an issuing
carrier or "fronting" company for the policies distributed by the agency
operation, the fronting fee, less the policy fees paid to the "wholesale" agency
for administering such policies, will be recorded as revenues in the specialty
lines segment.
In 2001, Vesta affiliated insurance carriers, acting as either issuing
carrier or an intermediate reinsurer, bore the underwriting risk on
approximately $10.2 million of net earned premium of the non-standard auto
business. The underwriting results and related fronting fees earned on this non
standard auto business is shown in the table below.
Selected Operational Ratios for Specialty Lines Segment
2001 2000
------ ------
Loss and LAE ratio 77.4% 60.2%
Underwriting expense ratio 22.8% 22.2%
------ -----
Combined ratio 100.2% 82.4%
====== =====
Fronting fees, net of expenses $3,961 $ 977
For 2002, we generally anticipate that our affiliated insurance carriers
will retain anywhere from 10% to 40% of the underwriting risk associated with
the policies of the non-standard auto insurance written in this segment,
resinsuring the balance to high quality reinsurers. Depending on market
conditions, we may increase or decrease the amount of underwriting risk
retention that our affiliated insurance companies elect to retain on this
business produced by our affiliated agency. While we believe that most of our
non-standard auto underwriting activities will be related to the policies
produced by our agency operation, we will also continue to issue non-standard
auto policies produced by non-affiliated agencies and retain underwriting risks
on such policies in the normal course of our specialty lines operations.
Other: In addition, given our certificates of authority and infrastructure,
we believe we are well positioned internally to provide specialty insurance for
certain additional coverages. Due to external market requirements, however, we
believe our opportunities to provide additional types of specialty insurance
depends, in large part, on improved ratings from our various rating agencies,
including A. M. Best Company.
8
Corporate & Other
Our corporate and other segment primarily consists of net investment
income on capital, interest on all debt, Tait Advisory Services, Mound Agency,
and certain overhead expenses not directly associated with a particular segment.
Vesta acquired Tait Advisory Services in 2000 and has grown with offices in
Birmingham, New York, Chicago, Kansas City and Louisville. Tait Advisory
Services is a specialized consulting firm with experienced professionals who
devise solutions to complex business problems and disputes. Founded in 1996, the
firm specializes in providing financial, economic and strategic counsel to
companies involved in litigation, financial challenges and management
performance issues. The Mound Agency is a distributor of life insurance,
annuities, long term care insurance, and other financial products. With more
than 25 years of service, Mound Agency operates in 22 states.
Reserves
Our insurance subsidiaries maintain reserves to cover their estimated
ultimate liability for losses with respect to reported and unreported claims
incurred. To the extent that current reserves prove to be inadequate in the
future, we would have to increase such reserves and incur a charge to earnings
in the period such reserves are increased, which could have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The establishment
of appropriate reserves is an inherently uncertain process, and there can be no
assurance that ultimate losses will not materially exceed our estimates.
Reserves are estimates involving actuarial and statistical projections at a
given point in time of what we expect to be the cost of the ultimate settlement
and administration of claims based on facts and circumstances then known,
estimates of future trends in claims severity and other variable factors such as
inflation.
Reserves are established to insure that adequate funds are available to pay
all expected losses. To insure that an insurance company's investments are
sufficiently liquid to pay these losses, the Illinois Department of Insurance
imposes a "reserve reconciliation test" which generally requires an insurance
company to maintain a certain amount of liquid, high quality assets. At December
31, 2001, Vesta Fire's qualifying assets exceeded the minimum required amount by
approximately $8.8 million. See, "Investments" and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis - Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Reserves for Property-Casualty Business
With respect to reported claims, reserves are established on a case-by-case
basis. The reserve amounts on each reported claim are determined by taking into
account the circumstances surrounding each claim and policy provision relating
to the type of loss. Loss reserves are reviewed on a regular basis, and as new
data becomes available, appropriate adjustments are made to reserves.
For incurred but not reported ("IBNR") losses, a variety of methods have
been developed in the insurance industry for determining estimates of loss
reserves. One common method of actuarial evaluation, which we use, is the loss
development method. This method uses the pattern by which losses have been
reported over time and assumes that each accident year's experience will develop
in the same pattern as the historical loss development. We also rely on industry
data to provide the basis for reserve analysis on newer lines of business (lines
written less than three years).
Provisions for inflation are implicitly considered in the reserving
process. Our reserves are carried at the total estimate for ultimate expected
loss without any discount to reflect the time value of money.
Reserves are computed based upon actuarial principles and procedures
applicable to the lines of business written by us. These reserve calculations
are reviewed regularly by management, and, as required by state law, we engage
an independent actuary to render opinions as to the adequacy of statutory
reserves established by management. The actuarial opinions are filed with the
various jurisdictions in which we are licensed. Based on our practices and
procedures, management believes that reserves were adequate as of the valuation
date.
The following table provides a reconciliation of beginning and ending
property-casualty liability balances on a GAAP basis for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
--------- --------- ---------
(in thousands)
Gross Losses and LAE reserves at beginning of year $ 263,689 $ 354,709 $ 504,911
Reinsurance Receivable (170,050) (186,559) (206,139)
--------- --------- ---------
Net Losses and LAE reserves at beginning of year 93,639 168,150 298,772
Acquisitions 22,019 -- --
Increases (decreases) in provisions for losses and LAE for
claims incurred:
Current year 162,984 169,333 268,931
Prior year (1) 34,355 (5,862) (22,167)
Losses and LAE payments for claims incurred:
Current year (119,668) (120,888) (198,503)
Prior year (79,613) (117,094) (178,883)
--------- --------- ---------
Net Losses and LAE reserves at end of year 113,716 93,639 168,150
Reinsurance Receivable 167,281 170,050 186,559
--------- --------- ---------
Gross loss and LAE Reserves $ 280,997 $ 263,689 $ 354,709
========= ========= =========
(1) The adverse development of $34.4 million is primarily
attributable to a $30.0 million pre-tax charge taken in our
discontinued lines. See Note Q to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for further discussion.
9
The reconciliation between statutory basis and GAAP basis reserves for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, is shown below:
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
-------- -------- --------
(in thousands)
Statutory reserves $156,659 $142,116 $207,351
Retroactive Reinsurance and other amounts (42,943) (48,477) (39,201)
Gross-up of amounts netted against Reinsurance recoverable 167,281 170,050 186,559
-------- -------- --------
Reserves on a GAAP basis $280,997 $263,689 $354,709
======== ======== ========
The following table shows the development of the reserves for unpaid losses
and LAE from 1991 through 2001 for our insurance subsidiaries on a GAAP basis
net of Reinsurance recoveries. The top line of the table shows the liabilities
at the balance sheet date for each of the indicated years. This reflects the
estimated amounts of losses and LAE for claims arising in that year and all
prior years that are unpaid at the balance sheet date, including losses incurred
but not yet reported to us. The upper portion of the table shows the cumulative
amounts subsequently paid as of successive years with respect to the liability.
The lower portion of the table shows the reestimated amount of the previously
recorded liability based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year.
The estimates change as more information becomes known about the frequency and
severity of claims for individual years. A redundancy (deficiency) exists when
the reestimated liability at each December 31 is less (greater) than the prior
liability estimate. The "cumulative redundancy (deficiency)" depicted in the
table, for any particular calendar year, represents the aggregate change in the
initial estimates over all subsequent calendar years.
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(in thousands)
Liability for unpaid losses
and LAE $21,919 $ 21,976 $ 29,688 $ 66,648 $118,733 $112,932 $392,461 $298,772 $168,150
Paid (cumulative) as of
One year later 13,166 20,517 20,761 51,527 88,377 86,978 197,477 178,883 117,094
Two years later 17,054 20,272 28,766 65,360 116,388 114,704 253,109 236,301 159,777
Three years later 16,810 20,281 34,776 66,490 125,299 131,342 287,385 264,896
Four years later 16,622 23,272 33,139 72,273 137,081 137,926 297,544
Five years later 18,140 20,994 38,222 81,156 139,485 141,234
Six years later 16,218 22,964 46,298 82,336 142,180
Seven years later 17,922 31,006 47,185 84,953
Eight years later 25,941 31,776 49,801
Nine years later 26,417 33,811
Ten years later 28,467
Liability reestimated as of
End of year 21,919 21,976 29,688 66,648 118,733 112,932 392,461 298,772 168,150
One year later 21,853 28,530 28,930 61,033 127,790 99,708 391,692 276,605 162,289
Two years later 19,009 27,914 34,219 66,582 110,437 144,986 353,969 255,915 183,236
Three years later 19,817 26,120 38,940 66,713 118,657 132,761 344,726 275,490
Four years later 16,470 30,435 41,517 76,863 146,090 140,775 346,551
Five years later 19,862 33,845 50,993 88,770 144,256 147,405
Six years later 23,760 40,317 53,330 86,357 152,941
Seven years later 29,574 37,953 51,482 95,278
Eight years later 33,388 35,850 60,230
Nine years later 30,973 44,057
Ten years later 38,653
Cumulative redundancy/
(deficiency) (16,734) (22,081) (30,542) (28,630) (34,208) (34,473) 45,910 23,282 (15,085)
2000 2001
-------- --------
Liability for unpaid losses
and LAE $ 93,639 $113,716
Paid (cumulative) as of
One year later 79,613
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Liability reestimated as of
End of year 93,639 113,716
One year later 127,994
Two years later
Three years later
Four years later
Five years later
Six years later
Seven years later
Eight years later
Nine years later
Ten years later
Cumulative redundancy/
(deficiency) (34,355)
We reinsured a number of casualty risks in the early 1980's which could
result in claims for coverage of asbestos related and other environmental
impairment liabilities to the extent that such liabilities were not excluded
from the underlying policies. Our exposure to a significant loss from an
asbestos or environmental claim is mitigated due to the fact that our
participation in the reinsurance treaties relating to these risks is only at the
higher levels and our percentage participation in those layers is relatively
low. In addition, we carry reinsurance which would mitigate the effect of any
losses under these treaties. While there exists a possibility that we could
suffer material loss in the event of a high number of large losses under these
treaties, this is unlikely in management's judgment.
Life Insurance Reserves
Policy liabilities: Reserves for traditional life contracts are generally
calculated using the net level premium method, based on assumptions as to
mortality, withdrawals, dividends, and investment yields ranging from 2.5% to
6.5%. These assumptions are generally made at the time the contract is issued or
at the purchase date. These assumptions are based on projections from past
experience, making allowance for possible unfavorable deviation.
Our reserves for investment-type contracts are based either on the contract
account balance (if future benefit payments in excess of the account balance are
not guaranteed) or on the present value of future benefit payments (if such
payments are guaranteed).
10
Investments
Our consolidated investment portfolio consists primarily of investment
grade fixed income securities. Our portfolio is managed subject to investment
policies and guidelines established by management and the Board of Directors.
Our cash and investments at December 31, 2001, totaled approximately $1.1
billion:
Amount at which
Shown on Balance % of
Sheet Portfolio
Type of Investment ---------------- ---------
(in thousands)
Cash and short-term investments $ 64,777 6.1%
Fixed maturity portfolio 807,197 76.2%
Equity securities 31,431 3.0%
Mortgage and collateral loans 43,978 4.2%
Policy loans 63,949 6.0%
Other invested assets 47,996 4.5%
---------- -----
Total $1,059,328 100.0%
========== =====
The value of the fixed maturities portfolio, classified by category, as of
December 31, 2001, was as follows:
Amortized Cost Fair Value
-------------- ----------
(in thousands)
United States Government $ 76,161 $ 79,561
Asset-backed securities 372,396 382,982
Corporate 305,820 312,346
Municipals 30,672 32,308
-------- --------
Total $785,049 $807,197
======== ========
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") has a bond
rating system that assigns securities to classes called "NAIC designations" that
are used by insurers when preparing their annual statutory financial statements.
The NAIC assigns designations to publicly-traded as well as privately-placed
securities. The designations assigned by the NAIC range from class 1 to class 6,
with a rating in class 1 being of the highest quality. We invest our fixed
maturities portfolio primarily in class 1 or 2 securities as rated by the NAIC,
which are considered investment grade. The maturity and duration of our
portfolio are managed to match the maturity and duration of the underlying life
insurance and property-casualty reserves.
Regulation
General. Our insurance companies are subject to regulation by governmental
agencies in the states in which they do business. The nature and extent of such
regulation varies by jurisdiction, but typically involves prior approval of the
acquisition of control of an insurance company or of any company controlling an
insurance company, regulation of certain transactions entered into by an
insurance company with any of its affiliates, approval of premium rates for many
lines of insurance, standards of solvency and minimum amounts of capital and
surplus which must be maintained, limitations on types and amounts of
investments, restrictions on the size of risks which may be insured by a single
company, licensing of insurers and agents, deposits of securities for the
benefit of policyholders, and reports with respect to financial condition and
other matters. In addition, state regulatory examiners perform periodic
examinations of insurance companies. Such regulation is generally intended for
the protection of policyholders rather than security holders.
In addition to the regulatory supervision of our insurance subsidiaries, we
are also subject to regulation under the Illinois, Hawaii and Texas Insurance
Holding Company System Regulatory Acts. These Holding Company Acts contain
certain reporting requirements including those requiring us (or Vesta), as the
ultimate parent company, to file information relating to our capital structure,
ownership, and financial condition and general business operations of our
insurance subsidiaries. These Holding Company Acts contain special reporting and
prior approval requirements with respect to transactions among affiliates. The
Illinois Holding Company Act is generally the most significant to us since it
governs our relationship with Vesta Fire, our principal insurance subsidiary.
The federal government does not directly regulate the insurance business.
However, federal legislation and administrative policies in several areas,
including pension regulation, privacy regulation, age and sex discrimination,
financial services regulation and federal taxation, do affect the insurance
business. Legislation has been introduced from time to time in recent years
which, if enacted, could result in the federal government assuming a more direct
role in the regulation of the insurance industry.
State insurance regulators and the NAIC periodically re-examine existing
laws and regulations and their application to insurance companies. In recent
years, the NAIC has approved and recommended to the states for adoption and
implementation, several regulatory initiatives designed to decrease the risk of
insolvency of insurance companies. These initiatives include risk-based capital
requirements for determining the levels of capital and surplus an insurer must
maintain in relation to its insurance and investment risks. Other NAIC
regulatory initiatives impose restrictions on an insurance company's ability to
pay dividends to its stockholders. These initiatives may be adopted by the
various states in which our subsidiaries are licensed; the ultimate content and
timing of any statutes and regulations adopted by the states cannot be
determined at this time. It is not possible to predict the future impact of
changing state and federal regulation on our operations, and there can be no
assurance that existing insurance related laws and regulations will not become
more restrictive in the future or that laws and regulations enacted in the
future will not be more restrictive.
11
Risk-based Capital: The NAIC's risk-based capital requirements are intended
to be used as an early warning tool to help insurance regulators identify
deteriorating or weakly capitalized companies in order to initiate regulatory
action. Such requirements are not intended as a mechanism for ranking adequately
capitalized companies. The formula defines a minimum capital standard which
supplements the low, fixed minimum capital and surplus requirements previously
implemented on a state-by-state basis.
The NAIC risk-based capital requirements require insurance companies to
calculate and report information under a risk-based formula which attempts to
measure statutory capital and surplus needs based on the risks in a company's
mix of products and investment portfolio. The formula is designed to allow state
insurance regulators to identify potential weakly capitalized companies. Under
the formula, a company determines its "risk-based capital" by taking into
account certain risks related to the insurer's assets (including risks related
to its investment portfolio and ceded Reinsurance) and the insurer's liabilities
(including underwriting risks related to the nature and experience of its
insurance business). Risk-based capital rules provide for different levels of
regulatory attention depending on the ratio of a company's total adjusted
capital to its "authorized control level" of risk-based capital.
At December 31, 2001, the total adjusted risk-based capital as a percentage
of authorized control level were as follows for our principal insurance
subsidiaries:
Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation 550%
American Founders Life Insurance Company 561%
Restrictions on Dividends to Stockholders and Transactions between
Affiliates: Transactions between Vesta and its insurance subsidiaries, including
the payment of dividends and management fees to Vesta by such subsidiaries, are
subject to certain limitations under the insurance laws of those subsidiaries'
domiciliary states. The insurance laws of the state of Illinois, where Vesta
Fire is domiciled, permit the payment of dividends out of earned surplus in any
year which, together with other dividends or distributions made within the
preceding 12 months, do not exceed the greater of 10% of statutory surplus as of
the end of the preceding year or the net income for the preceding year, with
larger dividends payable only after receipt of prior regulatory approval. On
October 29, 2001, the Illinois Insurance Department published a Company Bulletin
that indicates that the Department interprets these dividend limitations to
prohibit the payment of dividends if the insurer has negative or zero
"unassigned funds" at the end of the prior year, as reported on its statutorily
required annual statement. Our lead insurance subsidiary, Vesta Fire, reported
negative "unassigned funds" on its annual statement for 2001. Accordingly, we
may not be able to declare and pay a dividend from our lead insurance company
subsidiary for the foreseeable future without prior approval.
IRIS Ratios. The NAIC has developed its Insurance Regulatory Information
System ("IRIS") to assist state insurance departments in identifying significant
changes in the operations of an insurance company, such as changes in its
product mix, large Reinsurance transactions, increases or decreases in premiums
received and certain other changes in operations. Such changes may not result
from any problems with an insurance company but merely indicate changes in
certain ratios outside ranges defined as normal by the NAIC. When an insurance
company has four or more ratios falling outside "normal ranges," state
regulators may investigate to determine the reasons for the variance and whether
corrective action is warranted. In 2001, Vesta Fire had 4 ratios which varied
unfavorably from the "usual value" range and American Founders had 1 ratio which
varied unfavorably from the "usual value" range.
A.M. Best Rating
A.M. Best, which rates insurance companies based upon factors of concern to
policyholders, rates our property-casualty insurance subsidiaries a "B+" (Very
Good, in the Secure Rating Category). In addition, A.M. Best also rates our lead
life insurance subsidiary, American Founders Life, "B+".
Our standard property-casualty business is sensitive to A.M. Best ratings,
which is subject to a host of uncertainties and risk factors more fully
discussed in Exhibit 99.1 to this report.
Competition
Direct writers are making a strong push in the personal lines arena. These
companies compete almost exclusively based on price. While there is a segment of
the population that is driven exclusively by price, we believe that many
consumers desire the advice and counsel of a professional agent. We have
developed a business strategy which focuses on this segment of the market.
Accordingly, our relationships with our independent agents is perhaps the most
important component of our current competitive profile. In order to develop and
retain the independent agents loyalty, we have reaffirmed our commitment to the
independent agency distribution by providing innovative solutions to their daily
business issues, as well as, responding to the agency's needs as quickly as
possible.
