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Note 1 - Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Notes to Financial Statements  
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Nature of Operations

 

First Trinity Financial Corporation (the “Company” or “FTFC”) is the parent holding company of Trinity Life Insurance Company (“TLIC”), Family Benefit Life Insurance Company (“FBLIC”), Trinity Mortgage Corporation (“TMC”) and Trinity American, Inc. (“TAI”). The Company was incorporated in Oklahoma on April 19, 2004, for the primary purpose of organizing a life insurance subsidiary.

 

The Company owns 100% of TLIC. TLIC owns 100% of FBLIC. TLIC and FBLIC are primarily engaged in the business of marketing, underwriting and distributing a broad range of individual life insurance and annuity products to individuals. TLIC’s and FBLIC’s current product portfolio consists of a modified premium whole life insurance policy with a flexible premium deferred annuity rider, whole life, term, final expense, accidental death and dismemberment and annuity products. The term products are both renewable and convertible and issued for 10, 15, 20 and 30 years. They can be issued with premiums fully guaranteed for the entire term period or with a limited premium guarantee. The final expense product is issued as either a simplified issue or as a graded benefit, determined by underwriting. The TLIC and FBLIC products are sold through independent agents. TLIC is licensed in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. FBLIC is licensed in the states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

 

The Company owns 100% of TMC that was incorporated in 2006 and began operations in January 2007. TMC’s primary focus changed during 2020 from premium financing loans to originating, brokering and administrating residential and commercial mortgage loans for third parties.

 

The Company owns 100% of TAI. TAI was incorporated in Barbados, West Indies on March 24, 2016 for the primary purpose of forming a life insurance company producing United States of America (U.S.) dollar denominated life insurance policies and annuity contracts outside of the United States and Barbados. TAI is licensed as an Exempt Insurance Company under the Exempt Insurance Act of Barbados. TAI was initially involved in developing life insurance and annuity contracts through an association with distribution channels but is now issuing life insurance policies and annuity contracts. The Company’s acquisition of TAI was formally approved by Barbados regulators and the certifications were received in 2019.

 

Company Capitalization

 

The Company raised $1,450,000 from two private placement stock offerings during 2004 and $25,669,480 from two public stock offerings and one private placement stock offering from June 22, 2005 through February 23, 2007; June 29, 2010 through April 30, 2012 and August 15, 2012 through March 8, 2013. The Company issued 7,347,488 shares of its common stock and incurred $3,624,518 of offering costs during these private placements and public stock offerings.

 

The Company also issued 702,685 shares of its common stock in connection with two stock dividends paid to shareholders in 2011 and 2012 that resulted in accumulated earnings being charged $5,270,138 with an offsetting credit of $5,270,138 to common stock and additional paid-in capital.

 

In 2020, the Company paid a $0.05 per share cash dividend for a total of $393,178 and issued 791,339 shares of Class A common stock in connection with a 10% stock dividend to its Class A shareholders. The 10% stock dividend resulted in accumulated earnings being charged $8,657,249 with an offsetting credit of $8,657,249 to common stock and additional paid-in capital.

 

The Company has also purchased 247,580 shares of treasury stock at a cost of $893,947 from former members of the Board of Directors including the former Chairman of the Board of Directors, a former agent, the former spouse of the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President and a charitable organization where a former member of the Board of Directors had donated shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

Acquisition of Other Companies

 

On December 23, 2008, FTFC acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of First Life America Corporation (“FLAC”) from an unaffiliated company. The acquisition of FLAC was accounted for as a purchase. The aggregate purchase price for FLAC was $2,695,234 including direct costs associated with the acquisition of $195,234. The acquisition of FLAC was financed with the working capital of FTFC.

 

On December 31, 2008, FTFC made FLAC a 15 year loan in the form of a surplus note in the amount of $250,000 with an interest rate of 6% payable monthly, that was approved by the Oklahoma Insurance Department (“OID”). This surplus note is eliminated in consolidation.

 

On August 31, 2009, two of the Company’s subsidiaries, Trinity Life Insurance Company (“Old TLIC”) and FLAC, were merged, with FLAC being the surviving company. Immediately following the merger, FLAC changed its name to TLIC.

