UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31 , 2023
OR
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
Commission File Number: 001-32630
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(904 ) 854-8100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||||||||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ or No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ or No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| ☒ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ | |||||||||
| Non-accelerated Filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting Company | |||||||||
| Emerging growth company | |||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☒ No ☐
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the shares of FNF common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2023
was $9,292,382,960 based on the closing price of $36.00 as reported by The New York Stock Exchange.
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock as of January 31, 2024 were:
FNF Common Stock 273,206,573
The information in Part III hereof for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, will be filed within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year that is the subject of this Report.
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page Number | ||||||||
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PART I
Item 1. Business
Introductory Note
The following describes the business of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Except where otherwise noted, all references to "we," "us," "our", the "Company" or "FNF" are to Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries, taken together.
Overview
We are a leading provider of (i) title insurance, escrow and other title-related services, including trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, recordings and reconveyances and home warranty products and (ii) transaction services to the real estate and mortgage industries. FNF is one of the nation’s largest title insurance companies operating through its title insurance underwriters - Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ("FNTIC"), Chicago Title Insurance Company ("Chicago Title"), Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company ("Commonwealth Land Title"), Alamo Title Insurance and National Title Insurance of New York Inc. - which collectively issue more title insurance policies than any other title company in the United States. Through our subsidiary ServiceLink Holdings, LLC ("ServiceLink"), we provide mortgage transaction services including title-related services and facilitation of production and management of mortgage loans. We are also a leading provider of insurance solutions serving retail annuity and life customers and institutional clients through our majority-owned subsidiary, F&G Annuities & Life, Inc. ("F&G").
On December 1, 2022, we completed our previously announced separation and distribution to our shareholders, on a pro rata basis, of approximately 15% of the common stock of F&G (the "F&G Distribution"). Following the F&G Distribution, we retained control of F&G through our approximate 85% ownership stake. The F&G Distribution was accomplished by the distribution of 68 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of F&G for every 1,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, as a dividend to each holder of shares of our common stock as of the close of business on November 22, 2022, the record date for the F&G Distribution.
As a result of the F&G Distribution, F&G is a separate, publicly traded company and its businesses, assets and liabilities consist of those related to F&G’s business as a provider of insurance solutions serving retail annuity and life customers and institutional clients. Through F&G’s insurance subsidiaries, including Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company ("FGL Insurance") and Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company of New York ("FGL NY Insurance"), F&G intends to continue to market a broad portfolio of deferred annuities (fixed indexed annuities ("FIAs") and multi-year guarantee annuities ("MYGAs") or other fixed rate annuities), immediate annuities, indexed universal life insurance ("IUL"), funding agreements (through funding agreement-backed notes issuances and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta) and pension risk transfer solutions. All of FNF’s core title insurance, real estate, technology and mortgage related businesses, assets and liabilities that are not held by F&G remain with FNF.
As of December 31, 2023, we had the following reporting segments:
•Title. This segment consists of the operations of our title insurance underwriters and related businesses, which provide title insurance and escrow and other title-related services including trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, and home warranty products. This segment also includes our transaction services business, which includes other title-related services used in the production and management of mortgage loans, including mortgage loans that experience default.
•F&G. This segment primarily consists of operations of our annuities and life insurance related businesses. This segment issues a broad portfolio of annuity and life insurance products, including deferred annuities (fixed indexed and fixed rate annuities), immediate annuities, and indexed universal life ("IUL") insurance, through its retail distribution channels. This segment also provides funding agreements and pension risk transfer ("PRT") solutions through its institutional channels.
•Corporate and Other. This segment consists of the operations of the parent holding company, our real estate technology subsidiaries, other smaller, non-title businesses and certain unallocated corporate overhead expenses and eliminations of revenues and expenses between it and our Title segment.
Competitive Strengths
We believe that our competitive strengths include the following:
Corporate principles. A cornerstone of our management philosophy and operating success is the six fundamental precepts upon which we were founded, which are:
•Autonomy and entrepreneurship;
•Bias for action;
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•Customer-oriented and motivated;
•Minimize bureaucracy;
•Employee ownership; and
•Highest standard of conduct.
These six precepts are emphasized to our employees from the first day of employment and are integral to many of our strategies described below.
Title
Leading residential and commercial title insurance company. We are one of the largest title insurance companies in the United States and a leading provider of title insurance and escrow and other title-related services for real estate transactions. Through the third quarter of 2023, our insurance companies had a 30.7% share of the U.S. title insurance market, according to the American Land Title Association ("ALTA"). While residential title insurance comprises the majority of our business, we are also a significant provider of commercial real estate title insurance in the United States. Our network of independent title agents and employees in our direct operations that service the commercial real estate markets is one of the largest in the industry. Our commercial network combined with our financial strength makes our title insurance operations attractive to large national lenders that require the underwriting and issuing of larger commercial title policies.
Established relationships with our customers. We have strong relationships with the customers who use our title services. Our distribution network, which includes approximately 1,300 direct title offices and approximately 5,200 agents, is among the largest in the United States. We also benefit from strong brand recognition in our multiple title brands that allows us to access a broader client base than if we operated under a single consolidated brand and provides our customers with a choice among brands.
Strong value proposition for our customers as a leading provider of services and technology solutions to the title insurance industry. Through our Title segment, we provide our customers with title insurance and escrow and other title-related services that support their ability to effectively close real estate transactions. We help make the real estate closing process more efficient for our customers by offering a single point of access to a broad platform of title-related products and resources necessary to close real estate transactions.
Industry leading margins and disciplined operating focus. We have been able to maintain competitive operating margins in part by monitoring our businesses in a disciplined manner through continual evaluation of business activity and management of our cost structure. When compared to our industry competitors, we also believe that our structure is more efficiently designed, which allows us to operate with lower overhead costs.
Proven management team. The managers of our operating businesses have successfully built our Title segment over an extended period of time, resulting in our business attaining the size, scope and presence in the industry that it has today. Our managers have demonstrated their leadership ability during numerous acquisitions through which we have grown and throughout a number of business cycles and significant periods of industry change.
We believe that our Title segment's competitive strengths position us well to take advantage of future changes to the real estate market.
F&G
Trusted by distributors. We have long-standing relationships with a broad range of distributors representing more than 112,000 independent agents and financial advisors, and built on our reputation for transparency and a consistently competitive product portfolio. We offer fixed annuities and life insurance products through a network of approximately 21 leading banks and broker dealers and approximately 280 Independent Marketing Organizations (“IMOs”) that provide back-office support for thousands of independent insurance agents.
Winning in high-growth markets. The U.S. retirement and middle markets are growing, and we are both well-established and well-positioned for continued growth. Our strategic alignment with our distribution partners allows us to reach a diverse, growing and underserved middle market demographic in both our retail and institutional channels.
Durable investment management edge. Our strategic partnership with Blackstone provides a sustained competitive advantage for our business. Our liability profile and risk appetite drives our investment strategy. F&G’s investment and risk offices set strategic asset allocation and risk limits. Blackstone is responsible for idea generation and security selection. Blackstone’s capabilities expand our investment universe to new asset classes and their origination capabilities provide incremental spread. Our high quality, diversified investment portfolio is well positioned to withstand macroeconomic headwinds and continues to perform well.
Clean and profitable in-force book. As a life insurer, we generate spread earnings based on our assets under management and over the lifetime of the liabilities in place. Our disciplined new business underwriting process provides us with stable
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liabilities, primarily in products that reset annually, which has allowed us to achieve consistently attractive lifetime returns. Approximately 93% of our $33.0 billion fixed indexed and fixed rate annuities account value are surrender-charge protected and our asset and liability cash flows are well matched.
Track record of attracting top talent. F&G’s management team and nearly 1,200 employees have a record of long-term success and have delivered impressive results in the last few years. Our commitment to our cultural values is the cornerstone of our success, whereby F&G is a company of individuals who believe in the power of partnerships, encourage innovation and creativity, and are transparent about decisions while delivering on their commitments. This is borne out by consistently being recognized as an employer of choice as well as an involuntary turnover rate that is well below that of other financial services companies. We believe our flexible, employee-centric work approach positions us as an employer of choice.
Clear governance structure. We have a disciplined approach for considering new lines of business to enter, the appropriate product/channel mix for achieving our targeted new business profitability, and the management of our capital and in-force liabilities. Further, we target and pursue opportunities that leverage our strengths.
Our business model is strong and positions us to capitalize on the growth prospects in our addressable markets.
Strategy
Title
Our strategy in the Title segment is to maximize operating profits by increasing our market share and managing operating expenses throughout the real estate business cycle. To accomplish our goals, we intend to do the following:
•Continue to operate multiple title brands independently. We believe that in order to maintain and strengthen our title insurance customer base, we must operate our strongest brands in a given marketplace independently of each other. Our national and regional brands include FNTIC, Chicago Title, Commonwealth Land Title, Lawyers Title, Ticor Title, Alamo Title, and National Title of New York. In our largest markets, we operate multiple brands. This approach allows us to continue to attract customers who identify with a particular brand and allows us to utilize a broader base of local agents and local operations than we would have with a single consolidated brand.
•Consistently deliver superior customer service. We believe customer service and consistent product delivery are the most important factors in attracting and retaining customers. Our ability to provide superior customer service and consistent product delivery requires continued focus on providing high quality service and products at competitive prices. Our goal is to continue to improve the experience of our customers, in all aspects of our business.
•Manage our operations successfully through business cycles. Our Title segment operates in a cyclical industry and our ability to diversify our revenue base within our title insurance business and manage the duration of our investments may allow us to better operate in this cyclical business. Maintaining a broad geographic revenue base, utilizing both direct and independent agency operations and pursuing both residential and commercial title insurance business help diversify our title insurance revenues. We continue to monitor, evaluate and execute upon the consolidation of administrative functions, legal entity structure, and office consolidation, as necessary, to respond to the continually changing marketplace. We maintain shorter durations on our investment portfolio to mitigate our interest rate risk. A more detailed discussion of our investment strategies is included in “Investment Policies and Investment Portfolio.”
•Continue to improve our products and technology. As a national provider of real estate transaction products and services, we participate in an industry that is subject to significant change, frequent new product and service introductions and evolving industry standards. We believe that our future success will depend in part on our ability to anticipate industry changes and offer products and services that meet evolving industry standards. In connection with our service offerings, we are continuing to deploy new information system technologies to our direct and agency operations. We expect to continue to improve the process of ordering title and escrow services and the delivery of our products to our customers.
•Maintain values supporting our strategy. We believe that our continued focus on and support of our long-established corporate culture will reinforce and support our business strategy. Our goal is to foster and support a corporate culture where our employees and agents seek to operate independently and maintain profitability at the local level while forming close customer relationships by meeting customer needs and improving customer service. Utilizing a relatively flat managerial structure and providing our employees with a sense of individual ownership supports this goal.
•Effectively manage costs based on economic factors. We believe that our focus on our operating margins is essential to our continued success in the title insurance business. Regardless of the business cycle in which we may be operating, we seek to continue to evaluate and manage our cost structure and make appropriate adjustments where
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economic conditions dictate. This continual focus on our cost structure helps us to better maintain our operating margins.
F&G
Through a diversified growth strategy, our F&G segment seeks to deliver consistent and increasing earnings driven by asset growth. We are positioned to accomplish these goals through the following areas of strategic focus:
•Targeting large and growing markets. The opportunity for our core annuity products remains significant, as policyholders seek to add safety and certainty to their retirement plans. Our investments in life insurance products allows us to penetrate the underserved middle market, which addresses the needs of many of our cultural communities. And as corporations continue to de-risk their pension funds, our buyout solutions can guarantee pension-holders the lifetime benefits they need and want. Finally, we continue to attract strong institutional annuity buyers with funding agreements. F&G is a national leader in the markets we play in, and demographic trends provide tailwinds and significant room to continue growing.
•Superior ecosystem. Our business model gives us a sustainable competitive advantage. We have strong and long-standing relationships with a diverse network of distributors, a durable investment edge through our Blackstone partnership, a scalable administrative platform, and a track record of attracting and retaining top talent.
•Consistent track record of success. F&G’s deep and experienced management team has successfully diversified products and channels in recent years and demonstrated our ability to deliver consistent top line growth, increase assets under management and generate steady spreads and return on assets across varying market cycles.
•Driving margin expansion and improved returns. We are pursuing strategies to continue to grow earnings, while generating significant positive net cash flow and diversifying into “capital light” flow reinsurance and accretive owned distribution to generate higher return on equity.
Acquisitions, Dispositions, Minority Owned Operating Subsidiaries and Financings
Acquisitions have been an important part of our growth strategy and dispositions have been an important aspect of our strategy of returning value to shareholders. On an ongoing basis, with assistance from our advisors, we actively evaluate possible transactions, such as acquisitions and dispositions of business units and operating assets and business combination transactions.
In the future, we may seek to sell certain investments or other assets to increase our liquidity. In the past, we have obtained majority and minority investments in entities and securities where we see the potential to achieve above market returns. Fundamentally, our goal is to acquire quality companies that are run by best in class management teams and that have attractive organic and acquired growth opportunities. We leverage our operational expertise and track record of growing industry-leading companies along with our active interaction with the acquired company's management directly or through our board of directors, to ultimately provide value for our shareholders.
There can be no assurance that any suitable opportunities will arise or that any particular transaction will be completed. We have made a number of acquisitions and dispositions over the past several years to strengthen and expand our service offerings and customer base in our various businesses, to expand into other businesses or where we otherwise saw value, and to monetize investments in assets and businesses.
Intellectual Property
We rely on a combination of contractual restrictions; internal security practices; and copyright and trade secret law to establish and protect our software, technology, and expertise across our businesses. Further, we have developed a number of brands that have accumulated substantial goodwill in the marketplace, and we rely on trademark law to protect our rights in that area. We intend to continue our policy of taking all measures we deem necessary to protect our copyright, trade secret, and trademark rights. These legal protections and arrangements afford only limited protection of our proprietary rights, and there is no assurance that our competitors will not independently develop or license products, services, or capabilities that are substantially equivalent or superior to ours.
Technology and Research and Development
As a national provider of real estate transaction products and services, we participate in an industry that is subject to significant regulatory requirements, frequent new product and service introductions, and evolving industry standards. We believe that our future success depends in part on our ability to anticipate industry changes and offer products and services that meet evolving industry standards. In connection with our Title segment service offerings, we are continuing to deploy new information system technologies to our direct and agency operations. We continue to improve the process of ordering title and
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escrow services and improve the delivery of our products to our customers. In order to meet new regulatory requirements, we also continue to expand our data collection and reporting abilities.
Loss Reserves
For information about our loss reserves, see Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report, under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Estimates.
Title Insurance
Market for title insurance. According to Demotech Performance of Title Insurance Companies 2023 Edition, an annual compilation of financial information from the title insurance industry that is published by Demotech Inc. ("Demotech"), an independent firm, total operating income for the entire U.S. title insurance industry has increased over the last five years from approximately $15.9 billion in 2018 to $27.6 billion in 2021 and $23.4 billion in 2022. The size of the industry is closely tied to various macroeconomic factors, including, but not limited to, growth in the gross domestic product, inflation, unemployment, the availability of credit, consumer confidence, interest rates, and sales volumes and prices for new and existing homes, as well as the volume of refinancing of previously issued mortgages.
Most real estate transactions consummated in the U.S. require the use of title insurance by a lending institution before the transaction can be completed. Generally, revenues from title insurance policies are directly correlated with the value of the property underlying the title policy, and appreciation or depreciation in the overall value of the real estate market are major factors in total industry revenues. Industry revenues are also driven by factors affecting the volume of real estate closings, such as the state of the economy, the availability of mortgage funding, and changes in interest rates, which affect demand for new mortgage loans and refinancing transactions.
The U.S. title insurance industry is concentrated among a handful of industry participants. According to Demotech, the top four title insurance groups accounted for 81% of net premiums written in 2022. Approximately 36 independent title insurance companies accounted for the remaining 19% of net premiums written in 2022. Consolidation has created opportunities for increased financial and operating efficiencies for the industry’s largest participants and should continue to drive profitability and market share in the industry.
Our Title segment revenue is closely related to the level of real estate activity that includes sales, mortgage financing and mortgage refinancing. For further discussion of current trends in real estate activity in the United States, see discussion under Business Trends and Conditions included in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 1 of Part I.
Title Insurance Policies. Title insurance plays a key role in the U.S. economy by insuring the secure transfer of real estate and facilitating the growth of homeownership. The products and services we offer have a positive social impact on families and communities overall. For many families, their home is the single largest investment that they will make in their lifetimes. Generally, real estate buyers and mortgage lenders purchase title insurance to insure good and marketable title to real estate and priority of lien. An owner’s title insurance policy, like those we issue in connection with the closing of a real estate transaction, is the best way for property owners to protect themselves from losing their property due to unforeseen or unexpected title claims. Unlike other types of insurance, title insurance protects against past problems instead of future risk, such as the previous owner’s debt, liens, or other claims of ownership that may have been in place prior to the purchase of the property. Under our policies, we defend insureds when covered claims are filed against their interest in the property. A brief generalized description of the process of issuing a title insurance policy is as follows:
•The customer, typically a real estate salesperson or broker, escrow agent, attorney or lender, places an order for a title policy.
•Company personnel note the specifics of the title policy order and place a request with the title company or its agents for a preliminary report or commitment.
•After the relevant historical data on the property is compiled, the title officer prepares a preliminary report that documents the current status of title to the property, any exclusions, exceptions and/or limitations that the title company might include in the policy, and specific issues that need to be addressed and resolved by the parties to the transaction before the title policy will be issued.
•The preliminary report is circulated to all the parties for satisfaction of any specific issues.
•After the specific issues identified in the preliminary report are satisfied, an escrow agent closes the transaction in accordance with the instructions of the parties and the title company’s conditions.
•Once the transaction is closed and all monies have been released, the title company issues a title insurance policy.
In real estate transactions financed with a mortgage, virtually all real property mortgage lenders require their borrowers to obtain a title insurance policy at the time a mortgage loan is made. This lender’s policy insures the lender against any defect affecting the priority of the mortgage in an amount equal to the outstanding balance of the related mortgage loan. An owner’s policy is typically also issued, insuring the buyer against defects in title in an amount equal to the purchase price. In a
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refinancing transaction, only a lender’s policy is generally purchased because ownership of the property has not changed. In the case of an all-cash real estate purchase, no lender’s policy is issued but typically an owner’s title policy is issued.
Title insurance premiums paid in connection with a title insurance policy are based on (and typically are a percentage of) either the amount of the mortgage loan or the purchase price of the property insured. Applicable state insurance regulations or regulatory practices may limit the maximum, or in some cases the minimum, premium that can be charged on a policy. Title insurance premiums are due in full at the closing of the real estate transaction.
The amount of the insured risk or “face amount” of insurance under a title insurance policy is generally equal to either the amount of the loan secured by the property or the purchase price of the property. The title insurer is also responsible for the cost of defending the insured title against covered claims. The insurer’s actual exposure at any given time; however, generally is less than the total face amount of policies outstanding because the coverage of a lender’s policy is reduced and eventually terminated as a result of payments on the mortgage loan. A title insurer also generally does not know when a property has been sold or refinanced except when it issues the replacement coverage. Because of these factors, the total liability of a title underwriter on outstanding policies cannot be precisely determined.
Title insurance companies typically issue title insurance policies directly through branch offices or through affiliated title agencies, or indirectly through independent third-party agencies unaffiliated with the title insurance company. Where the policy is issued through a branch or wholly-owned subsidiary agency operation, the title insurance company typically performs or directs the title search, and the premiums collected are retained by the title company. Where the policy is issued through an independent agent, the agent generally performs the title search (in some areas searches are performed by approved attorneys), examines the title, collects the premium and retains a majority of the premium. The remainder of the premium is remitted to the title insurance company as compensation, part of which is for bearing the risk of loss in the event a claim is made under the policy. The percentage of the premium retained by an agent varies from region to region and is sometimes regulated by the states. The title insurance company is obligated to pay title claims in accordance with the terms of its policies, regardless of whether the title insurance company issues policies through its direct operations or through independent agents.
Prior to issuing policies, title insurers and their agents attempt to reduce the risk of future claim losses by accurately performing title searches and examinations. A title insurance company’s predominant expense relates to such searches and examinations, the preparation of preliminary title reports, policies or commitments, facilitation and closing of real estate transactions and the maintenance of title plants. Title plants are indexed compilations of public records, maps and other relevant historical documents, and the facilitation and closing of real estate transactions. Claim losses generally result from errors made in the title search and examination process, from hidden defects such as fraud, forgery, incapacity, missing heirs of the property, closing-related errors, etc.
Residential real estate business results from the construction, sale, resale and refinancing of residential properties, while commercial real estate business results from similar activities with respect to properties with a business or commercial use. Commercial real estate title insurance policies insure title to commercial real property, and generally involve higher coverage amounts and yield higher premiums. Residential real estate transaction volume is primarily affected by macroeconomic and seasonal factors, while commercial real estate transaction volume is affected primarily by fluctuations in local supply and demand conditions for commercial space.
Direct and Agency Operations. We provide title insurance services through our direct operations and independent title insurance agents who issue title policies on behalf of our title insurance companies. Our title insurance companies determine the terms and conditions upon which they will insure title to the real property according to our underwriting standards, policies and procedures.
Direct Operations. Our direct operations include both the operations of our underwriters and those of affiliated agencies. In our direct operations, the title insurer issues the title insurance policy and retains the entire premium paid in connection with the transaction. Our direct operations provide the following benefits:
•higher margins because we retain the entire premium from each transaction instead of paying a commission to an independent agent;
•continuity of service levels to a broad range of customers; and
•additional sources of income through escrow and closing services.
We have approximately 1,300 offices throughout the U.S. primarily providing title insurance. We continuously monitor the number of direct offices to ensure that it remains in line with our strategy and the current economic environment. Our commercial real estate title insurance business is operated primarily through our direct operations. We maintain direct operations for our commercial title insurance business in all the major real estate markets including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle and Washington D.C.
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Agency Operations. In our agency operations, the search and examination function is performed by an independent agent or the agent may purchase the search product from us. In either case, the agent is responsible to ensure that the search and examination is completed. The agent thus retains the majority of the title premium collected, with the balance remitted to the title underwriter for bearing the risk of loss in the event that a claim is made under the title insurance policy. Independent agents may select among several title underwriters based upon their relationship with the underwriter, the amount of the premium “split” offered by the underwriter, the overall terms and conditions of the agency agreement and the scope of services offered to the agent. Premium splits vary by geographic region, and in some states are fixed by insurance regulatory requirements. Our relationship with each agent is governed by an agency agreement defining how the agent issues a title insurance policy on our behalf. The agency agreement also sets forth the agent’s liability to us for policy losses attributable to the agent’s errors. An agency agreement is usually terminable without cause upon 30 days' notice or immediately for cause. In determining whether to engage or retain an independent agent, we consider the agent’s experience, financial condition and loss history. For each agent with whom we enter into an agency agreement, we maintain financial and loss experience records. We also conduct periodic audits of our agents and strategically manage the number of agents with which we transact business in an effort to reduce future expenses and manage risks. As of December 31, 2023, we transacted business with approximately 5,200 agents.
Fees and Premiums. One method of analyzing our business is to examine the level of premiums generated by direct and agency operations.
The following table presents the percentages of our title insurance premiums generated by direct and agency operations:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct | $ | 1,982 | 43.2 | % | $ | 2,858 | 41.8 | % | $ | 3,571 | 41.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency | 2,610 | 56.8 | 3,976 | 58.2 | 4,982 | 58.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total title insurance premiums | $ | 4,592 | 100.0 | % | $ | 6,834 | 100.0 | % | $ | 8,553 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The premium for title insurance is due in full when the real estate transaction is closed. We recognize title insurance premium revenues from direct operations upon the closing of the transaction. Premium revenues from agency operations include an accrual based on estimates of the volume of transactions that have closed in a particular period for which premiums have not yet been reported to us. The accrual for agency premiums is necessary because of the lag between the closing of these transactions and the reporting of these policies to us by the agent, and is based on estimates utilizing historical information.
Escrow, Title-Related and Other Fees. In addition to fees for underwriting title insurance policies, we derive a significant amount of our revenues from escrow and other title-related services including closing and trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, recordings and reconveyances, and home warranty products. The escrow and other services provided by us include all of those typically required in connection with residential and commercial real estate purchases and refinance activities. Escrow, title-related and other fees included in our Title segment represented approximately 30.1%, 27.5%, and 28.1% of total Title segment revenues in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Sales and Marketing. We market and distribute our title and escrow products and services to customers in the residential and commercial market sectors of the real estate industry through customer solicitation by sales personnel. Although in many instances the individual homeowner is the beneficiary of a title insurance policy, we do not focus our marketing efforts on the homeowner. We actively encourage our sales personnel to develop new business relationships with persons in the real estate community, such as real estate sales agents and brokers, financial institutions, independent escrow companies and title agents, real estate developers, mortgage brokers and attorneys who order title insurance policies for their clients. While our smaller, local clients remain important, large customers, such as national residential mortgage lenders, real estate investment trusts and developers are an important part of our business. The buying criteria of locally based clients differ from those of large, geographically diverse customers in that the former tend to emphasize personal relationships and ease of transaction execution, while the latter generally place more emphasis on consistent product delivery across diverse geographical regions and the ability of service providers to meet their information systems requirements for electronic product delivery.
Claims. An important part of our business is responsible claims management. We employ a large staff of attorneys in our claims department to handle title and escrow claims. Our claims processing centers are located in Omaha, Nebraska and Jacksonville, Florida. In-house claims counsel are also located in other parts of the country.
Claims result from a wide range of causes. These causes generally include, but are not limited to, search and exam errors, forgeries, incorrect legal descriptions, signature and notary errors, unrecorded liens, mechanics’ liens, the failure to pay off existing liens, mortgage lending fraud, mishandling or theft of settlement funds (including independent agency theft), and mistakes in the escrow process. Under our policies, we are required to defend insureds when covered claims are filed against
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their interest in the property. Some claimants seek damages in excess of policy limits. Those claims are based on various legal theories, including in some cases allegations of negligence or an intentional tort. We occasionally incur losses in excess of policy limits. Experience shows that most policy claims and claim payments are made in the first five years after the policy has been issued, although claims may also be reported and paid many years later.
Title losses due to independent agency defalcations typically occur when the independent agency misappropriates funds from escrow accounts under its control. Such losses are usually discovered when the independent agency fails to pay off an outstanding mortgage loan at closing (or immediately thereafter) from the proceeds of the new loan. Once the previous lender determines that its loan has not been paid off timely, it will file a claim against the title insurer.
Claims can be complex, vary greatly in dollar amounts and are affected by economic and market conditions and the legal environment existing at the time claims are processed. In our commercial title business, we may issue polices with face amounts well in excess of $100 million, and from time to time claims are submitted with respect to large policies. We believe we are appropriately reserved with respect to all claims (large and small) that we currently face. Occasionally we experience large losses from title policies that have been issued or from our escrow operations, or overall worsening loss payment experience, which require us to increase our title loss reserves. These events are unpredictable and adversely affect our earnings. Claims can result in litigation in which we may represent our insured and/or ourselves. We consider this type of litigation to be an ordinary course aspect of the conduct of our business.
Reinsurance and Coinsurance. Within our Title segment, we limit our maximum loss exposure by reinsuring risks with other insurers under excess of loss and case-by-case (“facultative”) reinsurance agreements. Reinsurance agreements generally provide that the reinsurer is liable for loss and loss adjustment expense payments exceeding the amount retained by the ceding company. However, the ceding company remains primarily liable to the insured whether or not the reinsurer is able to meet its contractual obligations. Facultative reinsurance agreements are entered into with other title insurers when the transaction to be insured exceeds state statutory or self-imposed limits. Excess of loss reinsurance coverage protects us from a large loss from a single loss occurrence. Our excess of loss reinsurance coverage is split into four contracts. The first excess of loss reinsurance contract provides an $75 million limit of coverage from a single loss occurrence for losses in excess of a $25 million retention per single loss occurrence. The second excess of loss reinsurance contract ("Second XOL Contract") provides an additional $300 million limit of coverage from a single loss occurrence, with the Company co-participating at approximately 10%. The third excess of loss reinsurance contract ("Third XOL Contract") provides an additional $80 million limit of coverage from a single loss occurrence, with the Company co-participating at approximately 10.00%. The fourth excess of loss reinsurance contract ("Fourth XOL Contract") provides an additional $220 million limit of coverage from a single loss occurrence, with the Company co-participating at approximately 10%. Subject to the Company’s retention and co-participation on the Second, Third and Fourth XOL Contracts, the maximum coverage from a single loss occurrence provided under our excess of loss reinsurance coverage is $610 million. Each XOL Contract provides for one reinstatement of its respective limit, so the aggregate limit of coverage is $1.2 billion.
In addition to reinsurance, we carry errors and omissions insurance and fidelity bond coverage, each of which can provide protection to us in the event of certain types of losses that can occur in our businesses.
Our policy is to be selective in choosing our reinsurers, seeking only those companies that we consider to be financially stable and adequately capitalized. In an effort to minimize exposure to the insolvency of a reinsurer, we periodically review the financial condition of our reinsurers.
We also use coinsurance in our commercial title business to provide coverage in amounts greater than we would be willing or able to provide individually. In coinsurance transactions, each individual underwriting company issues a separate policy and assumes a portion of the overall total risk. As a coinsurer we are only liable for the portion of the risk we assume.
We also earn a small amount of additional income, which is reflected in our direct premiums, by assuming reinsurance for certain risks of other title insurers.
Competition. Competition in the title insurance industry is based primarily on service and price. The number and size of competing companies varies in the different geographic areas in which we conduct our business. In our principal markets, competitors include other major title underwriters such as First American Financial Corporation, Old Republic International Corporation, Stewart Information Services Corporation, Westcor Land Title Insurance Company, Title Resources Guaranty Company, and WFG National Title Insurance Company, as well as numerous regional title insurance companies, underwritten title companies and independent agency operations at the regional and local level. The addition or removal of regulatory barriers might result in changes to competition in the title insurance business. New competitors may include diversified financial services companies that have greater financial resources than we do and possess other competitive advantages. Competition among the major title insurance companies, expansion by regional companies and any new entrants with alternative products could affect our business operations and financial condition.
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Regulation. Our insurance subsidiaries, including title insurers, underwritten title companies and insurance agencies, are subject to extensive regulation under applicable state laws. Each of the insurers is subject to a holding company act in its state of domicile, which regulates, among other matters, the ability to pay dividends and enter into transactions with affiliates. The laws of most states in which we transact business establish supervisory agencies with broad administrative powers relating to issuing and revoking licenses to transact business; regulating trade practices; licensing agents; approving policy forms and accounting and financial practices; establishing reserves and capital and surplus in regards to policyholder requirements defining suitable investments for reserves and capital and surplus; approving rate schedules; etc. The state regulation process for rate changes ranges from states that set rates, to states where individual companies or associations of companies prepare rate filings that are submitted for approval, to a few states in which rate changes do not need to be filed for approval.
Since we are governed by both state and federal governments and the applicable insurance laws and regulations are constantly subject to change, it is not possible to predict the potential effects on our insurance operations of any laws or regulations that may become more restrictive in the future or if new restrictive laws will be enacted.
Pursuant to statutory accounting requirements of the various states in which our title insurers are domiciled, these insurers must defer a portion of premiums as an unearned premium reserve for the protection of policyholders (in addition to their reserves for known claims) and must maintain qualified assets in an amount equal to the statutory requirements. The level of unearned premium reserve required to be maintained at any time is determined by a statutory formula based upon either the age, number of policies, and dollar amount of policy liabilities underwritten, or the age and dollar amount of statutory premiums written. As of December 31, 2023, the combined statutory unearned premium reserve required and reported for our title insurers was $1,659 million. In addition to statutory unearned premium reserves and reserves for known claims, each of our insurers maintains surplus funds for policyholder protection and business operations.
Each of our insurance subsidiaries is regulated by the insurance regulatory authority in its respective state of domicile, as well as that of each state in which it is licensed. The insurance commissioners of their respective states of domicile are the primary regulators of our insurance subsidiaries. Each of the insurers is subject to periodic regulatory financial examination by regulatory authorities.
Under the statutes governing insurance holding companies in most states, insurers may not enter into certain transactions, including sales, reinsurance agreements and service or management contracts, with their affiliates unless the regulatory authority of the insurer’s state of domicile has received notice at least 30 days prior to the intended effective date of such transaction and has not objected to, or has approved, the transaction within the 30-day period.
In addition to state-level regulation, our title insurance and certain other real estate businesses are subject to regulation by federal agencies, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). The CFPB was established under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 ("Dodd-Frank"), which also included regulation over financial services and other lending related businesses. The CFPB has broad authority to regulate, among other areas, the mortgage and real estate markets in matters pertaining to consumers. This authority includes the enforcement of the Truth-in-Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act formerly placed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
As a holding company with no significant business operations of our own, we depend on dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries as the principal source of cash to meet our obligations, including the payment of interest on and repayment of principal of any debt obligations and to pay any dividends to our shareholders. The payment of dividends or other distributions to us by our insurers is regulated by the insurance laws and regulations of their respective states of domicile. In general, an insurance company subsidiary may not pay an “extraordinary” dividend or distribution unless the applicable insurance regulator has received notice of the intended payment at least 30 days prior to payment and has not objected to or has approved the payment within the 30-day period. In general, an “extraordinary” dividend or distribution is statutorily defined as a dividend or distribution that, together with other dividends and distributions made within the preceding 12 months, exceeds the greater of:
•10% of the insurer’s statutory surplus as of the immediately prior year end; or
•the statutory net income of the insurer during the prior calendar year.
The laws and regulations of some jurisdictions also prohibit an insurer from declaring or paying a dividend except out of its earned surplus or require the insurer to obtain prior regulatory approval. During 2024, our directly owned title insurers can pay dividends or make distributions to us of approximately $471 million; however, insurance regulators have the authority to prohibit the payment of ordinary dividends or other payments by our title insurers to us (such as a payment under a tax sharing agreement or for other services) if they determine that such payment could be adverse to our policyholders. There are no restrictions on our retained earnings regarding our ability to pay dividends to shareholders.
The combined statutory capital and surplus of our title insurers was approximately $1,225 million and $1,350 million as of December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively. The combined statutory earnings of our title insurers were $503 million, $778 million, and $936 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
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As a condition to continued authority to underwrite policies in the states in which our insurers conduct their business, they are required to pay certain fees and file information regarding their officers, directors and financial condition.
Pursuant to statutory requirements of the various states in which our insurers are domiciled, such insurers must maintain certain levels of minimum capital and surplus. Required levels of minimum capital and surplus are not significant to the insurers individually or in the aggregate. Each of our title insurers has complied with the minimum statutory requirements as of December 31, 2023.
Our underwritten title companies, primarily those domiciled in California, are also subject to certain regulation by insurance regulatory or banking authorities relating to their net worth and working capital. Minimum net worth and working capital requirements for each underwritten title company is less than $1 million. These companies were in compliance with their respective minimum net worth and working capital requirements at December 31, 2023.
From time to time we receive inquiries and requests for information from state insurance departments, attorneys general and other regulatory agencies about various matters relating to our business. Sometimes these take the form of civil investigative demands or subpoenas. We cooperate with all such inquiries and we have responded to or are currently responding to inquiries from multiple governmental agencies. Various governmental entities are studying the title insurance product, market, pricing, and business practices, and potential regulatory and legislative changes, which may materially affect our business and operations. From time to time, we are assessed fines for violations of regulations or other matters or enter into settlements with such authorities that may require us to pay fines or claims or take other actions. For further discussion, see Item 3, Legal Proceedings.
Before a person can acquire control of a U.S. insurance company, prior written approval must be obtained from the insurance commissioner of the state in which the insurer is domiciled. Prior to granting approval of an application to acquire control of a domestic insurer, the state insurance commissioner will consider such factors as the financial strength of the applicant; the integrity and management of the applicant’s Board of Directors and executive officers; the acquirer’s plans for the insurer’s Board of Directors and executive officers; the acquirer’s plans for the future operations of the domestic insurer; and any anti-competitive results that may arise from the consummation of the acquisition of control. Generally, state statutes provide that control over a domestic insurer is presumed to exist if any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds with the power to vote, or holds proxies representing 10% or more of the voting securities of the domestic insurer. Because a person acquiring 10% or more of our common shares would indirectly control the same percentage of the stock of our insurers, the insurance change of control laws would likely apply to such a transaction.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") has adopted an instruction requiring an annual certification of reserve adequacy by a qualified actuary. Because all of the states in which our title insurers are domiciled require adherence to NAIC filing procedures, each such insurer, unless it qualifies for an exemption, must file an actuarial opinion with respect to the adequacy of its reserves.
Title Insurance Ratings. Our title insurance underwriters are regularly assigned ratings by independent agencies designed to indicate their financial condition and/or claims paying ability. The rating agencies determine ratings by quantitatively and qualitatively analyzing financial data and other information. Our title subsidiaries include Alamo Title, Chicago Title, Commonwealth Land Title, FNTIC and National Title of New York. Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”) and Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) provide ratings for the entire FNF family of companies as a whole as follows:
| S&P | Moody’s | ||||||||||
| FNF family of companies | A | A2 | |||||||||
The relative position of each of our ratings among the ratings scale assigned by each rating agency is as follows:
•An S&P "A" rating is the third highest rating of eleven ratings for S&P. According to S&P, an insurer rated “A” has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments, but is somewhat more susceptible to adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than insurers with "AAA" or "AA" ratings.
•A Moody's "A2" rating is the third highest rating of nine ratings for Moody's. Moody's states that companies rated “A2” are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Demotech provides financial strength/stability ratings for each of our title insurance underwriters individually, as follows:
| Alamo Title Insurance | A' | ||||
| Chicago Title Insurance Company | A'' | ||||
| Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company | A' | ||||
| Fidelity National Title Insurance Company | A' | ||||
| National Title Insurance of New York | A' | ||||
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Demotech states that its ratings of A" and A' reflect its opinion that the insurer possesses unsurpassed ability to maintain liquidity of invested assets, quality reinsurance, acceptable financial leverage and realistic pricing while simultaneously establishing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves at reasonable levels. The A'' and A' ratings are the two highest ratings of Demotech's six ratings.
The ratings of S&P, Moody’s, and Demotech described above are not designed to be, and do not serve as, measures of protection or valuation offered to investors. These financial strength ratings should not be relied on with respect to making an investment in our securities. For further information, refer to Item 1A. Risk Factors — "If the rating agencies downgrade our insurance companies, our results of operations and competitive position in the title insurance industry may suffer.”
Investment Policies and Investment Portfolio. Within our Title segment, our investment policy is designed to maximize total return through investment income and capital appreciation consistent with moderate risk of principal, while providing adequate liquidity. Our insurance subsidiaries, including title insurers, underwritten title companies and insurance agencies, are subject to extensive regulation under applicable state laws. The various states in which we operate our underwriters regulate the types of assets that qualify for purposes of capital, surplus, and statutory unearned premium reserves. Our investment policy specifically limits duration and non-investment grade allocations in the FNF fixed-income portfolio. Maintaining shorter durations on the investment portfolio allows for the mitigation of interest rate risk. Equity securities and preferred stock are utilized to take advantage of perceived value or for strategic purposes. Due to the magnitude of the investment portfolio in relation to our claims loss reserves, durations of investments are not specifically matched to the cash outflows required to pay claims.
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the carrying amount of total investments within our Title segment, which approximates the fair value, excluding investments in unconsolidated affiliates, was approximately $3.0 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively.
We purchase investment grade fixed maturity securities, selected non-investment grade fixed maturity securities, preferred stock and equity securities. The securities in our portfolio are subject to economic conditions and normal market risks and uncertainties.
The following table presents certain information regarding the investment ratings of our fixed maturity securities and preferred stock portfolio at December 31, 2023, and 2022:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized | % of | Fair | % of | Amortized | % of | Fair | % of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rating (1) | Cost | Total | Value | Total | Cost | Total | Value | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aaa/AAA | $ | 687 | 32.0 | % | $ | 672 | 31.9 | % | $ | 504 | 23.4 | % | $ | 475 | 23.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aa/AA | 134 | 6.2 | 133 | 6.3 | 129 | 6.0 | 125 | 6.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A | 508 | 23.6 | 492 | 23.4 | 574 | 26.6 | 546 | 26.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baa/BBB | 633 | 29.5 | 618 | 29.3 | 741 | 34.4 | 707 | 34.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower | 134 | 6.2 | 128 | 6.1 | 154 | 7.1 | 142 | 6.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other (2) | 54 | 2.5 | 63 | 3.0 | 55 | 2.5 | 62 | 3.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 2,150 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,106 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,157 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,057 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Ratings as assigned by Moody’s or S&P, if a Moody's rating is unavailable.
(2)This category is composed of unrated securities.
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The following table presents certain information regarding contractual maturities of our fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2023:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized | % of | Fair | % of | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Maturity | Cost | Total | Value | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| One year or less | $ | 320 | 16.0 | % | $ | 313 | 16.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
| After one year through five years | 1,113 | 55.6 | 1,080 | 55.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| After five years through ten years | 373 | 18.6 | 368 | 18.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| After ten years | 121 | 6.0 | 116 | 6.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed/asset-backed securities | 77 | 3.8 | 77 | 3.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 2,004 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,954 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Because of the potential for prepayment on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, they are not categorized by contractual maturity.
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, we held $263 million and $187 million, respectively, in investments that are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, other long-term investments were $95 million and $127 million, respectively. Other long-term investments include other investments carried at fair value and company-owned life insurance policies carried at cash surrender value.
Short-term investments, which consist primarily of commercial paper and money market instruments that have an original maturity of one year or less, are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, short-term investments were approximately $667 million and $1 billion, respectively.
Our investment results for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net investment income (1) | $ | 396 | $ | 234 | $ | 108 | ||||||||||||||
| Average invested assets (2) | $ | 7,932 | $ | 12,816 | $ | 10,285 | ||||||||||||||
| Effective return on average invested assets | 5.0 | % | 1.8 | % | 1.1 | % | ||||||||||||||
(1)Net investment income as reported in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings has been adjusted in the presentation above to provide the tax equivalent yield on tax exempt investments and to exclude interest earned on cash and cash equivalents. Net investment income includes fees earned by holding customer funds in escrow (off-balance sheet) during facilitation of tax-deferred property exchanges. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, fees earned during facilitation of tax-deferred property exchanges were $202 million, $106 million and $17 million, respectively. See Note E Investments to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for a detail of our interest income.
(2)For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, average invested assets include off-balance sheet customer funds used in the facilitation of tax-deferred property exchanges of $4,436 million, $8,296 million and $6,526 million, respectively.
F&G
Through F&G, and its wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries, we market a broad portfolio of deferred annuities (fixed indexed and fixed rate annuities), immediate annuities, indexed universal life insurance, funding agreements and pension risk transfer solutions.
For more than 60 years, F&G has helped middle-income Americans prepare for retirement and for their loved ones' financial security. We partner with leading IMOs and their agents to serve the needs of the middle-income market and develop competitive products to align with their evolving needs. During 2020, F&G entered into the bank and broker dealer distribution channels to connect with even more customers. As of December 31, 2023, F&G has approximately 677,000 policyholders who count on the safety and protection features our fixed annuity and life insurance products provide.
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Through the efforts of F&G's approximately 1,200 employees, most of whom are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and through a network of approximately 280 IMOs and 21 leading banks and independent broker dealers, representing approximately 112,000 independent agents and advisers, we offer various types of fixed annuities and life insurance products. Our fixed annuities serve as a retirement and savings tool for which our customers rely on principal protection and predictable income streams. In addition, our IUL insurance products provide our customers with a complementary product that allows them to build on their savings and provide a payment to their designated beneficiaries upon the policyholder’s death. Our most popular products are FIAs that tie contractual returns to specific market indices, such as the S&P 500 Index. Our customers value our FIAs, which provide a portion of the gains of an underlying market index, while also providing principal protection. We believe this mix of “some upside but limited downside” fills the need for middle-income Americans who must save for retirement but who want to limit the risk of decline in their savings.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, FIAs generated approximately 36% of our total gross sales. The remaining 64% of sales were primarily generated from funding agreements (9%), fixed rate annuities (39%), PRT sales (15%), and IUL (1%). We invest the proceeds primarily in fixed income securities. We also use options and futures that hedge the index credit of our FIA and IUL liabilities by replicating the market index returns to our policyholders. We invest predominantly in options on the S&P 500 Index. The majority of our products allow for active management to achieve targeted lifetime returns. In addition, our annuity contracts generally either cannot be surrendered or include surrender charges that discourage early redemptions.
Annuities. Through F&G’s insurance subsidiaries, we issue a broad portfolio of deferred annuities (FIA and fixed rate annuities), immediate annuities, and PRT solutions. A deferred annuity is a type of contract that accumulates value on a tax deferred basis and typically begins making specified periodic or lump sum payments a certain number of years after the contract has been issued. An immediate annuity is a type of contract that begins making specified payments within one annuity period (e.g., one month or one year) and typically pays principal and earnings in equal payments over some period of time.
Deferred Annuities – FIAs. Our FIAs allow contract owners the possibility of earning returns linked to the performance of a specified market index, predominantly the S&P 500 Index, while providing principal protection. The contract owners typically make a single deposit into our deferred annuities. The contracts include a provision for a minimum guaranteed surrender value calculated in accordance with applicable law. A market index tracks the performance of a specific group of stocks representing a particular segment of the market, or in some cases an entire market. For example, the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index is an index of 500 stocks intended to be representative of a broad segment of the market. All FIA products allow policyholders to allocate funds once a year among several different crediting strategies, including one or more index-based strategies and a traditional fixed rate strategy. Surrender charges apply for early withdrawal, typically for seven to fourteen years after purchase.
We purchase derivatives consisting predominantly of over-the-counter options and, to a lesser degree, futures contracts (specifically for FIA contracts) on the equity indices underlying the applicable policy such as the S&P 500. These derivatives are used to fund the index credits due to policyholders under the FIA and IUL contracts based upon policyholders’ contract elections. The down-side risk to F&G is limited to the cost of the options because if the value of the options decreases there is no index credit. The cost of the hedge is included in the pricing of the product and can be reset on an annual basis for each policy based on market conditions. The majority of all such call options are one-year options purchased to match the funding requirements underlying the FIA/IUL contracts. On the anniversary dates of the FIA/IUL contracts, the market index used to compute the annual index credit under the contracts is reset. At such time, we purchase new call options to fund the next index credit. We manage the cost of these purchases through the terms of our FIA/IUL contracts, which permit us to change caps or participation rates, subject to certain guaranteed minimums on each contract’s anniversary date. The change in the fair value of the options and futures contracts is generally designed to offset the equity market related change in the fair value of the FIA/IUL contract’s related reserve liability. The options and futures contracts are marked to fair value with the change in fair value included as a component of “Recognized gains and losses, net” in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The change in fair value of the options and futures contracts includes the gains and losses recognized at the expiration of the instrument’s term or upon early termination and the changes in fair value of open positions. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the U.S. ("GAAP") accounting of the reserve liability for products with embedded derivatives such as FIA creates additional volatility beyond the accounting for the options and the futures.
The contract holder account value of a FIA contract is equal to the sum of deposits paid, premium bonuses, if any, (described below), and index credits based on the change in the relevant market index (subject to a cap, spread and/or a participation rate) less any fees for riders and any withdrawals taken to-date. Caps (a maximum rate that may be credited) generally range from 1% to 5% when measured annually and 1% to 3% when measured monthly, spreads (a credited rate determined by deducting a specific rate from the index return) generally range from 0% to 3% when measured annually, and participation rates (a credited rate equal to a percentage of index return) generally range from 100% to 180% of the performance of the applicable market index. The cap, spread and participation rate can typically be reset annually and in some instances every two to five years. Certain riders provide a variety of benefits, such as the ability to increase their cap, lifetime
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income or additional liquidity for a set fee. As this fee is fixed, the contract holder may lose principal if the index credits received do not exceed the amount of such fee.
Approximately 39% of the FIA sales for the year ended December 31, 2023, involved “premium bonuses” or vesting bonuses. Premium bonuses increase the initial annuity deposit by a specified rate of 2%. The vesting bonuses, which range from 1% to 15%, increase the initial annuity deposit liability but are subject to adjustment for unvested amounts in the event of surrender by the policyholder prior to the end of the vesting period. We made compensating adjustments in the commission paid to the agent or the surrender charges on the policy to offset the premium bonus.
Approximately 48% of our FIA contracts were issued with a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit ("GMWB") rider for the year ended December 31, 2023. With this rider, a contract owner can elect to receive guaranteed payments for life from the FIA contract without requiring the owner to annuitize the FIA contract value. The amount of the income benefit available is determined by the growth in the policy’s benefit base value as defined in the FIA contract rider. Typically, this accumulates for 10 years based on a guaranteed rate of 3% to 8%. Guaranteed withdrawal payments may be stopped and restarted at the election of the contract owner. Some of the FIA contract riders that we offer include an additional death benefit or an increase in benefit amounts under chronic health conditions. Rider fees range from 0% to 1%. Unlike a variable annuity, policyholder values do not decline with market movements.
Deferred Annuities – Fixed Rate Annuities. Fixed rate annuities are typically single deposit contracts and include annual reset and multi-year rate guaranteed policies. Fixed rate annual reset annuities issued by us have an annual interest rate (the “crediting rate”) that is guaranteed for the first policy year. After the first policy year, we have the discretionary ability to change the crediting rate once annually to any rate at or above a guaranteed minimum rate. MYGAs are similar to fixed rate annual reset annuities except that the initial crediting rate is guaranteed for a specified number of years before it may be changed at our discretion. As of December 31, 2023, crediting rates on outstanding (i) single-year guaranteed annuities generally ranged from 1% to 6% and (ii) MYGA ranged from 1% to 5%. The average crediting rate on all outstanding fixed rate annuities at December 31, 2023, was 5%.
Deferred Annuities - Registered Index-Linked Annuities (“RILA”). – In early 2024, we entered into the RILA markets. RILAs are similar to FIAs in offering the policyholder the opportunity for tax-deferred growth based in part on the performance of a market index. Compared to an FIA, RILAs have the potential for higher returns but also have the potential for risk of loss to principal and related earnings. RILAs provide the ability for the policyholder to participate in the positive performance of certain market indices during a term, limited by a cap or adjusted for a participation rate. Negative performance of the market indices during a term can result in negative policyholder returns, with downside protection typically provided in the form of either a “buffer” or a “floor” to limit the policyholder’s exposure to market loss. A "buffer" is protection from negative exposure up to a certain percentage, typically 10 or 20 percent. A "floor" is protection from negative exposure less than a stated percentage (i.e., the policyholder risks exposure of loss up to the "floor", but is protected against any loss in excess of this amount).
Withdrawal Options for Deferred Annuities. After the first year following the issuance of a deferred annuity policy, holders of deferred annuities are typically permitted penalty-free withdrawals up to a contractually specified amount. The penalty-free withdrawal amount is typically 10% of the prior year account value for FIAs, and is typically up to accumulated interest for fixed rate annuities, subject to certain restrictions. Withdrawals in excess of allowable penalty-free amounts are assessed a surrender charge if such withdrawals are made during the penalty period of the deferred annuity policy. The penalty period typically ranges from seven to fourteen years for FIAs and three to ten years for fixed rate annuities. This surrender charge initially ranges from 9% to 15% of the contract value for FIAs and is 9% of the contract value for fixed rate annuities and generally decreases by approximately one to two percentage points per year during the penalty period. The average surrender charge was 7% for our FIAs and 7% for our fixed rate annuities as of December 31, 2023. A market value adjustment (“MVA”) will also apply in most states to any withdrawal that incurs a surrender charge, subject to certain exceptions. The MVA is based on a formula that accounts for changes in interest rates since contract issuance. Generally, if interest rates have risen, the MVA will decrease surrender value, whereas if rates have fallen, it will increase surrender value. At December 31, 2023, approximately 78% of our business included an MVA feature.
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The following table summarizes our deferred annuity account values and surrender charge protection as of December 31, 2023:
| SURRENDER CHARGE EXPIRATION BY YEAR | Fixed Rate and Fixed Indexed Annuities Account Value | Percent of Total | Weighted Average Surrender Charge | |||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Out of surrender charge | $ | 2,346 | 7 | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 1,573 | 5 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||||||
| 2025-2027 | 7,579 | 23 | % | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| 2028-2029 | 6,075 | 18 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| 2030-2031 | 6,784 | 21 | % | 8 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Thereafter | 8,610 | 26 | % | 11 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 32,967 | 100 | % | 7.31 | % | ||||||||||||||
Subsequent to the penalty period, the policyholder may elect to take the proceeds of the surrender either in a single payment or in a series of payments over the life of the policyholder or for a fixed number of years (or a combination of these payment options). In addition to the foregoing withdrawal rights, policyholders may also elect to have additional withdrawal benefits by purchasing a GMWB.
Single Premium Immediate Annuities. We have previously sold single premium immediate annuities (“SPIAs”), which provide a series of periodic payments for a fixed period of time or for the life of the policyholder, according to the policyholder’s choice at the time of issue. The amounts, frequency and length of time of the payments are fixed at the outset of the annuity contract. SPIAs are often purchased by persons at or near retirement age who desire a steady stream of payments over a future period of years. Existing policyholders may elect to surrender their contract and use the proceeds to purchase a supplementary contract, which functions as a SPIA.
Life Insurance. We currently offer IUL insurance policies and have previously sold universal life, term and whole life insurance products. Holders of universal life insurance policies may make periodic payments over the life of the contract and earn returns on their policies, which are credited to the policyholder’s cash value account. The insurer periodically deducts its expenses and the cost of life insurance protection from the cash value account. The balance of the cash value account is credited interest at a fixed rate or returns based on the performance of a market index, or both, at the option of the policyholder, using a method similar to that described above for FIAs.
Funding Agreements. As defined by the Iowa Insurance Division (the "IID"), a funding agreement is an agreement for an insurer to accept and accumulate funds and to make one or more payments at future dates in amounts that are not based on mortality or morbidity contingencies of the person to whom the funding agreement is issued. In essence, funding agreement providers are agreeing to a defined stream of future payments in exchange for a single upfront premium. This type of business is sometimes referred to as spread lending, as funding agreement providers invest upfront premiums with the intent to earn an investment spread on the funds prior to making agreed upon maturity and interest payments. The structure of the payments can take several forms, but are commonly a fixed or variable interest payment with a single maturity principal re-payment.
F&G currently utilizes two forms of funding agreement offerings. The first is through the issuance of collateralized funding agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (the "FHLB"). This enables spread-based income without longevity or mortality exposure given the certainty in liability profile. Funding agreements through the FHLB are flexible in their format and the ability to issue during broad windows, as long as sufficient eligible collateral has been deposited with the bank.
In June 2021, we established a funding agreement backed note ("FABN") program, which is a medium term note program under which funding agreements are issued to a special-purpose trust that issues marketable notes. The notes are underwritten and marketed by major investment banks’ broker-dealer operations and are sold to institutional investors. These FABN offerings are more limited regarding timing of issuance, but do not require collateralization as with the FHLB. The maximum aggregate principal amount permitted to be outstanding at any one time under the FABN Program is currently $5.0 billion. As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $2.6 billion outstanding under the FABN Program.
Pension Risk Transfer. In July 2021, we entered the pension risk transfer ("PRT") market. A PRT occurs when a defined-benefit pension provider seeks to remove some or all of its obligation to pay guaranteed retirement income or post-retirement benefits to plan participants. There are four major types of PRT strategies: longevity reinsurance, buy-in, buy-out, and paying in lump sums. We are currently active in plan buy-outs, where we have a direct, irrevocable commitment to each covered participant to make the specified annuity payments based upon the terms of the pension plan. Plan buy-out transactions fully and permanently transfer all investment, mortality, and administrative risk, associated with covered benefits, from the pension plan sponsor to the insurance provider.
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Our PRT products are comparable to income annuities, as we generally receive a single, upfront premium in exchange for paying a guaranteed stream of future income payments, which are typically fixed in nature, but may vary in duration based on participant mortality experience. These products primarily create earnings through spread income. In each transaction FGL Insurance and/or FGL NY Insurance issues a group annuity contract to discharge pension plan liabilities from a pension plan sponsor, either through a separate account or through a general account guarantee. Certificate holders covered under a group annuity contract have a guaranteed benefit from the insurance company.
We entered the PRT solutions business by building a team of experienced professionals, then working with brokers and institutional consultants for distribution. As of December 31, 2023, we had completed PRT transactions that represented pension obligations of $4.5 billion.
Distribution. We distribute our annuity and life insurance products through three main channels of distribution: independent agents, banks, and broker dealers.
In our independent agent channel, the sale of our products typically occurs as part of a four-party, three stage sales process between FGL Insurance, an IMO, the agent and the customer. FGL Insurance designs, manufactures, issues, and services the product. The IMOs will typically sign contracts with multiple insurance carriers to provide their agents with a broad and competitive product portfolio. The IMO provides training and discusses product options with agents in preparation for meetings with clients. The IMO staff also provide assistance to the agent during the selling and application process. The agent may get customer leads from the IMOs. The agent conducts fact finding and presents suitable product choices to the customers. We monitor the business issued by each distribution partner for pricing metrics, mortality, persistency, as well as market conduct and suitability.
We offer our products through a network of approximately 280 IMOs, representing approximately 102,000 agents. We believe that our relationships with these IMOs are strong. The average tenure of the Power Partners is approximately 20 years. We identify Power Partners as those who have demonstrated the ability to generate significant production for our business. We currently have 41 Power Partners, comprised of 19 annuity IMOs and 22 life insurance IMOs.
We took a similar approach in launching products as a new entrant into the bank and broker dealer channels by partnering with one of the largest broker dealers in the industry. In 2020, F&G launched a set of fixed rate annuity and FIA products to banks and broker dealers, and gained selling agreements with some of the largest banks and broker dealers in the United States. We offer our products through a network of approximately 21 banks and broker dealers, representing approximately 10,000 financial advisers. The financial advisers at our bank and broker dealer partners are able to offer their clients guaranteed rates of return, protected growth, and income for life through our Secure series of annuity products. We employ a hybrid distribution model in this channel, whereby some financial institutions partner directly with F&G and our sales team, and others work with an intermediary. As such, we partner with a select number of financial institution intermediaries who have expertise in the channel and maintain the appropriate field wholesaling forces to be successful in this channel. In 2023, the top five firms represented 78% of channel sales. Bank and broker dealers represented 51% of annuity sales for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The top five states for the distribution of FGL Insurance’s products in the year ended December 31, 2023, were Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Texas, which together accounted for 38.5% of FGL Insurance’s premiums.