The property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive on the
basis of both price and service. We compete for direct business with other stock
companies, specialty insurance organizations, mutual insurance companies and
other underwriting organizations, some of which are substantially larger and
have greater financial resources than we have. In recent years, there has been a
trend in the property and casualty industry toward consolidation which could
result in even more competitive pricing. In the future, the industry, including
us, may face increasing insurance underwriting competition from banks and other
financial institutions.
Employees
As of March 5, 2002, we employed 1,650 persons. Our employees are neither
represented by labor unions nor are they subject to any collective bargaining
agreements. Management knows of no current efforts to establish labor unions or
collective bargaining agreements.
12
Item 2. Properties
Properties
We lease approximately 115,000 square feet for our home office at 3760
River Run Drive, Birmingham, Alabama under a long-term operating lease. For our
life and health insurance businesses, we lease approximately 25,000 square feet
for our life insurance operations in Phoenix, Arizona, and approximately 13,000
square feet in Dallas, Texas under long-term operating leases.
We consider the office facilities to be suitable and adequate for our
current and anticipated level of operations.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Securities Litigation
On October 26, 2001, Vesta executed a definitive agreement to settle the
securities litigation that had been pending since June 1998 against Vesta and
certain current and former officers and directors. On December 10, 2001, the
Court approved settlement of the consolidated class action securities litigation
in U.S. District Court in Alabama as to Vesta and its officers and directors for
a total of $61 million in cash. A related derivative action lawsuit in the
Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama was also dismissed with prejudice.
Vesta funded $21.0 million towards the settlement and the Company's excess
directors and officers liability carriers funded the remaining $40.0 million.
Vesta used its line of credit to finance its portion of the settlement and
recorded a pre-tax one-time charge of approximately $25 million against earnings
to cover Vesta's contribution to the settlement and other expenses incurred. We
have now filed a claim with two of our upper level excess D & O insurers for
their part of the settlement and related expenses. We have recorded a receivable
of $5.4 million, which represents the amount currently due from those two excess
D&O insurers
Vesta determined to participate in the funding of the settlement and to
take the related one-time charge against earnings as a result of the Cincinnati
Insurance Company's attempted rescission of their $25 million directors and
officers liability policy and denial of coverage. Vesta has sued Cincinnati in
Alabama state court alleging that its actions were taken in bad faith and is
vigorously pursuing that claim. The Cincinnati case is scheduled for trial in
August 2002.
Indemnification Agreements and Liability Insurance
Pursuant to Delaware law and our by-laws, we are obligated to indemnify our
current and former officers and directors for certain liabilities arising from
their employment with or services to Vesta, provided that their conduct complied
with certain requirements. Pursuant to these obligations, we have been advancing
costs of defense and other expenses on behalf of certain current and former
officers and directors, subject to an undertaking from such individuals to repay
any amounts advanced in the event a court determines that they are not entitled
to indemnification.
Arbitration
As discussed in previous SEC filings, we corrected our accounting for
assumed reinsurance business through restatement of our previously issued
financial statements. Similar corrections were made on a statutory accounting
basis through recording cumulative adjustments in Vesta Fire's 1997 statutory
financial statements. The impact of this correction has been reflected in
amounts ceded under our 20 percent whole account quota share treaty which was
terminated on June 30, 1998 on a run-off basis. We believe such treatment is
appropriate under the terms of this treaty and have calculated the quarterly
reinsurance billings presented to the three treaty participants accordingly. The
aggregate amount included herein as recoverable from such reinsurers totaled
$55.9 million at December 31, 2001. Additionally we have previously collected
approximately $48.5 million from the drawdown of collateral on hand.
NRMA Insurance Ltd. ("NRMA"), one of the participants in the 20% whole
account quota share treaty, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Alabama contesting our billings. NRMA sought
recession of the treaty and a temporary restraining order preventing us from
drawing down approximately $34.5 of collateral. We filed a demand for
arbitration as provided for in the treaty and also filed a motion to compel
arbitration which was granted in the United States District action. Vesta
reached an agreement with NRMA to collect the $34.5 million of collateral in
exchange for posting a $25 million letter of credit in favor of NRMA to fund any
amounts NRMA may recover as a result of the arbitration. We filed for
arbitration against the other two participants on the treaty and all those
arbitrations are in their document discovery stages. While management believes
its interpretation of the treaty's terms and computations based thereon are
correct, these matters are in arbitration and their ultimate outcome cannot be
determined at this time.
During 1999, F&G Re (on behalf of USF&G), filed for arbitration under two
aggregate stop loss reinsurance treaties whereby F&G Re assumed certain risk
from the Vesta. F&G Re is seeking to cancel the treaties and avoid its
obligation. Based on the terms of the two treaties, Vesta will be entitled to
recoveries of approximately $30.0 million as losses from prior accident years
mature. Vesta has recorded a reinsurance recoverable of $30.0 million at
December 31, 2001 related to these two treaties. The hearing in this arbitration
began on February 11, 2002. The hearing was adjourned on February 15, 2002 and
rescheduled to resume on June 11, 2002. While management believes that USF&G is
not entitled to recession, the ultimate outcome cannot be determined at this
time.
We are in arbitration with CIGNA Property and Casualty Insurance Company
(now ACE USA) under a personal lines insurance quota share reinsurance
agreement, whereby we assumed certain risks from CIGNA. During September 2000,
CIGNA filed for arbitration under the reinsurance agreement, seeking payment of
the balances that CIGNA claims are due under the terms of the treaty. In
addition, during the fourth quarter, the treaty was terminated on a cut-off
basis. Vesta is seeking recoupment of all improper claims payments and excessive
expense allocations and charges from CIGNA. The arbitration was bifurcated into
two phases with phase one concentrating on the interpretation of the intent of
the parties related to the expense reimbursement provisions of the treaty at the
time it was entered and phase two related to any issues between the parties
after the Company conducts an audit of expenses related to the treaty. The phase
one hearing was held in February 2002 and the panel ruled that (i) the Company
is responsible for the payment of ceding commissions provided for in the treaty
and should pay any outstanding billings for commissions, and paid claims plus
interest; and (ii) the Company may proceed with an audit of expenses ceded to
the treaty and (iii) the parties should identify any further issues to be
brought before the arbitration panel for phase two of the hearing.
If the amounts recoverable under the relevant treaties are ultimately
determined to be materially less than the amounts that we have reported as
recoverable, we may incur a significant, material, and adverse impact on our
financial condition and results of operations.
13
Other Litigation
On January 14, 2002, the Company's subsidiary, American Founders, was
notified of a lawsuit naming it as a defendant and brought by a creditor of
the former parent of the subsidiary. This lawsuit (subsequently identified as
the Blitz lawsuit) alleges, among other things, that American Founders redeemed
its Series A and Series C preferred stock issues at less than "reasonably
equivalent value". American Founders believes that the allegations brought
against it in this lawsuit are without merit and intends to mount a vigorous
defense in this action. In the opinion of management, resolution of the Blitz
lawsuit is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial
position of the Company. However, depending on the amount and timing, an
unfavorable resolution of this matter could materially affect American Founders'
future operations or cash flows in a particular period.
Vesta, through its subsidiaries, is routinely a party to pending or
threatened legal proceedings and arbitration relating to the regular conduct of
its insurance business. These proceedings involve alleged breaches of contract,
torts, including bad faith and fraud claims and miscellaneous other specified
relief. Based upon information presently available, and in light of legal and
other defenses available to Vesta and its subsidiaries, management does not
consider liability from any threatened or pending litigation regarding routine
matters to be material.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
14
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matter
Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy
Market Prices. Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "VTA."
Quarterly high and low market prices of our common stock in 2001 and 2000 were
as follows:
Quarter Ended High Low
2001
March 31 $ 8.39 $ 4.50
June 30 10.95 6.00
September 30 13.40 9.00
December 31 13.05 5.72
2000
March 31 $ 6.81 $ 3.88
June 30 7.06 4.56
September 30 6.75 4.56
December 31 5.56 4.50
Dividend Policy and History. The declaration and payment of dividends will
be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon many
factors, including our financial condition and earnings, the capital
requirements of our operating subsidiaries, legal requirements and regulatory
constraints.
The dividends we paid on our common stock for the past three years were as
follows (in thousands):
Quarter Ended 2001 2000 1999
------ ------ ------
March 31 $ 239 $ 235 $ 698
June 30 617 235 -0-
September 30 872 235 -0-
December 31 879 235
-0-
Illinois, Hawaii and Texas impose restrictions on the payment of dividends
to us by our insurance subsidiaries under their regulatory authority in excess
of certain amounts without prior regulatory approval. See,
"Business--Regulation--Restrictions on Dividends to Stockholders."
15
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following information should be read in conjunction with Vesta's
Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes reported elsewhere in this
Form 10-K.
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
(in thousands, except share amounts)
Statement of Operations Data *
Net premiums written $ 306,323 $ 210,742 $ 227,807 $ 264,839 $ 150,526
Net premiums earned 286,804 216,999 248,076 247,063 132,333
Net Investment Income 63,918 45,903 25,949 26,565 31,960
Policy fees 7,674 4,386 -- -- --
Realized gains (losses) (1,172) (2,061) 12,756 3,272 3,283
Other 16,420 903 4,527 5,473 2,094
---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues 373,644 266,130 291,308 282,373 169,670
Policyholder benefits, losses and LAE incurred 205,546 135,042 165,014 167,413 69,645
Policy acquisition and other operating expenses 134,441 96,798 87,451 132,032 63,702
Litigation settlement charge 25,000 -- -- -- --
Loss on asset impairment -- -- -- 65,496 --
Goodwill and other intangible amortization 3,394 1,591 2,118 5,177 3,065
Interest on debt 17,565 15,105 13,215 14,054 10,859
---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Total expenses 385,946 248,536 267,798 384,172 147,271
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes,
minority interest,and deferrable capital securities (12,302) 17,594 23,510 (101,799) 22,399
Income taxes (benefit) (4,490) 5,664 7,129 (29,395) 7,973
Minority interest, net of tax 1,076 1,595 -- -- --
Deferrable capital securities distributions, net of tax 1,394 1,986 5,632 5,449 5,051
---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (10,282) $ 8,349 $ 10,749 $ (77,853) $ 9,375
Income(loss)from discontinued operations, net of tax (19,958) (2,397) 12,706 (63,331) 27,485
Extraordinary gain on debt extinguishments, net of tax 910 5,250 -- -- --
Preferred stock dividend (163) (3,670) (563) -- --
Gain on redemption of preferred securities, net of tax 7,068 9,190 9,548 -- --
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ (22,425) $ 16,722 $ 32,440 $ (141,184) $ 36,860
========== ========== ========= ========== ==========
Diluted net income (loss) from continuing operations
per share (.46) 0.34 0.53 (4.20) 0.49
========== ========== ========= ========== ==========
Diluted net income (loss) from discontinued operations
per share (0.75) (0.10) 0.63 (3.41) 1.44
========== ========== ========= ========== ==========
Diluted net income (loss) available to common shareholders
per share (0.84) 0.78 1.63 (7.61) 1.93
========== ========== ========= ========== ==========
Shares used in per share calculation 26,652 24,255 20,202 18,549 19,053
Cash dividends per share 0.09 0.05 0.04 0.15 0.15
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period)
Total investments and cash $1,059,328 $1,019,266 $ 483,997 $ 634,668 $ 656,816
Total assets 1,830,882 1,621,999 915,809 1,347,702 1,636,859
Reserves for losses, LAE & future policy benefits 976,167 923,973 354,709 504,911 596,797
Long term debt 79,432 86,419 141,876 98,302 98,602
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 168,614 150,691 -- -- --
Total liabilities 1,548,325 1,373,663 674,519 1,089,675 1,239,523
Deferrable capital securities 23,250 33,225 41,225 100,000 100,000
Stockholders' equity 259,307 215,111 200,065 158,027 297,336
Other Data
SAP (1)
Surplus $ 235,935 $ 275,270 $ 271,986 $ 213,251 $ 317,875
========== ========== ========= ========== ==========
* As a result of Vesta's decision in 2000 to discontinue its reinsurance
assumed business, and its decision in 1999 to discontinue its commercial
lines segment, all periods presented have been reclassified to present
operations on a continuing and discontinued basis.
(1) Statutory data have been derived from the financial statements of Vesta
Fire Insurance Corporation, prepared in accordance with statutory
accounting principles and filed with insurance regulatory authorities.
16
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
Vesta writes insurance on selected personal lines risks only. Our standard
property-casualty writings are balanced between risks of property damage (faster
determination of ultimate loss but is highly unpredictable) and casualty
exposure (more predictable but takes longer to determine the ultimate loss). We
also write life and annuity business, and accident and health insurance
business. Additionally, we are actively involved in the writing of insurance on
our polices for the benefit of non-affiliated reinsurance companies, commonly
referred to as servicing carrier or fronting, which generates fee-for-service
income.
Our revenues from operations are derived primarily from net premiums earned
on risks written by our insurance subsidiaries, investment income and investment
gains or losses. Our expenses consist primarily of payments for claims and
underwriting expenses, including agents' commissions and operating expenses.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Vesta's accounting policies are critical to understanding the results of
operations as reported in the consolidated financial statements. Significant
accounting policies utilized by Vesta are discussed in more detail in the notes
to the consolidated financial statements beginning on page 28.
Certain of these policies are considered to be important to the analysis of
the Company's financial condition, since they require management to make
difficult, complex or subjective judgments, some of which may relate to matters
that are inherently uncertain. The following describes the more complex policies
involving a significant amount of management judgments about the valuation and
the application of complex accounting standards and interpretations.
Loss and loss adjustment expenses: Vesta has recorded liabilities for loss
and loss adjustment expenses of $281.0 million at December 31, 2001. Vesta
maintains property-casualty loss reserves to cover the estimated ultimate unpaid
liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to reported and
unreported claims incurred. Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of
the ultimate liability, but instead represent estimates, generally utilizing
actuarial projection techniques. These reserve estimates are expectations of
what the ultimate settlement and administration of claims will cost based on an
assessment of facts and circumstances then known, review of historical
settlement patterns, estimates of trends in claims severity and frequency,
estimates of reinsurance recoverables, estimates of salvage and subrogation and
other factors. Vesta believes its liability for loss and loss adjustment
expenses is adequate, however given the inherent uncertainty in reserve
estimates, there can be no assurance that the ultimate amount of actual losses
will not exceed the related amounts currently estimated. Furthermore, any such
differences, either positive or negative, could have a material effect on our
results of operations and could be material to our financial position.
Policy Liabilities: Vesta has recorded liabilities for life and accident
and health reserves of $695.2 million at December 31, 2001. The reserves have
been computed based upon mortality, morbidity, persistency and interest rate
assumptions applicable to these coverages, including provisions for adverse
deviation. These assumptions consider past experience and industry standards and
may be revised if it is determined that future experience will differ
substantially from that previously assumed.
Collectibility of reinsurance recoverables: Vesta has recorded amounts
recoverable from reinsurers on paid losses of $76.7 million at December 31,
2001. These recoverables are based on management's interpretation of reinsurance
ceded contracts and the financial viability of the reinsurer. If the amounts
recoverable under the reinsurance contracts are determined to be materially less
than the amounts recorded, we may incur a material, adverse impact on our
financial condition and results of operations. For further discussion of
reinsurance recoverables and other amounts subject to estimation due to
arbitrations with our reinsurers, see Note F to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
Recoverability of other assets: Vesta has recorded amounts recoverable from
other assets of $208.5 million at December 31, 2001, including deferred
acquisition costs, deferred tax assets, and goodwill and other intangible
assets. The methodologies and assumptions for determining the carrying value of
these assets involve significant judgments made by management.
Deferred acquisition costs represent the costs of acquiring new business,
principally commissions, certain underwriting and agency expenses, and the cost
of issuing policies. These costs are generally amortized over the life of the
insurance contract or at a constant rate based upon the present value of
estimated gross profits. Management periodically reviews these costs to
determine their recoverability.
Deferred tax assets are recorded for the future tax consequences of events
that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns, based upon
enacted tax laws and rates. The deferred tax asset recorded at December 31, 2001
of $38.6 million primarily consists of net operating loss carryforwards.
Deferred tax assets are recognized subject to management's judgment that
realization is more likely than not. The recoverability of the recorded deferred
tax asset is contingent upon the generation of enough future taxable income to
provide use of the net operating loss carryforward.
Goodwill and other intangible assets are recorded on business combinations
to the extent the purchase price exceeds the fair value of tangible assets
acquired and liabilities assumed. Fair values of assets and liabilities assumed
in a business combination are generally based on quoted market prices, however
if such prices are not available, management utilizes other methods such as
pricing models. The recoverability of the goodwill and other intangible assets
recorded at December 31, 2001 is contingent upon the future performance of the
related acquisitions and segments in which it is assigned.
Fair value estimates: A significant amount of our recorded assets and
liabilities are reported at fair value (and to a lesser extent at the lower of
historical cost or fair value) including available for sale securities, equity
securities, mortgage loans and collateral loans. Fair value is generally based
on quoted market prices, however if such prices are not available, management
utilizes other methods such as pricing models. The fair value estimate derived
from pricing models may be different from the actual realized amount. Our
valuation process is subjected to continuous management oversight and review.
This review includes monitoring the credit quality of our invested assets and
the adequacy of any underlying collateral.
Comparison of Fiscal Year 2001 to Fiscal Year 2000
Income available to common shareholders decreased by $39.1 million, to a
loss of $22.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, from income of $16.7
million for the year ended December 31, 2000. On a diluted per share basis,
income available to common shareholders for 2001 was a loss of $0.84 per share
versus income of $.78 per share for 2000. The decrease in income available to
common shareholders is primarily attributable to an after-tax discontinued
operations charge of $20.0 million in 2001 versus an after-tax discontinued
operations expense of $2.4 million in 2000 and the recognition of a $16.3
million after-tax charge for the settlement of our securities class action
lawsuit in 2001.
Standard Property-Casualty
Net premiums written for standard property-casualty lines increased by
$58.5 million, or 28.5%, to $264.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2001,
from $205.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2000. Net premiums earned
for standard property-casualty lines increased $33.3 million, or 15.6% to $246.1
million for the year ended December 31, 2001, from $212.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2000. The increase in net premiums written and net premiums
earned is primarily attributable to the acquisition of Florida Select Insurance
Holdings, Inc. on April 1, 2001.
Loss and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") for standard property-casualty
lines increased by $36.8 million, or 29.5%, to $161.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2001, from $124.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2000. The
loss and LAE ratio for property-casualty lines for the year ended December 31,
2001 was 64.7% as compared to 58.6% at December 31, 2000. The increase in loss
and LAE incurred is primarily attributable to the increase in earned premium.
The increase in the loss and LAE ratio is primarily attributable to
deterioration in our Homeowners book, uninsured motorist coverage in
Pennsylvania and a $1.4 million net loss on Tropical Storm Gabrielle.
