UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the federal securities law) that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future net sales, gross margin expectations, projected costs, projected expenses, prospects and plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Although we believe that the expectations underlying any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, these expectations may prove to be incorrect, and all of these statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions, projections, or expectations prove incorrect, our actual results, performance, or financial condition may vary materially and adversely from those anticipated, estimated, or expected. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures, investments or terminations of distribution arrangements that we may make. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Reliance Global Group, Inc.,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refer to Reliance Global Group, Inc.
Item 1. BUSINESS
About Reliance Global Group, Inc.
Reliance Global Group, Inc. (formerly known as Ethos Media Network, Inc.) was incorporated in Florida on August 2, 2013. In September 2018, Reliance Global Holdings, LLC, a related party, purchased a controlling interest in the Company. Ethos Media Network, Inc. was renamed Reliance Global Group, Inc. on October 18, 2018.
We operate as a company managing assets in the insurance markets, as well as other related sectors. Our focus is to grow the Company by pursuing an aggressive acquisition strategy, initially and primarily focused upon wholesale and retail insurance agencies. The Company is controlled by the same management team as Reliance Global Holdings, LLC (“Reliance Holdings”), a New York based firm that is the owner and operator of numerous companies with core interests in real estate and insurance. Our relationship with Reliance Holdings provides us with significant benefits: (1) experience, knowhow, and industry relations in both sectors; (2) a source of acquisition targets currently under Reliance Holdings’ control; and (3) financial and logistics assistance. In addition, Reliance Holdings has committed to fund the Company for at least the next 12 months in the unexpected event a need arises. We are led and advised by a management team that offers over 100 years of combined business expertise in, insurance, real estate and the financial service industry.
In the insurance sector, our management has extensive experience acquiring and managing insurance portfolios in several states, as well as developing specialized programs targeting niche markets. Our primary strategy is to identify specific risk to reward arbitrage opportunities and develop these on a national platform, thereby increasing revenues and returns, and then identify and acquire undervalued wholesale and retail insurance agencies with operations in growing or underserved segments, expand and optimize their operations, and achieve asset value appreciation while generating interim cash flows.
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As part of our growth and acquisition strategy, we are currently in negotiations with several non-affiliated parties and expect to complete a number of material insurance asset transactions throughout the course of 2022 and beyond. As of December 31, 2021, we have acquired eight insurance agencies, including both affiliated and unaffiliated companies. The Company acquired UIS Agency, LLC in August 2020, an unaffiliated niche transportation insurance agency and J.P. Kush and Associates, Inc. in May 2021, an unaffiliated full-service insurance agency. The Company also entered into a definitive agreement with Medigap Health Insurance Company (“Medigap”), an unaffiliated insurance brokerage company headquartered in Florida specializing in Medicare supplement insurance. The transaction closed on January 10, 2022.
Long term, we seek to conduct all transactions and acquisitions through the direct operations of the Company. However, in some instances, Reliance Holdings may act as a holding company to facilitate the acquisition process, whereby Reliance Holdings will acquire the prospective asset and ultimately transfer it to the Company at a later date. This would be necessary for example in the case of a material acquisition that would require an audit. Reliance Holdings would acquire the asset and hold it as the audit is in process and transfer it to the Company upon successful completion of the audit. However, the Reliance Holdings will ultimately, upon successful completion of the audit, transfer the asset to the Company and the Company will pay for the consideration of the asset.
The Company also developed and launched 5MinuteInsure.com (“5MI”), a proprietary online platform which went live during the summer of 2021. 5MI is a business to consumer website which enables consumers to compare and purchase car and home insurance in a time efficient and effective manner. The platform is currently live in 44 states and offers coverage with up to 16 carriers.
Over the next 12 months, we plan to expand and grow our footprint and market share both through organic growth means, and by expansion through additional acquisitions in various insurance markets.
Insurance Market Overview
There are three main insurance sectors: (1) property/casualty (P/C), which consists mainly of auto, home, and commercial insurance; (2) life/health (L/H), which consists mainly of life insurance and annuity products; and (3) accident and health, which is normally written by insurers whose main business is health insurance. The insurance industry plays a huge role in the U.S. economy (Source: OECD Insurance Statistics).
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The U.S. remained the world’s largest insurance market, with a 40% market share of global direct premiums written in 2020., with premiums of $2.5 trillion, respectively (Source: Insurance Information Institute – World Insurance Marketplace). As the impacts of COVID-19 begin to decline, the belief within the insurance industry is that it will continue strong with increased growth of the industry in 2022. Global nonlife premiums are expected to grow 2.8% in 2021, and 3.7% in 2022 as workers return to their offices. Property/Casualty were up 18.5% half way through 2021 (Source: Deloitte’s 2022 Insurance Industry Outlook).
Insurance industry at-a-glance (Source: Insurance Information Institute’s Facts + Statistics: Industry Overview, December 21, 2021)
| ● | U.S. insurance industry net premiums written totaled $1.28 trillion in 2020, with premiums recorded by property/casualty (P/C) insurers accounting for 51 percent, and premiums by life/annuity insurers accounting for 49 percent, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. | |
| ● | P/C insurance consists primarily of auto, homeowners and commercial insurance. Net premiums written for the sector totaled $652.8 billion in 2020. | |
| ● | The life/annuity insurance sector consists of annuities, accident and health, and life insurance. Net premiums written for the sector totaled $624.0 billion in 2020. | |
| ● | Total private health insurance direct premiums written were $1.1 trillion in 2020, including: $834.4 billion from the health insurance segment; $209.8 billion from the life/annuity segment; and $6.4 billion from P/C annual statements, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. The health insurance sector also includes government programs. | |
| ● | In 2020 there were 5,929 insurance companies in the U.S. (including territories), according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. This number includes: P/C (2,476 companies), life/annuities (843), health (995), fraternal (81), title (62), risk retention groups (245) and other companies (1,227). | |
| ● | Total P/C cash and invested assets were $2.0 trillion in 2020, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Life/annuity cash and invested assets totaled $4.7 trillion in 2020; separate accounts assets and other investments totaled $3.0 trillion. The total of cash and invested assets for both sectors was $9.7 trillion. Most of these assets were in bonds (55 percent of P/C assets, and 70 percent of life/annuity assets, excluding separate accounts). | |
| ● | P/C insurers paid out $74.4 billion in property losses related to natural catastrophes in 2020, according to Aon, compared with $38.7 billion in 2019, and $60.4 billion in 2018, including losses from the National Flood Insurance Program. | |
| ● | The U.S. insurance industry employed 2.9 million people in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Of those, 1.7 million worked for insurance companies, including life and health insurers (962,500 workers), P/C insurers (665,900 workers) and reinsurers (27,300 workers). The remaining 1.2 million people worked for insurance agencies, brokers and other insurance-related enterprises. |
Insurance Agency Industry Overview
An insurance agency or broker, solicits, writes, and binds policies through many different insurance companies, as they are not directly employed by any insurance carrier. Thus, insurance agencies can decide which insurance carriers they would like to represent and which products they would like to sell. They are like a retail shop that sells insurance services and products created by the insurance carrier. The main difference between a broker and an agent has to do with who they represent. An agent represents one or more insurance companies, acting as an extension of the insurer. A broker represents the insurance buyer.
An insurance carrier, on the other hand, is a manufacturer of insurance services and products that the insurance agencies sell. They control the underwriting process, claims process, pricing, and the overall management of the insurance products. Insurance carriers do not sell their products through direct agents, but only through independent agencies. Insurance policies are created and administered by the insurance carrier.
A key operating difference between agencies and carriers is the risk profile. The potential financial risks to the insurance industry caused by unforeseen event such as natural disasters are the responsibility of the carriers (and their re-insurers). Agencies and brokers bear no insurance risk. Furthermore, an increase in damage caused by natural disasters generally boosts demand for insurance and results in possible premium increases. Since insurance brokers and agents are a central part of the distribution of these products, they normally benefit from this increase in demand and premiums despite damaged profit margins among these upstream underwriters and carriers. Natural disasters are inherently difficult to forecast but any increase in the frequency of these events holds the potential to boost insurance policy volumes, particularly for property and casualty products (Source: IBISWorld’s Insurance Brokers & Agencies Industry in the US, December 2018).
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This risk difference is key, especially considering volatile weather patterns and an increased rate of natural disasters. The economic costs of 2021’s 401 natural disaster events were estimated at $343 billion, with insurance only covering 38% of the overall total (Source: Aon’s $343 Billion In Global Weather-, Catastrophe-Related Economic Losses Reported In 2021, Up From $297 Billion In 2020 , January 2022).
Since insurance brokers and agents are a central part to the distribution of these products, they normally benefit from this increase in demand and premiums, despite damaged profit margins among these upstream underwriters and carriers (Source: IBISWorld’s Insurance Brokers & Agencies Industry in the US, December 2018).
In 2019, the global insurance brokerage market was valued at $265 billion, and the projected growth though 2027 is substantial, with an estimated market value of $395 billion in 2027. That growth is assuming an expected compound annual growth rate of 7% from 2020 to 2027. (Source: Allied market Research’s Insurance Brokerage Market By Insurance Type (Life Insurance and Property & Casualty Insurance), and Brokerage Type (Retail Brokerage and Wholesale Brokerage): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020–2027, February 2021). The growth within the insurance agency market has resulted in strong mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity within this sector. Mergers and acquisitions from insurance agents and brokers broke records in 2021. The insurance distribution industry continues to prove its resiliency even with low activity in Q1 2021. Transactions in the Q4 numbered 384, an increase from the same period in 2020, and total deals for 2021 were 1,034, nearly 30% higher than what was recorded in 2020. (Source: Optis Partners Agent & Broker 2021 Year-end Merger & Acquisition Report). The confluence of unrelenting market pressure to achieve sustainable growth, a lingering abundance of capital and capacity, improving global economies, and an upturn in interest rates may indicate that insurers should be prepared for a continued growth of M&A activity going forward (Source: Optis Partners Agent & Broker 2020 Year-end Merger & Acquisition Report).
Along with all other industries the insurance sector is increasing its presence in the online market. A J.D. Power study has found that “insurance customer expectations are being influenced by the user experience of all-digital brands such as Amazon and Netflix, and many insurers are falling short. Insurers have created attractive user interfaces but these lack functionality.” The market size of the Online Insurance Brokers industry in the US has grown 6.7% per year on average between 2016 and 2021. (Source: IBIS World Online Insurance Brokers in the US - Market Size 2003–2026, April 6, 2020)
The global InsurTech market size was valued at $3.85 billion in 2021. It is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 51.7% from 2022 to 2030. The increasing need for digitization of insurance services is expected to propel the market growth. Insurtech is the usage of technology innovations particularly designed to make the existing insurance model more efficient. By using technologies such as AI and data analytics, InsurTech solutions allow products to be priced more competitively. Insurance companies are widely adopting these solutions to drive cheaper, better, and faster operational results. Hence, the insurance industry is witnessing increased investment in technology. The outbreak of COVID-19 is anticipated to have a positive impact on the market. Numerous insurance companies are reconsidering their long-term strategies and short-term needs. The COVID-19 and its impacts are accelerating the implementation of online platforms and new mobile applications to meet consumer needs. (Sources: Grand View Research Insurtech Market Size, Share & Growth Report, 2021-2028 and 2022 - 2030)
The Company therefore has strategically invested in its 5MinuteInsure.com online digital platform as an additional step in expanding its national footprint. As discussed above, 5MI is an all new and high-tech proprietary tool developed by the Company as a business to consumer portal which enables consumers to compare and purchase car and home insurance in a time efficient and effective manner. 5MI taps into the growing number of online shoppers and utilizes advanced artificial intelligence and data mining techniques, to provide competitive insurance quotes in around 5 minutes, with minimal data input needed from the consumer. The platform launched during the summer of 2021 and currently operates in 44 states offering coverage with up to 16 highly rated insurance carriers.
Additionally, the Company is invested in NSURE, Inc., “Americas First Digital Insurance Agency”®. NSURE, Inc. deploys unique proprietary technology which positions them well to tap into the current offline insurance distribution and bring it online. Nsure.com intends to completely redesign the home and auto insurance shopping and purchasing experience – making it simpler and transparent while providing significant savings of money and time for consumers. Nsure.com achieves this by simplifying application processes, real time connection via API to over 35 top rated insurance carriers, instant accurate coverage recommendations and in-house insurance buying/policy binding capabilities amongst other efficiencies.
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Agencies and Brokers Outlook
Insurance brokers and agencies play a critical role within the insurance market by distributing policies and consulting insurance underwriters and consumers. The industry is a vital component to the larger insurance sector as industry operators act as intermediaries between insurance providers and downstream consumers. Operators generate income via commissions earned on policies sold. Given the transaction-based nature of the industry, revenue primarily depends on three factors: (1) policy (premium) pricing; (2) demand for insurance; and (3) the popularity of using agents and brokers in the distribution process.
The U.S. insurance broker and agency industry has grown steadily over the five years due to macroeconomic growth, beneficial legislation that has been passed, and positive trends in the insurance sector, achieving approximately $186 billion in revenues in 2021. As macroeconomic conditions improve over the five years to 2026, revenue generated by industry operators is expected to increase as businesses regain confidence in their financial stability, despite increased external competition from online insurance marketplace platforms. (Source: IBISWorld’s Insurance Brokers & Agencies Industry in the US).
Insurance carriers should not continue to depend on the positive (though uncertain) fundamental economic strength of years past to maintain positive balance sheet momentum. In order to succeed, carriers must address foundational challenges, which include remaining relevant despite systemic economic changes combined with expanding consumer preferences. Some of the issues that insurers must address will fall within the areas of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), technology, product development, talent, regulation, as well as tax reform, as described below.
| ● | M&A. The convergence of market pressures to attain sustainable growth, a persistent wealth of capital and capacity, and a possible upturn in interest rates may demonstrate that insurers should be prepared for an uptick in M&A activity in 2019. As it stands now, fairly rich valuations could dampen activity, however, M&A could offer opportunities to scale and obtain new capabilities, primarily as it relates to technology. | |
| ● | Technology. Advancements in mobile and digital technology are forcing insurers to innovate, which is expected to continue and intensify, where every insurance agency will need to focus on what makes their customer experiences and products unique. They will also need to integrate with technology enablers to bring to their customers a value proposition via a connected ecosystem. Furthermore, to better compete within the industry, those within the distribution system would benefit tremendously by improving the ability to share critical data and analytics between systems. Insurers are seeking to employ the cloud to power advanced analytics, improve data gathering, and grow cognitive applications. In order to keep pace with the industry and prepare for a cloud-enabled future, insurance carriers should prioritize migrating their existing systems to the cloud and launch new applications off-site. | |
| ● | Product Development. Economic and technological changes create the need for new types of coverage, revamped policies, and alternative distribution platforms; adaptation of this, however, has been slow within the insurance industry. Siloed business lines, legacy processes, and regulatory considerations hinder the rapid and agile product development needed within this highly competitive landscape. Accordingly, insurers would benefit by focusing on creating hybrid policies that cover both commercial and personal risks. They could also supply on-demand coverage options, which provide greater control to customers for their policy terms and time frames. Furthermore, novel and unique micro-experiences could become the foundation for digital expansion as agencies are distinguished by the niche markets they sell to and can better service versus their peers. Digital content campaigns and user interfaces targeting specialized prospects and customer segments are expected to continue to expand. These micro-experiences could allow agencies to have access to a market that can quote, bind, and service insurance online, and where they are focused on commercial lines and specialty insurance for niche markets. In such a scenario, they may be able to offer new opportunities for agencies to expand quickly via digital building blocks that can be easily integrated into existing business and/or workflows. |
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| ● | Talent. Overlapping with expanding technologies and product development, insurance companies are increasing their staff, specifically in the areas of analytics and technology (where talent is increasingly scarce). Additionally, the expanded use of robotic process automation and artificial intelligence (AI), could reinvent or eliminate a broad spectrum of insurance job functions, giving way to personnel’s need to take on more complicated responsibilities. This is likely to require retraining to learn the needed skills to function within a digital-first organization. Specifically, insurers may need to modify job descriptions as well as retrain their current staff to develop a group of professionals whose work is improved by emerging technologies and where they can focus on higher-value, strategic roles. Simultaneously, insurance carries could transition operations to accommodate a more flexible and virtual workforce. Insurance carriers should further focus on scaling up efforts to retain and employ methods that are most productive for its long-term employees as a way to keep institutional knowledge and industry experience in-house (perhaps beyond anticipated retirement). | |
| ● | Regulation. Regulation will continue to play a significant role in the operations and development of the insurance industry, with three high-priority compliance issues (each with global and domestic implications) facing insurers: |
| ○ | Market conduct. “Best interest” standards are being considered at both the federal and state levels to protect consumers who purchase annuities and life insurance. Due to this, insurers should seek to review and adjust their compliance structures to accommodate what could turn into a patchwork oversight system. One possibility could be to integrate new technologies that would allow for continual oversight and management of the sales process. | |
| ○ | Cyber risk. With New York State’s new cybersecurity regulations, insurers are facing compliance deadlines, which have formed the basis of a nationwide model law developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Going forward, the spotlight is likely to be on how insurers plan to manage third-party risks, given so much importance has been placed on migrating policyholder data and software systems to external hosts. | |
| ○ | Privacy oversight. Privacy is both a data-security and reputational risk issue given the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) having been implemented along with similar standards set to be imposed in California. Equally as important is how data can be used moving forward, specifically when it comes to disclosure and consumer signoff. In addition to legal and IT experts, insurers should include multiple stakeholders in its compliance efforts. Over the longer term, carriers may reexamine how the vast amounts of alternative data at their disposal may be leveraged for the mutual benefit not only for the carriers but their policyholders, while simultaneously remaining compliant with domestic and global regulations. |
| ● | Taxes. The global trend has been to lower corporate income tax rates, with a recent report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development citing significant tax reform packages enacted in Argentina, France, Latvia, and the U.S., with other countries introducing more disjointed reforms. U.S. insurers continue to focus on adapting to the changes introduced in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued final and proposed guidance on certain important, newly enacted provisions, such as the application of the base erosion and anti-abuse tax to reinsurance, as well as the taxation of foreign operations owned by U.S. taxpayers. Additional guidance could be imminent on many other important provisions, including how the new loss carryover rules will fit with the old rules in the context of consolidated returns. |
While the industry may need to address internal and external pressures, the impact from these issues will continue to fall within the individual insurer. Thus, since insurers control their own destinies, potentially the most significant factor is likely to be how committed and prepared insurers are to quickly adjust to changes in the economy, society, and technology, and respond accordingly.