In addition, beginning in 2021, our institutional business offers funding agreement products to institutional clients by means of capital markets transactions through investment banks. Funding agreements are also executed through the FHLB. In 2021, we also entered the PRT solutions business by building an experienced team and then working with brokers and institutional consultants for distribution. These institutional solutions leverage our existing team's spread-based capabilities as well as our strategic partnership with Blackstone.
Investments. Within our F&G segment, we embrace a long-term conservative investment philosophy, investing nearly all the insurance premiums we receive in a wide range of high-quality debt securities. Our investment strategy is designed to (i) preserve capital, (ii) provide consistent yield and investment income, and (iii) achieve attractive absolute returns. We base all of our decisions on fundamental, bottom-up research, coupled with a top-down view that respects the cyclicality of certain asset classes. The types of assets in which we may invest are influenced by various state laws, which prescribe qualified investment assets applicable to insurance companies.
FGL Insurance and certain other subsidiaries of F&G (other than FGL NY Insurance) are party to investment management agreements ("IMAs") with Blackstone ISG-I Advisors LLC (“BIS”) pursuant to which BIS is appointed as investment manager of the F&G Accounts. There are no specified minimum amounts of assets that we have agreed that BIS will manage; however, BIS has the right to manage (and receive fees based on) all assets in the F&G Accounts with limited exceptions. For certain asset classes, we continue to utilize specialized third-party investment managers. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 85% of our $52 billion investment portfolio was managed by BIS, with 14% managed by other third parties, and the remaining 1% internally managed. BIS, in accordance with our IMAs, has delegated certain investment services
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to its affiliates, including Blackstone’s Credit, Real Estate Debt and Asset-Based Finance businesses, in each case, pursuant to separate sub-management agreements executed between BIS and each such affiliate.
Our investment portfolio consists of high quality fixed maturities, including publicly issued and privately issued corporate bonds, municipal and other government bonds, asset-backed securities ("ABS"), residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS"), commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS"), commercial mortgage loans ("CMLs"), residential mortgage loans ("RMLs"), limited partnership investments, and other investments. We also maintain holdings in floating rate, and less rate-sensitive investments, including senior tranches of collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), non-agency RMBS, and various types of ABS. It is our expectation that our investment portfolio will broaden in scope and diversity to include other asset classes held by life and annuity insurance writers. We also have a small amount of equity holdings required as part of our funding arrangements with the FHLB.
The portfolio also has exposure to U.S. dollar denominated emerging market bonds, highly rated preferred stocks and hybrids, and structured securities including ABS. We currently maintain a well-matched asset/liability profile (asset duration, including cash and cash equivalents, of 5.24 years vs. liability duration of 4.7 years).
For further discussion of portfolio activity, see Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report, under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Investment Portfolio.
Outsourcing. Our F&G segment outsources the following functions to third-party service providers:
•new business administration (data entry and policy issue only);
•service of existing policies;
•underwriting administration of life insurance applications;
•call centers;
•information technology development and maintenance;
•certain investment accounting and custody; and
•co-located data centers and hosting of financial systems.
We closely manage our outsourcing partners and integrate their services into our operations. We believe that outsourcing such functions allows us to focus capital and our employees on our core business operations and perform differentiating functions, such as investment, actuarial, product development and risk management functions. In addition, we believe an outsourcing model provides predictable pricing, service levels and volume capabilities and allows us to benefit from technological developments that enhance our customer self-service and sales processes. We believe that we have a good relationship with our principal outsource service providers.
Ratings. Within our F&G segment, access to funding and our related cost of borrowing, the attractiveness of certain of our products to customers and requirements for derivatives collateral posting are affected by our credit ratings and insurance financial strength ratings, which are periodically reviewed by the rating agencies. Financial strength ratings and credit ratings are important factors affecting public confidence in an insurer and its competitive position in marketing products.
As of the date of this Annual Report, A.M. Best Company ("A.M. Best"), Fitch Ratings ("Fitch"), Moody's, and S&P had issued credit ratings, financial strength ratings and/or outlook statements regarding us, as listed below. Credit ratings represent the opinions of rating agencies regarding an entity’s ability to repay its indebtedness. Financial strength ratings represent the opinions of rating agencies regarding the ability of an insurance company to meet its financial obligations under an insurance policy and generally involve quantitative and qualitative evaluations by rating agencies of a company’s financial condition and operating performance. Generally, rating agencies base their financial strength ratings upon information furnished to them by the insurer and upon their own investigations, studies and assumptions. Financial strength ratings are based upon factors of concern to policyholders, agents and intermediaries and are not directed toward the protection of investors. Credit and financial strength ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities and they may be revised or revoked at any time at the sole discretion of the rating organization.
In addition to the financial strength ratings, rating agencies use an “outlook statement” to indicate a medium or long term trend that, if continued, may lead to a rating change. A positive outlook indicates a rating may be raised and a negative outlook indicates a rating may be lowered. A stable outlook is assigned when ratings are not likely to be changed. A developing outlook is assigned when a rating may be raised, lowered, or affirmed. Outlooks should not be confused with expected stability of the issuer’s financial or economic performance. A rating may have a "stable" outlook to indicate that the rating is not expected to change, but a "stable" outlook does not preclude a rating agency from changing a rating at any time without notice.
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The rating organizations may take various actions, positive or negative. Such actions are beyond our control, and we cannot predict what these actions may be and the timing thereof.
| A.M. Best | S&P | Fitch | Moody's | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Holding Company Ratings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| F&G Annuities & Life, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuer Credit / Default Rating | Not Rated | BBB- | BBB | Ba1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outlook | Stable | Stable | Stable | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior Unsecured Notes (2028 maturity) (a) | Not Rated | BBB- | BBB- | Not Rated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| CF Bermuda Holdings Limited | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuer Credit / Default Rating | Not Rated | BBB- | BBB | Baa3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outlook | Stable | Stable | Stable | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuer Credit / Default Rating | BBB | BBB- | BBB | Not Rated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outlook | Stable | Stable | Stable | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Unsecured Notes | BBB | BBB | BBB | Baa2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outlook | Stable | Stable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Subsidiary Ratings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Strength Rating | A | A- | A- | A3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outlook | Stable | Stable | Stable | Stable | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company of New York | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Strength Rating | A | A- | A- | Not Rated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outlook | Stable | Stable | Stable | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| F&G Life Re Ltd | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Strength Rating | Not Rated | A- | A- | A3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outlook | Stable | Stable | Stable | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| F&G Cayman Re Ltd | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Strength Rating | Not Rated | Not Rated | A- | Not Rated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outlook | Stable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
A.M. Best, S&P, Fitch and Moody’s review their ratings of insurance companies from time to time. There can be no assurance that any particular rating will continue for any given period of time or that it will not be changed or withdrawn entirely if, in their judgment, circumstances so warrant. While the degree to which ratings adjustments will affect sales and persistency is unknown, we believe if our ratings were to be negatively adjusted for any reason, we could experience a material decline in the sales of our products and the persistency of our existing business. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors”.
F&G is required to maintain minimum ratings as a matter of routine practice as part of its over-the-counter derivatives agreements on International Swaps and Derivatives Association ("ISDA") forms. Under some ISDA agreements, we have agreed to maintain certain financial strength ratings. Please refer to Note F Derivative Financial Instruments to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for disclosure around the Company's requirement to maintain minimum ratings.
If the insurance subsidiaries held net short positions against a counterparty, and the subsidiaries’ financial strength ratings were below the levels required in the ISDA agreement with the counterparty, the counterparty would demand immediate further collateralization, which could negatively impact overall liquidity. Based on the fair value of our derivatives as of December 31, 2023, we hold no net short positions against a counterparty; therefore, there is currently no potential exposure for us to post collateral.
A downgrade of the financial strength rating of one of our principal insurance subsidiaries could affect our competitive position in the insurance industry and make it more difficult for us to market our products, as potential customers may select companies with higher financial strength ratings. A downgrade of the financial strength rating could also impact our borrowing costs.
Risk Management. Risk management is a critical part of our business. We seek to assess risk to our business through a formalized process involving (i) identifying short-term and long-term strategic and operational objectives, (ii) development of risk appetite statements that establish what the company is willing to accept in terms of risks to achieving its goals and objectives, (iii) identifying the levers that control the risk appetite of the company, (iv) establishing the overall limits of risk
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acceptable for a given risk driver, (v) establishing operational risk limits that are aligned with the tolerances, (vi) assigning risk limit quantification and mitigation responsibilities to individual team members within functional groups, (vii) analyzing the potential qualitative and quantitative impact of individual risks, including but not limited to stress and scenario testing covering over eight economic and insurance related risks, (viii) mitigating risks by appropriate actions and (ix) identifying, documenting and communicating key business risks in a timely fashion.
The responsibility for monitoring, evaluating and responding to risk is assigned first to our management and employees, second to those occupying specialist functions, such as legal compliance and risk teams, and third to those occupying supervisory functions, such as internal audit and the board of directors.
Reinsurance. Within our F&G segment, we cede insurance to other insurance companies. We use reinsurance to diversify risks and earnings, to manage loss exposures, to enhance our capital position, and to manage new business volume. The effects of certain reinsurance agreements are not accounted for as reinsurance as they do not reinsure insurance contracts or they do not transfer the risks of the reinsured policies.
In instances where we are the ceding company, we pay a premium to a reinsurer in exchange for the reinsurer assuming a portion of our liabilities under the policies we issued and collect expense allowances in return for our administration of the ceded policies. Use of reinsurance does not discharge our liability as the ceding company because we remain directly liable to our policyholders and are required to pay the full amount of our policy obligations in the event that our reinsurers fail to satisfy their obligations. We collect reimbursement from our reinsurers when we pay claims on policies that are reinsured.
We monitor the credit risk related to the ability of our reinsurers to honor their obligations under various agreements. To minimize the risk of credit loss on such contracts, we generally diversify our exposures among many reinsurers and limit the amount of exposure to each based on financial strength ratings, which are reviewed annually. We are able to further manage risk with various forms of collateral or collateral arrangements, including secured trusts, funds withheld arrangements and irrevocable letters of credit.
See “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for further discussion on credit risk and counterparty risk.
See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for further discussion of credit risk related to reinsurance agreements. A description of significant ceded reinsurance transactions appears below.
Wilton Reinsurance Transaction. Almost all of the life insurance policies in force issued before March 1, 2010, except for the return of premium benefits on term life insurance products, are subject to a reinsurance arrangement with Wilton Reassurance Company (“Wilton Re”). Pursuant to the agreed upon terms, Wilton Re purchased through a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement certain FGL Insurance life insurance policies that are subject to redundant reserves, reported on a statutory basis, under Regulation XXX and Guideline AXXX, as well as another block of FGL Insurance’s in-force traditional, universal life and IUL insurance policies. The effects of this agreement are accounted for as reinsurance as the ceded policies qualify as insurance products and because the agreement satisfies the risk transfer requirements for GAAP.
Hannover Reinsurance Transaction. FGL Insurance has a reinsurance agreement with Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America (Bermuda) Ltd., an unaffiliated reinsurer, to reinsure an in-force block of its FIA and fixed deferred annuity contracts with GMWB and Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit (“GMDB”) guarantees. In accordance with the terms of this agreement, we cede 70% net retention of secondary guarantee payments in excess of account value for GMWB and GMDB guarantees. The effects of this agreement are not accounted for as reinsurance as it does not satisfy the risk transfer requirements for GAAP; therefore, deposit accounting is applied.
Kubera Reinsurance Transaction. FGL Insurance has a reinsurance agreement with Kubera Insurance (SAC) Ltd. (“Kubera”), an unaffiliated reinsurer, to cede a quota share of certain FIA statutory reserves on a coinsurance funds withheld basis, net of applicable existing reinsurance. The effects of this agreement are not accounted for as reinsurance as it does not satisfy the risk transfer requirements for GAAP; therefore, deposit accounting is applied and FGL Insurance applies the right of offset in the reinsurance agreement.
To enhance Kubera's ability to pay its obligations under the amended reinsurance agreement, F&G entered into a Variable Note Purchase Agreement (the “NPA”), whereby F&G agreed to fund a note to Kubera to be used to ultimately settle with F&G, with principal increases up to a maximum amount of $300 million, to the extent a potential funding shortfall (treaty assets are less than the total funding requirement) is projected relative to the business ceded to Kubera from F&G as part of the amended reinsurance agreement. The potential funding shortfall will be determined quarterly and, among other items, is impacted by the market value of the assets in the funds withheld account related to the reinsurance agreement and Kubera's capital as calculated on a Bermuda regulatory basis. The NPA matures on November 30, 2071. Based on the current level of the treaty assets and projections that these policies will be profitable over the lifetime of the agreement, we do not expect significant fundings to occur under the NPA. As of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the amount funded under the NPA was insignificant.
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Kubera & Somerset Reinsurance Transactions. FGL Insurance entered into a reinsurance agreement with Kubera, effective December 31, 2018, to cede certain fixed rate annuity (including MYGA) GAAP and statutory reserves on a coinsurance funds withheld basis, net of applicable existing reinsurance. Effective October 31, 2021, this agreement was novated from Kubera to Somerset Reinsurance Ltd. (“Somerset”), a certified third-party reinsurer. Effective December 1, 2023, FGL Insurance executed an additional coinsurance funds withheld agreement with Somerset to cede certain flow MYGA business written effective on or after December 1, 2023. As the policies ceded to Somerset are investment contracts, there is no significant insurance risk present and the reinsurance agreements are accounted for as separate investment contracts.
Everlake Reinsurance Transaction. Effective September 1, 2023, FGL Insurance executed a coinsurance agreement with Everlake Life Insurance Company (“Everlake”), an unaffiliated reinsurer to cede, on a quota share basis, certain flow MYGA business written effective on or after September 1, 2023. As the policies ceded to Everlake are investment contracts, there is no significant insurance risk present and the effects of this agreement are accounted for as a separate investment contract.
Aspida Reinsurance Transaction. FGL Insurance has a reinsurance agreement with ASPIDA Life Re Ltd. (“Aspida Re”), an unaffiliated reinsurer, to cede certain flow MYGA business, on a funds withheld coinsurance basis, net of applicable existing reinsurance, written effective on or after January 15, 2021. As the policies ceded to Aspida Re are investment contracts, there is no significant insurance risk present and therefore the reinsurance agreement is accounted for as a separate investment contract.
New Re Reinsurance Transaction. Effective December 31, 2022, FGL Insurance entered into an indemnity reinsurance agreement with New Reinsurance Company Ltd., an unaffiliated reinsurer and wholly owned subsidiary of Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft in München (d/b/a Munich Re), to cede certain FIA policies. Effective July 1, 2023, this agreement was amended to reinsure additional FIA products. The coinsurance quota share is only applicable to the base contract benefits under the FIA policies. The yearly renewable term is applicable to the waiver of surrender charges and return of premium. The effects of this agreement are not accounted for as reinsurance as it does not satisfy the risk transfer requirements for GAAP; therefore, deposit accounting is applied and FGL Insurance applies the right of offset in the reinsurance agreement.
The CARVM Facility. Life insurance companies operating in the United States must calculate required reserves for life and annuity policies based on statutory principles. The insurance divisions have adopted the methodology contained in the NAIC Valuation Manual as the prescribed methodology for the insurance industry. The industry has reduced or eliminated redundancies thereby increasing capital using a variety of techniques including reserve facilities.
F&G has a reinsurance treaty with Raven Reinsurance Company (“Raven Re”), its wholly owned captive reinsurance company, to cede the Commissioners Annuity Reserve Valuation Method (“CARVM”) liability for annuity benefits where surrender charges are waived related to certain FIA, DA and MYGA policies. In connection with the CARVM reinsurance agreement, FGL Insurance and Raven Re entered into an agreement with Nomura Bank International plc (“NBI”) to establish a reserve financing facility in the form of a letter of credit issued by NBI. The financing facility has $200 million available to draw on as of December 31, 2023. The amended facility may terminate earlier than the current termination date of October 1, 2027, in accordance with the terms of the reimbursement agreement. Under the terms of the reimbursement agreement, in the event the letter of credit is drawn upon, Raven Re is required to repay the amounts utilized, and FGAL is obligated to repay the amounts utilized if Raven Re fails to make the required reimbursement. Under the terms of the agreement, FGAL is also required to make a capital contribution to Raven Re in certain circumstances, including in the event that Raven Re’s statutory capital and surplus falls below defined levels. As of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, no capital contributions were required to be made due to these conditions. As this letter of credit is provided by an unaffiliated financial institution, Raven Re is permitted to carry the letter of credit as an admitted asset on the Raven Re statutory balance sheet.
GMWB/GWP Reinsurance Transaction. Effective December 31, 2023, FGL Insurance recaptured its reinsurance arrangement with Canada Life Assurance Company (“Canada Life”) United States Branch covering FIA policies with GMWB and guaranteed withdrawal payment (“GWP”) features and entered into a reinsurance treaty with Corbeau Re, Inc. (“Corbeau Re”), its wholly owned captive reinsurance company, to cede certain FIA policies with GMWB and GWP. In accordance with the terms of this agreement, FGL Insurance cedes a 100% quota share of GMWB and GWP paid in excess of account value. In connection with the reinsurance agreement between FGL Insurance and Corbeau Re, Corbeau Re entered into an excess of loss reinsurance agreement (“XOL”) with Canada Life Barbados Branch to finance the portion of statutory reserves considered to be non-economic. The XOL matures on December 31, 2043, and provides for coverage on losses up to $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2023. With Corbeau Re, non-economic reserves were financed through the maturity date of the XOL and statutory reserves are recorded for all risks expected to be incurred after the maturity date of the XOL. The XOL is not accounted for as reinsurance as it does not satisfy the risk transfer requirements for GAAP; therefore, deposit accounting is applied. Under the terms of the agreement, FGAL is required to make a capital contribution to Corbeau Re in certain circumstances, including in the event that Corbeau Re’s statutory capital and surplus falls below defined levels. As of December 31, 2023, no capital contributions were required to be made due to these conditions. Corbeau Re is permitted to account for the excess of loss reinsurance agreement from Canada Life as an admitted asset on the Corbeau Re statutory balance sheet.
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PRT Reinsurance Transaction. Effective October 1, 2023, FGL Insurance recaptured a reinsurance agreement with its affiliate F&G Life Re Ltd. (“F&G Life Re”), a Bermuda reinsurer, covering a quota share of certain pension risk transfer group annuity contracts and entered into an agreement with its affiliate F&G Cayman Re Ltd. (“F&G Cayman Re”), a Cayman Islands reinsurer, to reinsure a quota share of certain pension risk transfer group annuity contracts (previously ceded to F&G Life Re) in addition to flow pension risk transfer group annuity contracts. Some of the contracts reinsured are held by FGL Insurance’s general account and others are held by a FGL Insurance separate account (which does not meet the GAAP definition of a separate account). Reinsurance of the general account contracts are maintained on a coinsurance funds withheld basis for the general account statutory reserves. Reinsurance of the separate account contracts are maintained on a modified coinsurance basis for the separate account statutory reserves and coinsurance basis for the general account statutory reserves supporting the separate account. In connection with the agreement, F&G Cayman Re entered into a financing agreement with Deutsche Bank AG (“DB”), operating out of its New York branch, whereby DB issued a letter of credit used to support the coinsured general account statutory reserves (generally considered to be the non-economic reserves).
Regulation - U.S. FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re are subject to comprehensive regulation and supervision in their domiciles, Iowa, New York, Vermont and Vermont, respectively, and in each state in which they do business. FGL Insurance does business throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, except for New York. FGL NY Insurance only does business in New York. Raven Re is a special purpose captive reinsurance company that only provides reinsurance to FGL Insurance under the CARVM Treaty. Corbeau Re, a wholly owned captive reinsurance company, reinsures certain of FGL Insurance’s FIA policies with GMWB and GWP. FGL Insurance’s principal insurance regulatory authority is the IID; however, state insurance departments throughout the United States also monitor FGL Insurance’s insurance operations as a licensed insurer. The New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”) regulates the operations of FGL NY Insurance. The purpose of these regulations is primarily to protect insurers’ policyholders and beneficiaries and not their general creditors and shareholders of those insurers or of their holding companies. Many of the laws and regulations to which FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance are subject are regularly re-examined and existing or future laws and regulations may become more restrictive or otherwise adversely affect their operations.
Generally, insurance products underwritten by, and rates used by FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance must be approved by the insurance regulators in each state in which they are sold. In addition, insurance products may also be subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA").
State insurance authorities have broad administrative powers over FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance with respect to all aspects of the insurance business including:
•licensing to transact business;
•licensing agents;
•prescribing which assets and liabilities are to be considered in determining statutory surplus;
•regulating premium rates for certain insurance products;
•approving policy forms and certain related materials;
•requiring insurers and agents to act in the best interests of consumers when making recommendations to purchase annuities, or to determine whether a reasonable basis exists as to the suitability of such investments for consumers;
•regulating unfair trade and claims practices;
•establishing reserve requirements and solvency standards;
•regulating the amount of dividends that may be paid in any year;
•regulating the availability of reinsurance or other substitute financing solutions, the terms thereof and the ability of an insurer to take credit on its financial statements for insurance ceded to reinsurers or other substitute financing solutions;
•fixing maximum interest rates on life insurance policy loans and minimum accumulation or surrender values; and
•regulating the type, amounts, and valuations of investments permitted, transactions with affiliates, and other matters.
State insurance laws and regulations require FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re to file reports, including financial statements, with state insurance departments in each state in which they do business, and their operations and accounts are subject to examination by those departments at any time. FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with accounting practices and procedures prescribed or permitted by these departments.
The NAIC has approved a series of statutory accounting principles and various model regulations that have been adopted, in some cases with certain modifications, by all state insurance departments. These statutory principles are subject to ongoing
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change and modification. Moreover, compliance with any particular regulator’s interpretation of a legal or accounting issue may not result in compliance with another regulator’s interpretation of the same issue, particularly when compliance is judged in hindsight. Any particular regulator’s interpretation of a legal or accounting issue may change over time to FGL Insurance’s, FGL NY Insurance’s, Raven Re’s or Corbeau Re’s detriment, or changes to the overall legal or market environment, even absent any change of interpretation by a particular regulator, may cause FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re to change their views regarding the actions they need to take from a legal risk management perspective, which could necessitate changes to FGL Insurance’s, FGL NY Insurance’s, Raven Re’s or Corbeau Re’s practices that may, in some cases, limit their ability to grow and improve profitability.
State insurance departments conduct periodic examinations of the books and records, financial reporting, policy and rate filings, market conduct and business practices of insurance companies domiciled in their states, generally once every three to five years. Examinations are generally carried out in cooperation with the insurance departments of other states under guidelines promulgated by the NAIC. State insurance departments also have the authority to conduct examinations of non-domiciliary insurers that are licensed in their states.
The Iowa insurance law and the New York insurance law regulate the amount of dividends that may be paid in any year by FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance, respectively.
Each year, FGL NY Insurance may pay a certain limited amount of ordinary dividends or other distributions without being required to obtain the prior consent of or the NYDFS. However, to pay any dividends or distributions (including the payment of any dividends or distributions for which prior consent is not required), FGL NY Insurance must provide advance written notice to the NYDFS.
Pursuant to Iowa insurance law, ordinary dividends are payments, together with all other such payments within the preceding twelve months, that do not exceed the greater of (i) 10% of FGL Insurance’s statutory surplus as regards policyholders as of December 31 of the preceding year; or (ii) the net gain from operations of FGL Insurance (excluding realized capital gains) for the 12-month period ending December 31 of the preceding year.
Dividends in excess of FGL Insurance’s ordinary dividend capacity are referred to as extraordinary and require prior approval of the Iowa Commissioner. In deciding whether to approve a request to pay an extraordinary dividend, Iowa insurance law requires the Iowa Commissioner to consider the effect of the dividend payment on FGL Insurance’s surplus and financial condition generally and whether the payment of the dividend will cause FGL Insurance to fail to meet its required risk-based capital ("RBC") ratio. Dividends may only be paid out of statutory earned surplus.
Any payment of dividends by FGL Insurance is subject to the regulatory restrictions described above and the approval of such payment by the board of directors of FGL Insurance, which must consider various factors, including general economic and business conditions, tax considerations, FGL Insurance’s strategic plans, financial results and condition, FGL Insurance’s expansion plans, any contractual, legal or regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends and its effect on RBC and such other factors the board of directors of FGL Insurance considers relevant. For example, payments of dividends could reduce FGL Insurance’s RBC and financial condition and lead to a reduction in FGL Insurance’s financial strength rating. See section titled "Risks Relating to Our Business- If the rating agencies downgrade our insurance companies, our results of operations and financial condition may suffer.” in Item 1A. Risk Factors.
FGL NY Insurance has historically not paid dividends.
FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance are subject to the supervision of the regulators in states where they are licensed to transact business. Regulators have discretionary authority in connection with the continuing licensing of these entities to limit or prohibit sales to policyholders if, in their judgment, the regulators determine that such entities have not maintained the minimum surplus or capital or that the further transaction of business will be hazardous to policyholders.
In order to enhance the regulation of insurers’ solvency, the NAIC adopted a model law to implement RBC requirements for life, health and property and casualty insurance companies. All states have adopted the NAIC’s model law or a substantially similar law. RBC is used to evaluate the adequacy of capital and surplus maintained by an insurance company in relation to risks associated with: (i) asset risk, (ii) insurance risk, (iii) interest rate risk, and (iv) business risk. In general, RBC is calculated by applying factors to various asset, premium and reserve items, taking into account the risk characteristics of the insurer. Within a given risk category, these factors are higher for those items with greater underlying risk and lower for items with lower underlying risk. The RBC formula is used as an early warning regulatory tool to identify possible inadequately capitalized insurers for purposes of initiating regulatory action, and not as a means to rank insurers generally. Insurers that have less statutory capital than the RBC calculation requires are considered to have inadequate capital and are subject to varying degrees of regulatory action depending upon the level of capital inadequacy. As of the most recent annual statutory financial statements filed with insurance regulators, the RBC ratios for FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance each exceeded the minimum RBC requirements.
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It is desirable to maintain an RBC ratio in excess of the minimum requirements in order to maintain or improve financial strength ratings. FGL Insurance's estimated U.S. RBC ratio was approximately 451% target for the year ended December 31, 2023. See section titled “Risks Relating to Our Business- If the rating agencies downgrade our insurance companies, our results of operations and financial condition may suffer.” in Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The NAIC has developed a set of financial relationships or tests known as the Insurance Regulatory Information System ("IRIS") to assist state regulators in monitoring the financial condition of U.S. insurance companies and identifying companies that require special attention or action by insurance regulatory authorities. A ratio falling outside the prescribed “usual range” is not considered a failing result. Rather, unusual values are viewed as part of the regulatory early monitoring system. In many cases, it is not unusual for financially sound companies to have one or more ratios that fall outside the usual range. Insurance companies generally submit data annually to the NAIC, which in turn analyzes the data using prescribed financial data ratios, each with defined “usual ranges”. Generally, regulators will begin to investigate or monitor an insurance company if its ratios fall outside the usual ranges for four or more of the ratios. IRIS consists of a statistical phase and an analytical phase whereby financial examiners review insurers’ annual statements and financial ratios. The statistical phase consists of 12 key financial ratios based on year-end data that are generated from the NAIC database annually; each ratio has a “usual range” of results. As of December 31, 2023, FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re had four, one, two and three ratios outside the usual range, respectively. The IRIS ratios for net income to total income (including realized capital gains and losses), total affiliated investments to capital and surplus, change in premium and change in product mix for FGL Insurance were outside the usual range. The IRIS ratio for change in reserving ratio for FGL NY Insurance was outside the usual range. The IRIS ratios for adequacy of investment income and change in premium for Raven Re were outside the usual range. The IRIS ratios for net income to total income (including realized capital gains and losses), adequacy of investment income and surplus relief - Over $5 million capital and surplus for Corbeau Re were outside the usual range.
In all instances in prior years, regulators have been satisfied upon follow-up that no regulatory action was required. FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re are not currently subject to regulatory restrictions based on these ratios.
State insurance laws require insurers to analyze the adequacy of reserves. The respective appointed actuaries for FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re must each submit an opinion on an annual basis that their respective reserves, when considered in light of the respective assets FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re hold with respect to those reserves, make adequate provision for the contractual obligations and related expenses of FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re. FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re have filed all of the required opinions with the insurance departments in the states in which they do business.
States regulate the extent to which insurers are permitted to take credit on their financial statements for the financial obligations that the insurers cede to reinsurers. Where an insurer cedes obligations to a reinsurer that is neither licensed nor accredited by the state insurance department, the ceding insurer is not permitted to take such financial statement credit unless the unlicensed or unaccredited reinsurer secures the liabilities it will owe under the reinsurance contract. Under the laws regulating credit for reinsurance issued by such unlicensed or unaccredited reinsurers, the permissible means of securing such liabilities are (i) the establishment of a trust account by the reinsurer to hold certain qualifying assets in a qualified U.S. financial institution, such as a member of the Federal Reserve, with the ceding insurer as the exclusive beneficiary of such trust account with the unconditional right to demand, without notice to the reinsurer, that the trustee pay over to it the assets in the trust account equal to the liabilities owed by the reinsurer; (ii) the posting of an unconditional and irrevocable letter of credit by a qualified U.S. financial institution in favor of the ceding company allowing the ceding company to draw upon the letter of credit up to the amount of the unpaid liabilities of the reinsurer and (iii) a “funds withheld” arrangement by which the ceding company withholds transfer to the reinsurer of the assets, which support the liabilities to be owed by the reinsurer, with the ceding insurer retaining title to and exclusive control over such assets. In addition, all U.S. states, including Iowa and New York, permit an insurer to take credit for reinsurance ceded to a non-U.S. reinsurer that posts collateral in amounts less than 100% of the reinsurer’s obligations if the reinsurer has been designated as a “certified reinsurer” and is domiciled in a country recognized by the state and the NAIC as a “Qualified Jurisdiction.” The reduced percentage of full collateral applied to a certified reinsurer is based upon an assessment of the reinsurer and its financial ratings. Iowa and New York both also recognize certain qualified non-U.S. insurers as reciprocal jurisdiction reinsurers such that ceding domestic insurers may receive credit for reinsurance ceded to such unauthorized reinsurers without the requirement for the reinsurer to provide collateral. FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance are subject to such credit for reinsurance rules in Iowa and New York, respectively, insofar as they enter into any reinsurance contracts with reinsurers that are neither licensed nor accredited in Iowa and New York, respectively, or recognized as a reciprocal reinsurer in such jurisdictions.
F&G, as the indirect parent company of FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance, is subject to the insurance holding company laws in Iowa and New York. These laws generally require each insurance company directly or indirectly owned by the holding company to register with the insurance department in the insurance company’s state of domicile and to furnish annually financial and other information about the operations of companies within the holding company system. Generally, all
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transactions between insurers and affiliates within the holding company system are subject to regulation and must be fair and reasonable, and may require prior notice and approval or non-disapproval by its domiciliary insurance regulator.
Most states, including Iowa and New York, have insurance laws that require regulatory approval of a direct or indirect change of control of an insurer or an insurer’s holding company. Such laws prevent any person from acquiring control, directly or indirectly, of F&G, FGL US Holdings Inc. (“FGL US Holdings”), CF Bermuda Holdings Limited (“CF Bermuda”), FGLH, FGL Insurance or FGL NY Insurance or certain of their affiliates unless that person has filed a statement with specified information with the insurance regulators and has obtained their prior approval. In addition, investors deemed to have a direct or indirect controlling interest are required to make regulatory filings and respond to regulatory inquiries. Under most states’ statutes, including those of Iowa and New York, acquiring 10% or more of the voting stock of an insurance company or its parent company is presumptively considered a change of control, although such presumption may be rebutted. In addition, the insurance laws of Iowa and New York permit a determination of control in circumstances where the thresholds for the presumption of control have not been crossed. Similar laws apply to a direct or indirect change of ownership of Raven Re and Corbeau Re. Any person who is deemed to acquire control over F&G, FNF, FGL US Holdings, CF Bermuda, FGLH, FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re, Corbeau Re or certain of their affiliates including any person who acquires 10% or more of our or FNF’s voting securities of FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance or certain of their affiliates, without the prior approval of the insurance regulators of Iowa and New York, will be in violation of those states’ laws and may be subject to injunctive action requiring the disposition or seizure of those securities by the relevant insurance regulator or prohibiting the voting of those securities and to other actions determined by the relevant insurance regulator.
Each state has insurance guaranty association laws under which insurers doing business in the state may be assessed by state insurance guaranty associations for certain obligations of insolvent insurance companies to policyholders and claimants. Typically, states assess each member insurer in an amount related to the member insurer’s proportionate share of the business written by all member insurers in the state. Although no prediction can be made as to the amount and timing of any future assessments under these laws, FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance have established reserves that they believe are adequate for assessments relating to insurance companies that are currently subject to insolvency proceedings.
State insurance laws and regulations include numerous provisions governing the marketplace activities of insurers, including provisions governing the form and content of disclosure to consumers, illustrations, advertising, sales and complaint process practices. State regulatory authorities generally enforce these provisions through periodic market conduct examinations. In addition, FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance must file, and in many jurisdictions and for some lines of business obtain regulatory approval for, rates and forms relating to the insurance written in the jurisdictions in which they operate. FGL Insurance is currently the subject of four ongoing market conduct examinations in various states. Market conduct examinations can result in monetary fines or remediation and generally require FGL Insurance to devote significant resources to the management of such examinations. FGL Insurance does not believe that any of the current market conduct examinations it is subject to will result in any fines or remediation orders that will be material to its business.
FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re are subject to state laws and regulations that require diversification of their investment portfolios and limit the amount of investments in certain asset categories, such as below investment grade fixed income securities, equity, real estate, other equity investments and derivatives. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations would cause investments exceeding regulatory limitations to be treated as either non-admitted assets for purposes of measuring surplus or as not qualified as an asset held for reserve purposes and, in some instances, would require divestiture or replacement of such non-qualifying investments. We believe that the investment portfolios of FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re as of December 31, 2023, complied in all material respects with such regulations.
Our operations are subject to certain federal and state laws and regulations that require financial institutions and other businesses to protect the security and confidentiality of personal information, including health-related and customer information, and to notify customers and other individuals about their policies and practices relating to their collection and disclosure of health-related and customer information and their practices relating to protecting the security and confidentiality of such information. These laws and regulations require notice to affected individuals, law enforcement agencies, regulators and others if there is a breach of the security of certain personal information, including social security numbers, and require holders of certain personal information to protect the security of the data. Our operations are also subject to certain federal regulations that require financial institutions and creditors to implement effective programs to detect, prevent, and mitigate identity theft. In addition, our ability to make telemarketing calls and to send unsolicited e-mail or fax messages to consumers and customers and our uses of certain personal information, including consumer report information, are regulated. Federal and state governments and regulatory bodies may be expected to consider additional or more detailed regulation regarding these subjects and the privacy and security of personal information.
The Dodd-Frank Act made sweeping changes to the regulation of financial services entities, products and markets. Certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act are applicable to us, our competitors or those entities with which we do business.
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These provisions may impact us in many ways, including, but not limited to, having an effect on the overall business climate, requiring the allocation of certain resources to government affairs, and increasing our legal and compliance related activities and the costs associated therewith.
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, annuities that meet specific requirements, including requirements relating to certain state suitability rules, are specifically exempted from being treated as securities by the SEC. We believe that the types of FIAs that FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance sell will meet these requirements and, therefore, are exempt from being treated as securities by the SEC and state securities regulators. However, there can be no assurance that federal or state securities laws or state insurance laws and regulations will not be amended or interpreted to impose further requirements on FIAs. If FIAs were to be treated as securities, federal and state securities laws would require additional registration and licensing of these products and the agents selling them, and FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance would be required to seek additional marketing relationships for these products, any of which could impose significant restrictions on its ability to conduct operations as currently operated.
We may offer certain insurance and annuity products to employee benefit plans governed by ERISA and/or the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), including group annuity contracts designated to fund tax-qualified retirement plans. ERISA and the Code provide (among other requirements) standards of conduct for employee benefit plan fiduciaries, including investment managers and investment advisers with respect to the assets of such plans, and holds fiduciaries liable if they fail to satisfy fiduciary standards of conduct.
State and federal regulators have been adopting stronger consumer protection regulations that may materially impact our company, business, distribution, and products. The NAIC adopted an amended Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation in February 2020 incorporating a requirement that agents act in the best interest of consumers without putting their own financial interests or insurer’s interests ahead of consumer interests. The best interest requirement is satisfied by complying with four regulatory obligations relating to care, disclosure, conflict of interest, and documentation. The amended model regulation also requires agents to provide certain disclosures to consumers, obligates insurers to supervise agent compliance with the new requirements, and prohibits sales contests or other incentives based on sales of specific annuities within a limited period of time.
Several states have adopted the revised NAIC model regulation, including FGL Insurance’s domiciliary state of Iowa. Management has instituted business procedures to comply with these revised requirements where required. FGL NY Insurance separately instituted new business procedures in response to the NYDFS best interest rule adopted in August 2019, which survived a legal challenge and deviates from the NAIC model regulation and is considered more onerous in certain respects including its broader application to life insurance sales.
In December 2020 the U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued its final version of an investment advice rule replacing the previous “Fiduciary Rule” that had been challenged by industry participants and vacated in March 2018 by the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The new investment advice rule reinstates the five-part test for determining whether a person is considered a fiduciary for purposes of ERISA and the Code and sets forth a new prohibited transaction class exemption (PTE) referred to as PTE 2020-02. The rule’s preamble also contains the DOL’s reinterpretation of elements of the five-part test that appears to encompass more insurance agents selling individual retirement account ("IRA") products and withdraws the agency’s longstanding position that rollover recommendations out of employer plans are not subject to ERISA. The new rule took effect on February 16, 2021.
The DOL investment advice rule leaves in place PTE 84-24, which is a longstanding class exemption providing prohibited transaction relief for insurance agents selling annuity products provided certain disclosures are made to the plan fiduciary, which is the policyholder in the case of an IRA, and certain other conditions are met. Among other things, these disclosures include the agent’s relationship to the insurer and commissions received in connection with the annuity sale. FGL Insurance, along with FGL NY Insurance, designed and launched a compliance program in January 2022 requiring all agents selling IRA products to submit an acknowledgment with each IRA application indicating the agent has satisfied PTE 84-24 requirements on a precautionary basis in case the agent acted or is found to have acted as a fiduciary. Meanwhile the DOL has publicly announced its intention to consider future rulemaking that may revoke or modify PTE 84-24.
On November 2, 2023, following previous attempts to expand fiduciary regulation for advisers, the DOL released a proposed rule (the “New Fiduciary Rule”) to significantly broaden the definition of “fiduciary” under ERISA. Among other requirements, if finalized in its proposed form, the New Fiduciary Rule provides that any person will be an investment advice fiduciary if they provide investment advice or make an investment recommendation to a retirement investor ( i.e., a plan, plan fiduciary, plan participant or beneficiary, IRA, IRA owner or beneficiary, or IRA fiduciary) for a fee or other compensation, and the person provides the advice or makes the recommendation on a regular basis as part of their business and the recommendation is provided under circumstances indicating that the recommendation is based on the particular needs or individual investor circumstances of the retirement investor. Unlike the current ERISA standard, the New Fiduciary Rule would subject non-discretionary investment advice to retirement plans and accounts to the prudent-person “best interest” standard that
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has historically been reserved for investment advisors with discretionary authority or control over ERISA plan assets. If the New Fiduciary Rule is adopted in its present form, certain of the Company’s agents would likely be considered fiduciaries for purposes of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code—subjecting the Company, and the insurance industry on the whole, to greater regulatory risk.
Management believes these current and emerging developments relating to market conduct standards for the financial services industry may over time materially affect the way in which our agents do business, the role of IMOs, sale of IRA products including IRA-to-IRA and employer plan rollovers, how the company supervises its distribution force, compensation practices, and liability exposure and costs. In addition to implementing the compliance procedures described above, management is monitoring further developments closely and will be working with IMOs and distributors to adapt to evolving regulatory requirements and risks.
Regulation - Bermuda. F&G Life Re is a Bermuda exempted company incorporated under the Companies Act 1981, as amended (the “Companies Act”) and registered as a Class E insurer under the Insurance Act 1978, as amended, and its related regulations (the “Insurance Act”). F&G Life Re is regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (“BMA”).
Bermuda has been awarded full equivalence for commercial insurers under Europe’s Solvency II regime applicable to insurance companies, which regime came into effect on January 1, 2016. In addition, the Insurance Act required BMA approval of increases in control or dispositions of control of an insurance company.
The BMA utilizes a risk-based approach when it comes to licensing and supervising insurance and reinsurance companies. As part of the BMA’s risk-based system, an assessment of the inherent risks within each particular class of insurer or reinsurer is used to determine the limitations and specific requirements that may be imposed. Thereafter the BMA keeps its analysis of relative risk within individual institutions under review on an ongoing basis, including through the scrutiny of audited financial statements, and, as appropriate, meeting with senior management during onsite visits.
The Insurance Act imposes on Bermuda insurance companies solvency and liquidity standards, as well as auditing and reporting requirements. Certain significant aspects of the Bermuda insurance regulatory framework are set forth below.
Minimum Solvency Margin. The Insurance Act provides that the value of the assets of an insurer must exceed the value of its liabilities by an amount greater than its prescribed minimum solvency margin.
The minimum solvency margin that must be maintained by a Class E insurer is the greater of: (i) $8,000,000; (ii) 2% of first $500,000,000 of assets plus 1.5% of assets above $500,000,000; and (iii) 25% of that insurer’s enhanced capital requirement (“ECR”). An insurer may file an application under the Insurance Act to waive the aforementioned requirements.
ECR and Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirements (“BSCR”). Class E insurers are required to maintain available capital and surplus at a level equal to or in excess of the applicable ECR, which is established by reference to either the applicable BSCR model or an approved internal capital model. Furthermore, to enable the BMA to better assess the quality of the insurer’s capital resources, a Class E insurer is required to disclose the makeup of its capital in accordance with its 3-tiered capital system. An insurer may file an application under the Insurance Act to have the aforementioned ECR requirements waived.
Restrictions on Dividends and Distributions. In addition to the requirements under the Companies Act (as discussed below), the Insurance Act limits the maximum amount of annual dividends and distributions that may be paid or distributed by F&G Life Re without prior regulatory approval.
F&G Life Re is prohibited from declaring or paying a dividend if it fails to meet its minimum solvency margin, or ECR, or if the declaration or payment of such dividend would cause such breach. If F&G Life Re were to fail to meet its minimum solvency margin on the last day of any financial year, it would be prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends during the next financial year without the approval of the BMA.
In addition, as a Class E insurer, F&G Life Re must not declare or pay a dividend to any person other than a policyholder unless the value of the assets of such insurer, as certified by the insurer’s approved actuary, exceeds its liabilities (as so certified) by the greater of its margin of solvency or ECR. In the event a dividend complies with the above, F&G Life Re must ensure the amount of any such dividend does not exceed that excess.
Furthermore, as a Class E insurer, F&G Life Re must not declare or pay a dividend in any financial year which would exceed 25% of its total capital and statutory surplus, as set out in its previous year’s financial statements, unless at least seven days before payment of such dividend F&G Life Re files with the BMA an affidavit signed by at least two directors of F&G Life Re and its principal representative under the Bermuda Insurance Act stating that, in the opinion of those signing, declaration of such dividend has not caused the insurer to fail to meet its relevant margins.
The Companies Act also limits F&G Life Re’s ability to pay dividends and make distributions to its shareholders. F&G Life Re is not permitted to declare or pay a dividend, or make a distribution out of its contributed surplus, if it is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due or if the realizable value of its assets would be less than its liabilities.
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Reduction of Capital. F&G Life Re may not reduce its total statutory capital by 15% or more, as set out in its previous year’s financial statements, unless it has received the prior approval of the BMA. Total statutory capital consists of the insurer’s paid in share capital, its contributed surplus (sometimes called additional paid in capital) and any other fixed capital designated by the BMA as statutory capital.
Regulation - Cayman. F&G Cayman Re Ltd. ("F&G Cayman Re") is licensed as a class D insurer in the Cayman Islands by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (“CIMA”). As a regulated insurance company, F&G Cayman Re is subject to the supervision of CIMA and CIMA may at any time direct F&G Cayman Re, in relation to a policy, a line of business or the entire business, to cease or refrain from committing an act or pursing a course of conduct and to perform such acts as in the opinion of CIMA are necessary to remedy or ameliorate the situation.
The laws and regulations of the Cayman Islands require that, among other things, F&G Cayman Re maintain minimum levels of statutory capital, surplus and liquidity, meet solvency standards, submit to periodic examinations of its financial condition and restrict payments of dividends and reductions of capital. Statutes, regulations and policies that F&G Cayman Re is subject to may also restrict the ability of F&G Cayman Re to write insurance and reinsurance policies, make certain investments and distribute funds. Any failure to meet the applicable requirements or minimum statutory capital requirements could subject it to further examination or corrective action by CIMA, including restrictions on dividend payments, limitations on our writing of additional business or engaging in finance activities, supervision or liquidation.
Sustainability
FNF’s work to address Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) issues is important to who we are as a company. Our Company and our Board of Directors are committed to addressing ESG issues to better serve our employees, business partners, and the communities impacted by our business. To honor that commitment, our management team leads our ESG efforts with oversight from the Audit Committee, which reports our ESG progress to the Board of Directors.
While our title insurance products and services are not materially impacted by climate change, we believe that maintaining a sustainable business starts with being transparent about our business practices, corporate governance, environmental impact, and our commitments to our stakeholders. In 2019, we shared our inaugural Sustainability report. Since then, we have continued to enhance our ESG efforts and publish updates on our progress annually. Additional information regarding our ESG efforts and commitment to sustainable business practices can be found on our sustainability page at www.fnf.com.
FNF’s core ESG commitments include:
Protecting Property Owners: Our policyholders depend on the strength and security of a reputable title insurance company to protect their home for years to come. As a provider of title insurance, we protect the rights of the insured – both residential and commercial property owners – against unexpected legal and financial claims that may arise after closing.
Consumer Data and Fraud Protection: The safety and security of our policyholders, customers, vendors, and employees is one of our top priorities. This means ensuring rigorous information security and internal auditing protocols, and monitoring to help ensure the safety of funds and private information when it is in our custody. We are also always working hard to educate and protect our stakeholders from fraud, through enhancing our fraud prevention programs.
Preserving the Environment: FNF works to integrate environmental management practices into our operations, including our facilities. As part of our commitment to preserve the environment, we understand that we not only have a duty to protect the local environments where we operate, but that environmental change may pose risks and present opportunities to our business. Annually, we conduct a climate risk assessment to understand climate-related risks that may impact our business and to manage these risks through our enterprise risk management systems.
We have several efforts underway to reduce our environmental footprint across our locations. Our efforts include monitoring and mitigating our carbon footprint, eliminating the use of plastic water bottles, and participating in recycling programs. As part of a traditionally paper-intensive industry, we have implemented customer-focused technology to significantly reduce paper consumption in real estate transactions, and we are committed to moving the title insurance industry in a more sustainable direction.
Supporting Our Employees and Communities: As one of our greatest assets, we are committed to providing our employees with opportunities to expand their knowledge base and develop skills for career advancement. Additionally, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we strongly believe that the diversity of our clients should be reflected among our employees. With over 1,300 locations throughout the United States and Canada and over 20,000 employees, we are positioned to make a difference within the communities in which we operate. Through local community involvement, corporate initiatives, philanthropic giving, and an active community volunteer ethos, we work hard each day to support the communities in which we live.
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Highest Standard of Conduct: Adhere to all related laws, regulations and principles of conduct to protect the public’s trust, ensure conscientious performance and preserve the Company’s legacy of honesty and strong ethical standards. FNF has implemented strong governance practices, policies, training, and reporting avenues designed to encourage all employees to adhere to the highest standards for business integrity.
Human Capital Resources
Employees
As of January 7, 2024, we had 22,293 full-time equivalent employees, which includes 20,466 in our Title segment, 1,179 in our F&G segment and 648 in our Corporate and other segment. In our Title segment, we monitor our staffing levels based on current economic activity. In our F&G segment, our employee base increased approximately 33% during 2023 as our F&G business continues to grow. None of our employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our relations with employees are good.
Diversity
Diversity is a key component of FNF’s success. We believe that the diversity of our employees allows us to offer our clientele meaningful customized products and services. FNF aims to have diverse and inclusive practices in all aspects of our business operations; particularly for hiring, compensation, and opportunity. We are committed to being an equal opportunity employer and enhancing diversity and inclusion efforts across our business. Our goal is to foster an inclusive workplace where each employee, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identification, receives equal access to opportunities throughout the organization.
FNF’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics prohibits discrimination and harassment. We have a written nondiscrimination policy that is distributed to all employees as part of our employee handbook, which employees must acknowledge annually. Our employees participate in annual training courses, including the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Training and Reporting Harassment: Everyone’s Responsibility Training.
We have many women in leadership roles throughout our organization. As of January 1, 2024, out of the 19,534 U.S. based employees under FNF, 70% of the total workforce are women and 30% are men. Two out of eleven board members are women; 42% percent of the members of FNF’s Executive Team are women; and 67% of FNF’s Non-Executive Managers are women. Our annual Women in Leadership Program for female executives, managers, and future managers is designed to encourage and promote women into more active leadership roles within FNF.
Our Board of Directors leads by example in its commitment to diversity. In 2018, our board codified its commitment to diversity when selecting new director nominees, including candidates with a diversity of age, gender, nationality, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation by integrating it into the director selection criteria in our Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Training and Personal Development
We believe that our employees are one of our greatest assets, and we are committed to providing opportunities for them to expand their knowledge base and develop opportunities for advancement, which in turn results in improved employee performance and morale.
FNF offers a variety of training and educational opportunities for employees including, but not limited to, training on escrow policies and procedures, advanced escrow processing and practices, title loss reduction, title underwriting, advanced title practices and procedures, fraud prevention, as well as software, soft skills, sales, and time management trainings. Our Commercial Sales University is a course for new commercial sales reps and our Leadership Development Program provides employees with mentorship from senior executives.
Leadership Development Program: Our Leadership Development Program helps employees advance their careers through professional development. Candidates are nominated once a year by their manager to participate in an intensive program, where they are asked to prepare and present a managers’ report and to participate in the process of preparing an annual budget. In addition, the program includes thought-provoking discussions between candidates and our management team about leadership, business, the economy, and other industry-related topics. This process enables candidates to gain a better understanding of our Company culture and management expectations. Candidates also gain access to mentorship and engagement with senior executives.
Many departments provide Continuing Education (CE) and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) opportunities for state land title and legal associations. Some offices provide financial assistance to join professional organizations and offer education reimbursement.
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Financial Information by Operating Segment
For financial information by operating segment, see Note J Segment Information to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report.
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
The statements contained in this Annual Report or in our other documents or in oral presentations or other statements made by our management that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements regarding our expectations, hopes, intentions, or strategies regarding the future. These statements relate to, among other things, future financial and operating results of the Company. In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to the following:
•adverse changes in the level of real estate activity, which may be caused by, among other things, high or increasing interest rates, a limited supply of mortgage funding, increased mortgage defaults, or a weak U.S. economy;
•the severity of our title insurance claims;
•downgrade of our credit rating by rating agencies;
•compliance with extensive government regulation of our operating subsidiaries and adverse changes in applicable laws or regulations or in their application by regulators;
•potential impact of the F&G Distribution on relationships, including employees, suppliers, customers and competitors;
•regulatory investigations of the title insurance industry;
•loss of key personnel that could negatively affect our financial results and impair our operating abilities;
•our business concentration in the States of California and Texas are the source of approximately 13.0% and 14.3%, respectively, of our title insurance premiums;
•our potential inability to find suitable acquisition candidates, as well as the risks associated with acquisitions in lines of business that will not necessarily be limited to our traditional areas of focus, or difficulties integrating acquisitions;
•our dependence on distributions from our title insurance underwriters as our main source of cash flow;
•competition from other title insurance companies;
•changes in general economic, business, and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets related to inflation and geopolitical uncertainties;
•impacts to our business operations caused by the occurrence of a catastrophe or global crisis; and
•other risks detailed in "Risk Factors" below and elsewhere in this Annual Report and in our other filings with the SEC.
We are not under any obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should carefully consider the possibility that actual results may differ materially from our forward-looking statements.
Additional Information
Our website address is www.fnf.com. We make available free of charge on or through our website our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. However, the information found on our website is not part of this or any other report.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the normal risks of business, we are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those listed below and others described elsewhere in this Annual Report. Any of the risks described herein could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Risk Factors Relating to Market Conditions
If economic and credit market conditions deteriorate, it could have a material adverse impact on our investment portfolio and could also cause our stock price to fluctuate significantly.
Our investment portfolio is exposed to economic and financial market risks, including changes in interest rates, credit markets and prices of marketable equity and fixed-income securities. Our investment policy in our title business is designed to maximize total return through investment income and capital appreciation consistent with moderate risk of principal, while
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providing adequate liquidity and complying with internal and regulatory guidelines. To achieve this objective, our marketable debt investments are primarily investment grade, liquid, fixed-income securities and money market instruments denominated in U.S. dollars. We make investments in certain equity securities and preferred stock in order to take advantage of perceived value and for strategic purposes. Economic and credit market conditions may adversely affect the ability of some issuers of investment securities to repay their obligations and affect the values of investment securities. If the carrying value of our investments exceeds the fair value, and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, we will be required to write down the value of our investments, which could have a material negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
Fixed maturities, equity securities and derivatives represent the majority of total cash and invested assets reported at fair value on our balance sheets. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). Fair value estimates are made based on available market information and judgments about the financial instrument at a specific point in time. Expectations that our investments will continue to perform in accordance with their contractual terms are based on evidence gathered through our normal credit surveillance process and on assumptions a market participant would use in determining the current fair value.
The value and performance of certain of our assets are dependent upon the performance of collateral underlying these investments. It is possible the collateral will not meet performance expectations leading to adverse changes in the cash flows on our holdings of these types of securities.
In addition, many factors unrelated to our business could cause the market price of our common stock to rise and fall, including the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies, investors’ general perception of our industry, and changes in general economic and market conditions. If the market for stocks in our industry, or the stock market in general, experiences a loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition or results of operations. If any of the foregoing occurs, it could cause our stock price to fall and may expose us to lawsuits that, even if successfully defended, could be costly to defend and a distraction to management.
Equity market volatility could negatively impact our business.
The estimated cost of providing GMWB riders associated with our annuity products incorporates various assumptions about the overall performance of equity markets over certain time periods. Periods of significant and sustained downturns in equity markets or increased equity volatility could result in an increase in the valuation of the Market Risk Benefit ("MRB") or contractholder funds balance liabilities associated with such products, resulting in a reduction in our revenues and net income.
Conditions in the economy generally could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the U.S. economy. Adverse economic conditions may result in a decline in revenues and/or erosion of our profit margins. In addition, in the event of extreme prolonged market events and economic downturns, we could incur significant losses. Even in the absence of a market downturn we are exposed to substantial risk of loss due to market volatility.
Factors such as consumer spending, business investment, government spending, potential government shutdowns, the volatility and strength of the capital markets, investor and consumer confidence, foreign currency exchange rates, geopolitical uncertainties and inflation levels all affect the business and economic environment and, ultimately, the amount and profitability of our business. In an economic downturn characterized by higher unemployment, lower family income, negative investor sentiment and lower consumer spending, the demand for our insurance products could be adversely affected. Under such conditions, our F&G segment may also experience an elevated incidence of policy lapses, policy loans, withdrawals and surrenders. In addition, our investments could be adversely affected as a result of deteriorating financial and business conditions affecting the issuers of the securities in our investment portfolio.
Our investments are subject to market and credit risks. These risks could be heightened during periods of extreme volatility or disruption in financial and credit markets.
A worsening business climate or changing trends could cause issuers of the fixed-income securities that we own to default on either principal or interest payments. Additionally, market price valuations may not accurately reflect the underlying expected cash flows of securities within our investment portfolio. If we fail to react appropriately to difficult market or economic conditions, our investment portfolio could incur material losses.
Our invested assets and derivative financial instruments are subject to risks of credit defaults and changes in market values. Periods of extreme volatility or disruption in the financial and credit markets could increase these risks. Changes in interest rates and credit spreads could cause market price and cash flow variability in the fixed income instruments in our investment portfolio. Significant volatility and lack of liquidity in the credit markets could cause the market value of the fixed-income securities we own to decline. Additionally, market price valuations may not accurately reflect the underlying expected cash flows of securities within our investment portfolio. Finally, market volatility could cause investment income fluctuations in regard to our alternative investments that may differ significantly from period to period.
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The value of our mortgage-backed securities and our commercial and residential mortgage loan investments depends in part on the financial condition of the borrowers and tenants for the properties underlying those investments, as well as general and specific economic trends affecting the overall default rate. We are also subject to the risk that cash flows resulting from the payments on pools of mortgages that serve as collateral underlying the mortgage-backed securities we own may differ from our expectations in timing or size. Any event reducing the estimated fair value of these securities, other than on a temporary basis, could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If adverse changes in the levels of real estate activity occur, our revenues may decline.
Title insurance revenue is closely related to the level of real estate activity that includes sales, mortgage financing and mortgage refinancing. The levels of real estate activity are primarily affected by the average price of real estate sales, the availability of funds to finance purchases and mortgage interest rates.
We have found that residential real estate activity generally decreases in the following situations:
•when mortgage interest rates are high or increasing;
•when the mortgage funding supply is limited;
•when housing inventory is limited or home prices are high or increasing; and
•when the United States economy is weak, including high unemployment levels.
Declines in the level of real estate activity or the average price of real estate sales are likely to adversely affect our title insurance revenues. The Mortgage Bankers Association's ("MBA") Mortgage Finance Forecast as of February 20, 2024, calculates an approximate $1.6 trillion mortgage origination market for 2023, which would be a decrease from 2022 resulting from decreases in both purchase and refinance activity. The MBA predicts overall mortgage originations in 2024 will increase when compared to 2023 as a result of increases in both purchase and refinance activity. Our revenues in future periods will continue to be subject to these and other factors that are beyond our control and, as a result, are likely to fluctuate. See discussion under "Business Trends and Conditions" within Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report for further discussion of current market trends.
Interest rate fluctuations could adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and cash flows.
Interest rate risk is a significant market risk for us, as our F&G business involves issuing interest rate sensitive obligations backed primarily by investments in fixed income assets. F&G also maintains a portion of the assets in its investment portfolio in floating rate instruments and has executed variable interest rate credit agreements and floating rate funding agreements, which are subject to an element of market risk from changes in interest rates.