Policy acquisition expenses increased by $2.4 million, or 4.6% to $54.8
million for the year ended December 31, 2001, from $52.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 2000 primarily due to an increase in earned premium,
partially offset by a decrease in contingent commissions owed on profitable
business. Operating expenses increased by $5.8 million or 21.8% to $32.4 million
primarily due to increased costs incurred by Florida Select after our
acquisition.
17
Life and Health Insurance
In June, 2000, we entered the life and annuity business through a 71%
investment in American Founders Financial Corporation, a holding company for two
life insurance companies domiciled in Texas and we entered the health insurance
business through the acquisition of Aegis Financial Corporation, a holding
company for two life and health insurance companies domiciled in Texas, in
December, 2000. American Founders and Aegis have approximately $2.5 billion
(face value) of life and annuity products in force and $22.9 million of health
insurance premiums in force at December 31, 2001. Life insurance premiums and
policy fees were $14.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to
$5.3 million for the comparable prior period primarily due to the acquisition of
Aegis in December 2000 and Washington Life in August 2001 and the inclusion of
American Founders for a full year in 2001 versus six months in 2000. Health
insurance premiums totaled $20.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2001
versus zero for the comparable prior period. Health insurance benefits incurred
totaled $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 and health insurance
commission expense was $6.3 million.
Specialty Lines
Net premiums written for specialty lines increased by $9.6 million, to
$11.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, from $2.2 million for the
year ended December 31, 2000. Net premiums earned for specialty lines increased
$9.1 million to $10.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, from $1.1
million for the year ended December 31, 2000. The increase in net premiums
written and net premiums earned is primarily attributable a full year's worth of
activity in this segment versus four months of activity in 2000 and an increase
in retained risk in certain programs.
Loss and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") for specialty lines increased by
$7.3 million to $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, from $.7
million for the year ended December 31, 2000. The loss and LAE ratio for
specialty lines for the year ended December 31, 2001 was 77.4% as compared to
60.2% at December 31, 2000. The increase in loss and LAE incurred is primarily
attributable to the increase in earned premium. The increase in the loss and LAE
ratio is primarily attributable to increased losses from our California program.
Policy acquisition expenses increased by $2.1 million consistent with the
increase in earned premium. For the year ended December 31, 2001, we earned
approximately $4.2 million of fronting fees compared to $1.0 million for the
year ended December 31, 2000 primarily attributable to a full year's worth of
activity in this segment versus four months of activity in 2000.
Non Standard Auto Agency
The principal operating subsidiary of our non standard auto agency segment
is Instant Auto. Its principal revenue stream is agents' fees and commissions.
In the 4th quarter of 2001, Instant Auto completed the acquisition of
A-Affordable Insurance Agency and Spacecoast Agency in Florida. In the 4th
quarter, A-Affordable added $2.3 million of fees and commissions and Spacecoast
recognized $2.4 million of fees and commissions. These acquisitions helped
Instant Auto increase their fees and commissions for the year to $5.9 million
and helped the non standard auto agency segment improve is pre-tax income to
approximately breakeven in the 4th quarter from an approximate $1.0 million
quarterly pre-tax loss in prior quarters. We expect continued improvement in
revenue and profitability in 2002 as we integrate and consolidate these two
acquisitions and the additional acquisitions that we have completed in the 1st
quarter of 2002.
Discontinued Operations
We discontinued our reinsurance assumed business and our commercial lines
business in 2000 and 1999, respectively. Each was discontinued by non-renewal,
however we remain obligated to settle claims on coverages provided prior to such
non-renewal. We estimated the reserves required to fulfill these obligations at
the dates of discontinuance and we continue to monitor these estimates with
respect to ultimate settlement. As a result of an unexpected increase in the
severity and volume of reported claims associated with both our commercial and
assumed reinsurance lines and an increase in payments on claim reserves during
2001, we increased our expected losses from discontinued operations by
approximately $19.5 million, net of tax. The increase in our expected losses
with respect to our commercial business related to a variety of underlying
coverages including general liability. These types of claims may take many years
to fully develop and we must continue to monitor trends in their ultmate
developments. Similarly, we experienced negative development in some of our
assumed reinsurance contracts, principally related to certain homeowner
coverages. These types of claims should fully develop over a comparatively
shorter period of time. While we believe that the recorded reserves for
discontinued operations at December 31, 2001 are adequate, further adjustments
to our estimates could be necessary as we continue to run off the remaining
outstanding claims.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income increased by $18.0 million, or 39.2%, to $63.9
million for the year ended December 31, 2001, from $45.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 2000. The weighted average yield on invested assets
(excluding realized and unrealized gains) was 6.25% for the year ended December
31, 2001, compared with 6.7% for the year ended December 31, 2000. The increase
in investment income is primarily attributable to an increase in average
invested assets from the American Founders acquisition and a decrease in
investment yield resulting from a overall decrease in interest rates.
Income Taxes
Income taxes decreased by $10.2 million, to a $4.5 million benefit for the
year ended December 31, 2001. The effective rate on pre-tax income increased to
35% for the year ended December 31, 2001 versus 32.2% for the year ended
December 31, 2000 due to lower tax exempt investment income and increased state
income taxes in 2001 versus 2000.
Other
There were a number of additional items that materially affected our
results for 2001. In October, we settled our securities class action litigation
for $61.0 million in cash plus expenses. In conjunction with this, the Company
recorded a $25.0 million pre-tax charge. This charge is included in operating
expenses in the Corporate and other segment.
Comparison of Fiscal Year 2000 to Fiscal Year 1999
Income available to common shareholders decreased by $15.7 million, or
48.4% to $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2000, from $32.4 million
for the year ended December 31, 1999. On a diluted per share basis, income
available to common shareholders for 2000 was $0.78 per share versus income of
$1.63 per share for 1999. The decrease in income available to common shareholder
is primarily attributable to $8.3 million of after tax realized gains recognized
during 1999 and the recognition of a $1.1 million after tax loss from the sale
of a building in Shelby, Ohio in 2000. Also, in the fourth quarter of 2000, our
last active reinsurance assumed contract was cancelled and we are presenting its
reinsurance assumed segment as a discontinued operation. In 1999, our
discontinued operations, which include the former commercial and reinsurance
assumed segments, reported net income of $12.7 million compared to a loss of
$2.4 million in 2000. The 1999 results for our discontinued operations included
a $15 million pre-tax gain related to the sale of the bulk of our reinsurance
assumed operations.
18
Standard Property-Casualty
Net premiums written for standard property-casualty lines decreased by
$22.4 million, or 9.8%, to $205.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2000,
from $227.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1999. Net premiums earned
for standard property-casualty lines decreased $35.3 million, or 14.2% to $
212.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2000, from $248.1 million for the
year ended December 31, 1999. The decrease in net premiums written and net
premiums earned are primarily attributable to the decrease in new policy
applications that occurred when we were temporarily downgraded by A.M. Best to a
B (good) and to our strategy of only maintaining relationships with our core
agencies, partially offset by the continued rollover of the Property Plus
homeowners policies acquired in 1998. In February 2000, A.M. Best upgraded Vesta
to B+ (secure).
Loss and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") for standard property-casualty
lines decreased by $40.2 million, or 24.4%, to $124.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2000, from $165.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1999. The
loss and LAE ratio for property-casualty lines for the year ended December 31,
2000 was 58.6% as compared to 66.5% at December 31, 1999. The decrease in loss
and LAE incurred is primarily attributable to the decline in earned premium. The
decrease in the loss and LAE ratio is primarily attributable to a decrease in
catastrophe losses in the current versus the prior year and to the recognition
of increased estimated salvage and subrogation from prior years.
Policy acquisition expenses increased by $6.1 million, or 13.2 % to $52.4
million for the year ended December 31, 2000, from $46.3 million for the year
ended December 31, 1999 primarily due to an increase in contingent commissions
owed on profitable business and the additional premium earned on our Property
Plus book of business, which pays a higher commission than our other books of
business. Operating expenses decreased by $2.2 million or 7.6% to $26.6 million
as we continued our efforts to control costs.
Life Insurance
On June 30, 2000, we entered the life and annuity business through an
investment in American Founders Financial Corporation, a holding company for two
life insurance companies domiciled in Texas. American Founders has approximately
$1.8 billion (face value) of life products in force and approximately $339
million of annuity deposits as of December 31, 2000. Premiums and policy fees
were $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 compared to zero for the
comparable prior period due to the acquisition of American Founders on June 30,
2000. American Founders has approximately $2.1 billion face amount of life
insurance and annuities in force at December 31, 2000.
Specialty Lines
Net premiums written for specialty lines were $2.2 million for the year
ended December 31, 2000. Net premiums earned for specialty lines were
$1.1million for the year ended December 31, 2000. For the year ended December
31, 2000, we earned approximately $1.0 million of fronting fees.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income increased by $20.0 million, or 77.2%, to $45.9
million for the year ended December 31, 2000, from $25.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 1999. The weighted average yield on invested assets
(excluding realized and unrealized gains) was 6.7% for the year ended December
31, 2000, compared with 6.5% for the year ended December 31, 1999. The increase
in investment income is primarily attributable to an increase in average
invested assets from the American Founders acquisition and an increased
investment yield resulting from a lower percentage of tax-exempt securities in
the current portfolio.
Income Taxes
Income taxes decreased by $1.4 million, or 19.7%, to $5.7 million for the
year ended December 31, 2000. The effective rate on pre-tax income increased to
32.2% for the year ended December 31, 2000 versus 30.3% for the year ended
December 31, 1999 due to lower tax exempt investment income in 2000 versus 1999.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Vesta is a holding company whose principal asset is its investment in the
capital stock of the companies constituting the Vesta Insurance Group, a group
of wholly owned insurance companies including Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation
and a majority ownership in a life insurance holding company which includes
American Founders Life Insurance Company and a majority ownership in Instant
Insurance Holdings, Inc. The insurance subsidiaries comprising the Vesta Group
are individually supervised by various state insurance regulators, but given our
organizational structure, Vesta Fire is our only operating subsidiary that can
pay dividends directly to our holding company. Vesta Fire is an Illinois
domestic insurance company.
Dividends and Management Fees
The principal uses of funds at the holding company level are to pay
operating expenses, principal and interest on outstanding indebtedness and
deferrable capital securities and dividends to stockholders if declared by the
Board of Directors. During the last three years, our insurance subsidiaries have
produced operating results and paid management fees and dividends sufficient to
fund our needs. As a holding company with no other business operations, we rely
primarily on fees generated by our management agreement with our insurance
subsidiaries and dividend payments from Vesta Fire to meet our cash requirements
(including our debt service) and to pay dividends to our stockholders.
Transactions between Vesta and its insurance subsidiaries, including the
payment of dividends and management fees to Vesta by such subsidiaries, are
subject to certain limitations under the insurance laws of those subsidiaries'
domiciliary states. The insurance laws of the state of Illinois, where Vesta
Fire is domiciled, permit the payment of dividends out of earned surplus in any
year which, together with other dividends or distributions made within the
preceding 12 months, do not exceed the greater of 10% of statutory surplus as of
the end of the preceding year or the net income for the preceding year, with
larger dividends payable only after receipt of prior regulatory approval. On
October 29, 2001, the Illinois Insurance Department published a Company Bulletin
that indicates that the Department interprets these dividend limitations to
prohibit the payment of dividends if the insurer has negative or zero
"unassigned funds" at the end of the prior year, as reported on its statutorily
required annual statement. Our lead insurance subsidiary, Vesta Fire, reported
negative "unassigned funds" on its annual statement for 2001. Accordingly, we
may not be able to declare and pay a dividend from our lead insurance company
subsidiary for the foreseeable future without prior approval.
19
We believe that the Illinois Insurance Department's willingness to approve
the payment of a dividend by Vesta Fire to our holding company will depend on a
variety of factors, such as the impact to the holding company if the dividend is
not paid and the impact to Vesta Fire if the dividend is paid. For example,the
payment of a dividend may cause non-compliance with the Illinois Department of
Insurance's "reserve reconciliation test," which requires Vesta Fire to maintain
a minimum amount of liquid, high quality assets. At December 31, 2001, Vesta
Fire's qualifying assets exceeded its minimum by approximately $8.8 million. If
the payment of a dividend would jeopardize Vesta Fire's ability to comply with
this reserve reconciliation test, then the Illinois Department of Insurance may
not approve it. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that Vesta Fire will be
able to obtain the requisite regulatory approval for the payment of dividends.
We rely primarily on fees earned under our management agreement with our
insurance company subsidiaries to meet our cash requirements (including debt
service) and to pay dividends to our stockholders. This management agreement,
which provided approximately $25 million to our holding company in 2001, is
subject to certain regulatory standards which generally require its terms and
fees to be fair and reasonable. The Illinois Department of Insurance may review
this agreement from time to time to insure the reasonableness of its terms and
fees, and it is possible that such terms and fees could be modified to reduce
the amounts available to our holding company. Assuming the management agreement
is not modified in a material respect, we believe that this management agreement
will provide us with funds sufficient to meet our anticipated needs (including
debt service) for at least the next twelve months.
Credit Facilities
On March 3, 2000, we established a revolving credit facility with First
Commercial Bank, Birmingham, Alabama ("First Commercial"). In May, 2001 we
increased the amounts available and increased the term of the credit facility to
the following:
. a $15 million unsecured line which bears interest at First
Commercial's prime rate +1/4%;
. an additional $15 million line which bears interest at First
Commercial's prime rate, secured by a pledge of the revenues received
under the management contract between our wholly owned management
company, J. Gordon Gaines, Inc., and our operating insurance
subsidiaries.
Each of these credit facilities mature on April 30, 2003. These credit
agreements contain covenants which require us to maintain minimum (i) statutory
consolidated net income, (ii) GAAP consolidated net income, (iii) statutory
surplus and (iv) risk based capital. For the year ending December 31, 2001, our
GAAP consolidated net income and statutory surplus did not meet the minimum
requirements as set forth in our credit agreements. First Commercial has agreed
that any such non-compliance will not be deemed an event of default under the
credit agreement.
Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth the principal maturities of all contractual
obligations at December 31, 2001:
Less than 2-3 4-5 After 5
Total 1 year years years years
------------ ---------- ---------- -------- ----------
8.75% Senior Debentures $ 79,820 $ - - - $ 79,820
8.525% Deferrable Capital Securities 23,250 - - - 23,250
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 168,614 88,401 20,586 5,872 53,755
Line of credit 29,964 - 29,964 - -
------------ ---------- --------- -------- ---------
$ 301,648 $ 88,401 $ 50,550 5,872 $ 156,825
============ ========== ========= ======= =========
As part of the Federal Home Loan Bank program, as more fully described in
Note M, we have pledged securities with a market value of $176.8 million to
secure our obligation of $168.6 million. We intend to renew all Federal Home
Loan Bank advances maturing in the current year, however in the unlikely event
we elect not to renew all maturing advances, we could liquidate the pledged
investments to satisfy the obligation.
Future payments for interest and operating lease obligations at December
31, 2001 are as follows:
Less than 2-3 4-5 After 5
Total 1 year years years years
------------ ---------- --------- --------- ----------
8.75% Senior Debentures $ 160,638 $ 6,984 $ 13,969 $ 13,969 $ 125,717
8.525% Deferrable Capital Securities 49,552 1,982 3,964 3,964 39,641
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 66,811 5,739 9,859 9,131 42,082
Line of credit 1,951 1,463 488 - -
Operating leases 18,447 4,535 7,158 4,914 1,840
---------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
$ 297,398 $ 20,703 $ 35,438 $ 31,978 $ 209,280
========== ======== ======== ======== =========
Contingent Obligations:
As part of its ongoing reinsurance recoverable arbitrations, we have
obtained letters of credit for the benefit of certain parties. Our principal
operating subsidiary, Vesta Fire is contingently liable under the terms of these
letters of credit. For our reinsurance arbitrations, we have obtained letters of
credit totaling $33.7 million for which we are contingently liable.
Additionally, as part of our specialty lines underwriting retained, we have
obtained letters of credit or other pledges of securities totaling $29.2 million
securing our obligations under the various reinsurance agreements.
Cash Flows
The principal sources of funds for our insurance subsidiaries are premiums,
investment income and proceeds from the sale or maturity of invested assets.
Such funds are used principally for the payment of claims, operating expenses,
commissions and the purchase of investments. As is typical in the insurance
industry, we collect cash in the form of premiums and invest that cash until
claims are paid. Cash collected from premiums and cash paid for claims is
included in cash flow from operations, while the cash impact from our investing
activities is included in cash flow from investing activities. In periods such
as 2001 and 2000, where we are exiting certain lines of business such as
commercial lines and reinsurance assumed lines we are funding the payout of
commercial and reinsurance assumed claims through the liquidation of invested
assets, consistent with the historical insurance business model. However, this
generates cash outflows from operations that can be misleading.
20
On a consolidated basis, net cash used in operations for the year ended
December 31, 2001 and 2000, was $11.1 million and $59.0 million, respectively.
Cash flow from operations was negative for the current period primarily due to
the continued payout of claims from our discontinued operations, the payout of
standard-property casualty claims incurred in prior periods, and the timing of
payment of certain payables and other operational items. Net cash (used in)
provided by investing activities was $(45.0) million and $128.6 million for the
year ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively as we used cash to purchase
Florida Select in April, 2001, and funded the discontinuance of the reinsurance
assumed and commercial lines of business in 2000 through the liquidation of our
investment portfolio. Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was
$66.3 million and $(73.9) million for the year ending December 31, 2001 and
2000, respectively as we engaged in a number of stock transactions in the year
ended December 31, 2001 including the issuance of 8.625 million shares of stock
in a follow-on offering for approximately $64.0 million, net of underwriting
discount and expenses and repurchased outstanding debt in the year ending
December 31, 2000.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 141,
"Business Combinations." SFAS No. 141 address financial accounting and reporting
for business combinations and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
16, "Business Combinations," and SFAS No. 38 "Accounting for Preacquisition
Contingencies of Purchased Enterprises." The standard eliminates the pooling of
interests method of accounting for business combinations except for qualifying
business combinations initiated prior to July 1, 2001 and requires that all
intangible assets be accounted for separately from goodwill, for acquisitions
after July 1, 2001. Vesta has applied the requirements of SFAS No. 141 to all
acquisitions after July 1, 2001 and will account for future acquisitions in
accordance with the new guidance.
In June of 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." This statement addresses how
intangible assets that are acquired individually or with a group of other assets
(but not those acquired in a business combination) should be accounted for in
financial statements upon their acquisition. This statement also addresses how
goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for after they have
been initially recognized in the financial statements.
Except for goodwill and intangible assets acquired after June 30, 2001,
which are immediately subject to its provisions, SFAS No. 142 is effective
starting with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.