 

On December 28, 2011, TLIC acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of FBLIC from FBLIC’s shareholders. The acquisition of FBLIC was accounted for as a purchase. The aggregate purchase price for the acquisition of FBLIC was $13,855,129. The acquisition of FBLIC was financed with the working capital of TLIC.

 

On April 28, 2015, the Company acquired a block of life insurance policies and annuity contracts according to the terms of an assumption reinsurance agreement. The Company acquired assets of $3,644,839, assumed liabilities of $3,055,916 and recorded a gain on reinsurance assumption of $588,923.

 

On April 3, 2018, FTFC acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of TAI domiciled in Barbados, West Indies. The Barbados regulators approved the acquisition and supplied certifications during 2019. The aggregate purchase price for the acquisition of TAI was $250,000. The acquisition of TAI was financed with the working capital of FTFC.

 

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of K-TENN insurance company (“K-TENN”) from its sole shareholder in exchange for 168,866 shares of FTFC’s common stock. The acquisition of K-TENN was accounted for as a purchase. The aggregate purchase price of K-TENN was $1,746,240. Immediately subsequent to this acquisition, the $1,746,240 of net assets and liabilities of K-TENN along with the related life insurance business operations were contributed to TLIC.

 

On January 4, 2022, FTFC acquired Royalty Capital Life Insurance Company (“RCLIC”) from Royalty Capital Corporation (“Royalty”) in exchange for 722,644 shares of FTFC’s Class A common stock issued to unrelated parties. Royalty was dissolved immediately after FTFC acquired RCLIC. On March 1, 2022, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance approved FTFC’s contribution and merger of RCLIC into FBLIC.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods have been included.

 

The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ended December 31, 2024 or for any other interim period or for any other future year. Certain financial information which is normally included in notes to consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, but which is not required for interim reporting purposes, has been condensed or omitted. The accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

In first quarter 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and all related guidance dealing with the FASB’s pronouncements dealing with changes in accounting for and recognizing credit losses.

 

Fixed maturity securities comprised of bonds and redeemable preferred securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable income taxes, reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. The amortized cost of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale is adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount to maturity.

 

Interest income on fixed maturity securities, as well as the related amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is included in net investment income under the effective yield method. Dividend income on redeemable preferred securities are recognized in net investment income when declared. The amortized cost of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale are written down to fair value when a decline in value is considered to be other-than-temporary.

 

The Company evaluates the difference between the cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value of its fixed maturity securities to determine whether any decline in value is the result of a credit loss or other factors. An allowance for credit losses is recorded against available-for-sale securities to reflect the amount of an unrealized loss attributed to credit. This impairment is limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any remaining unrealized loss is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) with no change to the cost basis of the security. This determination involves a degree of uncertainty. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in earnings. 

 

The assessment and determination of whether or not a credit loss exists is based on consideration of the cash flows expected to be collected from the fixed maturity security. The Company develops those expectations after considering various factors such as agency ratings, the financial condition of the issuer or underlying obligors, payment history, payment structure of the security, industry and market conditions, underlying collateral, and other factors that may be relevant based on the facts and circumstances pertaining to individual securities.

 

If the Company intends to sell the fixed maturity security or will be more likely than not be required to sell the fixed maturity security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, then any allowance for credit losses, if previously recorded is written off and the fixed maturity security’s amortized cost is written down to the security’s fair value as of the reporting date with any incremental impairment recorded as a charge to noninterest income.

 

Equity securities are comprised of mutual funds and common stocks and are carried at fair value. The associated unrealized gains and losses are included in net realized investment gains (losses). Dividends from these investments are recognized in net investment income when declared.

 

Mortgage loans are carried at unpaid balances, net of unamortized premium or discounts. This measurement of mortgage loans on an amortized cost basis is reduced by an allowance for credit losses representing a valuation allowance that is deducted from the amortized costs basis of mortgage loans to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the mortgage loans.

 

Interest income and the amortization of premiums or discounts are included in net investment income. Mortgage loan fees, certain direct loan origination costs, and purchase premiums and discounts on loans are recognized as an adjustment of yield by the interest method based on the contractual terms of the loan. In certain circumstances, prepayments may be anticipated.