Prior to 2022, interest rates had been at or near historical low levels over the preceding several years. A prolonged period of low rates exposes us to the risk of not achieving returns sufficient to meet our earnings targets and/or our contractual obligations. Furthermore, low or declining interest rates may reduce the rate of policyholder surrenders and withdrawals on our life insurance and annuity products, thus increasing the duration of the liabilities, creating asset and liability duration mismatches and increasing the risk of having to reinvest assets at yields below the amounts required to support our obligations. Lower interest rates may also result in decreased sales of certain insurance products, negatively impacting our profitability from new business.
During periods of increasing interest rates, we may offer higher crediting rates on interest-sensitive products, such as universal life insurance and fixed rate annuities, and we may increase crediting rates on in-force products to keep these products competitive. We may be required to accept lower spread income (the difference between the returns we earn on our investments and the amounts we credit to contract holders), thus reducing our profitability, as returns on our portfolio of invested assets may not increase as quickly as current interest rates. Rapidly rising interest rates may also expose us to the risk of financial disintermediation, which is an increase in policy surrenders, withdrawals and requests for policy loans as customers seek to achieve higher returns elsewhere, requiring us to liquidate assets in an unrealized loss position. If we experience unexpected withdrawal activity, we could exhaust our liquid assets and be forced to liquidate other less liquid assets such as limited partnership investments. We may have difficulty selling these investments in a timely manner and/or be forced to sell them for less than we otherwise would have been able to realize, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results. We have developed and maintain asset liability management programs and procedures that are, we believe, designed to mitigate interest rate risk by matching asset cash flows to expected liability cash flows. In addition, we assess surrender charges on withdrawals in excess of allowable penalty-free amounts that occur during the surrender charge period. There can be no assurance that actual withdrawals, contract benefits, and maturities will match our estimates. Despite our efforts to reduce the impact of rising interest rates, we may be required to sell assets to raise the cash necessary to respond to an increase in surrenders, withdrawals and loans, thereby realizing capital losses on the assets sold.
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Liabilities that are held on our balance sheet at fair value, including embedded derivatives on our FIA and IUL business and MRBs on our FIA and fixed rate annuity business, are sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates. Decreases in interest rates generally would have the impact of increasing the value of these liabilities, which will result in a reduction in our net income. Liabilities for future policyholder benefits are valued using locked-in discount rates, and any changes in interest rates since the inception of those contracts are reflected in OCI. Decreases in interest rates would result in a reduction in our OCI. In addition, certain statutory capital and reserve requirements are based on formulas or models that consider interest rates and a prolonged period of low interest rates may increase the statutory capital we are required to hold as well as the amount of assets we must maintain to support statutory reserves.
Economic conditions, including higher interest rates, could materially adversely affected our business, results of operations and financial condition. However, we cannot predict if it will impact our business, results of operations or financial condition in the future for the forgoing reasons.
Risk Factors Relating to Our Business
We have recorded goodwill as a result of prior acquisitions, and an economic downturn could cause these balances to become impaired, requiring write-downs that would reduce our operating income.
Goodwill aggregated approximately $4,830 million, or 6.0% of our total assets, as of December 31, 2023. Current accounting rules require that goodwill be assessed for impairment at least annually or whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable from estimated future cash flows. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstance indicating the carrying value of our intangible assets, including goodwill, may not be recoverable include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, a significant decline in our stock price and market capitalization, and negative industry or economic trends. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, no goodwill impairment charge was recorded. However, if economic conditions deteriorate, the carrying amount of our goodwill may no longer be recoverable, and we may be required to record an impairment charge, which would have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition. We will continue to monitor our market capitalization and the impact of the economy to determine if there is an impairment of goodwill in future periods.
Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from meeting our obligations under our indebtedness.
As of December 31, 2023, our outstanding debt was $3,887 million. Our high degree of leverage could have important consequences, including the following: (i) a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations is dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available for operations, future business opportunities and capital expenditures; (ii) our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate purposes in the future may be limited; (iii) we may be unable to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions; (iv) the debt service requirements of our other indebtedness could make it more difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations; and (v) we may be vulnerable in a downturn in general economic conditions or in our business and we may be unable to carry out activities that are important to our growth.
Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, or to pay interest on, or to refinance indebtedness depends on and is subject to our financial and operating performance, which in turn is affected by general and regional economic, financial, competitive, business and other factors beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt or to fund our other liquidity needs, we will need to restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt, which could cause us to default on our obligations and impair our liquidity. Any refinancing of our indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more stringent covenants that could further restrict our business operations. We from time to time may increase the amount of our indebtedness, modify the terms of our financing arrangements, issue dividends, make capital expenditures and take other actions that may substantially increase our leverage.
We may face losses if our actual experience differs significantly from our reserve assumptions.
Our profitability depends significantly upon the extent to which our actual experience is consistent with the assumptions used in setting rates for our products and establishing liabilities for future life insurance, annuity, and PRT policy benefits and claims. However, due to the nature of the underlying risks and the high degree of uncertainty associated with the determination of the liabilities for unpaid policy benefits and claims, we cannot determine precisely the amounts we will ultimately pay to settle these liabilities. As a result, we may experience volatility in our profitability and our reserves from period to period. To the extent that actual experience is less favorable than our underlying assumptions, we could be required to increase our liabilities, which may reduce our profitability and impact our financial strength.
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We have been issuing GMWB products since 2008. In our reserve calculations, we make assumptions for policyholder behavior as it relates to GMWB utilization. If emerging experience deviates from our assumptions on GMWB utilization, it could have a significant effect on our reserve levels and related results of operations. We will continue to monitor the GMWB utilization assumption and update our best estimate as applicable.
See Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report, under. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.
Our management has historically sought to grow through acquisitions, both in our current lines of business as well as in lines of business outside of our traditional areas of focus or geographic areas. This expansion of our business subjects us to associated risks, such as risks and uncertainties associated with new companies, the diversion of management’s attention and lack of experience in operating unrelated businesses, and may affect our credit and ability to repay our debt.
Our management has historically sought to grow through acquisitions, both in our current lines of business, as well as lines of business that are not directly tied to or synergistic with our current operations. Accordingly, we have in the past acquired, and may in the future acquire, businesses in industries or geographic areas with which management is less familiar than we are with our current businesses. These activities involve risks that could adversely affect our operating results, due to uncertainties involved with new companies, diversion of management’s attention and lack of substantial experience in operating such businesses. There can be no guarantee that we will not enter into transactions or make acquisitions that will cause us to incur additional debt, increase our exposure to market and other risks and cause our credit or financial strength ratings to decline.
We are a holding company and depend on distributions from our subsidiaries for cash.
We are a holding company whose primary assets are the securities of our operating subsidiaries. Our ability to pay interest on our outstanding debt and our other obligations and to pay dividends is dependent on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions or payments to us. If our operating subsidiaries are not able to pay dividends to us, we may not be able to meet our obligations or pay dividends on our common stock.
Our title insurance subsidiaries must comply with state laws, which require them to maintain minimum amounts of working capital, surplus and reserves, and place restrictions on the amount of dividends that they can distribute to us. Compliance with these laws will limit the amounts our regulated subsidiaries can dividend to us. During 2024, our title insurers may pay dividends or make distributions to us of approximately $471 million; however, insurance regulators have the authority to prohibit the payment of ordinary dividends or other payments by our title insurers to us if they determine that such payment could be adverse to our policyholders.
The maximum dividend permitted by law is not necessarily indicative of an insurer’s actual ability to pay dividends, which may be constrained by business and regulatory considerations, such as the impact of dividends on surplus, which could affect an insurer’s ratings or competitive position, the amount of premiums that can be written and the ability to pay future dividends. Further, depending on business and regulatory conditions, we may in the future need to retain cash in our underwriters or even contribute cash to one or more of them in order to maintain their ratings or their statutory capital position. Such a requirement could be the result of investment losses, reserve charges, adverse operating conditions in the current economic environment or changes in interpretation of statutory accounting requirements by regulators.
Our business could be interrupted or compromised if we experience difficulties arising from outsourcing relationships.
If we do not maintain an effective outsourcing strategy or third-party providers do not perform as contracted, we may experience operational difficulties, increased costs and a loss of business that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. If there is a delay in our third-party providers’ introduction of our new products or if our third-party providers are unable to service our customers appropriately, we may experience a loss of business that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, our reliance on third-party service providers that we do not control does not relieve us of our responsibilities and requirements. Any failure or negligence by such third-party service providers in carrying out their contractual duties may result in us becoming subjected to liability to parties who are harmed and ensuing litigation. Any litigation relating to such matters could be costly, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome of any such litigation may be uncertain. Moreover, any adverse publicity arising from such litigation, even if the litigation is not successful, could adversely affect our reputation and sales of our products.
See section titled "Outsourcing" in Item 1. Business for functions we outsource to third-party service providers.
If we are unable to attract and retain national marketing organizations and independent agents, sales of our products may be reduced.
Within our F&G segment, we must attract and retain our network of IMOs and independent agents to sell our products. Insurance companies compete vigorously for productive agents. We compete with other life insurance companies for marketers and agents primarily on the basis of our financial position, support services, compensation and product features. Such marketers and agents may promote products offered by other life insurance companies that offer a larger variety of products than we do. If
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we are unable to attract and retain a sufficient number of marketers and agents to sell our products, our ability to compete and our revenues would suffer.
Failure of our enterprise-wide risk management processes could result in unexpected monetary losses, damage to our reputation, additional costs or impairment of our ability to conduct business effectively.
As a large insurance entity and a publicly traded company, we have risk management functions, policies and procedures throughout our operations and management. These functions include but are not limited to departments dedicated to enterprise risk management and information technology risk management, information security, business continuity, lender strategy and contracts, and vendor risk management. Our policies and procedures have evolved over the years as we continually reassess our processes both internally and to comply with changes in the regulatory environment. Due to limitations inherent in any internal process, if our risk management processes prove unsuccessful at identifying and responding to risks, we could incur unexpected monetary losses, damage to our reputation, additional costs or impairment of our ability to conduct business effectively.
If we experience changes in the rate or severity of title insurance claims, it may be necessary for us to record additional charges to our claim loss reserve. This may result in lower net earnings and the potential for earnings volatility.
By their nature, claims are often complex, vary greatly in dollar amounts and are affected by economic and market conditions and the legal environment existing at the time of settlement of the claims. Estimating future title loss payments is difficult because of the complex nature of title claims, the long periods of time over which claims are paid, significantly varying dollar amounts of individual claims and other factors. From time to time, we experience large losses or an overall worsening of our loss payment experience in regard to the frequency or severity of claims that require us to record additional charges to our claims loss reserve. There are currently pending several large claims, which we believe can be defended successfully without material loss payments. However, if unanticipated material payments are required to settle these claims, it could result in or contribute to additional charges to our claim loss reserves. These loss events are unpredictable and adversely affect our earnings.
At each quarter end, our recorded reserve for claim losses is initially the result of taking the prior recorded reserve for claim losses, adding the current provision to that balance and subtracting actual paid claims from that balance, resulting in an amount that management then compares to our actuary's central estimate provided in the actuarial calculation. Due to the uncertainty and judgment used by both management and our actuary, our ultimate liability may be greater or less than our current reserves and/or our actuary’s calculation. If the recorded amount is within a reasonable range of the actuary’s central estimate, but not at the central estimate, management assesses other factors in order to determine our best estimate. These factors, which are both qualitative and quantitative, can change from period to period and include items such as current trends in the real estate industry (which management can assess, but for which there is a time lag in the development of the data used by our actuary), any adjustments from the actuarial estimates needed for the effects of unusually large or small claims, improvements in our claims management processes, and other cost saving measures. Depending upon our assessment of these factors, we may or may not adjust the recorded reserve. If the recorded amount is not within a reasonable range of the actuary’s central estimate, we would record a charge or credit and reassess the provision rate on a go forward basis.
If the rating agencies downgrade our insurance companies, our results of operations and financial condition may suffer.
Ratings have always been an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Our title insurance subsidiaries are rated by S&P, Moody’s, and Demotech. Our F&G insurance subsidiaries are rated by A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody's, and S&P. Ratings reflect the opinion of a rating agency with regard to an insurance company’s or insurance holding company’s financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders and are not evaluations directed to investors. Our ratings are subject to continued periodic review by rating agencies and the continued retention of those ratings cannot be assured. If our ratings are reduced from their current levels by those entities, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
If our claim loss prevention procedures fail, we could incur significant claim losses.
In the ordinary course of our title insurance business, we assume risks related to insuring clear title to residential and commercial properties. We have established procedures to mitigate the risk of loss from title claims, including extensive underwriting and risk assessment procedures. We also mitigate the risk of large claim losses by reinsuring risks with other insurers under excess of loss and case-by-case facultative reinsurance agreements. Reinsurance agreements generally provide that the reinsurer is liable for loss and loss adjustment expense payments exceeding the amount retained by the ceding company. However, the ceding company remains primarily liable to the insured whether or not the reinsurer is able to meet its contractual obligations. If inherent limitations cause our claim loss risk mitigation procedures to fail, we could incur substantial losses having an adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
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Our use of independent agents for a significant amount of our title insurance policies could adversely impact the frequency and severity of title claims.
In our agency operations, an independent agent performs the search and examination function or the agent may purchase a search product from us. In either case, the agent is responsible for ensuring that the search and examination is completed. The agent thus retains the majority of the title premium collected, with the balance remitted to the title underwriter for bearing the risk of loss in the event that a claim is made under the title insurance policy. Our relationship with each agent is governed by an agency agreement defining how the agent issues a title insurance policy on our behalf. The agency agreement also sets forth the agent’s liability to us for policy losses attributable to the agent’s errors. For each agent with whom we enter into an agency agreement, financial and loss experience records are maintained. Periodic audits of our agents are also conducted and the number of agents with whom we transact business is strategically managed in an effort to reduce future expenses and manage risks. Despite efforts to monitor the independent agents with which we transact business, there is no guarantee that an agent will comply with their contractual obligations to us. Furthermore, we cannot be certain that, due to changes in the regulatory environment and litigation trends, we will not be held liable for errors and omissions by agents. Accordingly, our use of independent agents could adversely impact the frequency and severity of title claims.
Risk Factors Related to the F&G Distribution
The F&G Distribution could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.
On December 1, 2022, we completed the F&G Distribution. The F&G Distribution is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: diversion of management’s attention and the potential impact of the F&G Distribution on relationships, including with employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; our ability to successfully realize the anticipated benefits of the F&G Distribution; the terms and conditions of agreements and arrangements between FNF and F&G following the distribution, such as the Corporate Services Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2022, between FNF and F&G (the “Corporate Services Agreement”), which provides for, among other things, the provision of certain services by FNF to F&G following the F&G Distribution; and the nature and amount of indebtedness incurred by F&G. In addition, our F&G segment contributes to a significant portion of our earnings and the F&G Distribution could adversely affect our earnings.
Certain F&G directors may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their FNF equity ownership or their current or former FNF positions.
A number of F&G’s directors have been, and will continue to be, officers, directors or employees of FNF (or officers, directors or employees of affiliates of FNF) and, thus, have professional relationships with FNF’s officers, directors or employees. In addition, certain of F&G’s directors and executive officers own FNF common stock or other equity compensation awards. These relationships may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for FNF and F&G. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute that may arise between FNF and F&G regarding the terms of the agreements governing F&G’s relationship with FNF, including the Corporate Services Agreement.
FNF or F&G may fail to perform under various transaction agreements that were executed as part of the F&G Distribution.
In connection with the F&G Distribution, FNF and F&G entered into a separation and distribution agreement, the Corporate Services Agreement, and other transaction agreements. The transaction agreements determine the allocation of assets, rights and liabilities between the companies and include indemnifications related to liabilities and obligations. The Corporate Services Agreement provides for the performance of certain services by us for the benefit of F&G for a limited period of time after the F&G Distribution. The reverse services agreement provides for the performance of certain services by F&G for the benefit of FNF for a limited period of time after the F&G Distribution. We will rely on F&G to satisfy its obligations under the transaction agreements. If F&G is unable to satisfy its obligations under the transaction agreements, including its indemnification obligations, we could incur operational difficulties or losses.
Risk Factors Relating to the Geographic Concentrations of our Business Segments
Because we are dependent upon California and Texas for approximately 13.0% and 14.3% of our title insurance premiums, respectively, our Title segment may be adversely affected by regulatory conditions in California and/or Texas.
California and Texas are the two largest sources of revenue for our Title segment. In 2023, California-based premiums accounted for approximately 27.4% of premiums earned by our direct operations and 0.6% of our agency premium revenues, while Texas-based premiums accounted for 19.5% of premiums earned by our direct operations and 9.8% of our agency premium revenues. In the aggregate, California and Texas accounted for approximately 13.0% and 14.3%, respectively, of our total title insurance premiums for 2023. A significant part of our revenues and profitability are therefore subject to our operations in California and Texas and to the prevailing regulatory conditions in these states. Adverse regulatory developments in California and Texas, which could include reductions in the maximum rates permitted to be charged, inadequate rate
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increases or more fundamental changes in the design or implementation of the California and Texas title insurance regulatory framework, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Concentration in certain states for the distribution of our life insurance and annuity products in our F&G segment may subject us to losses attributable to economic downturns or catastrophes in those states.
Our top five states for the distribution of our life insurance and annuity products in our F&G segment are Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Texas. Any adverse economic developments or catastrophes in these states could have an adverse impact on our F&G segment.
Risk Factors Relating to Government Regulation of the Insurance Industry
Our subsidiaries must comply with extensive regulations. These regulations may increase our costs or impede or impose burdensome conditions on actions that we might seek to take to increase the revenues of those subsidiaries.
Our insurance businesses are subject to extensive regulation by state insurance authorities in each state in which they operate. These agencies have broad administrative and supervisory power relating to the following, among other matters:
•licensing requirements;
•trade and marketing practices;
•accounting and financing practices;
•disclosure requirements on key terms of mortgage loans;
•capital and surplus requirements;
•the amount of dividends and other payments made by insurance subsidiaries;
•investment practices;
•rate schedules;
•deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders;
•establishing reserves; and
•regulation of reinsurance.
Most states also regulate insurance holding companies like us with respect to acquisitions, changes of control and the terms of transactions with our affiliates. State regulations may impede or impose burdensome conditions on our ability to increase or maintain rate levels or on other actions that we may want to take to enhance our operating results. In addition, we may incur significant costs in the course of complying with regulatory requirements. Further, various state legislatures have in the past considered offering a public alternative to the title industry in their states, as a means to increase state government revenues. Although we think this situation is unlikely, if one or more such takeovers were to occur they could adversely affect our business. We cannot be assured that future legislative or regulatory changes will not adversely affect our business operations. See “Item 1. Business — Regulation” for further discussion of the current regulatory environment.
Our ServiceLink subsidiary provides mortgage transaction services including title-related services and facilitation of production and management of mortgage loans. Certain of these businesses are subject to federal and state regulatory oversight. For example, ServiceLink’s LoanCare business services and subservices mortgage loans secured primarily by residential real estate throughout the United States. LoanCare is subject to extensive federal, state and local regulatory oversight, including federal and state regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, inquiries, and investigations by governmental and regulatory agencies, including the CFPB. In connection with formal and informal inquiries by those agencies, LoanCare receives numerous requests, subpoenas, and orders for documents, testimony and information in connection with various aspects of its or its clients’ regulated activities.
LoanCare is also required to maintain a variety of licenses, both federal and state. License requirements are in a frequent state of renewal and reexamination as regulations change or are reinterpreted. In addition, federal and state statutes establish specific guidelines and procedures that debt collectors must follow when collecting consumer accounts. LoanCare’s failure to comply with any of these laws, should the states take an opposing interpretation, could have an adverse effect on LoanCare in the event and to the extent that they apply to some or all of its servicing activities.
State regulation of the rates we charge for title insurance could adversely affect our results of operations.
Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to extensive rate regulation by the applicable state agencies in the jurisdictions in which they operate. Title insurance rates are regulated differently in various states, with some states requiring the subsidiaries to file and receive approval of rates before such rates become effective and some states promulgating the rates that can be charged. In general, premium rates are determined on the basis of historical data for claim frequency and severity as well as related production costs and other expenses. In all states in which our title subsidiaries operate, our rates must not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. Premium rates are likely to prove insufficient when ultimate claims and expenses exceed historically projected levels. Premium rate inadequacy may not become evident quickly and may take time to correct, and could adversely affect our business operating results and financial conditions.
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Our F&G segment is highly regulated and subject to numerous legal restrictions and regulations.
State insurance regulators, the NAIC and federal regulators continually reexamine existing laws and regulations and may impose changes in the future. New interpretations of existing laws and the passage of new legislation may harm our ability to sell new policies, increase our claims exposure on policies we issued previously and adversely affect our profitability and financial strength. We are also subject to the risk that compliance with any particular regulator’s interpretation of a legal or accounting issue may not result in compliance with another regulator’s interpretation of the same issue, particularly when compliance is judged in hindsight. Regulators and other authorities have the power to bring administrative or judicial proceedings against us, which could result in, among other things, suspension or revocation of our licenses, cease and desist orders, fines, civil penalties, criminal penalties or other disciplinary action, which could materially harm our results of operations and financial condition.
We cannot predict what form any future changes in these or other areas of regulation affecting the insurance industry might take or what effect, if any, such proposals might have on us if enacted into law. In addition, because our activities are relatively concentrated in a small number of lines of business, any change in law or regulation affecting one of those lines of business could have a disproportionate impact on us as compared to other more diversified insurance companies. See section titled “Regulation” in Item 1. Business for further discussion of the impact of regulations on our business.
State Regulation
Our business is subject to government regulation in each of the states in which we conduct business and is concerned primarily with the protection of policyholders and other customers rather than shareholders. Such regulation is vested in state agencies having broad administrative and discretionary authority, which may include, among other things, premium rates and increases thereto, underwriting practices, reserve requirements, marketing practices, advertising, privacy, policy forms, reinsurance reserve requirements, acquisitions, mergers and capital adequacy. At any given time, we and our insurance subsidiaries may be the subject of a number of ongoing financial or market conduct, audits or inquiries. From time to time, regulators raise issues during such examinations or audits that could have a material impact on our business.
Under insurance guaranty fund laws in most states, insurance companies doing business therein can be assessed up to prescribed limits for policyholder losses incurred by insolvent companies. We cannot predict the amount or timing of any such future assessments and therefore the liability we have established for these potential assessments may not be adequate. In addition, regulators may change their interpretation or application of existing laws and regulations such as the case with broadening the scope of carriers that must contribute towards Long Term Care insolvencies.
NAIC
Although our business is subject to regulation in each state in which we conduct business, in many instances the state regulatory models emanate from the NAIC. Some of the NAIC pronouncements, particularly as they affect accounting issues, take effect automatically in the various states without affirmative action by the states. Statutes, regulations and interpretations may be applied with retroactive impact, particularly in areas such as accounting and reserve requirements. The NAIC continues to work to reform state regulation in various areas, including comprehensive reforms relating to cybersecurity regulations, best interest standards, RBC and life insurance reserves.
Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to minimum capitalization requirements based on RBC formulas for life insurance companies that establish capital requirements relating to insurance, business, asset, interest rate and certain other risks. Changes to statutory reserve or risk-based capital requirements may increase the amount of reserves or capital our insurance companies are required to hold and may impact our ability to pay dividends. In addition, changes in statutory reserve or risk-based capital requirements may adversely impact our financial strength ratings. Changes currently under consideration include adding an operational risk component, factors for asset credit risk, and group wide capital calculations.
“Fiduciary” Rule Proposals
The DOL investment advice rule leaves in place PTE 84-24, which is a longstanding class exemption providing prohibited transaction relief for insurance agents selling annuity products provided certain disclosures are made to the plan fiduciary, which is the policyholder in the case of an IRA, and certain other conditions are met. Among other things, these disclosures include the agent’s relationship to the insurer and commissions received in connection with the annuity sale. F&G, along with FGL NY Insurance, designed and launched a compliance program in January 2022 requiring all agents selling IRA products to submit an acknowledgment with each IRA application indicating the agent has satisfied PTE 84-24 requirements on a precautionary basis in case the agent acted or is found to have acted as a fiduciary. Meanwhile the DOL has publicly announced its intention to consider future rulemaking that would revoke or modify PTE 84-24.
On November 2, 2023, following previous attempts to expand fiduciary regulation for advisers, the DOL the New Fiduciary Rule to significantly broaden the definition of “fiduciary” under ERISA. Among other requirements, if finalized in its proposed form, the New Fiduciary Rule provides that any person will be an investment advice fiduciary if they provide
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investment advice or make an investment recommendation to a retirement investor ( i.e., a plan, plan fiduciary, plan participant or beneficiary, IRA, IRA owner or beneficiary, or IRA fiduciary) for a fee or other compensation, and the person provides the advice or makes the recommendation on a regular basis as part of their business and the recommendation is provided under circumstances indicating that the recommendation is based on the particular needs or individual investor circumstances of the retirement investor. Unlike the current ERISA standard, the New Fiduciary Rule would subject non-discretionary investment advice to retirement plans and accounts to the prudent-person “best interest” standard that has historically been reserved for investment advisors with discretionary authority or control over ERISA plan assets. If the New Fiduciary Rule is adopted in its present form, certain of the Company’s agents would likely be considered fiduciaries for purposes of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code—subjecting the Company, and the insurance industry on the whole, to greater regulatory risk.
Management believes these current and emerging developments relating to market conduct standards for the financial services industry may over time materially affect the way in which our agents do business, the role of IMOs, sale of IRA products including IRA-to-IRA and employer plan rollovers, how the company supervises its distribution force, compensation practices, and liability exposure and costs. In addition to implementing the compliance procedures described above, management is monitoring further developments closely and will be working with IMOs and distributors to adapt to these evolving regulatory requirements and risks.
Bermuda and Cayman Islands Regulation
Our business is subject to regulation in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, including the BMA and the CIMA. These regulations may limit or curtail our activities, including activities that might be profitable, and changes to existing regulations may affect our ability to continue to offer our existing products and services, or new products and services we may wish to offer in the future.
Our reinsurance subsidiary, F&G Life Re, is registered in Bermuda under the Bermuda Insurance Act and subject to the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The BMA has sought regulatory equivalency, which enables Bermuda’s commercial insurers to transact business with the European Union on a “level playing field.” In connection with its initial efforts to achieve equivalency under the European Union’s Directive (2009/138/EC) (“Solvency II”), the BMA implemented and imposed additional requirements on the companies it regulates. The European Commission in 2016 granted Bermuda’s commercial insurers full equivalence in all areas of Solvency II for an indefinite period of time.
Our reinsurance subsidiary, F&G Cayman Re, is licensed in the Cayman Islands by the CIMA and is subject to supervision by CIMA and CIMA may at any time direct F&G Cayman Re, in relation to a policy, a line of business or the entire business, to cease or refrain from committing an act or pursing a course of conduct and to perform such acts as in the opinion of CIMA are necessary to remedy or ameliorate the situation.
The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 may impact our business and the markets in which we compete.
The Secure 2.0 Act of 2022, Division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (“SECURE Act 2.0”), was signed into law on December 29, 2022, and went into effect as early as January 1, 2023, in certain respects. The SECURE Act 2.0 contains provisions that may impact our F&G insurance subsidiaries, and these changes could affect the desirability of IRAs, necessitate changes to our administrative system to implement the Secure Act 2.0, and affect, to some extent, the length of time that IRA assets remain in our annuity products. These provisions include, for example, raising the age for required minimum distributions from IRAs from 72 to 73 (age 74 after 2032); additional exceptions to the 10% penalty tax for distributions before age 59-1/2; reduction of the penalty for failures to take a required distribution amount; directions to the SEC for new registration forms for registered index linked annuities; and directions to the DOL to revisit fiduciary standards relating to choosing an annuity provider in pension risk transfer transactions. While we cannot predict whether, or to what extent, the SECURE Act 2.0 will ultimately impact us, whether positive or negative, it may have implications for our business operations and the markets in which we compete.
Regulatory investigations of the insurance industry may lead to fines, settlements, new regulation or legal uncertainty, which could negatively affect our results of operations.
From time to time we receive inquiries and requests for information from state insurance departments, attorneys general and other regulatory agencies about various matters relating to our business. Sometimes these take the form of civil investigative demands or subpoenas. We cooperate with all such inquiries and we have responded to or are currently responding to inquiries from multiple governmental agencies. Also, regulators and courts have been dealing with issues arising from foreclosures and related processes and documentation. Various governmental entities are studying the insurance product, market, pricing, and business practices, and potential regulatory and legislative changes, which may materially affect our business and operations. From time to time, we are assessed fines for violations of regulations or other matters or enter into settlements with such authorities, which may require us to pay fines or claims or take other actions.
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Risk Factors Relating to the Credit Risk of our Counterparties
We are subject to the credit risk of our counterparties, including companies with whom we have reinsurance agreements or we have purchased call options.
We cede material amounts of insurance and transfers related assets and certain liabilities to other insurance companies through reinsurance. Accordingly, we bear credit risk with respect to our reinsurers. The failure, insolvency, inability or unwillingness of any reinsurer to pay under the terms of reinsurance agreements with us could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. We regularly monitor the credit rating and performance of our reinsurance parties. ASPIDA Life Re Ltd. (“Aspida Re”), Wilton Reassurance Company (“Wilton Re”), Somerset Reinsurance Ltd. (“Somerset”) and Everlake Life Insurance Company (“Everlake”) represent our largest third-party reinsurance counterparty exposure. As of December 31, 2023, the net amount recoverable from Aspida Re, Wilton Re, Somerset and Everlake were $6,128 million, $1,092 million, $716 million, and $509 million, respectively. The risk of non-performance is mitigated with various forms of collateral or collateral arrangements, including secured trusts, funds withheld accounts and irrevocable letters of credit.
We are also exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by our counterparties on options. We seek to reduce the risk associated with such agreements by purchasing such options from large, well-established financial institutions, and by holding collateral. There can be no assurance we will not suffer losses in the event of counterparty non-performance. Several of our derivative counterparty International Swap and Derivative Association (“ISDA”) agreements contain additional termination event triggers based on a downgrade of FGL Insurance. These triggers would give these counterparties the option to terminate our options, which could lead to losses if occurring at an inopportune time.
Please refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional details on credit risk and counterparty risk.
If financial institutions at which we hold escrow funds fail, it could have a material adverse impact on our company.
We hold customers' assets in escrow at various financial institutions, pending completion of real estate transactions. These assets are maintained in segregated bank accounts and have not been included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have a contingent liability relating to proper disposition of these balances for our customers, which amounted to $13.5 billion at December 31, 2023. Failure of one or more of these financial institutions may lead us to become liable for the funds owed to third parties and there is no guarantee that we would recover the funds deposited, whether through Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation coverage or otherwise.
Risk Factors Related to a National or Global Crisis, Climate Change, Computer Cyber-terrorism and Other Catastrophic Events
Our business could be materially and adversely affected by the occurrence of a catastrophe, including natural disasters or those caused by humans.
Any catastrophic event, such as a pandemic, terrorist attacks, floods, severe storms or hurricanes or cyber-attacks, could have a material and adverse effect on our business in several respects:
•the outbreak of a pandemic disease, like COVID-19, could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial condition and the operating results of our insurance business due to its impact on the economy and financial markets;
•the occurrence of any pandemic disease, natural disaster, terrorist attack or any other catastrophic event that results in our workforce being unable to be physically located at one of our facilities could result in lengthy interruptions in our service; or
•we could experience long-term interruptions in our service and the services provided by our significant vendors due to the effects of catastrophic events, including but not limited to cyber-attacks. Some of our operational systems are not fully redundant, and our disaster recovery and business continuity planning cannot account for all eventualities. Additionally, unanticipated problems with our disaster recovery systems could further impede our ability to conduct business, particularly if those problems affect our computer-based data processing, transmission, storage and retrieval systems and destroy valuable data;
•we manage our financial exposure for losses in our title insurance business and in our F&G segment with third-party reinsurance. Catastrophic events could adversely affect the cost and availability of that reinsurance;
•the value of our investment portfolio may decrease if the securities in which we invest are negatively impacted by climate change, pandemics, severe weather conditions and other catastrophic events.
Natural catastrophes, pandemics, and malicious and terrorist acts present risks that could adversely affect our results of operations. Claims arising from such events could have an adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition,
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either directly or as a result of their effect on our reinsurers or other counterparties. Such events could also have an adverse effect on the rate and amount of lapses and surrenders of existing policies, as well as sales of new policies.
While we believe we have taken steps to identify and mitigate these types of risks, such risks cannot be reliably predicted, nor fully protected against even if anticipated. In addition, such events could result in overall macroeconomic volatility or specifically a decrease or halt in economic activity in large geographic areas, adversely affecting the marketing or administration of our business within such geographic areas or the general economic climate, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The possible macroeconomic effects of such events could also adversely affect our asset portfolio.
General Risk Factors
Failure of our information security systems or unauthorized access to such systems could result in a loss or disclosure of confidential information, damage to our reputation, monetary losses, additional costs and impairment of our ability to conduct business effectively.
Our operations are highly dependent upon the effective operation of our computer systems. We use our computer systems to receive, process, store and transmit sensitive personal consumer data (such as names and addresses, social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and bank account information) and important business information of our customers. We also electronically manage substantial cash, investment assets and escrow account balances on behalf of ourselves and our customers, as well as financial information about our businesses generally. The integrity of our computer systems and the protection of the information that resides on such systems are important to our successful operation. If we fail to maintain an adequate security infrastructure, adapt to emerging security threats such as ransomware or follow our internal business processes with respect to security, the information or assets we hold could be compromised. Further, even if we, or third parties to which we outsource certain information technology services, maintain a reasonable, industry-standard information security infrastructure to mitigate these risks, the inherent risk that unauthorized access to information or assets remains. This risk is increased by transmittal of information over the internet and the increased threat and sophistication of cyber criminals. While, to date, we believe that we have not experienced a material breach of our computer systems, the occurrence or scope of such events is not always apparent. Examples of security threats that represent significant inherent risk with little to no warning include the MoveIT security incident affecting F&G, in which F&G activated its crisis management protocols to adequately manage the investigation, impact, and response to this incident. In November 2023, we experienced a cybersecurity incident where an unauthorized third-party accessed certain of our systems, deployed a type of malware that is not self-propagating, and exfiltrated certain data. We promptly commenced an investigation, retained leading experts to assist the Company, notified law enforcement authorities, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders and followed our incident response plans. Although we believe we have remediated the significant exposures related to these incidents, there remains potential for future losses associated with litigation and damage to our reputation. If additional information regarding an event previously considered immaterial is discovered, or a new event were to occur, it could potentially have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition. In addition, some laws and certain of our contracts require notification of various parties, including regulators, consumers or customers, in the event that confidential or personal information has or may have been taken or accessed by unauthorized parties. Such notifications can potentially result, among other things, in adverse publicity, diversion of management and other resources, the attention of regulatory authorities, the imposition of fines, and disruptions in business operations, the effects of which may be material. Any inability to prevent security or privacy breaches, or the perception that such breaches may occur, could inhibit our ability to retain or attract new clients and/or result in financial losses, litigation, increased costs, negative publicity, or other adverse consequences to our business.
While we currently maintain cybersecurity insurance, such insurance may not be sufficient in type or amount to cover us against claims related to cybersecurity breaches or attacks, failures or other data security-related incidents, and we cannot be certain that cyber insurance will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all, or that an insurer will not deny coverage as to any future claim. The successful assertion of one or more claims against us that exceed available insurance coverage, or the occurrence of changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductibles, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Further, our financial institution clients have obligations to safeguard their information technology systems and the confidentiality of customer information. In certain of our businesses, we are bound contractually and/or by regulation to comply with the same requirements. If we fail to comply with these regulations and requirements, we could be exposed to lawsuits for breach of contract, governmental proceedings or the imposition of fines. In addition, future adoption of more restrictive privacy laws, rules or industry security requirements by federal or state regulatory bodies or by a specific industry in which we do business could have an adverse impact on us through increased costs or restrictions on business processes.
The new and emerging types of Artificial Intelligence and their uses are very early stage in the industry and may be subject to many uncertain future developments and regulations.
Regulatory agencies are evaluating existing regulatory frameworks for insurance industry wide use of Artificial Intelligence. New artificial intelligence algorithms and predictive models may be used by insurance companies in selling
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insurance products to consumers. However, the use of new artificial intelligence models may make insurance companies more susceptible to potential bias, discrimination, and data breaches. These concerns could lead to development of new, or modifications to, laws and regulations pertaining to the use of Artificial Intelligence by insurance companies, or the broader financial services sector, which may prove to be onerous for companies to implement in a timely manner.
The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, including generative artificial intelligence, has increased rapidly with increasing complexity and changes in the nature of the technology. Our potential uses of generative artificial intelligence may be subject to various risks including flaws or limitations in the large language models or training datasets that may result in biased or inaccurate results, ethical considerations, and the ability to safely deploy and implement governance and controls for such systems. Laws and regulations related to artificial intelligence are evolving, and there is uncertainty as to potential adoption of new laws and regulations and the application of existing laws and regulations to use of artificial intelligence, which may restrict or impose burdensome and costly requirements on our ability to use artificial intelligence. In addition, there has been considerable patent and other intellectual property development activity in the artificial intelligence industry, which has resulted in litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. We may receive claims from third parties, including our competitors, alleging that our use of artificial intelligence technology infringes on or violates such third party's intellectual property rights. Adverse consequences of these risks related to artificial intelligence could undermine the decisions, predictions or analysis such technologies produce and subject us to competitive harm, legal liability, heightened regulatory scrutiny and brand or reputational harm.
Our ability to adopt new technologies may be inhibited by the emergence of industry-wide standards, a changing legislative and regulatory environment, an inability to develop appropriate governance and controls, a lack of internal product and engineering expertise, resistance to change from consumers, or lack of appropriate change management processes or the complexity of our systems. In addition, our adoption of new technologies and our introduction of new products and services may expose us to new or enhanced risks, particularly in areas where we have less experience or our existing governance and control systems may be insufficient, which could require us to make substantial expenditures or subject us to legal liability, heightened regulatory scrutiny and brand or reputational harm.
Damage to our reputation may adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
Our reputation is a key asset, and our continued success is dependent upon our ability to earn and maintain the trust and confidence of our broad range of customers. We provide our products and services to a wide range of customers, and our ability to attract and retain customers is highly dependent upon the external perceptions of our level of service, trustworthiness, business practices, financial condition, and other subjective qualities. Damage to our reputation may arise from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, litigation or regulatory actions, compliance failures, employee misconduct, cybersecurity incidents, unfavorable press coverage, and unfavorable comments on social media. Any damage to our reputation could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain customers and employees, potentially leading to a reduction in our revenues and profitability.
Failure to respond to rapid changes in technology could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.
Rapidly evolving technologies and innovations in software and financial technology could drive changes in how real estate transactions are recorded and processed throughout the mortgage life cycle. There is no guarantee that we will be able to effectively adapt to and utilize changing technology. Existing or new competitors may be able to utilize or create technology more effectively than us, which could result in the loss of market share.
We may not be able to protect our intellectual property and may be subject to infringement claims.
We rely on a combination of contractual rights and copyright, trademark and trade secret laws to establish and protect our intellectual property. Although we use a broad range of measures to protect our intellectual property rights, third parties may infringe or misappropriate our intellectual property. We may have to litigate to enforce and protect our copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and know-how or to determine their scope, validity or enforceability, which represents a diversion of resources that may be significant in amount and may not prove successful. The loss of intellectual property protection or the inability to secure or enforce the protection of our intellectual property assets could adversely impact our business and our ability to compete effectively.
We may be subject to costly litigation in the event that another party alleges our operations or activities infringe upon that party’s intellectual property rights. Third parties may have, or may eventually be issued, patents or other protections that could be infringed by our products, methods, processes or services or could otherwise limit our ability to offer certain product features. We may also be subject to claims by third parties for breach of copyright, trademark, trade secret or license usage rights. Any such claims and any resulting litigation could result in significant expense and liability for damages or we could be enjoined from providing certain products or services to our customers or utilizing and benefiting from certain methods, processes, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets or licenses, or alternatively, we could be required to enter into costly licensing
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arrangements with third parties, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are the subject of various legal proceedings that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We are involved from time to time in various legal proceedings, including in some cases class-action lawsuits and regulatory inquiries, investigations or other proceedings. If we are unsuccessful in our defense of litigation matters or regulatory proceedings, we may be forced to pay damages, fines or penalties and/or change our business practices, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. See Note H Commitments and Contingencies to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for further discussion of pending litigation and regulatory matters and our related accrual.
We operate in a highly competitive industry, which could limit our ability to gain or maintain our position in the industry and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our F&G insurance subsidiaries operate in a highly competitive industry and encounter significant competition in all of our product lines from other insurance companies, many of which have greater financial resources and higher financial strength ratings than us and that may have a greater market share, offer a broader range of products, services or features, assume a greater level of risk, have lower operating or financing costs, or have different profitability expectations than us. Competition could result in, among other things, lower sales or higher lapses of existing products.
Our annuity products compete with fixed indexed, fixed rate and variable annuities sold by other insurance companies and also with mutual fund products, traditional bank investments and other retirement funding alternatives offered by asset managers, banks and broker-dealers. The ability of banks and broker dealers to increase their securities-related business or to affiliate with insurance companies may materially and adversely affect sales of all of our products by substantially increasing the number and financial strength of potential competitors. Our insurance products compete with those of other insurance companies, financial intermediaries and other institutions based on a number of factors, including premium rates, policy terms and conditions, service provided to distribution channels and policyholders, ratings by rating agencies, reputation and commission structures.
Our ability to compete is dependent upon, among other things, our ability to develop competitive and profitable products, our ability to maintain low unit costs, and our maintenance of adequate financial strength ratings from rating agencies. Our ability to compete is also dependent upon, among other things, our ability to attract and retain distribution channels to market our products, the competition for which is vigorous.
The loss of key personnel could negatively affect our financial results and impair our operating abilities.
Our success substantially depends on our ability to attract and retain key members of our senior management team and officers. If we lose one or more of these key employees, our operating results and in turn the value of our common stock could be materially adversely affected. Although we have employment agreements with many of our officers, there can be no assurance that the entire term of the employment agreement will be served or that the employment agreement will be renewed upon expiration.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
We are highly dependent on information technology in the operation of our various businesses. Cybersecurity is an integral part of our operations and is a focus of all employees, including senior management, and our board of directors.
Risk Management and Strategy
We assess, identify and manage cybersecurity risks through various processes within our Enterprise Risk Management Program and Information Security Program. We focus on all areas of cybersecurity, including threat and vulnerability management, security monitoring, identity and access management, phishing awareness, risk oversight, third-party risk management, disaster recovery and continuity management. We have established policies, including those related to privacy, information security and cybersecurity, and we employ a broad and diversified set of cybersecurity risk monitoring and risk mitigation techniques. Internal audits, external audits, and self-assessments are conducted to assess the effectiveness and maturity of our Enterprise Risk Management Program and Information Security Program.
Our employees are one of our strongest assets in protecting our customers' information and mitigating cybersecurity risk. We maintain comprehensive and tailored training programs that focus on applicable privacy and cybersecurity requirements. Additionally, we make strategic investments in cybersecurity to protect our customers and information systems, including both capital expenditures and operating expenses for hardware, software, personnel and consulting services.
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Our processes to assess, identify and manage cybersecurity risks, including cybersecurity risks related to the use of third-party service providers, are fully integrated into our Enterprise Risk Management Program. In some circumstances we use third-party service providers to provide expertise and to monitor utilization of specific cyber tools, and in certain cases, to supplement staffing services. Through our vendor risk management process, these vendors undergo various assessments such as financial, reputational, contractual and informational security. These assessments are performed to ascertain that these vendors meet our policy requirements relative to the services they perform on our behalf.
To further reduce the residual risk associated with cybersecurity, we maintain Miscellaneous Professional Liability Insurance, which provides coverage for cybersecurity incidents. The deductible limits on these policies are determined by a corporate insurance risk management group and executive management at least on an annual basis. This group determines appropriate coverage levels and deductibles for each policy based on tolerance and weighs the coverage against the premium for the policy.
Governance
Management's Role in Assessing and Managing Cybersecurity Risk
Our Corporate Information Security Group is led by our Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) who is responsible for our information security strategy. This strategy includes policy management, security engineering, identity and access management, vulnerability management and cyber threat detection and response through our Security Operations Center. Our CISO has extensive information technology and program management experience as do many of our employees in our information security group. Our CISO, as well as others in our information security group, hold certifications such the Certified Information System Security Professional certification. We believe cybersecurity is a shared responsibility throughout the organization and thus we also manage cybersecurity risks, through a cross-functional committee of members of senior management known as the Enterprise Risk Steering Committee, which includes the CISO. The diversity of this group allows for identification of key enterprise risks from strategic, operational, financial, legal, information technology, and compliance perspectives. These individuals receive reporting on our cybersecurity programs and also participate in table-top exercises relating to potential security incidents. The CISO is also the primary point of contact for reporting information security incidents and for coordinating information security activities including incident response and digital forensics. Our CISO reports to our Chief Security Officer who also has extensive experience in the information security space.
Board Oversight of Cybersecurity
Our board has a strong focus on cybersecurity. Our approaches to cybersecurity and privacy risk are overseen by the audit committee. At each regular meeting of the audit committee of our board of directors, our Chief Risk Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Security Officer, Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Audit Officer provide reports relating to existing and emerging cyber and data security risks, as well as reports on the Company’s risk assessments and security incidents. Our audit committee chairman reports on these discussions to our board of directors on a quarterly basis. "See Item 1A Risk Factors for discussion of material risks faced by the Company, including risks related to cybersecurity."
2023 Cybersecurity Incident
On November 19, 2023, we became aware of a cybersecurity incident that impacted certain of our systems. We promptly commenced an investigation, retained leading experts to assist the Company, notified law enforcement authorities, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders and followed our incident response plans. In addition, we took containment measures such as blocking access to certain of our systems resulting in varying levels of disruption to our businesses. The incident was contained on November 26, 2023.
We completed our forensic investigation on December 13, 2023. We determined that an unauthorized third-party accessed certain of our systems, deployed a type of malware that is not self-propagating, and exfiltrated certain data. We have no evidence that any customer-owned system was directly impacted in the incident, and no customer has reported that this has occurred. The last confirmed date of unauthorized third-party activity in our network occurred on November 20, 2023.
We have identified and analyzed the nature and scope of the affected systems and data. We have notified our affected customers and applicable state attorneys general and regulators, and approximately 1.3 million potentially impacted consumers; are providing credit monitoring, web monitoring, and identity theft restoration services; and are fielding questions from customers. We are continuing to coordinate with law enforcement, our customers, regulators, advisors and other stakeholders. We have been named as a defendant in several lawsuits related to this incident. The Company will vigorously defend itself against any litigation filed related to this incident.
At this time, we do not believe that the incident will have a material impact on the Company.
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Item 2. Properties
Our corporate headquarters are in Jacksonville, Florida in owned facilities. F&G's headquarters are in Des Moines, Iowa in leased facilities.
The majority of our branch offices are leased from third parties. See Note Q Leases to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for further information on our outstanding leases. Our subsidiaries conduct their business operations primarily in leased office space in 47 states, Washington, DC, Canada, India, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
For a description of our legal proceedings see discussion of Legal and Regulatory Contingencies in Note H Commitments and Contingencies to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 3 of Part I.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "FNF".
On January 31, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $50.03. We had approximately 5,828 shareholders of record on January 31, 2024.
Refer to Note U Employee Benefit Plans to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 5 of Part II, for further information on securities issued for employee stock compensation pursuant to our Omnibus Plan.
Information concerning securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans will be included in Item 12 of Part III of this Annual Report.
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Performance Graph
Set forth below is a graph comparing cumulative total shareholder return on our FNF common stock against the cumulative total return on the S&P 500 Index and against the cumulative total return of a peer group index consisting of certain companies in the primary industry in which we compete (SIC code 6361 — Title Insurance) for the period ending December 31, 2023. This peer group consists of the following companies: First American Financial Corporation and Stewart Information Services Corp. The peer group comparison has been weighted based on their stock market capitalization. The graph assumes an initial investment of $100.00 on December 31, 2018, with dividends reinvested over the periods indicated.
The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
| 12/31/2018 | 12/31/2019 | 12/31/2020 | 12/31/2021 | 12/31/2022 | 12/31/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fidelity National Financial, Inc. | 100.00 | 148.93 | 134.00 | 185.19 | 145.31 | 206.52 | |||||||||||||||||
| S&P 500 | 100.00 | 131.49 | 155.68 | 200.37 | 164.08 | 207.21 | |||||||||||||||||
| Peer Group | 100.00 | 129.17 | 123.30 | 195.35 | 130.06 | 169.56 | |||||||||||||||||
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Dividends
On February 14, 2024, our Board of Directors formally declared a $0.48 per FNF share cash dividend that is payable on March 29, 2024, to FNF shareholders of record as of March 15, 2024. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, we declared dividends on our common stock of $1.83, $1.77, and $1.56, respectively.
Our current dividend policy anticipates the payment of quarterly dividends in the future. The declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our future earnings, financial condition and capital requirements.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
On August 3, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a new three-year stock repurchase program effective August 3, 2021 (the "2021 Repurchase Program") under which we may purchase up to 25 million shares of our FNF common stock through July 31, 2024. We may make repurchases from time to time in the open market, in block purchases or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions and other factors.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, we did not repurchase any FNF common shares. Since the original commencement of the 2021 Repurchase Program, we repurchased a total of 16,449,565 FNF common shares for an aggregate amount of $701 million, or an average of $42.60 per share.
Item 6. Reserved.
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Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto and Selected Financial Data included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Overview
For a description of our business, including descriptions of segments, see the discussion under Business in Item 1 of Part I of this Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report.
Business Trends and Conditions
Title
Our Title segment revenue is closely related to the level of real estate activity that includes sales, mortgage financing and mortgage refinancing. Declines in the level of real estate activity or the average price of real estate sales will adversely affect our title insurance revenues.
We have found that residential real estate activity is generally dependent on the following factors:
•mortgage interest rates;
•mortgage funding supply;
•housing inventory and home prices;
•supply and demand for commercial real estate; and
•the strength of the United States economy, including employment levels.
The most recent forecast of the MBA, as of February 20, 2024, estimated (actual for fiscal year 2022) the size of the U.S. residential mortgage originations market as shown in the following table for 2022 - 2026 in its "Mortgage Finance Forecast" (in trillions):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase transactions | $ | 1.8 | $ | 1.7 | $ | 1.5 | $ | 1.3 | $ | 1.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Refinance transactions | $ | 0.6 | $ | 0.6 | $ | 0.5 | $ | 0.3 | $ | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total U.S. mortgage originations forecast | $ | 2.4 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 2.0 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 2.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As of February 20, 2024, the MBA expected residential purchase transactions and residential refinance transactions to decrease in 2023 followed by increases in 2024 through 2026.
Following the Federal Reserve's reduction of its benchmark rate to nearly zero in response to COVID-19, residential purchase and refinance activity were on strong footing resulting in record revenues in 2021. However, residential refinance transactions began to slow in 2021 as the population of eligible refinance candidates declined.
The Federal Reserve raised the benchmark interest rate from near zero as of March 2022 to a range between 5.25% and 5.50% as of December 2023 in an effort to combat inflation. Interest rates on a 30-year, fixed rate mortgage averaged 6.8%, up from 5.2% and 3.2% in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
A shortage in the supply of homes for sale, increasing home prices, rising mortgage interest rates, inflation and disrupted labor markets created some volatility in the residential real estate market in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, geopolitical uncertainties associated with the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have created additional volatility in the global economy in 2022 and 2023. Existing-home sales decreased 6% in December 2023 as compared to the corresponding month in 2022 while median existing-home sales prices rose to $382,600 in December 2023, a 4% increase over the corresponding month in 2022.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor, the unemployment rate was 6.7% in December 2020. In 2021, the unemployment rate fell dramatically and remained near record lows throughout 2022 and 2023. The unemployment rate was 3.7% and 3.5% in December of 2023 and 2022, respectively.
We issue commercial title insurance policies in sectors including office, industrial, energy, hospitality, retail and multi-family, among others. The demand for commercial title insurance varies based on a variety of factors such as investor appetite, financing availability, and supply and demand in a particular area. Because commercial real estate transactions tend to be generally driven by supply and demand for commercial space in a particular area rather than by interest rate fluctuations, we believe that our commercial real estate title insurance business is less dependent on the industry cycles discussed above than our residential real estate title business. Factors including U.S. tax reform and a shift in U.S. monetary policy have had, or are expected to have, varying effects on availability of financing in the U.S. Lower corporate and individual tax rates and corporate tax-deductibility of capital expenditures have provided increased capacity and incentive for investments in commercial real estate. In recent years, we experienced fluctuating demand in commercial real estate markets. Commercial volumes and
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commercial fee-per-file recovered in the second half of 2020 and remained stable throughout 2021 and the first three quarters of 2022. Commercial volumes and commercial fee-per-file declined in the fourth quarter of 2022 and remained depressed throughout 2023 when compared to recent years.
We continually monitor mortgage origination trends and believe that, based on our ability to produce industry leading operating margins through all economic cycles, we are well positioned to adjust our operations for adverse changes in real estate activity and to take advantage of increased volume when demand increases.
Seasonality. Historically, real estate transactions have produced seasonal revenue fluctuations in the real estate industry. The first calendar quarter is typically the weakest quarter in terms of revenue due to the generally low volume of home sales during January and February. The second and third calendar quarters are typically the strongest quarters in terms of revenue, primarily due to a higher volume of residential transactions in the spring and summer months. The fourth quarter is typically strong due to the desire of commercial entities to complete transactions by year-end. Seasonality in 2021, 2022 and 2023 deviated from historical patterns due to COVID-19 and the subsequent rapid increase in interest rates. We have noted short-term fluctuations through recent years in resale and refinance transactions as a result of changes in interest rates.
Geographic Operations. Our direct title operations are divided into approximately 180 profit centers. Each profit center processes title insurance transactions within its geographical area, which is usually identified by a county, a group of counties forming a region, or a state, depending on the management structure in that part of the country. We also transact title insurance business through a network of approximately 5,200 agents, primarily in those areas in which agents are the more prevalent title insurance provider. Substantially all of our revenues are generated in the United States.
The following table sets forth the approximate dollar and percentage volumes of our title insurance premium revenue by state:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas | $ | 657 | 14.3 | % | $ | 1,027 | 15.0 | % | $ | 1,112 | 13.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| California | 597 | 13.0 | 819 | 12.0 | 1,251 | 14.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 490 | 10.7 | 722 | 10.6 | 799 | 9.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | 275 | 6.0 | 360 | 5.3 | 436 | 5.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | 227 | 4.9 | 356 | 5.2 | 439 | 5.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All others | 2,351 | 51.1 | 3,550 | 51.9 | 4,516 | 52.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Totals | $ | 4,597 | 100.0 | % | $ | 6,834 | 100.0 | % | $ | 8,553 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
F&G
The following factors represent some of the key trends and uncertainties that have influenced the development of our F&G segment and its historical financial performance, and we believe these key trends and uncertainties will continue to influence the business and financial performance of our F&G segment in the future.
Market Conditions
Market volatility has affected, and may continue to affect, our business and financial performance in varying ways. Volatility can pressure sales and reduce demand as consumers hesitate to make financial decisions. To enhance the attractiveness and profitability of our products and services, we continually monitor the behavior of our customers, as evidenced by annuitization rates and lapse rates, which vary in response to changes in market conditions. See Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report for further discussion of risk factors that could affect market conditions.
Interest Rate Environment
Some of our F&G products include guaranteed minimum crediting rates, most notably our fixed rate annuities. As of December 31, 2023, our reserves, net of reinsurance, and average crediting rate on our fixed rate annuities were $6.0 billion and 4%, respectively. We are required to pay the guaranteed minimum crediting rates even if earnings on our investment portfolio decline, which would negatively impact earnings. In addition, we expect more policyholders to hold policies with comparatively high guaranteed rates for a longer period in a low interest rate environment. Conversely, a rise in average yield on our investment portfolio would increase earnings if the average interest rate we pay on our products does not rise correspondingly. Similarly, we expect that policyholders would be less likely to hold policies with existing guarantees as
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interest rates rise and the relative value of other new business offerings are increased, which would negatively impact our earnings and cash flows.
See “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk” for a more detailed discussion of interest rate risk.
Aging of the U.S. Population
We believe that the aging of the U.S. population will increase the demand for our FIA and IUL products. As the “baby boomer” generation prepares for retirement, we believe that demand for retirement savings, growth, and income products will grow. Over 10,000 people will turn 65 each day in the United States over the next 15 years, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the proportion of the U.S. population over the age of 65 is expected to grow from 18% in 2023 to 21% in 2035. The impact of this growth may be offset to some extent by asset outflows as an increasing percentage of the population begins withdrawing assets to convert their savings into income.
Industry Factors and Trends Affecting Our Results of Operations
We operate in the sector of the insurance industry that focuses on the needs of middle-income Americans. The underserved middle-income market represents a major growth opportunity for us. As a tool for addressing the unmet need for retirement planning, we believe that many middle-income Americans have grown to appreciate the financial certainty that we believe annuities such as our FIA products afford. For example, the FIA market grew from nearly $12 billion of sales in 2002 to $79 billion of sales in 2022. Additionally, this market demand has positively impacted the IUL market as it has expanded from $100 million of annual premiums in 2002 to $3 billion of annual premiums in 2022.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The accounting estimates described below are those we consider critical in preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements. Management is required to make estimates and assumptions that can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures with respect to contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates. See Note A Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for additional description of the significant accounting policies that have been followed in preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Reserve for Title Claim Losses
Title companies issue two types of policies, owner's and lender's policies, since both the new owner and the lender in real estate transactions want to know that their interest in the property is insured against certain title defects outlined in the policy. An owner's policy insures the buyer against such defects for as long as he or she owns the property (as well as against warranty claims arising out of the sale of the property by such owner). A lender's policy insures the priority of the lender's security interest over the claims that other parties may have in the property. The maximum amount of liability under a title insurance policy is generally the face amount of the policy plus the cost of defending the insured's title against an adverse claim; however, occasionally we do incur losses in excess of policy limits. While most non-title forms of insurance, including property and casualty, provide for the assumption of risk of loss arising out of unforeseen future events, title insurance serves to protect the policyholder from risk of loss for events that predate the issuance of the policy.
Unlike many other forms of insurance, title insurance requires only a one-time premium for continuous coverage until another policy is warranted due to changes in property circumstances arising from refinance, resale, additional liens, or other events. Unless we issue the subsequent policy, we receive no notice that our exposure under our policy has ended and, as a result, we are unable to track the actual terminations of our exposures.
Our reserve for title claim losses includes reserves for known claims as well as for losses that have been incurred but not yet reported to us (“IBNR”), net of recoupments. We reserve for each known claim based on our review of the estimated amount of the claim and the costs required to settle the claim. Reserves for IBNR claims are estimates that are established at the time the premium revenue is recognized and are based upon historical experience and other factors, including industry trends, claim loss history, legal environment, geographic considerations, and the types of policies written. We also reserve for losses arising from closing and disbursement functions due to fraud or operational error.