The provisions of SFAS No. 142 no longer allow the amortization of
goodwill, and certain intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives, and
requires that impairment of goodwill on those assets be tested annually. In
addition, SFAS No. 142 requires the following additional disclosures for
goodwill and other intangible assets:
. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill from period-to-period;
. The carrying amount of intangible assets by major category; and
. The estimated intangible amortization for the next five years.
Vesta will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 142 effective January 1, 2002.
Vesta is currently in the process of preparing for its adoption of SFAS No. 142
and is making the determinations as to what its reporting units are and what
amounts of goodwill, intangible assets, other assets, and liabilities should be
allocated to those reporting units. SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill be
tested annually for impairment and the initial goodwill impairment test is
required to be completed within six months of adoption. Vesta has not completed
its initial goodwill impairment test and has net yet determined what effect the
impairment tests will have on its financial position or results of operations.
Vesta expects that the elimination of goodwill amortization will positively
impact pretax net income by approximately $2.6 million in fiscal year 2002.
In October of 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001 and was written to provide a
single model for the disposal of long-lived assets. SFAS No. 144 supersedes SFAS
No. 121 "Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed of" and the accounting and reporting provisions of
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30, "Reporting the results of
Operations--Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and
Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions."
Vesta will adopt the provision of SFAS No. 144 effective January 1, 2002.
Adoption of SFAS No. 144 is not expected to have a material impact on Vesta's
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market Risk of Financial Instruments
Vesta's principal assets are financial instruments, which are subject to
the market risk of potential losses from adverse changes in market rates and
prices. Our primary risk exposures on assets are interest rate risk on fixed
maturity investments, and mortgage and collateral loans and equity price risk
for domestic stocks. In addition, our outstanding annuity liabilities are
subject to interest rate risk, although, many of our products contain surrender
charges and other features that reward persistency and penalize early withdrawal
of funds.
Vesta manages its exposure to market risk by selecting investment assets
with characteristics such as duration, yield and liquidity to reflect the
underlying characteristics of the related insurance reserves.
The following table sets forth the estimated market values of our fixed
maturity investments, mortgage and collateral loans, annuities, and equity
investments resulting from a hypothetical immediate 100 basis point adverse
change in interest rates and a 10% decline in market prices for equity
exposures, respectively from levels prevailing at December 31, 2001.
Amount
(in thousands)
------------------
Fixed Maturity Investments $ 775,623
Equity Investments 28,288
Mortgage and collateral loans 42,885
Annuity liabilities 359,554
The decrease in fair values based on an adverse change in interest rates
for fixed maturity investments, mortgage and collateral loans, and annuity
liabilities, was determined by estimating the present value of future cash flows
using various models, primarily duration modeling.
The decrease in fair value of equity securities based on a decrease in the
market prices of all equity securities was estimated as 10% of the fair value.
21
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Page
-------
Report of Independent Accountants 24
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2001 and 2000 25
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (loss)
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2001 26
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 2001 27
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 2001 28
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 29 - 48
22
Report of Independent Accountants
To the Stockholders of
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index
appearing under Item 14(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries at
December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of their operations and their cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001 in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules listed
in the index appearing under Item 14(a)(2) present fairly, in all material
respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the
related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and
financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted
our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Birmingham, Alabama
February 28, 2002
23
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(amounts in thousands, except share data)
December 31,
2001 2000
----------- -----------
Assets:
Investments:
Fixed maturities available for sale - at fair value (cost: 2001 - $785,049;
2000 - $795,118) $ 807,197 $ 798,205
Equity securities--at fair value (cost: 2001 - $32,298; 2000 - $30,221) 31,431 31,285
Mortgage and collateral loans 43,978 63,060
Policy loans 63,949 61,413
Short-term investments 41,198 22,586
Other invested assets 47,996 29,343
----------- -----------
Total investments 1,035,749 1,005,892
Cash 23,579 13,374
Accrued investment income 23,090 17,017
Premiums in course of collection (net of allowances for losses
of $2,684 in 2001 and $3,937 in 2000) 47,589 23,882
Reinsurance balances receivable 357,827 353,949
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses 76,757 57,325
Deferred policy acquisition costs 58,832 45,954
Property and equipment 18,368 14,010
Deferred income taxes 38,591 22,457
Goodwill and other intangible assets 109,260 17,797
Other assets 41,240 50,342
----------- -----------
Total assets $ 1,830,882 $ 1,621,999
=========== ===========
Liabilities:
Policy liabilities $ 695,170 $ 660,284
Losses and loss adjustment expenses 280,997 263,689
Unearned premiums 179,879 104,755
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 168,614 150,691
Short term debt 29,964 5,000
Long term debt 79,432 86,419
Other liabilities 114,269 102,825
----------- -----------
Total liabilities 1,548,325 1,373,663
Commitments and contingencies: See Note F
Deferrable Capital Securities 23,250 33,225
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, issued:
2001 - 0 and 2000 - 2,950,000 -- 30
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, issued:
2001 - 36,994,464 and 2000 - 18,964,322 370 190
Additional paid-in capital 244,640 167,382
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
expense of $4,191 and $1,453 in 2001 and 2000, respectively 7,784 2,698
Retained earnings 32,611 57,643
Treasury stock (923,972 shares and 166,294 shares at cost)
at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively (6,591) (5,865)
Unearned stock (19,507) (6,967)
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity 259,307 215,111
----------- -----------
Total liabilities, deferrable capital securities and stockholders'
equity $ 1,830,882 $ 1,621,999
=========== ===========
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
24
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive
Income (Loss) (amounts in thousands, except
share data) Statements of Operations
For the Year Ended
December 31,
2001 2000 1999
Revenues:
Net premiums written $ 306,323 $ 210,742 $ 227,807
Decrease (increase) in unearned premium (19,519) 6,257 20,269
--------- --------- ---------
Net premiums earned 286,804 216,999 248,076
Policy fees 7,674 4,386 --
Net investment income 63,918 45,903 25,949
Realized (losses) gains (1,172) (2,061) 12,756
Other 16,420 903 4,527
--------- --------- ---------
Total revenues 373,644 266,130 291,308
Expenses:
Policyholder benefits 35,950 9,610 --
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred 169,596 125,432 165,014
Policy acquisition expenses 64,833 53,224 46,289
Operating expenses 69,608 43,574 41,162
Litigation settlement charge 25,000 -- --
Interest on debt 17,565 15,105 13,215
Goodwill and other intangible amortization 3,394 1,591 2,118
--------- --------- ---------
Total expenses 385,946 248,536 267,798
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes, minority interest,
and deferrable capital securities (12,302) 17,594 23,510
Income tax expense (benefit) (4,490) 5,664 7,129
Minority interest, net of tax 1,076 1,595 --
Deferrable capital security distributions, net of tax 1,394 1,986 5,632
--------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) from continuing operations (10,282) 8,349 10,749
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (19,958) (2,397) 12,706
Extraordinary gain on debt extinguishments, net of tax 910 5,250 --
--------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) (29,330) 11,202 23,455
Preferred stock dividend (163) (3,670) (563)
Gain on redemption of preferred securities, net of tax 7,068 9,190 9,548
--------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ (22,425) $ 16,722 $ 32,440
========= ========= =========
Basic net income (loss) from continuing operations per share $ (0.46) $ 0.46 $ 0.57
========= ========= =========
Basic net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share $ (0.84) $ 0.92 $ 1.73
========= ========= =========
Diluted net income (loss) from continuing operations per share $ (0.46) $ 0.34 $ 0.53
========= ========= =========
Diluted net income (loss) available to common stockholders per share $ (0.84) $ 0.78 $ 1.63
========= ========= =========
Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) $ (29,330) $ 11,202 $ 23,455
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities net
of tax expense (benefit) of $4,997, $4,475 and $(5,347) in 2001, 2000
and 1999, respectivel 9,282 8,311 (9,930)
Less realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities net of
tax expense (benefit) of $2,259, $(323) and $2,784 in 2001, 2000, and
1999, respectively 4,196 (600) 5,172
--------- --------- ---------
5,086 8,911 (15,102)
Gain on extinguishments of preferred securities net of tax expense of $1,060,
$700 and $5,141 in 2001, 2000 and 1999 respectively 7,068 9,190 9,548
--------- --------- ---------
Comprehensive income (loss) $ (17,176) $ 29,303 $ 17,901
========= ========= =========
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
25
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(amounts in thousands, except share data)
Additional Other
Preferred Common Paid-in Comprehensive
Stock Stock Capital Income (Loss)
--------- ------- ---------- -------------
Balance, December 31, 1998 -- $ 190 $ 156,465 $ 8,889
Net income -- -- -- --
Preferred stock dividend -- -- -- --
Change in restricted stock receivable -- -- -- --
Treasury stock issued for restricted stock -- -- (9,238) --
Common dividends declared (0.04 per
share) -- -- -- --
Net change in unrealized gains net of tax
of $(8,133) -- -- -- (15,102)
Issuance of preferred stock $ 30 -- 25,045 --
Extinguishment of preferred securities,
net of tax of $5,141 -- -- -- --
-------- ------- --------- --------
Balance, December 31, 1999 30 190 172,272 (6,213)
Net income
Preferred stock dividend -- -- -- --
Issuance of restricted stock -- -- (1,426) --
Treasury stock acquisitions -- -- -- --
Issuance of treasury stock -- -- (1,904) --
Common dividends declared (0.05 per
share) -- -- -- --
Net change in unrealized gains net of tax
expense of $4,798 -- -- -- 8,911
Issuance of stock for Agent's Trust -- -- -- --
Extinguishment of preferred securities,
net of tax of $700 -- -- (1,560) --
-------- ------- --------- --------
Balance, December 31, 2000 30 190 167,382 2,698
Net income -- -- -- --
Preferred stock dividend -- -- -- --
Issuance of restricted stock -- 8 7,285 --
Amortization of restricted stock awards -- -- -- --
Treasury stock acquisitions -- -- -- --
Issuance of treasury stock -- -- (14,229) --
Issuance of common stock (30) 172 84,202 --
Common dividends declared (0.0875 per
share) -- -- -- --
Net change in unrealized gains net of tax
expense of $2,738 -- -- -- 5,086
Issuance of stock from Agent's Trust -- -- -- --
Extinguishment of preferred securities,
net of tax of $1,060 -- -- -- --
-------- ------- --------- --------
Balance, December 31, 2001 $ -- $ 370 $ 244,640 $ 7,784
======== ======= ========= ========
Retained Treasury Unearned
Earnings Stock Stock Total
-------- -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 1998 $ 10,120 $(15,592) $ (2,045) $ 158,027
Net income 23,455 -- -- 23,455
Preferred stock dividend (563) -- -- (563)
Change in restricted stock receivable -- -- 243 243
Treasury stock issued for restricted stock -- 9,318 -- 80
Common dividends declared (0.04 per
share) (698) -- -- (698)
Net change in unrealized gains net of tax
of $(8,133) -- -- -- (15,102)
Issuance of preferred stock -- -- -- 25,075
Extinguishment of preferred securities,
net of tax of $5,141 9,548 -- -- 9,548
-------- -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 1999 41,862 (6,274) (1,802) 200,065
Net income 11,202 11,202
Preferred stock dividend (3,670) -- -- (3,670)
Issuance of restricted stock -- 2,249 (440) 383
Treasury stock acquisitions -- (56,304) -- (56,304)
Issuance of treasury stock -- 42,179 -- 40,275
Common dividends declared (0.05 per
share) (941) -- -- (941)
Net change in unrealized gains net of tax
expense of $4,798 -- -- -- 8,911
Issuance of stock for Agent's Trust -- 4,725 (4,725) --
Extinguishment of preferred securities,
net of tax of $700 9,190 7,560 -- 15,190
-------- -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 2000 57,643 (5,865) (6,967) 215,111
Net income (29,330) -- -- (29,330)
Preferred stock dividend (163) -- -- (163)
Issuance of restricted stock -- 7,357 (14,650) --
Amortization of restricted stock awards -- -- 2,076 2,076
Treasury stock acquisitions -- (57,218) -- (57,218)
Issuance of treasury stock -- 49,135 -- 34,906
Issuance of common stock -- -- -- 84,344
Common dividends declared (0.0875 per
share) (2,607) -- -- (2,607)
Net change in unrealized gains net of tax
expense of $2,738 -- -- -- 5,086
Issuance of stock from Agent's Trust -- -- 34 34
Extinguishment of preferred securities,
net of tax of $1,060 7,068 -- -- 7,068
-------- -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 2001 $ 32,611 $ (6,591) $(19,507) $ 259,307
======== ======== ======== =========
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
26
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(amounts in thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
--------- --------- ---------
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss) $ (29,330) $ 11,202 $ 23,455
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash used in operations
Changes in:
Loss and LAE reserves (6,317) (91,020) (150,202)
Unearned premium reserves 39,309 (28,274) (176,485)
Reinsurance balances receivable 10,262 6,044 (45,589)
Premiums in course of collection (20,734) 17,323 153,299
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses (19,432) 20,600 33,651
Policy liabilities of traditional life insurance products 7,633 2,308 --
Other assets and liabilities (8,004) (13,754) 14,612
Policy acquisition costs deferred (56,871) (39,425) (48,739)
Policy acquisition costs amortized 64,833 52,361 99,237
Realized (gains) losses 1,172 2,061 (12,756)
Amortization and depreciation 7,282 6,777 6,237
Extraordinary gain (910) (5,250) --
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in operations (11,107) (59,047) (103,280)
Investing Activities:
Investments sold, matured, and called:
Fixed maturities available for sale 319,457 157,648 293,966
Equity securities 3,338 491 21,588
Investments acquired:
Fixed maturities available for sale (276,166) (90,889) (193,621)
Equity securities (16,555) (13,388) (1,071)
Other invested assets (275) (21,569) --
Net cash paid for acquisition (56,942) (13,561) --
Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments (11,744) 112,900 6,003
Disposition of Vesta County Mutual -- -- 11,200
Additions to property and equipment (6,336) (6,733) (2,294)
Dispositions of property and equipment 232 3,758 671
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash (used in) provided from investing activities (44,991) 128,657 136,442
Financing Activities:
Net change in short term debt 24,964 -- (65,000)
Net change in FHLB borrowings 14,651 11,684 --
Net deposits and withdrawals from insurance liabilities (9,705) (5,644) --
Issuance of long term debt -- -- 44,082
Retirement of long term debt and preferred securities -- (51,717) (44,589)
Issuance of common stock 96,381 32,678 --
Acquisition of common stock (57,218) (56,303) --
Dividends paid (2,770) (4,611) (698)
Preferred stock issuance -- -- 25,075
Capital contributions from exercising stock options -- -- 324
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities 66,303 (73,913) (40,806)
Increase (decrease) in cash 10,205 (4,303) (7,644)
Cash at beginning year 13,374 17,677 25,321
--------- --------- ---------
Cash at end of year $ 23,579 $ 13,374 $ 17,677
========= ========= =========
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
27
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note A - Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations: Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. and subsidiaries is a
holding company for a group of insurance companies that offers financial
services through the production, distribution, and administration of
property-casualty and life and health insurance products. The lead insurers in
the Vesta Group are Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation and American Founders Life
Insurance Company. In 1999 and 2000, we discontinued commercial line of business
and our reinsurance assumed line of business, respectively. See Note Q.
Principles of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States and include the accounts of Vesta Insurance Group,
Inc. and its operating subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions
and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements: The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those
estimates. These estimates and assumptions are particularly important in
determining the premiums in course of collection, reserves for losses and loss
adjustment expenses, deferred policy acquisition costs and reinsurance
recoverables.
Investments: Investment securities are classified as available for sale and
reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings
and reported in a separate component of stockholders' equity. Mortgage loans,
policy loans, and collateral loans are stated at the aggregate unpaid principal
balances, less any unamortized discount and less allowance for possible losses,
if required.
Short-term investments are carried at cost and include investments in
certificates of deposit and other interest-bearing time deposits with original
maturities of one year or less.
Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are recognized
as revenues and are determined on a specific identification basis. Unrealized
gains and losses on equity securities and fixed maturities available for sale,
net of deferred income taxes, are reflected directly in stockholders' equity. If
an investment becomes other than temporarily impaired, such impairment is
treated as a realized loss and the investment is adjusted to net realizable
value.
Determination of Fair Values of Financial Instruments: Fair values for
cash, short-term investments, short-term debt, receivables and payables
approximate their carrying value. Fair values for investment securities and
long-term debt are based on quoted market prices where available. Otherwise,
fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments.
Cash: Cash consists of balances on hand and on deposit in banks and
financial institutions.
Recognition of Revenue: Revenue is recognized as follows:
. Earned premiums on property-casualty business are generally
recognized as revenue on a pro rata basis over the policy term.
Reinsurance premiums ceded are similarly pro-rated with the
prepaid portion recorded as an asset in the Consolidated Balance
Sheet.
. Agency commission income is recognized at the later of the
billing or effective date of the related insurance policies, net
of an allowance for estimated policy cancellations.
. Premiums on traditional life contracts are recognized as income
when due.
. Premiums for accident and health policies are recognized in
proportion to the insurance protection provided over the period
covered by the policies.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses: The liability for losses and loss
adjustment expenses ("LAE") includes an amount determined from loss reports and
individual cases. It also includes an amount for losses incurred but not
reported ("IBNR") which is based on historical experience. Such liabilities are
necessarily based on estimates and, while management believes that the amount is
adequate, the ultimate liability may be in excess of or less than the amounts
provided. The methods for making such estimates and for establishing the
resulting liabilities are continually reviewed, and any adjustments are
reflected in earnings currently. These reserves are established on an
undiscounted basis and are reduced for estimates of salvage and subrogation.
Policy Liabilities: Reserves for investment-type contracts are based either
on the contract account balance (if future benefit payments in excess of the
account balance are not guaranteed) or on the present value of future benefit
payments (if such payments are guaranteed). Additions to insurance liabilities
are made if it is determined that future cash flows (including investment
income) are insufficient to cover future benefits and expenses.
For investment contracts without mortality risk (such as deferred annuities
and immediate annuities with benefits paid for a certain period), premium
deposits and benefit payments are recorded as increases or decreases in a
liability account, rather than as revenue and expense. We record as revenue any
amounts charged against the liability account for the cost of insurance, policy
administration, and surrender penalties. Any interest credited to the liability
account and any benefit payments which exceed the contract liability account
balance are recorded as expenses. As of December 31, 2001 and 2000,
approximately $95.7 million and $72.5 million, respectively, of Vesta's annuity
reserves are subject to discretionary withdrawal without surrender charges or
other adjustments.
Reserves for traditional life contracts are generally calculated using the
net level premium method, based on assumptions as to mortality, withdrawals,
dividends, and investment yields ranging from 2.5% to 6.5%. These assumptions
are generally made at the time the contract is issued or at the purchase date.
These assumptions are based on projections from past experience, making
allowance for possible unfavorable deviation.