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Online Insurance and 5MinuteInsure
In August 2021, we launched 5MinuteInsure.com, which is a licensed online insurance agency that utilizes state of the art digital technology and seek to use this platform to develop business in the online insurance business which we believe represents an underutilized opportunity.
We estimate that a mere 10% of the multibillion-dollar personal home and auto insurance market is now online. Moreover, the current insurance purchasing processes is time consuming and lacks transparency. Most of the current online sites are simply lead generators, which result in false insurance quotes, constant spam and aggressive sales pitches. We believe consumers are looking for an online platform that will replicate the services they could obtain from a traditional brick and mortar insurance agency, thus driving business toward the online site as we all migrate to online in this post COVID world.
Another key benefit to online insurance is the ability to combine seamlessly with electronic capabilities in processing, such as 5MinuteInsure.com’s proprietary backend processing technology to support our traditional agency business. 5MinuteInsure.com will be used internally by all the Reliance Global Group affiliated agencies to offer more products to our existing client base. By implementing artificial intelligence, robotic process automation and automatic shopping for best rates at renewals, we believe we can dramatically reduce costs, and allow our agents to focus on selling new policies, creating a digitally empowered and scalable insurance agency model.
Specific benefits of the 5MinuteInsure.com platform include:
● First, a simplified application process
● Second, 5MinuteInsure.com has real-time connections with over 15 top-rated insurance companies, which allows consumers to transparently compare real live quotes from multiple insurers side-by-side.
● Third, 5MinuteInsure.com provides instant accurate coverage recommendations for home and auto insurance, providing consumers confidence they are not under or over-insured.
● Fourth, 5MinuteInsure.com provides in-house insurance buying and policy binding capabilities, meaning no redirection to other websites and the ability to finalize purchases on 5MinuteInsure.com in as little as five minutes.
● Fifth, coming soon is 5MinuteInsure’s free and secure account enables 24/7 access to previous quotes, policies and other documents.
● And finally, when it’s time for a policy renewal, 5MinuteInsure.com can automatically populate the best offers in the market before their policy expires.
Thus, we believe in the specific benefits of the online insurance business, and we believe that 5MinuteInsure.com provides the platform to transform this segment of the industry.
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Insurance M&A Overview
The solid growth within the insurance agency market has resulted in strong mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity within this sector. Mergers and acquisitions from insurance agents and brokers broke records in 2021. The insurance distribution industry continues to prove its resiliency even with low activity in Q1 2021. Transactions in Q4 2021 numbered 384, an increase from the same period in 2020, and total deals for 2021 were 1,034, nearly 30% higher than what was recorded in 2020. (Source: Optis Partners Agent & Broker 2021 Year-end Merger & Acquisition Report).
(Source: Optis Partners 2021 Year End M&A Report)
2021 at a glance (Source: Deloitte’s 2021 midyear insurance M&A outlook, 2021):
● Number of deals year-to-date (YTD) is up 18%.
● With current deal volume (all three sectors), 2021 may outpace calendar year 2020 (annualizing 335 compared with 620 for 2020).
● Aggregate deal value YTD is about 4x higher compared with 2020 YTD—higher than in full calendar year 2020.
– Driven by some large deals (three large ones in L&A)
● Also, average deal value YTD is higher than 2020 YTD.
– Driven by some large deals (three large ones in L&A)
– YTD 2020 was the start of the pandemic, so deal activity was expected to pause
● Broker transactions remain strong in terms of average deal value and number of deals.
The COVID-19 crisis may have an impact on the insurance industry for quite some time. Some factors to consider are:
Strain on investment portfolios – Insurance companies rely on their investment portfolios to generate returns. Markets have been in turmoil and, as a result, insurers’ investment portfolios may be significantly impacted. Additionally, interest income revenue streams may quickly dry up as interest rates continue to drop.
Delayed payments – Regulators are urging insurance companies to accept late premium payments with no penalty, putting a strain on cash flow. Despite liquidity being impacted, insurance companies are still being expected to pay out claims.
Decreased premium volume – Full or partial closing of businesses coupled with social distancing has led to decreased demand for insurance. Lower payroll levels lead to lower payroll-based premiums, such as those in workers’ compensation, and an uptick in layoffs results in fewer people buying houses, cars, and other insurable purchases. A decrease in premium volume means a decrease in income for insurers.
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Coverage disputes – Pandemics are generally excluded from insurance policy coverage and therefore policy premium has not included the necessary charges to provide such coverage. A number of states are attempting to legislate to force insurance companies to provide insurance coverage for business interruption and other losses for claims resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. There is uncertainty regarding which party will ultimately incur the additional cost for these adjustments.
We cannot presently estimate the full financial impact of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic on our business or predict the related federal, state and local civil authority actions, which are highly dependent on the severity and duration of the pandemic; however, we see opportunities which may arise as to changes in the markets. Due to the uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the indeterminate length of time it will affect, we have taken proactive measures to secure our liquidity position to be able to meet our obligations for the foreseeable future.
Item 1a. RISK FACTORS
The following important factors, among others, could cause our actual operating results to differ materially from those indicated or suggested by forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K or presented elsewhere by management from time to time. Investors should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are not material may also significantly impair our business operations. Our business could be harmed by any of these risks. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and investors may lose all or part of their investment.
Risks Related to Our Business
We may experience significant fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results.
Fluctuations in our quarterly and annual financial results have resulted and will continue to result from numerous factors, including:
| ● | The Company having a limited operating history | |
| ● | The Company has limited resources and there is significant competition for business combination opportunities. Therefore, the Company may not be able to acquire other assets or businesses | |
| ● | The Company may be unable to obtain additional financing, if required, to complete an acquisition, or to complement the operations and growth of existing and target business, which could compel the Company to restructure a potential business transaction or abandon a particular business combination | |
| ● | Our inability to retain or hire qualified employees, as well as the loss of any of our executive officers, could negatively impact our ability to retain existing business and generate new business | |
| ● | Our growth strategy depends, in part, on the acquisition of other insurance intermediaries, which may not be available on acceptable terms in the future or which, if consummated, may not be advantageous to us | |
| ● | A cybersecurity attack, or any other interruption in information technology and/or data security and/or outsourcing relationships, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and reputation | |
| ● | Rapid technological change may require additional resources and time to adequately respond to dynamics, which may adversely affect our business and operating results | |
| ● | Changes in data privacy and protection laws and regulations, or any failure to comply with such laws and regulations, could adversely affect our business and financial results | |
| ● | Because our insurance business is highly concentrated in Michigan, New Jersey, Montana and Ohio, adverse economic conditions, natural disasters, or regulatory changes in these regions could adversely affect our financial condition | |
| ● | If we fail to comply with the covenants contained in certain of our agreements, our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected | |
| ● | Certain of our agreements contain various covenants that limit the discretion of our management in operating our business and could prevent us from engaging in certain potentially beneficial activities |
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| ● | There are inherent uncertainties involved in estimates, judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Any changes in estimates, judgments and assumptions could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations and therefore our business | |
| ● | Improper disclosure of confidential information could negatively impact our business | |
| ● | Our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity may be materially adversely affected by certain actual and potential claims, regulatory actions and proceedings |
These factors, some of which are not within our control, may cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially. If our operating results fail to meet or exceed the expectations of securities analysts or investors, our stock price could drop suddenly and significantly. Due to the Company’s limited operating history, we believe period to period comparisons of our financial results are not always meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.
The Company has limited resources and there is significant competition for business combination opportunities. Therefore, the Company may not be able to acquire other assets or businesses.
The Company expects to encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours, which are also competing for acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human, financial and other resources. While the Company believes that there are numerous potential target businesses that it could acquire, the Company’s ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses might be limited if the Company’s limited financial resources are less than that of its competitors. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses.
The Company may be unable to obtain additional financing, if required, to complete an acquisition, or to Company the operations and growth of existing and target business, which could compel the Company to restructure a potential business transaction or abandon a particular business combination.
To date, much of our capital for acquiring and operating insurance agencies comes from funds provided by Reliance Global Holdings our affiliate, loans from unaffiliated lenders, or from direct market capital raises. We may be required to seek additional financing. We cannot assure you that such financing would be available on acceptable terms, if at all. If additional financing proves to be unavailable, we would be compelled to restructure or existing business, or abandon a proposed acquisition or acquisitions. In addition, if we consummate additional acquisitions, we may require additional financing to complement the operations or growth of that business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of our business.
Our inability to retain or hire qualified employees, as well as the loss of any of our executive officers, could negatively impact our ability to retain existing business and generate new business.
Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain skilled and experienced personnel. There is significant competition from within the insurance industry and from businesses outside the industries for exceptional employees, especially in key positions. If we are not able to successfully attract, retain and motivate our employees, our business, financial results and reputation could be materially and adversely affected.
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Losing employees who manage or support substantial customer relationships or possess substantial experience or expertise could adversely affect our ability to secure and complete customer engagements, which would adversely affect our results of operations. Also, if any of our key personnel were to join an existing competitor or form a competing company, some of our customers could choose to use the services of that competitor instead of our services. While our key personnel are generally prohibited by contract from soliciting our employees and customers for a two-year period following separation from employment with us, they are not prohibited from competing with us.
In addition, we could be adversely affected if we fail to adequately plan for the succession of our senior leaders and key executives. We cannot guarantee that the services of these executives will continue to be available to us. The loss of our senior leaders or other key personnel, or our inability to continue to identify, recruit and retain such personnel, or to do so at reasonable compensation levels, could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Our growth strategy depends, in part, on the acquisition of other insurance intermediaries, which may not be available on acceptable terms in the future or which, if consummated, may not be advantageous to us.
Our growth strategy partially includes the acquisition of other insurance intermediaries. Our ability to successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates, complete acquisitions, integrate acquired businesses into our operations, and expand into new markets requires us to implement and continuously improve our operations and our financial and management information systems. Integrated, acquired businesses may not achieve levels of revenues or profitability comparable to our existing operations, or otherwise perform as expected. In addition, we compete for acquisition and expansion opportunities with firms and banks that may have substantially greater resources than we do. Acquisitions also involve a number of special risks, such as diversion of management’s attention; difficulties in the integration of acquired operations and retention of personnel; increase in expenses and working capital requirements, which could reduce our return on invested capital; entry into unfamiliar markets or lines of business; unanticipated problems or legal liabilities; estimation of the acquisition earn-out payables; and tax and accounting issues, some or all of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Post-acquisition deterioration of operating performance could also result in lower or negative earnings contribution and/or goodwill impairment charges.
A cybersecurity attack, or any other interruption in information technology and/or data security and/or outsourcing relationships, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and reputation.
We rely on information technology and third-party vendors to provide effective and efficient service to our customers, process claims, and timely and accurately report information to carriers and which often involves secure processing of confidential sensitive, proprietary and other types of information. Cybersecurity breaches of any of the systems we rely on may result from circumvention of security systems, denial-of-service attacks or other cyber-attacks, hacking, “phishing” attacks, computer viruses, ransomware, malware, employee or insider error, malfeasance, social engineering, physical breaches or other actions, any of which could expose us to data loss, monetary and reputational damages and significant increases in compliance costs. An interruption of our access to, or an inability to access, our information technology, telecommunications or other systems could significantly impair our ability to perform such functions on a timely basis. If sustained or repeated, such a business interruption, system failure or service denial could result in a deterioration of our ability to write and process new and renewal business, provide customer service, pay claims in a timely manner or perform other necessary business functions. We have from time-to-time experienced cybersecurity breaches, such as computer viruses, unauthorized parties gaining access to our information technology systems and similar incidents, which to date have not had a material impact on our business.
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Additionally, we are an acquisitive organization and the process of integrating the information systems of the businesses we acquire is complex and exposes us to additional risk as we might not adequately identify weaknesses in the targets’ information systems, which could expose us to unexpected liabilities or make our own systems more vulnerable to attack. In the future, any material breaches of cybersecurity, or media reports of the same, even if untrue, could cause us to experience reputational harm, loss of clients and revenue, loss of proprietary data, regulatory actions and scrutiny, sanctions or other statutory penalties, litigation, liability for failure to safeguard clients’ information or financial losses. Such losses may not be insured against or not fully covered through insurance we maintain.
Rapid technological change may require additional resources and time to adequately respond to dynamics, which may adversely affect our business and operating results.
Frequent technological changes, new products and services and evolving industry standards are influencing the insurance businesses. The Internet, for example, is increasingly used to securely transmit benefits, property and personal information, and related information to customers and to facilitate business-to-business information exchange and transactions.
We are continuously taking steps to upgrade and expand our information systems capabilities. Maintaining, protecting and enhancing these capabilities to keep pace with evolving industry and regulatory standards, and changing customer preferences, requires an ongoing commitment of significant resources. If the information we rely upon to run our businesses was found to be inaccurate or unreliable or if we fail to effectively maintain our information systems and data integrity, we could experience operational disruptions, regulatory or other legal problems, increases in operating expenses, loss of existing customers, difficulty in attracting new customers, or suffer other adverse consequences.
Changes in data privacy and protection laws and regulations, or any failure to comply with such laws and regulations, could adversely affect our business and financial results.
We are subject to a variety of continuously evolving and developing laws and regulations globally regarding privacy, data protection, and data security, including those related to the collection, storage, handling, use, disclosure, transfer, and security of personal data. Significant uncertainty exists as privacy and data protection laws may be interpreted and applied differently from country to country and may create inconsistent or conflicting requirements. These laws apply to transfers of information among our affiliates, as well as to transactions we enter into with third party vendors. These and similar initiatives around the world could increase the cost of developing, implementing or securing our servers and require us to allocate more resources to improved technologies, adding to our information technology and compliance costs. In addition, enforcement actions and investigations by regulatory authorities related to data security incidents and privacy violations continue to increase. The enactment of more restrictive laws, rules, regulations or future enforcement actions or investigations could impact us through increased costs or restrictions on our business, and noncompliance could result in regulatory penalties and significant legal liability.
Because our insurance business is highly concentrated in Michigan, New York, Montana and Ohio, adverse economic conditions, natural disasters, or regulatory changes in these regions could adversely affect our financial condition.
A significant portion of our insurance business is concentrated in Michigan, New York, Montana and Ohio. For the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020 we derived $9,710,334 and $7,297,146 respectively or 100%, of our annual revenue, respectively, from our operations located in these regions (FYE 2021 - Michigan – 56.64%, New York – 3.44%, Montana – 17.97% and Ohio – 21.95% and FYE 2020 - Michigan – 45.11%, New Jersey – 3.81%, Montana – 21.48% and Ohio – 28%). The insurance business is primarily a state-regulated industry, and therefore, state legislatures may enact laws that adversely affect the insurance industry. Because our business is concentrated in these four states, we face greater exposure to unfavorable changes in regulatory conditions in those states than insurance intermediaries whose operations are more diversified through a greater number of states. In addition, the occurrence of adverse economic conditions, natural or other disasters, or other circumstances specific to or otherwise significantly impacting these states could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We are susceptible to losses and interruptions caused by hurricanes or other weather conditions, and other possible events such as terrorist acts and other natural or man-made disasters. Our insurance coverage with respect to natural disasters is limited and is subject to deductibles and coverage limits. Such coverage may not be adequate or may not continue to be available at commercially reasonable rates and terms.
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If we fail to comply with the covenants contained in certain of our agreements, our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
The Oak Street credit agreements, in the aggregate principal amount of $8,133,925 and $8,849,280, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, that govern our debt contain various covenants and other limitations with which we must comply including a debt to EBITDA ratio covenant and a covenant that at all times that the loans are outstanding: (i) Ezra Beyman, our chief executive officer, Debra Beyman, Mr. Beyman’s wife, or Yaakov Beyman, son of Mr. and Ms. Beyman, or someone else approved by Oak Street, as applicable, will be the manager of the current subsidiaries of the Company, (ii) Mr. Ezra Beyman will be President and Chairperson of the Board of the Company, and (iii) Reliance Holdings will continue to remain a shareholder of the Company’s equity and Ezra and Debra will be the sole owners of Reliance Holdings as tenants in entirety. The credit agreements also contain provisions which cause a “cross default” if we default our obligations under other material contracts to which we are parties. The credit agreements contains customary and usual events of default, including, subject to certain specified cure periods and notice requirements, the Company’s or one of its subsidiaries’ failure to comply with the covenants therein. Upon an event of default, the lender has customary and usual remedies to cure these defaults including, but not limited to, the ability to accelerate the indebtedness.
The Company entered into an amended Master Credit Agreement on March 26, 2021 that removed the provisions for which Debra and Ezra Beyman were required to be the majority owners of the Company.
Due to the covenant waiver on June 30, 2020, Oak Street and the Company signed an amended agreement on August 11, 2020, to update its covenant so that, the Company should remain in compliance. The amendment states that for the year ended December 31, 2020 covenant test, the ratio of Senior Funded Debt to EBIDTA shall be no greater than 5.0 to 1.0. From March 31, 2021 and thereafter, the Senior Funded Debt to EBIDTA ratio shall be reduced to no greater than 4.0 to 1.0. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively, the Company reported a ratio of 2.5 and 4.2 for Senior Funded Debt to EBIDTA, and remains in compliance.
As of the date of this filing, we are in full compliance and do not believe we are at further risk of noncompliance.
Certain of our agreements contain various covenants that limit the discretion of our management in operating our business and could prevent us from engaging in certain potentially beneficial activities.