The table below summarizes our reserves for known claims and incurred but not reported claims related to title insurance:
| December 31, 2023 | % | December 31, 2022 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Known claims | $ | 217 | 12.3 | % | $ | 195 | 10.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| IBNR | 1,553 | 87.7 | 1,615 | 89.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Reserve for Title Claim Losses | $ | 1,770 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,810 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Although claims against title insurance policies can be reported relatively soon after the policy has been issued, claims may be reported many years later. Historically, approximately 60% of claims are paid within approximately five years of the policy being written. By their nature, claims are often complex, vary greatly in dollar amounts and are affected by economic and market conditions, as well as the legal environment existing at the time of settlement of the claims. Estimating future title loss payments is difficult because of the complex nature of title claims, the long periods of time over which claims are paid, significantly varying dollar amounts of individual claims and other factors.
Our process for recording our reserves for title claim losses begins with analysis of our loss provision rate. We forecast ultimate losses for each policy year based upon historical policy year loss emergence and development patterns and adjust these to reflect policy year and policy type differences that affect the timing, frequency and severity of claims. We also use a technique that relies on historical loss emergence and on a premium-based exposure measurement. The latter technique is particularly applicable to the most recent policy years, which have few reported claims relative to an expected ultimate claim volume. After considering historical claim losses, reporting patterns and current market information, and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data provided by our legal, claims and underwriting departments, we determine a loss provision rate, which is recorded as a percentage of current title premiums. This loss provision rate is set to provide for losses on current year policies, but due to development of prior years and our long claim duration, it periodically includes amounts of estimated adverse or positive development on prior years' policies. Any significant adjustments to strengthen or release loss reserves resulting from the comparison with our actuarial analysis are made in addition to this loss provision rate. At each quarter end, our recorded reserve for claim losses is initially the result of taking the prior recorded reserve for claim losses, adding the current provision
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and subtracting actual paid claims, resulting in an amount that management then compares to the range of reasonable estimates provided by the actuarial calculation.
We recorded our loss provision rate at 4.5% for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 related to policies written in those years. The provision rate in 2023, 2022, and 2021 is supported by stability in payments for prior policy years, and qualitative factors that would indicate consistency, including consistency in lender underwriting standards, extension of credit to quality borrowers, a high proportion of refinance activity, claims expense management, mechanic’s lien underwriting practices, and fraud awareness by lenders, title insurers and settlement agents.
Due to the uncertainty inherent in the process and due to the judgment used by both management and our actuary, our ultimate liability may be greater or less than our carried reserves. If the recorded amount is within the actuarial range but not at the central estimate, we assess the position within the actuarial range by analysis of other factors in order to determine that the recorded amount is our best estimate. These factors, which are both qualitative and quantitative, can change from period to period, and include items such as current trends in the real estate industry (which we can assess, but for which there is a time lag in the development of the data), any adjustments from the actuarial estimates needed for the effects of unusually large or small claims, improvements in our claims management processes, and other cost saving measures. If the recorded amount is not within a reasonable range of our actuary's central estimate, we may have to record a charge or credit and reassess the loss provision rate on a go forward basis. We will continue to reassess the provision to be recorded in future periods consistent with this methodology.
The table below presents our title insurance loss development experience for the past three years:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | 1,810 | $ | 1,883 | $ | 1,623 | |||||||||||
| Change in reinsurance recoverable | 15 | (128) | 94 | ||||||||||||||
| Claims loss provision related to: | |||||||||||||||||
| Current year | 207 | 308 | 385 | ||||||||||||||
| Prior years | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total title claim loss provision | 207 | 308 | 385 | ||||||||||||||
| Claims paid, net of recoupments related to: | |||||||||||||||||
| Current year | (22) | (21) | (14) | ||||||||||||||
| Prior years | (240) | (232) | (205) | ||||||||||||||
| Total title claims paid, net of recoupments | (262) | (253) | (219) | ||||||||||||||
| Ending balance of claim loss reserve for title insurance | $ | 1,770 | $ | 1,810 | $ | 1,883 | |||||||||||
| Title premiums | $ | 4,592 | $ | 6,834 | $ | 8,553 | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Provision for title insurance claim losses as a percentage of title insurance premiums: | |||||||||||||||||
| Current year | 4.5 | % | 4.5 | % | 4.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Prior years | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total provision | 4.5 | % | 4.5 | % | 4.5 | % | |||||||||||
Actual claims payments consist of loss payments and claims management expenses offset by recoupments and were as follows:
| Loss Payments | Claims Management Expenses | Recoupments | Net Loss Payments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | $ | 169 | $ | 128 | $ | (35) | $ | 262 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | 294 | 134 | (175) | 253 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | 171 | 124 | (76) | 219 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, our recorded reserves were $1,770 million and $1,810 million, respectively, which we determined were reasonable and represented our best estimate and these recorded amounts were within a reasonable range of the central estimates provided by our actuaries. Our recorded reserves were $70 million above the mid-point of the provided
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range of $1.5 billion to $1.9 billion of our actuarial estimates as of December 31, 2023. Our recorded reserves were $90 million above the mid-point of the provided range of our actuarial estimates of $1.5 billion to $2.0 billion as of December 31, 2022.
During 2023, 2022, and 2021, payment patterns were consistent with our actuaries' and management's expectations. Also, compared to prior years we have seen a leveling off of the ultimate loss ratios in more mature policy years, particularly 2006-2009. While we still see claims opened on these policy years, the proportion of our claims inventory represented by these policy years has continued to decrease. Additionally, we continued to see stable development relating to the 2012 through 2023 policy years, which we believe is indicative of more stringent underwriting standards by us and the lending industry. Our ending open claim inventory increased from approximately 9,100 claims at December 31, 2022, to approximately 9,200 claims at December 31, 2023. If actual claims loss development varies from what is currently expected and is not offset by other factors, it is possible that our recorded reserves may fall outside a reasonable range of our actuaries' central estimate, which may require additional reserve adjustments in future periods.
An approximate $46 million increase (decrease) in our annualized provision for title claim losses would occur if our loss provision rate were 1% higher (lower), based on 2023 title premiums of $4,592 million. A 10% increase (decrease) in our reserve for title claim losses, as of December 31, 2023, would result in an increase (decrease) in our provision for title claim losses of approximately $177 million.
Reserves for Future Policy Benefits and Product Guarantees
The determination of FPB reserves is dependent on actuarial assumptions. The principal assumptions used to establish liabilities for FPBs are established at issue of the contract and include discount rates, mortality and cash surrender or policy lapse for our traditional life insurance products. The assumptions used require considerable judgment. We review policyholder behavior experience at least annually and update these assumptions when deemed necessary based on additional information that becomes available. Discount rate assumptions are updated at each reporting period and also incorporate changes in risk free rates and option market values. Changes in, or deviations from, the assumptions previously used can significantly affect our reserve levels and related results of operations in a positive or negative direction.
Mortality refers to the incidence of death on covered lives, which triggers contractual death benefit provisions. On our deferred annuities and life insurance products, these provisions may allow for lump sum payments, payments over a period of time, or spousal continuation of the contract. On our life-contingent immediate annuities (which includes life-contingent pension risk transfer (“PRT”) annuities), the death of a named annuitant or certificate holder may trigger the cessation or reduction of future life-contingent payments due, depending on the presence of a joint annuitant/certificate holder and any remaining guaranteed non-life contingent payment periods. We utilize a combination of internal and industry experience when setting our mortality assumptions.
A surrender rate is the percentage of account value surrendered by the policyholder in exchange for receipt of a cash surrender value. A lapse rate is the percentage of account value canceled by us due to nonpayment of premiums required to maintain coverage on our life insurance products. We make estimates of expected full and partial surrenders of our deferred annuity products based on a combination of internal and industry experience. Management’s best estimate of surrender behavior generally represents a medium-to-long term perspective, as we expect to experience a range of policyholder behavior and market conditions period to period. If actual surrender rates are significantly different from those estimated, such differences could have a significant effect on our reserve levels and related results of operations.
Discount rates refer to the interest rates used to discount future cash flows to the current period to determine a present value. For liability for FPB reserves the discount rate used is based on the yield curve for A-rated corporate bonds as of the valuation date. Changes in the discount rates from the at-issue or at-purchase discount rates flow through other comprehensive income (“OCI”).
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Our aggregate reserves for contractholder funds, FPBs and MRBs on a direct and net basis as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, are summarized as follows:
| As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Direct | Deposit Asset/ Reinsurance Recoverable | Net | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Fixed indexed annuities ("FIA") | $ | 27,809 | $ | (17) | $ | 27,792 | |||||||||||
| Fixed rate annuities | 13,445 | (7,521) | 5,924 | ||||||||||||||
| Single premium immediate annuities ("SPIA") and other | 1,814 | (115) | 1,699 | ||||||||||||||
| IUL and other life | 3,828 | (1,307) | 2,521 | ||||||||||||||
| Funding agreements | 5,152 | — | 5,152 | ||||||||||||||
| PRT | 4,203 | — | 4,203 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 56,251 | $ | (8,960) | $ | 47,291 | |||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Direct | Deposit Asset/ Reinsurance Recoverable | Net | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| FIA | $ | 24,704 | $ | (16) | $ | 24,688 | |||||||||||
| Fixed rate annuities | 9,360 | (3,723) | 5,637 | ||||||||||||||
| SPIA and other | 1,829 | (118) | 1,711 | ||||||||||||||
| IUL and other life | 3,486 | (1,560) | 1,926 | ||||||||||||||
| Funding agreements | 4,595 | — | 4,595 | ||||||||||||||
| PRT | 2,172 | — | 2,172 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 46,146 | $ | (5,417) | $ | 40,729 | |||||||||||
FIA and IUL products contain an embedded derivative; a feature that permits the holder to elect an interest rate return or an equity-index linked component, where interest credited to the contract is linked to the performance of various equity indices. The FIA/IUL embedded derivatives are valued at fair value and included in the liability for Contractholder funds in our Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes in fair value included as a component of Benefits and other changes in policy reserves in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
For life-contingent immediate annuity policies, gross premiums received in excess of net premiums are deferred at initial recognition as a deferred profit liability (“DPL”). Gross premiums are measured using assumptions consistent with those used in the measurement of the related liability for FPBs.
Valuation of Fixed Maturity, Preferred and Equity Securities, and Derivatives and Reinsurance Recoverable
Our investments in fixed maturity securities have been designated as available-for-sale (“AFS”) and are carried at fair value, net of allowance for expected credit losses, with unrealized gains and losses included within accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) (“AOCI”), net of deferred income taxes. Our equity securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in net income (loss). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined on the basis of first-in first-out cost basis and are credited or charged to income on a trade date basis.
Management’s assessment of all available data when determining fair value of the AFS securities is necessary to appropriately apply fair value accounting. Management utilizes information from independent pricing services, who take into account perceived market movements and sector news, as well as a security’s terms and conditions, including any features specific to that issue that may influence risk and marketability. Depending on the security, the priority of the use of observable market inputs may change as some observable market inputs may not be relevant or additional inputs may be necessary. We generally obtain one value from our primary external pricing service. In situations where a price is not available from the independent pricing service, we may obtain broker quotes or prices from additional parties recognized to be market participants. We believe the broker quotes are prices at which trades could be executed based on historical trades executed at broker-quoted or slightly higher prices. When quoted prices in active markets are not available, the determination of estimated fair value is based on market standard valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flows, matrix pricing, or other similar techniques.
We validate external valuations at least quarterly through a combination of procedures that include the evaluation of methodologies used by the pricing services, comparisons to valuations from other independent pricing services, analytical reviews and performance analysis of the prices against trends, and maintenance of a securities watch list. See Note D - Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Note E - Investments to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II - Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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The fair value of derivative assets and liabilities is based upon valuation pricing models or independent broker quotes and represents what we would expect to receive or pay at the balance sheet date if we canceled or exercised the derivative or entered into offsetting positions. Fair values for instruments utilizing valuation pricing models are determined internally using a conventional model and market observable inputs, including interest rates, yield curve volatilities and other factors. Credit risk related to the counterparty is considered when estimating the fair values of these derivatives. However, we are largely protected by collateral arrangements with counterparties when individual counterparty exposures exceed certain thresholds. The fair value of futures contracts (specifically for FIA contracts) at the balance sheet date represents the cumulative unsettled variation margin (open trade equity net of cash settlements). The fair value of an interest rate swap represents the change in projected interest rates between the reporting date and the date the interest rate swap was executed. The fair values of the embedded derivatives in our FIA and IUL contracts are derived using market value of options, use of current and budgeted option cost, swap rates, mortality rates, surrender rates, partial withdrawals, and non-performance spread. The discount rate used to determine the fair value of our FIA/IUL embedded derivative liabilities includes an adjustment to reflect the risk that these obligations will not be fulfilled (“non-performance risk”). For the years ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, our non-performance risk adjustment was based on the expected loss due to default in debt obligations for similarly rated financial companies. See Note D Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Note F Derivative Financial Instruments to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II - Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
F&G cedes certain business on a coinsurance funds withheld basis. Investment results for the assets that support the coinsurance that are segregated within the funds withheld account are passed directly to the reinsurer pursuant to the contractual terms of the reinsurance arrangement, which creates embedded derivatives considered to be total return swaps. These total return swaps are not clearly and closely related to the underlying insurance contract and thus require bifurcation. The fair value of the total return swaps is based on the change in fair value of the underlying assets held in the funds withheld account. These embedded derivatives are reported in Prepaid expenses and other assets if in a net gain position, or Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, if in a net loss position on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The related gains or losses are reported in Recognized gains and (losses), net on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. See Note O F&G Reinsurance to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II - Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We categorize our fixed maturity securities, preferred securities, equity securities and derivatives into a three-level hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument. The following table presents the fair value of fixed maturity securities and equity securities by pricing source, hierarchy level and net asset value (“NAV”) as of December 31, 2023, and 2022.
| As of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | NAV | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale and equity securities: | (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prices via third-party pricing services | $ | 1,012 | $ | 32,714 | $ | 895 | $ | — | $ | 34,621 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Priced via independent broker quotations | — | — | 8,290 | — | 8,290 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Priced via other methods | — | — | 9 | 59 | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,012 | $ | 32,714 | $ | 9,194 | $ | 59 | $ | 42,979 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of Total | 2 | % | 76 | % | 22 | % | — | % | 100 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | NAV | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale and equity securities: | (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prices via third-party pricing services | $ | 1,333 | $ | 25,197 | $ | 1,234 | $ | — | $ | 27,764 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Priced via independent broker quotations | — | — | 6,846 | — | 6,846 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Priced via other methods | — | — | 18 | 47 | 65 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,333 | $ | 25,197 | $ | 8,098 | $ | 47 | $ | 34,675 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of Total | 4 | % | 73 | % | 23 | % | — | % | 100 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Goodwill
We have made acquisitions that have resulted in a significant amount of goodwill. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, goodwill was $4,830 million and $4,635 million, respectively. The majority of our goodwill as of December 31, 2023, relates to goodwill recorded in connection with the Chicago Title merger in 2000, our initial acquisition of an ownership interest in ServiceLink in 2014 and our acquisition of F&G in 2020. Refer to Note N Goodwill to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for a summary of recent changes in our Goodwill balance.
In evaluating the recoverability of goodwill, we perform a qualitative analysis at the reporting unit level to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our recorded goodwill exceeds its carrying value. Based on the results of this analysis, an annual goodwill impairment test may be completed based on an analysis of the discounted future cash flows generated by the underlying assets. The process of determining whether or not goodwill is impaired or recoverable relies on projections of future cash flows, operating results and market conditions. Future cash flow estimates are based partly on projections of market conditions such as the volume and mix of refinance and purchase transactions and interest rates, which are beyond our control and are likely to fluctuate. While we believe that our estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, these estimates are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from what is assumed in our impairment tests. Such analyses are particularly sensitive to changes in estimates of future cash flows and discount rates. Changes to these estimates might result in material changes in fair value and determination of the recoverability of goodwill, which may result in charges against earnings and a reduction in the carrying value of our goodwill in the future. We completed annual goodwill impairment analyses in the fourth quarter of each period presented using a September 30 measurement date. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we determined there were no events or circumstances that indicated that the carrying value exceeded the fair value.
Market Risk Benefits
MRBs are contracts or contract features that both provide protection to the contract holder from other-than-nominal capital market risk (equity, interest and foreign exchange risk) and expose the Company to other-than-nominal capital market risk. MRBs include certain contract features primarily on FIA contracts that provide minimum guarantees to policyholders, such as GMDB and GMWB riders. MRBs are measured at fair value using a risk neutral valuation method, which is based on current net amounts at risk, market data, internal and industry experience, and other factors.
The principal policyholder behavior assumptions used to calculate MRBs are established at issue of the contract and include mortality, contract full and partial surrenders, and utilization of the GMWB rider benefits. The assumptions used reflect a combination of internal experience, industry experience, and judgment. We review overall policyholder behavior experience at least annually and update these assumptions when deemed necessary based on additional information that becomes available. Changes in, or deviations from, the assumptions previously used can significantly affect our MRBs and related results of operations in a positive or negative direction.
Mortality refers to the incidence of death amongst policyholders on covered lives, which triggers contractual death benefit provisions. These provisions may allow for lump sum payments, payments over a period of time, or spousal continuation of the contract. We utilize a combination of actual internal and industry experience when setting our mortality assumptions.
A surrender rate is the percentage of account value surrendered by the policyholder in exchange for receipt of a cash surrender value. We make estimates of expected full and partial surrenders of our deferred annuity products based on a combination of internal and industry experience. Management’s best estimate of surrender generally represents a medium-to-long term perspective, as we expect to experience a range of policyholder behavior and market conditions period to period. If actual surrender rates are significantly different from those estimated, such differences could have a significant effect on our MRBs and related results of operations.
We have been issuing GMWB products since 2008. We make assumptions for policyholder behavior as it relates to GMWB utilization using a higher degree of industry experience and judgment than our other behavioral assumptions because internal experience, which we review annually, is still emerging. If emerging experience deviates from our assumptions on GMWB utilization, it could have a significant effect on MRBs and related results of operations.
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Accounting for Income Taxes
As part of the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements, we are required to determine income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating actual current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing recognition of items for income tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred income tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We must then assess the likelihood that deferred income tax assets will be realized and, to the extent we believe that realizability is not likely, establish a valuation allowance. Determination of income tax expense requires estimates and can involve complex issues that may require an extended period to resolve. Further, the estimated level of annual pre-tax income can cause the overall effective income tax rate to vary from period to period. We believe that our tax positions comply with applicable tax law and that we adequately provide for any known tax contingencies. We believe the estimates and assumptions used to support our evaluation of tax benefit realization are reasonable. Final determination of prior-year tax liabilities, either by settlement with tax authorities or expiration of statutes of limitations, could be materially different than estimates reflected in assets and liabilities and historical income tax provisions. The outcome of these final determinations could have a material effect on our income tax provision, net income or cash flows in the period that determination is made.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, changes in market conditions, including changing interest rates, resulted in deferred tax assets related to the net unrealized capital losses in the Company’s investment portfolio. U.S. GAAP requires the evaluation of the recoverability of deferred tax assets and the establishment of a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce the deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. When assessing the need for valuation allowance on the unrealized capital loss deferred tax assets, we assert a tax planning strategy to hold certain underlying securities to recovery or maturity. Our ability to assert such a tax planning strategy is dependent upon factors such as the Company’s asset/liability matching process, overall investment strategy, projected future annuity product sales, and expected liquidity needs. In the event these estimates differ from our prior estimates due to the receipt of new information, we may be required to significantly change the income tax expense recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements. This includes a further significant decline in value of assets incorporated into our tax planning strategies, which could lead to an increase of our valuation allowance on deferred tax assets having an adverse effect on current and future results.
Refer to Note T Income Taxes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for details.
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Results of Operations
Consolidated Results of Operations
Net Earnings. The following table presents certain financial data for the years indicated:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct title insurance premiums | $ | 1,982 | $ | 2,858 | $ | 3,571 | ||||||||||||||
| Agency title insurance premiums | 2,610 | 3,976 | 4,982 | |||||||||||||||||
| Escrow, title-related and other fees | 4,717 | 4,333 | 4,807 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income | 2,607 | 1,891 | 1,961 | |||||||||||||||||
| Recognized gains and losses, net | (164) | (1,493) | 334 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 11,752 | 11,565 | 15,655 | |||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personnel costs | 2,908 | 3,192 | 3,528 | |||||||||||||||||
| Agent commissions | 2,008 | 3,064 | 3,821 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 1,521 | 1,721 | 1,929 | |||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and other changes in policy reserves | 3,553 | 1,126 | 1,932 | |||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefit (gains) losses | 95 | (182) | (44) | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 593 | 491 | 432 | |||||||||||||||||
| Provision for title claim losses | 207 | 308 | 385 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 174 | 115 | 114 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | 11,059 | 9,835 | 12,097 | |||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | 693 | 1,730 | 3,558 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 192 | 439 | 813 | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | 17 | 15 | 64 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | $ | 518 | $ | 1,306 | $ | 2,809 | ||||||||||||||
Revenues.
Total revenues increased by $187 million in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily attributable to increases in escrow title-related and other fees, increases in interest and investment income and decreases in net recognized investments losses, partially offset by decreases in both direct and agency premiums. Total revenues decreased by $4,090 million in 2022 compared to 2021, primarily attributable to decreases in both direct and agency premiums, decreases in escrow title-related and other fees, decreases in interest and investment income and net recognized losses on our investment holdings in 2022 as compared to net recognized gains on our investment holdings in 2021.
See Note L Revenue Recognition to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for a breakout of our consolidated revenues.
Total net earnings from continuing operations decreased by $788 million in 2023 compared to 2022, and decreased by $1,503 million in 2022 compared to 2021.
The change in revenue and net earnings from our reportable segments is discussed in further detail at the segment level below.
Interest and investment income levels are primarily a function of securities markets, interest rates and the amount of cash available for investment. Interest and investment income was $2,607 million, $1,891 million, and $1,961 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
58
Recognized gains and losses, net totaled $(164) million, $(1,493) million, and $334 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Recognized gains and losses, net for the year ended December 31, 2023 are primarily attributable to losses on sales of fixed maturity securities of $166 million, losses on sales of equity and preferred securities of $104 million and losses on sales of mortgages and other assets of $75 million, partially offset by non-cash valuation gains on equity and preferred security holdings and other invested assets of $181 million. Recognized gains and losses, net for the year ended December 31, 2022 are primarily attributable to realized losses on derivatives of $515 million, losses on sales of fixed maturity securities of $282 million, losses on sales of mortgages and other assets of $80 million, losses on sales of equity and preferred securities of $31 million and non-cash valuation losses on equity and preferred security holdings of $584 million. Recognized gains and losses, net for the year ended December 31, 2021 are primarily attributable to realized gains on derivatives of $655 million, gains on sales of fixed maturity securities of $114 million and gains on sales of mortgages and other assets of $13 million, partially offset by losses on sales of equity and preferred securities of $19 million and non-cash net valuation losses on equity and preferred securities of $429 million.
See Note E Investments to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for a breakout of our consolidated interest and investment income and realized gains and losses.
Expenses.
Our operating expenses consist primarily of Personnel costs; Other operating expenses, which in our Title segment are incurred as orders are received and processed; Agent commissions, which are incurred as title agency revenue is recognized; and Benefits and other changes in policy reserves, which in our F&G segment are charged to earnings in the period they are earned by the policyholder based on their selected strategy. For traditional life and immediate annuities, policy benefit claims are charged to expense in the period that the claims are incurred, net of reinsurance recoveries. Title insurance premiums, escrow and title-related fees are generally recognized as income at the time the underlying transaction closes or other service is provided. Direct title operations revenue often lags approximately 45-60 days behind expenses, therefore; gross margins may fluctuate. The changes in the market environment, mix of business between direct and agency operations and the contributions from our various business units have historically impacted margins and net earnings. We have implemented programs and have taken necessary actions to maintain expense levels consistent with revenue streams. However, a short-term lag exists in reducing controllable fixed costs and certain fixed costs are incurred regardless of revenue levels.
Personnel costs include base salaries, commissions, benefits, stock-based compensation and bonuses paid to employees, and are one of our most significant operating expenses.
Agent commissions represent the portion of premiums retained by our third-party agents pursuant to the terms of their respective agency contracts.
Benefit expenses for deferred annuity, FIA and IUL policies include index credits and interest credited to contractholder account balances and benefit claims in excess of contract account balances, net of reinsurance recoveries. Other changes in policy reserves include the change in the fair value of the FIA embedded derivative and the change in the reserve for secondary guarantee benefit payments. Other changes in policy reserves also include the change in reserves for life insurance products.
Other operating expenses consist primarily of facilities expenses, title plant maintenance, premium taxes (which insurance underwriters are required to pay on title premiums in lieu of franchise and other state taxes), appraisal fees and other cost of sales on ServiceLink product offerings and other title-related products, postage and courier services, computer services, professional services, travel expenses, general insurance and bad debt expense on our trade and notes receivable.
The Provision for title claim losses includes an estimate of anticipated title and title-related claims, and escrow losses.
The change in expenses attributable to our reportable segments is discussed in further detail at the segment level below.
Income tax expense was $192 million, $439 million, and $813 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Income tax expense as a percentage of earnings before income taxes was 27.7%, 25.4%, and 22.8% in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively. The increase in income tax expense as a percentage of earnings before taxes in 2023 as compared to 2022 is primarily attributable the non-recurring tax benefit in 2022 of realized capital losses carried back to 2017. The increase in income tax expense as a percentage of earnings before taxes in 2022 as compared to 2021 is primarily attributable to the recording of a valuation allowance in 2022, partially offset by the non-recurring tax benefit in 2022 of realized capital losses carried back to 2017.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, changes in market conditions, including changing interest rates, resulted in deferred tax assets related to the net unrealized capital losses in the Company’s investment portfolio. U.S. GAAP requires the evaluation of the recoverability of deferred tax assets and the establishment of a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce the deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
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When assessing the need for valuation allowance for the F&G segment on the unrealized capital loss deferred tax assets, F&G asserts a tax planning strategy to hold the vast majority of underlying securities to recovery or maturity. F&G’s ability to assert such a tax planning strategy is dependent upon factors such as F&G’s asset/liability matching process, overall investment strategy, projected future annuity product sales, and expected liquidity needs.
In the event these estimates differ from our prior estimates due to the receipt of new information, the Company may be required to significantly change the income tax expense recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements. This includes a further significant decline in value of assets incorporated into our tax planning strategies, which could lead to an increase of our valuation allowance on deferred tax assets having an adverse effect on current and future results.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has developed guidance known as the Global Anti-Base Erosion Pillar Two minimum tax rules, or Pillar Two, which generally provide for a minimum effective tax rate of 15% and are intended to apply to tax years beginning in 2024. The Company does not expect these rules to have a material impact on our income tax provision in 2024.
Title
The following table presents the results of operations of our Title segment for the years indicated:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct title insurance premiums | $ | 1,982 | $ | 2,858 | $ | 3,571 | ||||||||||||||
| Agency title insurance premiums | 2,610 | 3,976 | 4,982 | |||||||||||||||||
| Escrow, title-related and other fees | 2,117 | 2,502 | 3,228 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income | 338 | 213 | 109 | |||||||||||||||||
| Recognized gains and losses, net | (9) | (443) | (393) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,038 | 9,106 | 11,497 | |||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personnel costs | 2,544 | 2,987 | 3,292 | |||||||||||||||||
| Agent commissions | 2,008 | 3,064 | 3,821 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 1,242 | 1,515 | 1,725 | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 154 | 142 | 138 | |||||||||||||||||
| Provision for title claim losses | 207 | 308 | 385 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | 6,155 | 8,016 | 9,361 | |||||||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations, before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | $ | 883 | $ | 1,090 | $ | 2,136 | ||||||||||||||
| Orders opened by direct title operations (in thousands) | 1,230 | 1,594 | 2,689 | |||||||||||||||||
| Orders closed by direct title operations (in thousands) | 837 | 1,222 | 2,169 | |||||||||||||||||
| Fee per file by direct title operations (in dollars) | $ | 3,617 | $ | 3,381 | $ | 2,467 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenues for the Title segment decreased by $2,068 million, or 23%, in the year ended December 31, 2023, when compared to 2022. Total revenues for the Title segment decreased by $2,391 million, or 21%, in the year ended December 31, 2022, when compared to 2021. The decrease in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022 is primarily attributable to decreases in both our direct and agency premiums, decreases in escrow, title-related and other fees, partially offset by an increase in interest and investment income and a decrease in non-cash valuation losses on our equity and preferred investment holdings. The decrease in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021 is primarily attributable to decreases in both our direct and agency premiums, decreases in escrow, title-related and other fees and an increase in non-cash valuation losses on our equity and preferred investment holdings, partially offset by an increase in interest and investment income.
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The following table presents the percentages of title insurance premiums generated by our direct and agency operations:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title premiums from direct operations | $ | 1,982 | 43.2 | % | $ | 2,858 | 41.8 | % | $ | 3,571 | 41.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title premiums from agency operations | 2,610 | 56.8 | 3,976 | 58.2 | 4,982 | 58.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total title premiums | $ | 4,592 | 100.0 | % | $ | 6,834 | 100.0 | % | $ | 8,553 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Title premiums decreased by 33% in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in Title premiums from direct operations of $876 million, or 31%, and a decrease in Title premiums from agency operations of $1,366 million, or 34%. Title premiums decreased by 20% in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in Title premiums from direct operations of $713 million, or 20%, and a decrease in Title premiums from agency operations of $1,006 million, or 20%.
The following table presents the percentages of opened and closed title insurance orders generated by purchase and refinance transactions by our direct operations:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Opened title insurance orders from purchase transactions (1) | 78.9 | % | 71.1 | % | 48.9 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Opened title insurance orders from refinance transactions (1) | 21.1 | 28.9 | 51.1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Closed title insurance orders from purchase transactions (1) | 79.8 | % | 67.9 | % | 44.9 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Closed title insurance orders from refinance transactions (1) | 20.2 | 32.1 | 55.1 | |||||||||||||||||
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
_______________________________________
(1) Percentages exclude consideration of an immaterial number of non-purchase and non-refinance orders.
Title premiums from direct operations decreased in the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 as compared to 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decreases are primarily attributable to decreases in total closed order volume, partially offset by increases in fee per file. The decreases in closed our volume are primarily attributable to closed orders from refinance transactions. The residential refinance market has considerably lower fees per closed order than commercial or residential purchase transactions.
We experienced a decrease in closed title insurance order volumes from both purchase and refinance transactions in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022. Total closed order volumes were 837,000 in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 1,222,000 in the year ended December 31, 2022, an overall decrease of 32%. Total closed order volumes from refinance transactions, which have a lower fee per file than purchase transactions, were 156,000 in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 369,000 in the year ended December 31, 2022, an overall decrease of 57%. Total closed order volumes were 1,222,000 in the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2,169,000 in the year ended December 31, 2021, an overall decrease of 44%. Total closed order volumes from refinance transactions, which have a lower fee per file than purchase transactions, were 369,000 in the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 1,172,000 in the year ended December 31, 2021, an overall decrease of 69%. The decreases in both purchase and refinance transactions in 2023 and 2022 are primarily attributable to higher average mortgage interest rates in 2023 and 2022 as compared to 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Total opened title insurance order volumes decreased in the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, as compared to 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decreases in 2023 and 2022 were attributable to decreases in both opened title orders from purchase transactions and refinance transactions as compared to 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The average fee per file in our direct operations was $3,617 in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $3,381 in the year ended December 31, 2022. The average fee per file in our direct operations was $3,381 in the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $2,467 in the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in average fee per file in 2023 and 2022 as compared to 2022 and 2021, respectively, reflects an increased proportion of purchase transactions relative to total closed orders and a stable commercial market. The fee per file tends to change as the mix of refinance and purchase transactions
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changes, because purchase transactions involve the issuance of both a lender’s policy and an owner’s policy, resulting in higher fees, whereas refinance transactions only require a lender’s policy, resulting in lower fees.
Title premiums from agency operations decreased $1,366 million, or 34%, in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022, and decreased $1,006 million, or 20%, in the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to 2021. The current trends in the agency business reflect a softening residential purchase environment in many markets throughout the country and a dramatic decline in residential refinance transactions, consistent with trends in the direct business. In addition, in 2021, lower mortgage rates during those years resulted in a surge in refinance business with agents, which was further impacted by changes in underlying real estate activity in the geographic regions in which the independent agents operate.
Escrow, title-related and other fees decreased by $385 million, or 15%, in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022, and decreased by $726 million, or 22%, in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021. Escrow fees, which are more closely related to our direct operations, decreased by $214 million, or 22%, in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022, and decreased $414 million, or 30%, in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021. The decreases in the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 as compared to 2022 and 2021, respectively, are primarily due to the decreases in closed order volume including declines in residential refinance volume, which have relatively higher escrow fees than residential purchase and commercial transactions. Other fees in the Title segment, excluding escrow fees, decreased by $172 million, or 11%, in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022, and decreased $311 million, or 17%, in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021. The decrease in Other fees in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022 was primarily driven by decreases in revenues related to our ServiceLink and home warranty businesses and various other immaterial items. The decrease in Other fees in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021 was primarily driven by a decrease in revenues related to our ServiceLink business and decreases in various other immaterial items. The change in both escrow fees and other fees is directionally consistent with the change in title premiums from direct operations in 2023 and 2022.
Interest and investment income levels are primarily a function of securities markets, interest rates and the amount of cash available for investment. Interest and investment income increased $125 million, or 59%, in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022, and increased $104 million, or 95%, in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021. The increases in the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 as compared to 2022 and 2021, respectively, was primarily attributable to increased income from our tax-deferred property exchange business and higher yields on our short-term investments.
Recognized net losses were $9 million, $443 million, and $393 million in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. The variability in recognized gains and losses, net is primarily attributable to fluctuations in non-cash valuation changes on our equity and preferred security holdings in addition to various other individually immaterial items.
Personnel costs include base salaries, commissions, benefits, stock-based compensation and bonuses paid to employees, and are one of our most significant operating expenses. Personnel costs decreased $443 million, or 15%, in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022, and decreased $305 million, or 9% in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021. The decrease in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022 is primarily attributable to the decrease in average headcount in 2023 associated with the decline in closed order volume and decreases in bonuses and commissions associated with the declines in revenue and profitability. The decrease in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021 is primarily attributable to lower average head count in 2022 in response to the significant decline in refinance orders and declines in purchase and commercial orders in the second half of 2022, partially offset by an increase in the 401(k) match in 2022. Personnel costs as a percentage of total revenues from direct title premiums and escrow, title-related and other fees were 62%, 56% and 48% for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Average employee count in the Title segment was 21,398, 25,157, and 27,297 in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Other operating expenses decreased by $273 million, or 18%, in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022, and decreased $210 million, or 12%, in the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021. Other operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue excluding agency premiums, interest and investment income, and recognized gains and losses were 30%, 28% and 25% in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Agent commissions represent the portion of premiums retained by agents pursuant to the terms of their respective agency contracts. Agent commissions and the resulting percentage of agent premiums that we retain vary according to regional differences in real estate closing practices and state regulations.
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The following table illustrates the relationship of agent premiums and agent commissions:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agent premiums | $ | 2,610 | 100.0 | % | $ | 3,976 | 100.0 | % | $ | 4,982 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agent commissions | 2,008 | 76.9 | 3,064 | 77.1 | 3,821 | 76.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net retained agent premiums | $ | 602 | 23.1 | % | $ | 912 | 22.9 | % | $ | 1,161 | 23.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The claim loss provision for title insurance was $207 million, $308 million, and $385 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively. The provision reflects a provision rate of 4.5% of title premiums in all periods. We continually monitor and evaluate our loss provision level, actual claims paid, and the loss reserve position each quarter. This loss provision rate is set to provide for losses on current year policies, but due to development of prior years and our long claim duration, it periodically includes amounts of estimated adverse or positive development on prior years' policies.
F&G
Segment Overview
Through our majority owned F&G subsidiary, which we acquired on June 1, 2020, we provide our principal annuity and life insurance products through the insurance subsidiaries composing our F&G segment, FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance. Our customers range across a variety of age groups and are concentrated in the middle-income market. Our FIA products provide for pre-retirement wealth accumulation and post-retirement income management. Our IUL products provide wealth protection and transfer opportunities. Life and annuity products are primarily distributed through IMOs and independent insurance agents, and beginning in 2020, independent broker dealers and banks. Additionally, we provide funding agreements and PRT solutions to various institutions through consultants and brokers.
In setting the features and pricing of our flagship FIA products relative to our targeted net margin, we take into account our expectations regarding (1) the difference between the net investment income we earn and the sum of the interest credited to policyholders and the cost of hedging our risk on the policies; (2) fees, including surrender charges and rider fees, partly offset by vesting bonuses that we pay our policyholders; and (3) a number of related expenses, including benefits and changes in reserves, acquisition costs, and general and administrative expenses.
Key Components of Our Historical Results of Operations
Through our insurance subsidiaries, we issue a broad portfolio of deferred annuities (FIA and fixed rate annuities), IUL insurance, immediate annuities, funding agreements and PRT solutions. A deferred annuity is a type of contract that accumulates value on a tax deferred basis and typically begins making specified periodic or lump sum payments a certain number of years after the contract has been issued. IUL insurance is a complementary type of contract that accumulates value in a cash value account and provides a payment to designated beneficiaries upon the policyholder’s death. An immediate annuity is a type of contract that begins making specified payments within one annuity period (e.g., one month or one year) and typically makes payments of principal and interest earnings over a period of time. As defined by the Iowa Insurance Division, a funding agreement is an agreement for an insurer to accept and accumulate funds and to make one or more payments at future dates in amounts that are not based on mortality or morbidity contingencies of the person to whom the funding agreement is issued. In essence, funding agreement providers issue fixed maturity contracts with fixed or floating interest rates in exchange for a single upfront premium. Our PRT products are comparable to income annuities, as we generally receive a single, upfront premium in exchange for paying a guaranteed stream of future income payments, which are typically fixed in nature, but may vary in duration based on participant mortality experience.
Under GAAP, premium collections for deferred annuities (FIAs and fixed rate annuities), immediate annuities and PRT without life contingency, and deposits received for funding agreements are reported in the financial statements as deposit liabilities (i.e., contractholder funds) instead of as sales or revenues. Similarly, cash payments to customers are reported as decreases in the liability for contractholder funds and not as expenses. Sources of revenues for products accounted for as deposit liabilities are net investment income, surrender charges, cost of insurance and other charges deducted from contractholder funds (i.e., amortization of the Unearned Revenue Liability ("URL")), and net realized gains (losses) on investments. Components of expenses for products accounted for as deposit liabilities are interest-sensitive and index product
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benefits (primarily interest credited to account balances or the hedging cost of providing index credits to the policyholder), amortization of VOBA, DAC and DSI, and other operating costs and expenses.
F&G hedges certain portions of its exposure to product related equity market risk by entering into derivative transactions. We purchase derivatives consisting predominantly of call options and, to a lesser degree, futures contracts (specifically for FIA contracts) on the equity indices underlying the applicable policy. These derivatives are used to offset the reserve impact of the index credits due to policyholders under the FIA and IUL contracts. The majority of all such call options are one-year options purchased to match the funding requirements underlying the FIA/IUL contracts. We attempt to manage the cost of these purchases through the terms of our FIA/IUL contracts, which permit us to change caps, spread, or participation rates on each policy's annual anniversary, subject to certain guaranteed minimums that must be maintained. The call options and futures contracts are marked to fair value with the change in fair value included as a component of net investment gains (losses). The change in fair value of the call options and futures contracts includes the gains and losses recognized at the expiration of the instruments’ terms or upon early termination and the changes in fair value of open positions. In addition, to reduce market risks from interest rate changes on our earnings associated with our floating rate investments, during the year ended December 31, 2023, we have executed pay-float and receive-fixed interest rate swaps.
As noted above, MRBs are contracts or contract features that both provide protection to the contract holder from other-than-nominal capital market risk (equity, interest and foreign exchange risk) and expose the Company to other-than-nominal capital market risk. MRBs are measured at fair value using a risk neutral valuation method, which is based on current net amounts at risk, market data, internal and industry experience, and other factors. The change in fair value of MRBs generally reflects impacts from actual policyholder behavior (including surrenders of the benefit), changes in interest rates, and changes in equity market returns. Generally higher interest rates and equity returns result in gains whereas lower interest rates and equity returns result in losses.
Earnings from products accounted for as deposit liabilities are primarily generated from the excess of net investment income earned over the sum of interest credited to policyholders and the cost of hedging our risk on FIA/IUL policies. With respect to FIAs/IULs, which includes the expenses incurred to fund the index credits. Proceeds received upon expiration or early termination of call options purchased to fund annual index credits are recorded as part of the change in fair value of derivatives and are largely offset by an expense for index credits earned on annuity contractholder fund balances.
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F&G Results of Operations
The results of operations of our F&G segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, were as follows:
| Year ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance premiums and other fees | $ | 2,413 | $ | 1,704 | $ | 1,407 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income | 2,211 | 1,655 | 1,852 | |||||||||||||||||
| Recognized gains and (losses), net | (124) | (1,010) | 715 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 4,500 | 2,349 | 3,974 | |||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and other changes in policy reserves | 3,553 | 1,126 | 1,932 | |||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefit (gains) losses | 95 | (182) | (44) | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 412 | 324 | 271 | |||||||||||||||||
| Personnel costs | 232 | 157 | 129 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 146 | 102 | 105 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 97 | 29 | 29 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total benefits and expenses | 4,535 | 1,556 | 2,422 | |||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes | (35) | 793 | 1,552 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 23 | 158 | 320 | |||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (58) | $ | 635 | $ | 1,232 | ||||||||||||||
| Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax | — | — | 8 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | $ | (58) | $ | 635 | $ | 1,240 | ||||||||||||||
Revenues
Life insurance premiums and other fees
Life insurance premiums and other fees primarily reflect premiums on life-contingent PRTs and traditional life insurance products, which are recognized as revenue when due from the policyholder, as well as policy rider fees primarily on FIA policies, the cost of insurance on IUL policies and surrender charges assessed against policy withdrawals in excess of the policyholder's allowable penalty-free amounts (up to 10% of the prior year's value, subject to certain limitations). The following table summarizes the Life insurance premiums and other fees, on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the respective periods:
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Life-contingent pension risk transfer premiums | $ | 1,964 | $ | 1,362 | $ | 1,147 | |||||||||||
| Traditional life insurance premiums | 19 | 15 | 18 | ||||||||||||||
| Life-contingent immediate annuity premiums | 24 | 18 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| Surrender charges | 103 | 58 | 33 | ||||||||||||||
| Policyholder fees and other income | 303 | 251 | 196 | ||||||||||||||
| Life insurance premiums and other fees | $ | 2,413 | $ | 1,704 | $ | 1,407 | |||||||||||
•Life-contingent pension risk transfer premiums increased for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, reflecting higher PRT sales.
•Surrender charges increased for the years ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, primarily reflecting increases in withdrawals from policyholders with surrender changes and market value adjustments (MVAs), primarily on our FIA policies.
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•Policyholder fees and other income increased for the years ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, primarily due to increased GMWB rider fees and cost of insurance charges, net of changes in URL on IUL policies from growth in business. GMWB rider fees are based on the policyholder's benefit base and are collected at the end of the policy year.
Interest and investment income
Below is a summary of interest and investment income:
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | $ | 1,843 | $ | 1,431 | $ | 1,213 | |||||||||||
| Equity securities | 20 | 17 | 11 | ||||||||||||||
| Preferred securities | 41 | 49 | 47 | ||||||||||||||
| Mortgage loans | 229 | 186 | 131 | ||||||||||||||
| Invested cash and short-term investments | 76 | 33 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| Limited partnerships | 229 | 110 | 589 | ||||||||||||||
| Other investments | 27 | 20 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross investment income | 2,465 | 1,846 | 2,015 | ||||||||||||||
| Investment expense | (254) | (191) | (163) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income | $ | 2,211 | $ | 1,655 | $ | 1,852 | |||||||||||
Interest and investment income is shown net of amounts attributable to certain funds withheld reinsurance agreements, which is passed along to the reinsurer in accordance with the terms of these agreements. Interest and investment income attributable to these agreements, and thus excluded from the totals in the table above, was $339 million, $109 million and $53 million, for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively.
Recognized gains and (losses), net
Below is a summary of the major components included in recognized gains and losses, net:
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, equity securities and other invested assets | $ | (111) | $ | (461) | $ | 57 | |||||||||||
| Change in allowance for expected credit losses | (37) | (34) | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on certain derivatives instruments | 147 | (857) | 615 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivatives | (128) | 352 | 34 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of other derivatives and embedded derivatives | 5 | (10) | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Recognized gains and (losses), net | $ | (124) | $ | (1,010) | $ | 715 | |||||||||||
Recognized gains and losses are shown net of amounts attributable to certain funds withheld reinsurance agreements, which is passed along to the reinsurer in accordance with the terms of these agreements. Recognized gains and losses attributable to these agreements, and thus excluded from the totals in the table above, was $(123) million, $381 million and $15 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively.
•For the year ended December 31, 2023, net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, equity securities and other invested assets is primarily the result of realized losses on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, partially offset by mark-to-market gains on our equity securities and realized gains on other invested assets.
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•For the year ended December 31, 2022, net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, equity securities and other invested assets is primarily the result of realized losses on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities and mark-to-market losses on our equity securities.
•For the year ended December 31, 2021, net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, equity securities and other invested assets is primarily the result of realized gains on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, partially offset by mark-to-market losses on our equity securities.
•For all periods, net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on certain derivative instruments primarily relate to the net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on options and futures used to hedge FIA and IUL products, including gains on option and futures expiration and changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps. See the table below for primary drivers of gains (losses) on certain derivatives.
•The fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivative is based on the change in fair value of the underlying assets held in the funds withheld portfolio.
We utilize a combination of static (call options) and dynamic (long futures contracts) instruments in our product hedging strategy. A substantial portion of the call options and futures contracts are based upon the S&P 500 Index with the remainder based upon other equity, bond and gold market indices.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we began to utilize interest rate swaps to reduce market risks from interest rate changes on our earnings associated with our floating rate investments.
The components of the realized and unrealized gains (losses) on certain derivative instruments hedging our indexed annuity, universal life products and floating rate investments are summarized in the table below (dollars in millions):
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Call options: | |||||||||||||||||
| Realized (losses) gains | $ | (216) | $ | (170) | $ | 437 | |||||||||||
| Change in unrealized (losses) gains | 308 | (692) | 160 | ||||||||||||||
| Futures contracts: | |||||||||||||||||
| (Losses) gains on futures contracts expiration | 7 | (6) | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized gains (losses) | 2 | (1) | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | 48 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency forward: | |||||||||||||||||
| Gains on foreign currency forward | (2) | 11 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| Total net change in fair value | $ | 147 | $ | (858) | $ | 615 | |||||||||||
| Annual Point-to-Point Change in S&P 500 Index during the periods | 24 | % | (19) | % | 27 | % | |||||||||||
| Secured Overnight Financing Rates | 5.38 | % | 4.30 | % | 0.05 | % | |||||||||||
•Realized gains and losses on certain derivative instruments are directly correlated to the performance of the indices upon which the call options and futures contracts are based and the value of the derivatives at the time of expiration compared to the value at the time of purchase. Gains (losses) on option expiration reflect the movement during each period on options settled during the respective period.
•The change in unrealized gains (losses) due to fair value of call options is primarily driven by the underlying performance of the S&P 500 Index during each respective period relative to the S&P 500 Index on the policyholder buy dates.
•The net change in fair value of the call options and futures contracts was primarily driven by movements in the S&P 500 Index relative to the policyholder buy dates.
•The net change in fair value of the interest rate swaps was primarily driven by fluctuations in the interest rate index underlying the swap contracts.
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The average index credits to policyholders are as follows:
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Average Crediting Rate | 1 | % | 1 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| S&P 500 Index: | |||||||||||||||||
| Point-to-point strategy | 2 | % | 1 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||
| Monthly average strategy | 1 | % | 2 | % | 3 | % | |||||||||||
| Monthly point-to-point strategy | — | % | — | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||
| 3 year high water mark | 8 | % | 13 | % | 16 | % | |||||||||||
•Actual amounts credited to contractholder fund balances may differ from the index appreciation due to contractual features in the FIA contracts and certain IUL contracts (caps, spreads and participation rates), which allow us to manage the cost of the options purchased to fund the annual index credits.
•The credits for the periods presented were based on comparing the S&P 500 Index on each issue date in the period to the same issue date in the respective prior year periods.
Benefits and expenses
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves
Below is a summary of the major components included in Benefits and other changes in policy reserves:
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| PRT agreements | $ | 2,016 | $ | 1,399 | $ | 1,161 | |||||||||||
| FIA/IUL market related liability movements | 588 | (1,010) | (377) | ||||||||||||||
| Index credits, interest credited & bonuses | 831 | 593 | 1,019 | ||||||||||||||
| Other changes in policy reserves | 118 | 144 | 129 | ||||||||||||||
| Total benefits and other changes in policy reserves | $ | 3,553 | $ | 1,126 | $ | 1,932 | |||||||||||
•PRT agreements increased for the years ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, reflecting higher pension risk transfer group annuity obligations.
•The FIA/IUL market related liability movements for all periods presented are mainly driven by changes in the equity markets, non-performance spreads, and risk-free rates during the respective periods. The change in risk free rates and non-performance spreads (decreased) increased the FIA market related liability by $106 million, $(656) million and $(74) million during the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively. The remaining change in market value of the market related liability movements was driven by equity market impacts. See “Revenues - Recognized gains and (losses), net” above for summary and discussion of net unrealized gains (losses) on certain derivative instruments.
•Annually, typically in the third quarter, we review assumptions associated with reserves for policy benefits and product guarantees.
•During the third quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2023, based on increases in interest rates and pricing changes, we updated certain FIA assumptions used to calculate the fair value of the embedded derivative component within contractholder funds and also aligned reserves to actual policyholder behavior. These changes, taken together, resulted in an increase in total benefits and other changes in policy reserves of approximately $73 million.
•During the fourth quarter of 2022, based on increases in interest rates and pricing changes during 2022, we updated certain FIA assumptions used to calculate the fair value of the embedded derivative component within contractholder funds and the fair value of market risk benefits. These changes, taken together, resulted in an increase in contractholder funds and market risk benefits of approximately $99 million.
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•During the third quarter of 2021, we implemented a new actuarial valuation system, and as a result, our third quarter 2021 assumption updates include model refinements and assumption updates resulting from the implementation. The system implementation and assumption review process included refinements in the calculation of the fair value of the embedded derivative component of our fixed indexed annuities. These changes, taken together, resulted in a decrease in contractholder funds and future policy reserves of approximately $435 million.
•Index credits, interest credited & bonuses for the year ended December 31, 2023, were higher compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily reflecting higher index credits and interest credited on FIA and other policies as a result of market movement during the respective periods and higher interest credited associated with the growth in PRT agreements. Index credits, interest credited & bonuses for the year ended December 31, 2022, were lower compared with the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily reflecting lower index credits on FIA policies as a result of market movement during the respective periods. Refer to average policyholder index discussion above for details on drivers.
Market risk benefit (gains) losses
Below is a summary of market risk benefit (gains) losses (in millions):
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefit (gains) losses | $ | 95 | $ | (182) | $ | (44) | |||||||||||
•Market risk benefits (gains) losses is primarily driven by attributed fees collected, effects of market related movements (including changes in equity markets and risk-free rates), actual policyholder behavior as compared with expected and changes in assumptions during the periods.
▪Changes in market risk benefit (gains) losses for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily reflect less favorable market related movements, a favorable GMWB utilization assumption change in 2022 (that did not recur in 2023) and higher attributed fees. These changes were partially offset by actual policyholder behavior for the year ended December 31, 2023, being more in line with expected, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, resulting in a favorable change to the market risk benefit (gains) losses.
▪Market risk benefit gains increased for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared with the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily reflecting favorable market related movements, primarily higher increases in risk free rates. In addition, the favorable impact of a GMWB utilization assumption change in 2022 was mostly offset by unfavorable impacts of actual policyholder behavior differing from expected when comparing the year ended December 31, 2022, with the year ended December 31, 2021.
Depreciation and amortization
Below is a summary of the major components included in depreciation and amortization:
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of VOBA, DAC and DSI | $ | 382 | $ | 300 | $ | 255 | |||||||||||
| Amortization of other intangible assets and other depreciation | 30 | 24 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| Total depreciation and amortization | $ | 412 | $ | 324 | $ | 271 | |||||||||||
•DAC, VOBA and DSI are amortized on a constant level basis for the grouped contracts over the expected term of the related contracts to approximate straight-line amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased for the years ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, primarily reflecting increased DAC and DSI associated with the growth of the business. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2023, also reflects a slightly increased
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amortization rate on some DAC and DSI balances due to updates to the surrender and mortality assumptions for the FIA and fixed-rate annuity blocks.
Personnel costs and other operating expenses
Below is a summary of personnel costs and other operating expenses (in millions):
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Personnel costs | $ | 232 | $ | 157 | $ | 129 | |||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 146 | 102 | 105 | ||||||||||||||
| Total personnel costs and other operating costs | $ | 378 | $ | 259 | $ | 234 | |||||||||||
•Personnel costs and other operating expenses increased for the years ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, primarily reflecting headcount growth to support higher sales and assets volumes and strategic growth capabilities.
Interest expense
Below is a summary of interest expense (in millions):
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 97 | $ | 29 | $ | 29 | |||||||||||
| Total interest expense | 97 | 29 | 29 | ||||||||||||||
•Interest expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily reflecting a full year of interest on the F&G revolving credit facility and the issuance of the 7.40% F&G Notes in January of 2023.
Other items affecting net earnings
Income tax expense (benefit)
Below is a summary of the major components included in income tax expense (benefit):
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before taxes | $ | (35) | $ | 793 | $ | 1,552 | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) before valuation allowance | (12) | 131 | 338 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in valuation allowance | 35 | 27 | (18) | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 23 | $ | 158 | $ | 320 | |||||||||||
| Effective rate | (66) | % | 20 | % | 21 | % | |||||||||||
•The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2023, was $23 million compared to income tax expense of $158 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The effective tax rate was (66)% and 20%, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023, differs from the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to a tax valuation allowance expense recorded on unrealized losses and capital loss carryforwards. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022, differs from the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to favorable permanent tax adjustments.
•The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2021, was $320 million. The effective tax rate was 21% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
•See Note T Income Taxes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
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Investment Portfolio
The types of assets in which we may invest are influenced by various state laws, which prescribe qualified investment assets applicable to insurance companies. Within the parameters of these laws, we invest in assets giving consideration to four primary investment objectives: (i) maintain robust absolute returns; (ii) provide reliable yield and investment income; (iii) preserve capital and (iv) provide liquidity to meet policyholder and other corporate obligations.
Our investment portfolio is designed to contribute stable earnings, excluding short-term mark-to-market effects, and balance risk across diverse asset classes and is primarily invested in high quality fixed income securities.
As of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the fair value of our investment portfolio was approximately $52 billion and $41 billion, respectively, and was divided among the following asset classes and sectors:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Percent | Fair Value | Percent | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States Government full faith and credit | $ | 261 | 1 | % | $ | 32 | — | % | |||||||||||||||
| United States Government sponsored entities | 31 | — | % | 42 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| United States municipalities, states and territories | 1,567 | 3 | % | 1,410 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Governments | 226 | — | % | 148 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6,895 | 13 | % | 5,085 | 12 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturing, construction and mining | 947 | 2 | % | 737 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Utilities, energy and related sectors | 2,374 | 5 | % | 2,275 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Wholesale/retail trade | 2,433 | 5 | % | 2,008 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Services, media and other | 3,930 | 8 | % | 2,794 | 7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Hybrid securities | 618 | 1 | % | 705 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities | 2,393 | 5 | % | 1,479 | 4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 4,410 | 9 | % | 3,036 | 7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | 8,929 | 17 | % | 7,245 | 18 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Collateral loan obligations ("CLO") | 5,405 | 10 | % | 4,222 | 10 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturity available for sale securities | $ | 40,419 | 79 | % | $ | 31,218 | 76 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Equity securities (a) | 606 | 1 | % | 823 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Limited partnerships: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Private equity | 1,277 | 2 | % | 1,129 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Real assets | 463 | 1 | % | 431 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Credit | 1,039 | 2 | % | 867 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Limited partnerships | $ | 2,779 | 5 | % | $ | 2,427 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage loans | 2,253 | 4 | % | 2,083 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage loans | 2,545 | 5 | % | 1,892 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Other (primarily derivatives and company owned life insurance) | 1,697 | 3 | % | 809 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Short term investments | 1,452 | 3 | % | 1,556 | 4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total investments | $ | 51,751 | 100 | % | $ | 40,808 | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||
(a) Includes investment grade non-redeemable preferred stocks ($428 million and $672 million at December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively).
Insurance statutes regulate the type of investments that our life insurance subsidiaries are permitted to make and limit the amount of funds that may be used for any one type of investment. In light of these statutes and regulations, and our business and investment strategy, we generally seek to invest in primarily high-grade fixed-income assets across a wide range of sectors, including Corporate securities, U.S. Government and government-sponsored agency securities, and Structured securities, among others.
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The NAIC’s Securities Valuation Office (“SVO”) is responsible for the day-to-day credit quality assessment and valuation of securities owned by state regulated insurance companies. Insurance companies report ownership of securities to the SVO when such securities are eligible for regulatory filings. The SVO conducts credit analysis on these securities for the purpose of assigning an NAIC designation or unit price. Typically, if a security has been rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”), the SVO utilizes that rating and assigns an NAIC designation based upon the NAIC published comparison of NRSRO ratings to NAIC designations.
The NAIC determines ratings for non-agency Residential Mortgage-backed Securities (“RMBS”) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) using modeling that estimates security level expected losses under a variety of economic scenarios. For such assets issued prior to January 1, 2013, an insurer’s amortized cost basis in applicable assets can impact the assigned rating. In the tables below, we present the rating of structured securities based on ratings from the NAIC rating methodologies described above (which in some cases do not correspond to rating agency designations). All NAIC designations (e.g., NAIC 1-6) are based on the NAIC methodologies.