Deferred Acquisition Costs: Commissions and other costs that vary with and
are primarily related to the production of new and renewal business are deferred
and amortized over the terms of the policies to which they relate. Anticipated
investment income is considered in determining recoverability of deferred
acquisition costs.
28
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The costs to acquire blocks of life insurance representing the present
value of future profits from such blocks of insurance is also included in
deferred acquisition costs. We amortize the present value of future profits over
the premium payment period. The unamortized present value of future profits was
approximately $20.9 and $17.9 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000,
respectively. During 2001 and 2000, $4.5 million and $19.2 million,
respectively, of present value of future profits was capitalized (relating to
acquisitions made during the year) and $1.5 million and $2.5 million was
amortized.
Reinsurance: We report assets and liabilities related to insurance
contracts before the effects of reinsurance. Reinsurance receivables and prepaid
reinsurance premiums (including amounts related to insurance liabilities) are
reported as assets. Estimated reinsurance receivables are recognized in a manner
consistent with the liabilities related to the underlying reinsured contracts.
Reinsurance recoverables represent amounts due from reinsurers for paid losses.
Minority Interest: Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries totaled
$16.1 million and $20.5 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
$7.6 million of this amount at December 31, 2000 represents mandatorily
redeemable preferred stocks.
Income Taxes: Vesta accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability
method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases.
Property and Equipment: Property and equipment is reported at cost less
allowances for depreciation. Depreciation is recorded primarily on the straight
line method over the estimated useful lives of these assets which range from 1
to 15 years. Ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to income as incurred.
A summary of property and equipment used in the business is as follows (in
thousands):
Estimated
December 31, Useful Lives
--------------------
2001 2000 Lives
-------- -------- ------------
Building and real estate $ 5,570 $ 5,065 3-9 yrs
Data processing equipment 24,616 18,341 3-15 yrs
Furniture and office equipment 7,721 7,893 1-5 yrs
Other 3,622 1,639 1-5 yrs
-------- --------
41,529 32,938
Accumulated depreciation (23,161) (18,928)
-------- --------
$ 18,368 $ 14,010
======== ========
Depreciation expense on property and equipment used in the business was
$3.9 million, $3.3 million, and $4.3 million for the years ended December 31,
2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively.
Goodwill: Goodwill at December 31 is as follows (in thousands):
2001 2000
-------- -------
Goodwill and other intangible assets $115,373 $20,516
Accumulated amortization (6,113) (2,719)
-------- -------
$109,260 $17,797
======== =======
Reclassification: Certain amounts in the financial statements presented
have been reclassified from amounts previously reported in order to be
comparable between years. These reclassifications have no effect on previously
reported total assets, total liabilities, stockholders' equity or net income
during the period involved.
29
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Income Per Share: Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to
common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the
period. Diluted EPS is calculated by adding to shares outstanding the additional
net effect of potentially dilutive securities or contracts which could be
exercised or converted into common shares. Reconciliation of net income
available to common shareholders and average shares outstanding for years ending
December 31 are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
-------- ------- -------
(in thousands)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $(22,425) $16,722 $32,440
Preferred stock dividends on convertible preferred stock 163 2,252 563
-------- ------- -------
Adjusted net income (loss) available to common shareholders $(22,262) $18,974 $33,003
======== ======= =======
Average shares outstanding - basic 26,652 18,240 18,699
Stock options and restricted stock * -- 115 --
Convertible preferred stock * -- 5,900 1,503
-------- ------- -------
Average shares outstanding - diluted 26,652 24,255 20,202
======== ======= =======
* In 2001, the shares had an anti-dilutive effect and were
excluded in accordance with SFAS No. 128
Long Lived Assets: We evaluate long-lived assets and certain identifiable
intangibles held and used by an entity for impairment whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. This evaluation is based on undiscounted future projected cash
flows of the asset or asset group. If an impairment exists, the amount of such
impairment is calculated based on the estimated fair value of the assets. Fair
value is generally determined by discounting future projected cash flows of the
asset or asset group under review.
In accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 17,
"Intangible Assets," the recoverability of goodwill not identified with assets
subject to an impairment loss is reviewed for impairment, on an acquisition by
acquisition basis, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that it
may not be recoverable. If such an event occurred, we would prepare projections
of future discounted cash flows for the applicable acquisition. The projections
are for the remaining term of the goodwill using a discount rate and terminal
value that would be customary for evaluating insurance company transactions. We
believe that this discounted cash flow approach approximates fair market value.
New Accounting Standards: Effective January 1, 2001, Vesta adopted SFAS No.
140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishments of Liabilities," which provides accounting and reporting
standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of
liabilities. Those standards are based on consistent application of a
financial-components approach that focuses on control. Under that approach,
after a transfer of financial assets, an entity recognizes the financial and
servicing assets it controls and the liabilities it has incurred, and
derecognizes financial assets when control has been surrendered, and
derecognizes liabilities when extinguished. SFAS No. 140 also provides
consistent standards for distinguishing transfers of financial assets that are
sales from transfers that are secured borrowings.
In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 141,
"Business Combinations." SFAS No. 141 address financial accounting and reporting
for business combinations and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
16, "Business Combinations," and SFAS No. 38 "Accounting for Preacquisition
Contingencies of Purchased Enterprises." The standard eliminates the pooling of
interests method of accounting for business combinations except for qualifying
business combinations initiated prior to July 1, 2001 and requires that all
intangible assets be accounted for separately from goodwill, for acquisitions
after July 1, 2001. Vesta has applied the requirements of SFAS No. 141 to all
acquisitions after July 1, 2001 and will account for future acquisitions in
accordance with the new guidance.
In June of 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." This statement addresses how
intangible assets that are acquired individually or with a group of other assets
(but not those acquired in a business combination) should be accounted for in
financial statements upon their acquisition. This statement also addresses how
goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for after they have
been initially recognized in the financial statements.
Except for goodwill and intangible assets acquired after June 30, 2001,
which are immediately subject to its provisions, SFAS No. 142 is effective
starting with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.
The provisions of SFAS No. 142 no longer allow the amortization of
goodwill, and certain intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives, and
requires that impairment of goodwill on those assets be tested annually. In
addition, SFAS No. 142 requires the following additional disclosures for
goodwill and other intangible assets:
. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill from period-to-period;
. The carrying amount of intangible assets by major category; and
. The estimated intangible amortization for the next five years.
30
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Vesta will adopt SFAS No. 142 effective January 1, 2002. Upon initial
application of SFAS No. 142, Vesta does not anticipate impairment losses for
goodwill resulting from a transitional impairment test. However, Vesta has not
yet fully determined the impact that the adoption of other elements of SFAS No.
142, including the possible future impairment charges on goodwill, may have on
its financial position or results of operations. Vesta expects that the
elimination of goodwill amortization will positively impact pretax net income by
approximately $2.6 million in fiscal year 2002.
In October of 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001 and was written to provide a
single model for the disposal of long-lived assets. SFAS No. 144 supersedes SFAS
No. 121 "Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed of" and the accounting and reporting provisions of
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30, "Reporting the results of
Operations--Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and
Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions."
Vesta will adopt the provision of SFAS No. 144 effective January 1, 2002.
Adoption of SFAS No. 144 is not expected to have a material impact on Vesta's
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Effective January 1, 2001, Vesta adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities." SFAS No. 133 and subsequent amendments standardize the accounting
for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in
other contracts, by requiring that an entity recognize those items as assets or
liabilities in the financial statements and measure them at fair value.
Management has evaluated our activities and determined that Vesta does not have
any material derivative exposures and that the adoption of the SFAS No. 133 did
not have a material impact on the financial statements.
Note B - Acquisitions
Effective April 1, 2001, we acquired Florida Select Insurance Holdings
Inc., the parent company of Florida Select Insurance Company for cash of
approximately $66.4 million. Florida Select is the 8th largest residential
homeowners insurer in the State of Florida with approximately $137.7 million of
assets and $60.0 million of annual gross written premium. The transaction has
been accounted for as a purchase. Summarized below is an allocation of assets
and liabilities acquired and the consolidated results of operations for the
years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 on an unaudited pro forma basis as if the
acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of each period presented.
Assets and liabilities acquired (in thousands except per share amounts and
unaudited):
Assets acquired:
Invested assets $ 56,707
Cash 24,895
Other assets 14,109
Intangible assets 7,756
Goodwill 34,215
-------
Total assets $137,682
Liabilities acquired:
Loss and LAE reserves $ 22,019
Unearned premiums 36,582
Other liabilities 12,668
-------
Total liabilities $ 71,269
On October 1, 2001, our subsidiary Instant Insurance Holdings, Inc.
("Instant") acquired a 75% interest in Spacecoast Agencies of Florida for $3.7
million. On October 31, Instant acquired A-Affordable Insurance Agency of Texas
for approximately $8.5 million. These transactions have been accounted for as a
purchase. Summarized below is an allocation of assets and liabilities acquired
(in thousands):
Assets acquired:
Cash $ 3,211
Other assets 1,746
Goodwill and other intangibles 11,874
-------
Total assets $16,831
Liabilities acquired:
Payables and other liabilities $ 4,590
-------
Total liabilities $ 4,590
31
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
On June 30, 2000, we completed the acquisition of a 71% controlling
interest in American Founders Financial Corporation for $25 million. American
Founders is a life insurance holding company with approximately $1.8 billion
(face value) of life products in force and approximately $339 million of annuity
deposits as of December 31, 2000. American Founders is currently rated B+ by
A.M. Best and operates in 40 states and the District of Columbia. The
transaction has been accounted for as a purchase. Summarized below is an
allocation of assets and liabilities acquired (in thousands):
Assets acquired:
Invested assets $682,906
Value of business acquired 20,290
Reinsurance receivables 187,473
Other assets 20,156
--------
Total assets $910,825
Liabilities acquired:
Future policy benefits $690,206
FHLB notes payable 143,123
Other liabilities 52,496
--------
Total liabilities $885,825
Summarized below are the consolidated results of operations for the years
ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 on an unaudited pro forma basis as if the
acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of each period presented. The pro
forma information is based on our consolidated results of operations for the
year ended December 30, 2001 and 2000 and on data provided by the acquired
companies, after giving effect to certain proforma adjustments, including the
issuance of 8.625 million shares of common stock. The pro forma financial
information does not purport to be indicative of results of operations that
would have occurred had the transactions occurred on the basis assumed above nor
are they indicative of results of the future operations of the combined
enterprises (in thousands except per share amounts and unaudited):
Year ended December 31,
2001 2000
--------- ---------
Total revenues $ 408,748 $ 372,618
Income (loss) available to common shareholders $ (16,555) $ 30,732
Income (loss) available to common shareholders per share - basic $ (0.53) $ 1.19
Income (loss) available to common shareholders per share - diluted $ (0.53) $ 1.04
Note C - Statutory Accounting and Regulation
Insurance subsidiaries of Vesta are required to file statutory financial
statements with state insurance regulatory authorities. Accounting principles
used to prepare these statutory financial statements differ from accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The most
significant differences between GAAP and statutory accounting principles are as
follows: (a) acquisition costs of obtaining new business are deferred and
amortized over the policy period rather than charged to operations as incurred;
(b) deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between
financial and currently taxable earnings; (c) certain items are reported as
assets (property and equipment, agents' balances, prepaid expenses) rather than
being charged directly to surplus as nonadmitted items; (d) statutory accounting
disallows reserve credits for reinsurance in certain circumstances; (e) bonds
are recorded at their market values instead of amortized costs; (f) benefit
liabilities are computed using a net level method and are based on realistic
estimates of expected mortality, interest, and withdrawals as adjusted to
provide for possible unfavorable deviation from such assumptions; (g) the Asset
Valuation Reserve and Interest Maintenance Reserve are restored to shareholders'
equity.
The following is a summary of selected statutory financial information for
our primary insurance subsidiaries at December 31, 2001 and 2000 (in thousands):
2001 2000
-------- --------
Statutory Capital and Surplus:
Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation $235,935 $275,270
American Founders Life $ 35,030 $ 32,995
Statutory net income:
Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation $ 68,544 $ 41,611
American Founders Life $ 8,761 $ 12,444
32
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Restrictions on Dividends to Stockholder and Transactions between
Affiliates: Transactions between Vesta and its insurance subsidiaries, including
the payment of dividends and management fees to Vesta by such subsidiaries, are
subject to certain limitations under the insurance laws of those subsidiaries'
domiciliary states. The insurance laws of the state of Illinois, where Vesta
Fire is domiciled, permit the payment of dividends out of earned surplus in any
year which, together with other dividends or distributions made within the
preceding 12 months, do not exceed the greater of 10% of statutory surplus as of
the end of the preceding year or the net income for the preceding year, with
larger dividends payable only after receipt of prior regulatory approval. On
October 29, 2001, the Illinois Insurance Department published a Company Bulletin
that indicates that the Department interprets these dividend limitations to
prohibit the payment of dividends if the insurer has negative or zero
"unassigned funds" at the end of the prior year, as reported on its statutorily
required annual statement. Our lead insurance subsidiary, Vesta Fire, reported
negative "unassigned funds" on its annual statement for 2001. Accordingly, we
may not be able to declare and pay a dividend from our lead insurance company
subsidiary for the foreseeable future without prior approval.
Risk-Based Capital Requirements: The NAIC adopted risk-based capital
requirements that require insurance companies to calculate and report
information under a risk-based formula which attempts to measure statutory
capital and surplus needs based on the risks in a company's mix of products and
investment portfolio. The formula is designed to allow state insurance
regulators to identify potential weakly capitalized companies. Under the
formula, a company determines its "risk-based capital" ("RBC") by taking into
account certain risks related to the insurer's assets (including risks related
to its investment portfolio and ceded reinsurance) and the insurer's liabilities
(including underwriting risks related to the nature and experience of its
insurance business). Risk-based capital rules provide for different levels of
regulatory attention depending on the ratio of a company's total adjusted
capital to its "authorized control level" ("ACL") of RBC. Based on calculations
made by Vesta, the RBC levels for each of our insurance subsidiaries did not
trigger regulatory attention.
Note D - Investment Operations
Investment income is summarized as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
--------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
-------- -------- --------
Fixed maturities $ 49,093 $ 39,264 $ 18,059
Equity securities 1,295 1,047 135
Short-term investments 11,593 5,093 9,885
Other 2,686 2,132 --
-------- -------- --------
64,667 47,536 28,079
Less investment expense (749) (1,633) (2,130)
-------- -------- --------
Net investment income from continuing operations $ 63,918 $ 45,903 $ 25,949
======== ======== ========
An analysis of gains (losses) from investments is as follows (in
thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
------- -------- --------
Realized investment gains (losses) from:
Fixed maturities $ 3,516 $ (342) $ (250)
Equity securities 680 (581) 8,206
Other (1) (5,368) -- --
------- -------- --------
$(1,172) $ (923) $ 7,956
======= ======== ========
Net change in unrealized investment gains (losses) on:
Fixed maturities available for sale $ 7,950 $ 13,032 $(15,634)
Equity securities available for sale (126) 677 (3,199)
Less: Applicable tax expense (benefit) 2,738 4,798 (3,731)
------- -------- --------
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) $ 5,086 $ 8,911 $(15,102)
======= ======== ========
(1) The realized loss from other assets is primarily attributable to
a realized loss recorded on certain collateral loans held by
Vesta's life insurance subsidiary, American Founders.
33
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
A summary of fixed maturities and equity securities by amortized cost and
estimated fair value at December 31, 2001 and 2000 is as follows (in thousands):
Cost or Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
2001 Cost Gains Losses Value
--------- ---------- ---------- --------
United States Government $ 76,161 $ 3,530 $ 130 $ 79,561
States, municipalities and political subdivisions 29,922 1,778 142 31,558
Foreign 750 - - 750
Corporate 305,820 11,570 5,044 312,346
Mortgage-backed securities, GNMA collateral 372,396 12,298 1,712 382,982
-------- -------- ------- --------
Total Fixed Maturities 785,049 29,176 7,028 807,197
Equity securities 32,298 545 1,412 31,431
-------- -------- ------- --------
Total portfolio $817,347 $ 29,721 $ 8,440 $838,628
======== ======== ======= ========
2000
United States Government $ 80,235 $ 2,582 $ 128 $ 82,689
States, municipalities and political subdivisions 21,372 1,228 - 22,600
Corporate 312,412 8,226 5,105 315,533
Mortgage-backed securities, GNMA collateral 381,099 3,671 7,387 377,383
-------- -------- ------- --------
Total Fixed Maturities 795,118 15,707 12,620 798,205
Equity securities 30,221 1,339 275 31,285
-------- -------- ------- --------
Total portfolio $825,339 $ 17,046 $12,895 $829,490
======== ======== ======= ========
A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2001
is shown below on an amortized cost basis and on a fair value basis. Actual
maturities could differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment
provisions.
Amortized Fair
Cost Value
--------- --------
(in thousands)
Due in one year or less $ 22,074 $ 22,436
Due from one to five years 154,606 159,769
Due from five to ten years 139,739 143,479
Due in ten years or more 96,234 98,531
Mortgage backed securities 372,396 382,982
-------- --------
Total $785,049 $807,197
======== ========
Proceeds from the sale of equity securities were $3.3 million, $.5 million,
and $22 million in 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively. Gross gains (losses)
realized on those sales were $.4 million, $(.6) million and $8.2 million in
2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Proceeds from sales, maturities and calls of
fixed maturities were $319.5 million in 2001, $157.7 million in 2000 and $294
million in 1999. Gross gains realized on those sales were $3 million in 2001,
$1.4 million in 2000 and $1.7 million in 1999. Gross losses on those sales were
$.5 million in 2001, $1.8 million in 2000 and $2.0 million in 1999.
We maintain a mortgage loan portfolio consisting of first-lien residential
and commercial mortgages. At December 31, 2001, our residential mortgages had
carrying values of approximately $12.7 million and commercial mortgages had
carrying values of approximately $4.2 million. Collateral loans totaled $27.1
million and were collateralized by the stock of 5 separate Mexican companies,
whose only underlying assets supporting the loans consisted of real estate
properties located in Mexico. The collateral loans were non-performing as of
December 31, 2001, and we are taking the steps necessary to collect the amounts
due on these loans from the borrowers. Although the loans are past due in terms
of principal and interest payments, the Company does not believe them to be
impaired and has not established an allowance against their carrying values due
to the estimated value of the collateral being in excess of the combined
carrying value of the principal and accrued interest at December 31, 2001.