The restrictive covenants in our debt agreements may impact how we operate our business and prevent us from engaging in certain potentially beneficial activities. In particular, among other covenants, our debt agreements require us to maintain a minimum ratio of Consolidated EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), adjusted for certain transaction-related items (“Consolidated EBITDA”), to consolidated interest expense and a maximum ratio of consolidated net indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA. Our compliance with these covenants could limit management’s discretion in operating our business and could prevent us from engaging in certain potentially beneficial activities.
There are inherent uncertainties involved in estimates, judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Any changes in estimates, judgments and assumptions could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations and therefore our business.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP involves making estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets (including intangible assets), liabilities and related reserves, revenues, expenses, and income. Estimates, judgments and assumptions are inherently subject to change in the future, and any such changes could result in corresponding changes to the values of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and income, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Improper disclosure of confidential information could negatively impact our business.
We are responsible for maintaining the security and privacy of our customers’ confidential and proprietary information and the personal data of their employees. We have put in place policies, procedures and technological safeguards designed to protect the security and privacy of this information; however, we cannot guarantee that this information will not be improperly disclosed or accessed. Disclosure of this information could harm our reputation and subject us to liability under our contracts and laws that protect personal data, resulting in increased costs or loss of revenues.
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Our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity may be materially adversely affected by certain actual and potential claims, regulatory actions and proceedings.
We are subject to various actual and potential claims, regulatory actions and other proceedings including those relating to alleged errors and omissions in connection with the placement or servicing of insurance and/or the provision of services in the ordinary course of business, of which we cannot, and likely will not be able to, predict the outcome with certainty. Because we often assist customers with matters involving substantial amounts of money, including the placement of insurance and the handling of related claims that customers may assert, errors and omissions claims against us may arise alleging potential liability for all or part of the amounts in question. Also, the failure of an insurer with whom we place business could result in errors and omissions claims against us by our customers, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Claimants may seek large damage awards, and these claims may involve potentially significant legal costs, including punitive damages. Such claims, lawsuits and other proceedings could, for example, include claims for damages based upon allegations that our employees or sub-agents failed to procure coverage, report claims on behalf of customers, provide insurance companies with complete and accurate information relating to the risks being insured or appropriately apply funds that we hold for our customers on a fiduciary basis. In addition, given the long-tail nature of professional liability claims, errors and omissions matters can relate to matters dating back many years. Where appropriate, we have established provisions against these potential matters that we believe to be adequate in the light of current information and legal advice, and we adjust such provisions from time to time according to developments.
While most of the errors and omissions claims made against us (subject to our self-insured deductibles) have been covered by our professional indemnity insurance, our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity may be adversely affected if, in the future, our insurance coverage proves to be inadequate or unavailable, or if there is an increase in liabilities for which we self-insure. Our ability to obtain professional indemnity insurance in the amounts and with the deductibles we desire in the future may be adversely impacted by general developments in the market for such insurance or our own claims experience. In addition, regardless of monetary costs, these matters could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and cause harm to our carrier, customer or employee relationships, or divert personnel and management resources.
Our business could be adversely impacted by inflation.
Increases in inflation may have an adverse effect on our business. Current and future inflationary effects may be driven by, among other things, supply chain disruptions and governmental stimulus or fiscal policies. Continuing increases in inflation could impact the overall demand for our products, our costs for labor, material and services, and the margins we are able to realize on our products, all of which could have an adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Inflation may also result in higher interest rates, which in turn would result in higher interest
Risks Related to the Insurance Industry
We may experience increased competition from insurance companies, technology companies and the financial services industry, as well as the shift away from traditional insurance markets.
The insurance intermediary business is highly competitive and we actively compete with numerous firms for customers, properties and insurance companies, many of which have relationships with insurance companies, or have a significant presence in niche insurance markets that may give them an advantage over us. Other competitive concerns may include the quality of our products and services, our pricing and the ability of some of our customers to self-insure and the entrance of technology companies into the insurance intermediary business. A number of insurance companies are engaged in the direct sale of insurance, primarily to individuals, and do not pay commissions to agents and brokers. In addition, and to the extent that banks, securities firms, private equity companies, and insurance companies affiliate, the financial services industry may experience further consolidation, and we therefore may experience increased competition from insurance companies and the financial services industry, as a growing number of larger financial institutions increasingly, and aggressively, offer a wider variety of financial services, including insurance intermediary services.
Worsening of Current U.S. economic conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian Federation Military Action may adversely affect our business.
Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position or results of its operations, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
In February 2022, the Russian Federation and Belarus commenced a military action with the country of Ukraine. As a result of this action, various nations, including the United States, have instituted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus. Further, the impact of this action and related sanctions on the world economy are not determinable as of the date of these financial statements and the specific impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is also not determinable as of the date of these financial statements.
If economic conditions were to worsen, a number of negative effects on our business could result, including declines in values of insurable exposure units, declines in insurance premium rates, the financial insolvency of insurance companies, the reduced ability of customers to pay, declines in the stock of residential housing or declines in property values. Also, if general economic conditions are poor, some of our customers may cease operations completely or be acquired by other companies, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. If these customers are affected by poor economic conditions, but yet remain in existence, they may face liquidity problems or other financial difficulties that could result in delays or defaults in payments owed to us, which could have a significant adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. Any of these effects could decrease our net revenues and profitability.
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Our business, and therefore our results of operations and financial condition, may be adversely affected by conditions that result in reduced insurer capacity.
Our results of operations depend on the continued capacity of insurance carriers to underwrite risk and provide coverage, which depends in turn on those insurance companies’ ability to procure reinsurance. Capacity could also be reduced by insurance companies failing or withdrawing from writing certain coverages that we offer to our customers. We have no control over these matters. To the extent that reinsurance becomes less widely available or significantly more expensive, we may not be able to procure the amount or types of coverage that our customers desire and the coverage we are able to procure for our customers may be more expensive or limited.
Quarterly and annual variations in our commissions that result from the timing of policy renewals and the net effect of new and lost business production may have unexpected effects on our results of operations.
Our commission income (including profit-sharing contingent commissions and override commissions) can vary quarterly or annually due to the timing of policy renewals and the net effect of new and lost business production. We do not control the factors that cause these variations. Specifically, customers’ demand for insurance products can influence the timing of renewals, new business and lost business (which includes policies that are not renewed), and cancellations. In addition, we rely on insurance companies for the payment of certain commissions. Because these payments are processed internally by these insurance companies, we may not receive a payment that is otherwise expected from a particular insurance company in a particular quarter or year until after the end of that period, which can adversely affect our ability to forecast these revenues and therefore budget for significant future expenditures. Quarterly and annual fluctuations in revenues based upon increases and decreases associated with the timing of new business, policy renewals and payments from insurance companies may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Profit-sharing contingent commissions are special revenue-sharing commissions paid by insurance companies based upon the profitability, volume and/or growth of the business placed with such companies generally during the prior year. Override commissions are paid by insurance companies based upon the volume of business that we place with them and are generally paid over the course of the year. Because profit-sharing contingent commissions and override commissions affect our revenues, any decrease in their payment to us could adversely affect our results of operations, profitability, and our financial condition.
Our business practices and compensation arrangements are subject to uncertainty due to potential changes in regulations.
The business practices and compensation arrangements of the insurance intermediary industry, including our practices and arrangements, are subject to uncertainty due to investigations by various governmental authorities. Certain of our offices are parties to profit-sharing contingent commission agreements with certain insurance companies, including agreements providing for potential payment of revenue-sharing commissions by insurance companies based primarily on the overall profitability of the aggregate business written with those insurance companies and/or additional factors such as retention ratios and the overall volume of business that an office or offices place with those insurance companies. Additionally, to a lesser extent, some of our offices are parties to override commission agreements with certain insurance companies, which provide for commission rates in excess of standard commission rates to be applied to specific lines of business, such as group health business, and which are based primarily on the overall volume of business that such office or offices placed with those insurance companies. The legislatures of various states may adopt new laws addressing contingent commission arrangements, including laws prohibiting such arrangements, and addressing disclosure of such arrangements to insureds. Various state departments of insurance may also adopt new regulations addressing these matters which could adversely affect our results of operations.
We may have unforeseen risks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States has resulted in economic uncertainties which may negatively impact the Company’s business operations. While the disruption is expected to be temporary, there is uncertainty surrounding the duration and extent of the impact. The impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the financial statements cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
Adverse events such as health-related concerns about working in our offices, the inability to travel and other matters affecting the general work environment could harm our business and our business strategy. While we do not anticipate any material impact to our business operations as a result of the coronavirus, in the event of a major disruption caused by the outbreak of pandemic diseases such as coronavirus, we may lose the services of our employees or experience system interruptions, which could lead to diminishment of our business operations. Any of the foregoing could harm our business and delay the implementation of our business strategy and we cannot anticipate all the ways in which the current global health crisis and financial market conditions could adversely impact our business.
Management is actively monitoring the global situation on its financial condition, liquidity, operations, industry and workforce.
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Risk of lack of knowledge in distant geographic markets
Although the Company intends to focus its investments in locations with which we are generally familiar, the Company runs a risk of experiencing underwriting challenges or issues associated with a lack of familiarity in some markets. Each market has nuances and idiosyncrasies that affect values, marketability, desirability, and demand for individual assets that may not be easily understood from afar. While we believe we can effectively mitigate these risks in a myriad of ways, there is no guarantee that investments in any geographic market will perform as expected.
Potential liability or other expenditures associated with potential environmental contamination may be costly.
Various federal, state and local laws subject multifamily residential community owners or operators to liability for management, and the costs of removal or remediation, of certain potentially hazardous materials that may be present in the land or buildings of a multifamily residential community. Potentially hazardous materials may include polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum-based fuels, lead-based paint or asbestos, among other materials. Such laws often impose liability without regard to fault or whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such materials. The presence of, or the failure to manage or remediate properly, these materials may adversely affect occupancy at such apartment communities as well as the ability to sell or finance such apartment communities. In addition, governmental agencies may bring claims for costs associated with investigation and remediation actions, damages to natural resources and for potential fines or penalties in connection with such damage or with respect to the improper management of hazardous materials. Moreover, private plaintiffs may potentially make claims for investigation and remediation costs they incur or personal injury, disease, disability or other infirmities related to the alleged presence of hazardous materials at a multifamily residential community. In addition to potential environmental liabilities or costs associated with our current multifamily residential communities, we may also be responsible for such liabilities or costs associated with communities we acquire or manage in the future, or multifamily residential communities we no longer own or operate.
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We compete in a highly regulated industry, which may result in increased expenses or restrictions on our operations.
We conduct business in several states of the United States of America and are subject to comprehensive regulation and supervision by government agencies in each of those states. The primary purpose of such regulation and supervision is to provide safeguards for policyholders rather than to protect the interests of our shareholders, and it is difficult to anticipate how changes in such regulation would be implemented and enforced. As a result, such regulation and supervision could reduce our profitability or growth by increasing compliance costs, technology compliance, restricting the products or services we may sell, the markets we may enter, the methods by which we may sell our products and services, or the prices we may charge for our services and the form of compensation we may accept from our customers, carriers and third parties. The laws of the various state jurisdictions establish supervisory agencies with broad administrative powers with respect to, among other things, licensing of entities to transact business, licensing of agents, admittance of assets, regulating premium rates, approving policy forms, regulating unfair trade and claims practices, determining technology and data protection requirements, establishing reserve requirements and solvency standards, requiring participation in guarantee funds and shared market mechanisms, and restricting payment of dividends. Also, in response to perceived excessive cost or inadequacy of available insurance, states have from time to time created state insurance funds and assigned risk pools, which compete directly, on a subsidized basis, with private insurance providers. We act as agents and brokers for such state insurance funds and assigned risk pools in Michigan as well as certain other states. These state funds and pools could choose to reduce the sales or brokerage commissions we receive. Any such reductions, in a state in which we have substantial operations could affect the profitability of our operations in such state or cause us to change our marketing focus. Further, state insurance regulators and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners continually re-examine existing laws and regulations, and such re-examination may result in the enactment of insurance-related laws and regulations, or the issuance of interpretations thereof, that adversely affect our business. Certain federal financial services modernization legislation could lead to additional federal regulation of the insurance industry in the coming years, which could result in increased expenses or restrictions on our operations. Other legislative developments that could adversely affect us include: changes in our business compensation model as a result of regulatory developments (for example, the Affordable Care Act); and federal and state governments establishing programs to provide health insurance or, in certain cases, property insurance in catastrophe-prone areas or other alternative market types of coverage, that compete with, or completely replace, insurance products offered by insurance carriers. Also, as climate change issues become more prevalent, the U.S. and foreign governments are beginning to respond to these issues. This increasing governmental focus on climate change may result in new environmental regulations that may negatively affect us and our customers. This could cause us to incur additional direct costs in complying with any new environmental regulations, as well as increased indirect costs resulting from our customers incurring additional compliance costs that get passed on to us. These costs may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Although we believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations, there can be no assurance that more restrictive laws, rules, regulations or interpretations thereof, will not be adopted in the future that could make compliance more difficult or expensive.
Risks Related to Investing in our Securities
We may experience volatility in our stock price that could affect your investment.
The market price of our common stock may be subject to significant fluctuations in response to various factors, including: quarterly fluctuations in our operating results; changes in securities analysts’ estimates of our future earnings; changes in securities analysts’ predictions regarding the short-term and long-term future of our industry; changes to the tax code; and our loss of significant customers or significant business developments relating to us or our competitors. Our common stock’s market price also may be affected by our inability to meet stock analysts’ earnings and other expectations. Any failure to meet such expectations, even if minor, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. In addition, stock markets have generally experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market prices of equity securities of many listed companies have experienced wide price fluctuations not necessarily related to the operating performance of such companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect our common stock’s market price. In the past, securities class action lawsuits frequently have been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of such companies’ securities. If any such litigation is initiated against us, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
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The Company’s CEO has a majority common stock equity interest.
As of March 31, 2022, our CEO, Ezra Beyman, is the beneficial owner of approximately 40% of the common stock, consisting of 4,579,947 common shares. As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding amount of the loan from Reliance Holdings to us, is in the amount of approximately $353,766.
Under our credit agreements with Oak Street, the Company has agreed that at all times that the loans are outstanding: (i) Ezra Beyman, our chief executive officer, Debra Beyman, Mr. Beyman’s wife, or Yaakov Beyman, son of Mr. and Ms. Beyman, or someone else approved by Oak Street, as applicable, will be the manager of the current subsidiaries of the Company, (ii) Mr. Ezra Beyman will be President and Chairperson of the Board of the Company, and (iii) Reliance Holdings will continue to remain a shareholder of the Company’s equity and Ezra and Debra will be the sole owners of Reliance Holdings as tenants in entirety. The loans by Oak Street, immediately mature and become due and payable if the Company fails to comply with these provisions, subject to certain notice and/or cure periods.
Broad discretion of management
Any person who invests in the Company’s common stock will do so without an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of any prospective acquisition. As a result, investors will be entirely dependent on the broad discretion and judgment of management in connection with the selection of acquisitions. There can be no assurance that determinations made by the Company’s management will permit us to achieve the Company’s business objectives.
Future sales or other dilution of our equity could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
We grow our business organically as well as through acquisitions. One method of acquiring companies or otherwise Companying our corporate activities is through the issuance of additional equity securities. The issuance of any additional shares of common or of preferred stock or convertible securities could be substantially dilutive to holders of our common stock. Moreover, to the extent that we issue restricted stock units, performance stock units, options or warrants to purchase shares of our common stock in the future and those options or warrants are exercised or as the restricted stock units or performance stock units vest, our stockholders may experience further dilution. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights that entitle holders to purchase their pro rata share of any offering of shares of any class or series and, therefore, such sales or offerings could result in increased dilution to our stockholders. The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of shares of our common stock or the perception that such sales could occur.
The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and this may make it difficult for you to resell shares of common stock owned by you at times or at prices you find attractive.
The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate widely as a result of a number of factors, including the risk factors described above many of which are outside our control. In addition, the stock market is subject to fluctuations in the share prices and trading volumes that affect the market prices of the shares of many companies. These broad market fluctuations have adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Among the factors that could affect our stock price are:
| ● | General economic and political conditions such as recessions, economic downturns and acts of war or terrorism; | |
| ● | Quarterly variations in our operating results; | |
| ● | Seasonality of our business cycle; | |
| ● | Changes in the market’s expectations about our operating results; | |
| ● | Our operating results failing to meet the expectation of securities analysts or investors in a particular period; | |
| ● | Changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts concerning us or the insurance brokerage or financial services industries in general; | |
| ● | Operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us; | |
| ● | News reports relating to trends in our markets, including any expectations regarding an upcoming “hard” or “soft” market; | |
| ● | Cyberattacks and other cybersecurity incidents; | |
| ● | Changes in laws and regulations affecting our business; | |
| ● | Material announcements by us or our competitors; |
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| ● | The impact or perceived impact of developments relating to our investments, including the possible perception by securities analysts or investors that such investments divert management attention from our core operations; | |
| ● | Market volatility; | |
| ● | A negative market reaction to announced acquisitions; | |
| ● | Competitive pressures in each of our divisions; | |
| ● | General conditions in the insurance brokerage and insurance industries; | |
| ● | Legal proceedings or regulatory investigations; | |
| ● | Regulatory requirements, including international sanctions and the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 or other anti-corruption laws; or | |
| ● | Sales of substantial amounts of common shares by our directors, executive officers or significant stockholders or the perception that such sales could occur. |
Stockholder class action lawsuits may be instituted against us following a period of volatility in our stock price. Any such litigation could result in substantial cost and a diversion of management’s attention and resources.
We can provide no assurance that our common stock or the warrants will always meet the Nasdaq Capital Market continued listing standards.
Our common stock is currently quoted on the Nasdaq. We can provide no assurance that that an active trading market on the Nasdaq Capital Market for our common stock and the warrants will develop and continue. If our common stock remains quoted on or reverts to an over-the-counter system rather than being listed on a national securities exchange, you may find it more difficult to dispose of shares of our common stock or obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our common stock.
Possible issuance of additional securities.
Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.086 per share. As of December 31, 2021 we had 10,956,109 shares issued and outstanding. We may be expected to issue additional shares in connection with our pursuit of new business opportunities and new business operations. To the extent that additional shares of common stock are issued, our shareholders would experience dilution of their respective ownership interests. If we issue shares of common stock in connection with our intent to pursue new business opportunities, a change in control of the Company may be expected to occur. The issuance of additional shares of common stock may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, in the event that an active trading market commences.
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Dividends unlikely.
The Company does not expect to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends will be contingent upon the Company’s future revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and overall financial conditions. The payment of any future dividends will be within the discretion of the Company’s board of directors as then constituted. It is the Company’s expectation that future management following a business combination will determine to retain any earnings for use in its business operations and accordingly, the Company does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Speculative Nature of Warrants.
The warrants offered in our February 2021 offering do not confer any rights of common stock ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire shares of our common stock at a fixed price for a limited period of time. Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of the Series A Warrants may exercise their right to acquire the common stock and pay an exercise price of $6.60 per share (110% of the public offering price of our common stock and warrants in this offering), prior to five years from the date of issuance, after which date any unexercised warrants will expire and have no further value.
By entering into the Private Placement (as defined further in this 10-K), on December 22, 2021, we entered into a commitment to issue B Warrants on the Initial Closing Date for a fixed price and exercise price, as applicable. The commitment to issue Series B Warrants (the “Warrant Commitment”) represents a financial instrument, other than an outstanding share, that, at inception, has both of the following characteristics: (i) embodies a conditional obligation indexed to the Company’s equity shares and (ii) may require the Company to settle the obligation by transferring assets. Under ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, it is required to be initially measured and subsequently remeasured, at fair value as an asset or liability with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The Series B Warrant has an exercise price of $4.09 per share, subject to customary adjustments for stock dividends, stock splits, reclassifications and the like, and subject to price-based adjustment, on a “full ratchet” basis, in the event of any issuances of Common Stock, or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for, Common Stock at a price below the then-applicable exercise price (subject to certain exceptions, including a floor price of $3.84 per share of Common Stock, until the Company has received shareholder approval for the sale of securities in the Private Placement). The Series B Warrant will be exercisable commencing on the date of issuance, and will expire five years from the date of issuance.
Moreover, following these offerings, the market value of the warrants is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the market value of the warrants will equal or exceed their public offering price. There can be no assurance that the market price of the common stock will ever equal or exceed the exercise price of the warrants, and consequently, whether it will ever be profitable for holders of the warrants to exercise the warrants.
State blue sky registration; potential limitations on resale of the Company’s common stock
The holders of the Company’s shares of common stock registered under the Exchange Act and those persons who desire to purchase them in any trading market that may develop in the future, should be aware that there may be state blue-sky law restrictions upon the ability of investors to resell the Company’s securities. Accordingly, investors should consider the secondary market for the Company’s securities to be a limited one.
Industry and Market Data
Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this Form 10-K concerning our industry and the markets in which we operate, including our general expectations and market opportunity and market size, is based on information from various sources, including independent industry publications. In presenting this information, we have also made assumptions based on such data and other similar sources, and on our knowledge of, and our experience to date in the relevant industries and markets. This information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. We believe that the information from these industry publications that is included in this Form 10-K is reliable. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
| 20 |
Item 2. Properties
Below is a schedule of the properties we are currently occupy:
| Entity Name | Location | Own/Lease | Description | Approx. Sq. Footage | Lease Term | Monthly Rent in USD | ||||||||||||
| Employee Benefits Solutions | Cadillac, Michigan | Lease | Office Building | 3,024 | 10/2019– 9/2024 | 2,400 | ||||||||||||
| Southwestern Montana Insurance Center | Helena, Montana | Lease | Office Building | 1,500 | Monthly | 1,500 | ||||||||||||
| Southwestern Montana Insurance Center | Belgrade, Montana | Lease | Office Building | 6,000 | 4/2019– 3/2023 | 7,000 | ||||||||||||
| Fortman Insurance Center | Bluffton, Ohio | Lease | Office Building | 990 | 9/2020 – 8/2023 | 555 | ||||||||||||
| Fortman Insurance Center | Ottawa, Ohio | Lease | Office Building | 2,386 | 5/2019– 4/2024 | 2,400 | ||||||||||||
| Commercial Coverage Solutions/UIS | Pomona, New York | Lease | Office Building | 1,000 | 8/2020– 8/2022 | 2,000 | ||||||||||||
| Altruis Benefits Consultants | Bingham Farms, MI | Lease | Office Building | 1,767 | 6/2021– 5/2024 | 4,725 | ||||||||||||
| Reliance Global Group, Inc. | Lakewood, NJ | Lease | Office Building | 4,436 | 6/2021 – 3/2029 | 9,174 | ||||||||||||
| J.P. Kush and Associates | Troy, MI | Lease | Office Building | 1,400 | 1/2021– 3/2022 | 1,395 | ||||||||||||
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
None.
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
As of December 31, 2021, there were approximately 521 holders of record of our ordinary shares, although there is a much larger number of beneficial owners.
Dividends
The Company does not expect to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends will be contingent upon the Company’s future revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and overall financial conditions. The payment of any future dividends will be within the discretion of the Company’s board of directors as then constituted. It is the Company’s expectation that future management following a business combination will determine to retain any earnings for use in its business operations and accordingly, the Company does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
There have been no equity securities repurchased by the Company for the years ending December 31, 2021 and 2020.
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Market Information
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “RELI”, and our warrants to purchase common stock are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “RELIW.”
Holders of Record
On March 31, 2022, the closing price per share of our common stock was $X.XX as reported on the NASDAQ.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
2019 Equity Incentive Plans
On January 29, 2019, our board of directors and stockholders adopted the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, pursuant to which 700,000 shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance as awards to employees, directors, consultants, advisors and other service providers. The following table gives information about the Company’s common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options granted to employees, directors and consultants under its 2019 Equity Incentive Plans as of December 31, 2021 which had outstanding grants and remaining unissued shares, taking into account issuance of restricted stock to officers and directors, as follows:
Equity Compensation Plan Information
| Plan category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | |||||||||
| (a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 163,913 | $ | 15.50 | 536,087 | ||||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Total | 163,913 | $ | 15.50 | 536,087 | ||||||||
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Dividend Policy
We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We anticipate that we will retain funds and future earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future following this offering. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant. In addition, the terms of any future debt or credit financings may preclude us from paying dividends.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Date of Transaction |
Transaction type (e.g. new issuance, cancellation, shares returned to treasury) and all under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 | Number of Shares Issued (or cancelled) | Class of Securities | Value of shares issued ($/per share) at Issuance | Were the shares issued at a discount to market price at the time of issuance? (Yes/No) | Individual/ Entity Shares were issued to (entities must have individual with voting / investment control disclosed). | Reason for share issuance (e.g. for cash or debt conversion) OR Nature of Services Provided (if applicable) | Restricted or Unrestricted as of this filing? | Exemption or Registration Type? | ||||||||||||||||
| 10/5/2017-
3/22/2018 |
New | 213,033 | Common | $.10-$.66 | Yes | EMA Financial** | Cash | restricted | Rule 144 | ||||||||||||||||
| 10/5/2017-
3/22/2018 |
New | 139,472 | Common | $.10-.66 | Yes | Auctus Fund** | Cash | restricted | Rule 144 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1/25/2018 | New | 22,435 | common | .45 | Yes | Julie Wizner | Cash | restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 156,201 | Common | .43 | Yes | Timothy Mather-Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 156,201 | Common | .43 | Yes | Rodney LaRue-Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 156,201 | Common | .43 | Yes | Roman Szymansky-Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 5,833 | Common | .43 | Yes | Samuel J Simon-Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 8,750 | Common | .43 | Yes | Jerome Kaplan-Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 8,750 | Common | .43 | Yes | Stephen Schwartz-Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 11,667 | Common | .43 | Yes | Mark Sands-Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 35,000 | Common | .43 | Yes | Stanley Merdinger-Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 15,167 | Common | .43 | Yes | Edward J. Bohne-Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
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| 4/3/2018 | New | 11,667 | Common | .43 | Yes | Maria McCue-Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 175,000 | Common | 1.96 | Yes | Amy Nalewaik | Services | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 175,000 | Common | 1.96 | Yes | Jack Namer –former CEO- Services Rendered – former Affiliate | Services | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 46,667 | Common | .43 | Yes | Bryan Bittner, Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 11,667 | Common | .43 | Yes | Hunter Middleton- Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 11,667 | Common | .43 | Yes | William Sanchez, Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 4/3/2018 | New | 23,333 | Common | .43 | Yes | Candice J. Renee, Nonaffiliate | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 10/24/2018 | New | 11,667 | Common | 0 | Yes | Alex Blumenfrucht-Affiliate, | Acquisition | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 10/24/2018 | New | 35,000 | Common | 0 | Yes | Yaakov Beyman Affiliate | Acquisition | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 10/24/2018 | New | 144,667 | Common | 0 | Yes | Reliance Global Holdings, LLC – Affiliate**** | Acquisition | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 11/30/2018 | New | 26,903 | Common | 15.21 | Yes | EMA Financial*** | None | Restricted | None | ||||||||||||||||
| 02/10/2020 | New | 46,667 | Common | 21.43 | Yes | Gomlai Tovos | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 8/18/2020 | New | 17,943 | Common | 0 | Yes | Lorelei Saavedra - Ramirez | Acquisition | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) |
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| 8/12/2020 | New | 8,102 | Common | 0 | Yes | Joshua Colter | Acquisition | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 9/2/2020 | New | 15,556 | Common | 6.43 | Yes | Lazers Group, Inc. | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 9/3/2020 | New | 21,875 | Common | 0 | Yes | Julie A. Blockey | Acquisition | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 9/11/2020 | New | 15,556 | Common | 6.43 | Yes | 93529113 Quebec Inc | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | |||||||||||||||
| 2/9/2021 | New | 23,336 | Common | Yes | Mark Sisson | Software Purchase | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2/11/2021 | New | 4,578,263 | Common | Yes | Reliance Global Holdings, LLC | Conversion of preferred shares and debt | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2/24/2021 | New | 2,070,000 | Common | Yes | * | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| 3/1/2021 | New | 1,887 | Common | Yes | * | Cash | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| 3/5/2021 | New | 15,000 | Common | Yes | Tradigitial Marketing Group | Services | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| 5/1/2021 | New | 14,925 | Common | Yes | Joshua Kushnereit | Acquisition | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| 11/5/2021 | New | 11,670 | Common | Yes | Conversion of preferred shares | Restricted | 4(a) | (2) |
*Shares were issued in an offering as part of the Companies uplist to NASDAQ to various individuals/entities
Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities
Not applicable
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Not applicable.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information under this item.
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
Reliance Global Group, Inc. (formerly known as Ethos Media Network, Inc.) was incorporated in Florida on August 2, 2013. In September 2018, Reliance Global Holdings, LLC, a related party, purchased a controlling interest in the Company. Ethos Media Network, Inc. was renamed Reliance Global Group, Inc. on October 18, 2018.
We operate as a diversified company engaging in business in the insurance market, as well as other related sectors. Our focus is to grow the Company by pursuing an aggressive acquisition strategy, initially and primarily focused upon wholesale and retail insurance agencies. The Company is controlled by the same management team as Reliance Global Holdings, LLC (“Reliance Holdings”), a New York based firm that is the owner and operator of numerous companies with core interests in real estate and insurance. Our relationship with Reliance Holdings provides us with significant benefits: (1) experience, knowhow, and industry relations; (2) a source of acquisition targets currently under Reliance Holdings’ control; and (3) financial and logistics assistance. We are led and advised by a management team that offers over 100 years of combined business expertise in real estate, insurance, and the financial service industry.
In the insurance sector, our management has extensive experience acquiring and managing insurance portfolios in several states, as well as developing specialized programs targeting niche markets. Our primary strategy is to identify specific risk to reward arbitrage opportunities and develop these on a national platform, thereby increasing revenues and returns, and then identify and acquire undervalued wholesale and retail insurance agencies with operations in growing or underserved segments, expand and optimize their operations, and achieve asset value appreciation while generating interim cash flows.
As part of our growth and acquisition strategy, we are currently in negotiations with several non-affiliated parties and expect to complete a number of material insurance asset transactions throughout the course of 2022 and beyond. As of December 31, 2021, we’ve acquired eight insurance agencies, including both affiliated and unaffiliated companies.
Long term, we seek to conduct all transactions and acquisitions through our direct operations.
Over the next 12 months, we plan to focus on the expansion and growth of our business through continued asset acquisitions in insurance markets and organic growth of our current insurance operations through geographic expansion and market share growth.
Further, the Company launched its 5MI platform during 2021 which expanded our national footprint. 5MI is an all new and high-tech proprietary tool developed by the Company as a business to consumer portal which enables consumers to compare and purchase car and home insurance in a time efficient and effective manner. 5MI taps into the growing number of online shoppers and utilizes advanced artificial intelligence and data mining techniques, to provide competitive insurance quotes in around 5 minutes with minimal data input needed from the consumer. The platform launched during the summer of 2021 and currently operates in 44 states offering coverage with up to 16 highly rated insurance carriers.
Business Trends and Uncertainties
The insurance intermediary business is highly competitive, and we actively compete with numerous firms for customers, properties and insurance companies, many of which have relationships with insurance companies, or have a significant presence in niche insurance markets that may give them an advantage over us. Other competitive concerns may include the quality of our products and services, our pricing and the ability of some of our customers to self-insure and the entrance of technology companies into the insurance intermediary business. A number of insurance companies are engaged in the direct sale of insurance, primarily to individuals, and do not pay commissions to agents and brokers.
Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments consist of a derivative warrant sales commitment treated as a forward sales contract as of December 31, 2021. Accounting treatment is to record the derivative financial instruments at their fair values as of the inception/issuance date of and at fair value as of each subsequent balance sheet date. Any change in fair value is recorded as non-operating, non-cash gain or loss at each balance sheet date.
Insurance Operations
Our insurance operations focus on the acquisition and management of insurance agencies throughout the U.S. Our primary focus is to pinpoint undervalued wholesale and retail insurance agencies with operations in growing or underserved segments (including healthcare and Medicare, as well as personal and commercial insurance lines). We then focus on expanding their operations on a national platform and improving operational efficiencies in order to achieve asset value appreciation while generating interim cash flows. In the insurance sector, our management team has over 100 years of experiences acquiring and managing insurance portfolios in several states, as well as developing specialized programs targeting niche markets. We plan to accomplish these objectives by acquiring wholesale and retail insurance agencies it deems to represent a good buying opportunity (as opposed to insurance carriers) as insurance agencies bear no insurance risk. Once acquired, we will develop them on a national platform to increase revenues and profits through a synergetic structure. The Company is initially focused on segments that are underserved or growing, including healthcare and Medicare, as well as personal and commercial insurance lines.
| 26 |
Insurance Acquisitions and Strategic Activities
As of the date of this filing, we have acquired nine insurance brokerages (see table below), including both acquisitions of affiliated companies (i.e., owned by Reliance Holdings before the acquisition) and unaffiliated companies. As our acquisition strategy continues, our reach within the insurance arena can provide us with the ability to offer lower rates, which could boost our competitive position within the industry.
| Acquired | Date | Location | Line of Business | Status | ||||
| U.S. Benefits Alliance, LLC (USBA) | October 24, 2018 | Michigan | Health Insurance | Affiliated | ||||
| Employee Benefit Solutions, LLC (EBS) | October 24, 2018 | Michigan | Health Insurance | Affiliated | ||||
| Commercial Solutions of Insurance Agency, LLC | December 1, 2018 | New Jersey | P&C – Trucking Industry | Unaffiliated | ||||
| Southwestern Montana Insurance Center, Inc. | April 1, 2019 | Montana | Group Health Insurance | Unaffiliated | ||||
| Fortman Insurance Agency, LLC | May 1, 2019 | Ohio | P&C | Unaffiliated | ||||
| Altruis Benefits Consultants, Inc. | September 1, 2019 | Michigan | Health Insurance | Unaffiliated | ||||
| UIS Agency LLC | August 17, 2020 | New York | Health Insurance | Unaffiliated | ||||
| J.P. Kush and Associates, Inc. | May 1, 2021 | Michigan | Health Insurance | Unaffiliated | ||||
| Medigap Healthcare Insurance Company LLC | January 10, 2022 | Florida | Health Insurance | Unaffiliated |
The following table lists our activity in 2021 by number of agents, approximate policies issued and revenue written.
| Agency Name | Number of Agents |
Number of Policies issued |
Aggregate Revenue Recognized December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
| USBA and EBS | 4 | 3,773 | $ | 859,603 | ||||||
| UIS Agency, LLC / Commercial Solutions | 1 | 149 | $ | 333,874 | ||||||
| Southwestern Montana | 11 | 2,423 | $ | 1,744,515 | ||||||
| Fortman Insurance | 14 | 7,397 | $ | 2,131,736 | ||||||
| Altruis | 13 | 9,851 | $ | 3,313,453 | ||||||
| Kush | 4 | 4,500 | $ | 1,327,153 | ||||||
The following table lists our activity in 2020 by number of agents, policies issued and revenue written.
| Agency Name | Number of Agents | Number of Policies issued | Aggregate Revenue Recognized December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| USBA and EBS | 5 | 4,930 | $ | 1,017,957 | ||||||
| UIS Agency, LLC / Commercial Solutions | 3 | 217 | $ | 278,329 | ||||||
| Southwestern Montana | 14 | 2,000 | $ | 1,566,984 | ||||||
| Fortman Insurance | 15 | 8,000 | $ | 2,159,515 | ||||||
| Altruis | 15 | 7,809 | $ | 2,274,362 | ||||||
| 27 |
UIS Transaction
On August 17, 2020, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with UIS Agency LLC whereby the Company shall purchase the business and certain assets noted within the Purchase Agreement (the “UIS Acquisition”) for a total purchase price of $883,334. The purchase price was paid with a cash payment of $601,696, $200,000 in shares of the Company’s common stock and an earn-out payment. Three cash installment payments totaling $500,000 were due on September 30, 2020, October 31, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Earn-out payment is dependent on the Net Product Line Revenues being equal to or greater than $450,000 for the measurement period. The balance of the earn-out liability as of December 31, 2021 was $0.