The following table summarizes the credit quality by NRSRO rating, or NAIC designation equivalent, of our fixed income portfolio (dollars in millions) at December 31, 2023, and 2022:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NRSRO Rating | NAIC Designation | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Fair Value Percent | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Fair Value Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AAA/AA/A | 1 | $ | 28,052 | $ | 26,170 | 65 | % | $ | 21,294 | $ | 18,681 | 60 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB | 2 | 13,421 | 12,302 | 30 | % | 12,422 | 10,737 | 34 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BB | 3 | 1,633 | 1,554 | 4 | % | 1,588 | 1,425 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B | 4 | 268 | 215 | 1 | % | 259 | 236 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CCC | 5 | 103 | 72 | — | % | 87 | 67 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CC and lower | 6 | 124 | 106 | — | % | 73 | 72 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 43,601 | $ | 40,419 | 100 | % | $ | 35,723 | $ | 31,218 | 100 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment Concentrations
The tables below present the top ten structured security and industry categories of our fixed maturity and equity securities including the fair value and percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities fair value as of December 31, 2023, and 2022 (dollars in millions). Effective January 1, 2023, we updated our industry classifications as a result of a change in our investment accounting software and related service providers. Our investment strategy has remained consistent and our portfolio mix has not materially changed. The December 31, 2022, table was updated to reflect a consistent presentation with the December 31, 2023, classifications:
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| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Top 10 Concentrations | Fair Value (In millions) | Percent of Total Fair Value | ||||||||||||
| ABS Other | $ | 8,929 | 22 | % | ||||||||||
| CLO securities | 5,405 | 13 | % | |||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 4,410 | 11 | % | |||||||||||
| Diversified financial services | 3,272 | 8 | % | |||||||||||
| Banking | 2,048 | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Whole loan collateralized mortgage obligation | 2,043 | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Municipal | 1,600 | 4 | % | |||||||||||
| Insurance | 1,567 | 4 | % | |||||||||||
| Electric | 1,086 | 3 | % | |||||||||||
| Telecommunications | 696 | 2 | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 31,056 | 77 | % | ||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Top 10 Concentrations | Fair Value (In millions) | Percent of Total Fair Value | ||||||||||||
| ABS Other | $ | 7,359 | 23 | % | ||||||||||
| CLO securities | 3,856 | 12 | % | |||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 3,399 | 11 | % | |||||||||||
| Diversified financial services | 2,620 | 8 | % | |||||||||||
| Banking | 1,850 | 6 | % | |||||||||||
| Insurance | 1,545 | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Municipal | 1,428 | 4 | % | |||||||||||
| Whole loan collateralized mortgage obligations | 1,278 | 4 | % | |||||||||||
| Electric | 1,014 | 3 | % | |||||||||||
| Telecommunications | 547 | 2 | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 24,896 | 78 | % | ||||||||||
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity AFS securities by contractual maturities as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate, Non-structured Hybrids, Municipal and U.S. Government securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due in one year or less | $ | 383 | $ | 374 | $ | 124 | $ | 123 | |||||||||||||||
| Due after one year through five years | 3,207 | 3,129 | 2,193 | 2,059 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Due after five years through ten years | 2,822 | 2,680 | 1,840 | 1,633 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Due after ten years | 15,333 | 13,068 | 14,417 | 11,379 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | $ | 21,745 | $ | 19,251 | $ | 18,574 | $ | 15,194 | |||||||||||||||
| Other securities, which provide for periodic payments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | 14,623 | $ | 14,334 | $ | 12,209 | $ | 11,467 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 4,732 | 4,410 | 3,309 | 3,036 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 2,501 | 2,424 | 1,631 | 1,521 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | $ | 21,856 | $ | 21,168 | $ | 17,149 | $ | 16,024 | |||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities | $ | 43,601 | $ | 40,419 | $ | 35,723 | $ | 31,218 | |||||||||||||||
Non-Agency RMBS Exposure
Our investment in non-agency RMBS securities is predicated on the conservative and adequate cushion between purchase price and NAIC 1 rating, general lack of sensitivity to interest rates, positive convexity to prepayment rates and correlation between the price of the securities and the unfolding recovery of the housing market.
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The fair value of our investments in subprime securities and Alt-A RMBS securities were $33 million and $49 million as of December 31, 2023, respectively, and $40 million and $54 million as of December 31, 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, approximately 95% and 91%, respectively, of the subprime and Alt-A RMBS exposures were rated NAIC 2 or higher.
ABS and CLO Exposures
Our ABS exposures are largely diversified by underlying collateral and issuer type. Our CLO exposures are generally senior tranches of CLOs which have leveraged loans as their underlying collateral.
As of December 31, 2023, the CLO and ABS positions were trading at a net unrealized gain position of $65 million and a net unrealized loss of $344 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, the CLO and ABS positions were trading at a net unrealized loss position of $236 million and $499 million, respectively.
The following table summarizes the credit quality by NRSRO rating, or NAIC designation equivalent, of our AFS ABS portfolio (dollars in millions) at December 31, 2023, and 2022.
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Percent | Fair Value | Percent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NRSRO Rating | NAIC Designation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AAA/AA/A | 1 | $ | 7,023 | 79% | $ | 5,570 | 77% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB | 2 | 1,375 | 15% | 1,232 | 17% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BB | 3 | 418 | 5% | 344 | 5% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B | 4 | 59 | 1% | 72 | 1% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CCC | 5 | 13 | —% | 9 | —% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CC and lower | 6 | 41 | —% | 18 | —% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 8,929 | 100% | $ | 7,245 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the credit quality by NRSRO rating, or NAIC designation equivalent, of our AFS CLO portfolio (dollars in millions) at December 31, 2023, and 2022.
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Percent | Fair Value | Percent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NRSRO Rating | NAIC Designation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AAA/AA/A | 1 | $ | 3,288 | 61% | $ | 2,678 | 64% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| BBB | 2 | 1,582 | 29% | 1,225 | 29% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BB | 3 | 480 | 9% | 256 | 6% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B | 4 | 17 | —% | 19 | —% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CCC | 5 | — | —% | 9 | —% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CC and lower | 6 | 38 | 1% | 35 | 1% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 5,405 | 100% | $ | 4,222 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Our municipal bond exposure is a combination of general obligation bonds (fair value of $231 million and $188 million and an amortized cost of $268 million and $231 million as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively) and special revenue bonds (fair value of $1,334 million and $1,017 million and an amortized cost of $1,506 million and $1,248 million as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively).
Across all municipal bonds, the largest issuer represented 5% and 6% of the category as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively, with less than 1% of the entire portfolio and is rated NAIC 1. Our focus within municipal bonds is on NAIC 1 rated instruments, with 98% and 96% of our municipal bond exposure rated NAIC 1 as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.
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Mortgage Loans
Commercial Mortgage Loans
We diversify our CMLs portfolio by geographic region and property type to attempt to reduce concentration risk. We continuously evaluate CMLs based on relevant current information to ensure properties are performing at a level to secure the related debt. Loan-to-value ("LTV") and debt-service coverage ("DSC") ratios are utilized to assess the risk and quality of CMLs. As of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, our mortgage loans on real estate portfolio had a weighted average DSC ratio of 2.3 times and 2.3 times, respectively, and a weighted average LTV ratio of 55% and 57%, respectively.
We consider a CML delinquent when a loan payment is greater than 30 days past due. For mortgage loans that are determined to require foreclosure, the carrying value is reduced to the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of estimated costs to obtain and sell at the point of foreclosure. At December 31, 2023, and 2022, we had no CMLs that were delinquent in principal or interest payments and none in the process of foreclosure. See Note E Investments to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for additional information on our CMLs, including our distribution by property type, geographic region, LTV and DSC ratios.
Residential Mortgage Loans
Our residential mortgage loans are closed end, amortizing loans and 100% of the properties are in the United States. We diversify our RML portfolio by state to attempt to reduce concentration risk. RMLs have a primary credit quality indicator of either a performing or nonperforming loan. We define nonperforming RMLs as those that are 90 or more days past due and/or in nonaccrual status.
Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when they are over 90 days delinquent. If a loan becomes over 90 days delinquent, it is our general policy to initiate foreclosure proceedings unless a workout arrangement to bring the loan current can be put in place. See Note E Investments to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for additional information on our RMLs.
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Unrealized Losses
The amortized cost and fair value of the fixed maturity securities and the equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, were as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Securities | Amortized Cost | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale: | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States Government full faith and credit | 8 | $ | 15 | $ | — | $ | (1) | $ | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| United States Government sponsored agencies | 56 | 30 | — | (3) | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States municipalities, states and territories | 180 | 1,498 | — | (222) | 1,276 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Governments | 50 | 209 | — | (39) | 170 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 637 | 5,529 | — | (690) | 4,839 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturing, construction and mining | 117 | 965 | — | (135) | 830 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utilities, energy and related sectors | 316 | 2,402 | — | (471) | 1,931 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wholesale/retail trade | 332 | 2,165 | — | (397) | 1,768 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Services, media and other | 401 | 3,370 | — | (686) | 2,684 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hybrid securities | 36 | 597 | — | (53) | 544 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities | 244 | 1,118 | (2) | (101) | 1,015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 435 | 3,198 | (22) | (323) | 2,853 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | 800 | 8,078 | (9) | (470) | 7,599 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturity available for sale securities | 3,612 | 29,174 | (33) | (3,591) | 25,550 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 41 | 567 | — | (100) | 467 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total investments | 3,653 | $ | 29,741 | $ | (33) | $ | (3,691) | $ | 26,017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Securities | Amortized Cost | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available for sale: | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States Government full faith and credit | 6 | $ | 34 | $ | — | $ | (2) | $ | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| United States Government sponsored agencies | 58 | 39 | — | (4) | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States municipalities, states and territories | 167 | 1,590 | — | (289) | 1,301 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Governments | 44 | 169 | — | (37) | 132 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 526 | 5,586 | (15) | (876) | 4,695 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturing, construction and mining | 120 | 850 | — | (160) | 690 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utilities, energy and related sectors | 333 | 2,825 | — | (644) | 2,181 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wholesale/retail trade | 316 | 2,418 | — | (532) | 1,886 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Services, media and other | 360 | 3,354 | — | (783) | 2,571 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hybrid securities | 43 | 706 | — | (84) | 622 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities | 241 | 1,353 | (5) | (105) | 1,243 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 365 | 2,850 | — | (284) | 2,566 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | 1,147 | 11,511 | (1) | (770) | 10,740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturity available for sale securities | 3,726 | 33,285 | (21) | (4,570) | 28,694 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 59 | 879 | — | (174) | 705 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total investments | 3,785 | $ | 34,164 | $ | (21) | $ | (4,744) | $ | 29,399 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The gross unrealized loss position on the fixed maturity available-for-sale fixed and equity portfolio was $3,691 million and $4,744 million as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. Most components of the portfolio exhibited price depreciation caused by higher treasury rates and wider spreads. The total amortized cost of all securities in an unrealized loss position was $29,741 million and $34,164 million as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. The average market value/book value of the investment category with the largest unrealized loss position was 88% for finance, insurance and real estate as of December 31, 2023. In the aggregate, finance, insurance and real estate represented 19% of the total unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2023. The average market value/book value of the investment category with the largest unrealized loss position was 84% for finance, insurance and real estate as of December 31, 2022. In aggregate, finance, insurance and real estate represented 18% of the total unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2022.
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity available for sale securities under watch list analysis and the number of months in a loss position with investment grade securities (NRSRO rating of BBB/Baa or higher) as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, were as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Securities | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Allowance for Credit Loss | Gross Unrealized Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment grade: | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than six months | 1 | $ | 15 | $ | 14 | $ | — | $ | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Six months or more and less than twelve months | 1 | 54 | 44 | — | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Twelve months or greater | 47 | 634 | 444 | — | (190) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total investment grade | 49 | 703 | 502 | — | (201) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Below investment grade: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than six months | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six months or more and less than twelve months | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Twelve months or greater | 3 | 19 | 15 | — | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total below investment grade | 3 | 19 | 15 | — | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 52 | $ | 722 | $ | 517 | $ | — | $ | (205) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Securities | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Allowance for Credit Loss | Gross Unrealized Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment grade: | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than six months | 6 | $ | 5 | $ | 3 | $ | — | $ | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Six months or more and less than twelve months | 49 | 299 | 200 | — | (99) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Twelve months or greater | 76 | 969 | 634 | — | (335) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total investment grade | 131 | 1,273 | 837 | — | (436) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Below investment grade: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than six months | 1 | 32 | 13 | 15 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six months or more and less than twelve months | 12 | 124 | 94 | — | (30) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Twelve months or greater | 2 | 6 | 4 | — | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total below investment grade | 15 | 162 | 111 | 15 | (36) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 146 | $ | 1,435 | $ | 948 | $ | 15 | $ | (472) | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Expected Credit Losses and Watch List
F&G prepares a watch list to identify securities to evaluate for expected credit losses. Factors used in preparing the watch list include fair values relative to amortized cost, ratings and negative ratings actions and other factors. Detailed analysis is performed for each security on the watch list to further assess the presence of credit impairment loss indicators and, where present, calculate an allowance for expected credit loss or direct write-down of a security’s amortized cost.
At December 31, 2023, our watch list included 52 securities in an unrealized loss position with an amortized cost of $722 million, no allowance for expected credit losses, unrealized losses of $205 million and a fair value of $517 million.
At December 31, 2022, our watch list included 146 securities in an unrealized loss position with an amortized cost of $1,435 million, allowance for expected credit losses of $15 million, unrealized losses of $472 million and a fair value of $948 million.
The watch list excludes structured securities as we have separate processes to evaluate the credit quality on the structured securities.
There were 101 and 64 structured securities with a fair value of $316 million and $162 million, respectively, to which we had potential credit exposure as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. Our analysis of these structured securities, which included cash flow testing, resulted in allowances for expected credit losses of $35 million and $16 million as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Exposure to Sovereign Debt and Certain Other Exposures
Our investment portfolio had an immaterial amount of direct exposure to European sovereign debt as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. We have no exposure to investments in Russia or Ukraine and de minimis investments in peripheral countries in the region.
Interest and Investment Income
For discussion regarding our net investment income and net investment gains (losses) refer to Note E Investments to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report.
AFS Securities
For additional information regarding our AFS securities, including the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains (losses), and fair value as well as the amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity AFS securities by contractual maturities, as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, refer to Note E Investments to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report.
Concentrations of Financial Instruments
For detail regarding our concentration of financial instruments refer to Item 7A. of Part II of this Annual Report.
Derivatives
We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by our counterparties on derivative instruments. We attempt to reduce this credit risk by purchasing such derivative instruments from large, well-established financial institutions.
We also hold cash and cash equivalents received from counterparties for derivative instrument collateral, as well as U.S. Government securities pledged as derivative instrument collateral, if our counterparty’s net exposures exceed pre-determined thresholds.
We are required to pay counterparties the effective federal funds rate each day for cash collateral posted to F&G for daily mark to market margin changes. We reduce the negative interest cost associated with cash collateral posted from counterparties under various ISDA agreements by reinvesting derivative cash collateral. This program permits collateral cash received to be invested in short term Treasury securities, bank deposits and commercial paper rated A1/P1, which are included in Cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
See Note F Derivative Financial Instruments to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for additional information regarding our derivatives and our exposure to credit loss on call options.
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Corporate and Other
The Corporate and Other segment consists of the operations of the parent holding company, our various real estate brokerage businesses and our real estate technology subsidiaries. This segment also includes certain other unallocated corporate overhead expenses and eliminations of revenues and expenses between it and our Title segment.
The following table presents the results of operations of our Corporate and Other segment for the years indicated:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Escrow, title-related and other fees | $ | 187 | $ | 127 | $ | 172 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income | 58 | 23 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Recognized gains and losses, net | (31) | (40) | 12 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 214 | 110 | 184 | |||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personnel costs | 132 | 48 | 107 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 133 | 104 | 99 | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 27 | 25 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 77 | 86 | 85 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | 369 | 263 | 314 | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss from continuing operations, before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | $ | (155) | $ | (153) | $ | (130) | ||||||||||||||
The revenue in the Corporate and Other segment for all years represents revenue generated by our non-title real estate technology and brokerage subsidiaries as well as mark-to-market valuation changes on certain corporate deferred compensation plans.
Total revenues in the Corporate and Other segment increased $104 million, or 95% in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022, and decreased $74 million, or 40%, in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021. The increase in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022 is primarily attributable to a $71 million increase in valuations associated with our deferred compensation plan assets, which increased both revenue and personnel costs, a $35 million increase in interest and investment income related to cash and short-term investments, and a $33 million impairment of cost method investments in 2023 as compared to a $41 million impairment of cost method investments in 2022, partially offset by various other immaterial items. The decrease in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021 is primarily attributable to a $59 million decrease in valuations associated with our deferred compensation plan assets, which decreased both revenue and personnel costs and a $41 million impairment of cost method investments in 2022, partially offset by various other immaterial items.
Personnel costs in the Corporate and Other segment increased $84 million, or 175% in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022, and decreased $59 million, or 55%, in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021. The increase in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022 is primarily attributable to the aforementioned increase in the valuation of deferred compensation plan assets in 2023. The decrease in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021 is primarily attributable to the aforementioned decrease in the valuation of deferred compensation plan assets in 2022.
Other operating expenses in the Corporate and Other segment increased $29 million, or 28%, in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022, and increased $5 million, or 5% in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021. The increase in 2023 as compared to 2022 is attributable to various immaterial items.
Interest expense decreased $9 million, or 10%, in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022, and increased $1 million, or 1%, in the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to 2021. The decrease in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 2022 is primarily attributable to decreased average debt outstanding in 2023 associated with repayment of the $400 million in outstanding principal of our 5.50% Senior Notes in September of 2022.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Requirements. Our current cash requirements include personnel costs, operating expenses, claim payments, taxes, payments of interest and principal on our debt, capital expenditures, business acquisitions, stock repurchases and dividends on our common stock. We paid dividends of $1.83 per share in 2023, or approximately $500 million to our common shareholders. On February 14, 2024, our Board of Directors declared cash dividends of $0.48 per share, payable on March 29, 2024, to FNF common shareholders of record as of March 15, 2024. There are no restrictions on our retained earnings regarding our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders, although there are limits on the ability of certain subsidiaries to pay dividends to us, as described below. The declaration of any future dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors.
As of December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $2,767 million, short term investments of $2,119 million and available capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility of $800 million and available capacity under the Amended F&G Credit Agreement of $303 million. Subsequent to December 31, 2023, F&G acquired a 70% majority ownership stake in the equity of Roar Joint Venture, LLC ("Roar"), on January 2, 2024. Roar wholesales life insurance and annuity products to banks and broker dealers through a network of agents. Total initial consideration was approximately $311 million, comprised of cash of approximately $269 million and contingent consideration with an estimated fair value of $45 million. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, F&G has agreed to make cash payments of up to approximately $90 million over a three year period upon the achievement of certain earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization milestones of Roar. On February 16, 2024, we entered into a Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for our $800 million revolving credit facility with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and other agents party thereto (the "Sixth Restated Credit Agreement"). Among other changes, the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement amends the Revolving Credit Facility to extend the maturity date from October 29, 2025, to February 16, 2029. On February 16, 2024, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated F&G Credit Agreement of our $665 million credit agreement, with the guarantors party thereto, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and an issuing bank (the "Second Amended and Restated F&G Credit Agreement"). Among other changes, the Second Amended and Restated F&G Credit Agreement amends the Amended F&G Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date and increase the aggregate principal amount of commitments under the revolving credit facility to $750 million. On December 6, 2023, F&G completed the public offering of $345 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.95% Senior Notes due 2053 (the "7.95% F&G Notes"). F&G used the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to repay borrowings under its revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes, including the support of organic growth opportunities. On January 13, 2023, F&G completed its issuance and sale of $500 million aggregate amount of its 7.40% Senior Notes due 2028 (the "7.40% F&G Notes"), pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. F&G intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the 7.40% F&G Notes for general corporate purposes, including to support the growth of assets under management and for F&G's future liquidity requirements. For further information related to the 7.95% F&G Notes and 7.40% F&G Notes, refer to Note G Notes Payable to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report. We continually assess our capital allocation strategy, including decisions relating to the amount of our dividend, reducing debt, repurchasing our stock, investing in growth of our subsidiaries, making acquisitions and/or conserving cash. We believe that all anticipated cash requirements for current operations will be met from internally generated funds, through cash dividends from subsidiaries, cash generated by investment securities, potential sales of non-strategic assets, potential issuances of additional debt or equity securities, and borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility and the F&G Credit Facility. Our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements are monitored regularly to ensure that we can meet our cash requirements. We forecast the needs of all of our subsidiaries and periodically review their short-term and long-term projected sources and uses of funds, as well as the asset, liability, investment and cash flow assumptions underlying such forecasts.
Our title insurance subsidiaries generate cash from premiums earned and their respective investment portfolios, and these funds are adequate to satisfy the payments of claims and other liabilities. Due to the magnitude of our title segment investment portfolio in relation to our title claim loss reserves, we do not specifically match durations of our investments to the cash outflows required to pay claims, but do manage outflows on a shorter time frame.
Our two significant sources of internally generated funds are dividends and other payments from our subsidiaries. As a holding company, we receive cash from our subsidiaries in the form of dividends and as reimbursement for operating and other administrative expenses we incur. The reimbursements are paid within the guidelines of management agreements among us and our subsidiaries. Our insurance subsidiaries are restricted by state regulation in their ability to pay dividends and make distributions. Each applicable state of domicile regulates the extent to which our title underwriters can pay dividends or make other distributions. As of December 31, 2023, $1,145 million of our net assets were restricted from dividend payments without prior approval from the relevant departments of insurance. We anticipate that our title insurance subsidiaries will pay or make dividends to us in 2023 of approximately $471 million. Our underwritten title companies and non-insurance subsidiaries are not regulated to the same extent as our insurance subsidiaries.
The maximum dividend permitted by law is not necessarily indicative of an insurer’s actual ability to pay dividends, which may be constrained by business and regulatory considerations, such as the impact of dividends on surplus, which could affect an insurer’s ratings or competitive position, the amount of premiums that can be written and the ability to pay future dividends.
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Further, depending on business and regulatory conditions, we may in the future need to retain cash in our underwriters or even contribute cash to one or more of them in order to maintain their ratings or their statutory capital position. Such a requirement could be the result of investment losses, reserve charges, adverse operating conditions in the current economic environment or changes in statutory accounting requirements by regulators.
Cash flow from our operations will be used for general corporate purposes including to reinvest in operations, repay debt, pay dividends, repurchase stock, pursue other strategic initiatives and/or conserve cash.
Operating Cash Flow. Our cash flows provided by operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021 were $6,478 million, $4,355 million, and $4,090 million, respectively. The increase in cash provided by operating activities of $2,123 million in 2023 as compared to 2022 is primarily attributable to increased cash inflows associated with the change in funds withheld from reinsurers of $1,330 million, increased cash inflows associated with the change in future policy benefits of $254 million and net cash inflows associated with the timing of receipts and payments of prepaid assets, payables, and receivables of $384 million in 2023 as compared to net cash outflows of $783 million in 2022, partially offset by decreased net cash inflows from the change in reinsurance recoverable of $198 million, decreased net cash inflows from the change in trade receivables of $141 million and net cash outflows associated with the change in income taxes of $50 million in 2023 as compared to net cash inflows of $66 million in 2022. The increase in cash provided by operating activities of $265 million in 2022 as compared to 2021 is primarily attributable to increased cash inflows associated with the change in funds withheld from reinsurers of $1,206 million, increased cash inflows associated with the change in future policy benefits of $444 million, net cash inflows from the change in trade receivables of $178 million in 2023 as compared to net cash outflows of $120 million in 2021 and increased cash inflows associated with the change in reinsurance recoverable of $217 million, partially offset by net cash outflows associated with the change in the reserve for title claims losses of $73 million in 2022 as compared to net cash inflows of $260 million in 2021, and net cash outflows associated with the timing of receipts and payments of prepaid assets, payables and receivables of $783 million in 2022 as compared to net cash inflows of $199 million in 2021.
Investing Cash Flows. Our cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 were $9,090 million, $10,524 million, and $7,449 million, respectively. The decrease in cash used in investing activities in 2023 as compared to 2022 of $1,434 million is primarily associated with increased cash inflows from net proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investment securities of $340 million in 2023 as compared to net purchases of short-term investment securities of $2,571 million in 2022, partially offset by increased cash outflows for additional investments in unconsolidated affiliates of $219 million, increased cash outflows for purchases of investment securities of $837 million, decreased cash inflows from proceeds from sales, calls and maturities of investment securities of $465 million and increased cash outflows associated with acquisitions of $119 million. The increase in cash used in investing activities in 2022 as compared to 2021 of $3,075 million is primarily associated with net purchases of short-term investment securities of $2,571 million in 2022 as compared to proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investment securities of $266 million in 2021, partially offset by decreased cash outflows for additional investments in unconsolidated affiliates of $669 million and decreased cash outflows for purchases of investment securities of $2,866 million.
Capital Expenditures. Total capital expenditures for property and equipment and capitalized software were $132 million, $138 million, and $131 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively.
Financing Cash Flows. Our cash flows provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 were $3,093 million, $4,095 million, and $5,000 million, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by financing activities of $1,002 million in 2023 as compared to 2022 is primarily associated with increased cash outflows from contractholder withdrawals of $1,175 million, decreased cash inflows from contractholder deposits of $743 million and net F&G Credit Agreement repayments of $185 million, partially offset by the issuance of our 7.95% F&G Notes of $345 million in December of 2023 and the issuance of our 7.40% F&G Notes of $500 million in January of 2023 as compared to the issuance of borrowings of $550 million in 2022, decreased purchases of treasury stock of $547 million and the repayment of $400 million for our 5.50% Notes in September 2022. The decrease in cash provided by financing activities of $905 million in 2022 as compared to 2021 is primarily associated with increased cash outflows for debt service payments, including the repayment of $400 million for our 5.50% Notes that were due in September 2022, increased cash outflows from contractholder withdrawals of $519 million, and net cash outflows associated with the change in secured trust deposits of $72 million in 2022 as compared to net cash inflows of $224 million in 2021, partially offset by increased cash inflows from contractholder deposits of $364 million and borrowings of $550 million in 2022 as compared to the issuance of our 3.45% Notes of $449 million in September of 2021.
Financing Arrangements. For a description of our financing arrangements see Note G Notes Payable included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 7 of Part II.
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Obligations - Contractual and Other. As of December 31, 2023, our required annual payments relating to contractual and other obligations were as follows:
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes payable principal repayment | $ | 365 | $ | 550 | $ | 6 | $ | — | $ | 950 | $ | 2,045 | $ | 3,916 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease payments | 142 | 106 | 76 | 46 | 29 | 32 | 431 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and other benefit payments | 11 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 29 | 65 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annuity and universal life products | 4,795 | 6,305 | 5,746 | 5,467 | 6,705 | 41,007 | 70,025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension risk transfer annuity payments | 312 | 301 | 292 | 282 | 271 | 3,300 | 4,758 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Funding agreements (FABN/FHLB) | 914 | 761 | 1,268 | 968 | 1,052 | 321 | 5,284 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title claim loss estimated payments | 280 | 260 | 197 | 161 | 114 | 758 | 1,770 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on fixed rate notes payable | 175 | 175 | 175 | 175 | 175 | 1,291 | 2,166 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisitions | 269 | — | — | — | — | — | 269 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 7,263 | $ | 8,466 | $ | 7,766 | $ | 7,105 | $ | 9,301 | $ | 48,783 | $ | 88,684 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2023, we had title insurance reserves of $1,770 million. The amounts and timing of these obligations are estimated and are not set contractually. While we believe that historical loss payments are a reasonable source for projecting future claim payments, there is significant inherent uncertainty in this payment pattern estimate because of the potential impact of changes in:
•future mortgage interest rates, which will affect the number of real estate and refinancing transactions and; therefore, the rate at which title insurance claims will emerge;
•the legal environment whereby court decisions and reinterpretations of title insurance policy language to broaden coverage could increase total obligations and influence claim payout patterns;
•events such as fraud, escrow theft, multiple property title defects, foreclosure rates and individual large loss events that can substantially and unexpectedly cause increases in both the amount and timing of estimated title insurance loss payments; and
•loss cost trends whereby increases or decreases in inflationary factors (including the value of real estate) will influence the ultimate amount of title insurance loss payments.
Based on historical title insurance claim experience, we anticipate the above payment patterns. The uncertainty and variation in the timing and amount of claim payments could have a material impact on our cash flows from operations in a particular period.
We sponsor certain frozen pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. See Note U Employee Benefit Plans to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for further information.
Capital Stock Transactions. On August 3, 2021, our Board of Directors approved the 2021 Repurchase Program under which we may purchase up to 25 million shares of our FNF common stock through July 31, 2024. We may make repurchases from time to time in the open market, in block purchases or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions and other factors. We repurchased 100,0000 shares of FNF common stock during the year ended December 31, 2023, for approximately $4 million, or an average of $38.45 per share. Since the original commencement of the 2021 Repurchase Program, we have repurchased a total of 16,449,565 FNF common shares for an aggregate amount of $701 million, or an average of $42.60 per share.
Equity and Preferred Security Investments. Our equity and preferred security investments may be subject to significant volatility. Currently prevailing accounting standards require us to record the change in fair value of equity and preferred security investments held as of any given period end within earnings. Our results of operations in future periods are anticipated to be subject to such volatility.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. In conducting our operations, we routinely hold customers’ assets in escrow, pending completion of real estate transactions, and are responsible for the proper disposition of these balances for our customers. Certain of these amounts are maintained in segregated bank accounts and have not been included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and industry practice. These balances amounted to
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$13.5 billion and $18.9 billion at December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively. As a result of holding these customers’ assets in escrow, we have ongoing programs for realizing economic benefits during the year through favorable borrowing and vendor arrangements with various banks.
We have unfunded investment commitments as of December 31, 2023, based upon the timing of when investments are executed compared to when the actual investments are funded, as some investments require that funding occur over a period of months or years. Please refer to Note E Investments and Note H Commitments and Contingencies to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report for additional details on unfunded investment commitments.
FHLB Collateral. We are currently a member of the FHLB and are required to maintain a collateral deposit that backs any funding agreements issued. We use these funding agreements as part of a spread enhancement strategy. We have the ability to obtain funding from the FHLB based on a percentage of the value of our assets, subject to the availability of eligible collateral. Collateral is pledged based on the outstanding balances of FHLB funding agreements. The amount of funding varies based on the type, rating and maturity of the collateral posted to the FHLB. Generally, U.S. government agency notes and mortgage-backed securities are pledged to the FHLB as collateral. Market value fluctuations resulting from changes in interest rates, spreads and other risk factors for each type of asset are monitored and additional collateral is either pledged or released as needed.
Our borrowing capacity under these credit facilities does not have an expiration date as long as we maintain a satisfactory level of creditworthiness based on the FHLB’s credit assessment. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, we had $1,983 million and $1,983 million, respectively, in FHLB non-putable funding agreements included under contractholder funds on our consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, we had assets with a fair value of approximately $4,345 million and $3,387 million, respectively, which collateralized the FHLB funding agreements. Assets pledged to the FHLB are included in fixed maturities, AFS, on our consolidated balance sheets.
Collateral-Derivative Contracts. Under the terms of our ISDA agreements, we may receive from, or deliver to, counterparties collateral to assure that all terms of the ISDA agreements will be met with regard to the Credit Support Annex (“CSA”). The terms of the CSA call for us to pay interest on any cash received equal to the federal funds rate. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively, $381 million and $219 million of collateral was posted by our counterparties as they did not meet the net exposure thresholds. Collateral requirements are monitored on a daily basis and incorporate changes in market values of both the derivatives contract as well as the collateral pledged. Market value fluctuations are due to changes in interest rates, spreads and other risk factors.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
In the normal course of business, we are routinely subject to a variety of risks, as described in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report and in our other filings with the SEC. For example, we are exposed to the risk that decreased real estate activity, which depends in part on the level of interest rates, may reduce our revenues.
The risks related to our business also include certain market risks that may affect our debt and other financial instruments. At present, we face the market risks associated with our marketable equity securities subject to equity price volatility and with interest rate movements on our fixed income investments.
We regularly assess these market risks and have established policies and business practices designed to protect against the adverse effects of these exposures.
At December 31, 2023, we had $3,887 million in long-term debt, none of which bears interest at a floating rate, other than the F&G Credit Facility. Accordingly, fluctuations in market interest rates will not have a material impact on our resulting interest expense.
Our fixed maturity investments, certain preferred securities and our floating rate debt are subject to an element of market risk from changes in interest rates. Increases and decreases in prevailing interest rates generally translate into decreases and increases in fair values of those instruments. Additionally, fair values of interest rate sensitive instruments may be affected by the creditworthiness of the issuer, prepayment options, relative values of alternative investments, the liquidity of the instrument and other general market conditions. We manage interest rate risk through a variety of measures. We monitor our interest rate risk and make investment decisions to manage the perceived risk.
Equity price risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in equity prices. In the past, our exposure to changes in equity prices primarily resulted from our holdings of equity securities. At December 31, 2023, we held $766 million in marketable equity securities (not including our investments in preferred securities of $621 million and our investments in unconsolidated affiliates of $3,334 million). The carrying values of investments subject to equity price risks are based on quoted market prices as of the balance sheet date. Market prices are subject to fluctuation and, consequently, the amount realized in the subsequent sale of an investment may significantly differ from the reported market value. Fluctuation in
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the market price of a security may result from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the investee, the relative price of alternative investments and general market conditions. Furthermore, amounts realized in the sale of a particular security may be affected by the relative quantity of the security being sold.
Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash equivalents, short-term investments, and trade receivables. We require placement of cash in financial institutions evaluated as highly creditworthy.
For purposes of this Annual Report, we perform a sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market risk exposures may have on the fair values of our debt and other financial instruments.
The financial instruments that are included in the sensitivity analysis with respect to interest rate risk include fixed maturity investments, preferred securities and notes payable. The financial instruments that are included in the sensitivity analysis with respect to equity price risk include marketable equity securities. With the exception of our equity method investments, it is not anticipated that there would be a significant change in the fair value of other long-term investments or short-term investments if there were a change in market conditions, based on the nature and duration of the financial instruments involved.
To perform the sensitivity analysis, we assess the risk of loss in fair values from the effect of hypothetical changes in interest rates and equity prices on market-sensitive instruments. The changes in fair values for interest rate risks are determined by estimating the present value of future cash flows using various models, primarily duration modeling. The changes in fair values for equity price risk are determined by comparing the market price of investments against their reported values as of the balance sheet date.
Information provided by the sensitivity analysis does not necessarily represent the actual changes in fair value that we would incur under normal market conditions because, due to practical limitations, all variables other than the specific market risk factor are held constant. For example, our reserve for title claim losses (representing 2.4% of total liabilities at December 31, 2023) is not included in the hypothetical effects.
Market Risk Factors
Market risk is the risk of the loss of fair value resulting from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. Market risk is directly influenced by the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the related underlying financial instruments are traded. We have significant holdings in financial instruments, which are naturally exposed to a variety of market risks. They are primarily exposed to interest rate risk, credit risk and equity price risk and have some exposure to counterparty risk, which affect the fair value of financial instruments subject to market risk.
We have no market risk sensitive instruments entered into for trading purposes; therefore, all of our market risk sensitive instruments were entered into for purposes other than trading. The results of the sensitivity analysis at December 31, 2023, and 2022, are as follows:
Interest Rate Risk
At December 31, 2023, an increase (decrease) in the levels of interest rates of 100 basis points, with all other variables held constant, would result in a (decrease) increase in the fair value of our fixed maturity securities and certain of our investments in preferred securities, which are tied to interest rates of $2.5 billion as compared with a (decrease) increase of $2.0 billion at December 31, 2022.
The actuarial models used to estimate the impact of a one percentage point change in market interest rates incorporate numerous assumptions, require significant estimates and assume an immediate and parallel change in interest rates without any management of the investment portfolio in reaction to such change. Consequently, potential changes in value of financial instruments indicated by these simulations will likely be different from the actual changes experienced under given interest rate scenarios, and the differences may be material. Because we actively manage our investments and liabilities, the net exposure to interest rates can vary over time. However, any such decreases in the fair value of fixed maturity securities, unless related to credit concerns of the issuer requiring allowances for credit losses, would generally be realized only if we were required to sell such securities at losses prior to their maturity to meet liquidity needs. Within our F&G segment, liquidity needs are managed using the surrender and withdrawal provisions of the annuity contracts and through other means.
Equity Price Risk
At December 31, 2023, a 10% increase (decrease) in market prices, with all other variables held constant, would result in an increase (decrease) in the fair value of our equity securities portfolio of $77 million, as compared with an increase (decrease) of $68 million at December 31, 2022.
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Interest Rate Risk Related to our F&G Segment
Interest rate risk is the F&G segment's primary market risk exposure. An increase in the levels of interest rates of 100 basis points, with all other variables held constant, would result in a decrease in the fair value of our fixed maturity securities and certain investments in preferred securities of approximately $2.4 billion, a net decrease in the fair value of interest rate swaps of approximately $0.1 billion and a net decrease in the combined fair value of embedded derivatives and MRBs of approximately $0.5 billion at December 31, 2023. For comparison, a similar increase in the levels of interest rates of 100 basis points, with all other variables held constant, would have resulted in a decrease in the fair value of our fixed maturity securities and certain investments in preferred securities of approximately $1.9 billion and a net decrease in the combined fair value of embedded derivatives and MRBs of approximately $0.4 billion at December 31, 2022.
A 100 basis point shift in interest rates for our floating rate debt and funding agreements will increase or decrease floating expense by approximately $14 million and $11 million per year as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. As noted above, the impact to net earnings related to the interest rate swaps and floating rate notes payable and funding agreements will be significantly offset by corresponding changes in investment income associated with our floating rate investments.
The actuarial models used to estimate the impact of a one percentage point change in market interest rates incorporate numerous assumptions, require significant estimates and assume an immediate and parallel change in interest rates without any management of the investment portfolio in reaction to such change. Consequently, potential changes in value of financial instruments indicated by these simulations will likely be different from the actual changes experienced under given interest rate scenarios, and the differences may be material. Because we actively manage our investments and liabilities, the net exposure to interest rates can vary over time. However, any such decreases in the fair value of fixed maturity securities, unless related to credit concerns of the issuer requiring allowances for credit losses, would generally be realized only if we were required to sell such securities at losses prior to their maturity to meet liquidity needs. Our liquidity needs are managed using the surrender and withdrawal provisions of the annuity contracts and through other means.
As part of F&G's asset liability management (“ALM”) program, F&G has made a significant effort to identify the assets appropriate to different product lines and ensure investing strategies match the profile of these liabilities. The ALM strategy is designed to align the expected cash flows from the investment portfolio with the expected liability cash flows. As such, a major component of F&G's effort to manage interest rate risk has been to structure the investment portfolio with cash flow characteristics that are consistent with the cash flow characteristics of the insurance liabilities. F&G uses actuarial models to simulate the cash flows expected from the existing business under various interest rate scenarios. These simulations enable F&G to measure the potential gain or loss in the fair value of interest rate-sensitive financial instruments, to evaluate the adequacy of expected cash flows from assets to meet the expected cash requirements of the liabilities and to determine if it is necessary to lengthen or shorten the average life and duration of our investment portfolio. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a security to a small change in interest rates. When the durations of assets and liabilities are similar, exposure to interest rate risk is minimized because a change in the value of assets could be expected to be largely offset by a change in the value of liabilities.
The duration of the investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, derivatives, policy loans, and common stocks as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, is summarized as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Duration (years) | Amortized Cost (In millions) | % of Total | ||||||||||||
| 0-4 | $ | 26,146 | 54 | % | ||||||||||
| 5-9 | 10,455 | 21 | % | |||||||||||
| 10-14 | 9,943 | 20 | % | |||||||||||
| 15-19 | 2,650 | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| 20-30 | 69 | — | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 49,263 | 100 | % | ||||||||||
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| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Duration (years) | Amortized Cost (In millions) | % of Total | ||||||||||||
| 0-4 | $ | 25,323 | 53 | % | ||||||||||
| 5-9 | 10,010 | 21 | % | |||||||||||
| 10-14 | 9,423 | 21 | % | |||||||||||
| 15-19 | 2,515 | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| 20-30 | 64 | — | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 47,335 | 100 | % | ||||||||||
Equity Price Risk Related to our F&G Segment
Our F&G segment is exposed to equity price risk through certain insurance products. Equity price risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in equity prices. In the past, our exposure to changes in equity prices primarily resulted from our holdings of equity securities. Refer to Note D Fair Value of Financial Instruments to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II - Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details on how the carrying values of these investments are determined as of the balance sheet date. Carrying values are subject to fluctuation and, consequently, the amount realized in the subsequent sale of an investment may significantly differ from the reported carrying value. Fluctuation in the carrying value of a security may result from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the investee, the relative price of alternative investments and general market conditions. Furthermore, amounts realized in the sale of a particular security may be affected by the relative quantity of the security being sold.
We are also exposed to equity price risk through certain insurance products. We offer a variety of FIA/ IUL contracts with crediting strategies linked to the performance of indices such as the S&P 500 Index, Dow Jones Industrials or the NASDAQ 100 Index, and target volatility indices. Additionally, the estimated cost of providing GMWB on FIA products incorporates various assumptions about the overall performance of equity markets over certain time periods. Periods of significant and sustained downturns in equity markets or increased equity volatility could result in an increase in the valuation of the MRB liabilities and decrease in the valuation of contractholder funds liabilities associated with such products.
To economically hedge the equity returns on these products, we purchase derivatives to hedge the FIA and IUL equity exposures. The primary way we hedge FIA/ IUL equity exposure is to purchase over the counter equity index call options from broker-dealer derivative counterparties approved by F&G. The second way to hedge FIA/ IUL equity exposure is by purchasing exchange traded equity index futures contracts. This hedging strategy enables us to reduce the overall hedging costs and achieve a high correlation of returns on the call options purchased relative to the index credits earned by the FIA/ IUL contractholders. The majority of the call options are one-year options purchased to match the funding requirements underlying the FIA/ IUL contracts. These hedge programs are limited to the current policy term of the FIA/ IUL contracts. Future returns, which may be reflected in FIA/ IUL contracts’ credited rates beyond the current policy term, are not hedged. We attempt to manage the costs of these purchases through the terms of the FIA/ IUL contracts, which permit us to change cap, spread or participation rates, subject to certain guaranteed minimums that must be maintained.
The derivatives are used to fund the FIA/ IUL contract index credits and the cost of the call options purchased is treated as a component of spread earnings. While the FIA/ IUL hedging program does not explicitly hedge GAAP income volatility, the FIA/ IUL hedging program tends to mitigate a significant portion of the GAAP reserve changes associated with movements in the equity market. This is due to the fact that a key component in the calculation of GAAP reserves is the market valuation of the current term embedded derivative. Due to the alignment of the embedded derivative reserve component with hedging of this same embedded derivative, there should be a reasonable match between changes in this component of the reserve and changes in the assets backing this component of the reserve. However, there may be an interim mismatch due to the fact that the hedges, which are put in place are only intended to cover exposures expected to remain until the end of an indexing term. To the extent index credits earned by the contractholder exceed the proceeds from option expirations and futures income, we incur a raw hedging loss.
See Note F Derivative Financial Instruments to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II - Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details on the derivatives portfolio.
Fair value changes associated with these investments are intended to, but do not always, substantially offset the increase or decrease in the amounts added to contractholder funds for indexed products. When index credits to policyholders exceed option proceeds received at expiration related to such credits, any shortfall is funded by our excess of net investment income earned over the sum of interest credited to policyholders and the cost of hedging our risk on indexed product policies and futures income. For the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the annual index credits to
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policyholders on their anniversaries were $203 million, $155 million and $628 million, respectively. Proceeds received at expiration of options related to such credits were $212 million, $158 million and $702 million, respectively.
Other market exposures are hedged periodically depending on market conditions and our risk tolerance. The FIA/ IUL hedging strategy economically hedges the equity returns and exposes us to the risk that unhedged market exposures result in divergence between changes in the fair value of the liabilities and the hedging assets. We use a variety of techniques, including direct estimation of market sensitivities, to monitor this risk daily. We intend to continue to adjust the hedging strategy as market conditions and risk tolerance change.
Credit Risk and Counterparty Risk Related to our F&G Segment
Our F&G segment is exposed to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligation resulting in financial loss. Our major source of credit risk arises predominantly in our insurance operations’ portfolios of debt and similar securities. The fair value of our fixed maturity portfolio totaled $40 billion at December 31, 2023. Our credit risk materializes primarily as impairment losses. We are exposed to occasional cyclical economic downturns, during which impairment losses may be significantly higher than the long-term historical average. This is offset by years where it expects the actual impairment losses to be substantially lower than the long-term average. Credit risk in the portfolio can also materialize as increased capital requirements as assets migrate into lower credit qualities over time. The effect of rating migration on our capital requirements is also dependent on the economic cycle and increased asset impairment levels may go hand in hand with increased asset related capital requirements.
We attempt to manage the risk of default and rating migration by applying disciplined credit evaluation and underwriting standards and limiting allocations to lower quality, higher risk investments. In addition, we diversify exposure by issuer and country, using rating-based issuer and country limits. We also set investment constraints that limit our exposure by industry segment. To limit the impact that credit risk can have on earnings and capital adequacy levels, we have portfolio-level credit risk constraints in place. Limit compliance is monitored on a monthly basis.
In connection with the use of derivative instruments, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk-the risk that a counterparty fails to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. We have adopted a policy of only dealing with credit worthy counterparties and obtaining sufficient collateral where appropriate, as a means of attempting to mitigate the financial loss from defaults. The exposure and credit rating of the counterparties are continuously monitored, and the aggregate value of transactions concluded is spread amongst different approved counterparties to limit the concentration in one counterparty. This policy allows for the purchase of derivative instruments from counterparties and/or clearinghouses that meet the required qualifications under the insurance laws of Iowa. We review the ratings of all the counterparties periodically. Collateral support documents are negotiated to further reduce the exposure when deemed necessary. See Note F Derivative Financial Instruments in the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II - Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our exposure to credit loss.
We also have credit risk related to the ability of reinsurance counterparties to honor their obligations to pay the contract amounts under various agreements. To minimize the risk of credit loss on such contracts, we diversify exposures among many reinsurers and limit the amount of exposure to each based on credit rating. We also generally limit selection of counterparties with which to do new transactions to those with an “A-” credit rating or above from at least one of the major rating agencies and/or that are appropriately collateralized and provide credit for reinsurance.
In the normal course of business, certain reinsurance recoverables are subject to reviews by the reinsurers. We are not aware of any material disputes arising from these reviews or other communications with the counterparties as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, that would require an increase to the allowance for credit losses.
For information on concentrations of reinsurance risk, refer to Note O F&G Reinsurance in the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II - Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
For further information on certain risk associated with our business, refer to Note H Commitments and Contingencies in the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II - Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures 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 from those estimates and assumptions used.
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Concentrations of Financial Instruments Related to our F&G Segment
Refer to Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Investment Portfolio - Investment Industry Concentrations included in Part II - Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding the top ten investment concentrations of our fixed maturity and equity securities including the fair value and percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities fair value as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022.
Refer to Note D - Investments in the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II - Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for our underlying investment concentrations that exceed 10% of shareholders equity as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022.
Concentrations of Financial and Capital Markets Risk Related to our F&G Segment
Our F&G segment is exposed to financial and capital markets risk, including changes in interest rates and credit spreads, which can have an adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Exposure to such financial and capital markets risk relates primarily to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in interest rates. A rise in interest rates, in the absence of other countervailing changes, will increase the net unrealized loss position and, if long-term interest rates rise dramatically within a six to twelve-month time period, certain of F&G’s products may be exposed to disintermediation risk. Disintermediation risk refers to the risk that policyholders surrender their contracts in a rising interest rate environment, requiring F&G to liquidate assets in an unrealized loss position. We attempt to mitigate the risk, including changes in interest rates by investing in less rate-sensitive investments, including senior tranches of collateralized loan obligations, non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities, and various types of asset backed securities. Management believes this risk is also mitigated to some extent by surrender charge protection provided by F&G’s products. We expect to continue to face these challenges and uncertainties that could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| Page Number | |||||
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive earnings, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2) and our report dated February 29, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Jacksonville, Florida
February 29, 2024
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive earnings, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 29, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Adoption of ASU No. 2018-12
As discussed in Note A to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for long-duration contracts in each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023 due to the adoption of ASU No. 2018-12, Financial Services – Insurance (Topic 944), Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
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Loss Provision Rate Assumption related to the Reserve for Title Claim Losses | |||||
| Description of the Matter | The Company’s reserve for title claim losses totaled $1.8 billion as of December 31, 2023. As discussed in Note A to the consolidated financial statements, the reserve for title claim losses includes known claims as well as losses that have been incurred but not yet reported, net of recoupments. The Company establishes reserves for claims which are incurred but not reported at the time premium revenue is recognized based on estimated loss provision rates. There is significant uncertainty inherent in determining the loss provision rates. Auditing the Company’s reserve for title claim losses was complex because of the highly judgmental nature of the determination of the loss provision rates used in the valuation of the reserve for title claim losses. The significant judgment was primarily due to the sensitivity of management’s estimate to claim loss history, industry trends, and current legal environment. | ||||
| How we Addressed the Matter in Our Audit | We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of the Company’s controls over management’s process for the development of the loss provision rates and the recorded reserve for title claim losses. These controls included, among others, the review and approval process management has in place for the development of the loss provision rates and the estimation of the reserve for title claim losses. To evaluate the judgment used by management in determining the loss provision rates, among other procedures, we considered claim loss history, industry trends, current legal environment, and how management assessed these factors in the current period as compared to prior periods. We involved actuarial professionals with specialized skills and industry knowledge, who assisted in performing an evaluation of the Company’s current year loss provision rates compared with those used in prior periods, as well as a review of loss development experience for prior years. We also independently calculated a range of reasonable reserve estimates which we compared to management’s recorded reserve for title claim losses. | ||||
| Fixed Indexed Annuity Embedded Derivative Liability, Market Risk Benefits, and Future Policy Benefits Liability | |||||
Description of the Matter | At December 31, 2023, the fair value of the Company’s fixed indexed annuity embedded derivative liability totaled $4.3 billion. Certain of the Company’s fixed indexed annuity (FIA) contracts allow the policyholder to elect an equity index linked feature, where amounts credited to the contract’s account value are linked to the performance of designated equity indices and crediting strategy selected by the policyholder. The equity index crediting feature is accounted for as an embedded derivative liability and reported at fair value as discussed in Notes A (see section on Contractholder Funds), D, F, and Y to the consolidated financial statements. A subset of FIA contracts include certain contract features that provide minimum guarantees to policyholders, such as guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits and guaranteed minimum death benefit features that are market risk benefits (MRB) measured at fair value as discussed in Notes A (see section on MRBs), D, W and X to the consolidated financial statements. The Company’s MRB assets and MRB liabilities totaled $88 million and $403 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2023, future policy benefits (FPB) liabilities related to traditional life and life-contingent immediate annuity policies (which includes life-contingent pension risk transfer annuities) totaled $7.0 billion. The future policy benefits liability related to these products is based on estimates of how much the Company will need to pay for future benefits and related claim expenses and the amount of net premiums to be collected from policyholders as discussed in Notes A (see section on Future Policy Benefits), W, and Z to the consolidated financial statements. Auditing the valuation of the Company’s fixed indexed annuity embedded derivative, MRBs, and FPB liabilities was complex because of the highly judgmental nature of the determination of the assumptions required to determine the fair value of the embedded derivative and MRBs and valuation of FPB liabilities. In particular, the fair value of fixed indexed annuity embedded derivative and MRBs was sensitive to the significant assumptions including surrender rates, GMWB utilization, and non-performance spread. In addition, option cost was a significant assumption used in the valuation of fixed index annuity embedded derivatives and mortality, partial withdrawals, and capital market performance scenarios were significant assumptions used in the valuation of MRBs. Mortality is a significant assumption used in the valuation of FPB liabilities. | ||||
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| How we Addressed the Matter in Our Audit | We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of the Company’s controls over management’s process for the development of the significant assumptions used in measuring the fair value of the embedded derivative for fixed indexed annuities and MRBs and the valuation of FPB liabilities. These controls included, among others, the review and approval process management has in place for the development of the significant assumptions. To evaluate the judgment used by management in determining the assumptions used in measuring the fair value of the fixed indexed annuity embedded derivative and MRBs and the valuation of FPB liabilities, among other procedures, we involved actuarial specialists and evaluated the methodology applied by management in determining the valuation with those used in the prior period and in the industry. To evaluate the significant assumptions used by management in the methodology applied, we compared as applicable, the significant assumptions noted above to historical experience, observable market data, and management’s estimates of prospective changes in these assumptions. We also performed an independent recalculation of the embedded derivative, MRB, and FPB liabilities for a sample of policies or cohorts for comparison with the actuarial models used by management. | ||||
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2017.
February 29, 2024
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FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in millions, except share data)
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Investments: | |||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities available for sale, at fair value, at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, at an amortized cost of $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Preferred securities, at fair value | |||||||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value | |||||||||||
| Derivative investments | |||||||||||
Mortgage loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $ | |||||||||||
| Investments in unconsolidated affiliates | |||||||||||
| Other long-term investments | |||||||||||
Short-term investments, at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 includes pledged short-term investments of $ | |||||||||||
| Total investments | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, at December 31, 2023 and 2022 includes $ | |||||||||||
Trade and notes receivables, net of allowance of $ | |||||||||||
Reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance for credit losses of $ | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | |||||||||||
| Market risk benefits assets | |||||||||||
| Lease assets | |||||||||||
| Other intangible assets, net | |||||||||||
| Title plants | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Contractholder funds | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Future policy benefits | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |||||||||||
| Market risk benefits liability | |||||||||||
| Notes payable | |||||||||||
| Reserve for title claim losses | |||||||||||
| Funds withheld for reinsurance liabilities | |||||||||||
| Secured trust deposits | |||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Income taxes payable | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax liability | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
| Equity: | |||||||||||
FNF common stock, $ | |||||||||||
Preferred stock, $ | |||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive earnings | ( | ( | |||||||||
Less: Treasury stock, | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total Fidelity National Financial, Inc. shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Non-controlling interests | |||||||||||
| Total equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct title insurance premiums | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Agency title insurance premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Escrow, title-related and other fees | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Recognized gains and losses, net | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personnel costs | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Agent commissions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and other changes in policy reserves | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefit losses (gains) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for title claim losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to Fidelity National Financial, Inc. common shareholders | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to FNF common shareholders | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations attributable to FNF common shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings per share attributable to FNF common shareholders, basic | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to FNF common shareholders | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from discontinued operations attributable to FNF common shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings per share attributable to FNF common shareholders, diluted | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding FNF common stock, basic basis | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding FNF common stock, diluted basis | ||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
95
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS
(In millions)
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other financial instruments, net of adjustments to intangible assets and unearned revenue (excluding investments in unconsolidated affiliates) (1) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gain on investments in unconsolidated affiliates (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation (3) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustments for change in unrealized gains and losses included in net earnings (4) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in current discount rate - future policy benefits (5) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in instrument-specific credit risk - market risk benefits (6) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Change in reinsurance liabilities held at fair value resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) earnings attributable to non-controlling interest (7) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum pension liability adjustment (8) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings (loss) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive earnings (loss) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Comprehensive earnings attributable to non-controlling interests | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Fidelity National Financial, Inc. common shareholders | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
(1)Net of income tax expense (benefit) of $238 million, $(1,246 ) million, and $(140 ) million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
(2)Net of income tax expense of $3 million, $3 million, and $7 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
(3)Net of income tax expense (benefit) of $2 million and $(4 ) million, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(4)Net of income tax expense (benefit) of $34 million, $45 million and $(26 ) million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2021 and 2021, respectively.
(5)Net of income tax (benefit) expense of $(50 ) million, $203 million and $33 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2021 and 2021, respectively .
(6)Net of income tax (benefit) expense of $(9 ) million, $18 million and $3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2021 and 2021, respectively.
(7)Net of income tax (benefit) expense of $(35 ) million and $9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
(8)Net of income tax expense (benefit) of $2 million and $(2 ) million for the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
96
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(In millions, except per share data)
| Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FNF | Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common | Additional | Comprehensive | Treasury | Non- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock | Paid-in | Retained | Earnings | Stock | controlling | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | $ | Capital | Earnings | (Loss) | Shares | $ | Interests | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of incremental share in consolidated subsidiaries | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock repurchased | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings - unrealized gain on investments and other financial instruments | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings - unrealized gain on investments in unconsolidated affiliates | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings - unrealized gain on foreign currency translation | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings - minimum pension liability adjustment | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustments for change in unrealized gains and losses included in net earnings | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld for taxes and in treasury | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in reinsurance liabilities held at fair value resulting from change in instrument-specific credit risk | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in current discount rate — liability for future policy benefits | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in instrument-specific credit risk - market risk benefits | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiary dividends declared to non-controlling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
97
| FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (CONTINUED) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FNF | Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common | Additional | Comprehensive | Treasury | Non- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock | Paid-in | Retained | Earnings | Stock | controlling | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | $ | Capital | Earnings | (Loss) | Shares | $ | Interests | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance January 1, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-controlling interest associated with current period acquisitions | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock repurchased | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of incremental share in consolidated subsidiaries | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings — unrealized gain on investments and other financial instruments | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings — unrealized gain on investments in unconsolidated affiliates | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings — unrealized gain on foreign currency translation | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings - minimum pension liability adjustment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustments for change in unrealized gains and losses included in net earnings | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings attributable to non-controlling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld for taxes and in treasury | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in current discount rate — liability for future policy benefits | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in instrument-specific credit risk - market risk benefits | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distribution of | ( | ( | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiary dividends declared to non-controlling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
98
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (CONTINUED)
(In millions, except per share data)
| Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FNF | Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common | Additional | Comprehensive | Treasury | Non- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock | Paid-in | Retained | Earnings | Stock | controlling | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | $ | Capital | Earnings | (Loss) | Shares | $ | Interests | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock repurchased | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of restricted stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of incremental share in consolidated subsidiaries | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings - unrealized loss on investments and other financial instruments | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings - unrealized gain on investments in unconsolidated affiliates | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings - unrealized loss on foreign currency translation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings - minimum pension liability adjustment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustments for change in unrealized gains and losses included in net earnings | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares withheld for taxes and in treasury | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in current discount rate — liability for future policy benefits | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in instrument-specific credit risk - market risk benefits | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| F&G purchases of treasury stock | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings attributable to non-controlling interest | — | — | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiary dividends declared to non-controlling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
99
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on sales of investments and other assets and asset impairments, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss on sale of businesses | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest credited/index credits to contractholder account balances | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in market risk benefits, net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Charges assessed to contractholders for mortality and administration | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Non-cash lease costs | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease payments | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates, return on investment | |||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation cost | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in NAV of limited partnerships, net | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Change in valuation of derivatives, equity and preferred securities, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions: | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in reinsurance recoverable | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in future policy benefits | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in funds withheld from reinsurers | |||||||||||||||||
| Net decrease (increase) in trade receivables | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in reserve for title claim losses | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net change in income taxes | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net change in other assets and other liabilities | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales, calls and maturities of investment securities | |||||||||||||||||
| Fundings of notes receivable | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Additions to property and equipment and capitalized software | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Purchases of investment securities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net proceeds (purchases of) from sales and maturities of short-term investment securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other acquisitions/disposals, net of cash acquired | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Additional investments in unconsolidated affiliates | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates, return of investment | |||||||||||||||||
| Net other investing activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
100
| FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED) | |||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt offering | |||||||||||||||||
| F&G Credit Agreement repayments, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Debt costs/equity issuance additions | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Debt service payments | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Subsidiary dividends paid to non-controlling interest shareholders | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in secured trust deposits | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Purchase of additional share in consolidated subsidiaries | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Payment of contingent consideration for prior period acquisitions | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Payment for shares withheld for taxes and in treasury | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Contractholder account deposits | |||||||||||||||||
| Contractholder account withdrawals | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| F&G repurchases of F&G stock | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of treasury stock | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
101
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note A. Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The following describes the business and significant accounting policies of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, "we," "us," "our," the "Company" or "FNF"), which have been followed in preparing the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
Description of the Business
We are a leading provider of (i) title insurance, escrow and other title-related services, including trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, recordings and reconveyances and home warranty products, (ii) technology and transaction services to the real estate and mortgage industries and (iii) annuity and life insurance products. FNF is one of the nation’s largest title insurance companies operating through its title insurance underwriters - Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ("FNTIC"), Chicago Title Insurance Company ("Chicago Title"), Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company ("Commonwealth Title"), Alamo Title Insurance and National Title Insurance of New York Inc. - which collectively issue more title insurance policies than any other title company in the United States. Through our subsidiary, ServiceLink Holdings, LLC ("ServiceLink"), we provide mortgage transaction services, including title-related services and facilitation of production and management of mortgage loans. We are also a leading provider of insurance solutions serving retail annuity and life customers and institutional clients through our majority owned subsidiary, F&G Annuities & Life ("F&G").