34
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note E - Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The table below presents a reconciliation of beginning and ending loss and
LAE reserves for the last three years (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
--------- --------- ---------
Gross Losses and LAE reserves at beginning of year $ 263,689 $ 354,709 $ 504,911
Reinsurance Recoverable (170,050) (186,559) (206,139)
--------- --------- ---------
Net Losses and LAE reserves at beginning of year 93,639 168,150 298,772
Increases (decreases) in provisions for losses and
Acquisition of Florida Select 22,019 -- --
LAE for claims incurred:
Current year 162,984 169,333 268,931
Prior year (1) 34,355 (5,862) (22,167)
Losses and LAE payments for claims incurred:
Current year (119,668) (120,888) (198,503)
Prior year (79,613) (117,094) (178,883)
--------- --------- ---------
Net Losses and LAE reserves at end of year 113,716 93,639 168,150
Reinsurance Recoverable 167,281 170,050 186,559
--------- --------- ---------
Gross loss and LAE Reserves $ 280,997 $ 263,689 $ 354,709
========= ========= =========
(1) The adverse development of $34.4 million is primarily
attributable to a $30.0 million pre-tax charge taken in our
discontinued lines. See Note Q for further discussion.
Note F - Commitments and Contingencies
Securities Litigation
On October 26, 2001, Vesta executed a definitive agreement to settle the
securities litigation that had been pending since June 1998 against Vesta and
certain current and former officers and directors. On December 10, 2001, the
Court approved settlement of the consolidated class action securities litigation
in U.S. District Court in Alabama as to Vesta and its officers and directors for
a total of $61 million in cash. A related derivative action lawsuit in the
Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama was also dismissed with prejudice.
Vesta funded $21.0 million towards the settlement and the Company's excess
directors and officers liability carriers funded the remaining $40.0 million.
Vesta used its line of credit to finance its portion of the settlement and
recorded a pre-tax one-time charge of approximately $25 million against earnings
to cover Vesta's contribution to the settlement and other expenses incurred. We
have now filed a claim with two of our upper level excess D & O insurers for
their part of the settlement and related expenses. We have recorded a receivable
of $5.4 million, which represents the amount currently due from those two excess
D&O insurers
Vesta determined to participate in the funding of the settlement and to
take the related one-time charge against earnings as a result of the Cincinnati
Insurance Company's attempted rescission of their $25 million directors and
officers liability policy and denial of coverage. Vesta has sued Cincinnati in
Alabama state court alleging that its actions were taken in bad faith and is
vigorously pursuing that claim. The Cincinnati case is scheduled for trial in
August 2002.
Indemnification Agreements and Liability Insurance
Pursuant to Delaware law and our by-laws, we are obligated to indemnify our
current and former officers and directors for certain liabilities arising from
their employment with or services to Vesta, provided that their conduct complied
with certain requirements. Pursuant to these obligations, we have been advancing
costs of defense and other expenses on behalf of certain current and former
officers and directors, subject to an undertaking from such individuals to repay
any amounts advanced in the event a court determines that they are not entitled
to indemnification.
Arbitration
As discussed in previous SEC filings, in 1998 we corrected our
accounting for assumed reinsurance business through restatement of our
previously issued financial statements. Similar corrections were made on a
statutory accounting basis through recording cumulative adjustments in Vesta
Fire's 1997 statutory financial statements. The impact of this correction has
been reflected in amounts ceded under our 20 percent whole account quota share
treaty which was terminated on June 30, 1998 on a run-off basis. We believe such
treatment is appropriate under the terms of this treaty and have calculated the
quarterly reinsurance billings presented to the three treaty participants
accordingly. The aggregate amount included herein as recoverable from such
reinsurers totaled $55.9 million at December 31, 2001. Additionally we have
previously collected approximately $48.5 million from the drawdown of collateral
on hand.
NRMA Insurance Ltd. ("NRMA"), one of the participants in the 20% whole
account quota share treaty, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Alabama contesting our billings. NRMA sought
recession of the treaty and a temporary restraining order preventing us from
drawing down approximately $34.5 of collateral. We filed a demand for
arbitration as provided for in the treaty and also filed a motion to compel
arbitration which was granted in the United States District action. Vesta
reached an agreement with NRMA to collect the $34.5 million of collateral in
exchange for posting a $25 million letter of credit in favor of NRMA to fund any
amounts NRMA may recover as a result of the arbitration. We filed for
arbitration against the other two participants on the treaty and all those
arbitrations are in their document discovery stages. While management believes
its interpretation of the treaty's terms and computations based thereon are
correct, these matters are in arbitration and their ultimate outcome cannot be
determined at this time.
35
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
During 1999, F&G Re (on behalf of USF&G), filed for arbitration under two
aggregate stop loss reinsurance treaties whereby F&G Re assumed certain risk
from the Vesta. F&G Re is seeking to cancel the treaties and avoid its
obligation. Based on the terms of the two treaties, Vesta will be entitled to
recoveries of approximately $30.0 million as losses from prior accident years
mature. Vesta has recorded a reinsurance recoverable of $30.0 million at
December 31, 2001 related to these two treaties. The hearing in this arbitration
began on February 11, 2002. The hearing was adjourned on February 15, 2002 and
rescheduled to resume on June 11, 2002. While management believes that USF&G is
not entitled to recession, the ultimate outcome cannot be determined at this
time.
We are in arbitration with CIGNA Property and Casualty Insurance Company
(now ACE USA) under a personal lines insurance quota share reinsurance
agreement, whereby we assumed certain risks from CIGNA. During September 2000,
CIGNA filed for arbitration under the reinsurance agreement, seeking payment of
the balances that CIGNA claims are due under the terms of the treaty. In
addition, during the fourth quarter, the treaty was terminated on a cut-off
basis. Vesta is seeking recoupment of all improper claims payments and excessive
expense allocations and charges from CIGNA. The arbitration was bifurcated into
two phases with phase one concentrating on the interpretation of the intent of
the parties related to the expense reimbursement provisions of the treaty at the
time it was entered and phase two related to any issues between the parties
after the Company conducts an audit of expenses related to the treaty. The phase
one hearing was held in February 2002 and the panel ruled that (i) the Company
is responsible for the payment of ceding commissions provided for in the treaty
and should pay any outstanding billings for commissions, and paid claims plus
interest; and (ii) the Company may proceed with an audit of expenses ceded to
the treaty and (iii) the parties should identify any further issues to be
brought before the arbitration panel for phase two of the hearing.
If the amounts recoverable under the relevant treaties are ultimately
determined to be materially less than the amounts that we have reported as
recoverable, we may incur a significant, material, and adverse impact on our
financial condition and results of operations.
Other Litigation
On January 14, 2002, the Company's subsidiary, American Founders, was
notified of a lawsuit naming it as a defendant and brought by a creditor of the
former parent of the subsidiary. This lawsuit (subsequently identified as the
Blitz lawsuit) alleges, among other things, that American Founders redeemed its
Series A and Series C preferred stock issues at less than "reasonably equivalent
value". American Founders believes that the allegations brought against it in
this lawsuit are without merit and intends to mount a vigorous defense in this
action. In the opinion of management, resolution of the Blitz lawsuit is not
expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the
Company. However, depending on the amount and timing, an unfavorable resolution
of this matter could materially affect American Founders' future operations or
cash flows in a particular period.
Vesta, through its subsidiaries, is routinely a party to pending or
threatened legal proceedings and arbitration relating to the regular conduct of
its insurance business. These proceedings involve alleged breaches of contract,
torts, including bad faith and fraud claims and miscellaneous other specified
relief. Based upon information presently available, and in light of legal and
other defenses available to Vesta and its subsidiaries, management does not
consider liability from any threatened or pending litigation regarding routine
matters to be material.
Contingent liabilities
As part of its ongoing reinsurance recoverable arbitrations, we have
obtained letters of credit for the benefit of certain parties. Our principal
operating subsidiary, Vesta Fire is contingently liable under the terms of these
letters of credit. For our reinsurance arbitrations, we have obtained letters of
credit totaling $33.7 million for which we are contingently liable.
Additionally, as part of our specialty lines underwriting retained, we have
obtained letters of credit or other pledges of securities totaling $29.2 million
securing our obligations under the various reinsurance agreements. As part of
our Federal Home Loan Bank Program, as more fully described in Note M, we have
pledged securities with a market value of $176.8 million securing our obligation
thereunder.
Leases
We lease office space for our home office and subsidiary offices under
operating lease arrangements. Rental expense for operating leases was $6.2
million, $3.0 million, and $2.1 million for the years ending December 31, 2001,
2000 and 1999 respectively. Future minimum rental commitments required under
these leases are approximately $3.2 million per year.
Note G - Supplemental Disclosures for Cash Flow Statement
The following table summarizes amounts recorded for interest and income
taxes paid (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
------- ------- -------
Cash paid for interest $19,642 $23,275 $10,174
Cash paid for income taxes 7,605 1,901 --
In 2001, we redeemed $10.0 million face amount of Deferrable Capital
Securities in exchange for approximately 965 thousand shares of common stock.
The resulting after-tax gain from these transactions of $1.9 million was
recorded directly to equity in accordance with EITF 86-32 "Early Extinguishment
of a Subsidiary's Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock." Also, we redeemed
$7.0 million face amount of our Senior Debentures in exchange for approximately
568 thousand shares of common stock. In December 2001, we issued 1.5 million
shares of common stock in exchange for 9.2 million shares of Instant Insurance
Holdings, Inc. held by a minority shareholder.
In December 2000, we issued 952,381 shares of common stock in exchange for
693 shares of non-voting stock of Aegis Financial Corporation. In December 2000,
we issued 555,738 shares of common stock in exchange for 3,000,000 shares of
Instant Auto Insurance Holdings, Inc. In December 2000, we issued 1,200,066
shares of common stock in exchange for $8 million face amount of our Deferrable
Capital Securities, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $2.0 million.
36
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note H - Reinsurance
Vesta engages in reinsurance ceded transactions as part of its overall
underwriting and risk management strategy. Vesta's reinsurance ceded programs
include coverages which limit the amount of individual claims to a fixed amount
or percentage and which limit the amount of claims related to catastrophes.
The effect on premiums earned and losses and loss adjustment expenses of
all assumed reinsurance transactions are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
------- ------- --------
(in thousands)
Premiums assumed $11,698 $38,240 $116,678
Losses, policy benefits, and LAE assumed 37,453 31,746 69,348
The effect on premiums earned and losses and loss adjustment expenses
incurred of reinsurance ceded transactions are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
-------- ------- -------
(in thousands)
Reinsurance ceded:
Premiums ceded $130,473 $43,413 $91,759
Losses, policy benefits, and loss adjustment expenses 110,321 40,316 97,758
The amount of reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses,
policy benefits and unearned premiums that Vesta would remain liable for should
reinsuring companies be unable to meet their obligations are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000
-------- --------
(in thousands)
Losses and loss adjustment expense $167,281 $170,050
Policy benefits 152,235 170,766
Retroactive Reinsurance Receivable 599 599
Unearned premiums 37,712 12,534
-------- --------
$357,827 $353,949
======== ========
During 2000, Vesta entered into a transaction with NeHi Re, L.P., a special
purpose limited syndicate under the INEX Insurance Exchange, to provide $50.0
million of excess-of-loss reinsurance protection to potential losses arising in
Hawaii and in the Northeast United States for a period of three years. We paid
$3.0 million in annual premiums for this catastrophe reinsurance.
Note I - Income Taxes
Income tax expense (benefit) consists of:
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
-------- ------- -------
(in thousands)
Current tax expense (benefit) $ 531 $ 709 $ 1,060
Deferred tax expense (benefit) (14,877) 6,805 16,506
Less:
Tax (benefit) expense from discontinued operations (11,406) (1,418) 5,296
Tax expense on extraordinary gain on extinguishment of debt 490 2,568 5,141
Tax expense on gain on redemption of preferred securites 1,060 700 --
-------- ------- -------
Total tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations $ (4,490) $ 5,664 $7,129
======== ======= =======
37
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Vesta's effective income tax rate differed from the statutory income tax
rate as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
----- ---- ----
Statutory federal income tax rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
Increases (reductions) in tax resulting from:
Tax exempt investment income (0.6) (4.0) (5.0)
Goodwill 0.2 1.0 0.4
Other 0.4 1.9 0.6
---- ---- ----
35.0% 33.9% 31.0%
==== ==== ====
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31,
2001 and 2000 are presented below:
2001 2000
------- -------
(in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Unearned and advance premiums $10,312 $ 6,160
Discounted unpaid losses 9,146 6,443
Net operating loss/AMT credit carryforward 30,213 15,468
Policy liabilities 5,514 4,204
Goodwill 8,804 9,653
Other 10,448 11,107
------- -------
Total deferred tax assets 74,437 53,035
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred acquisition costs 21,973 18,433
Unrealized gains (losses) 5,306 2,330
Fixed assets 2,384 1,874
Other 6,183 7,941
------- -------
Total deferred tax liabilities 35,846 30,578
Net deferred tax asset $38,591 $22,457
======= =======
Deferred tax assets are to be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is
more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will
not be realized. Vesta has determined that the benefits of its deferred tax
assets are realizable and accordingly, no valuation allowance has been recorded
at December 31, 2001 and 2000. Net operating loss carryforwards expire in
periods through 2021.
Note J - Shareholders' Equity
Vesta has a Shareholders' Rights Plan that provides for the payment of a
dividend of one preferred stock purchase right to be attached for each
outstanding share of common stock. Each Right, if and when it becomes
exercisable, will entitle the registered holder to purchase from Vesta one
one-hundreth (1/100) of a share of Vesta's Series B Junior participating
Preferred Stock at a price of $30.00 per one one-hundreth of a share. The Rights
will be excercisable only if a person or group acquires a beneficial ownership
of 10% or more of the common stock. The Rights entitle the holder to purchase
one one-hundreth of a share of a new series of preferred stock at an exercisable
price of $30.00 and will expire on June 15, 2010.
On January 26, 2001, pursuant to the original terms, the holders of our
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, converted their preferred stock into 5.9
million shares of common stock. We subsequently purchased these shares for
approximately $47.6 million.
In 2001, we sold 5.5 million share of common stock to third parties for
approximately $32.3 million. In June, 2001, we completed a follow on offering of
8.625 million shares of common stock for approximately, $64.0 million, net of
offering expenses. Additionally, in 2001, we purchased 1.4 million shares on the
open market for approximately $9.7 million. These shares were used for various
restricted stock awards, debt for equity exchanges or are held in treasury. As
of December 31, 2001, the Board of Directors has authorized the Company to
acquire up to 3.6 million of additional shares of treasury stock.
38
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In 2001, we redeemed $10.0 million face amount of Deferrable Capital
Securities in exchange for approximately 965 thousand shares of common stock. We
also redeemed preferred stock of a subsidiary with a stated value of $9.0
million and a carrying value of $8.4 million for approximately $5.2 million.
Additionally, we were not required to pay the contingent amount recorded in 2000
as discussed below. The resulting after-tax gain from these transactions of $7.1
million was recorded directly to equity in accordance with EITF 86-32 "Early
Extinguishment of a Subsidiary's Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock." Also,
we redeemed $7.0 million face amount of our Senior Debentures in exchange for
approximately 568 thousand shares of common stock. The resulting after-tax gain
of $.9 million ($0.03 per diluted share) was recorded on the statement of
operations as an extraordinary gain on the extinguishments of debt.
On December 31, 2001, we issued 1.5 million shares of common stock in
exchange for 9.2 million shares of Instant Insurance Holdings, Inc. held by a
minority shareholder.
In the fourth quarter of 2000, Vesta redeemed preferred stock of a
subsidiary with a stated value of $21 million and a carrying value of $18
million for $7.0 million including a $3.5 million contingent payable. In
addition, we redeemed $8 million of Deferrable Capital Securities in exchange
for 1.2 million shares of common stock. The resulting after-tax gain from these
transactions of $9.2 million was recorded directly to equity in accordance with
EITF 86-32 "Early Extinguishment of a Subsidiary's Mandatorily Redeemable
Preferred Stock."
In the fourth quarter of 2000, Vesta established the Agent Stock Incentive
Plan Trust to satisfy future obligations of Vesta to its Agents under the terms
of the Agent's Stock Incentive Plan. Vesta issued 750,000 shares to the Trust in
December 2000. At December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, 744,748 shares and
750,000 shares were held by the trust and are included in the Unearned stock
caption on the Balance Sheet as contra equity.
During 2000, we engaged in a number of purchases and sales of our common
stock. In two separate transactions, we repurchased 5.1 million shares of stock
from our former parent, Torchmark Corporation. We disposed of the acquired stock
in a number of private placements, two debt for equity exchanges, the
acquisitions of Aegis Financial Corporation and Instant Insurance Holdings, and
the establishment of the Agent Stock Incentive Plan Trust.
Unearned stock consists of shares of common stock issued by Vesta that
remain subject to certain future restrictions, and therefore are shown as a
reduction to stockholders' equity. Unearned stock compensation is composed of
the following at December 31, 2001 and 2000, (in thousands):
2001 2000
------- -------
Unamortized restricted stock awards $14,537 $1,804
Receivable from issuance of restricted stock 278 438
Agent's trust 4,692 4,725
------- ------
$19,507 $6,967
======= ======
Note K - Segment Information
We operate several segments, which are distinguishable by their product
offerings. The accounting policies of the operating segments are described in
Note A. Segment pre-tax income is generally income before income tax and
minority interest. Premiums, policy fees, other income, loss and benefit
expenses, operating expenses, and policy acquisition expenses are attributed
directly to each operating segment. Net investment income and interest expense
are allocated only to those segments for which such amounts are considered an
integral part of the financial results for that segment.
A brief description of each segment is as follows:
Standard Property-Casualty
The standard property-casualty segment primarily consists of the marketing
and distribution of personal lines products including residential property and
private passenger auto coverages. Vesta's products are distributed primarily
through approximately 1,500 independent agencies in 24 states. Our standard
personal auto line targets drivers over age thirty-five with above average
driving records and our residential property products cover the full range of
homes.
Life and Health Insurance
On June 30, 2000, we entered the life and annuity business through an
investment in American Founders Financial Corporation, a holding company for two
life insurance companies domiciled in Texas and we entered the health insurance
business through the acquisition of Aegis Financial Corporation in December
2000. American Founders and Aegis have approximately $2.5 billion (face value)
of life and annuity products in force and approximately $22.5 million of health
insurance premiums in force at December 31, 2001. American Founders markets
traditional life products, universal life products, fixed-rate annuities,
pension contracts and related products through independent agents throughout the
majority of the United States. Aegis Financial markets health insurance products
through captive agents throughout the United States.
Specialty Lines
Specialty lines include our fronting operations and any underwriting risk
retained from premiums written through our non-standard auto agencies. In
fronting arrangements, we write targeted property-casualty insurance coverages
and reinsure substantially all of the risks to reinsurers in exchange for fees.
This business takes advantage of our certificates of authority granting us
license to write insurance in many states. Income from fronting arrangements is
primarily generated on a fee-for-service basis. For the premium written through
our non-standard auto agencies, we determine based on market conditions,
39
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
and the prospective results of the underlying business, whether to keep 100% of
the underwriting risk or reinsure this risk to various reinsurers. Our decision
on how much underwriting risk to retain is dependent on the current rating
environment and the amount of commissions offered by the reinsurers.