The UIS Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination in accordance with the acquisition method under the guidance in ASC 805-10 and 805-20. Accordingly, the total purchase consideration was allocated to intangible assets acquired based on their respective estimated fair values. The acquisition method of accounting requires, among other things, that assets acquired, and liabilities assumed, if any, in a business purchase combination be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The process for estimating the fair values of identifiable intangible assets and certain tangible assets requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including estimating future cash flows, developing appropriate discount rates, estimating the costs, and timing.
The allocation of the purchase price in connection with the UIS Acquisition was calculated as follows:
| Description | Fair Value | Weighted Average Useful Life (Years) | ||||||
| Cash | $ | 5,772 | ||||||
| Trade name and trademarks | 35,600 | 5 | ||||||
| Customer relationships | 100,000 | 10 | ||||||
| Non-competition agreements | 25,500 | 5 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 716,462 | Indefinite | ||||||
| $ | 883,334 | |||||||
Goodwill of $716,462 arising from the UIS Acquisition consisted of the value of the employee workforce and the residual value after all identifiable intangible assets were valued. Goodwill recognized pursuant to the UIS Acquisition is currently expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Total acquisition costs for the UIS Acquisition incurred were $33,344 recorded as a component of General and administrative expenses. The revenues for the acquired business as a standalone entity per ASC 805 from January 1, 2020 to August 17, 2020 were approximately $337,000. The net loss for the acquired business was not determinable as the business was fully integrated with an existing subsidiary of the Company.
J.P. Kush and Associates, Inc. Transaction
On May 1, 2021, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement with J.P. Kush and Associates, Inc. whereby the Company shall purchase the business and certain assets noted within the Purchase Agreement (the “Kush Acquisition”) for a total purchase price of $3,644,166. The purchase price was paid with a cash payment of $1,900,000, $50,000 in restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, in a transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and an earn-out payment. The fair value balance of the earn-out liability as of December 31, 2021 is $1,689,733, and presented net of accretion on the balance sheet.
| 28 |
The Kush Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination in accordance with the acquisition method under the guidance in ASC 805-10 and 805-20. Accordingly, the total purchase consideration was allocated to intangible assets acquired based on their respective estimated fair values. The acquisition method of accounting requires, among other things, that assets acquired, and liabilities assumed, if any, in a business purchase combination be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The process for estimating the fair values of identifiable intangible assets and certain tangible assets requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including estimating future cash flows, developing appropriate discount rates, estimating the costs, and timing.
The allocation of the purchase price in connection with the Kush Acquisition was calculated as follows:
| Description | Fair Value | Weighted Average Useful Life (Years) | ||||||
| Accounts receivable | $ | 291,414 | ||||||
| Trade name and trademarks | 685,400 | 5 | ||||||
| Customer relationships | 551,000 | 10 | ||||||
| Non-competition agreements | 827,800 | 5 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 1,288,552 | Indefinite | ||||||
| $ | 3,644,166 | |||||||
Goodwill of $1,288,552 arising from the Kush Acquisition consisted of the value of the employee workforce and the residual value after all identifiable intangible assets were valued. Goodwill recognized pursuant to the Kush Acquisition is currently expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Total acquisition costs for the Kush Acquisition incurred were $58,092 recorded as a component of General and administrative expenses. The approximate revenue and net profit for the acquired business as a standalone entity per ASC 805 from January 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021 was $380,349 and $166,667, respectively, and from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, $1,141,047 and $500,000, respectively.
Medigap Healthcare Insurance Company LLC Transaction
On January 10, 2022, the Company finalized an agreement (the “APA”) with Medigap Healthcare Insurance Company, LLC (“Medigap”) pursuant to which the Company purchased all of the assets of Medigap for a purchase price in the amount of $20,096,250 consisting of payment to Medigap of (i) $18,138,750 in cash and (ii) issuing to seller 606,037 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock in a transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustment to reconcile certain pre-closing credits and liabilities of the parties. The shares issued to Medigap as part of the purchase price are subject to lock up arrangements pursuant to which 50% of those shares may be sold after the one-year anniversary of the date of Closing the APA and the balance of the shares after the second year anniversary of the date of closing under the APA.
Recent Developments
Underwritten Public Offering
The Company filed a Form 424(b)(4) on February 11, 2021 to offer 1,800,000 shares of common stock and accompanying Series A warrants at a public offering price of $6.00 per share and accompanying Series A warrant for aggregate gross proceeds of $10,800,000 prior to deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and other offering expenses.
On February 11, 2021, we completed an underwritten public offering in which we sold 1,800,000 shares of our common stock at a price to the public of $5.99. All sales of the Company’s common stock had a warrant attached, which was valued at $0.01, for a total purchase price of $6.00. All shares of common stock sold were offered by the Company.
The Company granted a 45-day option to the underwriters, exercisable one or more times in whole or in part, to purchase up to an additional 270,000 shares of common stock at a price of $5.99 per share and up to an additional 270,000 Series A Warrants at a price of $0.01 per Series A Warrant less, in each case the underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover over-allotments, if any. The total number of common stock shares and warrants issued as a result was 270,000 for both common stock and warrants. The warrants will be exercisable immediately and for five years from the effective date.
The gross proceeds to the Company were approximately $12.4 million. After deducting the underwriting discount and other offering expenses, net proceeds were approximately $10.5 million.
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Prior Period Adjustments
The Company identified certain immaterial adjustments impacting the prior reporting period. Specifically, the Company identified adjustments to correct certain asset, liability and equity accounts in relation to historical purchase price allocation accounting, adjustments to true up accounts receivable and retained earnings for certain historical accrued revenues and true up the common stock issuable account. The Company has also separately reclassified its purchased software from property, plant and equipment to intangible assets.
The Company assessed the materiality of the adjustments to prior period financial statements in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. (SAB) 99, Materiality, and SAB 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, and ASC 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.
Stock Split
On January 21, 2021 the Company has had effected a reverse split of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock in a ratio of 1: 85.71 which is simultaneously occurred with the Company’s up listing to the Nasdaq Capital Market. The Company has adjusted all of share and per share numbers to take into account this reverse stock split.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2021 to the year ended December 31, 2020
The following table sets forth our revenue and operating expenses for each of the years presented.
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Revenue | ||||||||
| Commission income | $ | 9,710,334 | $ | 7,297,146 | ||||
| Total revenue | 9,710,334 | 7,297,146 | ||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Commission expense | 2,427,294 | 1,569,752 | ||||||
| Salaries and wages | 4,672,988 | 3,654,284 | ||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 3,589,221 | 4,205,797 | ||||||
| Marketing and advertising | 325,838 | 168,778 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,607,313 | 1,325,337 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 12,622,654 | 10,923,948 | ||||||
| Loss from operations | (2,912,320 | ) | (3,626,802 | ) | ||||
| Other expense, net | (533,337 | ) | (563,287 | ) | ||||
| Recognition and change in fair value of warrant commitment | (17,652,808 | ) | ||||||
| Gain on Extinguishment of debt | - | 508,700 | ||||||
| (18,186,145 | ) | (54,587 | ) | |||||
| Net loss | $ | (21,098,465 | ) | $ | (3,681,389 | ) | ||
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Revenues
The Company’s revenue is primarily comprised of commission paid by health insurance carriers related to insurance plans that have been purchased by a member who used the Company’s service. The Company defines a member as an individual currently covered by an insurance plan, including individual and family, Medicare-related, small business, and ancillary plans, for which the Company is entitled to receive compensation from an insurance carrier.
The Company had revenues of $9,710,334 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $7,297,146 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase of $2,413,188 or 33% was primarily due to expanded operations, including the additional insurance agencies acquired during 2020 and 2021, with the former reporting a full year of revenue.
Commission expense
The Company had total commission expense of $2,427,294 for the year ending December 31, 2021 compared to $1,569,752 for the year ending December 31, 2020. The increase of $857,542 or 55% is attributable to an increase in operations, including the additional insurance agencies acquired during 2020 and 2021 with the former reporting a full year of commission expense.
Salaries and wages
The Company reported $4,672,988 of salaries and wages expense for the year ending December 31, 2021 compared to $3,654,284 for the year ending December 31, 2020. The increase of $1,018,704 or 28% is a result of the Company’s growth compared to the prior period, the Company has hired more employees due to an increase in operational and reporting activities.
General and administrative expenses
The Company had total general and administrative expenses of $3,589,221 for the year ending December 31, 2021, as compared to $4,205,797 for the year ending December 31, 2020. The decrease in expense of $616,576 or 15% is a result of improvements in operational efficiencies.
Marketing and advertising
The Company reported $325,838 of marketing and advertising expense for the year ending December 31, 2021 compared to $168,778 for the year ending December 31, 2020. The increase of $157,060 or 93% is a result of the Company’s efforts to increase branding and outreach to achieve a greater presence in the insurance industry compared to the prior year.
Depreciation and amortization
The Company reported $1,607,313 of depreciation and amortization expense for the year ending December 31, 2021 compared to $1,325,337 for the year ending December 31, 2020. The increase of $281,976 or 21% is a result of the Company’s acquired assets through business combinations.
Other income and expense
The Company reported $18,186,145 of other expense for the year ending December 31, 2021 compared to $54,587 for the year ending December 31, 2020. The increase of $18,131,558 or 33,216% is attributable primarily to the recognition and change in fair value of warrant commitment of $17,652,808 in 2021. Additionally, during December 31, 2020, the Company recognized $508,700 in the gain on extinguishment of debt.
Liquidity and capital resources
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a cash balance of $4,620,722 and working capital deficit of $36,999,751 compared with a cash balance of $529,581 and a working capital deficit of $5,448,036 at December 31, 2020. The decrease in working capital is primarily attributable to the recognition of a warrant commitment liability of $37,652,808, offset by net proceeds raised of $10,496,220 from the issuance of common stock and Series A warrants in February 2021 and increased profitability derived from the agencies and the acquisition of Kush.
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The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States has resulted in economic uncertainties which may negatively impact the Company’s business operations. While the disruption is expected to be temporary, there is uncertainty surrounding the duration and extent of the impact. Currently the Company has not seen any material financial impact as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. However, management is actively monitoring the global situation on its financial condition, liquidity, operations, industry and workforce.
Adverse events such as health-related concerns about working in our offices, the inability to travel and other matters affecting the general work environment could harm our business and our business strategy. While we do not anticipate any material impact to our business operations as a result of the coronavirus, in the event of a major disruption caused by the outbreak of pandemic diseases such as coronavirus, we may lose the services of our employees or experience system interruptions, which could lead to diminishment of our business operations. Any of the foregoing could harm our business and delay the implementation of our business strategy and we cannot anticipate all the ways in which the current global health crisis and financial market conditions could adversely impact our business.
To this effect on April 4, 2020, the Company entered into a loan agreement with First Financial Bank for a loan of $673,700 pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) under the CARES Act. In 2020, the Company repaid a total of $165,000 of principal on the loan and on November 17, 2020 the Company received notification from the SBA that the remaining PPP loan balance of $508,700 was forgiven. As of December 31, 2021, the Company did not have any loans payable in relation to the PPP loan.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as such term is defined in Regulation S-K.
Cash Flows
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (2,253,275 | ) | $ | (468,465 | ) | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (2,299,360 | ) | (1,946,194 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 8,643,776 | 2,452,655 | ||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 4,091,141 | $ | 37,996 | ||||
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $2,253,275, which includes a net loss of $21,098,465 offset by non-cash expenses of $19,679,929 principally related to share based compensation expense of $749,127, depreciation and amortization of $1,607,313, recognition and change in fair value of warrant commitment of $17,652,808, and amortization of debt issuance costs of $22,822, offset by an earn-out fair value adjustment of $359,470, as well as changes of net working capital items in the amount of $834,738 principally due to a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $531,123 and increases in accounts receivable of $162,234 and prepaid expense and other current assets of $144,036.
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Investing Activities.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, cash flows used in investing activities were $2,299,360 compared to cash flow used in investing activities of $1,946,194 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The 2021 cash used relates to cash paid for the acquisition of Kush of $1,608,586, the purchase of property and equipment of $71,108, and cash paid of $619,666 for intangible assets.
Financing Activities.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, cash provided by financing activities was $8,643,776 as compared to $2,452,655 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The net cash provided by financing activities is primarily related to proceeds from offering of 2,070,000 shares of common stock and accompanying warrants in February 2021. The issuance of common stock provided $10,496,221 and is partially offset by the principal repayments of debt of $887,455, the payments of the earn-out liability by 452,236, and the repayments of loans payable to related parties of $515,685.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosures. Estimates and judgments are based on historical experience, forecasted events, and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and judgments may vary under different assumptions or conditions. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. Our management believes the accounting policies below are critical in the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments.
Business acquisitions: Accounting for acquisitions requires us to estimate the fair value of consideration paid and the individual assets and liabilities acquired, which involves a number of judgments, assumptions, and estimates that could materially affect the amount and timing of costs recognized in subsequent periods. Accounting for acquisitions can also involve significant judgment to determine when control of the acquired entity is transferred. We typically obtain independent third-party valuation studies to assist in determining fair values, including assistance in determining future cash flows, discount rates, and comparable market values. Items involving significant assumptions, estimates, and judgments include the following:
● Debt, including discount rate and timing of payments;
● Deferred tax assets, including projections of future taxable income and tax rates;
● Fair value of consideration paid or transferred;
● Intangible assets, including valuation methodology, estimations of future revenue and costs, and discount rates;
Contingencies: We are subject to the possibility of losses from various contingencies. Significant judgment is necessary to estimate the probability and amount of a loss, if any, from such contingencies. An accrual is made when it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset has been impaired, and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. In accounting for the resolution of contingencies, significant judgment may be necessary to estimate amounts pertaining to periods prior to the resolution that are charged to operations in the period of resolution and amounts related to future periods.
Goodwill and intangible assets: We test goodwill for impairment in our fourth quarter each year, or more frequently if indicators of an impairment exist, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit with goodwill is less than its carrying value. For reporting units for which this assessment concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than its carrying value, goodwill is considered not impaired and we are not required to perform the goodwill impairment test. Qualitative factors considered in this assessment include industry and market considerations, overall financial performance, and other relevant events and factors affecting the fair value of the reporting unit. For reporting units for which this assessment concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value is below the carrying value, goodwill is tested for impairment by determining the fair value of each reporting unit and comparing it to the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is considered not impaired. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we would record an impairment loss up to the difference between the carrying value and implied fair value.
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Determining when to test for impairment, the reporting units, the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, and the fair value of the reporting unit requires significant judgment and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates, and expenses and are developed as part of our long-range planning process. The same estimates are used in business planning, forecasting, and capital budgeting. We test the reasonableness of the output of our long-range planning process by calculating an implied value per share and comparing that to current stock prices, analysts’ consensus pricing, and management’s expectations. These estimates and assumptions are used to calculate projected future cash flows for the reporting unit, which are discounted using a risk-adjusted rate to estimate a fair value. The discount rate requires determination of appropriate market comparables. We base fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from those estimates.
We test other identified intangible assets with definite useful lives when events and circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable by comparing the carrying amount to the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. We test intangible assets with indefinite lives annually for impairment using a fair value method such as discounted cash flows. Estimating fair values involves significant assumptions, including future sales prices, sales volumes, costs, and discount rates.
Income taxes: We are required to estimate our provision for income taxes and amounts ultimately payable or recoverable in numerous tax jurisdictions around the world. These estimates involve significant judgment and interpretations of regulations and are inherently complex. Resolution of income tax treatments in individual jurisdictions may not be known for many years after completion of the applicable year. We are also required to evaluate the realizability of our deferred tax assets on an ongoing basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires the assessment of our performance and other relevant factors. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on our ability to generate future taxable income. In recent periods, our results of operations have benefited from increases in the amount of deferred taxes we expect to realize, primarily from the levels of capital spending and increases in the amount of taxable income we expect to realize. Our income tax provision or benefit is dependent, in part, on our ability to forecast future taxable income in these and other jurisdictions. Such forecasts are inherently difficult and involve significant judgments including, among others, projecting future average selling prices and sales volumes, manufacturing and overhead costs, levels of capital spending, and other factors that significantly impact our analyses of the amount of net deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized.
Revenue recognition:
All commission revenue is recorded net of any deductions for estimated commission adjustments due to lapses, policy cancellations, and revisions in coverage.
The Company earns additional revenue including contingent commissions, profit-sharing, override and bonuses based on meeting certain revenue or profit targets established periodically by the carriers (collectively the Contingent Commissions). The Contingent Commissions are earned when the Company achieves the targets established by the insurance carries. The insurance carriers notify the company when it has achieved the target. The Company only recognizes revenue to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of the revenue will not occur.
Stock-based compensation: Stock-based compensation is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense using the straight-line amortization method over the requisite service period. For performance-based stock awards, the expense recognized is dependent on our assessment of the likelihood of the performance measure being achieved. We utilize forecasts of future performance to assess these probabilities and this assessment requires significant judgment.
Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires significant judgment, including estimating stock price volatility and expected option life. We develop these estimates based on historical data and market information which can change significantly over time. A small change in the estimates used can result in a relatively large change in the estimated valuation. We use the Black-Scholes option valuation model to value employee stock options and awards granted under our employee stock purchase plan. We estimate stock price volatility based on our historical volatility implied volatility derived from traded options on our stock.
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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See the financial statements filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K as listed under Item 15 below.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Not Applicable.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Controls and Procedure Requirements for Newly Public Companies
In accordance with amended Rule 12b-2 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Company is considered a non-accelerated filer and thus is not required to provide a management assessment or an auditor’s report on internal control over financial reporting.