 

The statement of operations reflects the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized mortgage loans as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported mortgage loan balances. The Company uses judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methods that are appropriate in establishing the valuation allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses for mortgage loans with a more-than-insignificant amount of credit determination since origination is determined and the initial allowance for credit losses should be added to the purchase price of mortgage loans rather than being reported as a credit loss expenses.

 

The Company, however, has established and will continue to establish a valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate that are not supported by funds held in escrow based on historical patterns. The Company’s foreclosed properties have not resulted in accumulated losses and due to the low loan-to-value the Company holds with respect to its mortgage loans, the Company has not recorded and does not expect to record the addition to the purchase price of mortgage loans an initial allowance for credit losses to be amortized over the life of the mortgage loans. The Company will continue to record credit losses for mortgage loans not supported by funds held in escrow in accordance with its valuation policy for mortgage loans on real estate followed before 2023.

 

While the Company utilizes its best judgment and information available, the ultimate adequacy of this allowance is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond our control, including the performance of the residential and commercial mortgage loan portfolio, the economy and changes in interest rates. The allowance for possible mortgage loan losses consists of specific valuation allowances established for probable losses on specific loans and a portfolio reserve for probable incurred but not specifically identified loans.

 

The Company considers mortgage loans on real estate impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the mortgage loan agreement. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis. Factors that the Company considers in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value of the real estate subject to the mortgage loan and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Mortgage loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired.

 

The Company determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the mortgage loan on real estate and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

 

Investment real estate in land held for both the production of income and for sale is carried at cost. Investment real estate obtained through foreclosure on mortgage loans on real estate is carried at the lower of acquisition cost or net realizable value.

 

Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances. Interest income on policy loans is recognized in net investment income at the contract interest rate when earned.

 

Other long-term investments are comprised of lottery prize receivables and are carried at amortized cost. Interest income and the accretion of discount are included in net investment income. These investments are backed by the lottery departments at the various states by U.S. Treasury Bonds and Notes or in the case of Pennsylvania, by annuities purchased from a highly rated life insurance company. Given this support to lottery prize receivables, the Company has not recorded and does not expect to incur any current estimated credit losses on its investments in lottery prize receivables.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior year and prior quarter financial statements to conform to current year and current quarter classifications. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or shareholders' equity.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, they may ultimately differ from actual results.

 

Common Stock and Treasury Stock

 

Class A and Class B common stock are both fully paid, non-assessable and has a par value of $.01 per share. Class B shareholders are entitled to elect a majority of FTFC’s Board of Directors (one-half plus one) but will only receive, compared to FTFC’s Class A shareholders, 85% of cash dividends, stock dividends or amounts due upon any FTFC merger, sale or liquidation event. FTFC’s Class B shareholders may also convert one share of FTFC’s Class B common stock for a .85 share of FTFC’s Class A common stock. FTFC’s Class A shareholders will elect the remaining Board of Directors members and will receive 100% of cash dividends, stock dividends or amounts due upon any Company merger, sale or liquidation event.

 

Treasury stock, representing shares of the Company’s common stock that have been reacquired after having been issued and fully paid, is recorded at the reacquisition cost and the shares are no longer outstanding.

 

Funds Withheld Coinsurance

 

In accordance with an annuity coinsurance agreement with an offshore annuity and life insurance company, TLIC holds assets and recognizes a funds withheld liability for the benefit of the assuming company in an amount at least equal to the annuity reserves in accordance with U.S. statutory accounting principles generated by this ceded business. In addition, the assuming company maintains a trust related to this ceded business amounting to at least an additional 4% of assets above the annuity reserve required under U.S. statutory accounting principles. This coinsurance agreement may be terminated for new business by either party at any time upon 30 days prior written notice to the other party.