Non-Standard Auto Agency
The non-standard auto agency segment consists of our non-standard auto
agency retail and wholesale operations. The primary sources of revenue are
agent's commissions and fees collected by retailers and fees and commissions
collected by wholesalers. These revenue streams are not risk-bearing.
Corporate and Other
Our corporate and other segment primarily consists of unallocated net
investment income, unallocated interest expense, and certain overhead expenses
not directly associated with a particular segment.
Standard Life and Non-
Property- Health Specialty Standard Corporate Consolidated
2001 Casualty Insurance Lines Auto Agency and Other Total
--------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- ------------
(in thousands)
Revenues:
Premiums earned $246,063 $ 30,572 $10,169 $ 286,804
Net investment income -- 43,494 -- $ 325 $ 20,099 63,918
Policy fees 3,547 3,971 156 -- -- 7,674
Realized gains (losses) -- (3,311) -- -- 2,139 (1,172)
Other 718 1,060 4,237 5,892 4,513 16,420
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------- ---------
Total revenues 250,328 75,786 14,562 6,217 26,751 $ 373,644
Expenses:
Loss, LAE and policyholder benefits 161,599 35,950 7,997 -- -- 205,546
Policy acquisition costs 54,795 7,682 2,356 -- -- 64,833
Litigation settlement charge -- -- -- -- 25,000 25,000
Operating expenses 32,356 12,520 276 9,087 15,369 69,608
Interest on debt -- 8,584 -- 83 8,898 17,565
Goodwill and other intangible amortization -- -- -- -- 3,394 3,394
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------- ---------
Total expenses 248,750 64,736 10,629 9,170 52,661 385,946
Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations $ 1,578 $ 11,050 $ 3,933 $(2,953) $(25,910) $ (12,302)
======== ======== ======= ======= ======== =========
Operating segment assets:
Investments and other assets $267,686 $936,034 $55,056 $38,777 $374,673
Deferred acquisition costs 36,800 21,538 494 -- --
-------- ------- ------- ------- --------
$304,486 $957,572 $55,550 $38,777 $374,673
======== ======== ======= ======= ========
40
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Standard
Property- Life Insurance Specialty Corporate and Consolidated
2000 Casualty Lines Other Total
--------- ---------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
Revenues:
Premiums earned $212,809 $ 3,093 $1,097 $216,999
Net investment income -- 21,360 -- $ 24,543 45,903
Policy fees 2,177 2,209 -- -- 4,386
Realized losses -- -- -- (2,061) (2,061)
Other -- 712 977 (786) 903
-------- -------- ------ -------- --------
Total revenues 214,986 27,374 2,074 21,696 266,130
Expenses:
Loss, LAE and policyholder benefits 124,772 9,610 660 -- 135,042
Policy acquisition costs 52,361 619 244 -- 53,224
Operating expenses 26,616 5,855 -- 11,103 43,574
Interest on debt -- 5,179 -- 9,926 15,105
Goodwill and other intangible amortization -- -- -- 1,591 1,591
-------- -------- ------ -------- --------
Total expenses 203,749 21,263 904 22,620 248,536
Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations $ 11,237 $ 6,111 $1,170 $ (924) $ 17,594
======== ======== ====== ======== ========
Operating segment assets:
Investments and other assets $209,274 $885,578 $5,314 $347,085
Deferred acquisition costs 27,169 18,533 252 --
-------- -------- ------ --------
$236,443 $904,111 $5,566 $347,085
======== ======== ====== ========
Standard
Property- Life Insurance Specialty Corporate and Consolidated
1999 Casualty Lines Other Total
--------- -------------- --------- ------------- ------------
(in thousands)
Revenues:
Premiums earned $248,076 -- -- -- $248,076
Net investment income -- -- -- $ 25,949 25,949
Realized gains -- -- -- 12,756 12,756
Other 4,347 -- -- 180 4,527
-------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Total revenues 252,423 38,885 291,308
Expenses:
Loss, LAE and policyholder benefits 165,014 -- -- -- 165,014
Policy acquisition costs 46,289 -- -- -- 46,289
Operating expenses 28,811 -- -- 12,351 41,162
Interest on debt -- -- -- 13,215 13,215
Goodwill and other intangible amortization -- -- -- 2,118 2,118
-------- ------- ------- -------- --------
Total expenses 240,114 27,684 267,798
Pre-tax income from continuing operations $ 12,309 $11,201 $ 23,510
======== ======= ======= ======== ========
Operating segment assets:
Investment and other assets $354,286 -- -- $388,166
Deferred acquisistion costs 31,362 -- --
-------- ------- ------- --------
$385,648 $388,166
======== ======= ======= ========
41
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note L - Debt and Deferrable Capital Securities
Long-term debt and Deferrable Capital Securities at December 31, 2001 and
2000 consists of the following (in thousands):
2001 2000
------- -------
8.75% Senior Debentures, due July 15, 2025 $79,820 $86,820
Less: debt issue cost (388) (401)
------- -------
Long-term debt $79,432 $86,419
======= =======
8.525% Deferrable Capital Securities, issued by Vesta
Capital Trust I, due January 15, 2027 $23,250 $33,225
======= =======
The Senior Debentures are unsecured and rank on parity with all other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The debentures contain certain
restrictions on the ability of Vesta to issue, sell, or otherwise dispose of any
restricted subsidiary or to pledge the capital stock of any subsidiary.
During the year ended December 31, 2001, we extinguished $7.0 million of
our 8.75% Senior Debentures for 568,644 shares of common stock. We recorded an
extraordinary gain, net of tax, of $.9 million ($.03 per diluted share), as a
result of the early redemption of this long term debt. During the year ended
December 31, 2000, we extinguished $13.1 million of our 8.75% Senior Debentures
for approximately $9.8 million plus accrued interest and all $44.1 million of
our 12.5% Senior Notes for approximately $38.2 million plus accrued interest. We
recorded extraordinary gains, net of tax, and related debt issue costs of $5.3
million ($.22 per diluted share), as a result of the early redemption of this
long term debt. The redemptions were funded with internally generated cash. The
warrants attached to the 12.5% Senior Notes have been cancelled.
Vesta's short-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2001 and 2000 is as
follows (in thousands):
Outstanding Available
----------- ---------
2001 $29,964 $ 36
2000 $ 5,000 $10,000
On March 3, 2000, we established a revolving credit facility with First
Commercial Bank, Birmingham, Alabama ("First Commercial"). In May, 2001 we
increased the amounts available and increased the term of the credit facility to
the following:
. a $15 million unsecured line which bears interest at First
Commercial's prime rate +1/4%;
. an additional $15 million line which bears interest at First
Commercial's prime rate, secured by a pledge of the revenues received
under management contract between our wholly owned management company,
J. Gordon Gaines, Inc., and our operating insurance subsidiaries.
Each of these credit facilities mature on April 30, 2003. These credit
agreements contain covenants which require us to maintain minimum (i) statutory
consolidated net income, (ii) GAAP consolidated net income, (iii) statutory
surplus and (iv) risk based capital. For the period ending December 31, 2001,
our GAAP consolidated net income and statutory surplus did not meet the minimum
requirements as set forth in our credit agreements. First Commercial has agreed
that any such non-compliance will not be deemed an event of default under the
credit agreement.
In 1997, our single purpose finance subsidiary, Vesta Capital Trust I,
issued $100 million principal amount of its 8.525% Deferrable Capital
Securities. We have unconditionally guaranteed Vesta Capital Trust's obligation
to make semi-annual distributions on these capital securities, and we have
issued a debenture in a like amount to Vesta Capital Trust which requires us to
make interest payments in the same amounts and at the same times as the
distributions which are payable on these capital securities. These securities
and the related distributions are treated in a manner similar to minority
interest in the financial statements. The terms of the capital securities and
the underlying debenture permit us to defer interest payments on the debentures,
and, therefore, distributions on the capital securities, for up to ten years. We
exercised this right of deferral with respect to the semi-annual payment
originally due July 15, 1999. While we have elected to resume payment on these
capital securities effective January 15, 2000, including all accrued amounts due
since July 15, 1999, we may elect to defer payments again in the future. In the
event we elect to defer such payments again in the future, we will not be
permitted to pay any dividends on our common stock or other equity securities.
In December, 1999, we exchanged $44.1 million of 12.5% senior notes, due 2006
for $58.8 million of the Deferrable Capital Securities. The resulting after-tax
gain of $9.5 million was recorded directly to retained earnings in accordance
with EITF 86-32 "Early Extinguishment of a Subsidiary's Mandatorily Redeemable
Preferred Stock." In December, 2000, we exchanged 1.2 million shares of common
stock for $8 million face amount of Deferrable Capital Securities. The resulting
after-tax gain of $1.3 million was recorded directly to retained earnings in
accordance with EITF 86-32. In 2001, we exchanged 965 thousand shares of common
stock for $10 million face amount of Deferrable Capital Securities. The
resulting after tax gain of $1.9 million was recorded directly to retained
earning in accordance with EITF 86-32. The after tax gains from these
transactions have been included in the respective computations of income
available to common shareholders and related earnings per share computations in
accordance with EITF Topic No. D-42, "The Effect on the Calculation of Earnings
per Share for the Redemption or Induced Conversion of Preferred Stock.".
As of December 31, 2001, approximately $23.3 million of these capital
securities remained outstanding and carried a semi-annual distribution
obligation of approximately $ 1.0 million.
42
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note M - Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank as of December 31, 2001 and 2000
are as follows (in thousands):
2001 2000
Short-term advances, bearing interest at 1.91% to 4.015% for
2001 and 6.62% for 2000 $ 95,100 $ 75,000
Amortizing advances with balloon payments, bearing interest at
rates from 6.41% to 7.3%, maturing from 2010 to 2016 66,412 68,107
Fully amortizing advances, bearing interest at rates ranging
From 6.19% to 7.48%, maturing from 2003 to 2017 7,102 7,584
-------- --------
$168,614 $150,691
======== ========
We are required to maintain a collateral deposit with FHLB. At December 31,
2001 and 2000 respectively, investments having a market value of approximately
$176.8 million and $153.9 million at December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively,
were pledged to the FHLB. Interest expense was approximately $8.6 million and
$9.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 200l, respectively.
Annual maturities of borrowings from FHLB as of December 31, 2001 are as
follows (in thousands):
2002 $ 88,401
2003 15,337
2004 5,249
2005 3,290
2006 2,582
Thereafter 53,755
--------
$168,614
========
Note N - Stock Based Compensation
During 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Financial
Accounting Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation ("SFAS
123"). The Statement defines a fair value based method of accounting for an
employee stock option. It also allows an entity to continue using the intrinsic
value based accounting method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Vesta has continued to use
this method to account for its stock options and other forms of stock based
compensation. However, SFAS 123 requires entities electing to remain with the
intrinsic method of accounting to provide pro forma disclosures of net income
and earnings per share as if the fair value based method of accounting had been
applied as well as other disclosures about Vesta's stock-based employee
compensation plans. Information about Vesta's stock based compensation plans and
the related required disclosures follow.
Prior to completion of our initial public offering, our stockholders
approved the Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan ("Plan"),
which provided for grants to our executive officers of restricted stock, stock
options, stock appreciation rights, and deferred stock awards, and in certain
instances grants of options to directors. Our stockholders approved certain
amendments to the Plan effective August 27, 1999 and May 16, 1995, including an
amendment to increase the shares of common stock available for awards to
2,221,998 shares and an amendment to delete the provision for the grant of
options to non-employee directors. The stockholders also approved the Vesta
Insurance Group, Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Plan ("Director Plan")
effective May 16, 1995, which provides for grants to Vesta's non-employee
directors of stock options and restricted stock.
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is
required by SFAS 123 and has been determined as if Vesta had accounted for its
employee stock options under the fair value method of that Statement. The fair
value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes
option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for 2001,
2000 and 1999, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 5.13%, 6.50% and 6.22%;
dividend yields of 1.0%, 1.0% and 1.67% percent; volatility factor of the
expected market price of Vesta's common stock of 88.97, 78.39 and 67.02; and a
weighted-average expected life of the options of ten years for all years.
43
Vesta Insurance Group,Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Vesta's actual and pro forma information follows (in thousands, except for
earnings per share information):
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
-------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
As reported $(22,425) $ 16,722 $ 32,440
Pro forma (22,689) 16,511 31,809
Net income (loss) available to common shareholder per share - basic
As reported $ (0.84) $ 0.92 $ 1.73
Pro forma (0.85) 0.91 1.70
Net income (loss) available to common shareholder per share - diluted
As reported $ (0.84) $ 0.78 $ 1.63
Pro forma (0.85) 0.77 1.60
The following summary sets forth activity under the Plans for the years
ended December 31:
2001 2000 1999
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Weighted- Weighted- Weighted-
Average Average Average
Exercise Exercise Exercise
Options Price Options Price Options Price
-------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Outstanding--beginning of the year 825,562 $ 10.92 860,636 $ 15.64 564,048 $ 24.40
Granted 137,500 6.16 130,000 4.89 431,500 4.58
Exercised -- -- -- -- -- --
Forfeited 95,085 4.50 165,074 30.79 134,912 16.91
-------- ------- -------- ------- -------- -------
Outstanding--end of the year 867,977 $ 9.93 825,562 $ 10.92 860,636 $ 15.64
======== ======== ========
Weighted-average fair value of
options granted during the year $ 3.85 $ 3.72 $ 2.92
Of the 867,977 outstanding options at December 31, 2001, 460,477 were
exercisable.
The following table shows expiration dates and weighted average exercise
price for all outstanding options and options currently exercisable at December
31, 2001.
Weighted
Expiration Date Number of Average Options
Shares Exercise Price Exercisable
--------------- --------- -------------- -----------
2003 91,416 $ 16.60 91,416
2004 19,500 15.05 19,500
2005 92,061 22.09 92,061
2006 9,000 35.38 9,000
2007 15,000 31.00 15,000
2008 15,000 59.19 15,000
2009 358,500 4.51 138,500
2010 130,000 4.89 40,000
2011 137,500 6.16 40,000
At December 31, 2001, Vesta has issued 2,005,818 shares of restricted
stock. 74,307 shares have been issued to officers of Vesta in exchange for
promissory notes. The common stock is being held by Vesta as security for the
repayment of the notes. The balance of the unamortized restricted stock and
unpaid note receivable at December 31, 2001 and 2000, was $14.8 million and $2.2
million, respectively, and are shown as reductions to stockholders' equity. The
restrictions on the remaining 1.9 million shares expire in 2002 - 2011.
44
Vesta Insurance Group,Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note O - Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of quarterly financial data, in thousands except
per share data:
Three months ended
---------------------------------------------------
March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31,
2001 2001 2001 2001
--------- -------- ------------- ------------
Premiums and policy fees earned $ 66,648 $ 75,919 $ 75,927 $ 75,984
Net investment income 15,603 17,110 15,450 15,755
Operating costs and expenses 80,997 85,676 122,402 96,871
Income tax (benefit) expense 1,787 4,341 (9,510) (1,108)
Minority interest and Deferrable Capital Securities 632 915 587 336
Net income (loss) from continuing operations 2,629 7,215 (18,162) (1,964)
Preferred stock dividend (163) -- --
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations 5 (163) (19,800) --
Net income available to stockholders 3,036 7,052 (31,953) (560)
Basic per share data:
Net (loss) income from continuing operations 0.14 0.30 (0.57) (0.06)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations -- (0.01) (0.62) --
Net income (loss) available to stockholders 0.16 0.30 (1.00) (0.02)
Three months ended
---------------------------------------------------
March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31,
2000 2000 2000 2000
--------- -------- ------------- ------------
Premiums and policy fees earned $ 56,565 $ 52,138 $ 54,476 $ 56,029
Net investment income 7,003 5,258 16,854 16,788
Operating costs and expenses 65,761 50,116 64,005 67,677
Income tax expense (777) 2,961 2,078 1,402
Minority interest and Deferrable Capital 571 571 1,429 1,010
Securities
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (1,659) 5,072 2,993 1,943
Preferred stock dividend 563 563 1,272 1,272
Net income(loss) from discontinued operations 3,913 (2,833) 1,003 (4,480)
Net income available to stockholders 6,258 2,359 2,724 5,381
Basic per share data:
Net (loss) income from continuing operations (0.09) 0.28 0.16 0.11
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations 0.21 (0.15) 0.06 (0.25)
Net income available to stockholders 0.33 0.13 0.15 0.29
As discussed in Note Q, Vesta discontinued its commercial operations
effective in the fourth quarter of 1999 and its reinsurance assumed operations,
effective the fourth quarter of 2000. Quarters prior to such effective dates
have been reclassified in accordance with Accounting Principal Board Opinion No.
30 (APB 30) for presentation of discontinued operations.
45
Vesta Insurance Group,Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note P - Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of Vesta's financial
instruments, none of which were held for trading purposes, were as follows (in
thousands):
2001 2000
Carrying Estimated Fair Carrying Estimated Fair
Amount Value Amount Value
-------- -------------- -------- --------------
Financial assets:
Fixed maturities $807,197 $807,197 $798,205 $798,205
Equity securities 31,431 31,431 31,285 31,285
Cash and short-term investments 64,777 64,777 35,960 35,960
Mortgage loans 16,870 16,870 26,708 26,708
Collateral loans 27,108 27,108 36,352 36,352
Policy loans 63,949 63,949 61,413 61,413
Other invested assets 47,996 47,996 29,343 29,343
Financial liabilites:
Insurance liabilties for investment contracts 576,849 550,065 561,899 524,452
FHLB advances 168,614 168,614 150,691 150,691
Long term debt and deferrable capital securities 102,682 69,552 119,644 83,751
The fair values presented represent management's best estimates and may not
be substantiated by comparisons to independent markets and, in many cases, could
not be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments. Certain financial
instruments and all nonfinancial instruments are not required to be disclosed;
therefore, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not purport to
represent the underlying fair value of Vesta. Except as noted below, fair values
were estimated using quoted market prices.
. Equity Securities - The carrying value of unaffiliated common stock,
except for stock of FHLB, approximates fair value. Because FHLB shares
are not publicly traded, the market value of the stock was considered
to be equivalent to its cost due to the fact that FHLB has
historically redeemed the shares at the original cost.
. Mortgage Loans - The fair value of mortgage loans is calculated by
discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using
the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers
with similar credit and interest rate risks. Approximately $66,000 of
the loans were in the process of foreclosure.
. Other Invested Assets, Including Collateral Loans - The carrying value
of certain other invested assets approximates fair value because
existing rates of return approximates the current rates of return
required on similar investments. The carrying amount of collateral
loans approximates fair value as effective yields approximate current
rates.
. Annuity Account Balances - Annuity account balances include single
premium and flexible premium deferred and immediate annuity contracts,
supplementary contracts not having significant mortality risk,
policyholder dividend accumulations, and separate account liabilities.