As of December 31, 2020, management determined it had a material weakness in its financial reporting and closing process. Deficiencies were remediated during fiscal year 2021 and the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2021.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Listed below are the names of the directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages as of the date of this Form 10-K, their positions held, and all commenced service with the Company in 2021.
| Name | Age | Position(s) Held | ||
| Ezra Beyman | 65 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Alex Blumenfrucht | 33 | Director and Chief Financial Officer | ||
| Joel Markovits | 41 | Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) and Financial reporting manager | ||
| Yaakov Beyman | 38 | Executive Vice President, Insurance Division | ||
| Scott Korman | 65 | Director and Chair of the Compensation Committee and Member of the Audit and Nominating and Governance Committees | ||
| Ben Fruchtzweig | 57 | Director and Chair of the Audit Committee and Member of the Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees (and Audit Committee Financial Expert) | ||
| Sheldon Brickman | 56 | Director and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee and Member of the Audit and Compensation Committees |
Ezra Beyman:
2018 – Present: CEO of Reliance Global Group, Inc.
1985- Present: Chairman of Reliance Global Holdings, LLC and Affiliates
Ezra Beyman has served as the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our Chief Executive Officer since 2018. Mr. Beyman is the central force leading the success and growth of Reliance Global Holdings and RELI. Drawing on his nearly three decades of entrepreneurial experience in real estate and ten years in insurance, he has set his vision and acuity on one integrated goal: integrity and success. At one point in time Mr. Beyman’s portfolio of commercial and residential properties comprised of approximately 40,000 units, as well as several insurance companies. In 1985, he founded a small mortgage broker, together with his wife, which he operated in his basement. From there, his company rapidly grew into a dynamic force on the market. By 2008, he owned the third largest licensed mortgage brokerage in the U.S., having acquired numerous mortgage companies in the interim. He also expanded to real estate acquisition, having grown his portfolio to over three billion dollars. In expanding his investments, Mr. Beyman began exploring opportunities in other markets, acquiring several insurance agencies in both Florida and New Jersey. His latest venture includes entering the domains of warrantee and insurance carriers. Raised in the New York metropolitan area, Mr. Beyman spent his secondary and post-secondary school years at Mesivta Tifereth Yerushalayim, where he advanced his analytic abilities while mastering various areas of Talmudic studies, earning a position as one of the closest students of the Dean. He earned his First Talmudic degree in 1975. From early in his career, Mr. Beyman has worked closely with his wife, whom he made an equal equity partner in all his enterprises in 2009. He is now seeking to grow their enterprise in the post-recession era to peaks surpassing their previous successes. The Board determined that Mr. Beyman’s business experience makes him an ideal director for the Company.
Alex Blumenfrucht:
2018 - Present: CFO of Reliance Global Group, Inc.
2015 – 2018: Audit senior at Deloitte and Touché.
Alex Blumenfrucht has served as member of our board of directors and our Chief Financial Officer since 2018. Mr. Blumenfrucht serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of RELI and also serves as the CFO at Reliance Global Holdings. Prior to joining Reliance Global Holdings, Mr. Blumenfrucht served as an Audit & Assurance Professional at Deloitte & Touché, LLP where he successfully led audit teams on both public and privately held corporations. Mr. Blumenfrucht’s extensive experience in internal control, financial analysis, and reporting for both private and publicly traded companies is central to the Company’s management of finances, reporting, and controls and makes him an ideal director.
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Yaakov Beyman:
2018 – Present: Executive VP of Insurance Division, Reliance Global Group, Inc.
2012 – 2018: Executive VP of Insurance Division, Empire Insurance Holdings
Yaakov Beyman has served as the Executive Vice President of the Insurance Divisions since 2018. Mr. Beyman oversees the insurance operations of Reliance Global Holdings. He works from a platform that includes both strategizing the future vision of the insurance division and developing and implementing operational tools on a more granular level to grow the various insurance businesses. In his role as a strategist, Mr. Beyman has mapped a clear future: expand the various insurance products that RELI offers both geographically and in category. On the more hands-on level, Mr. Beyman (who holds insurance licenses in most of the continental U.S.) is heavily involved in marketing, maintaining state of the art technological models, financial management and distribution, and entity creation and maintenance. Combining his roles as the idea-generator and implementer, he is well-equipped to take the lead role in growing the Company.
Joel Markovits:
2021 - Present: CAO of Reliance Global Group, Inc.
2015 – 2021: Audit Senior Manager at KPMG LLP
Joel Markovits joined the Company in June 2021 as financial reporting manager and was appointed Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) in February 2022. Joel brings over 10 years’ accounting and financial reporting experience in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining Reliance, Joel was a senior manager at KPMG LLP, where he led some of the larger and more complex audit engagements, including serving as lead audit senior manager on a global $16 billion (annual revenues) enterprise reporting on both US GAAP and IFRS standards. He was also a data & analytics specialist and technology innovation leader at KPMG for its largest US Business Unit, overseeing the development and deployment of technological capabilities that enhance data analyses and audit processes. Joel is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New Jersey since November 2013.
Scott Korman:
Joined Board in 2019
1984 – Present: President of Nashone, Inc
2019 – Present: CEO, Illumina Radiopharmaceuticals LLC
Scott Korman, 65, currently serves as President of Nashone, Inc., a private equity firm, which he founded in 1984. In this role, Mr. Korman is involved in financial advisory, M&A, and general management assignments. He is a founder and Managing Member and CEO of Illumina Radiopharmaceuticals LLC, CEO of Red Mountain Medical Holdings, Inc. Mr. Korman previously served as Chairman of Da-Tech Corporation, a Pennsylvania based contract electronics manufacturer and as Chairman and CEO of Best Manufacturing Group LLC, a leading manufacturer and distributor of uniforms, napery, service apparel, and hospitality and healthcare textiles. Mr. Korman also served as President and CEO of Welsh Farms Inc., a full-service dairy processor and distributor of milk, ice cream mix and ice cream products. Mr. Korman received a B.S. degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Tofutti Brands, Inc. since December 2011, and advises companies including Damina Advisors, CFO Squad, Beis Capital LLC and Cinch Delivers LLC. He also serves on the boards of various not-for-profit groups. The Board determined that Mr. Korman’s business experience makes him an ideal director for the Company.
Ben Fruchtzweig:
Joined Board in 2019
2013 – Current: Mosdos Beis Abba
Ben Fruchtzweig, 56, brings decades of executive experience in accounting and financial services. He has served as Chief Comptroller/Financial Analyst at national financial services and investment companies. He received his NYS C.P.A license in 1987 and has worked at Deloitte Haskins and Sells and other leading accounting firms. Currently, Mr. Fruchtzweig lectures on a variety of topics including business ethics. He also serves on a voluntary basis as a trustee of a non-profit private foundation, which serves to provide the needed financial support, services and guidance to qualifying individuals and families. Mr. Fruchtzweig graduated Magna Cum Laude from Queens College/ C.U.N.Y. in June 1985. The Company’s Board believes that his strong accounting and finance background makes him a strong director.
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Sheldon Brickman:
Joined Board in 2020
2013 – Present: President of Rockshore Advisors LLC
Sheldon Brickman has over 25 years of M&A advisory and business development experience, totaling more than $40 billion in deal value. He has worked for numerous multibillion-dollar insurance carriers, including assignments for such companies as AIG, Aetna and National General. Sheldon has assisted international companies (UAE, UK, Asia and Latin America), start-up operations, and regional insurance carriers. Mr. Brickman’s experience covers the property casualty and life/health markets, including working with insurance carriers, managing general agencies, wholesalers, retailers and third-party administrators. The Board determined that Mr. Brickman’s M&A and insurance industry experience makes him an ideal director for the Company.
Family Relationships
There are no arrangements between our directors and any other person pursuant to which our directors were nominated or elected for their positions. Except for Ezra Beyman and Yaakov Beyman (father and son), there are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our Board has established three standing committees: an audit committee, a nominating and corporate governance committee and a compensation committee, which are described below. Members of these committees are elected annually at the regular board meeting held in conjunction with the annual stockholders’ meeting. The charter of each committee is available on our website at www.relianceglobalgroup.com, and our committee appointments are set forth above.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee has authority to review our financial records, deal with our independent auditors, recommend to the Board policies with respect to financial reporting, and investigate all aspects of our business. All of the members of the Audit Committee currently satisfy the independence requirements and other established criteria of NASDAQ.
The Audit Committee has sole authority for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm, and responsibility for reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our interim financial statements and our earnings press releases. The Audit Committee also reviews the independence and quality control procedures of our independent registered public accounting firm, reviews management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls, discusses with management the Company’s policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management and will review the adequacy of the Audit Committee charter on an annual basis.
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Nominating and Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the following responsibilities: (a) setting qualification standards for director nominees; (b) identifying, considering and nominating candidates for membership on the Board; (c) developing, recommending and evaluating corporate governance standards and a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to the Company; (d) implementing and overseeing a process for evaluating the Board, Board committees (including the Committee) and overseeing the Board’s evaluation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; (e) making recommendations regarding the structure and composition of the Board and Board committees; (f) advising the Board on corporate governance matters and any related matters required by the federal securities laws; and (g) assisting the Board in identifying individuals qualified to become Board members; recommending to the Board the director nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders; and recommending to the Board director nominees to fill vacancies on the Board.
The Nominating and Governance Committee determines the qualifications, qualities, skills, and other expertise required to be a director and to develop, and recommend to the Board for its approval, criteria to be considered in selecting nominees for director (the “Director Criteria”); identifies and screens individuals qualified to become members of the Board, consistent with the Director Criteria. The Nominating and Governance Committee considers any director candidates recommended by the Company’s shareholders pursuant to the procedures described in the Company’s proxy statement, and any nominations of director candidates validly made by shareholders in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations and the provisions of the Company’s charter documents. The Nominating and Governance Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding the selection and approval of the nominees for director to be submitted to a shareholder vote at the Annual Meeting of shareholders, subject to approval by the Board.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee oversees our executive compensation and recommends various incentives for key employees to encourage and reward increased corporate financial performance, productivity and innovation.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for: (a) assisting our Board in fulfilling its fiduciary duties with respect to the oversight of the Company’s compensation plans, policies and programs, including assessing our overall compensation structure, reviewing all executive compensation programs, incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, and determining executive compensation; and (b) reviewing the adequacy of the Compensation Committee charter on an annual basis. The Compensation Committee, among other things, reviews and approves the Company’s goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, evaluate the Chief Executive Officer’s performance with respect to such goals, and set the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation level based on such evaluation. The Compensation Committee also considers the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations with respect to other executive officers and evaluates the Company’s performance both in terms of current achievements and significant initiatives with long-term implications. It assesses the contributions of individual executives and recommend to the Board levels of salary and incentive compensation payable to executive officers of the Company; compares compensation levels with those of other leading companies in similar or related industries; reviews financial, human resources and succession planning within the Company; recommend to the Board the establishment and administration of incentive compensation plans and programs and employee benefit plans and programs; recommends to the Board the payment of additional year-end contributions by the Company under certain of its retirement plans; grants stock incentives to key employees of the Company and administer the Company’s stock incentive plans; and reviews and recommends for Board approval compensation packages for new corporate officers and termination packages for corporate officers as requested by management.
Changes in Nominating Procedures
None.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Although we have not adopted a formal policy on whether the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions should be separate or combined, we have traditionally determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to partially combine these roles. Due to the small size of the Company, we believe it is currently most effective to have the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions partially combined.
Our Board is primarily responsible for overseeing our risk management processes. The Board receives and reviews periodic reports from management, auditors, legal counsel, and others, as considered appropriate regarding the Company’s assessment of risks. The Board focuses on the most significant risks facing the Company and our general risk management strategy, and also ensures that risks undertaken by us are consistent with the Board’s risk parameters. While the Board oversees the Company, our management is responsible for day-to-day risk management processes. We believe this division of responsibilities is the most effective approach for addressing the risks facing the Company and that our board leadership structure supports this approach.
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Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section 16(a) of Exchange Act requires our executive officers and directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the Commission initial statements of beneficial ownership, statements of changes in beneficial ownership and annual statement of changes in beneficial ownership with respect to their ownership of the Company’s securities, on Form 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission regulations to furnish our Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
The Company does not report on compliance with Section 16(a).
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
| Name and principal position | Year | Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Stock awards ($) |
Option awards (Unvested) ($) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($) |
Change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings | All other compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Ezra Beyman, | 2021 | 228,000 | 30,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 258,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| CEO | 2020 | 52,000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 52,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Alex Blumenfrucht, | 2021 | 205,000 | 30,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 235,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| CFO | 2020 | 190,000 | 10,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Yaakov Beyman, EVP | 2021 | 190,000 | 30,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 220,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance | 2020 | 190,000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 190,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Joel Markovits, | 2021 | 113,820 | - | 25,000 | - | - | - | - | 138,820 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| CAO | 2020 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 |
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company adopted the Reliance Global Group, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) under which options exercisable for shares of common stock have been or may be granted to employees, directors, consultants, and service providers. A total of 700,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance under the Plan. At December 31, 2019, there were 470,167 shares of common stock reserved for future awards under the Plan. The Company issues new shares of common stock from the shares reserved under the Plan upon exercise of options.
The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Board is authorized to select from among eligible employees, directors, and service providers those individuals to whom options are to be granted and to determine the number of shares to be subject to, and the terms and conditions of the options. The Board is also authorized to prescribe, amend, and rescind terms relating to options granted under the Plan. Generally, the interpretation and construction of any provision of the Plan or any options granted hereunder is within the discretion of the Board.
The Plans provide that options may or may not be Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. Only employees of the Company are eligible to receive ISOs, while employees, non-employee directors, consultants, and service providers are eligible to receive options which are not ISOs, i.e. “Non-Statutory Stock Options.” The options granted by the Board in connection with its adoption of the Plan were Non-Statutory Stock Options.
The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model or the value of the services provided, whichever is more readily determinable. The Black-Scholes option pricing model takes into account, as of the grant date, the exercise price and expected life of the option, the current price of the underlying stock and its expected volatility, expected dividends on the stock and the risk-free interest rate for the term of the option.
Director Compensation
The table below shows the compensation paid to our non-employee directors during 2020 and 2021.
| Name | Fees earned or paid in cash | Stock awards ($) |
Un-exercisable Option awards (# of Shares) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($) | Nonqualified deferred compensation earnings ($) | All other compensation ($) |
Total (# of Restricted Shares) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ben Fruchtzweig | 2021 | 22,500 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Director | 2020 | $ | - | $ | 4,138 | 4,083 | - | - | - | 4,083 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scott Korman | 2021 | 22,500 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Director | 2020 | $ | - | $ | 4,138 | 4,083 | - | - | - | 4,083 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sheldon Brickman | 2021 | $ | 22,500 | $ | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Director | 2020 | - | 4,138 | 4,083 | - | - | - | 4,083 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 41 |
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the ownership of our common stock as of December 31, 2021 with respect to: (i) each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our common stock; (ii) all directors; (iii) all named executive officers; and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC that deem shares to be beneficially owned by any person who has voting or investment power with respect to such shares. Shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options or warrants as of December 31, 2021 or are exercisable within 60 days of such date are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding such options for the purpose of calculating the percentage ownership of such person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage ownership of any other person. Applicable percentage ownership is based on 10,956,109 shares of common stock outstanding as the date of December 31, 2021.
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | Number of Shares Common | Number of Shares Preferred**** | Beneficial Ownership Percentage***** | |||||||||
| 5% Stockholders | ||||||||||||
| Reliance Global Holdings – 300 Blvd. of the Americas, Suite 105, Lakewood, NJ 08701** | 4,579,947 | - | 41.80 | % | ||||||||
| RELI NY LLC – PO Box 180240, Brooklyn, NY 11218*** | 609,484 | - | 5.56 | % | ||||||||
| Named Executive Officers and Directors | ||||||||||||
| Ezra Beyman | 4,579,947 | - | 41.80 | % | ||||||||
| Alex Blumenfrucht | 123,336 | - | * | |||||||||
| Yaakov Beyman | 58,333 | - | * | |||||||||
| Joel Markovits | - | |||||||||||
| Sheldon Brickman | - | - | ||||||||||
| Scott Korman | - | - | ||||||||||
| Ben Fruchtzweig | 3,011 | - | * | |||||||||
| All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons) | 4,764,627 | - | 43.49 | % | ||||||||
* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.
** Reliance Global Holdings, LLC is an entity controlled by Ezra Beyman, CEO of the Company
*** This entity is controlled by Leah Weiss, a non-related and independent member who has an address of P.O. Box 180240, Brooklyn, NY 11218.
****Consists of 394,473 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, which is convertible at a ratio of 10:1 into common stock and assumes full conversion.
*****All common share equivalents of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are factored into both the numerator and denominator of the equation.
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is VStock Transfer. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, New York 11598. Its telephone number is (212) 828-8436.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The following is a description of transactions since January 1, 2017 to which we were a party in which (i) the amount involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser of (A) $120,000 or (B) one percent of our average total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years and (ii) any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any member of the immediate family of, or person sharing the household with, any of the foregoing persons, who had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity and other compensation, termination, change in control and other similar arrangements, which are described under “Executive Compensation.”
The Company has entered into a Loan Agreement with its Parent Company, Reliance Holdings, dated September 24, 2018. There is no term to the loan, and it bears no interest. Repayment will be made as the Company has business cash flows. The proceeds from the loan were utilized to fund the USBA Acquisition, the EBS Acquisition, and CCS Acquisition. As of December 31, 2021 the related party loan balance was $353,766.
| 42 |
Reliance Holdings provided $300,981 for funding of the USBA Acquisition and paid $83,162 in transaction costs on behalf of the Company.
Reliance Holdings provided $160,523 for funding the EBS Acquisition and paid $44,353 in transaction costs on behalf of the Company.
For, the CCS Acquisition, Reliance Holdings provided $242,484 for funding of the acquisition and paid $113,247 in transaction costs on behalf of the Company. Included in the funding this acquisition is the balance of the purchase price, having a value of $120,000, that is to be paid in the form 8,889 shares of common stock in the Company. The Closing Shares are to be transferred from the shares owned by Reliance Holdings and were transferred subsequent to December 31, 2018; and as a result, is a component of Loans payables, related parties on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
At December 31, 2021, and 2020 there was $353,766 and $4,666,520 respectively outstanding under the loan agreement.