 

In addition, in accordance with this annuity coinsurance agreement, investment income, investment expenses, other income and other expenses earned or incurred in relation to the operations of this annuity coinsurance agreement are not reported on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of fixed available-for-sale fixed maturity securities and the related income tax expense (benefit) is not reported as accumulated other comprehensive income in the shareholders’ equity section of the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Correspondingly, the net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, the net realized gains (losses) having no credit gains (losses) and the related income tax expense (benefit) associated with the available-for-sale fixed maturities held under this coinsurance agreement are not included in the computation of total other comprehensive income (loss) in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss.

 

The Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows only includes the cash flow activities related to the assets and funds withheld under the coinsurance agreement in a one-line presentation and does not include those cash flow activities in the other financial captions and categories presented in that financial statement.

 

Cybersecurity

 

The Company has established and continues to enhance its cybersecurity enterprise risk management program. The Company’s executive team meets formally at least monthly, and informally as needed, to set and maintain a strategy focused on achieving a high level of cybersecurity protection. The Company’s executive management team makes quarterly reports to the Company’s Board of Directors and Audit Committee.

 

The Company’s executive management team is enhanced by the inclusion of an information technology external consultant to advise the Company’s executive management team and to focus on developing and maintaining external and internal cybersecurity. Working with Company executives and staff, the information technology consultant advises and helps the Company implement its strategy with respect to:

 

 

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Computer hardware and software,

 

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Security access, logging and user termination,

 

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In house and remote user access – user accounts, password protection, authentication, monitoring usage, intrusion detection, incident identification and related controls,

 

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Encryption,

 

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System change control,

 

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Data back up and remote sites,

 

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Data recovery,

 

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and Disaster recovery

 

The Company also utilizes training to foster an environment of information security awareness, training and education. Beyond making employees aware of its cybersecurity risk management program, strategy and governance, this training also introduces all employees to many types of cybersecurity risks to introduce skepticism and enhance skills to identify and report potential situations encountered to the executive management team for further assessment.

 

Subsequent Events

 

Management has evaluated all events subsequent to September 30, 2024 through the date that these financial statements have been issued.

 

Adopted Accounting Standards

 

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance (Accounting Standards Update 2016-13) for the accounting for credit losses for financial instruments. The updated guidance applied a new credit loss model (current expected credit losses or CECL) for determining credit-related impairments for financial instruments measured at amortized cost (e.g. reinsurance recoverables, including structured settlements that are recorded as part of reinsurance recoverables) and required an entity to estimate the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure or pool of exposures.

 

The estimate of expected credit losses considers historical information, current information, as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. The expected credit losses, and subsequent adjustments to such losses, are recorded through an allowance account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, with the net carrying value of the financial asset presented on the consolidated balance sheet at the amount expected to be collected.

 

The updated guidance also amended the current other-than-temporary impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and requires the recognition of impairments relating to credit losses through an allowance account and limits the amount of credit loss to the difference between a security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. In addition, the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position will no longer impact the determination of whether a credit loss exists. The Company adopted this standard in first quarter 2023 on a modified retrospective basis. The cumulative effect adjustment to January 1, 2023 accumulated earnings for the adoption of this standard was a charge of $230,036.

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures

 

In March 2022, the FASB issued amendments (Accounting Standards Update 2022-2) for the accounting of troubled debt restructuring and disclosures. The amendments introduced new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. The amendments promulgated that an entity must apply specific loan refinancing and restructuring guidance to determine whether a modification results in a new loan or the continuation of an existing loan. The amendments also required that an entity disclose current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investment in leases. The Company adopted the amendments in this standard in first quarter 2023. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued updated guidance (Accounting Standards Update 2018-12) to the existing recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure requirements for long-duration contracts issued by an insurance entity. This update improves the timeliness of recognizing changes in the liability for future policy benefits, modifies the rate used to discount future cash flows, simplifies and improves accounting for certain market-based options or guarantees associated with deposit (i.e., account balance) contracts, simplifies the amortization of deferred acquisitions costs and expands required disclosures. The expanded disclosure requires an insurance entity to provide disaggregated roll forwards of beginning to ending balances of the following: liability for future policy benefits, policyholder account balances, market risk benefits, separate account liabilities and deferred acquisition costs including disclosure about, changes to and effect of changes for significant inputs, judgments, assumptions and methods used in measurements.