For information about our reportable segments refer to Note J Segment Information.
Recent Developments
Amendment to our Revolving Credit Facility
On February 16, 2024, we entered into a Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for our $800 million revolving credit facility (the "Amended Revolving Credit Facility") with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and other agents party thereto (the "Sixth Restated Credit Agreement"). For further information related to the Amended Revolving Credit Facility and the Sixth Restated Credit Agreement refer to Note G Notes Payable.
Amendment to the F&G Credit Agreement
On February 16, 2024, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated F&G Credit Agreement of our $665 million credit agreement, with the guarantors party thereto, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and an issuing bank (the "Second Amended and Restated F&G Credit Agreement"). For more information related to the Second Amended and Restated F&G Credit Agreement refer to Note G Notes Payable.
Acquisition of ROAR
On January 2, 2024, F&G acquired a 70 % majority ownership stake in the equity of Roar Joint Venture, LLC ("Roar"). Roar wholesales life insurance and annuity products to banks and broker dealers through a network of agents. Total initial consideration is comprised of cash of approximately $269 million and contingent consideration. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the Company has agreed to make cash payments of up to approximately $90 million over a three year period upon the achievement of certain earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization milestones of Roar.
Investment of $250 million in F&G
On January 12, 2024, we completed a $250 million preferred stock investment in F&G. F&G will use the net proceeds from the investment to support growth of its assets under management.
Under the terms of the agreement, we have agreed to invest $250 million in exchange for 5 million shares of F&G's 6.875 % Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock"). Each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will have a liquidation preference of $50.00 per share. Unless earlier converted at the option of the holder, each outstanding share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically convert into shares of common stock of F&G on January 15, 2027 (the "Mandatory Conversion Date"). Upon conversion on the Mandatory Conversion Date, the conversion rate for each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will be no more than 1.1111 shares of common stock and no less than 0.9456 shares of common stock per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, depending on the value of F&G's common stock.
102
On December 6, 2023, F&G completed the public offering of $345 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.95 % Senior Notes due 2053 (the "7.95 % F&G Notes"). F&G used the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to repay borrowings under its revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes, including the support of organic growth opportunities. The Senior notes were registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) (the "Securities Act"). For further information related to the 7.95 % F&G Notes, refer to Note G Notes Payable.
2023 Cybersecurity Incident
On November 19, 2023, we became aware of a cybersecurity incident that impacted certain of our systems. We promptly commenced an investigation, retained leading experts to assist the Company, notified law enforcement authorities, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders, and followed our incident response plans. In addition, we took containment measures such as blocking access to certain of our systems resulting in varying levels of disruption to our businesses. The incident was contained on November 26, 2023.
We completed our forensic investigation on December 13, 2023. We determined that an unauthorized third-party accessed certain of our systems, deployed a type of malware that is not self-propagating, and exfiltrated certain data. We have no evidence that any customer-owned system was directly impacted in the incident, and no customer has reported that this has occurred. The last confirmed date of unauthorized third-party activity in our network occurred on November 20, 2023.
We have identified and analyzed the nature and scope of the affected systems and data. We have notified our affected customers and applicable state attorneys general and regulators, and approximately 1.3 million potentially impacted consumers; are providing credit monitoring, web monitoring, and identity theft restoration services; and are fielding questions from customers. We are continuing to coordinate with law enforcement, our customers, regulators, advisors and other stakeholders. We have been named as a defendant in several lawsuits related to this incident. The Company will vigorously defend itself against any litigation filed related to this incident. For further information on the litigation related to this incident, refer to Note H Commitments and Contingencies.
At this time, we do not believe that the incident will have a material impact on the Company.
On January 13, 2023, F&G completed its issuance and sale of $500 million aggregate amount of its 7.40 % Senior Notes due 2028 (the "7.40 % F&G Notes"), pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The 7.40 % F&G Notes are the senior unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of F&G and are guaranteed on an unsecured, unsubordinated basis by each of F&G's subsidiaries that are guarantors of its obligations under the F&G Credit Agreement (the "Guarantors"). F&G intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the 7.40 % F&G Notes for general corporate purposes, including to support the growth of assets under management and for F&G's future liquidity requirements. The interest rate payable on the 7.40 % F&G Notes will be subject to adjustment from time to time if either S&P or Fitch (or a substitute rating agency) downgrades (or downgrades and subsequently upgrades) the credit ratings assigned to the 7.40 % F&G Notes. For further information related to the 7.40 % F&G Notes, refer to Note G Notes Payable.
Acquisition of TitlePoint
On January 1, 2023, we completed our previously announced acquisition of TitlePoint for $224 million in cash, subject to a customary working capital adjustment. TitlePoint enables searches for detailed property information, images of documents and maps from hundreds of counties across the U.S and is a leader in the science of real estate property research technology. For further information related to the acquisition of TitlePoint, refer to Note B Acquisitions.
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") and include our accounts as well as our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated. In our title segment, our investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and affiliates are accounted for using the equity method until such time that they become wholly or majority-owned. Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings represents the portion of a majority-owned subsidiary's net earnings or loss that is owned by noncontrolling shareholders of the subsidiary. Noncontrolling interest recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets represents the portion of equity in a consolidated subsidiary owned by noncontrolling shareholders.
We are involved in certain entities that are considered variable interest entities ("VIEs") as defined under GAAP. Our involvement with VIEs is primarily to invest in assets that allow us to gain exposure to a broadly diversified portfolio of asset classes. A VIE is an entity that does not have sufficient equity to finance its own activities without additional financial support, where investors lack certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest, or where the entity is structured with non-substantive voting rights. We assess our relationships with VIEs to evaluate if we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If we
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determine we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consolidate the assets and liabilities of the VIE in our Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note E Investments for additional information on our investments in VIEs.
Investments
Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for-Sale
Fixed maturity securities are purchased to support our investment strategies, which are developed based on factors including rate of return, maturity, credit risk, duration, tax considerations and regulatory requirements. Our investments in fixed maturity securities have been designated as available-for-sale ("AFS") and are carried at fair value, net of allowance for expected credit losses, with unrealized gains and losses included within AOCI, net of deferred income taxes. Fair values for fixed maturity securities are principally a function of current market conditions and are primarily valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable or unobservable. We recognize investment income on fixed maturities based on the effective interest method, which results in the recognition of a constant rate of return on the investment equal to the prevailing rate at the time of purchase or at the time of subsequent adjustments of book value. In our title segment, realized gains and losses on sales of our fixed maturity securities are determined on the basis of the cost of the specific investments sold and are credited or charged to income on a trade date basis. Our F&G segment uses first-in first-out cost basis and generally records security transactions on a trade date basis except for private placements, which are recorded on a settlement date basis. Realized gains and losses on sales of fixed maturity securities are reported within Recognized gains and losses, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Fixed maturity securities AFS are subject to an allowance for credit loss and changes in the allowance are reported in net earnings as a component of Recognized gains and losses, net. For details on our policy around allowance for expected credit losses on AFS securities, refer to Note E Investments.
Preferred and Equity Securities
Equity and preferred securities held are carried at fair value as of the balance sheet dates. The fair values of our equity and preferred securities are based on quoted prices in active markets, or are valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable or unobservable or based on net asset value ("NAV"). Changes in fair value and realized gains and losses on sales of our preferred and equity securities are reported within Recognized gains and losses, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Recognized gains and losses on sales of our preferred and equity securities are credited or charged to earnings on a trade date basis, unless the security is a private placement in which case settlement date basis is used. Interest and dividend income from these investments is reported in Interest and investment income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Derivative Financial Instruments
In our F&G segment, we hedge certain portions of our exposure to product related equity market risk by entering into derivative transactions (primarily call options). We utilize interest rate swaps to reduce market risks from interest rate changes on our earnings associated with our floating rate investments. All such derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The changes in fair value are reported within Recognized gains and losses, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
We purchase financial instruments and issue products that may contain embedded derivative instruments. If it is determined that the embedded derivative possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract, and a separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative is bifurcated from the host contract for measurement purposes. The Company’s embedded derivative associated to our FIA crediting rates policies is carried at fair value, which is determined through a combination of market observable inputs such as market value of option and interest swap rates and unobservable inputs such as the mortality multiplier, surrender and withdrawal rates and non-performance spread. The changes in fair value of the FIA embedded derivative are reported within Benefits and other changes in policy reserves in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Reinsurance Related Embedded Derivatives
As discussed in Note O F&G Reinsurance, F&G entered into reinsurance agreements to cede a quota share of certain deferred annuity, multi-year guaranteed annuities ("MYGA") and deferred annuity"), respectively, GAAP and statutory reserves on a coinsurance funds withheld basis, net of applicable existing reinsurance. Funds withheld arrangements allow the Company to retain legal ownership of assets backing reinsurance arrangements until they are earned by the reinsurer while passing credit risk associated with the assets in the funds withheld account to the reinsurer. These arrangements create embedded derivatives considered to be total return swaps with contractual returns that are attributable to the assets and liabilities associated with the reinsurance arrangement. The fair value of the total return swap is based on the change in fair value of the underlying assets held in the funds withheld portfolio. Investment results for the assets that support the coinsurance with funds withheld reinsurance arrangement, including gains and losses from sales, are passed directly to the reinsurer pursuant to contractual terms of the reinsurance arrangement. These total return swaps are not clearly and closely related to the underlying reinsurance
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contract and thus require bifurcation. The reinsurance related embedded derivative is reported in Prepaid expenses and other assets if in a net gain position, or Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, if in a net loss position on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the related gains or losses are reported in Recognized gains (losses) on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Mortgage Loans
Our investment in mortgage loans consists of commercial and residential mortgage loans on real estate, which are reported at amortized cost, less allowance for expected credit losses. For details on our policy around allowance for expected credit losses on mortgage loans, refer to Note E Investments.
Commercial mortgage loans ("CMLs") are continuously monitored by reviewing appraisals, operating statements, rent revenues, annual inspection reports, loan specific credit quality, property characteristics, market trends and other factors.
CMLs are rated for the purpose of quantifying the level of risk. Loans are placed on a watch list when the debt service coverage ("DSC") ratio falls below certain thresholds and the loan-to-value ("LTV") ratios exceeds certain thresholds. Loans on the watchlist are closely monitored for collateral deficiency or other credit events that may lead to a potential loss of principal or interest. We define delinquent mortgage loans as 30 days past due, consistent with industry practice.
Residential mortgage loans ("RMLs") have a primary credit quality indicator of either a performing or nonperforming loan. We define nonperforming RMLs as those that are 90 or more days past due and/or in nonaccrual status, which is assessed monthly. Generally, nonperforming RMLs have a higher risk of experiencing a credit loss. We consider residential mortgage loans that are 90 or more days past due and have an LTV greater than 90% to be foreclosure probable.
Interest on loans is recognized on an accrual basis at the applicable interest rate on the principal amount outstanding. Loan origination fees and direct costs, as well as premiums and discounts, are amortized as level yield adjustments over the respective loan terms. Unamortized net fees or costs are recognized upon early repayment of the loans. Loan commitment fees are deferred and amortized on an effective yield basis over the term of the loan. Interest income, amortization of premiums and discounts, prepayment fees, and loan commitment fees are reported in Interest and investment income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Short-term investments
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates
In our F&G segment, we account for our investments in unconsolidated affiliates using the equity method or by electing the fair value option. Initial investments are recorded at cost. For investments subsequently measured using the equity method (primarily limited partnerships), adjustments to the carrying amount reflect our pro rata ownership percentage of the operating results as indicated by net asset value (“NAV”) in the unconsolidated affiliates’ financial statements, which we may adjust if we determine NAV is not calculated consistent with investment company fair value principles. Distributions received from investments measured using the equity method are recorded as a decrease in the investment balance. For investments subsequently measured using the fair value option, adjustments to the carrying amount reflecting the change in fair value of the investment are reported along with realized gains and losses on sales of investments in unconsolidated affiliates in Recognized gains and (losses), net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Distributions received from investments measured using the fair value option is reported within Interest and investment income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Recognition of income and adjustments to the carrying amount can be delayed due to the availability of the related financial statements, which are obtained from the general partner or managing member generally on a one to three-month delay. For investments using the equity method, management inquires quarterly with the general partner or managing member to determine whether any credit or other market events have occurred since prior quarter financial statements to ensure any material events are properly included in current quarter valuation and investment income.
In our title segment, we account for our investments in unconsolidated affiliates using the equity method of accounting and earnings on our investments in unconsolidated affiliates are recorded within Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. We classify distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows using the cumulative earnings approach. Under the cumulative earnings approach, distributions are considered returns on investment and classified as cash inflows from operating activities unless the Company’s cumulative distributions from an investee received exceed the cumulative equity in earnings of such investee. When cumulative distributions from an investee exceed cumulative equity in earnings of the investee, such excess is considered a return of investment and is classified as a cash inflow from investing activities.
Interest and investment income
Dividends and interest income are recorded in Interest and investment income and recognized when earned. Income or losses upon call or prepayment of fixed maturity securities are recognized in Interest and investment income. Amortization of
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premiums and accretion of discounts on investments in fixed maturity securities are reflected in Interest and investment income over the contractual terms of the investments, and for callable investments at a premium, based on the earliest call date of the investments, in a manner that produces a constant effective yield.
For mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, included in the fixed maturity securities portfolios, one of two models may be used to recognize interest income. For higher rated securities, interest income will be estimated based on an effective yield that considers cash flows received to date plus current expectations of future cash flows. For all other securities, interest income will be estimated based upon an effective yield that considers current expectations of future cash flows. For both interest income models, the estimated future cash flows include assumptions regarding the performance of the underlying collateral pool.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Trade and Notes Receivables
The carrying values reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for trade and notes receivables approximate their fair value.
Premium revenues from agency title operations are recognized when the underlying title order and transaction closing, if applicable, are complete and reported to us. Premium revenues from agency operations and related commissions include an accrual based on estimated historical transaction volume data for policies that have closed in a particular period in which premiums have not yet been reported to us. Historically, the time lag between the closing of these transactions by our agents and the reporting of these policies, or premiums, to us has been up to 15 months, with 66 % - 91 % reported within three months following closing, an additional 6 % - 17 % reported within the next three months and the remainder within to months. In addition to accruing these earned but unreported agency premiums, we also accrue agent commission expense, which was 76.9 % of agent premiums earned in 2023, 77.1 % of agent premiums earned in 2022, and 76.7 % of agent premiums earned in 2021. The amount due from our agents relating to this accrual, i.e., the agent premium less their contractual retained commission, was approximately $35 million and $74 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Due to the offsetting effects of reversing prior period accruals, the impact of this accrual to our recorded Agency title insurance premiums, Agent commissions and net earnings in any given period is not considered material.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in Business Combinations
Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 805, Business Combinations, requires an acquirer to recognize, separately from goodwill, the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, and to measure these items generally at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill is recorded as the residual amount by which the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired. If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, we are required to report provisional amounts in the financial statements for the items for which the accounting is incomplete. Adjustments to provisional amounts initially recorded that are identified during the measurement period are recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. This includes any effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. During the measurement period, we are also required to recognize additional assets or liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in the recognition of those assets and liabilities as of that date. The measurement period ends the sooner of one year from the acquisition date or when we receive the information we were seeking about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date or learn that more information is not obtainable. Contingent consideration liabilities or receivables recorded in connection with business acquisitions must also be adjusted for changes in fair value until settled.
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Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of identifiable net assets acquired and assumed in a business combination. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are reviewed for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or more frequently if circumstances indicate potential impairment, through a comparison of fair value to the carrying amount. In evaluating the recoverability of goodwill, we perform an annual goodwill impairment analysis based on a review of qualitative factors to determine if events and circumstances exist, which will lead to a determination that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, prior to performing a full fair-value assessment.
VOBA, DAC, DSI and URL
Our intangible assets include the value of insurance and reinsurance contracts acquired (hereafter referred to as "VOBA"), deferred acquisition costs ("DAC"), deferred sales inducements ("DSI") and unearned revenue liabilities ("URL").
VOBA is an intangible asset that reflects the amount recorded as insurance contract liabilities less the estimated fair value of in-force contracts ("VIF") in a life insurance company acquisition. It represents the portion of the purchase price that is allocated to the value of the rights to receive future cash flows from the business in force at the acquisition date. VOBA is a function of the VIF, current GAAP reserves, GAAP assets, and deferred tax liability. The VIF is determined by the present value of statutory distributable earnings less opening required capital. DAC consists principally of commissions and other acquisition costs that are related directly to the successful sale of new or renewal insurance contracts. Indirect or unsuccessful acquisition costs, maintenance, product development and overhead expenses are charged to expense as incurred. DSI represents up front bonus credits and persistency or vesting bonuses credited to contractholder fund balances.
VOBA, DAC, and DSI are amortized on a constant level basis for the grouped contracts over the expected term of the related contracts to approximate straight-line amortization. Contracts are grouped by product type and feature and issue year into cohorts consistent with the grouping used in estimating the associated liability, where applicable. The constant level amortization bases of VOBA, DAC and DSI varies by product type. For universal life and indexed universal life ("IUL") insurance products, the constant level basis used is face amount in force. For deferred annuities (fixed indexed annuities ("FIA") and fixed rate annuities), the constant level basis used is initial premium deposit for DAC and DSI and vested account value as of the acquisition date for VOBA. For immediate annuity contracts, the VOBA balance is amortized in alignment with the Company’s accounting policy of amortizing the deferred profit liability ("DPL"). All amortization bases are adjusted by full lapses, which includes deaths, full surrenders, annuitizations and maturities, where applicable.
The constant level bases used for amortization are projected using mortality and lapse assumptions that are based on Company’s experience, industry data, and other factors and are consistent with those used for the future policy benefits ("FPBs"), where applicable. If those projected assumptions change in future periods, they will be reflected in the cohort level amortization basis at that time. Unexpected contract terminations, due to higher mortality and/or lapse experience than expected, are recognized in the current period as a reduction of the capitalized balances. All balances are reduced for actual experience in excess of expected experience with changes in future estimates recognized prospectively over the remaining expected grouped contract term. The impact of changes in projected assumptions and the impact of actual experience that is different from expectations both impact the amortization of these intangible assets, which is reported within Depreciation and amortization in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Some of our IUL policies require payment of fees or other policyholder assessments in advance for services that will be rendered over the estimated lives of the policies or contracts. These payments are established as URLs upon receipt and included in Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. URL is amortized like DAC over the estimated lives of these policies.
Other Intangible Assets
We have other intangible assets, not including goodwill, VOBA, DAC or DSI, which consist primarily of customer relationships and contracts, the value of distribution network acquired ("VODA"), trademarks and tradenames and state licenses, and computer software, which are generally recorded in connection with acquisitions at their fair value. Intangible assets with estimable lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In general, customer relationships are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally ten years , using an accelerated method, which takes into consideration expected customer attrition rates. VODA is an intangible asset that represents the value of an acquired distribution network and is amortized using the sum of years digits method. Contractual relationships are generally amortized over their contractual life. Trademarks and tradenames are generally amortized over ten
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We review VOBA, DSI and other intangible assets for impairment annually or when events or circumstances occur that indicate a potential change in the underlying basis. For further information, refer to Note M Intangibles.
Title Plants
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets: to thirty years for buildings and to twenty-five years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the term of the applicable lease or the estimated useful lives of such assets. Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We recorded $2 million of impairment expense related to property and equipment in our title segment in the year ended December 31, 2022.
Contractholder Funds
Contractholder funds include deferred annuities (FIAs and fixed rate annuities), IULs, funding agreements and non-life contingent ("NLC") immediate annuities (which includes NLC pension risk transfer ("PRT") annuities). The liabilities for contractholder funds for fixed rate annuities, funding agreements and NLC immediate annuities consist of contract account balances that accrue to the benefit of the contractholders. The liabilities for FIA and IUL policies consist of the value of the host contract plus the fair value of the indexed crediting feature of the policy, which is accounted for as an embedded derivative. The embedded derivative liability is carried at fair value in contractholder funds in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes in fair value reported in Benefits and other changes in policy reserves in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. See a description of the fair value methodology used in Note D Fair Value of Financial Instruments.
Future Policy Benefits
The FPB is determined as the present value of future policy benefits and related claims expenses to be paid to or on behalf of the policyholder less the present value of future net premiums to be collected from policyholders. The FPB for traditional life policies and life-contingent immediate annuity policies (which includes life-contingent PRT annuities) are estimated using current assumptions that include discount rate, mortality and surrender/lapse terminations for traditional life insurance policies only, and expenses. The expense assumption is locked-in at contract issuance and not subsequently reviewed or updated. The initial assumptions are based on generally accepted actuarial methods and a combination of internal and industry experience. Policies are terminated through surrenders, lapses and maturities, where surrenders represent the voluntary terminations of policies by policyholders, lapses represent cancellations by us due to nonpayment of premiums, and maturities are determined by policy contract terms.
For traditional life policies and life-contingent immediate annuity policies, contracts are grouped into cohorts by product type, legal entity, and issue year, or acquisition year for cohorts established as of the F&G acquisition date, June 1, 2020. Life-contingent PRT annuities are grouped into cohorts by deal and legal entity. At contract inception, a net premium ratio ("NPR") is determined, which is calculated based on discounted future cash flows projected using best estimate assumptions and is capped at 100 %, as net premiums cannot exceed gross premiums. Cohorts with NPRs less than 100% are not used to offset cohorts with NPRs greater than 100 %.
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The NPR is adjusted for changes in cash flow assumptions and for differences between actual and expected experience. We assess the appropriateness of all future cash flow assumptions, excluding the expense assumption, on a quarterly basis and perform an in-depth review of future cash flow assumptions in the third quarter of each year. Updates are made when evidence suggests a revision is necessary. Updates for actual experience, which includes actual cash flows and insurance in-force, are performed on a quarterly basis. These updated cash flows are used to calculate a revised NPR, which is used to derive an updated liability as of the beginning of the current reporting period, discounted at the original contract issuance date. The updated liability is compared with the carrying amount of the liability as of that same date before the revised NPR. The difference between these amounts is the remeasurement gain or loss, presented parenthetically within Benefits and other changes in policy reserves in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. In subsequent periods, the revised NPR, which is capped at 100 %, is used to measure the FPB, subject to future revisions. If the NPR is greater than 100%, and therefore capped at 100 %, the liability is increased and expensed immediately to reflect the amount necessary for net premiums to equal gross premiums. As the liability assumptions are reviewed and updated, if deemed necessary, at least annually, if conditions improve whereby the contracts are no longer expected to have net premiums in excess of gross premiums, the improvements would be captured in the remeasurement process and reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings in the period of improvement.
For traditional life policies and life-contingent immediate annuity policies (which includes life-contingent PRT annuities), the discount rate assumption is an equivalent single rate that is derived based on A-credit-rated fixed-income instruments with similar duration to the liability. We selected fixed-income instruments that have been A-rated by Bloomberg. In order to reflect the duration characteristics of the liability, we will use an implied forward yield curve and linear interpolation will be used for durations that have limited or no market observable points on the curve. The discount rate assumption is updated quarterly and used to remeasure the liability at the reporting date, with the resulting change reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings.
Deferred Profit Liability
For life-contingent immediate annuity policies, gross premiums received in excess of net premiums are deferred at initial recognition as a DPL. Gross premiums are measured using assumptions consistent with those used in the measurement of the related liability for FPBs, including discount rate, mortality, and expenses.
The DPL is amortized and recognized as premium revenue with the amount of expected future benefit payments, discounted using the same discount rate determined and locked-in at contract issuance that is used in the measurement of the related FPB. Interest is accreted on the balance of the DPL using this same discount rate. We periodically review and update our estimates using the actual historical experience and updated cash flows for the DPL at the same time as the estimates of cash flows for the FPB. When cash flows are updated, the updated estimates are used to recalculate the initial DPL at contract issuance. The recalculated DPL as of the beginning of the current reporting period is compared to the carrying amount of the DPL as of the beginning of the current reporting period, with any differences recognized as a remeasurement gain or loss, presented parenthetically within Benefits and other changes in policy reserves in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The DPL is recorded as a component of the Future policy benefits in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Market Risk Benefits
MRBs are contracts or contract features that both provide protection to the contract holder from other-than-nominal capital market risk (equity, interest rate and foreign exchange risk) and expose the Company to other-than-nominal capital market risk. MRBs include certain contract features primarily on FIA products that provide minimum guarantees to policyholders, such as guaranteed minimum death benefit ("GMDB"), guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit ("GMWB") riders and guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit ("GMAB") riders.
MRBs are measured at fair value using an attributed fee measurement approach where attributed fees are explicit rider charges collectible from the policyholder used to cover the excess benefits, which represent expected benefits in excess of the policyholder’s account value. At contract inception, an attributed fee ratio is calculated equal to rider charges over benefits paid in excess of the account value attributable to the MRBs. The attributed fee ratio remains static over the life of the MRB and is capped at 100 %. Each period subsequent to contract inception, the attributed fee ratio is used to calculate the fair value of the MRBs using a risk neutral valuation method and is based on current net amounts at risk, market data, internal and industry experience, and other factors. The balances are computed using assumptions including mortality, full and partial surrender, GMWB utilization, risk-free rates including non-performance spread and risk margin, market value of options and economic scenarios. Policyholder behavior assumptions are reviewed at least annually, typically in the third quarter, for any revisions. MRBs can either be in an asset or liability position and are presented separately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as the right of setoff criteria are not met. Changes in fair value are recognized in Market risk benefits gain (losses) in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings, except for the change in fair value due to a change in the instrument-specific credit risk,
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which is recognized in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings. See a description of the fair value methodology used in Note D Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Note X Market Risk Benefits.
Reserve for Title Claim Losses
Our reserve for title claim losses includes known claims as well as losses we expect to incur, net of recoupments. Each known claim is reserved based on our review as to the estimated amount of the claim and the costs required to settle the claim. Reserves for claims, which are incurred but not reported are established at the time premium revenue is recognized based on historical loss experience and also take into consideration other factors, including industry trends, claim loss history, current legal environment, geographic considerations and the type of policy written.
The reserve for title claim losses also includes reserves for losses arising from closing and disbursement functions due to fraud or operational error.
If a loss is related to a policy issued by an independent agent, we may proceed against the independent agent pursuant to the terms of the agency agreement. In any event, we may proceed against third parties who are responsible for any loss under the title insurance policy under rights of subrogation.
Secured Trust Deposits
In the state of Illinois, a trust company is permitted to commingle and invest customers’ assets with its own assets, pending completion of real estate transactions. Accordingly, our Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect a secured trust deposit liability of $731 million and $862 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, representing customers’ assets held by us and corresponding assets including cash and investments pledged as security for those trust balances.
Income Taxes
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities and expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss and credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The impact on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates and laws, if any, is applied to the years during which temporary differences are expected to be settled and reflected in the financial statements in the period enacted.
Reinsurance
Title
In our Title segment, in a limited number of situations, we limit our maximum loss exposure by reinsuring certain risks with other title insurers. We also earn a small amount of additional income, which is reflected in our direct premiums, by assuming reinsurance for certain risks of other title insurers. We cede a portion of certain policy and other liabilities under agent fidelity, excess of loss and case-by-case reinsurance agreements. Reinsurance agreements provide that in the event of a loss (including costs, attorneys’ fees and expenses) exceeding the retained amounts, the reinsurer is liable for the excess amount assumed. However, the ceding company remains primarily liable in the event the reinsurer does not meet its contractual obligations.
F&G
In our F&G segment, our insurance subsidiaries enter into reinsurance agreements with other companies in the normal course of business. For arrangements that meet the criteria to be accounted for as reinsurance, we present the amounts consistently and on a gross basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets with the ceded reserves balance presented as a Reinsurance recoverable. Deferred gains will be included within Accounts payable and accrued expenses with the related accretion reflected within Life insurance premiums and other fees on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Earnings, respectively. Deferred costs will be included within the Prepaid expense and other assets with the related amortization reflected within Other operating expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Earnings, respectively. Premium and expense are recorded net of reinsurance ceded.
For arrangements in which the underlying contracts do not include insurance risk or do not meet the criteria to be accounted for as reinsurance, the arrangements are accounted for as separate investment contracts or deposit accounting is applied, respectively. In both cases, we calculate a deposit asset based on the actual and expected cash flows associated to each arrangement and use the interest method to accrete the deposit asset using an effective yield based on changes in actual and expected cash flows. The deposit asset is presented within Reinsurance recoverable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the accretion of the deposit asset is presented within Benefits and other changes in policy reserves on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
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Revenue Recognition
Refer to Note L Revenue Recognition for a description of our accounting for our various revenue streams.
Benefits and Other Changes in Policy Reserves
Benefit expenses for deferred annuities (FIAs and fixed rate annuities), IUL policies and funding agreements include interest credited, fixed interest, floating interest (specific to funding agreements) and/or index credits (specific to FIA and IUL policies), to contractholder account balances. Benefit claims in excess of contract account balances, net of reinsurance recoveries, are charged to expense in the period that they are earned by the policyholder based on their selected strategy or strategies. Other changes in policy reserves include the change in the fair value of the FIA embedded derivative.
Other changes in policy reserves also include the change in reserves for life insurance products. For traditional life and life-contingent immediate annuities (which includes PRT annuities with life contingencies), policy benefit claims are charged to expense in the period that the claims are incurred, net of reinsurance recoveries. Remeasurement gains or losses on the related FPB and DPL balances are presented parenthetically within Benefits and other changes in policy reserves in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share, as presented on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings, is computed by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. In periods when earnings are positive, diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the impact of assumed conversions of potentially dilutive securities. For periods when we recognize a net loss, diluted earnings per share is equal to basic earnings per share as the impact of assumed conversions of potentially dilutive securities is considered to be antidilutive. We have granted certain stock options, shares of restricted stock, convertible debt instruments and certain other convertible share-based payments, which have been treated as common share equivalents for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share for periods in which positive earnings have been reported.
The net earnings of F&G in our calculation of diluted earnings per share is adjusted for dilution related to certain F&G restricted stock granted to F&G's employees in accordance with ASC 260-10-55-20. We calculate the ratio of the shares of F&G we own to the total weighted average diluted shares of F&G outstanding and multiply the ratio by F&G's net earnings. The result is used for F&G's net earnings attributable to FNF included in our consolidated net earnings in the numerator for our diluted EPS calculation.
Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
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Changes in the balance of Other comprehensive earnings (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, by component are as follows:
| Unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other financial instruments, net (excluding investments in unconsolidated affiliates) | Change in current discount rate - future policy benefits | Change in instrument-specific credit risk - market risk benefits | Other | Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance January 1, 2021 | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustments | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2021 | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustments | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-controlling interest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2022 | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification adjustments | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-controlling interest | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2023 | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
Management Estimates
The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Periodically, and at least annually, typically in the third quarter, we review the assumptions associated with reserves for policy benefits and product guarantees. During the third quarter of 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2023, based on increases in interest rates and pricing changes, we updated certain FIA assumptions to calculate the fair value of the embedded derivative component within the contractholder funds and also aligned reserves to actual policyholder behavior. These changes resulted in an increase in total benefits and other changes in policy reserves of approximately $73 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, based on increases in interest rates and pricing changes during 2022, we updated certain FIA assumptions used to calculate the fair value of the embedded derivative component within contractholder funds and the fair value of market risk benefits. These changes, taken together, resulted in an increase in contractholder funds and market risk benefits of $99 million.
During the third quarter of 2021, we implemented a new actuarial valuation system. As a result, our third quarter 2021 assumption updates include model refinements and assumption updates resulting from the implementation. The system implementation and assumption review process that occurred in the third quarter of 2021, included refinements in the calculation of the fair value of the embedded derivative component of our FIAs within contractholder funds and updates to the surrender rates, GMWB utilization and earned rate assumptions to reflect our current and expected future experience. These changes, taken together, resulted in a decrease in contractholder funds and future policy reserves of $435 million. The majority of the changes represent one-time adjustments in the third quarter of 2021 related to the cumulative impact of the system implementation and are not expected to re-occur in the future.
Owned Distribution Investments
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we expensed approximately $154 million and $74 million in commissions on sales through our funded owned distribution investments and their affiliates, respectively, with the acquisition expense deferred and amortized in Depreciation and amortization on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
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Note B — Acquisitions
TitlePoint
On January 1, 2023, we completed our previously announced acquisition of TitlePoint for $224 million in cash, subject to a customary working capital adjustment.
The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination under FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, Business Combinations ("Topic 805"). The purchase price has been allocated to TitlePoint's assets acquired based on their fair values as of the acquisition date. Goodwill has been recorded based on the amount that the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill consists primarily of intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. The goodwill recorded is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. We completed our assessment of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed within the one-year period from the date of acquisition. In connection with the acquisition, we recorded fair value estimates for goodwill, other intangible assets and other assets of $165 million, $54 million and $6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023.
The gross carrying value and weighted average estimated useful lives of Other intangible assets acquired in the TitlePoint acquisition consist of the following:
| Gross Carrying Value | Weighted Average Estimated Useful Life (in years) | ||||||||||
| Other intangible assets: | (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Customer relationships | $ | ||||||||||
| Trade name | |||||||||||
| Software | |||||||||||
| Total Other intangible assets | $ | ||||||||||
AllFirst
On August 9, 2022, we acquired approximately 74 % of the outstanding equity of AllFirst for approximately $130 million in cash consideration. On December 19, 2022, we purchased an additional 6 % of the outstanding equity of AllFirst for approximately $10 million in cash consideration.
The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination under FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, Business Combinations ("Topic 805"). The purchase price has been allocated to AllFirst's assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values as of August 9, 2022. Goodwill has been recorded based on the amount that the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill consists primarily of intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. The goodwill recorded is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. We completed our assessment of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed within the one-year period from the date of acquisition. We recorded fair value amounts as of the acquisition date for goodwill, other intangibles, other assets, other liabilities and non-controlling interest of $104 million, $55 million, $40 million, $18 million and $46 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023.
The gross carrying value and weighted average estimated useful lives of Other intangible assets acquired in the AllFirst acquisition consist of the following (dollars in millions):
| Gross Carrying Value | Weighted Average Estimated Useful Life (in years) | ||||||||||
| Other intangible assets: | |||||||||||
| Customer relationships | $ | ||||||||||
| Trade name | |||||||||||
| Non-compete agreements | |||||||||||
| Software | |||||||||||
| Total Other intangible assets | $ | ||||||||||
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Note C — Summary of Reserve for Title Claim Losses
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
| Change in insurance recoverable | ( | ||||||||||
| Claim loss provision related to: | |||||||||||
| Current year | |||||||||||
| Prior years | |||||||||||
| Total title claim loss provision | |||||||||||
| Claims paid, net of recoupments related to: | |||||||||||
| Current year | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||
| Prior years | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||
| Total title claims paid, net of recoupments | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||
| Ending balance of claim loss reserve for title insurance | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
| Provision for title insurance claim losses as a percentage of title insurance premiums | % | % | % | ||||||||
Several lawsuits have been filed by various parties against Chicago Title Company and Chicago Title Insurance Company as its principal (collectively, the “Named Companies”). Generally, plaintiffs claim they are investors who were solicited by Gina Champion-Cain through her former company, ANI Development LLC (“ANI”), or other affiliates to provide funds that purportedly were to be used for high-interest, short-term loans to parties seeking to acquire California alcoholic beverage licenses. Plaintiffs contend they were told that under California state law, alcoholic beverage license applicants are required to deposit into escrow an amount equal to the license purchase price while their applications remain pending with the State. Plaintiffs further alleged that employees of Chicago Title Company participated with Ms. Champion-Cain and her entities in a fraud scheme involving an escrow account maintained by Chicago Title Company into which some of the plaintiffs’ funds were deposited.
In connection with the alcoholic beverage license scheme, a lawsuit styled, Securities and Exchange Commission v. Gina Champion-Cain and ANI Development, LLC, was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California asserting claims for securities fraud against Ms. Champion-Cain and certain of her affiliated entities. A receiver was appointed by the court to preserve the assets of the defendant affiliated entities (the “receivership entities”), pay their debts, operate the businesses and pursue any claims they may have against third-parties. Pursuant to the authority granted to her by the federal court, on January 7, 2022, a lawsuit styled, Krista Freitag v. Chicago Title Co. and Chicago Title Ins. Co., was filed in San Diego County Superior Court by the receiver on behalf of the receivership entities against the Named Companies. The receiver sought compensatory, incidental, consequential, and punitive damages, and the recovery of attorneys’ fees. In turn, the Named Companies petitioned the federal court to sue ANI, via the receiver, to pursue indemnity and other claims against the receivership entities as joint tortfeasors, which was granted.
On April 26, 2022, the Named Companies reached a global settlement with the receiver and several other investor claimants. As a condition of the settlement, the Named Companies and the receiver jointly sought court approval of the global settlement and entry of an order barring any claims against the Named Companies related to the alcoholic beverage license scheme. On November 23, 2022, the federal court overruled any objections by non-joining investors and entered an order approving the global settlement and barring further claims against the Named Companies (“Settlement and Bar Order”). The receiver’s lawsuit against the Named Companies has been dismissed. The receiver is in receipt of the settlement payment from Chicago Title Company and will distribute the amount designated for each non-joining investor at the conclusion of any such investor’s appeal of the Settlement and Bar Order (or back to Chicago Title Company if an appeal is successful). Some of the investor claimants who objected to entry of the Settlement and Bar Order appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit by (Cases 22-56206, 22-56208, and 23-55083), and appellate oral argument is expected to be held later this year. After filing its appeal, one of the appellants, CalPrivate Bank (Case 23-55083), entered into a settlement with the receiver that was approved by the federal court. This settlement resolves CalPrivate Bank’s objections to the Settlement and Bar Order, and its appeal has been dismissed.
The following lawsuits remain pending in the Superior Court of San Diego County for the State of California, all of which involve investor claimants who have claims against the Named Companies, objected to the settlement with the receiver, and have appealed the Settlement and Bar Order. Since any pending and future claims against the Named Companies are barred, the state court cases where plaintiffs have served a notice of appeal have been stayed pending the outcome of the appeals, and the claims against the Named Companies by non-appealing plaintiffs have been dismissed with prejudice. While they have not been
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consolidated into one action, they have been deemed by the court to be related and are assigned to the same judge for purposes of judicial economy.
On December 13, 2019, a lawsuit styled, Kim Funding, LLC, Kim H. Peterson, Joseph J. Cohen, and ABC Funding Strategies, LLC v. Chicago Title Co., Chicago Title Ins. Co., Thomas Schwiebert, Adelle Ducharme, and Betty Elixman, was filed in San Diego County Superior Court. Plaintiffs claim losses of more than $250 million as a result of the alleged fraud scheme, and also seek statutory, treble, and punitive damages, as well as the recovery of attorneys' fees. The Named Companies have filed a cross-complaint against Ms. Champion-Cain, and others. The Named Companies have reached a conditional settlement with the members of ABC Funding Strategies, LLC plaintiffs under confidential terms.
On July 7, 2020, a cross-claim styled, Laurie Peterson v. Chicago Title Co., Chicago Title Ins. Co., Thomas Schwiebert, Adelle Ducharme, and Betty Elixman, was filed in an existing lawsuit styled, Banc of California, National Association v. Laurie Peterson, which is pending in San Diego County Superior Court. Cross-complaint plaintiff was sued by a bank to recover in excess of $35 million that she allegedly guaranteed to repay for certain investments made by the Banc of California in the alcoholic beverage license scheme. Cross-complaint plaintiff has, in turn, sued the Named Companies in that action seeking in excess of $250 million in monetary losses as well as exemplary damages and attorneys’ fees. The Named Companies filed a cross-complaint against Ms. Champion-Cain, and others, and the Named Companies were substituted in as the Plaintiff following a settlement with the bank.
On September 3, 2020, a cross-claim styled, Kim H. Peterson Trustee of the Peterson Family Trust dated April 14 1992 v. Chicago Title Co., Chicago Title Ins. Co., Thomas Schwiebert, Adelle Ducharme, and Betty Elixman, was filed in an existing lawsuit styled, CalPrivate Bank v. Kim H. Peterson Trustee of the Peterson Family Trust dated April 14 1992, which is pending in Superior Court of San Diego County for the State of California. Cross-complaint plaintiff was sued by a bank to recover in excess of $12 million that the trustee allegedly guaranteed to repay for certain investments made by CalPrivate Bank in the alcoholic beverage license scheme. Cross-complaint plaintiff has, in turn, sued the Named Companies in that action seeking in excess of $250 million in monetary losses as well as exemplary damages and attorneys’ fees. As a result of the receiver’s settlement with CalPrivate Bank, the receiver has been substituted in as the plaintiff in the suit against the trustee.
On November 2, 2020, a lawsuit styled, CalPrivate Bank v. Chicago Title Co. and Chicago Title Ins. Co., was also filed in the Superior Court of San Diego County for the State of California. Plaintiff claims losses in excess of $12 million based upon business loan advances made in the alcoholic beverage license scheme and seeks punitive damages and the recovery of attorneys’ fees. The Named Companies have filed a cross-complaint against Ms. Champion-Cain, and others. Given CalPrivate Bank’s settlement with the receiver, this action against the Named Companies will be dismissed.
Chicago Title Company has also resolved a number of other pre-suit claims and previously-disclosed lawsuits from both individual and groups of alleged investors under confidential terms. Based on the facts and circumstances of the remaining claims, including the settlements already reached, we have recorded reserves included in our reserve for title claim losses, which we believe are adequate to cover losses related to this matter, and believe that our reserves for title claim losses are adequate.
We continually update loss reserve estimates as new information becomes known, new loss patterns emerge or as other contributing factors are considered and incorporated into the analysis of reserve for claim losses. Estimating future title loss payments is difficult because of the complex nature of title claims, the long periods of time over which claims are paid, significantly varying dollar amounts of individual claims and other factors.
Due to the uncertainty inherent in the process and to the judgment used by management, the ultimate liability may be greater or less than our current reserves. If actual claims loss development varies from what is currently expected and is not offset by other factors, it is possible that additional reserve adjustments may be required in future periods in order to maintain our recorded reserve within a reasonable range of our actuary's central estimate.
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Note D — Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Our measurement of fair value is based on assumptions used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability, which may include inherent risk, restrictions on the sale or use of an asset, or non-performance risk, which may include our own credit risk. We estimate an exchange price is the price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the liability (“exit price”) in the principal market, or the most advantageous market for that asset or liability in the absence of a principal market as opposed to the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or assume a liability (“entry price”). We categorize financial instruments carried at fair value into a three-level fair value hierarchy, based on the priority of inputs to the respective valuation technique, along with NAV. The hierarchy for fair value measurement is defined as follows:
Level 1 - Values are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets accessible at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices from those willing to trade in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by market data for the term of the instrument. Such inputs include market interest rates and volatilities, spreads, and yield curves.
Level 3 - Certain inputs are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity) and significant to the fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s best estimate of what hypothetical market participants would use to determine a transaction price for the asset or liability at the reporting date based on the best information available in the circumstances.
NAV - Certain equity investments are measured using NAV as a practical expedient in determining fair value. In addition, our unconsolidated affiliates (primarily limited partnerships) are primarily accounted for using the equity method of accounting with fair value determined using NAV as a practical expedient. Our carrying value reflects our pro rata ownership percentage as indicated by NAV in the limited partnership financial statements, which we may adjust if we determine NAV is not calculated consistent with investment company fair value principles. The underlying investments of the limited partnerships may have significant unobservable inputs, which may include, but are not limited to, comparable multiples and weighted average cost of capital rates applied in valuation models or a discounted cash flow model. Additionally, management meets quarterly with the general partner to determine whether any credit or other market events have occurred since prior quarter financial statements to ensure any material events are properly included in current quarter valuation and investment income.
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the investment.
When a determination is made to classify an asset or liability within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable inputs to the overall fair value measurement. Because certain securities trade in less liquid or illiquid markets with limited or no pricing information, the determination of fair value for these securities is inherently more difficult. In addition to the unobservable inputs, Level 3 fair value investments may include observable components, which are components that are actively quoted or can be validated to market-based sources.
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The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial instruments for which the disclosure of fair values is required, including financial assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis, with the exception of investment contracts, portions of other long-term investments and debt, which are disclosed later within this footnote, was summarized according to the hierarchy previously described, as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | NAV | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hybrids | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipals | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Governments | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred securities | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative investments | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in unconsolidated affiliates | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short term investments | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance related embedded derivative, included in other assets | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term investments | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefits asset | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total financial assets at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA/ IUL embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefits liability | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative instruments - futures contracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total financial liabilities at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | NAV | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hybrids | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipals | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Governments | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred securities | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative investments | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment in unconsolidated affiliates | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance related embedded derivative, included in other assets | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short term investments | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefits asset | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term investments | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total financial assets at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA/ IUL embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefits liability | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total financial liabilities at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Valuation Methodologies
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these instruments approximate fair value.
Fixed Maturity, Preferred and Equity Securities
We measure the fair value of our securities based on assumptions used by market participants in pricing the security. The most appropriate valuation methodology is selected based on the specific characteristics of the fixed maturity, preferred or equity security, and we will then consistently apply the valuation methodology to measure the security’s fair value. Our fair value measurement is based on a market approach, which utilizes prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. Sources of inputs to the market approach include third-party pricing services, independent broker quotations, or pricing matrices. We use observable and unobservable inputs in our valuation methodologies. Observable inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications. In addition, market indicators and industry and economic events are monitored and further market data will be acquired when certain thresholds are met.
For certain security types, additional inputs may be used, or some of the inputs described above may not be applicable. The significant input used in the fair value measurement of equity securities for which the market approach valuation technique is employed is yield for comparable securities. Increases or decreases in the yields would result in lower or higher, respectively, fair value measurements. For broker-quoted only securities, quotes from market makers or broker-dealers are obtained from sources recognized to be market participants. We believe the broker quotes are prices at which trades could be executed based on historical trades executed at broker-quoted or slightly higher prices.
We analyze the third-party valuation methodologies and related inputs to perform assessments to determine the appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy. However, we did not adjust prices received from third parties as of December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.
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Certain equity investments are measured using NAV as a practical expedient in determining fair value.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Our call options, futures contracts, and interest rate swaps can either be exchange traded or over the counter. Exchange traded derivatives typically fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy if there is active trading activity. Two methods are used to value over-the-counter derivatives. When required inputs are available, certain derivatives are valued using valuation pricing models, which represent what we would expect to receive or pay at the balance sheet date if we cancelled or exercised the derivative, or entered into offsetting positions. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, which include the use of market-observable inputs, including interest rate, yield curve volatilities, and other factors. These over-the-counter derivatives are typically classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as the majority trade in liquid markets, we can verify model inputs and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. When inputs aren’t available for valuation models, certain over-the-counter derivatives are valued using independent broker quotes, which are based on unobservable market data and classified within Level 3.
The fair value measurement of the FIA/IUL embedded derivatives included in contractholder funds is determined through a combination of market observable information and significant unobservable inputs using the option budget method. The market observable inputs are the market value of option and treasury rates. The significant unobservable inputs are the budgeted option cost (i.e., the expected cost to purchase call options in future periods to fund the equity indexed linked feature), surrender rates, mortality multiplier and non-performance spread. The mortality multiplier at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was applied to the 2012 Individual Annuity mortality tables. Increases or decreases in the market value of an option in isolation would result in a higher or lower, respectively, fair value measurement. Increases or decreases in treasury rates, mortality multiplier, surrender rates, or non-performance spread in isolation would result in a lower or higher fair value measurement, respectively. Generally, a change in any one unobservable input would not directly result in a change in any other unobservable input. Also refer to Management's Estimates in Note A - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies regarding certain assumption updates.
The fair value of the reinsurance-related embedded derivatives in the funds withheld reinsurance agreements are estimated based upon the fair value of the assets supporting the funds withheld from reinsurance liabilities. The fair value of the assets is based on a quoted market price of similar assets (Level 2), and therefore the fair value of the embedded derivative is based on market-observable inputs and classified as Level 2. See Note E - Reinsurance for further discussion on F&G reinsurance agreements.
Investments in Unconsolidated affiliates
We have elected the fair value option for certain investments in unconsolidated affiliates as we believe this better aligns them with other investments in unconsolidated affiliates that are measured using NAV as a practical expedient in determining fair value. Investments measured using the fair value option are included in Level 3 and the fair value of these investments are determined using a multiple of the affiliates’ EBITDA, which is derived from market analysis of transactions involving comparable companies. The EBITDA used in this calculation is based on the affiliates’ financial information. The inputs are usually considered unobservable, as not all market participants have access to this data.
Short-term Investments
The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these instruments approximate fair value.
Other long-term investments
We hold a fund-linked note that provides for an additional payment at maturity based on the value of an embedded derivative based on the actual return of a dedicated return fund. Fair value of the embedded derivative is based on an unobservable input, the NAV of the fund at the balance sheet date. The embedded derivative is similar to a call option on the NAV of the fund with a strike price of zero since Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company ("FGL Insurance") will not be required to make any additional payments at maturity of the fund-linked note in order to receive the NAV of the fund on the maturity date. A Black-Scholes model determines the NAV of the fund as the fair value of the call option regardless of the values used for the other inputs to the option pricing model. The NAV of the fund is provided by the fund manager at the end of each calendar month and represents the value an investor would receive if it withdrew its investment on the balance sheet date. Therefore, the key unobservable input used in the Black-Scholes model is the value of the fund. As the value of the fund increases or decreases, the fair value of the embedded derivative will increase or decrease. See further discussion on the available-for-sale embedded derivative in Note F Derivative Financial Instruments.
The fair value of the credit-linked note is based on a weighted average of a broker quote and a discounted cash flow analysis. The discounted cash flow approach is based on the expected portfolio cash flows and amortization schedule reflecting
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investment expectations, adjusted for assumptions on the portfolio's default and recovery rates, and the note's discount rate. The fair value of the note is provided by the fund manager at the end of each quarter.
Quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs used for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of financial instruments carried at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, excluding assets and liabilities for which significant quantitative unobservable inputs are not developed internally and not readily available to the Company (primarily those valued using broker quotes and certain third-party pricing services) are as follows:
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| Fair Value at | Valuation Technique | Unobservable Input(s) | Range (Weighted average) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | Third-Party Valuation | Discount Rate | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates | Third-Party Valuation | Discount Rate | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates | Discounted Cash Flow | Discount Rate | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipals | Third-Party Valuation | Discount Rate | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | Third-Party Valuation | Discount Rate | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Governments | Third-Party Valuation | Discount Rate | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment in unconsolidated affiliates | Market Comparable Company Analysis | EBITDA Multiple | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred securities | Discounted Cash Flow | Discount rate | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | Discounted Cash Flow | Discount rate | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale embedded derivative | Black Scholes Model | Market Value of Fund | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefits asset | Discounted Cash Flow | Mortality | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrender Rates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Partial Withdrawal Rates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Performance Spread | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| GMWB Utilization | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total financial assets at fair value (a) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA/ IUL embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds | $ | Discounted Cash Flow | Market Value of Option | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Swap rates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortality Multiplier | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrender Rates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Partial Withdrawals | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Performance Spread | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Option cost | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefits liability | Discounted Cash Flow | Mortality | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrender Rates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Partial Withdrawal Rates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Performance Spread | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| GMWB Utilization | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total financial liabilities at fair value | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
121
| Fair Value at | Valuation Technique | Unobservable Input(s) | Range (Weighted average) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | Third-Party Valuation | Discount Rate | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates | Third-Party Valuation | Discount Rate | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates | Discounted Cash Flow | Discount Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipals | Third-Party Evaluation | Discount Rate | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign governments | Third-Party Evaluation | Discount Rate | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment in unconsolidated affiliates | Market Comparable Company Analysis | EBITDA multiple | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred Securities | Discounted Cash Flow | Discount rate | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | Discounted Cash Flow | Discount Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale embedded derivative | Black Scholes model | Market value of fund | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefits asset | Discounted Cash Flow | Mortality | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrender Rates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Partial Withdrawal Rates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Performance Spread | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| GMWB Utilization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total financial assets at fair value (a) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA/ IUL embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds | $ | Discounted cash flow | Market value of option | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Swap rates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortality multiplier | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrender rates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Partial withdrawals | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-performance spread | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Option cost | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefits liability | Discounted Cash Flow | Mortality | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrender rates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Partial withdrawal rates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-performance spread | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| GMWB utilization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total financial liabilities at fair value | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Excludes $7,174 million of assets for which significant quantitative unobservable inputs are not developed internally and not readily available to the Company (primarily those valued using broker quotes and certain third-party pricing services)
122
The following tables summarize changes to the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value and classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The gains and losses below may include changes in fair value due in part to observable inputs that are a component of the valuation methodology.
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at Beginning of Period | Total Gains (Losses) | Purchases | Sales | Settlements | Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a) | Balance at End of Period | Change in Unrealized Incl in OCI | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hybrids | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Governments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment in unconsolidated affiliates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative instruments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale embedded derivative | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit linked note | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Secured borrowing receivable | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal Level 3 assets at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefits asset | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Level 3 assets at fair value | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA/ IUL embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal Level 3 liabilities at fair value | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Market Risk benefits liability | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Level 3 liabilities at fair value | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Year ended December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at Beginning of Period | Total Gains (Losses) | Purchases | Sales | Settlements | Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a) | Balance at End of Period | Change in Unrealized Incl in OCI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hybrids | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipals | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Governments | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment in unconsolidated affiliates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred securities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale embedded derivative | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Secured borrowing receivable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit linked note | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal Level 3 assets at fair value | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefits asset | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Level 3 assets at fair value | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal Total liabilities at Level 3 fair value | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Market risk benefits liability | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Level 3 liabilities at fair value | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Valuation Methodologies and Associated Inputs for Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
The following discussion outlines the methodologies and assumptions used to determine the fair value of our financial instruments not carried at fair value. Considerable judgment is required to develop these assumptions used to measure fair value. Accordingly, the estimates shown are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized in a one-time, current market exchange of all of our financial instruments.
Mortgage Loans
The fair value of mortgage loans is established using a discounted cash flow method based on internal credit rating, maturity and future income. This yield-based approach is sourced from our third-party vendor. The internal ratings for mortgages in good standing are based on property type, location, market conditions, occupancy, debt service coverage, loan-to-value, quality of tenancy, borrower, and payment record. The inputs used to measure the fair value of our mortgage loans are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
124
Investments in Unconsolidated affiliates
In our F&G segment, the fair value of Investments in unconsolidated affiliates is determined using NAV as a practical expedient and are included in the NAV column in the table below. In our Title segment, Investments in unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. In our Title segment, Investments in unconsolidated affiliates were $263 million and $187 million as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Policy Loans (included within Other long-term investments)
Fair values for policy loans are estimated from a discounted cash flow analysis, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar credit risk. Loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations, policy loans are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Company Owned Life Insurance
Company owned life insurance ("COLI") is a life insurance program used to finance certain employee benefit expenses. The fair value of COLI is based on net realizable value, which is generally cash surrender value. COLI is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Other Invested Assets (included within Other long-term investments)
The fair value of the bank loan is estimated using a discounted cash flow method with the discount rate based on weighted average cost of capital ("WACC"). This yield-based approach is sourced from a third-party vendor and the WACC establishes a market participant discount rate by determining the hypothetical capital structure for the asset should it be underwritten as of each period end. Other invested assets are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Investment Contracts
Investment contracts include deferred annuities (FIAs and fixed rate annuities), indexed IULs, funding agreements, PRT solutions and immediate annuity contracts without life contingencies. The FIA/IUL embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds, are excluded as they are carried at fair value. The fair value of the FIA, fixed rate annuity and IUL contracts is based on their cash surrender value (i.e., the cost the Company would incur to extinguish the liability) as these contracts are generally issued without an annuitization date. The fair value of funding agreements and PRT and immediate annuity contracts without life contingencies is derived by calculating a new fair value interest rate using the updated yield curve and treasury spreads as of the respective reporting date. The Company is not required to, and has not, estimated the fair value of the liabilities under contracts that involve significant mortality or morbidity risks, as these liabilities fall within the definition of insurance contracts that are exceptions from financial instruments that require disclosures of fair value.
Other
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta ("FHLB") common stock, Accounts receivable and Notes receivable are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The carrying amount of FHLB common stock represents the value it can be sold back to the FHLB and is classified as Level 2 within the hierarchy. Accounts receivable and Notes receivable are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Debt
The fair value of debt is based on quoted market prices. The inputs used to measure the fair value of our outstanding debt are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The carrying value of the F&G Credit Facility at December 31, 2023, approximates fair value as the rates are comparable to those at which we could currently borrow under similar terms. As such, the fair value of the revolving credit facility was classified as a Level 2 measurement.