At December 31, 2021, and 2020 Reliance Holdings owned approximately 42% and 26% respectively of the common stock of the Company.
To the best of our knowledge, during the past two fiscal years, other than as set forth above, there were no material transactions, or series of similar transactions, or any currently proposed transactions, or series of similar transactions, to which we were or are to be a party, in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of (A) $120,000 or (B) one percent of our average total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any director or executive officer, or any security holder who is known by us to own of record or beneficially more than 5% of any class of our common stock, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, has an interest (other than compensation to our officers and directors in the ordinary course of business).
Messrs. Fruchtzweig, Korman and Brickman are “independent” directors based on the definition of independence in the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”).
Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions
All future transactions between us and our officers, directors or five percent stockholders, and respective affiliates will be on terms no less favorable than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties and will be approved by a majority of our independent directors who do not have an interest in the transactions and who had access, at our expense, to our legal counsel or independent legal counsel.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Mazars USA LLP (“Mazars”) has served as our independent auditors since March 9, 2020. The appointment of Mazars as our independent public accountants was unanimously approved by the Audit Committee and our Board of Directors. Mazars is the successor to our former independent auditors, Friedman LLP (“Friedman”). Friedman served as our independent auditors from December 5, 2018 until March 1, 2020.
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees paid by Reliance LLC for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 to our independent auditors:
| Auditors | Years | Audit Fees | Audit Related Fees | Tax Fees | All Other Fees | |||||||||||||||
| Mazars USA LLP | 2021 | $ | 263,480 | 99,750 | $ | 19,000 | $ | |||||||||||||
| Mazars USA LLP | 2020 | $ | 260,410 | $ | 22,536 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Friedman, LLP | 2021 | $ | — | $ | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Friedman, LLP | 2020 | $ | 25,773 | $ | 55,400 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| 43 |
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
| a) | The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K | |
| (1) | Financial Statements | |
| See Index to Financial Statements on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K | ||
| (2) | Financial Statement Schedules | |
| Schedules not listed above have been omitted because they are not required, not applicable, or the required information is otherwise included elsewhere in Annual Report on Form 10-K. | ||
| (3) | Exhibits | |
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
| 44 |
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm PCAOB ID
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Reliance Global Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Reliance Global Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the two years in the period December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related notes (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 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period December 31, 2021 and 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“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 consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements and (2) involved 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 a separate opinion on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
| F-1 |
Business Combinations
Critical Audit Matter Description
As described in Notes 2 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company accounts for its business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method, the assets acquired, and the liabilities assumed, and the consideration transferred are recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective values. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over the expected life of the asset. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The Company purchased J.P. Kush and Associates, Inc. for a total purchase price of $3,644,166 in 2021, which resulted in $2,064,200 of finite-lived intangible assets and $1,288,552 of goodwill. The Company utilized a valuation consultant to calculate the purchase price allocation. The process for estimating fair values of identifiable intangible assets and certain tangible assets of the J.P. Kush and Associates, Inc. acquisition requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, including estimating future cash flows, selection of different valuation methods, volatility factors and discount rates.
We identified the estimation of the identifiable intangible assets and purchase price allocation as a critical audit matter. Auditing management’s judgments regarding the selection of valuation methods, significant estimates related to assumptions including the selection of the discount rates, volatility factors and future cash flows, required a high degree subjectivity and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve a firm employed valuation specialists.
How the Critical Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
The primary audit procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
| - | Obtaining an understanding over the Company's business combinations process, including management's review of the significant assumptions and determination of fair value methods utilized. | |
| - | Utilizing a firm employed valuation specialist with the skills and knowledge to assist in: (i) evaluating the reasonableness of the purchase price allocation methodology used by management to determine the fair value of the consideration transferred and the tangible assets acquired, (ii) evaluating management's significant assumptions including comparing to third party market data, (iii) performing recalculations of the methods utilized by management. | |
| - | Testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data utilized by management. |
Warrant Commitment
Critical Audit Matter Description
As described in Notes 2 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements, On December 22, 2021 the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with several institutional buyers for the purchase of Common Shares, Preferred Shares and Series B Warrants. Under ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, it is required to be initially measured and subsequently remeasured, at fair value as an asset or liability with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. An option pricing model was utilized to calculate the fair value of the Warrant Commitment as of December 22, 2021 and December 31, 2021. The Company recorded $17,652,808 of non-operating unrealized losses within Recognition and change in fair value of warrant commitment on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021, related to initial recognition of the Warrant Commitment and subsequent changes in its fair value through December 31, 2021.
| F-2 |
We identified managements’ judgments used to determine the fair value of the warrant commitment as a critical audit matter. Auditing management’s judgment and assumptions related to the options pricing model inputs including the selection of volatility factors, expected term, risk-free rate and asset price, involved a high degree of auditor judgement and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve a firm employed valuation specialists.
How the Critical Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
The primary audit procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
| - | Obtaining an understanding over the Company's capital raise process, including management's review of the securities purchase agreement, significant assumptions and determination of fair value methods utilized. | |
| - | Utilizing a firm employed valuation specialist with the skills and knowledge to assist in: (i) evaluating the reasonableness of the options pricing model used by management to determine the fair value of the warrant commitment, (ii) evaluating management's significant assumptions including comparing to third party market data and warrant expectation studies, recalculate common stock volatility (iii) performing recalculations of the model utilized by management and recalculations of inputs under other option pricing models to compare values. | |
| - | Testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data utilized by management. |
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.
/s/
Fort
March 31, 2022
| F-3 |
Reliance Global Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| December 31, 2021 | December
31, | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Restricted cash | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable, related parties | - | |||||||
| Note receivables | - | |||||||
| Other receivables | - | |||||||
| Prepaid expense and other current assets | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | ||||||||
| Right-of-use assets | ||||||||
| Investment in NSURE, Inc. | ||||||||
| Intangibles, net | ||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||
| Other non-current assets | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Loans payable | - | |||||||
| Current portion of loans payable, related parties | - | |||||||
| Other payables | ||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | ||||||||
| Current portion of leases payable | ||||||||
| Earn-out liability, current portion | - | |||||||
| Warrant commitment | - | |||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Loans payable, related parties, less current portion | ||||||||
| Long term debt, less current portion | ||||||||
| Leases payable, less current portion | ||||||||
| Earn-out liability, less current portion | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity (deficit): | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $par value; shares authorized and and issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively | - | |||||||
| Common stock, $ par value; shares authorized and and issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively | ||||||||
| Common stock issuable; shares and shares as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively | - | |||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Stock subscription receivable | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| F-4 |
Reliance Global Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
| December 31, 2021 | December
31, | |||||||
| Revenue | ||||||||
| Commission income | $ | $ | ||||||
| Total revenue | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Commission expense | ||||||||
| Salaries and wages | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | ||||||||
| Marketing and advertising | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Other expense, net | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Recognition and change in fair value of warrant commitment | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Gain on extinguishment of debt | - | |||||||
| ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Basic and diluted loss per share | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| F-5 |
Reliance Global Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
| Reliance Global Group, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock | Common stock | Common stock issuable | Additional paid-in | Subscription | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | capital | Receivable | Deficit | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share based compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued for services | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued due to public offering, net of offering costs of $ | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Over-allotment shares from offering, net of offering costs of $ | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrants sold during public offering at quoted price | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued due to conversion of preferred stock | ( | ) | ( | ) | - | - | ( | ) | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued due to conversion of debt | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rounding shares related to initial public offering | - | - | ( | ) | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued pursuant to software purchase | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rounding shares related to initial public offering | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued pursuant to acquisition of Kush | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock subscriptions | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ( | ) | - | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| F-6 |
Reliance Global Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
| Reliance Global Group, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock | Common stock | Common stock issuable | Additional paid-in | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | capital | Deficit | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued pursuant to investment in NSURE, Inc. | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share based compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued due to Stock Purchase Agreement | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued due to Earnout Agreement | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issuable related to UIS business acquisition | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued upon termination of employee | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issuable reclassification | - | - | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| F-7 |
Reliance Global Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries and Predecessor
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash (used) provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs and accretion of debt discount | ||||||||
| Non-cash lease expense | ||||||||
| Extinguishment of PPP loan | - | ( | ) | |||||
| Stock compensation expense | ||||||||
| Earn-out fair value and write-off adjustments | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Recognition and change in fair value of warrant commitment | - | |||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payables and other accrued liabilities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accounts receivable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accounts receivable, related parties | ( | ) | ||||||
| Note receivables | - | |||||||
| Other receivables | ||||||||
| Other payables | ||||||||
| Other non-current assets | ( | ) | ||||||
| Prepaid expense and other current assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | ( | ) | ||||||
| Investment in NSURE, Inc. | - | ( | ) | |||||
| Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Purchase of intangibles | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| F-8 |
Reliance Global Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Principal repayments of debt | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Proceeds from PPP loan | - | |||||||
| Principal repayments of PPP loan | - | ( |
||||||
| Payments of earn-out liabilities | ( |
) | - | |||||
| Proceeds from notes payable, related parties | - | |||||||
| Payment of notes payable | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Proceeds of notes payable, related parties | - | |||||||
| Issuance of common stock | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Net increase in cash and restricted cash | ||||||||
| Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period | ||||||||
| Cash and restricted cash at end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash and non-cash investing and financing transactions: | ||||||||
| Conversion of preferred stock into common stock | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | $ | ||||||
| Acquisition of lease asset and liability | $ | $ | ||||||
| Conversion of debt into equity | $ | $ | ||||||
| Common stock issued pursuant to acquisition | $ | $ | ||||||
| Common stock issued in lieu of services | $ | $ | ||||||
| Common stock issuable reclassification to additional paid-in capital | $ | $ | ||||||
| Unpaid deferred transaction costs | $ | $ | ||||||
| Stock Subscriptions | $ | $ | ||||||
| Issuance of common stock pursuant to the purchase of software | $ | $ |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| F-9 |
Reliance Global Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Reliance Global Group, Inc. (formerly known as Ethos Media Network, Inc.) (“RELI”, “Reliance”, or the “Company”) was incorporated in Florida on August 2, 2013. In September 2018, Reliance Global Holdings, LLC (“Reliance Holdings”, or “Parent Company”), a related party acquired control of the Company. Ethos Media Network, Inc. was then renamed on October 18, 2018.
On August 17, 2020, the Company acquired UIS Agency, Inc. (“UIS”). UIS is an insurance agency and employee benefits provider (See Note 3).
On May 1, 2021, the Company acquired J.P. Kush and Associates, Inc. (“Kush”), an independent healthcare insurance agency (See Note 3).
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounting of Reliance Global Group, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Liquidity
As
of December 31, 2021, the Company’s reported cash and restricted cash aggregated balance was approximately $
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Cash
Cash consists of checking accounts. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
| F-10 |
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash includes cash pledged as collateral to secure obligations and/or all cash whose use is otherwise limited by contractual provisions.
The reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the applicable balance sheet accounts that sum to the total of cash and restricted cash presented in the statement of cash flows is as follows:
December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Restricted cash | ||||||||
| Total cash and restricted cash | $ | $ | ||||||
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recognized over an asset’s estimated useful life using the straight-line method beginning on the date an asset is placed in service. The Company regularly evaluates the estimated remaining useful lives of the Company’s property and equipment to determine whether events or changes in circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of depreciation. Certain capitalized software has been reclassified in the consolidated balance sheet from property and equipment, net to intangibles, net and comparative periods have been adjusted accordingly. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Estimated useful lives of the Company’s Property and Equipment are as follows:
| Useful Life (in years) | ||
| Computer equipment | ||
| Office equipment and furniture | ||
| Leasehold improvements | ||
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
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. The accounting guidance includes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 — Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;
Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which include management’s own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively, the Company’s balance sheet includes certain financial instruments, including cash, notes receivables, accounts payable, and short and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of current assets and current liabilities approximate their fair value because of the relatively short period of time between the origination of these instruments and their expected realization. The carrying amounts of long-term debt approximate their fair value as the variable interest rates are based on a market index.
The
Company’s Warrant Commitment (see Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies) represents a liability-classified derivative
financial instrument recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of the Warrant Commitment includes significant
inputs not observable in the market and thus are considered to have Level 3 inputs. The Company measured the fair value of the
Warrant Commitment at the issuance date, December 22, 2021, and subsequently at the balance sheet date, using
a binomial option pricing model. The significant inputs used in estimating the fair value of Warrant Commitment include fair value
of the underlying stock, expected term, risk free interest rate, and expected volatility. The fair value of the Warrant Commitment
at December 31, 2021 was $
December 22, 2021 | December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
| Stock price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Volatility | % | % | ||||||
| Expected term (years) | ||||||||
| Dividend yield | % | % | ||||||
| Risk free rate | % |
% | ||||||
The following reconciles the warrant commitment for the year ended December 31, 2021:
| 2021 | ||||
| Beginning balance | $ | |||
| Initial recognition of warrant commitment | ||||
| Unrealized loss | ||||
| Ending balance | $ | |||
The
Company’s contingent accrued earn-out business acquisition consideration liabilities are considered Level 3 fair value liability
instruments requiring period fair value assessments. These contingent consideration liabilities were recorded at fair value on the acquisition
date and are re-measured quarterly based on the then assessed fair value and adjusted if necessary. The increases or decreases in the
fair value of contingent consideration can result from changes in anticipated revenue levels and changes in assumed discount periods
and rates. As the fair value measure is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, they are categorized as Level
3. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively, the earn-out liability account balance as reported in the consolidated balance
sheets are $
| F-11 |
For the Company’s earn-out liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), the following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for each category therein, and gains or losses recognized during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | $ | ||||||
| Acquisitions and Settlements: | ||||||||
| CCS Acquisition | - | |||||||
| JP Kush Acquisition | - | |||||||
| CCS Write-off | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Altruis partial settlement | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Remeasurement adjustments: | ||||||||
| Gains included in earnings* | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Ending balance | $ | $ | ||||||
| * |
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
Significant unobservable inputs used in the earn-out fair value measurements of the Company’s contingent consideration liabilities designated as Level 3 are as follows:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Fair value | $ | $ | ||||||
| Valuation technique | ||||||||
| Significant unobservable input | ||||||||
Deferred Financing Costs
The
Company has recorded deferred financing costs as a result of fees incurred by the Company in conjunction with its debt financing activities.
These costs are amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method which approximates the interest rate method over the term
of the related debt. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, unamortized deferred financing costs were $
Business Combinations
The Company accounts for its business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method, assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and consideration transferred are recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over the expected life of the asset. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.
Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of the tangible net assets and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Acquisition-related expenses are recognized separately from business combinations and are expensed as incurred. If the business combination provides for contingent consideration such as earn-outs, the Company records the contingent consideration at fair value at the acquisition date. The Company remeasures fair value as of each reporting date and changes resulting from events after the acquisition date, are recognized as follows: 1) if the contingent consideration is classified as equity, the contingent consideration is not re-measured and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity, or 2) if the contingent consideration is classified as a liability, the changes in fair value and accretion costs are recognized in earnings.
| F-12 |
Identifiable Intangible Assets, net
Finite-lived
intangible assets such as customer relationships assets, trademarks and tradenames are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally
on a straight-line basis for periods ranging from
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles
The Company records goodwill when the purchase price of a business acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of net identified tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is assigned to a reporting unit on the acquisition date and tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit has more likely than not declined below its carrying value. Similarly, indefinite-lived intangible assets (if any) other than goodwill are tested annually or more frequently if indicated, for impairment. If impaired, intangible assets are written down to fair value based on the expected discounted cash flows.
Financial Instruments
The Company evaluates issued financial instruments for classification as either equity or liability based on an assessment of the financial instrument’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the financial instruments issued are freestanding pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and, if applicable whether the financial instruments meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the financial instruments are indexed to the Company’s own Common Stock, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of issuance and as of each subsequent reporting period end date while the financial instruments are outstanding. Financial instruments that are determined to be liabilities under ASC 480 or ASC 815 are held at their initial fair value and remeasured to fair value at each subsequent reporting date, with changes in fair value recorded as a non-operating, non-cash loss or gain, as applicable.
The Company’s financial instruments consist of derivatives related to the warrants issued with the securities purchase agreement as discussed in Note 13, Warrant Commitment. The accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments requires that we record the derivatives at their fair values as of the inception date of the debt agreements and at fair value as of each subsequent balance sheet date. Any change in fair value is recorded as non-operating, non-cash income or expense at each balance sheet date. Upon the determination that an instrument is no longer subject to derivative accounting, the fair value of the derivative instrument at the date of such determination will be reclassified to paid in capital.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers which at its core, recognizes revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.
The Company’s revenue is primarily comprised of agency commissions earned from health insurance carriers (the “Customer” or “Carrier”) related to insurance plans produced through brokering, producing and servicing agreements between insurance carriers and members. The Company defines a “Member” as an individual, family or entity currently covered or seeking insurance coverage.
The Company focuses primarily on agency services for insurance products in the “Healthcare” and property and casualty, which includes auto (collectively “P&C”) space, with nominal activity in the life insurance and bond sectors. Healthcare includes plans for individuals and families, Medicare supplements, ancillary and small businesses.
Consideration for all agency services typically is based on commissions calculated by applying contractual commission rates to policy premiums. For P&C, commission rates are applied to premiums due, whereas for healthcare, commission rates, including override commissions, are applied to monthly premiums received by the Carrier.
The Company has two forms of billing practices, “Direct Bill” and “Agency Bill”. With Direct Bill, Carriers bill and collect policy premium payments directly from Members without any involvement from the Company. Commissions are paid to the Company by the Carrier in the following month. With Agency Bill, the Company bills Members premiums due and remits them to Carriers net of commission earned.