 

The updated guidance was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020. As a Smaller Reporting Company, the effective date has been changed twice and the delayed effective date is now for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. Early adoption is permitted but not likely to be elected by the Company. With respect to the liability for future policyholder benefits for traditional and limited-payment contracts and deferred acquisition costs, an insurance entity may elect to apply the amendments retrospectively as of the beginning of the earliest period presented. With respect to the market risk benefits, an insurance entity should apply the amendments retrospectively as of the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Company expects that the impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position and liquidity at the date of adoption of the updated guidance in 2025 will be determined by the long-duration contracts then held by the Company and the economic conditions at that time.

 

Transition for Sold Contracts

 

In December 2022, the FASB issued amendments (Accounting Standards Update 2022-5) to Accounting Standards Update 2018-12 (Targeted Improvements for Long-Duration Contracts) that originally required an insurance entity to apply a retrospective transition method as of the beginning of the earliest period presented or the beginning of the prior fiscal year if early application was elected. This updated guidance reduces implementation costs and complexity associated with the adoption of targeted improvements in accounting for long-duration contracts that have been derecognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Update 2018-12 before the delayed effective date. Without the amendments in this Update, an insurance entity would be required to reclassify a portion of gains or losses previously recognized in the sale or disposal of insurance contracts or legal entities because of the adoption of a new accounting standard. Because there is no effect on an insurance entity’s future cash flows, this reclassification may not be useful to users of financial information.

 

The amendments in this guidance are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted but not likely to be elected by the Company. The Company expects that the impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position and liquidity at the date of adoption of the updated guidance in 2025 will be determined by the long-duration contracts then held by the Company and the economic conditions at that time.

 

Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures

 

In November 2023, the FASB issued amendments (Accounting Standards Update 2023-07) to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses on both an annual and interim basis. The amendments require public entities to follow the significant expense principle and disclose on an annual and interim basis significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) with additional disclosure of the CODM’s title, position and how the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss are used in assessing segment performance and allocating resources. In addition, amounts for other segment items are required to be disclosed including a description of its composition. If the COMD uses more than one measure in assessing segment performance and allocating resources, at least one of the measures should be consistent with the corresponding amounts utilized in the public entity’s consolidated financial statements.

 

The amendments in this guidance are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company anticipates adopting and disclosing this Update for year-end reporting in 2024 and for interim periods beginning in 2025.

 

Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures

 

In December 2023, the FASB issued amendments (Accounting Standards Update 2023-09) to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The amendments require that public business entities on an annual basis disclose information about taxes paid and a tabular reconciliation using both percentages and amounts of specific categories in the rate reconciliation. In addition, separate disclosure is required for any reconciling item equal to or greater than five (5) percent of the amount computed by multiplying the income or loss from continuing operations before income taxes by the statutory income tax rate. If not otherwise evident, a public business entity is required to provide an explanation of the individual reconciling items such as the nature, effect and causes of the reconciling items.

 

The amendments in this guidance are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. This guidance should be applied on a prospective basis but retrospective application is permitted. Early adoption is permitted. The Company anticipates adopting and disclosing this Update for year-end reporting in 2025.

 

Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance and Incident Disclosures by Public Companies

 

On July 26, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted this Final Rule (the “Cybersecurity Final Rule”) enhancing disclosure requirements for registered companies covering cybersecurity risk and management. The Cybersecurity Final Rule requires registrants to disclose material cybersecurity incidents on Form 8-K within four business days of a determination that a cybersecurity incident is material, and such materiality determination must be made without unreasonable delay.

 

The rule also requires periodic disclosures of, among other things, details on the company’s processes to assess, identify, and manage cybersecurity risks, cybersecurity governance, and management’s role in overseeing such a compliance program, including the board of directors’ oversight of cybersecurity risks. Certain reporting requirements under the Cybersecurity Final Rule became effective in December 2023.

 

The Company has never had a material cyber security incident but will follow the Cybersecurity Final Rule regarding timely disclosure of a material cyber security incident. The Company has also disclosed its strategy and governance with respect to its cybersecurity risk management program in this September 30, 2024 Form 10-Q.