125
The following tables provide the carrying value and estimated fair value of our financial instruments that are carried on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at amounts other than fair value, summarized according to the fair value hierarchy previously described.
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | NAV | Total Estimated Fair Value | Carrying Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB common stock | $ | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage loans | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage loans | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in unconsolidated affiliates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy loans | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other invested assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company-owned life insurance | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade and notes receivables, net of allowance | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds | $ | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | NAV | Total Estimated Fair Value | Carrying Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB common stock | $ | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage loans | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage loans | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in unconsolidated affiliates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy loans | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other invested assets | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company-owned life insurance | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade and notes receivables, net of allowance | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds | $ | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For investments for which NAV is used, we do not have any significant restrictions in our ability to liquidate our positions in these investments, other than obtaining general partner approval, nor do we believe it is probable a price less than NAV would be received in the event of a liquidation.
126
Note E — Investments
Our investments in fixed maturity securities have been designated as AFS, and are carried at fair value, net of allowance for expected credit losses, with unrealized gains and losses included within AOCI, net of deferred income taxes. Our preferred and equity securities investments are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in net earnings. Our consolidated investments are summarized as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale securities | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hybrids | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipals | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Governments | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total available-for-sale securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale securities | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed/asset-backed securities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hybrids | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipals | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Governments | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total available-for-sale securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities held on deposit with various state regulatory authorities had a fair value of $141 million and $17,870 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The decrease in securities held on deposit with various state regulatory authorities during the year ended December 31, 2023, is primarily attributable to revisions to regulatory requirements in the state of Iowa.
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we held $47 million and $27 million of investments that were non-income producing for a period greater than twelve months, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company's accrued interest receivable balance was $481 million and $365 million, respectively. Accrued interest receivable is classified within within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
In accordance with our FHLB agreements, the investments supporting the funding agreement liabilities are pledged as collateral to secure the FHLB funding agreement liabilities and are not available to the Company for general purposes. The collateral investments had a fair value of $4,345 million and $3,387 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
127
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities by contractual maturities, as applicable, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporates, Non-structured Hybrids, Municipal and Government securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Due in one year or less | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Due after one year through five years | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Due after five years through ten years | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Due after ten years | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other securities, which provide for periodic payments: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Structured hybrids | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Allowance for Current Expected Credit Loss
We regularly review AFS securities for declines in fair value that we determine to be credit related. For our fixed maturity securities, we generally consider the following in determining whether our unrealized losses are credit related, and if so, the magnitude of the credit loss:
•The extent to which the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis;
•The reasons for the decline in value (credit event, currency or interest-rate related, including general credit spread widening);
•The financial condition of and near-term prospects of the issuer (including issuer's current credit rating and the probability of full recovery of principal based upon the issuer's financial strength);
•Current delinquencies and nonperforming assets of underlying collateral;
•Expected future default rates;
•Collateral value by vintage, geographic region, industry concentration or property type;
•Subordination levels or other credit enhancements as of the balance sheet date as compared to origination; and
•Contractual and regulatory cash obligations and the issuer's plans to meet such obligations.
We recognize an allowance for current expected credit losses on fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position when it is determined, using the factors discussed above, a component of the unrealized loss is related to credit. We measure the credit loss using a discounted cash flow model that utilizes the single best estimate cash flow and the recognized credit loss is limited to the total unrealized loss on the security (i.e. the fair value floor). Cash flows are discounted using the implicit yield of bonds at their time of purchase and the current book yield for asset and mortgage backed securities as well as variable rate securities. We recognize the expected credit losses in Recognized gains and losses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, with an offset for the amount of non-credit impairments recognized in AOCI. We do not measure a credit loss allowance on accrued investment income because we write-off accrued interest through Interest and investment income when collectability concerns arise.
We consider the following in determining whether write-offs of a security’s amortized cost is necessary:
• We believe amounts related to securities have become uncollectible; or
• We intend to sell a security; or
• It is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a security prior to recovery.
128
If we intend to sell a fixed maturity security or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis and the fair value of the security is below amortized cost, we will write down the security to current fair value, with a corresponding charge, net of any amount previously recognized as an allowance for expected credit loss, to Recognized gains and losses, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. If we do not intend to sell a fixed maturity security or it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell a fixed maturity security before recovery of its amortized cost basis but believe amounts related to a security are uncollectible , an impairment is deemed to have occurred and the amortized cost is written down to the estimated recovery value with a corresponding charge, net of any amount previously recognized as an allowance for expected credit loss, to Recognized gains and losses, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The remainder of unrealized loss is held in AOCI. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our allowance for expected credit losses for AFS securities was $42 million and $39 million, respectively.
The fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale securities, excluding securities in an unrealized loss position with an allowance for expected credit loss, aggregated by investment category and duration of fair value below amortized cost were as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 12 months | 12 months or longer | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale securities | (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hybrids | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipals | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Government | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total available-for-sale securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position less than twelve months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position twelve months or longer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 12 months | 12 months or longer | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporates | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hybrids | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipals | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Government | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Government | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total available-for-sale securities | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position less than twelve months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position twelve months or longer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
129
We determined the unrealized losses were caused by higher treasury rates compared to those at the time of the F&G acquisition or the purchase of the security if later. For securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2023, our allowance for expected credit loss was $42 million. We believe that the unrealized loss position for which we have not recorded an allowance for expected credit loss as of December 31, 2023, was primarily attributable to interest rate increases, near-term illiquidity, and other macroeconomic uncertainties as opposed to issuer specific credit concerns.
Mortgage Loans
Our mortgage loans are collateralized by commercial and residential properties.
Commercial Mortgage Loans
CMLs represented approximately 6 % of our total investments at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The mortgage loans in our investment portfolio, are generally comprised of high quality commercial first lien and mezzanine real estate loans. Mortgage loans are primarily on income producing properties including industrial properties, retail buildings, multifamily properties and office buildings We diversify our CML portfolio by geographic region and property type to attempt to reduce concentration risk. We continuously evaluate CMLs based on relevant current information to ensure properties are performing at a consistent and acceptable level to secure the related debt. The distribution of CMLs, gross of valuation allowances, by property type and geographic region is reflected in the following tables:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost | % of Total | Amortized Cost | % of Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Property Type: | (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hotel | $ | % | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed Use | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Multifamily | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Office | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Student Housing | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial mortgage loans, gross of valuation allowance | $ | % | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for expected credit loss | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial mortgage loans, net of valuation allowance | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Region: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| East North Central | $ | % | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| East South Central | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Middle Atlantic | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Mountain | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| New England | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Pacific | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| South Atlantic | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| West North Central | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| West South Central | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial mortgage loans, gross of valuation allowance | $ | % | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for expected credit loss | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial mortgage loans, net of valuation allowance | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
130
CMLs segregated by aging of loans and charge offs (by year of origination) were as follows for the year ended December 31, 2023:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost by Origination Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current (less than 30 days past due) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30-89 days past due | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 90 days or more past due | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial mortgage loans (a) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge offs | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Excludes loans under development with an amortized cost and estimated fair value of $22
CMLs segregated by aging of loans (by year of origination) were as follows for the year ended December 31, 2022:
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost by Origination Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current (less than 30 days past due) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30-89 days past due | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 90 days or more past due | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial mortgage loans(a) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Excludes loans under development with an amortized cost and estimated fair value of $9
LTV and DSC ratios are measures commonly used to assess the risk and quality of mortgage loans. The LTV ratio is expressed as a percentage of the amount of the loan relative to the value of the underlying property. A LTV ratio in excess of 100% indicates the unpaid loan amount exceeds the underlying collateral. The DSC ratio, based upon the most recently received financial statements, is expressed as a percentage of the amount of a property’s net income to its debt service payments. A DSC ratio of less than 1.00 indicates that a property’s operations do not generate sufficient income to cover debt payments. We normalize our DSC ratios to a 25 -year amortization period for purposes of our general loan allowance evaluation.
The following tables presents the recorded investment in CMLs by LTV and DSC ratio categories and estimated fair value by the indicated loan-to-value ratios, gross of valuation allowances:
| Debt-Service Coverage Ratios | Total Amount | % of Total | Estimated Fair Value | % of Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| >1.25 | 1.00 - 1.25 | <1.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTV Ratios: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 50.00% | $ | $ | $ | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50.00% to 59.99% | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 60.00% to 74.99% | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 75.00% to 84.99% | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage loans (a) | $ | $ | $ | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTV Ratios: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 50.00% | $ | $ | $ | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50.00% to 59.99% | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 60.00% to 74.99% | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 75.00% to 84.99% | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
131
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost by Origination Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTV | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 50.00% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50.00% to 59.99% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 60.00% to 74.99% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 75.00% to 84.99% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial mortgage loans (a) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DSCR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 1.25x | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.00x - 1.25x | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 1.00x | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial mortgage loans (a) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost by Origination Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTV | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 50.00% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50.00% to 59.99% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 60.00% to 74.99% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 75.00% to 84.99% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial mortgage loans (a) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DSCR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 1.25x | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.00x - 1.25x | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 1.00x | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial mortgage loans (a) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Excludes loans under development with an amortized cost and estimated fair value of $22 9
We recognize mortgage loans as delinquent when payments on the loan are greater than 30 days past due. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had no
Residential Mortgage Loans
RMLs represented approximately 7 % and 5 % of our total investments at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Our residential mortgage loans are closed end, amortizing loans and 100 % of the properties are located in the United States. We diversify our RML portfolio by state to attempt to reduce concentration risk. The distribution of RMLs by state with highest-to-lowest concentration are reflected in the following tables, gross of valuation allowances:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
| U.S. State: | Amortized Cost (In millions) | % of Total | |||||||||
| Florida | $ | % | |||||||||
| New York | % | ||||||||||
| Texas | % | ||||||||||
| All Other States (1) | % | ||||||||||
| Total residential mortgage loans, gross of valuation allowance | $ | % | |||||||||
| Allowance for expected credit loss | ( | ||||||||||
| Total residential mortgage loans, net of valuation allowance | $ | ||||||||||
(1) The individual concentration of each state is equal to or less than to 5%.
132
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||
| U.S. State: | Amortized Cost (In millions) | % of Total | |||||||||
| Florida | $ | % | |||||||||
| Texas | % | ||||||||||
| New Jersey | % | ||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | % | ||||||||||
| California | % | ||||||||||
| New York | % | ||||||||||
| Georgia | % | ||||||||||
| All other states (a) | % | ||||||||||
| Total residential mortgage loans, gross of valuation allowance | $ | % | |||||||||
| Allowance for expected credit loss | ( | ||||||||||
| Total residential mortgage loans, net of valuation allowance | $ | ||||||||||
(1) The individual concentration of each state is less than 5%.
RMLs have a primary credit quality indicator of either a performing or nonperforming loan. We define non-performing RMLs as those that are 90 or more days past due or in nonaccrual status, which is assessed monthly. The credit quality of RMLs was as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance indicators: | Amortized Cost | % of Total | Amortized Cost | % of Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performing | $ | % | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-performing | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total residential mortgage loans, gross of valuation allowance | $ | % | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for expected loan loss | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total residential mortgage loans, net of valuation allowance | $ | % | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||
133
There were no charge offs recorded on RMLs during the year ended December 31, 2023. RMLs segregated by aging of the loans (by year of origination) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows, gross of valuation allowances (in millions):
December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost by Origination Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgages | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current (less than 30 days past due) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| 30-89 days past due | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 90 days or more past due | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total residential mortgages | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost by Origination Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgages | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current (less than 30 days past due) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| 30-89 days past due | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 90 days or more past due | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total residential mortgages | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
The amortized cost of non-accrual loans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
| Amortized cost of loans on non-accrual | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||
| Residential mortgage | $ | $ | ||||||
| Commercial mortgage | ||||||||
| Total non-accrual mortgages | $ | $ | ||||||
Immaterial interest income was recognized on non-accrual financing receivables for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
It is our policy to cease to accrue interest on loans that are 90 days or more delinquent. For loans less than 90 days delinquent, interest is accrued unless it is determined that the accrued interest is not collectible. If a loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent, it is our general policy to initiate foreclosure proceedings unless a workout arrangement to bring the loan current is in place. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had $57 million and $71 million, respectively, of mortgage loans that were over 90 days past due, of which $41 million and $38 million was in the process of foreclosure as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Allowance for Expected Credit Loss
We estimate expected credit losses for our CML and RML portfolios using a probability of default/loss given default model. Significant inputs to this model include, where applicable, the loans' current performance, underlying collateral type, location, contractual life, LTV, DSC and Debt to Income or FICO. The model projects losses using a two year three year
The allowances for our mortgage loan portfolio is summarized as follows (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | Year ended December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage | Commercial Mortgage | Total | Residential Mortgage | Commercial Mortgage | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning Balance | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for loan losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
134
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage | Commercial Mortgage | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for loan losses | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
An allowance for expected credit loss is not measured on accrued interest income for CMLs as we have a process to write-off interest on loans that enter into non-accrual status (90 days or more past due). Allowances for expected credit losses are measured on accrued interest income for RMLs and were immaterial as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Interest and Investment Income
The major sources of Interest and investment income reported on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings were as follows:
| Year ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage loans | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Invested cash and short-term investments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Limited partnerships | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax deferred property exchange income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross investment income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment expense | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
The Company’s Interest and investment income is shown net of amounts attributable to certain funds withheld reinsurance agreements, which is passed along to the reinsurer in accordance with the terms of these agreements. Interest and Investment Income attributable to these agreements, and thus excluded from the totals in the table above, was $339 million, $109 million, and $53 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
135
Recognized Gains and Losses, net
Details underlying Recognized gains and losses, net reported on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings were as follows:
| Year ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net realized (losses) gains on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Net realized/unrealized (losses) gains on equity securities (1) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net realized/unrealized (losses) gains on preferred securities (2) | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Realized (losses) gains on other invested assets | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in allowance for expected credit losses | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives and embedded derivatives: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized (losses) gains on certain derivative instruments | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized (losses) gains on certain derivative instruments | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of reinsurance related embedded derivatives | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of other derivatives and embedded derivatives | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Realized (losses) gains on derivatives and embedded derivatives | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Recognized gains and losses, net | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||
(1) Includes net valuation (losses) gains of $47 million, $(387 ) million and $(436 ) million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Recognized gains and losses is shown net of amounts attributable to certain funds withheld reinsurance agreements which is passed along to the reinsurer in accordance with the terms of these agreements. Recognized gains and losses attributable to these agreements, and thus excluded from the totals in the table above, was $(123 ) million, $381 million and $15 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The proceeds from the sale of fixed-maturity securities and the gross gains and losses associated with those transactions were as follows (in millions):
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Proceeds | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Gross gains | |||||||||||||||||
| Gross losses | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities
The Company owns investments in VIEs that are not consolidated within our financial statements. A VIE is an entity that does not have sufficient equity to finance its own activities without additional financial support, where investors lack certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest, or where the entity is structured with non-substantive voting rights. VIEs are consolidated by their ‘primary beneficiary’, a designation given to an entity that receives both the benefits from the VIE as well as the substantive power to make its key economic decisions. While the Company participates in the benefits from VIEs in which it invests, but does not consolidate, the substantive power to make the key economic decisions for each respective VIE resides with entities not under common control with the Company. It is for this reason that the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary for the VIE investments that are not consolidated.
We invest in various limited partnerships and limited liability companies primarily as a passive investor. These investments are primarily in credit funds with a bias towards current income, real assets, or private equity. Limited partnership and limited liability company interests are accounted for under the equity method and are included in Investments in unconsolidated affiliates on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, we invest in structured investments that may be VIEs, but for which we are not the primary beneficiary. These structured investments typically invest in fixed income investments and are managed
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by third parties and include asset-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and residential mortgage-backed securities included in fixed maturity securities available for sale on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Our maximum loss exposure with respect to these VIEs is limited to the investment carrying amounts reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheets for limited partnerships and the amortized costs of certain of our fixed maturity securities, in addition to any required unfunded commitments (also refer to Note H Commitments and Contingencies).
The following table summarizes the carrying value and the maximum loss exposure of our unconsolidated VIEs:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Maximum Loss Exposure | Carrying Value | Maximum Loss Exposure | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in unconsolidated affiliates | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total unconsolidated VIE investments | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Concentrations
Our underlying investment concentrations that exceed 10% of shareholders equity are as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
Blackstone Wave Asset Holdco (1) | $ | $ | |||||||||
__________________
(1)Represents a special purpose vehicle that holds investments in numerous limited partnership investments whose underlying investments are further diversified by holding interest in multiple individual investments and industries.
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Note F — Derivative Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of derivative instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in FIA and IUL contracts, and reinsurance is as follows:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| Assets: | (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Derivative investments: | |||||||||||
| Call options | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | |||||||||||
| Foreign currency forward | |||||||||||
| Other long-term investments: | |||||||||||
| Other embedded derivatives | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets: | |||||||||||
| Reinsurance related embedded derivatives | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Contractholder funds: | |||||||||||
| FIA/ IUL embedded derivatives | $ | $ | |||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
The change in fair value of derivative instruments included within Recognized gains and losses, net, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings is as follows:
Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses): | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
| Call options | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | |||||||||||||||||
| Futures contracts | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency forwards | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other derivatives and embedded derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance related embedded derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Total net investment gains (losses) | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| Benefits and other changes in policy reserves: | |||||||||||||||||
| FIA/ IUL embedded derivatives increase (decrease) | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
Additional Disclosures
FIA/IUL Embedded Derivative, Call Options and Futures
We have FIA and IUL contracts that permit the holder to elect an interest rate return or an equity index linked component, where interest credited to the contracts is linked to the performance of various equity indices, primarily the S&P 500 Index. This feature represents an embedded derivative under GAAP. The FIA/IUL embedded derivatives are valued at fair value and included in the liability for contractholder funds in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes in fair value included as a component of Benefits and other changes in policy reserves in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. See a description of the fair value methodology used in Note D Fair Value of Financial Instruments.
We purchase derivatives consisting of a combination of call options and futures contracts (specifically for FIA contracts) on the applicable market indices to fund the index credits due to FIA/IUL contractholders. The call options are , , , and year options purchased to match the funding requirements of the underlying policies. On the respective anniversary dates of the indexed policies, the index used to compute the interest credit is reset and we purchase new call options to fund the next index credit. We manage the cost of these purchases through the terms of our FIA/IUL contracts, which permit us to
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change caps, spreads or participation rates, subject to guaranteed minimums, on each contract’s anniversary date. The change in the fair value of the call options and futures contracts is generally designed to offset the portion of the change in the fair value of the FIA/IUL embedded derivatives related to index performance through the current credit period. The call options and futures contracts are marked to fair value with the change in fair value included as a component of Recognized gains and losses, net, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The change in fair value of the call options and futures contracts includes the gains and losses recognized at the expiration of the instrument term or upon early termination and the changes in fair value of open positions.
Other market exposures are hedged periodically depending on market conditions and our risk tolerance. Our FIA/IUL hedging strategy economically hedges the equity returns and exposes us to the risk that unhedged market exposures result in divergence between changes in the fair value of the liabilities and the hedging assets. We use a variety of techniques, including direct estimation of market sensitivities, to monitor this risk daily. We intend to continue to adjust the hedging strategy as market conditions and our risk tolerance changes.
Interest Rate Swaps
We utilize interest rate swaps to reduce market risks from interest rate changes on our earnings associated with our floating rate investments. With an interest rate swap, we agree with another party to exchange the difference between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts tied to an agreed upon notional principal at specified intervals. The interest rate swaps are marked to fair value with the change in fair value, including accrued interest and related periodic cash flows received or paid, included as a component of Recognized gains and losses, net, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Reinsurance Related Embedded Derivatives
F&G cedes certain business on a coinsurance funds withheld basis. Investment results for the assets that support the coinsurance that are segregated within the funds withheld account are passed directly to the reinsurer pursuant to the contractual terms of the reinsurance agreement, which creates embedded derivatives considered to be total return swaps. These total return swaps are not clearly and closely related to the underlying reinsurance contract and thus require bifurcation. The fair value of the total return swaps is based on the change in fair value of the underlying assets held in the funds withheld account. These embedded derivatives are reported in Prepaid expenses and other assets if in a net gain position, or Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, if in a net loss position on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the related gains or losses are reported in Recognized gains and losses, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Credit Risk
We are exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by our counterparties on the call options and interest rate swaps and reflect assumptions regarding this non-performance risk in the fair value of the these derivatives. The non-performance risk is the net counterparty exposure based on the fair value of the open contracts less collateral held. We maintain a policy of requiring all derivative contracts to be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement.
Information regarding our exposure to credit loss on the call options and interest rate swaps we hold is presented in the following table:
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Counterparty | Credit Rating (Fitch/Moody's/S&P) (a) | Notional Amount | Fair Value | Collateral | Net Credit Risk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merrill Lynch | AA/*/A+ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Morgan Stanley | AA-/Aa3/A+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Barclay's Bank | A+/A1/A+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce | AA-/A2/A- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wells Fargo | AA-/Aa2/A+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goldman Sachs | A+/A1/A+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit Suisse | A+/A3/A+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Truist | A+/A2/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Citibank | A+/Aa3/A+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JP Morgan | AA/Aa2/A+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Counterparty | Credit Rating (Fitch/Moody's/S&P)(a) | Notional Amount | Fair Value | Collateral | Net Credit Risk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Merrill Lynch | AA/*/A+ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Morgan Stanley | */Aa3/A+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Barclay's Bank | A+/A1/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce | AA/Aa2/A+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wells Fargo | A+/A1/BBB+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goldman Sachs | A/A2/BBB+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit Suisse | BBB+/A3/A- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Truist | A+/A2/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Citibank | A+/Aa3/A+ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collateral Agreements
We are required to maintain minimum ratings as a matter of routine practice as part of our over-the-counter derivative agreements on ISDA forms. Under some ISDA agreements, we have agreed to maintain certain financial strength ratings. A downgrade below these levels provides the counterparty under the agreement the right to terminate the open derivative contracts between the parties, at which time any amounts payable by us or the counterparty would be dependent on the market value of the underlying contracts. Our current rating does not allow any counterparty the right to terminate ISDA agreements. In certain transactions, both us and the counterparty have entered into a collateral support agreement requiring either party to post collateral when the net exposures exceed pre-determined thresholds. For all counterparties, except Merrill Lynch, this threshold is set to zero . As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, counterparties posted $775 million and $219 million, respectively, of collateral, of which $588 million and $178 million, respectively, is included in cash and cash equivalents with an associated payable for this collateral included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accordingly, the maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that we would incur if parties to the derivatives failed completely to perform according to the terms of the contracts was $39 million at December 31, 2023, and $33 million at December 31, 2022.
We are required to pay counterparties the effective federal funds rate each day for cash collateral posted to F&G for daily mark to market margin changes. We reinvest derivative cash collateral to reduce the interest cost. Cash collateral is invested in overnight investment sweep products, which are included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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Note G — Notes Payable
Notes payable consists of the following:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Revolving Credit Facility | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| F&G Credit Agreement | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||||||||
On December 6th, 2023, F&G issued $345 million of its 7.95 % Senior Notes due 2053. The 7.95 % F&G Notes were issued at par, net of deferred issuance costs of approximately $9 million. The 7.95 % F&G Notes are senior unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of F&G and are guaranteed by each of F&G’s subsidiaries that are guarantors of F&G’s obligations under its existing credit agreement. The 7.95 % F&G Notes mature on December 15, 2053, and become callable on or after December 15, 2028. Interest is payable quarterly at a fixed rate of 7.95 %, and, if the 7.95 % F&G Notes are downgraded, the interest rate payable is subject to adjustment from time to time per the terms of the indenture. F&G used a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to repay borrowings under its revolving credit facility as discussed below and for general corporate purposes, including the support of organic growth opportunities.
On January 13, 2023, F&G issued $500 million of its 7.40 % F&G Notes due 2028. The 7.40 % F&G Notes were issued at par, net of deferred issuance costs of approximately $6 million. The 7.40 % F&G Notes are senior, unsecured unsubordinated obligation of F&G and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured, unsubordinated basis by each of F&G’s subsidiaries that are guarantors of F&G’s obligations under its existing credit agreement. The 7.40 % F&G Notes mature on January 13, 2028, and become callable on or after December 13, 2027. Interest is payable semi-annually at a fixed rate of 7.40 %, and if, the 7.40 % F&G Notes are downgraded, the interest rate payable is subject to adjustment from time to time per the terms of the indenture. F&G used the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including to support the growth of assets under management and for F&G's future liquidity requirements.
On November 22, 2022, F&G entered into the F&G Credit Agreement pursuant to which the Lenders have made available the F&G Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $550 million to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
The F&G Credit Agreement matures the earlier to occur of November 22, 2025 or 91 days prior to May 1, 2025, the stated maturity date of the 5.50 % F&G Notes, unless the principal amount of the 5.50 % F&G Notes is $150,000,000 or less at such time, the 5.50 % F&G Notes have been redeemed or defeased in full, and any refinancing Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith matures at least 91 days after the date that is 3 years from the Effective Date or certain other conditions are met. Revolving loans under the Credit Agreement generally bear interest at a variable rate based on either (i) the base rate (which is the highest of (a) one-half of one percent in excess of the federal funds rate, (b) the Administrative Agent’s “prime rate”, or (c) the sum of one percent plus Term The Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus a margin of between 30.0 and 80.0 basis points depending on the non-credit-enhanced, senior unsecured long-term debt ratings of F&G or (ii) Term SOFR plus a margin of between 130.0 and 180.0 basis points depending on the non-credit-enhanced, senior unsecured long-term debt ratings of F&G. As of December 31, 2022, the revolving credit facility was fully drawn with $550 million outstanding, offset by approximately $3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs. On February 21, 2023, F&G entered into the Amended F&G Credit Agreement with the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, swing line lender and issuing bank. The Amended F&G Credit Agreement increased the aggregate principal amount of commitments under the F&G Credit Facility by $115 million to $665 million. On February 16, 2024, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated F&G Credit Agreement. Among other changes, the Second Amended and Restated F&G Credit Agreement amends the Amended F&G Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date and increase the aggregate principal amount of commitments under the revolving credit facility to $750 million.
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As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, $365 million and $550 million, respectively, of gross principal balance, was outstanding under the F&G Credit Agreement. Net partial revolver paydowns of $185 million were made during the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, we had $300 million of remaining borrowing availability.
On September 17, 2021, we completed our underwritten public offering of $450 million aggregate principal amount of our 3.20 % Notes due 2051, pursuant to our registration statement on Form S-3 ASR (File No. 333-239002) and the related prospectus supplement. The net proceeds from the registered offering of the 3.20 % Notes were approximately $443 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses. We plan to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes.
On October 29, 2020, we entered into the Fifth Restated Credit Agreement for our Amended Revolving Credit Facility with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and the other agents party thereto. Among other changes, the Fifth Restated Credit Agreement amends the Fourth Restated Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date from April 27, 2022 to October 29, 2025. The material terms of the Fourth Restated Credit Agreement are set forth in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2023, there was no principal outstanding, $2 million of unamortized debt issuance costs, and $800 million of available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility. On February 16, 2024, we entered into a Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Among other changes, the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement amends the Fifth Restated Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date from October 29, 2025 to February 16, 2029.
On September 15, 2020, we completed our underwritten public offering of $600 million aggregate principal amount of our 2.45 % Notes due March 15, 2031 (the "2.45 % Notes") pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The net proceeds from the registered offering of the 2.45 % Notes were approximately $593 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. We used the net proceeds from the offering (i) to repay the remaining $260 million outstanding indebtedness under our prior term loan credit agreement dated April 22, 2020, among us, as borrower, various lenders, and Bank of American N.A., as administrative agent (the "Term Loan"), which provided for an aggregate principal borrowing of $1.0 billion that we entered into to fund a portion of the acquisition of F&G and (ii) for general corporate purposes.
On June 12, 2020, we completed our underwritten public offering of $650 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.40 % Notes due 2030 (the “3.40 % Notes”) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC. The net proceeds from the registered offering of the 3.40 % Notes were approximately $642 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, and commissions and offering expenses. We used the net proceeds from the offering (i) to repay $640 million of the then outstanding principal amount under the Term Loan, and (ii) for general corporate purposes.
On June 1, 2020, as a result of the F&G acquisition, we assumed $550 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50 % senior notes due 2025 (the "5.50 % F&G Notes"), originally issued on April 20, 2018, at 99.5 % of face value for proceeds of $547 million.
On August 13, 2018, we completed an offering of $450 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.50 % notes due August 2028 (the "4.50 % Notes"), pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The 4.50 % Notes were priced at 99.252 % of par to yield 4.594 % annual interest. We pay interest on the 4.50 % Notes semi-annually on the 15th of February and August, beginning February 15, 2019. The 4.50 % Notes contain customary covenants and events of default for investment grade public debt, which primarily relate to failure to make principal or interest payments. On May 16, 2019, we completed an offering to exchange the 4.50 % Notes for substantially identical notes registered pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "4.50 % Notes Exchange"). There were no material changes to the terms of the 4.50 % Notes as a result of the 4.50 % Notes Exchange and all holders of the 4.50 % Notes accepted the offer to exchange.
On September 1, 2022, we repaid the remaining $400 million in outstanding principal amount of our 5.50 % Senior Notes due September 2022.
| Gross principal maturities of notes payable at December 31, 2023, are as follows: | (In millions) | ||||
| 2024 | $ | ||||
| 2025 | |||||
| 2026 | |||||
| 2027 | |||||
| 2028 | |||||
| Thereafter | |||||
| $ | |||||
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Note H — Commitments and Contingencies
Legal and Regulatory Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in various pending and threatened litigation matters related to our operations, some of which include claims for punitive or exemplary damages. With respect to our title insurance operations, this customary litigation includes but is not limited to a wide variety of cases arising out of or related to title and escrow claims, for which we make provisions through our loss reserves. See Note C Summary of Reserve for Title Claim Losses for further discussion. Additionally, like other companies, our ordinary course litigation includes a number of class action and purported class action lawsuits, which make allegations related to aspects of our operations. We believe that no actions, other than the matters discussed below, if any, depart from customary litigation incidental to our business.
We review lawsuits and other legal and regulatory matters (collectively “legal proceedings”) on an ongoing basis when making accrual and disclosure decisions. When assessing reasonably possible and probable outcomes, management bases its decision on its assessment of the ultimate outcome assuming all appeals have been exhausted. For legal proceedings in which it has been determined that a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable, a liability based on known facts and that represents our best estimate has been recorded. Our accrual for legal and regulatory matters was $10 million and $12 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. None of the amounts we have currently recorded are considered to be material to our financial condition individually or in the aggregate. Actual losses may materially differ from the amounts recorded and the ultimate outcome of our pending legal proceedings is generally not yet determinable. While some of these matters could be material to our operating results or cash flows for any particular period if an unfavorable outcome results, at present we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of currently pending legal proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
In August 2020, a lawsuit styled, In the Matter of FGL Holdings, was filed in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands related to FNF's acquisition of F&G where dissenting shareholders, Kingfishers LP, Kingstown 1740 Fund LP, Kingstown Partners II LP, Kingstown Partners Master Ltd., and Ktown LP, asserted statutory appraisal rights relative to their ownership of 12,000,000 shares of F&G stock. They sought a judicial determination of the fair value of their shares of F&G stock as of the date of valuation under the law of the Cayman Islands, together with interest and legal costs. On October 5, 2022, the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands decided in favor of F&G. The dissenting shareholders failed to appeal the fair value order, and its appeal period expired on October 19, 2022. On April 19, 2023, the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands determined that the dissenting shareholders should pay F&G’s Cayman Islands legal expenses and discovery costs relating to the lawsuit by way of an interim payment of $4 million, with the balance to be determined after assessment. We are attempting to collect reimbursement of our expenses in this lawsuit.
F&G is a defendant in two putative class action lawsuits related to the alleged compromise of certain of F&G’s customers’ personal information resulting from an alleged vulnerability in the MOVEit file transfer software. F&G’s vendor, Pension Benefit Information, LLC (“PBI”), used the MOVEit software in the course of providing audit and address research services to F&G and many other corporate customers. Miller v. F&G, No. 4:23-cv-00326, was filed against F&G in the Southern District of Iowa on August 31, 2023. Miller alleges that he is an F&G customer whose information was impacted in the MOVEit incident and brings common law tort and implied contract claims. F&G has yet to be served in Miller. Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief and damages. Cooper v. Progress Software Corp., No. 1:23-cv-12067, was filed against F&G and five other defendants in the District of Massachusetts on September 7, 2023. F&G was served on September 15, 2023. Cooper also alleges that he is an F&G customer and brings similar common law tort claims and alleges claims as a purported third-party beneficiary of an alleged contract. Plaintiff seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and damages. At this time, F&G does not believe the incident will have a material impact on its business, operations, or financial results.
Well over 150 similar lawsuits have been filed against other entities impacted by the MOVEit incident including a number of such lawsuits related to PBI’s use of MOVEit. On October 4, 2023, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) created a multidistrict litigation (MDL) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407 to handle all litigation brought by individuals whose information was potentially compromised in connection with the alleged MOVEit vulnerability. The JPML assigned the MDL to Judge Allison Burroughs of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Both Miller and Cooper have been transferred to Judge Burroughs in the MDL. Following creation of the MDL, Judge Burroughs conducted an initial case management conference on November 30, 2023, and appointed lead plaintiffs’ counsel on January 19, 2024. Judge Burroughs is currently considering the parties’ case management schedule proposals submitted on February 16, 2024. Judge Burroughs is likely to issue a Case Management Order with additional processes and a preliminary schedule as a next step in the consolidated litigations.
In connection with the cybersecurity incident initially reported on November 21, 2023, the Company and/or its subsidiaries are named as defendants in putative class action lawsuits recently filed in the U.S. District Courts for the Middle District of Florida and the Central District of California, and the Western District of Missouri. The putative class actions include common law tort and contract claims, and some include certain state statutory claims. The Company has not yet filed responses to these lawsuits. The putative class action lawsuits also include overlapping class definitions for which a class has not been
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certified. Because of the procedural posture of these lawsuits and the factual issues involved, the Company has not yet been able to assess the probability of loss or estimate the possible loss or the range of loss.
From time to time, we receive inquiries and requests for information from state insurance departments, attorneys general and other regulatory agencies about various matters relating to our business. Sometimes these take the form of civil investigative demands or subpoenas. We cooperate with all such inquiries, and we have responded to or are currently responding to inquiries from multiple governmental agencies. Also, regulators and courts have been dealing with issues arising from foreclosures and related processes and documentation. Various governmental entities are studying the title insurance product, market, pricing, and business practices, and potential regulatory and legislative changes, which may materially affect our business and operations. From time to time, we are assessed fines for violations of regulations or other matters or enter into settlements with such authorities, which may require us to pay fines or claims or take other actions. We do not anticipate such fines and settlements, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Escrow Balances
In conducting our operations, we routinely hold customers’ assets in escrow, pending completion of real estate transactions, and are responsible for the proper disposition of these balances for our customers. Certain of these amounts are maintained in segregated bank accounts and have not been included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, consistent with GAAP and industry practice. These balances amounted to $13.5 billion and $18.9 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As a result of holding these customers’ assets in escrow, we have ongoing programs for realizing economic benefits during the year through favorable borrowing and vendor arrangements with various banks. There were no investments or loans outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 related to these arrangements.
F&G Commitments
In our F&G segment, we have unfunded investment commitments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 based upon the timing of when investments are executed compared to when the actual investments are funded, as some investments require that funding occur over a period of months or years. A summary of unfunded commitments by invested asset class is included below:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||
| Commitment Type | (In millions) | ||||
| Unconsolidated VIEs: | |||||
| Limited partnerships | $ | ||||
| Whole loans | |||||
| Fixed maturity securities, ABS | |||||
| Direct Lending | |||||
| Other fixed maturity securities, AFS | |||||
| Other assets | |||||
| Commercial mortgage loans | |||||
| Other invested assets | |||||
| Committed amounts included in liabilities | |||||
| Total | $ | ||||
See Note A Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for discussion of funding agreements that have been issued pursuant to the FABN Program as well as to the FHLB that are included in Contractholder funds.
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Note I — Dividends
On February 14, 2024, our Board of Directors declared cash dividends of $0.48 per share, payable on March 29, 2024, to FNF common shareholders of record as of March 15, 2024.
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 we declared dividends on our common stock of $1.83 , $1.77 , and $1.56 respectively.
Note J — Segment Information
Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments is shown in the following tables.
As of and for the year ended December 31, 2023:
| Title | F&G | Corporate and Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title premiums | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues from external customers | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income, including recognized gains and losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
As of and for the year ended December 31, 2022:
| Title | F&G | Corporate and Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title premiums | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues from external customers | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income, including recognized gains and losses | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
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As of and for the year ended December 31, 2021:
| Title | F&G | Corporate and Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title premiums | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues from external customers | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income, including recognized gains and losses | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
The activities in our segments include the following:
•Title. This segment consists of the operations of our title insurance underwriters and related businesses. This segment provides core title insurance and escrow and other title-related services including trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, and home warranty products. This segment also includes our transaction services business, which includes other title-related services used in the production and management of mortgage loans, including mortgage loans that experience default.
•F&G. This segment primarily consists of the operations of our annuities and life insurance related businesses. This segment issues a broad portfolio of annuity and life products, including deferred annuities (fixed indexed and fixed rate annuities), immediate annuities and indexed universal life insurance. This segment also provides funding agreements and pension risk transfer solutions.
•Corporate and Other. This segment consists of the operations of the parent holding company, our real estate technology subsidiaries and our remaining real estate brokerage businesses. This segment also includes certain other unallocated corporate overhead expenses and eliminations of revenues and expenses between it and our Title segment.
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Note K — Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following supplemental cash flow information is provided with respect to certain cash payment and non-cash investing and financing activities.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for: | (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred sales inducements | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distribution of | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Investments received from pension risk transfer premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in proceeds of sales of investments available for sale receivable in period | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Change in purchases of investments available for sale payable in period | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities recognized in exchange for lease right-of-use assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Remeasurement of lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities assumed in connection with acquisitions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of assets acquired | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Total Purchase price | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and noncontrolling interests assumed | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
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Note L — Revenue Recognition
Disaggregation of Revenue
Our revenue consists of:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue Stream | Income Statement Classification | Segment | Total Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from insurance contracts: | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct title insurance premiums | Direct title insurance premiums | Title | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency title insurance premiums | Agency title insurance premiums | Title | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance premiums, insurance and investment product fees, and other (1) | Escrow, title-related and other fees | F&G | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home warranty | Escrow, title-related and other fees | Title | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue from insurance contracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from contracts with customers: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Escrow fees | Escrow, title-related and other fees | Title | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other title-related fees and income | Escrow, title-related and other fees | Title | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ServiceLink, excluding title premiums, escrow fees, and subservicing fees | Escrow, title-related and other fees | Title | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate technology | Escrow, title-related and other fees | Corporate and other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue from contracts with customers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loan subservicing revenue | Escrow, title-related and other fees | Title | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | Escrow, title-related and other fees | Corporate and other | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income | Interest and investment income | Various | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recognized gains and losses, net | Recognized gains and losses, net | Various | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | Total revenues | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Includes $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Our Direct title insurance premiums are recognized as revenue at the time of closing of the underlying transaction as the earnings process is then considered complete. Regulation of title insurance rates varies by state. Premiums are charged to customers based on rates predetermined in coordination with each states' respective Department of Insurance. Cash associated with such revenue is typically collected at closing of the underlying real estate transaction. Premium revenues from agency title operations are recognized when the underlying title order and transaction closing, if applicable, are complete.
Escrow fees and Other title-related fees and income in our Title segment are closely related to Direct title insurance premiums and are primarily associated with managing the closing of real estate transactions including the processing of funds on behalf of the transaction participants, gathering and recording the required closing documents, providing notary and home inspection services, and other real estate or title-related activities. Revenue is primarily recognized upon closing of the underlying real estate transaction or completion of services. Cash associated with such revenue is typically collected at closing.
Revenues from ServiceLink, excluding its title premiums, escrow fees and loan subservicing fees primarily include revenues from real estate appraisal services and foreclosure processing and facilitation services. Revenues from real estate appraisal services are recognized when all appraisal work is complete, a final report is issued to the client and the client is billed. Revenues from foreclosure processing and facilitation services are primarily recognized upon completion of the services and when billing to the client is complete.
Life insurance premiums in our F&G segment reflect premiums for life-contingent PRT, traditional life insurance products and life-contingent immediate annuity products, which are recognized as revenue when due from the policyholder. We have ceded the majority of our traditional life business to unaffiliated third-party reinsurers. While the base contract has been reinsured, we continue to retain the return of premium rider. Insurance and investment product fees and other consist primarily of the cost of insurance on IUL policies, UREV on IUL policies, policy rider fees primarily on FIA policies and surrender charges assessed against policy withdrawals in excess of the policyholder's allowable penalty-free amounts.
148
Premium and annuity deposit collections for FIA, fixed rate annuities, immediate annuities and PRT without life contingency, and amounts received for funding agreements are reported in the financial statements as deposit liabilities (i.e., contractholder funds) instead of as sales or revenues. Similarly, cash payments to customers are reported as decreases in the liability for contractholder funds and not as expenses. Sources of revenues for products accounted for as deposit liabilities include net investment income, surrender, cost of insurance and other charges deducted from contractholder funds, and net realized gains (losses) on investments. Components of expenses for products accounted for as deposit liabilities are interest-sensitive and index product benefits (primarily interest credited to account balances or the hedging cost of providing index credits to the policyholder), amortization of DAC, DSI, and VOBA, other operating costs and expenses, and income taxes.
Premiums, annuity deposits (net of reinsurance and reinsurance recoverable) and funding agreements, which are not included as revenues in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings, collected by product type were as follows:
| Year ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Product Type | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
| Fixed indexed annuities | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Fixed rate annuities | |||||||||||||||||
| Funding agreements (FABN/FHLB) | |||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance and other (a) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
(a) Life insurance and other primarily includes indexed universal life insurance.
Real estate technology revenues are primarily comprised of subscription fees for use of software provided to real estate professionals. Subscriptions are only offered on a month-by-month basis and fees are billed monthly. Revenue is recognized in the month services are provided.
Loan subservicing revenues are generated by certain subsidiaries of ServiceLink and are associated with the servicing of mortgage loans on behalf of its customers. Revenue is recognized when the underlying work is performed and billed. Loan subservicing revenues are subject to the recognition requirements of ASC Topic 860.
Interest and investment income consists primarily of interest payments received on fixed maturity security holdings and dividends received on equity and preferred security holdings along with the investment income of limited partnerships.
We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, primarily related to revenue from our home warranty business, and (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.
Contract Balances
The following table provides information about trade receivables and deferred revenue:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Trade receivables | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Deferred revenue (contract liabilities) | |||||||||||
Deferred revenue is recorded primarily for our home warranty contracts. Revenues from home warranty products are recognized over the life of the policy, which is primarily one year . The unrecognized portion is recorded as deferred revenue in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized $84 million and $98 million of revenue, respectively, which was included in deferred revenue at the beginning of the respective period.
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Note M — Other Intangible Assets
The following table reconciles to Other intangible assets, net, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships and contracts | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| VOBA | ||||||||||||||
| DAC | ||||||||||||||
| DSI | ||||||||||||||
| Value of distribution asset | ||||||||||||||
| Computer software | ||||||||||||||
| Trademarks, tradenames, and other | ||||||||||||||
| Total Other intangible assets, net | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The following tables roll forward VOBA by product for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| FIA | Fixed Rate Annuities | Immediate Annuities | Universal Life | Traditional Life | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA | Fixed Rate Annuities | Immediate Annuities | Universal Life | Traditional Life | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shadow Premium Deficiency Testing (“PDT”) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VOBA amortization expense of $169 million, $180 million, and $195 million, was recorded in Depreciation and amortization on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively.
The following table presents a reconciliation of VOBA to the table above which is reconciled to the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||
| FIA | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Fixed Rate Annuities | ||||||||||||||
| Immediate Annuities | ||||||||||||||
| Universal Life | ||||||||||||||
| Traditional Life | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
150
The following tables roll forward DAC by product for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| FIA | Fixed Rate Annuities | Universal Life | Total (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance related adjustments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| FIA | Fixed Rate Annuities | Universal Life | Total (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
DAC amortization expense of $186 million, $99 million, and $46 million, was recorded in Depreciation and amortization on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, excluding insignificant amounts related to FABN.
The following table presents a reconciliation of DAC to the table above which is reconciled to the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||
| FIA | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Fixed Rate Annuities | ||||||||||||||
| Universal Life | ||||||||||||||
| Funding Agreements | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The following tables roll forward DSI for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| FIA | Total | ||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Capitalization | |||||||||||
| Amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| FIA | Total | ||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2022 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Capitalization | |||||||||||
| Amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | |||||||||
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DSI amortization expense of $22 million, $14 million, and $7 million, was recorded in Depreciation and amortization on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
The following table presents a reconciliation of DSI to the table above which is reconciled to the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||
| FIA | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The cash flow assumptions used to amortize VOBA and DAC were consistent with the assumptions used to estimate the FPB for life contingent immediate annuities, and will be reviewed and unlocked, if applicable, in the same period as those balances. For nonparticipating traditional life contracts, the VOBA amortization is straight-line, without the use of cash flow assumptions. For FIA contracts, the cash flow assumptions used to amortize VOBA, DAC, and DSI were consistent with the assumptions used to estimate the value of the embedded derivative and MRBs, and will be reviewed and unlocked, if applicable, in the same period as those balances. For fixed rate annuities and IUL the cash flow assumptions used to amortize VOBA, DAC and DSI reflect the Company’s best estimates for policyholder behavior, consistent with the development of assumptions for FIA and immediate annuity. Refer to Note A - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further information about accounting policies for amortization of VOBA, DAC and DSI.
We review cash flow assumptions annually, generally in the third quarter. In 2023, F&G undertook a review of all significant assumptions and revised several assumptions relating to our deferred annuity (FIA and fixed rate annuity) and IUL products, including surrender rates, partial withdrawal rates, mortality improvement, premium persistency, and option budgets. All updates to these assumptions brought us more in line with our company and overall industry experience since the prior assumption update. In 2022, F&G undertook a review of all significant assumptions and revised GMWB utilization for our deferred annuity contracts (FIA and fixed rate annuities) to reflect internal and industry experience in the first several contract years.
For the in-force liabilities as of December 31, 2023, the estimated amortization expense for VOBA in future fiscal periods is as follows:
| Estimated Amortization Expense | |||||
| Fiscal Year | (In millions) | ||||
| 2024 | $ | ||||
| 2025 | |||||
| 2026 | |||||
| 2027 | |||||
| 2028 | |||||
| Thereafter | |||||
| Total | $ | ||||
Definite and Indefinite Lived Other Intangible Assets
Other intangible assets as of December 31, 2023, consist of the following:
| Cost | Accumulated amortization | Net carrying amount | Weighted average useful life (years) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships and contracts | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Computer software | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Value of distribution asset (VODA) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trademarks, tradenames, and other | ( | Varies | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other intangible assets as of December 31, 2022, consist of the following:
| Cost | Accumulated amortization | Net carrying amount | Weighted average useful life (years) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships and contracts | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Computer software | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Value of distribution Asset (VODA) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trademarks, tradenames, and other | ( | Varies | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets, which consist primarily of VODA, customer relationships and computer software and definite lived trademarks, tradenames and other, was $152 million, $134 million, and $136 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years for assets owned at December 31, 2023, is $126 million in 2024, $101 million in 2025, $78 million in 2026, $61 million in 2027 and $47 million in 2028.
Note N — Goodwill
A summary of the changes in Goodwill consists of the following:
| Title | F&G | Corporate and Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill associated with acquisitions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill associated with acquisitions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Note O — F&G Reinsurance
The Company reinsures portions of its policy risks with other insurance companies. The use of indemnity reinsurance does not discharge an insurer from liability on the insurance ceded. The insurer is required to pay in full the amount of its insurance liability regardless of whether it is entitled to or able to receive payment from the reinsurer. The portion of risks exceeding the Company's retention limit is reinsured. The Company primarily seeks reinsurance coverage in order to manage loss exposures, to enhance our capital position, to diversify risks and earnings, and to manage new business volume. The Company follows reinsurance accounting when the treaty adequately transfers insurance risk. Otherwise, the Company follows deposit accounting if there is inadequate transfer of insurance risk or if the underlying policy for which risk is being transferred is an investment contract that does not contain insurance risk. Refer to Note A - Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for more information over our accounting policy for reinsurance agreements.
The effects of reinsurance on net premiums earned and net benefits incurred (benefits paid and reserve changes) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively, were as follows (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Premiums Earned | Net Benefits Incurred | Net Premiums Earned | Net Benefits Incurred | Net Premiums Earned | Net Benefits Incurred | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amounts payable or recoverable for reinsurance on paid and unpaid claims are not subject to periodic or maximum limits. No policies issued by the Company have been reinsured with any foreign company, which is controlled, either directly or
153
indirectly, by a party not primarily engaged in the business of insurance. The Company has not entered into any reinsurance agreements in which the reinsurer may unilaterally cancel any reinsurance for reasons other than non-payment of premiums or other similar credit issues.
The following summarizes our reinsurance recoverable (in millions):
| Parent Company/ Principal Reinsurers | Reinsurance Recoverable (a) | Agreement Type | Products Covered | Accounting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aspida Life Re Ltd | $ | $ | Coinsurance Funds Withheld | Certain MYGA (b) | Deposit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wilton Reassurance Company | Coinsurance | Block of traditional, IUL and UL (c) | Reinsurance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Somerset Reinsurance Ltd | Coinsurance Funds Withheld | Certain MYGA (b) and DA | Deposit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Everlake Life Insurance Company | Coinsurance (d) | Certain MYGA (b) (d) | Deposit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other (e) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable, gross of allowance for credit losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for expected credit loss | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance for credit losses | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (a) Reinsurance recoverables do not include unearned ceded premiums that would be recovered in the event of early termination of certain traditional life policies. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) As of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the combined quota share flow reinsurance amongst all reinsurers was | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (c) Also includes certain FGL Insurance life insurance policies that are subject to redundant reserves, reported on a statutory basis, under Regulation XXX and Guideline AXXX. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (d) Reinsurance recoverable is collateralized by assets placed in a statutory comfort trust by the reinsurer and maintained for our sole benefit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (e) Represents all other reinsurers, with no single reinsurer having a carrying value in excess of 5% of total reinsurance recoverable. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company incurred risk charge fees of $39 million, $36 million, and $28 million during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, in relation to reinsurance agreements.
Credit Losses
The Company estimates expected credit losses on reinsurance recoverables using a probability of default/loss given default model. Significant inputs to the model include the reinsurer's credit risk, expected timing of recovery, industry-wide historical default experience, senior unsecured bond recovery rates, and credit enhancement features.
The expected credit loss reserves were as follows (in millions):
| Years ended | |||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| Balance at Beginning of Period | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Provision for losses | ( | ||||||||||
| Charge offs | |||||||||||
| Balance at End of Period | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
Concentration of Reinsurance Risk
As indicated above, the Company has a significant concentration of reinsurance risk with third party reinsurers, Aspida Re, Wilton Reinsurance (“Wilton Re”), Somerset and Everlake Life Insurance Company (“Everlake”) that could have a material impact on our financial position in the event that any of these reinsurers fails to perform its obligations under the various reinsurance treaties. We monitor the financial condition and financial strength of individual reinsurers using public ratings (refer to table below) and ratings reports of individual reinsurers to attempt to reduce the risk of default by such reinsurers. In addition, the risk of non-performance is further mitigated with various forms of collateral or collateral arrangements, including secured trusts, funds withheld accounts and irrevocable letters of credit. We believe that all amounts due from Aspida Re, Wilton Re, Somerset and Everlake for periodic treaty settlements, net of any applicable credit loss reserves, are collectible as of December 31, 2023. The following table presents financial strength ratings as of December 31, 2023:
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| Parent Company/Principal Reinsurers | Financial Strength Rating | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AM Best | S&P | Fitch | Moody's | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aspida Life Re Ltd | A- | not rated | not rated | not rated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wilton Re | A+ | not rated | A | not rated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Somerset Reinsurance Ltd | A- | BBB+ | not rated | not rated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Everlake | A+ | not rated | not rated | not rated | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurance Transactions
The following summarizes significant changes to third-party reinsurance agreements for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Everlake and Somerset: The Company executed flow reinsurance agreements with Everlake and Somerset, third-party reinsurers, to cede certain MYGA business written effective September 1, 2023, and December 1, 2023, respectively, on a coinsurance quota share basis.
Canada Life: Effective May 1, 2020, the Company entered into an indemnity reinsurance agreement with Canada Life Assurance Company (“Canada Life”) United States Branch, a third-party reinsurer, to reinsure FIA policies with GMWB Riders. In accordance with the terms of this agreement, F&G cedes a quota share percentage of the net retention of guaranteed payments in excess of account value for GMWB. Effective December 31, 2023, we entered a Recapture and Termination Agreement with Canada Life whereby 100 % of the liabilities and obligations were recaptured.
There were no significant changes to third party reinsurance agreements for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Intercompany Reinsurance Agreements
The Company executes various intercompany reinsurance agreements between its insurance subsidiaries, including offshore entities, for purposes of managing regulatory statutory capital and risk. Since these agreements are intercompany, the financial impacts are eliminated in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements included within this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Some of these intercompany transactions are executed with wholly owned reinsurance subsidiaries, Corbeau Re, Inc. (“Corbeau Re”), Raven Reinsurance Company (“Raven Re”) and F&G Cayman Re (“Cayman Re”), to finance the portion of statutory reserves considered to be non-economic. The financing arrangements involve FGLIC reinsuring certain annuity products and their related rider benefits to the captives and the captives executing third-party financing facilities that are classified as capital for statutory purposes.
The transaction with Raven Re and Cayman Re included the execution of letter of credits with Nomura Bank International plc (“NBI”) and Deutsche Bank AG (“DB”), respectively, that are undrawn and have maximum borrowing capacities of $200 million and $200 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023. The transaction with Corbeau Re included the execution of an excess of loss agreement (“XOL”) with Canada Life Barbados Branch that matures on December 31, 2043, and provides for coverage on losses up to $1,500 million as of December 31, 2023. With Corbeau Re, non-economic reserves were financed through the maturity date of the XOL and statutory reserves are recorded for all risks expected to be incurred after the maturity date of the XOL. The XOL is not accounted for as reinsurance as it does not satisfy the risk transfer requirements for GAAP; therefore, deposit accounting is applied.
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Note P — Regulation and Equity
Regulation
Title
Our insurance subsidiaries, including title insurers, underwritten title companies and insurance agencies, are subject to extensive regulation under applicable state laws. Each of the insurance underwriters is subject to a holding company act in its state of domicile that regulates, among other matters, the ability to pay dividends and enter into transactions with affiliates. The laws of most states in which we transact business establish supervisory agencies with broad administrative powers relating to issuing and revoking licenses to transact business, regulating trade practices, licensing agents, approving policy forms, accounting practices, financial practices, establishing reserve and capital and surplus as regards policyholders (“capital and surplus”) requirements, defining suitable investments for reserves and capital and surplus and approving rate schedules. The process of state regulation of changes in rates ranges from states that set rates, to states where individual companies or associations of companies prepare rate filings that are submitted for approval, to a few states in which rate changes do not need to be filed for approval.
Since we are regulated by both state and federal governments and the applicable insurance laws and regulations are constantly subject to change, it is not possible to predict the potential effects on our insurance operations, particularly the Title segment, of any laws or regulations that may become more restrictive in the future or if new restrictive laws will be enacted.
Statutory-basis financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the various state insurance regulatory authorities. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (“NAIC”) Accounting Practices and Procedures manual (“NAIC SAP”) has been adopted as a component of prescribed or permitted practices by each of the states that regulate us. Each of our states of domicile for our title insurance underwriter subsidiaries have adopted a material prescribed accounting practice that differs from that found in NAIC SAP. Specifically, in both years, the timing of amounts released from the statutory unearned premium reserve under NAIC SAP differs from the states' required practice. Statutory surplus at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was lower by approximately $34 million and $32 million than if we had reported such amounts in accordance with NAIC SAP.
Pursuant to statutory accounting requirements of the various states in which our insurers are domiciled, these insurers must defer a portion of premiums earned as an unearned premium reserve for the protection of policyholders and must maintain qualified assets in an amount equal to the statutory requirements. The level of unearned premium reserve required to be maintained at any time is determined by statutory formula based upon either the age, number of policies and dollar amount of policy liabilities underwritten, or the age and dollar amount of statutory premiums written. As of December 31, 2023, the combined statutory unearned premium reserve required and reported for our title insurers was $1,659 million. In addition to statutory unearned premium reserves, each of our insurers maintains reserves for known claims and surplus funds for policyholder protection and business operations.
Each of our insurance subsidiaries is regulated by the insurance regulatory authority in its respective state of domicile, as well as that of each state in which it is licensed. The insurance commissioners of their respective states of domicile are the primary regulators of our title insurance subsidiaries. Each of the insurers is subject to periodic regulatory financial examination by regulatory authorities.
Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulations that restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions of cash or property to their immediate parent company without prior approval from the Department of Insurance of their respective states of domicile. As of December 31, 2023, $1,145 million of our net assets are restricted from dividend payments without prior approval from the Departments of Insurance. During 2024, our title insurers can pay or make distributions to us of approximately $471 million, without prior approval.
The combined statutory capital and surplus of our title insurers was approximately $1,225 million and $1,350 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The combined statutory net earnings of our title insurance subsidiaries were $503 million, $778 million, and $936 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
As a condition to continued authority to underwrite policies in the states in which our insurers conduct their business, the insurers are required to pay certain fees and file information regarding their officers, directors and financial condition. In addition, our escrow and trust business is subject to regulation by various state banking authorities.
Pursuant to statutory requirements of the various states in which our insurers are domiciled, such insurers must maintain certain levels of minimum capital and surplus. Required levels of minimum capital and surplus are not significant to the insurers individually or in the aggregate. Each of our insurers has complied with the minimum statutory requirements as of December 31, 2023.
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Our underwritten title companies, primarily those domiciled in California, are also subject to certain regulation by insurance regulatory or banking authorities relating to their net worth and working capital. Minimum net worth and working capital requirements for each underwritten title company is less than $1 million. These companies were in compliance with their respective minimum net worth and working capital requirements at December 31, 2023.
There are no restrictions on our retained earnings regarding our ability to pay dividends to shareholders although there are limits on the ability of certain subsidiaries to pay dividends to us, as described above.