Cash surrender value is used in determining the fair value of single
premium and flexible premium deferred annuity contracts. Carrying
amounts approximated fair value for immediate annuities, supplementary
contracts, policyholder dividend accumulations, and separate account
liabilities.
. Borrowings - Fair values for the advances from FHLB were calculated
using interest rates in effect as of each year end with the other
terms of the advances unchanged. Carrying values of short term debt
approximate fair value as effective rates approximate current rates.
Fair values of long term debt and deferrable capital securities, were
determined based on recent transactions involving the applicable
securities.
It is not practical to estimate the fair value of policy loans as they have
no stated maturity and their rates are set at a spread related to policy
liability amounts.
Note Q - Discontinued Operations
In 1999, we elected to exit the assumed reinsurance business and ceased
accepting new contracts. We sold the majority of our reinsurance assumed
operations, including most renewal rights to Hartford Fire Insurance Company in
the first quarter of 1999 for $15 million. In the fourth quarter of 2000, the
last active reinsurance contract was commuted. Such commutation represented the
measurement date for treatment of the reinsurance assumed business as a
discontinued operation under Accounting Principles Board Opinion 30. Therefore,
the reinsurance assumed operations have been segregated from continuing
operations herein for all periods presented. Vesta will continue to pay losses
on policies with coverage periods prior to the measurement date as those losses
become due.
In 1999, we elected to exit all commercial lines programs by not accepting
new commercial policy applications and non renewing existing in-force policies
at their renewal dates. In November of 1999 we received final regulatory
approval to non renew our commercial lines policies from all of the states in
which we wrote commercial lines. Such approval represented the measurement date
for treatment of the commercial segment as a discontinued operation under APB
30. Therefore, the commercial operations have been segregated from continuing
operations herein for all periods presented. We will continue to earn premium
and incur losses on policies which were in-force through November 1999.
46
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
As a result of an unexpected increase in the severity and volume of
reported claims associated with both our discontinued commercial and assumed
reinsurance lines and an increase in payments on claim reserves during 2001, we
increased our expected losses from discontinued operations by approximately
$19.5 million, net of tax. The increase in our expected losses with respect to
our commercial business related to a variety of underlying coverages including
general liability. These types of claims may take many years to fully develop
and we must continue to monitor trends in their ultimate development. Similarly,
we experienced negative development in some of our assumed reinsurance
contracts, principally related to certain homeowner coverages. These types of
claims should fully develop over a comparatively shorter period of time. While
we believe that the recorded reserves for discontinued operations at December
31, 2001 are adequate, further adjustments to our estimates could be necessary
as we continue to run off the remaining outstanding claims. Operating results of
reinsurance assumed and commercial lines were as follows (in thousands):
2001 2000 1999
-------- -------- ---------
Net premium earned $ (265) $ 36,296 $ 148,260
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before tax (31,364) (3,815) 18,002
Income tax expense (benefit) (11,406) (1,418) 5,296
-------- -------- ---------
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (19,958) (2,397) 12,706
======== ======== =========
Basic net income (loss) from discontinued operations per common share (0.75) (0.13) 0.68
Diluted net income (loss) from discontinued operations per common share (0.75) (0.10) 0.63
Assets and liabilities of the commercial lines and reinsurance assumed
segments are primarily comprised of the following at December 31 (in thousands):
2001 2000
------- --------
Investments and other assets $99,824 $128,794
Reserves for loss, LAE and unearned
premium 99,824 128,794
Note R - Related Party Transactions
In June of 2001, the Company settled a contingent liability with three of
its executives under the Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan, by
issuing 1.25 million shares of restricted stock and giving the executives total
loans of $5.0 million. The restricted stock, which is recorded as Unearned Stock
at December 31, 2001, vest over a 10 year period. The loans, which are recorded
as Other Assets at December 31, 2000, will be forgiven over a 10 year period.
The Company will record the vesting of the restricted stock and the forgiveness
of the loans as compensation expense in the appropriate periods. In addition,
the Company has made a loan of $250 thousand to the Chairman of the Board
related to his residential property in Alabama.
47
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
None
48
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the
sections entitled "Information about our Board of Directors and Executive
Officers," and "Compensation and Other Transactions with Executive Officers and
Directors" in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
held May 28, 2002 (the "Proxy Statement"), which is to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission prior to May 1, 2002.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the
section entitled "Compensation and Other Transactions with Executive Officers
and Directors" in the Proxy Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
(a) Security ownership of certain beneficial owners:
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from
the section entitled "Principal Stockholders" in the Proxy Statement.
(b) Security ownership of management:
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from
the section entitled "Information about our Board of Directors and
Executive Officers" in the Proxy Statement.
(c) Changes in control:
We know of no arrangements, including any pledges by any person of its
securities, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in
a change of control.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the
section entitled "Information about our Board of Directors and Executive
Officers" in the Proxy Statement.
49
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Index of documents filed as a part of this report:
Page of
this
Report
-------
(1) Financial Statements:
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
Report of Independent Accountants 24
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2001 and 2000 25
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2001 26
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December
31, 2001 27
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2001 28
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 29 - 48
(2) Schedules Supporting Financial Statements for the three years ended December 31, 2001
II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company) 54
III. Supplemental Insurance Information (Consolidated) 57
IV. Reinsurance (Consolidated) 58
V. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Consolidated) 58
Schedules not referred to have been omitted as inapplicable or not required
by Regulation S-X.
(3) Exhibits
Exhibits are listed in the index of Exhibits at page 51.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K: No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the
last quarter of the period covered by this report.
50
EXHIBITS INDEX
Exhibit
No. Description
--- -----------
3.2 By-Laws of the Company (Amended and Restated as of October 1, 1993)
(filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-68114) of Vesta Insurance Group,
Inc., filed on October 18, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference
(File No. 1-12338))
4.1 Indenture between the Company and Southtrust Bank of Alabama, National
Association, dated as of July 19, 1995 (filed as an exhibit to the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, filed on
March 28, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference (File No.
1-12338))
4.2 Supplemental Indenture between the Company and Southtrust Bank of
Alabama, National Association, dated July 19, 1995 (filed as an
exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1995, filed on March 28, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference
(File No. 1-12338))
4.3 Indenture dated as of January 31, 1997, between the Company and First
Union National Bank of North Carolina, as trustee (filed as an exhibit
to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, filed
on May 13, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference (File No.
1-12338))
4.4 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of January 31,
1997, of Vesta Capital Trust I (filed as an exhibit to the Company's
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, filed on May 13, 1997
and incorporated herein by reference (File No. 1-12338))
4.5 Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of January 31, 1997,
between the Company and First Union National Bank of North Carolina,
as trustee (filed as an exhibit to the Company's Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 1997, filed on May 13, 1997 and incorporated
by reference (File No. 1-12338))
10.1 Amended and Restated Management Agreement between J. Gordon Gaines,
Inc. and Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation and its subsidiary and
affiliated companies, effective as of January 1, 1999 (filed as an
exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2000, filed on March 29, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.2 Office Lease between the Company and Torchmark Development
Corporation, dated as of April 20, 1992 (filed as an exhibit to the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, filed on
March 28, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference (File No.
1-12338))
10.3 Commercial/Personal Property Risk Excess Reinsurance Contracts, dated
July 1, 1993, constituting the Company's Direct Per Risk Treaty
Program, between Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation and its subsidiary
and affiliated companies and various reinsurers (filed as an exhibit
to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 33-68114) of Vesta Insurance Group, Inc., filed on
October 18, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference (File No.
1-12338)) Renewed August 1, 2001.
10.4 Casualty Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreements, dated January 1, 1998,
constituting the Company's Casualty Excess of Loss Reinsurance
Program, between Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation and its subsidiary
and affiliated companies and Employers Reinsurance Corporation, (filed
as an exhibit to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1998, filed on May 13, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference
(File No. 1-12338)). Renewed January 1, 2002
10.5 Amendment to Catastrophe Reinsurance Contracts, dated July 1, 1995,
constituting the Company's Direct Property Catastrophe Program,
between Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation, Vesta Insurance Corporation,
Sheffield Insurance Corporation, Vesta Lloyds Insurance Company,
Hawaiian Insurance & Guaranty Company, Limited and various reinsurers.
(Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 1995, filed on November 14, 1995 and incorporated herein
by reference (File No. 1-12338)). Renewed June 1, 2001.
10.6+ Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 1, 2001 between
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. and First Commercial Bank establishing a
$15 million revolving unsecured credit facility (the "Unsecured Credit
Agreement").
10.7+ Waiver of certain covenant violations as of September 30, 2001 related
to the Unsecured Credit Agreement.
10.8+ Waiver of certain covenant violations as of December 31, 2001 related
to the Unsecured Credit Agreement.
10.9+ Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 1, 2001 between
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. and First Commercial Bank establishing a
$15 million revolving secured credit facility (the "Secured Credit
Agreement").
10.10+ Waiver of certain covenant violations as of September 30, 2001 related
to the Secured Credit Agreement.
10.11+ Waiver of certain covenant violations as of December 31, 2001 related
to the Secured Credit Agreement.
10.12 Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-68114) of
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc., filed on August 31, 1993 and incorporated
herein by reference (File No. 1-12338))
10.13* The Company's Incentive Compensation Plan (filed as an exhibit to the
Company's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 9, 2001 and
incorporated herein by reference)
10.14* The Company's Long Term Incentive Plan as amended effective as of
August 27, 1999 (filed as an exhibit to the Company's Proxy Statement
on Schedule 14A, filed on August 9, 1999) and incorporated herein by
reference
51
Exhibit
No. Description
--- -----------
10.15* Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement entered into by and
between the Company and certain of its executive officers and
directors (filed as an exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1995, filed on March 28, 1996 and incorporated
herein by reference (File No. 1-12338))
10.16* Cash Bonus Plan of the Company (filed as an exhibit to the Company's
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, filed on March 28,
1994 and incorporated herein by reference (File No. 1-2338))
10.17* J. Gordon Gaines, Inc. Post Retirement Benefits Plan (filed as an
exhibit to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1994, filed on March 29, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference
(File No. 1-12338))
10.18 The Company's Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (filed as an exhibit to
the Company's 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2000, filed on May
15, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference (File No. 1-12338))
10.19 Employment Agreement between the registrant and Norman W. Gayle, III,
dated as of September 30, 1999. (filed as an exhibit to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on November 5, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10.20 Employment Agreement between the registrant and James E. Tait, dated
as of September 30, 1999.(filed as an exhibit to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on November 5, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10.21 Employment Agreement between the registrant and Donald W. Thornton,
dated as of September 30, 1999. (filed as an exhibit to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on November 5, 1999 and
incorporated herein by reference.)
10.22 Employment Agreement between the registrant and W. Perry Cronin, dated
as of February 5, 2001 (filed as an exhibit to the Company's Form 10-Q
for the period ending September 30, 2001, filed on November 14, 2001
and incorporated herein by reference.)
10.23+ Employment Agreement between a subsidiary company and Kenneth W.
Phillips, effective June 30, 2000.
10.24+ Employment Agreement between a subsidiary company and Wayne A.
Schreck, effective June 30, 2000.
10.25 Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. Executive Officer Incentive Compensation
Plan. (filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-1, filed on November 5, 1999 and incorporated herein by
reference.)
10.26+ Settlement Agreement, made as of July 23, 2001, relating to the Vesta
Insurance Group, Inc. Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan.
21.0+ Subsidiaries of Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
23.1+ Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
99.1+ Comments concerning forward looking statements
*These are the Company's compensatory plans.
+Filed herewith.
52
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
(Parent Company)
Schedule II - Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands except share data)
At December 31,
2001 2000
--------- --------
Assets
Investment in affiliates * $ 394,607 $357,664
Short-term investments 100 100
--------- --------
Total investments 394,707 357,764
Cash -- 36
Other assets 10,803 7,100
--------- --------
Total assets $ 405,510 $ 364,900
========= ========
Liabilities
Other liabilities $ 36,807 $ 58,370
Short term debt 29,964 5,000
Long term debt 79,432 86,419
--------- --------
Total liabilities 146,203 149,789
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares, authorized, issued:
2001 - 0 and 2000 - 2,950,000 -- 30
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, issued:
2001 - 36,994,464 and 2000 - 18,964,322 shares 370 190
Additional paid-in capital 244,640 167,382
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax (benefit) expense of $4,191 and
$1,453 in 2001 and 2000, respective 7,784 2,698
Retained earnings 32,611 57,643
Unearned stock (19,507) (6,967)
Treasury stock (6,591) (5,865)
--------- --------
Total stockholders' equity 259,307 215,111
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 405,510 $364,900
========= ========
* Eliminated in consolidation
53
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
(Parent Company)
Schedule II--Condensed Statements of Operations
(in thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
-------- -------- ---------
Revenues:
Net other income (loss) $ 4,470 $ 443 $ (4,109)
Expenses:
Interest expenses 15,125 16,636 18,080
Operating expenses 29,325 2,318 2,724
-------- -------- ---------
Total expenses 44,450 18,954 20,804
Net loss before income tax, gain on debt
extinguishment and equity in earnings of affiliate (39,980) (18,511) (24,913)
Income tax benefit 13,993 6,479 8,720
-------- -------- ---------
Loss before equity in earnings of affiliates, (25,987) (12,032) (16,193)
and gain on debt extinguishment
Extraordinary gain on debt extinguishment 2,879 5,250
Equity in earnings of affiliates * (6,222) 17,984 39,648
-------- -------- ---------
Net income (loss) $(29,330) $ 11,202 $ 23,455
======== ======== =========
* Eliminated in consolidation
54
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
(Parent Company)
Schedule II--Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
-------- -------- --------
Cash (used in) provided from operations $(61,342) $ 24,862 $ 29,002
Cash used in investing activities:
Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments -- 3,484 1,207
-------- -------- --------
Cash provided by (used) in investing activities -- 3,484 1,207
Cash (used in) provided from financing activities:
Dividends paid (2,770) (4,611) (698)
Acquisition of common stock (57,269) (56,303) --
Issuance of common stock 96,381 32,678 --
Net change in short term debt 24,964 -- --
Preferred Stock issuance -- -- 25,075
Capital Contributions from exercising stock options -- -- 324
Issuance(retirement) of debt and deferrable capital
securities -- -- (65,507)
-------- -------- --------
Cash (used in) provided from financing activities 61,306 (28,236) (40,806)
Net increase (decrease) in cash (36) 110 (10,597)
-------- -------- --------
Cash balance at beginning of period $ 36 $ (74) $ 10,523
Cash balance at end of period $ -- $ 36 $ (74)
======== ======== ========
55
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
Schedule III--Supplemental Insurance Information (Consolidated)
As of December 31, 2001 and 2000
(in thousands)
Deferred Future Policy
Policy Benefits,Loss and
Acquisition Loss Adjustment Unearned
Costs Expense Reserve Premiums
----------- ------------------ --------
As of December 31, 2001
Standard Property-Casualty $ 36,800 $156,085 $149,419
Life and Health Insurance 21,538 695,170 --
Specialty lines 494 25,088 30,460
Discontinued operations -- 99,824 --
-------- -------- --------
58,832 976,167 179,879
======== ======== ========
As of December 31, 2000
Standard Property-Casualty $ 27,169 $130,312 $103,666
Life Insurance 18,533 660,284 --
Specialty lines 252 4,477 1,089
Discontinued operations -- 128,900 --
-------- -------- --------
45,954 923,973 104,755
======== ======== ========
For the Years Ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
(in thousands)
Net Earned Net Investment Benefits, Claim and Amortization of Other Net Premium
Premium Income Loss Adjustment DAC Operating Written
Expenses Expenses
---------- -------------- ------------------- --------------- --------- -----------
As of December 31, 2001
Standard Property-Casualty $246,063 -- $161,599 $ 54,795 $ 32,356 $263,962
Life and Health Insurance 30,572 $ 43,494 35,950 7,682 12,520 30,572
Specialty lines 10,169 -- 7,997 2,356 276 11,789
Non-standard Auto Agency -- 325 -- -- 9,087 --
Corporate and other -- 20,099 -- -- 40,369 --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$286,804 $ 63,918 $205,546 $ 64,833 $ 94,608 $306,323
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
As of December 31, 2000
Standard Property-Casualty $212,809 -- $124,772 $ 52,361 $ 26,616 $205,461
Life Insurance 3,093 $ 21,360 9,610 619 5,855 3,093
Specialty lines 1,097 -- 660 (733) -- 2,188
Corporate and other -- 24,543 -- -- 11,103 --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$216,999 $ 45,903 $135,042 $ 52,247 $ 43,574 $210,742
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
56
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
Schedule IV--Reinsurance (Consolidated)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
(in thousands)
Premiums Earned Gross Direct Ceded to Assumed Percentage of
Amount other from other Amount Assumed to
Companies Companies Net Amount Net
------------ --------- ---------- ---------- -----------------
2001 $ 405,314 $ 130,473 $ 11,698 $ 286,539 4.08%
2000 255,257 43,413 38,240 250,084 15.29%
1999 362,830 83,173 116,678 396,335 29.50%
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
Schedule V - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(Consolidated) For the Years Ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
(in thousands)
Description Additions
Balance at Charges to Balance at End
Beginning of Costs and Deductions of Period
Period Expenses
------------- ---------- ------------- --------------
Allowance for premiums in course of collection:
2001 $ 3,937 $ 3,797 $ 5,050 $ 2,684
2000 2,412 7,707 6,182 3,937
1999 14,212 1,550 13,350 2,412
57
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.
VESTA INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
By /s/ NORMAN W. GAYLE, III
-----------------------------------
Norman W. Gayle, III, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------- ---------
/s/ James E. Tait Chairman of the Board of Directors (Co-Executive 28-Mar-02
------------------------------------
James E. Tait Officer)
/s/ Norman W. Gayle, III Director, President (Co-Executive Officer) 28-Mar-02
------------------------------------
Norman W. Gayle, III
/s/ William P. Cronin Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) 28-Mar-02
------------------------------------
William P. Cronin
/s/ Hopson B. Nance Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) 28-Mar-02
------------------------------------
Hopson B. Nance
/s/ Robert B. D. Batlivala, PhD. Director 28-Mar-02
------------------------------------
Robert B. D. Batlivala, PhD.
/s/ Walter M. Beale, Jr. Director 28-Mar-02
------------------------------------
Walter M. Beale, Jr.
/s/ Ehney A. Camp, III Director 28-Mar-02
------------------------------------
Ehney A. Camp, III
/s/ T. Owen Vickers, Sr. Director 28-Mar-02
------------------------------------
T. Owen Vickers, Sr.
/s/ Stephen R. Windom Director 28-Mar-02
------------------------------------
Stephen R. Windom
/s/ Alan S. Farrior Director 28-Mar-02
------------------------------------
Alan S. Farrior
58