F&G
Through our wholly owned F&G subsidiary, our insurance subsidiaries, FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re file financial statements with state insurance regulatory authorities and, with the exception of Raven Re, with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) that are prepared in accordance with Statutory Accounting Principles (“SAP”) prescribed or permitted by such authorities, which may vary materially from GAAP. Prescribed SAP includes the Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual of the NAIC as well as state laws, regulations and administrative rules. Permitted SAP encompasses all accounting practices not so prescribed. The principal differences between SAP financial statements and financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP are that SAP financial statements do not reflect VOBA, DAC, and DSI, some bond portfolios may be carried at amortized cost, assets and liabilities are presented net of reinsurance, contractholder liabilities are generally valued using more conservative assumptions and certain assets are non-admitted. Accordingly, SAP operating results and SAP capital and surplus may differ substantially from amounts reported in the GAAP basis financial statements for comparable items.
In or F&G segment, our principal insurance subsidiaries' statutory (SAP and GAAP) financial statements are based on a December 31 year end. Statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus of our wholly owned U.S. regulated insurance subsidiaries were as follows:
| Subsidiary (state of domicile) (a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FGL Insurance (IA) | FGL NY Insurance (NY) | Raven Re (VT) | Corbeau Re (VT) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Statutory Net income (loss): | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statutory Capital and Surplus: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re and Corbeau Re are subsidiaries of FGL Insurance, and the columns should not be added together. Corbeau Re was incorporated on September 1, 2023.
Regulation - U.S. Companies
FGL Insurance, FGL NY Insurance, Raven Re's and Corbeau Re’s respective statutory capital and surplus satisfy the applicable minimum regulatory requirements.
In order to enhance the regulation of insurers’ solvency, the NAIC adopted a model law to implement RBC requirements for life, health and property and casualty insurance companies. All states have adopted the NAIC’s model law or a substantially similar law. RBC is used to evaluate the adequacy of capital and surplus maintained by an insurance company in relation to risks associated with: (i) asset risk, (ii) insurance risk, (iii) interest rate risk, and (iv) business risk. As of the most recent annual statutory financial statements filed with insurance regulators, the RBC ratios for FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance each exceeded the minimum RBC requirements.
Dividends
The insurance laws of Iowa and New York regulate the amount of dividends that may be paid in any year by FGL Insurance and FGL NY Insurance, respectively.
Pursuant to Iowa insurance law, ordinary dividends are payments, together with all other such payments within the preceding twelve months, that do not exceed the greater of (i) 10% of FGL Insurance’s statutory surplus as regards policyholders as of December 31 of the preceding year; or (ii) the net gain from operations of FGL Insurance (excluding realized capital gains) for the 12-month period ending December 31 of the preceding year.
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Dividends in excess of FGL Insurance’s ordinary dividend capacity are referred to as extraordinary and require prior approval of the Iowa Insurance Commissioner. FGL Insurance may only pay dividends out of statutory earned surplus. FGL Insurance did not pay extraordinary dividends to FGAL for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, and paid extraordinary dividends of $38 million during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Each year, FGL NY Insurance may pay a certain limited amount of ordinary dividends or other distributions without being required to obtain the prior consent of or the New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”). However, to pay any dividends or distributions (including the payment of any dividends or distributions for which prior consent is not required), FGL NY Insurance must provide advance written notice to the NYDFS. FGL NY Insurance has historically not paid dividends.
Prescribed and permitted practices
FGL Insurance - FGL Insurance applies Iowa-prescribed accounting practices prescribed by 191 Iowa Administrative Code 97, “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments Used to Hedge the Growth in Interest Credited for Indexed Insurance Products and Accounting for the Indexed Insurance Products Reserve”, for its FIA products, and as of October 1, 2022, IUL products. Under these alternative accounting practices, the call option derivative instruments that hedge the growth in interest credited on index products are accounted for at amortized cost with the corresponding amortization recorded as a decrease to net investment income and indexed annuity reserves are calculated based on Standard Valuation Law and Actuarial Guideline XXXV assuming the market value of the call options associated with the current index term is zero regardless of the observable market value for such options. This resulted in a $178 million increase and a $152 million decrease to statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
In addition, based on a permitted practice received from the Iowa Insurance Division, FGL Insurance carries one of its limited partnership interests which qualifies for accounting under SSAP No. 48, “Investments in Joint Ventures, Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies”, on a net asset value per share basis. This is a departure from SSAP No. 48 which requires such investments to be carried based on the investees underlying U.S. GAAP equity (prior to any impairment considerations). This resulted in increases to statutory capital and surplus of $16 million and $13 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
FGL Insurance’s statutory carrying value of Raven Re reflects the effect of permitted practices Raven Re received to treat the available amount of a letter of credit as an admitted asset, which increased Raven Re’s statutory capital and surplus by $200 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022. In addition, FGL Insurance’s statutory carrying value of Corbeau Re reflects the effect of permitted practices Corbeau Re received to treat the excess of loss as an admitted asset, which increased Corbeau Re’s statutory capital and surplus by $765 million at December 31, 2023.
Raven Re - Raven Re is also permitted to follow Iowa prescribed statutory accounting practice for its reserves on reinsurance assumed from FGL Insurance and also has approval to include as an admitted asset the value of a letter of credit serving as collateral for reinsurance credit taken by FGL Insurance. Without such permitted statutory accounting practices, Raven Re’s statutory capital and surplus (deficit) would be $(89 ) million and $(107 ) million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and its risk-based capital would fall below the minimum regulatory requirements. The letter of credit facility is collateralized by NAIC 1 rated debt securities. If the permitted practice was revoked, the letter of credit could be replaced by the collateral assets with Nomura’s consent (refer to discussion of letter of credit in Note E- Reinsurance). FGL Insurance’s statutory carrying value of Raven Re was $140 million and $121 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Corbeau Re - Corbeau Re has four permitted practices pursuant to Vermont Statute, Title 8, Chapter 141 – (8 V.S.A. § 6048k(a)(2), whereby the Vermont Department authorizes the Company to (i) account for the amount equal to the excess of loss amount (“XOL Asset”) as an asset on its statutory financial statements; (ii) calculate the reserves with respect to the Retirement Pro Contracts in accordance with the following reserving methodology: the reserves are calculated as the present value of reinsured benefits when account value equals zero less the present value of reinsurance premiums from the winning integrated stream, floored at zero and capped as necessary to keep the net statutory reserve at the net cash surrender value. For benefits associated with all other contracts (“the GMWB Riders”), the reserves are calculated as the statutory reserves for the entire contract (i.e., the base contracts plus the GMWB Riders) minus the statutory reserves for the base contracts only (“Reserve Calculation Permitted Practice”); (iii) calculate its company action level risk-based capital as defined in Section 8301(13)(A) and, calculated using the risk-based capital factors and formulas prescribed by the NAIC, applying a factor of 0.62% to the XOL Asset Value; and (iv) annually perform a total company solvency analysis in lieu of cash flow testing and actuarial opinion and memorandum under Section 2010-2 of the Vermont Administrative Code. Without such permitted statutory accounting practices, the Company’s statutory capital and surplus (deficit) would be $(594 ) million as of December 31, 2023,
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and its risk-based capital would fall below the minimum regulatory requirements. FGL Insurance’s statutory carrying value of Corbeau Re was $171 million at December 31, 2023
FGL NY Insurance - As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, FGL NY Insurance did not follow any prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices that differ from the NAIC's statutory accounting practices.
Non-U.S. Companies
Net income and capital and surplus of our wholly owned Bermuda and Cayman Islands regulated insurance subsidiaries under U.S. GAAP were as follows (in millions):
| Subsidiary (country of domicile) | |||||||||||
| F&G Cayman Re (Cayman Islands) | F&G Life Re (Bermuda) | ||||||||||
| Statutory Net income (loss): | |||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | |||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2022 | ( | ( | |||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||
| Statutory Capital and Surplus (Deficit): | |||||||||||
December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | |||||||||
December 31, 2022 | ( | ( | |||||||||
Equity
Note Q - Leases
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities related to operating leases under ASC Topic 842 are recorded when we are party to a contract, which conveys the right for us to control an asset for a specified period of time. Substantially all of our operating lease arrangements relate to rented office space and real estate for our title operations. We generally are not a party to any material contracts considered finance leases. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities under ASC Topic 842 are recorded as Lease assets and Lease liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023.
Our operating leases range in term from to ten years . As of December 31, 2023, the weighted-average remaining lease term of our operating leases was 4.3 years.
Our lease agreements do not contain material variable lease payments, buyout options, residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants.
Most of our leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term by varying amounts. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. We do not include options to renew in our measurement of lease assets and lease liabilities as they are not considered reasonably assured of exercise.
Our operating lease liability is determined by discounting future lease payments using a discount rate based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar collateralized borrowing. The discount rate is calculated as an average of the current yield on our unsecured notes payable and 140 basis points in excess of the current five year LIBOR swap rate. As of December 31, 2023, the weighted-average discount rate used to determine our operating lease liability was 4.2 %.
We do not separate lease components from non-lease components for any of our right-of-use assets.
Our lease costs are included in Other operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and was $137 million, $142 million and $139 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We do not have any material short term lease costs, variable lease costs, or sublease income.
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Future payments under operating lease arrangements accounted for under ASC Topic 842 as of December 31, 2023, are as follows (in millions):
| 2024 | $ | ||||
| 2025 | |||||
| 2026 | |||||
| 2027 | |||||
| 2028 | |||||
| Thereafter | |||||
| Total operating lease payments, undiscounted | $ | ||||
| Less: present value discount | |||||
| Lease liability, at present value | $ | ||||
See Note K Supplementary Cash Flow Information for certain information on noncash investing and financing activities related to our operating lease arrangements.
Note R - Property and Equipment
| Property and equipment consist of the following: | |||||||||||
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Furniture, fixtures and equipment | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Data processing equipment | |||||||||||
| Leasehold improvements | |||||||||||
| Buildings | |||||||||||
| Land | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total property and equipment, gross | |||||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation and amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total property and equipment, net | $ | $ | |||||||||
Depreciation expense on property and equipment was $55 million, $59 million and $45 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
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Note S - Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities consist of the following:
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Salaries and incentives | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accrued benefits | |||||||||||
| URL | |||||||||||
| Deferred revenue | |||||||||||
| Contingent consideration - acquisitions | |||||||||||
| Trade accounts payable | |||||||||||
| Accrued recording fees and transfer taxes | |||||||||||
| Accrued premium taxes | |||||||||||
| Liability for policy and contract claims | |||||||||||
| Retained asset account | |||||||||||
| Remittances and items not allocated | |||||||||||
| Option collateral liabilities | |||||||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
The following tables roll forward URL for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| Universal Life | Total | ||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Capitalization | |||||||||||
| Amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Universal Life | Total | ||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2022 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Capitalization | |||||||||||
| Amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | |||||||||
For IUL the cash flow assumptions used to amortize URL reflect the company’s best estimates for policyholder behavior. We review cash flow assumptions annually, generally in the third quarter. In 2023, F&G undertook a review of all significant assumptions and there were changes to IUL assumptions involving surrender rates and premium persistency. In 2022, F&G undertook a review of all significant assumptions and there were no changes with a significant impact.
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Note T — Income Taxes
Income tax expense (benefit) on continuing operations consists of the following:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Current | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Total income tax expense was allocated as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings from continuing operations | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive earnings (loss): | |||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on investments and other financial instruments | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation and cash flow hedging | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Changes in current discount rate - future policy benefits | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Changes in instrument - specific credit risk - market risk benefits | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| F&G 15% Distribution | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Minimum pension liability adjustment | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Total income tax expense (benefit) allocated to other comprehensive earnings | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Total income tax expense (benefit) | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to our effective tax rate is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Federal statutory rate | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| State income taxes, net of federal benefit | |||||||||||||||||
| Stock compensation | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Tax credits | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Benefit on Capital Loss Carryback | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Officers Compensation | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-deductible expenses and other, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
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The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Deferred Tax Assets: | |||||||||||
| Employee benefit accruals | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Net operating loss carryforwards | |||||||||||
| Derivatives | |||||||||||
| Tax credits | |||||||||||
| Investment securities | |||||||||||
| Capital loss carryover | |||||||||||
| Life insurance and claim related adjustments | |||||||||||
| Funds held under reinsurance agreements | |||||||||||
| Market Risk Benefits | |||||||||||
| Bermuda corporate income tax net operating loss carryforward | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total gross deferred tax asset | |||||||||||
| Less: valuation allowance | |||||||||||
| Total deferred tax asset | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Deferred Tax Liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Title plant | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Amortization of goodwill and intangible assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Depreciation | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Partnerships | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Value of business acquired | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Deferred acquisition costs | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Transition reserve on new reserve method | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Funds held under reinsurance agreements | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Title Insurance reserve discounting | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total deferred tax liability | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Net deferred tax asset | $ | $ | |||||||||
Our net deferred tax asset (liability) was $343 million and $513 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The significant changes in the deferred taxes are as follows: the deferred tax asset for investment securities decreased by $266 million primarily due to unrealized losses recorded for investment securities, of which $11 million was related to a reduction in unrealized losses in our Title segment and $255 million was primarily due to unrealized capital gains on fixed maturities in our F&G segment's life insurance business. The deferred tax liability related to deferred acquisition costs increased by $152 million, which is consistent with the growth in sales in our F&G segment. The reinsurance receivable deferred tax asset increased by $463 million, and the reinsurance receivable deferred tax liability increased by $434 million both due to Modco reinsurance treatment of GAAP and tax reserves. The deferred tax asset relating to life insurance receivables increased by $114 million primarily due to GAAP reserves for the year increasing by more than the tax reserves for F&G.
As of December 31, 2023, we have net operating losses ("NOLs") on a pretax basis of $401 million, of which $46 million relates to our Title segment and $355 million relates to our F&G segment's life insurance business, which are available to carryforward and offset future federal taxable income. The Title segment NOLs are U.S. federal NOLs arising from acquisitions made since 2012, including Buyers Protection Group, Inc., Digital Insurance Holdings, Inc. and THL Corporations (ServiceLink). Most of the NOLs are subject to an annual Internal Revenue Code Section 382 limitation. These losses will begin to expire in year 2034 and we fully anticipate utilizing the Title segment losses prior to expiration with the exception of $25 million of gross net operating losses that are offset by a $25 million valuation allowance in the Title segment. The F&G NOLs are primarily indefinite life U.S. federal NOLs arising from the life insurance business of which $68 million are subject to an annual Internal Revenue Code Section 382 limitation.
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As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had $119 million and $74 million of tax credits, respectively, some of which have expiration dates and will begin to expire between 2029 and 2043. The credits primarily consist of general business credits and corporate alternative minimum tax credits, including $79 million associated with our F&G segment's life insurance business. The F&G segment's corporate alternative minimum tax credit has an indefinite life. We anticipate the remainder of the credits will be utilized prior to expiration with the exception of $28 million relating to general business credits in our Title segment which have a corresponding $28 million valuation allowance recorded.
As of December 31, 2023, a full valuation allowance on the net deferred tax asset related to the Bermuda corporate income tax net operating loss carryforward of $24 million was recorded. This net change in the valuation allowance of $24 million was due to the 2023 enactment of the Bermuda Corporate Income Tax.
As of December 31, 2023, a valuation allowance of $139 million on the net deferred tax asset for capital losses was recorded, of which $78 million related to our Title segment and $61 million related to our F&G segment. The net change in the capital loss valuation allowance was a $20 million increase for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase to the valuation allowance was primarily due to a $31 million increase in the valuation allowance on unrealized capital losses in the F&G segment's life insurance business, offset by a decrease of $11 million in the valuation allowance on unrealized capital losses in the Title segment's bond portfolio.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the balance of unrecognized tax benefits that would, if recognized, favorably affect our effective tax rate was $0 million and $0 million , respectively. Interest and penalties accrued on income tax uncertainties are recorded as a component of income tax expense and were $0 million and $0 million , respectively, as of December 31, 2023, and 2022.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in millions):
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Additions based on positions taken in current year | ||||||||||||||
| Reductions related to IRS accepting refund, statute of limitation lapses and audit payments | ( | |||||||||||||
| Ending balance | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
F&G's life insurance subsidiaries, as well as certain F&G non-life subsidiaries file separate tax returns from the FNF consolidated group. Prepaid expenses and other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023, includes: $26 million of tax receivables related to the FNF consolidated group as well as $28 million of tax receivables and $372 million of deferred tax assets related to F&G subsidiaries who file separate tax returns. As of December 31, 2022, prepaid expenses and other assets included $26 million of tax receivables related to the FNF consolidated group as well as $28 million of tax receivables and $584 million of deferred tax assets related to the F&G subsidiaries.
We continue to be a participant in the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Compliance Assurance Process that is a real-time audit. Our 2022 U.S. federal income tax return is currently under audit by the IRS. The 2023 U.S. federal income tax return remains open to examination by the IRS. We file income tax returns in various foreign and US state jurisdictions. Our state income tax returns for the 2019 through 2023 tax years remain subject to examination by state jurisdictions. The F&G life insurance group files a separate consolidated return with the IRS. The F&G federal income tax returns for 2018 through the current period remain open to examination by the IRS.
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Note U - Employee Benefit Plans
Stock Purchase Plan
During the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, our eligible employees could voluntarily participate in our employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) sponsored by us. Pursuant to the ESPP, employees may contribute an amount between 3 % and 15 % of their base salary and certain commissions. We contribute varying amounts as specified in the ESPP.
We contributed $30 million, $36 million, and $24 million to the ESPP in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, in accordance with our matching contribution.
FNF 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
During the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, we have offered our employees the opportunity to participate in our 401(k) profit sharing plan (the “401(k) Plan”), a qualified voluntary contributory savings plan that is available to substantially all of our employees. Eligible employees may contribute up to 40 % of their pre-tax annual compensation, up to the amount allowed pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we made an employer match on the 401(k) Plan of $0.375 6 0.50 on each $1.00 contributed up to the first 6 % of eligible earnings contributed to the 401(k) Plan by employees. The employer match was $45 million, $50 million, and $36 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and was credited based on the participant's individual investment elections in the FNF 401(k) Plan.
Omnibus Incentive Plan
In 2005, we established the FNT 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended and restated, the “Omnibus Plan”) authorizing the issuance of up to 8 million shares of common stock, subject to the terms of the Omnibus Plan. On October 23, 2006; May 29, 2008; May 25, 2011; May 22, 2013; and June 15, 2016, the shareholders of FNF approved amendments to increase the number of shares for issuance under the Omnibus Plan by 16 million, 11 million, 6 million, 6 million and 10 million shares, respectively. The primary purpose of the increases were to assure that we had adequate means to provide equity incentive compensation to our employees on a going-forward basis. The Omnibus Plan provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance shares, performance units, other cash and stock-based awards and dividend equivalents. As of December 31, 2023, there were 1,875,395 shares of restricted stock and no stock options outstanding under the Omnibus Plan. Awards granted are approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Options vest over a 3 year period and have a contractual life of 7 years. The exercise price for options granted equals the market price of the underlying stock on the grant date. Stock option grants vest according to certain time based and operating performance criteria. Option exercises by participants are settled on the open market.
F&G Omnibus Incentive Plan
On June 1, 2020, in connection with the acquisition of F&G, we assumed the shares that remained available for future awards under the FGL Holdings 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “F&G Omnibus Plan”) and converted such shares into 2,096,429 shares of FNF common stock that may be issued pursuant to future awards granted under the F&G Omnibus Plan and 2,411,585 shares of FNF common stock that may be issued pursuant to outstanding stock options under the F&G Omnibus Plan. Each unvested stock option assumed under the F&G Omnibus Plan was converted into an FNF stock option and vests solely on the passage of time without any ongoing performance-vesting conditions. The options vest over a 3 year period, based on the option's initial grant date, and have a contractual life of 7 years. As of December 31, 2023, there were 181,479 shares of restricted stock and 643,623 stock options outstanding under the F&G Omnibus Plan.
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FNF stock option transactions under the Omnibus Plan for 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
| Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Exercisable | |||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
FNF stock option transactions under the F&G Omnibus Plan for 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
| Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Exercisable | |||||||||||||||
| Balance January 1, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Canceled | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Canceled | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Canceled | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
FNF restricted stock transactions under the Omnibus Plan in 2023, 2022, and 2021 are as follows:
| Shares | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||
| Canceled | ( | ||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||
| Canceled | ( | ||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | ||||||||||
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FNF restricted stock transactions under the F&G Omnibus Plan in 2023, 2022, 2021 are as follows:
| Shares | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | ||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||
| Canceled | ( | ||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||
| Canceled | ( | ||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | |||||||||||
| Canceled | ( | ||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | ||||||||||
The following table summarizes information related to stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2023:
| Options Outstanding | Options Exercisable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted | Weighted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average | Weighted | Average | Weighted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remaining | Average | Remaining | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Range of | Number of | Contractual | Exercise | Intrinsic | Number of | Contractual | Exercise | Intrinsic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise Prices | Options | Life | Price | Value | Options | Life | Price | Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In years) | (In millions) | (In years) | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We account for stock-based compensation plans in accordance with GAAP on share-based payments, which requires that compensation cost relating to share-based payments be recognized in the consolidated financial statements based on the fair value of each award. Using the fair value method of accounting, compensation cost is measured based on the fair value of the award at the grant date and recognized over the service period. Fair value of restricted stock awards and units is based on the grant date value of the underlying stock derived from quoted market prices. The total fair value of restricted stock awards granted in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $43 million, $41 million, and $52 million, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock awards, which vested in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $51 million, $38 million, and $43 million, respectively. Option awards are measured at fair value on the grant date using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model. The intrinsic value of options exercised in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $8 million, $16 million, and $32 million, respectively. Net earnings attributable to FNF Shareholders reflects stock-based compensation expense amounts of $60 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, $49 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, and $42 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are included in personnel costs in the reported financial results of each period.
Pension Plan
In 2000, FNF merged with Chicago Title Corporation ("CTC"). In connection with the merger, we assumed CTC’s noncontributory defined contribution plan and noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the “Pension Plan”). The Pension Plan covers certain CTC employees. The benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s average monthly compensation in the highest 60 consecutive calendar months during the 120 months ending at retirement or termination. Effective December 31, 2000, the Pension Plan was frozen and there will be no future credit given for years of service or changes in salary. The accumulated benefit obligation is the same as the projected benefit obligation due to the pension plan
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being frozen as of December 31, 2000. Pursuant to GAAP on employers’ accounting for defined benefit pension and other post-retirement plans, the measurement date is December 31.
The discount rate used to determine the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was 4.67 % and 4.85 %, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the projected benefit obligation was $64 million and $117 million, respectively, and the fair value of plan assets was $54 million and $112 million, respectively. The net pension liability and net periodic expense included in our financial position and results of operations relating to the Pension Plan is not considered material for any period presented.
On May 1, 2023, we elected to terminate the Pension Plan, subject to approval by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation and the receipt of a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service. Upon termination, the account balance of each participant in the Pension Plan shall become fully vested. Each remaining participant or beneficiary in the Pension Plan shall be given one of the following options with respect to termination of the Pension Plan: (i) a lump-sum distribution of the participant's account balance; or (ii) an annuity benefit equal to the participant’s account balance.
Note V - Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk and Concentration of Risk
In the normal course of business, we and certain of our subsidiaries enter into off-balance sheet credit arrangements associated with certain aspects of the title insurance business and other activities.
We generate a significant amount of title insurance premiums in Texas, California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Title insurance premiums as a percentage of the total title insurance premiums written from those five states are detailed as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Texas | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| California | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Florida | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Illinois | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, short-term investments, and trade receivables.
We place cash equivalents and short-term investments with high credit quality financial institutions and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution. Investments in commercial paper of industrial firms and financial institutions are rated investment grade by nationally recognized rating agencies.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited because a large number of geographically diverse customers make up our customer base, thus spreading the trade receivables credit risk. We control credit risk through monitoring procedures.
Note W - Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Adopted Pronouncements
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2018-12, as clarified and amended by ASU 2019-09, Financial Services-Insurance: Effective Date and ASU 2020-11, Financial Services-Insurance: Effective Date and Early Application, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update introduced the following requirements: assumptions used to measure cash flows for traditional and limited-payment contracts must be reviewed at least annually with the effect of changes in those assumptions being recognized in the statement of earnings; the discount rate applied to measure the liability for future policy benefits and limited-payment contracts must be updated at each reporting date with the effect of changes in the rate being recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”); Market risk benefits (“MRB”) associated with deposit contracts must be measured at fair value, with the effect of the change in the fair value recognized in earnings, except for the change attributable to instrument-specific credit risk, which is recognized in AOCI; deferred acquisition costs are no longer required to be amortized in proportion to premiums, gross profits, or gross margins; instead, those balances must be amortized on a constant level basis over the expected term of the related contracts; deferred acquisition costs must be written off for unexpected contract terminations; and disaggregated roll forwards of beginning to ending balances of the liability for future policyholder benefits ("FPBs"), contractholder funds, MRBs, separate account liabilities and deferred acquisition costs, as well as information about significant inputs, judgments, assumptions, and methods used in measurement are required to be disclosed. We adopted this standard, which required the new guidance be applied as of the beginning of the earliest period presented or January 1, 2021, referred to as the transition date, and elected the full retrospective transition method. As a result of adoption, the Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment, which increased opening 2021 retained earnings by $75 million, net of tax.
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The following table summarizes the balance of and changes in the FPB on January 1, 2021, due to adoption of ASU 2018-12:
| Immediate annuities | Traditional Life | Total (3) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of retrospective adoption (1) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Effect of remeasurement of liability at current discount rate (2) | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Reinsurance Recoverable | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2021, net of reinsurance | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| (1) Adjustments for the cumulative effect of adoption of the new measurement guidance under the full retrospective method for contract issue years from the FNF Acquisition Date through December 31, 2020, net of the effects of any change in the DPL. | |||||||||||||||||
| (2) The remeasurement of the liability at the current discount rate is reflected as an adjustment to opening AOCI upon the adoption of ASU 2018-12. | |||||||||||||||||
| (3) PRT was not written as of the transition date, January 1, 2021, and as a result is not presented in the transition adjustment roll forward. | |||||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the balance of and changes in VOBA on January 1, 2021 due to adoption of ASU 2018-12 (in millions):
| FIA | Fixed rate annuities | Immediate annuities | Universal Life | Traditional Life | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment for reversal of AOCI adjustments (1) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of retrospective adoption (2) | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transition opening balance adjustment (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Prior period "shadow" adjustments in AOCI have been reversed upon the adoption of ASU 2018-12 from opening AOCI. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2) Adjustments for the cumulative effect of adoption of the simplified amortization methodology under the full retrospective method from the FNF Acquisition Date through December 31, 2020. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (3) Adjustments for the change in VOBA due to the full retrospective adjustment of carrying amounts of acquired contracts as of the FNF Acquisition Date due to the adoption of ASU 2018-12. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the balance of and changes in DAC on January 1, 2021, due to adoption of ASU 2018-12 (in millions):
| FIA | Fixed rate annuities | Universal Life | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustment for reversal of AOCI adjustments (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of retrospective adoption (2) | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Prior period "shadow" adjustments in AOCI have been reversed upon the adoption of ASU 2018-12 from opening AOCI. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2) Adjustments for the cumulative effect of adoption of the simplified amortization methodology under the full retrospective method for contract issue years from the FNF Acquisition Date through December 31, 2020. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The following table summarizes the balance of and changes in DSI on January 1, 2021, due to adoption of ASU 2018-12 (in millions):
| FIA | Total | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Adjustment for reversal of AOCI adjustments (1) | |||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of retrospective adoption (2) | |||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| (1) Prior period "shadow" adjustments in AOCI have been reversed upon the adoption of ASU 2018-12 from opening AOCI. | |||||||||||
| (2) Adjustments for the cumulative effect of adoption of the simplified amortization methodology under the full retrospective method for contract issue years from the FNF Acquisition Date through December 31, 2020. | |||||||||||
The following table summarizes the balance of and changes in URL on January 1, 2021, due to adoption of ASU 2018-12:
| Universal Life | Total | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Adjustment for reversal of AOCI adjustments (1) | |||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of retrospective adoption (2) | |||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| (1) Prior period "shadow" adjustments in AOCI have been reversed upon the adoption of ASU 2018-12 from opening AOCI. | |||||||||||
| (2) Adjustments for the cumulative effect of adoption of the simplified amortization methodology under the full retrospective method for contract issue years from the FNF Acquisition Date through December 31, 2020. | |||||||||||
The following table summarizes the balance of and changes in the asset and liability position of MRBs on January 1, 2021, due to adoption of ASU 2018-12:
| FIA | Fixed rate annuities | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 - Carrying amount of MRBs under prior guidance (1) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Adjustment for reversal of AOCI adjustments (2) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of the changes in the instrument-specific credit risk between the original contract issuance date and the transition date (3) | |||||||||||||||||
| Remaining cumulative difference (exclusive of the instrument specific credit risk change) between December 31, 2020 carrying amount and fair value measurement for the MRBs (4) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2021 - Market risk benefits at fair value | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Reinsurance Recoverable | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2021, net of reinsurance | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| (1) The pre-adoption balance as of December 31, 2020 balance for MRBs represents the contract features that meet the definition of an MRB under ASU 2018-12 and the related carrying amount of those features prior to the ASU. Those contract features were previously accounted for at fair value as a derivative or embedded derivative under ASC 815 or as an additional liability for annuitization benefits or death or other insurance benefits under ASC 944. | |||||||||||||||||
| (2) Prior period "shadow" adjustments in AOCI have been reversed upon the adoption of ASU 2018-12 from opening AOCI. | |||||||||||||||||
| (3) The cumulative effective of the change in instrument-specific credit risk between the FNF Acquisition Date or, if later, the original contract issuance date and the transition date to ASU 2018-12, which is recorded as an adjustment to opening AOCI. | |||||||||||||||||
| (4) The cumulative difference (exclusive of instrument-specific credit risk change) between the pre-adoption carrying amount and the fair value measurement for MRBs is recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. | |||||||||||||||||
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The following table presents the effect of transition adjustments on Equity on January 1, 2021 due to the adoption of ASU 2018-12 (in millions):
| January 1, 2021 | |||||||||||
| Retained Earnings | AOCI | ||||||||||
| Contractholder funds | $ | $ | |||||||||
| MRB | ( | ||||||||||
| FPB | ( | ( | |||||||||
| VOBA | ( | ||||||||||
| DAC | ( | ||||||||||
| Increase to Equity, gross of tax | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Tax impact | |||||||||||
| Increase to Equity, net of tax | $ | $ | |||||||||
For MRBs, the transition adjustment reflected within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings relates to the cumulative effect of changes in the instrument-specific credit risk between contract issue date and transition date. The remaining difference between the fair value and carrying amount of the MRBs at transition, excluding the amounts recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings, was recorded as an adjustment to Retained Earnings as of the transition date.
For the FPB, the net transition adjustment is primarily related to the difference in the discount rate used pre-transition and the discount rate at January 1, 2021, partially offset by the removal of provisions for adverse deviation from the cash flow assumptions used in the FPB calculation. At transition, we did not identify any instances, at the cohort level, where net premiums exceeded gross premiums.
Before the adoption of ASU 2018-12, VOBA was amortized consistent with DAC, which was amortized over the lives of the policies in relation to the expected emergence of estimated gross profits (“EGPs”). Based on our historical practice of using consistent amortization methods for VOBA and DAC, we elected to change the amortization method for VOBA associated with fixed rate annuities, FIAs, and IUL/Universal Life (“UL”) products to maintain consistency with the amortization method for DAC. At transition, VOBA associated with these product types is amortized on a constant level basis for the grouped contracts over the expected term of the related contracts to approximate straight-line amortization. Additionally, at transition, shadow adjustments previously recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings, consistent with the historic amortization of DAC, have been removed.
For DAC, DSI and URL, we removed shadow adjustments previously recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings for the impact of unrealized gains and losses that were included in the pre-transition expected gross profits amortization calculation as of the transition date.
In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. The amendments in this update eliminate the Troubled Debt Restructuring ("TDR") recognition and measurement guidance for creditors and, instead, require that an entity evaluate whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The amendments also enhance existing disclosure requirements and introduce new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. Additionally, these amendments require that an entity disclose current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investment in leases within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. The guidance is effective for entities that have adopted ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326) for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, though early adoption is permitted. We adopted this standard as of January 1, 2023, and it did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures upon adoption.
Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. The amendments in this update affect all entities that have investments in equity securities measured at fair value that are subject to a contractual sale restriction and clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments also clarify that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction. Additionally, the amendments require the following disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions: the fair value of equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions reflected in the balance sheet, the nature and remaining duration of the restriction(s), and the circumstances that could cause a lapse in the restriction(s). The amendments in this update do not change the principles of fair value measurement, rather, they clarify those
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principles when measuring the fair value of an equity security subject to a contractual sale restriction and improve current GAAP by reducing diversity in practice, reducing the cost and complexity in measuring fair value, and increasing comparability of financial information across reporting entities that hold those investments. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years, though early adoption is permitted. We do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures upon adoption. We do not currently plan to early adopt this standard.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments in this update improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expense categories that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and included in each reported measure of a segment’s profit or loss. In addition, the amendments enhance interim disclosure requirements that are currently required annually, clarify circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss, and contain other disclosure requirements. The amendments in this update are incremental to the current requirements of Topic 280 and do not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates those operating segments, or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. The enhanced segment disclosure requirements apply retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The significant segment expense and other segment item amounts disclosed in prior periods shall be based on the significant segment expense categories identified and disclosed in the period of adoption. The amendments in this update are effective for all public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted, and the updates must be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. We do not currently expect to early adopt this standard and are in the process of assessing its impact on our disclosures upon adoption.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments in this update enhance the transparency of the income tax disclosures by expanding on the disclosures required annually. The amendments require entities to disclose in their rate reconciliation table additional categories of information about federal, state, and foreign income taxes, in addition to providing details about the reconciling items in some categories if above a quantitative threshold. Additionally, the amendments require annual disclosure of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by jurisdiction based on a quantitative threshold. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis, and retrospective application is permitted. We do not currently expect to early adopt this standard and are in the process of assessing its impact on our disclosures upon adoption.
Note X - Market Risk Benefits
The following table presents the balances of and changes in MRBs associated with FIAs and fixed rate annuities for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA | Fixed rate annuities | FIA | Fixed rate annuities | FIA | Fixed rate annuities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period, net liability | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period, before effect of changes in the instrument-specific credit risk | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances and benefit payments | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Attributed fees collected and interest accrual | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual policyholder behavior different from expected | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in assumptions and other | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effects of market related movements | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period, before effect of changes in the instrument-specific credit risk | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in the instrument-specific credit risk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period, net liability | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average attained age of policyholders weighted by total AV (years) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net amount at risk | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table reconciles MRBs by amounts in an asset position and amounts in a liability position to the MRBs amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
172
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset | Liability | Net | Asset | Liability | Net | Asset | Liability | Net | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed rate annuities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2023. The net MRB liability increased for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of attributed fees collected, increases as a result of actual policyholder behavior different than expected and changes in assumptions and other as discussed below. These increases were partially offset by the effects of market related movements, including the impacts of higher risk-free rates and increases in the equity market related projections.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, notable changes made to the inputs to the fair value estimates of MRBs calculations included a significant increase in risk-free rates leading to a favorable change in the MRBs associated with FIA and fixed rate annuities; increases in the equity market related projections resulted in a decrease in the net amount at risk associated with FIAs, lead to a favorable change in the value of the associated MRBs; and F&G’s credit spread decreased, leading to a corresponding unfavorable change in the MRBs associated with both FIA and fixed rate annuities.
In addition, the cash flow assumptions used to calculate MRBs reflect the company’s best estimates for policyholder behavior. We review cash flow assumptions annually, generally in the third quarter. In 2023, F&G undertook a review of all significant assumptions and revised several assumptions relating to our deferred annuities (FIA and fixed rate annuities) with MRBs including surrender rates, partial withdrawal rates, mortality improvement, and option budgets. All updates to these assumptions brought us more in line with our Company and overall industry experience since the prior assumption update. These updates, in total, led to an unfavorable change in the MRB balance during the third quarter of 2023. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2023, an update to the industry future mortality improvement table led to a corresponding update in our future mortality improvement assumption, which led to an unfavorable change in the MRB balance during the fourth quarter of 2023.
2022. The net MRB liability decreased for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily as a result of the effects of market related movements, including the impact of higher risk-free rates, and changes in assumptions and other as discussed below, partially offset by attributed fees collected and increases as a result of actual policyholder behavior different than expected.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, notable changes made to the inputs to the fair value estimates of MRBs calculations included a significant increase to risk-free rates leading to a favorable change in the MRBs associated with both FIA and fixed rate annuities; decreases in the equity markets resulting in an increase in the net amount at risk associated with FIAs, leading to an unfavorable change in the value of the associated MRBs; and volatility indices increased, leading to an unfavorable change in the MRBs associated with FIAs.
Cash flow assumptions for mortality and full and partial surrenders were unchanged during the annual third quarter review in 2022. The GMWB utilization assumption was revised in the second quarter of 2022 to reflect additional internal and industry experience for the first several contract years. This assumption update led to a decrease in the net MRB liability. In addition, F&G’s credit spread increased during 2022, leading to a corresponding decrease in the net MRB liability. Credit spreads on the block of business remain lower than the at-issue or at-purchase credit spreads, but the level has decreased since the beginning of 2022.
2021. The net MRB liability decreased for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily as a result of the effects of market related movements, including the impact of higher risk-free rates, and decreases as a result of actual policyholder behavior different than expected, partially offset by attributed fees collected.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, notable changes made to the inputs to the fair value estimates of MRBs calculations included a moderate increase to risk-free rates leading to a favorable change in the MRBs associated with both FIA and fixed rate annuities and increases in the equity markets resulting in a decrease in the net amount at risk associated with FIAs, leading to a favorable change in the value of the associated MRBs.
173
Note Y — Contractholder Funds
The following tables summarize balances of and changes in contractholder funds’ account balances:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA | Fixed rate annuities | Universal Life | FABN (b) | FHLB (b) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums received | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy charges (a) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrenders and withdrawals | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit payments | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest credited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Embedded derivative adjustment (c) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Liability, end of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Reinsurance | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Liability, after Reinsurance | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average crediting rate | % | % | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net amount at risk (d) | N/A | N/A | $ | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash surrender value (e) | $ | $ | $ | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Contracts included in the contractholder funds are generally charged a premium and/or monthly assessments on the basis of the account balance.
(b) FABN and FHLB are considered funding agreements that are investment contracts which follow the interest method of accounting, and therefore are not subject to ASU 2018-12 disclosure requirements. However, the Company has elected to present the liability for these agreements within the disaggregated roll forward as we believe it will provide meaningful information for users of the financials.
(c) The embedded derivative adjustment reconciles the account balance to the gross GAAP liability and represents the combination of the host contract and the fair value of the embedded derivatives.
(d) For those guarantees of benefits that are payable in the event of death, the net amount at risk is generally defined as the current guaranteed minimum death benefit in excess of the current account balance at the balance sheet date.
(e) These amounts are gross of reinsurance
174
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA | Fixed rate annuities | Universal Life | FABN (b) | FHLB (b) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums received | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy charges (a) | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrenders and withdrawals | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit payments | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest credited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Embedded derivative adjustment (c) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Liability, end of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Reinsurance | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Liability, after Reinsurance | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average crediting rate | % | % | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net amount at risk (d) | N/A | N/A | $ | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash surrender value (e) | $ | $ | $ | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Contracts included in the contractholder funds are generally charged a premium and/or monthly assessments on the basis of the account balance.
(b) FABN and FHLB are considered funding agreements that are investment contracts which follow the interest method of accounting, and therefore are not subject to ASU 2018-12 disclosure requirements. However, the Company has elected to present the liability for these agreements within the disaggregated roll forward as we believe it will provide meaningful information for users of the financials.
(c) The embedded derivative adjustment reconciles the account balance to the gross GAAP liability and represents the combination of the host contract and the fair value of the embedded derivatives.
(d) For those guarantees of benefits that are payable in the event of death, the net amount at risk is generally defined as the current guaranteed minimum death benefit in excess of the current account balance at the balance sheet date.
(e) These amounts are gross of reinsurance
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA | Fixed rate annuities | Universal Life | FABN (b) | FHLB (b) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums received | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy charges (a) | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrenders and withdrawals | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit payments | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest credited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Embedded derivative adjustment (c) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Liability, end of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Reinsurance | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Liability, after Reinsurance | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average crediting rate | % | % | % | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net amount at risk (d) | N/A | N/A | $ | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash surrender value (e) | $ | $ | $ | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Contracts included in the contractholder funds are generally charged a premium and/or monthly assessments on the basis of the account balance.
(b) FABN and FHLB are considered funding agreements that are investment contracts which follow the interest method of accounting, and therefore are not subject to ASU 2018-12 disclosure requirements. However, the Company has elected to present the liability for these agreements within the disaggregated roll forward as we believe it will provide meaningful information for users of the financials.
(c) The embedded derivative adjustment reconciles the account balance to the gross GAAP liability and represents the combination of the host contract and the fair value of the embedded derivatives.
(d) For those guarantees of benefits that are payable in the event of death, the net amount at risk is generally defined as the current guaranteed minimum death benefit in excess of the current account balance at the balance sheet date.
(e) These amounts are gross of reinsurance
175
The following table reconciles contractholder funds’ account balances to the contractholder funds liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| FIA | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Fixed rate annuities | |||||||||||||||||
| Immediate annuities | |||||||||||||||||
| Universal life | |||||||||||||||||
| Traditional life | |||||||||||||||||
| Funding Agreement-FABN | |||||||||||||||||
| FHLB | |||||||||||||||||
| PRT | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Annually, typically in the third quarter, we review assumptions associated with reserves for policy benefits and product guarantees. During the third quarter of 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2023, based on increases in interest rates and pricing changes, we updated certain FIA assumptions used to calculate the fair value of the embedded derivative component within contractholder funds and also aligned reserves to actual policyholder behavior. These changes resulted in an increase in total benefits and other changes in policy reserves of approximately $73 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
176
The following tables present the account values by range of guaranteed minimum crediting rates and the related range of difference, in basis points, between rates being credited to policyholders and the respective guaranteed minimums:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Range of guaranteed minimum crediting rate | At Guaranteed Minimum | Greater Than | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0.00%-1.50% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.51%-2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed Rate Annuities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0.00%-1.50% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.51%-2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Universal Life | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0.00%-1.50% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.51%-2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Range of guaranteed minimum crediting rate | At Guaranteed Minimum | Greater Than | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0.00%-1.50% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.51%-2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed Rate Annuities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0.00%-1.50% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.51%-2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Universal Life | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0.00%-1.50% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.51%-2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
177
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Range of guaranteed minimum crediting rate | At Guaranteed Minimum | Greater Than | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIA | (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0.00%-1.50% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.51%-2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed Rate Annuities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0.00%-1.50% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.51%-2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Universal Life | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0.00%-1.50% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.51%-2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 2.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
178
Note Z — Future Policy Benefits
The following table summarizes balances and changes in the present value of expected net premiums and the present value of the expected FPB for nonparticipating traditional contracts:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Expected net premiums | (Dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance at original discount rate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of actual variances from expected experience | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance adjusted for variances from expectation | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net premiums collected | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance at original discount rate | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Expected FPB | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance at original discount rate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of actual variances from expected experience | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance adjusted for variances from expectation | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits payments | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance at original discount rate | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net liability for future policy benefits | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Less: Reinsurance recoverable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net liability for future policy benefits, after reinsurance recoverable | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average duration of liability for future policyholder benefits (years) | ||||||||||||||||||||
179
The following tables summarize balances and changes in the present value of the expected FPB for limited-payment contracts:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| PRT | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance at original discount rate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of actual variances from expected experience | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance adjusted for variances from expectation | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Issuances | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits payments | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance at original discount rate | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net liability for future policy benefits | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Less: Reinsurance recoverable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net liability for future policy benefits, after reinsurance recoverable | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average duration of liability for future policyholder benefits (years) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Immediate annuities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance at original discount rate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of actual variances from expected experience | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance adjusted for variances from expectation | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Issuances | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits payments | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance at original discount rate | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net liability for future policy benefits | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Less: Reinsurance recoverable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net liability for future policy benefits, after reinsurance recoverable | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average duration of liability for future policyholder benefits (years) | ||||||||||||||||||||
180
The following tables summarize balances and changes in the liability for DPL for limited-payment contracts:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Immediate annuities | PRT | Immediate annuities | PRT | Immediate annuities | PRT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of modeling changes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of actual variances from expected experience | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance adjusted for variances from expectation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table reconciles the net FPB to the FPB in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The DPL for Immediate Annuities and PRT is presented together with the FPB in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and has been included as a reconciling item in the table below:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Life | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Immediate annuities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PRT | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Immediate annuities DPL | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PRT DPL | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
The following table provides the amount of undiscounted and discounted expected gross premiums and expected future benefits and expenses for nonparticipating traditional and limited-payment contracts:
| Undiscounted | Discounted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Life | (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future benefit payments | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future gross premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Immediate annuities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future benefit payments | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future gross premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PRT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future benefit payments | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future gross premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the amount of revenue and interest related to nonparticipating traditional and limited-payment contracts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings:
| Gross Premiums (a) | Interest Expense (b) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Life | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Immediate annuities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PRT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Included in Life insurance premiums and other fees on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
181
(b) Included in Benefits and other changes in policy reserves (remeasurement gains (losses) (a)) on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
The following table presents the weighted-average interest rate:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Life | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accretion rate | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Current discount rate | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Immediate annuities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accretion rate | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Current discount rate | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| PRT | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accretion rate | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Current discount rate | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
The following tables summarize the actual experience and expected experience for mortality and lapses of the FPB:
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Life | Immediate annuities | PRT | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mortality | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual experience | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Expected experience | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Lapses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual experience | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Expected experience | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Life | Immediate annuities | PRT | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mortality | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual experience | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Expected experience | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Lapses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual experience | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Expected experience | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Life | Immediate annuities | PRT | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mortality | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual experience | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Expected experience | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Lapses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual experience | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Expected experience | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
The following table provides additional information for periods in which a cohort has an NPR > 100% (and therefore capped at 100%) (dollars in millions):
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Cohort X | Description (a) | |||||||||||||
| Net Premium Ratio before capping | % | Term with ROP Non-NY Cohort | ||||||||||||
| Reserves before NP Ratio capping | $ | Term with ROP Non-NY Cohort | ||||||||||||
| Reserves after NP Ratio capping | $ | Term with ROP Non-NY Cohort | ||||||||||||
| Loss Expense | Term with ROP Non-NY Cohort | |||||||||||||
182
F&G realized actual-to-expected experience variances and made changes to assumptions during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 as follows:
Traditional life
Significant assumption inputs to the calculation of the FPB for traditional life include mortality, lapses (including lapses due to nonpayment of premium and surrenders for cash surrender value), and discount rates (both accretion and current). We review the cash flow assumptions annually, typically in the third quarter. In 2023, F&G undertook a review of all significant assumptions and revised the lapse assumption, resulting in a slight decrease to the FPB. There have been no other significant changes.
Market data that underlies current discount rates was updated in 2023 from that utilized in 2022 resulting in decreased discount rates that drove a material increase to the FPB.
In 2022, F&G similarly undertook a review in the third quarter of the significant cash flow assumptions and did not make any changes to mortality or lapses.
Market data that underlies current discount rates was updated from 2021 and increased significantly year-over-year, resulting in a material decrease to the FPB. Impacts to expected net premiums and expected FPBs due to discount rate changes in 2022 can be observed in the FPB roll forward tables at December 31, 2022.
Immediate annuities (life contingent)
Significant assumption inputs to the calculation of the FPB for immediate annuities (life contingent) include mortality and discount rates (both accretion and current). We review the cash flow assumptions annually, typically in the third quarter. In 2023, F&G undertook a review of the significant cash flow assumptions and did not make any changes to mortality. Market data that underlies current discount rates was updated in 2023 from that utilized in 2022, resulting in decreased discount rates that drove a material increase to the FPB.
In 2022, F&G similarly undertook a review of the significant cash flow assumptions and did not make any changes to those assumptions. Market data that underlies current discount rates was updated from 2021 and increased significantly year-over-year, resulting in a material decrease to the FPB. Impacts to expected FPBs due to assumption changes in 2022 can be observed in the FPB roll forward tables at December 31, 2022.
PRT (life contingent)
Significant assumption inputs to the calculation of the FPB for PRT (life contingent) include mortality and discount rates (both accretion and current). We review the cash flow assumptions annually, typically in the third quarter. In 2023, F&G undertook a review of the significant cash flow assumptions and did not make any changes to mortality. Market data that underlies current discount rates was updated in 2023 from that utilized in 2022 resulting in decreased discount rates that drove a material increase to the FPB.
In 2022, F&G similarly undertook a review of the significant cash flow assumption and did not make any changes to mortality. Market data that underlies current discount rates was updated from 2021 and increased significantly year-over-year, resulting in a material decrease to the FPB. Impacts to expected FPBs due to assumption changes in 2022 can be observed in the FPB roll forward tables at December 31, 2022.
Premium deficiency testing
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
183
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the year covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is: (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms; and (b) accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be no assurance that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will detect or uncover all failures of persons within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s periodic reports. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving their control objectives.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Management has adopted the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on our evaluation under this framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included herein.
LIMITATIONS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTROLS
A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
PART III
184
Item 10 Codes of Ethics
Our board of directors has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, which is applicable to our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and our Chief Accounting Officer, and a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is applicable to all our directors, officers and employees. The purpose of these codes is to: (i) promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of conflicts of interest; (ii) promote full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure; (iii) promote compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations; (iv) ensure the protection of our legitimate business interests, including corporate opportunities, assets and confidential information; and (v) deter wrongdoing. Our codes of ethics are designed to maintain our commitment to our longstanding standards for ethical business practices. Our reputation for integrity is one of our most important assets and each of our employees and directors is expected to contribute to the care and preservation of that asset. Under our codes of ethics, an amendment to or a waiver or modification of any ethics policy applicable to our directors or executive officers must be disclosed to the extent required under Securities and Exchange Commission and/or New York Stock Exchange rules. We intend to disclose any such amendment or waiver by posting it on our website at www.investor.fnf.com.
Copies of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers are available for review on our website at www.investor.fnf.com.
Items 10-14.
Within 120 days after the close of our fiscal year, we intend to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission the remaining matters required by these items.
185
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) (1) Financial Statements. The following is a list of the Consolidated Financial Statements of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries included in Item 8 of Part II:
(a) (2) Financial Statement Schedules. The following is a list of financial statement schedules filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K:
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or not required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.
186
(a) (3) The following exhibits are incorporated by reference or are set forth on pages to this Form 10-K:
Exhibit Number | Description | ||||
| 2.1 | |||||
| 2.2 | |||||
| 2.3 | |||||
| 3.1 | |||||
| 3.2 | |||||
| 4.1 | |||||
| 4.2 | |||||
| 4.3 | |||||
| 4.4 | |||||
| 4.5 | |||||
| 4.6 | |||||
| 4.7 | |||||
| 4.8 | |||||
| 4.9 | |||||
| 4.10 | |||||
| 4.11 | |||||
Exhibit Number | Description | ||||
| 4.12 | |||||
| 4.13 | |||||
187
| 4.14 | |||||
| 4.15 | |||||
| 4.16 | |||||
| 4.17 | |||||
| 4.18 | |||||
| 4.19 | |||||
| 4.20 | |||||
| 4.21 | |||||
| 10.1 | |||||
| 10.2 | |||||
| 10.3 | |||||
| 10.4 | |||||
| 10.5 | |||||
| 10.6 | |||||
| 10.7 | |||||
| 10.8 | |||||
| 10.9 | |||||
| 10.10 | |||||
| 10.11 | |||||
| 10.12 | |||||
| 10.13 | |||||
188
| 10.14 | |||||
| 10.15 | |||||
| 10.16 | |||||
| 10.17 | |||||
| 10.18 | |||||
| 10.19 | |||||
| 10.20 | |||||
| 10.21 | |||||
| 10.22 | |||||
| 10.23 | |||||
| 10.24 | |||||
| 10.25 | |||||
| 10.26 | |||||
| 10.27 | |||||
| 10.28 | |||||
| 10.29 | |||||
| 10.30 | |||||
| 10.31 | |||||
| 10.32 | |||||
189
Exhibit Number | Description | ||||
| 10.33 | |||||
| 10.34 | |||||
| 10.35 | |||||
| 10.36 | |||||
| 10.37 | |||||
| 10.38 | |||||
| 10.39 | |||||
| 10.40 | |||||
| 10.41 | |||||
Exhibit Number | Description | ||||
| 21.1 | |||||
| 23.1 | |||||
| 31.1 | |||||
| 31.2 | |||||
| 32.1 | |||||
| 32.2 | |||||
| 97.1 | |||||
| 101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document (2) | ||||
| 101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | ||||
| 101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | ||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101 | ||||
(1) A management or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this report pursuant to Item 15(c) of Form 10-K
190
(2) The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
191
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Fidelity National Financial, Inc. | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Michael J. Nolan | ||||||||||
| Michael J. Nolan | |||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||
Date: February 29, 2024
| 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/ Michael J. Nolan | Chief Executive Officer | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Michael J. Nolan | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||||||||||||
| /s/ Anthony J. Park | Chief Financial Officer | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Anthony J. Park | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |||||||||||||
| /s/ William P. Foley, II | Director and Chairman of the Board | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| William P. Foley, II | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Raymond R. Quirk | Director and Executive Vice Chairman of the Board | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Raymond R. Quirk | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Douglas K. Ammerman | Director | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Douglas K. Ammerman | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Halim Dhanidina | Director | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Halim Dhanidina | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Thomas M. Hagerty | Director | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Thomas M. Hagerty | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Daniel D. (Ron) Lane | Director | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Daniel D. (Ron) Lane | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Sandra D. Morgan | Director | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Sandra D. Morgan | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Heather H. Miller | Director | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Heather H. Miller | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ John D. Rood | Director | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| John D. Rood | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Peter O. Shea, Jr. | Director | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Peter O. Shea, Jr. | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Cary H. Thompson | Director | February 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Cary H. Thompson | ||||||||||||||
192
SCHEDULE II
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.
(Parent Company)
BALANCE SHEETS
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| (In millions, except share data) | |||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Short-term investments | |||||||||||
| Other long-term investments | |||||||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value | |||||||||||
| Investment in unconsolidated affiliates | |||||||||||
| Notes receivable | |||||||||||
| Investments in and amounts due from subsidiaries | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Income taxes payable | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax liability | |||||||||||
| Notes payable | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
| Equity: | |||||||||||
FNF common stock, $ | |||||||||||
Preferred stock, $ | |||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive earnings | ( | ( | |||||||||
Less: Treasury stock, | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total equity of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. common shareholders | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
See Notes to Financial Statements
193
SCHEDULE II
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.
(Parent Company)
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND RETAINED EARNINGS
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Other fees and revenue | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income and realized gains | |||||||||||||||||
| Recognized gains and losses, net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Personnel expenses | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Losses before income tax benefit and equity in earnings of subsidiaries | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Losses before equity in earnings of subsidiaries | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of subsidiaries | |||||||||||||||||
| Earnings from continuing operations | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of discontinued operations | |||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to Fidelity National Financial, Inc. common shareholders | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings, beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution of F&G to FNF common shareholders | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to Fidelity National Financial, Inc. common shareholders | |||||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings, end of year | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
See Notes to Financial Statements
194
SCHEDULE II
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.
(Parent Company)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of subsidiaries | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in income taxes | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net (increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net increase in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of investments available for sale | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net purchases of short-term investment activities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Additions to notes receivable | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Collection of notes receivable | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Borrowings | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt service payments | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Purchases of treasury stock | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options | |||||||||||||||||
| Payment for shares withheld for taxes and in treasury | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Additional investments in non-controlling interests | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net dividends from subsidiaries | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Cash at beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash at end of year | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| See Notes to Financial Statements | |||||||||||||||||
195
SCHEDULE II
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.
(Parent Company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
A. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. transacts substantially all of its business through its subsidiaries. The Parent Company Financial Statements should be read in connection with the aforementioned Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere herein.
B. Notes Payable
Notes payable consist of the following:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Revolving credit facility | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||||||||
C. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid during the year: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax payments | |||||||||||||||||
D. Cash Dividends Received
We have received cash dividends from subsidiaries and affiliates of $0.4 billion, $0.8 billion, and $0.6 billion during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
E. Subsequent Events
Amendment to our Revolving Credit Facility
On February 16, 2024, we entered into a Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for our $800 million revolving credit facility (the "Amended Revolving Credit Facility") with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and other agents party thereto (the "Sixth Restated Credit Agreement"). For further information related to the Amended Revolving Credit Facility and the Sixth Restated Credit Agreement refer to Note G Notes Payable.
Investment of $250 million in F&G
On January 12, 2024, we completed a $250 million preferred stock investment in F&G. F&G will use the net proceeds from the investment to support growth of its assets under management.
Under the terms of the agreement, we have agreed to invest $250 million in exchange for 5 million shares of F&G's 6.875 % Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock"). Each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will have a liquidation preference of $50.00 per share. Unless earlier converted at the option of the holder, each outstanding share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically convert into shares of common stock of F&G on January 15, 2027 (the "Mandatory Conversion Date"). Upon conversion on the Mandatory Conversion Date, the conversion rate for each share of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred
196
Stock will be no more than 1.1111 shares of common stock and no less than 0.9456 shares of common stock per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, depending on the value of F&G's common stock.
197
Schedule III
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.
F&G Supplementary Insurance Information
(in millions)
| Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| F&G Segment: | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred acquisition costs | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Future policy benefits, losses, claims and loss expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Other policy claims and benefits payable | |||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance premiums and other fees | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income | |||||||||||||||||
| Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses, net of deferrals | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
See Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
198
Schedule IV
FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC.
F&G Reinsurance
(In millions)
| For the year ended December 31, 2023 | Gross Amount | Ceded to other companies | Assumed from other companies | Net Amount | Percentage of amount assumed to net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance in force | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums and other considerations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional life insurance premiums | ( | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life-contingent PRT premiums | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annuity product charges and other fees | ( | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total premiums and other considerations | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2022 | Gross Amount | Ceded to other companies | Assumed from other companies | Net Amount | Percentage of amount assumed to net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance in force | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums and other considerations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional life insurance premiums | ( | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life-contingent PRT premiums | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annuity product charges and other fees | ( | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total premiums and other considerations | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the year ended December 31, 2021 | Gross Amount | Ceded to other companies | Assumed from other companies | Net Amount | Percentage of amount assumed to net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance in force | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums and other considerations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional life insurance premiums | ( | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life-contingent PRT premiums | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annuity product charges and other fees | ( | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total premiums and other considerations | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
See Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
199