The following outlines the core principles of ASC 606:
Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer. A contract with a customer exists when (i) we enter into an enforceable contract with a customer that defines each party’s rights regarding the goods or services to be transferred and identifies the payment terms related to these goods or services, (ii) the contract has commercial substance, and (iii) we determine that collection of substantially all consideration for goods or services that are transferred is probable based on the customer’s intent and ability to pay the promised consideration.
| F-13 |
Identification of the performance obligations in the contract. Performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the goods or services that will be transferred to the customer that are both capable of being distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the goods or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available from third parties or from us, and are distinct in the context of the contract, whereby the transfer of the goods or services is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract.
Determination of the transaction price. The transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which we will be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to the customer.
Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract. If the contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. Contracts that contain multiple performance obligations require an allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation based on a relative standalone selling price basis.
Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company satisfies performance obligations either over time or at a point in time, as discussed in further detail below. Revenue is recognized at the time the related performance obligation is satisfied by transferring the promised good or service to the customer.
Healthcare revenue recognition:
The Company identifies a contract when it has a binding agreement with a Carrier, the Customer, to provide agency services to Members.
There typically is one performance obligation in contracts with Carriers, to perform agency services that culminate in monthly premium cash collections by the Carrier. The performance obligation is satisfied through a combination of agency services including, marketing carrier’s insurance plans, soliciting Member applications, binding, executing and servicing insurance policies on a continuous basis throughout a policy’s life cycle which includes and culminates with the Customer’s collection of monthly premiums. No commission is earned if cash is not received by Carrier. Thus, commission revenue is earned only after a month’s cash receipts from Members’ dues is received by the Customer. Each month’s Carrier cash collections is considered a separate unit sold and transferred to the Customer i.e., the satisfaction of that month’s performance obligation.
Transaction price is typically stated in a contract and usually based on a commission rate applied to Member premiums paid and received by Carrier. The Company generally continues to receive commission payments from Carriers until a Member’s plan is cancelled or the Company terminates its agency agreement with the Carrier. Upon termination, the Company normally will no longer receive any commissions from Carriers even on business still in place. In some instances, trailing commissions could occur which would be recognized similar to other Healthcare revenue. With one performance obligation, allocation of transaction price is normally not necessary.
Healthcare typically utilizes the Direct Bill method.
The Company recognizes revenue at a point in time, when it satisfies its monthly performance obligation and control of the service transfers to the Customer. Transfer occurs when Member insurance premium cash payments are received by the Customer. The Customer’s receipt of cash is the culmination and complete satisfaction of the Company’s performance obligation, and the earnings process is complete.
With Direct Bill, since the amount of monthly Customer cash receipts is unknown to the Company until the following month when notice is provided by Customer to Company, the Company accrues revenue at each period end. Any estimated revenue accrued and recognized at a period-end is trued up for financial reporting per actual revenue earned as provided by the Customer during the following month.
| F-14 |
P&C revenue recognition:
The Company identifies a contract when it has a binding agreement with a Carrier, the Customer, to provide agency services to Members.
There typically is one performance obligation in contracts with Customers, to perform agency services to solicit, receive proposals and bind insurance policies culminating with policy placement. Commission revenue is earned at the time of policy placement.
Transaction price is typically stated in a contract and usually based on commission rates applied to Member premiums due. With one performance obligation, allocation of transaction price is normally not necessary.
P&C utilizes both the Agency Bill and Direct Bill methods, depending on the Carrier.
The Company recognizes revenue at a point in time when it satisfies its performance obligation and control of the service transfers to the Customer. Transfer occurs when the policy placement process is complete.
With both Direct Bill and Agency Bill, the Company accrues commission revenue in the period policies are placed. With Agency Bill, payment is typically received from Members in the month earned, however with Direct Bill, payment is typically received from Carriers in the month subsequent to the commissions being earned.
Other revenue policies: Insurance commissions earned from Carriers for life insurance products are recorded gross of amounts due to agents, with a corresponding commission expense for downstream agent commissions being recorded as commission expense within the consolidated statements of operations.
When applicable, commission revenue is recognized net of any deductions for estimated commission adjustments due to lapses, policy cancellations, and revisions in coverage.
The Company could earn additional revenue from contingent commissions, profit-sharing, override and bonuses based on meeting certain revenue or profit targets established periodically by the Carriers (collectively, “Contingent Commissions”). Contingent Commissions are earned when the Company achieves targets established by Carriers. The Carriers notify the Company when it has achieved the target. The Company recognizes revenue for any Contingent Commissions at the time it is reasonably assured that a significant revenue reversal is not probable, which is generally when a Carrier notifies the Company that it is on track or has earned a Contingent Commission.
The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by line of business, showing commissions earned:
Year ended December 30, 2021 | Medical/Life | Property and Casualty | Total | |||||||||
| Regular | ||||||||||||
| EBS | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| USBA | ||||||||||||
| CCS/UIS | ||||||||||||
| Montana | ||||||||||||
| Fortman | ||||||||||||
| Altruis | ||||||||||||
| Kush | ||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Year ended December 30, 2020 | Medical/Life | Property and Casualty | Total | |||||||||
| Regular | ||||||||||||
| EBS | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| USBA | ||||||||||||
| CCS/UIS | ||||||||||||
| Montana | ||||||||||||
| Fortman | ||||||||||||
| Altruis | ||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| F-15 |
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses primarily consist of personnel costs for the Company’s administrative functions, professional service fees, office rent, all employee travel expenses, and other general costs.
Marketing and Advertising
The Company’s direct channel expenses primarily consist of costs for e-mail marketing and newspaper advertisements. The Company’s online advertising channel expense primarily consist of social media ads. Advertising costs for both direct and online channels are expensed as incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, based on the terms of the awards. The fair value of the stock-based payments to nonemployees that are fully vested and non-forfeitable as at the grant date is measured and recognized at that date, unless there is a contractual term for services in which case such compensation would be amortized over the contractual term. As the Reliance Global Group, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan 2019 was adopted in January of 2019, the Company lacks the historical basis to estimate forfeitures and will recognize forfeitures as they occur.
Leases
The Company recognizes leases in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, “Leases” (“ASC 842” or “ASU 2016-12”). This standard provides enhanced transparency and comparability by requiring lessees to record right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the balance sheet for most leases. Expenses associated with leases are recognized as a single lease expense, generally on a straight-line basis.
The Company is the lessee in a contract when the Company obtains the right to use an asset. We currently lease real estate and office space under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. When applicable, consideration in a contract is allocated between lease and non-lease components. Lease payments are discounted using the implicit discount rate in the lease. If the implicit discount rate for the lease cannot be readily determined, the Company uses an estimate of its incremental borrowing rate. The Company did not have any contracts accounted for as finance leases as of December 31, 2021, or 2020. Operating leases are included in the line items right-of-use assets, current portion of leases payable, and leases payable, less current portion in the consolidated balance sheets. Right-of-use (“ROU”) asset represents the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease obligations represent the Company’s obligations to make lease payments arising from the lease, both of which are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. Leases with a lease term of 12 months or less at inception are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company determines a lease’s term by agreement with lessor and includes lease extension options and variable lease payments when option and/or variable payments are reasonably certain of being exercised or paid.
Income Taxes
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In evaluating its ability to recover deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction in which they arise, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including the expected reversals of taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, taxable income available via carryback to prior years, tax planning strategies, and results of recent operations. The Company assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets, including scheduling the reversal of its deferred tax assets and liabilities, to determine the amount of valuation allowance needed. Scheduling the reversal of deferred tax asset and liability balances requires judgment and estimation. The Company believes the deferred tax liabilities relied upon as future taxable income in its assessment will reverse in the same period and jurisdiction and are of the same character as the temporary differences giving rise to the deferred tax assets that will be realized.
| F-16 |
Seasonality
A greater number of the Company’s Medicare-related health insurance plans are sold in the fourth quarter during the Medicare annual enrollment period when Medicare-eligible individuals are permitted to change their Medicare Advantage. The majority of the Company’s individual and family health insurance plans are sold in the annual open enrollment period as defined under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and related amendments in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. Individuals and families generally are not able to purchase individual and family health insurance outside of these open enrollment periods, unless they qualify for a special enrollment period as a result of certain qualifying events, such as losing employer-sponsored health insurance or moving to another state.
Prior Period Adjustments
The Company identified certain immaterial adjustments impacting the prior reporting period. Specifically, the Company identified adjustments to correct certain asset, liability and equity accounts in relation to historical purchase price allocation accounting, adjustments to true up accounts receivable and retained earnings for certain historical accrued revenues and true up the common stock issuable account.
The
Company has also separately reclassified its purchase software from property, plant and equipment to intangible assets to conform
to the 2021 presentation in the amount of $
The Company assessed the materiality of the adjustments to prior period financial statements in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. (SAB) 99, Materiality, and SAB 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, and ASC 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.
Accordingly, the Company’s comparative consolidated financial statements and impacted notes have been revised from amounts previously reported to reflect these adjustments. The following table illustrates the impact on previously reported amounts and adjusted balances presented in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
| Account | 12/31/2020 As reported | Adjustment | 12/31/2020 Adjusted | |||||||||
| Accounts receivable | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Goodwill | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Earn-out liability | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Common stock issuable | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Commission income | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accumulated Deficit-Closing balance as of December 31, 2019 | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Total stockholder’s equity (deficit) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| EPS | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| F-17 |
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires the measurement of expected credit losses for financial instruments carried at amortized cost, such as accounts receivable, held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable forecasts. The main objective of this ASU is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financing Instruments—Credit Losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. On November 15, 2019, the FASB delayed the effective date of FASB ASC Topic 326 for certain small public companies and other private companies. As amended, the effective date of ASC Topic 326 was delayed until fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 for SEC filers that are eligible to be smaller reporting companies under the SEC’s definition. The Company does not currently believe the adoption of this standard will have a significant impact on its financial statements, given its history of minimal bad debt expense relating to trade accounts receivable.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which eliminates certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and simplifies other areas of the existing guidance. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this pronouncement January 1, 2021 which did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-06, Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (“ASU 2020-06”), which simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. The ASU also removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity-linked contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, and it simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company adopted ASU 2020-06 on January 1, 2022, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which amends ASC 805 to require an acquirer to, at the date of acquisition, recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in accordance with ASU 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) as if the entity had originated the contracts. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2021-08 as of January 1, 2022, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 3. STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS AND BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
To date, we have acquired eight insurance brokerages (see table below), including both acquisitions of affiliated companies (i.e., owned by Reliance Holdings before the acquisition) and unaffiliated companies. As our acquisition strategy continues, our reach within the insurance arena can provide us with the ability to offer lower rates, which could boost our competitive position within the industry.
| Acquired | Date | Location | Line of Business | Status | ||||
| U.S. Benefits Alliance, LLC (USBA) | October 24, 2018 | Michigan | Health Insurance | Affiliated | ||||
| Employee Benefit Solutions, LLC (EBS) | October 24, 2018 | Michigan | Health Insurance | Affiliated | ||||
| Commercial Solutions of Insurance Agency, LLC (CCS or Commercial Solutions) | December 1, 2018 | New Jersey | P&C – Trucking Industry | Unaffiliated | ||||
| Southwestern Montana Insurance Center, Inc. (Southwestern Montana or Montana) | April 1, 2019 | Montana | Group Health Insurance | Unaffiliated | ||||
| Fortman Insurance Agency, LLC (Fortman or Fortman Insurance) | May 1, 2019 | Ohio | P&C | Unaffiliated | ||||
| Altruis Benefits Consultants, Inc. (Altruis) | September 1, 2019 | Michigan | Health Insurance | Unaffiliated | ||||
| UIS Agency, LLC (UIS) | August 17, 2020 | New York | Health Insurance | Unaffiliated | ||||
| J.P. Kush and Associates, Inc. (Kush) | May 1, 2021 | Michigan | Health Insurance | Unaffiliated |
The following table lists our activity in 2021 by number of agents, approximate policies issued, and revenue written:
| Agency Name | Number of Agents | Number of Policies issued | Aggregate Revenue Recognized December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| USBA and EBS | $ | |||||||||||
| UIS Agency, LLC / Commercial Solutions | $ | |||||||||||
| Southwestern Montana | $ | |||||||||||
| Fortman Insurance | $ | |||||||||||
| Altruis | $ | |||||||||||
| Kush | | $ | ||||||||||
| F-18 |
The following table lists our activity in 2020 by number of agents, approximate policies issued, and revenue written:
| Agency Name | Number of Agents | Number of Policies issued | Aggregate Revenue Recognized December 31, 2020 | |||||||||
| USBA and EBS | $ | |||||||||||
| UIS Agency, LLC / Commercial Solutions | $ | |||||||||||
| Southwestern Montana | $ | |||||||||||
| Fortman Insurance | $ | |||||||||||
| Altruis | $ | |||||||||||
UIS Transaction
On
August 17, 2020, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with UIS Agency LLC (“UIS”) whereby the Company shall
purchase the business and certain assets noted within the Purchase Agreement (the “UIS Acquisition”) for a total purchase
price of $
The UIS Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination in accordance with the acquisition method under the guidance in ASC 805-10 and 805-20. Accordingly, the total purchase consideration was allocated to intangible assets acquired based on their respective estimated fair values. The acquisition method of accounting requires, among other things, that assets acquired, and liabilities assumed, if any, in a business purchase combination be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The process for estimating the fair values of identifiable intangible assets and certain tangible assets requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including estimating future cash flows, developing appropriate discount rates, estimating the costs, and timing. The allocation of the purchase price in connection with the UIS Acquisition was calculated as follows:
| Description | Fair Value | Weighted Average Useful Life (Years) | ||||||
| Cash | $ | |||||||
| Trade name and trademarks | ||||||||
| Customer relationships | ||||||||
| Non-competition agreements | ||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||
| $ | ||||||||
Goodwill
of $
| F-19 |
J.P. Kush and Associates, Inc. Transaction
On
May 1, 2021, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement with J.P. Kush and Associates, Inc. whereby the Company shall purchase the
business and certain assets noted within the Purchase Agreement (the “Kush Acquisition”) for a total purchase price of $
The Kush Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination in accordance with the acquisition method under the guidance in ASC 805-10 and 805-20. Accordingly, the total purchase consideration was allocated to intangible assets acquired based on their respective estimated fair values. The acquisition method of accounting requires, among other things, that assets acquired, and liabilities assumed, if any, in a business purchase combination be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The process for estimating the fair values of identifiable intangible assets and certain tangible assets requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including estimating future cash flows, developing appropriate discount rates, estimating the costs, and timing.
The allocation of the purchase price in connection with the Kush Acquisition was calculated as follows:
| Description | Fair Value | Weighted Average Useful Life (Years) | ||||||
| Accounts receivable | $ | |||||||
| Trade name and trademarks | ||||||||
| Customer relationships | ||||||||
| Non-competition agreements | ||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||
| $ | ||||||||
Goodwill
of $
NOTE 4. INVESTMENT IN NSURE, INC.
On
February 19, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with NSURE, Inc. (“NSURE”) whereas the Company
may invest up to an aggregate of $
On
February 10, 2020, the Company issued shares of common stock to a third-party individual for the purpose of raising capital to
fund the Company’s investment in NSURE, Inc. The Company received proceeds of $
| F-20 |
NOTE 5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consists of the following:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Computer equipment | $ | $ | ||||||
| Office equipment and furniture | ||||||||
| Leasehold Improvements | ||||||||
| Property and equipment | ||||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||
Depreciation
expense associated with property and equipment, as adjusted to reclassify certain software assets to intangibles, is included within
depreciation and amortization in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and is, $
NOTE 6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Effective January 1, 2020 the Company reorganized its reporting structure into a single operating unit. All of the acquisitions made by the Company are in one industry insurance agencies. These agencies operate in a very similar economic and regulatory environment. The Company has one executive who is responsible for the operations of the insurance agencies. This executive reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) on a quarterly basis. Additionally, the CFO who is responsible for the strategic direction of the Company reviews the operations of the collective insurance agency business as opposed to an office by office view. In accordance with guidance in ASC 350-20-35-45, all the Company’s goodwill will be reassigned to a single reporting unit.
For the year ended December 31, 2021 the Company assessed goodwill in accordance with ASC 350-20-35-3, analyzing the relevant qualitative factors. The Company noted that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, thus determining that the two step goodwill impairment test was not required. Pursuant to the qualitative assessment, the Company concluded that goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2021.
The
following table rolls forward the Company’s goodwill balance for the periods ending December 31, 2021 and 2020. As discussed in
Note 2 - Prior Period Adjustments, a $(
| Goodwill | ||||
| December 31, 2019 | $ | |||
| Goodwill recognized in connection with UIS acquisition on August 17, 2020 | $ | |||
| December 31, 2020 | $ | |||
| Goodwill recognized in connection with Kush acquisition on May 1, 2021 | $ | |||
| December 31, 2021 | $ | |||
| F-21 |
The following table sets forth the major categories of the Company’s intangible assets and the weighted-average remaining amortization period as of December 31, 2021:
| Weighted Average Remaining Amortization period (Years) | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | |||||||||||||
| Trade name and trademarks | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||
| Internally developed software | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Purchased software | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Video Production Assets | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-competition agreements | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||
The following table sets forth the major categories of the Company’s intangible assets and the weighted-average remaining amortization period as of December 31, 2020:
| Weighted Average Remaining Amortization period (Years) | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | |||||||||||||
| Trade name and trademarks | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||
| Customer relationships | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Purchased software | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Non-competition agreements | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||
Amortization
expense, as adjusted for certain software reclassifications is, $
The following table reflects expected amortization expense as of December 31, 2021, for each of the following five years and thereafter:
| Years ending December 31, | Amortization Expense | |||
| 2022 | $ | |||
| 2023 | ||||
| 2024 | ||||
| 2025 | ||||
| 2026 | ||||
| Thereafter | ||||
| Total | $ | |||
| F-22 |
NOTE 7. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Significant components of accounts payable and accrued liabilities were as follows:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Accounts payable, | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Accrued credit card payables | ||||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | ||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||
NOTE 8. LONG-TERM DEBT
The composition of the long-term debt follows:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Oak Street Funding LLC Term Loan for the acquisition of EBS and USBA, net of deferred financing costs of $ | $ | $ | ||||||
| Oak Street Funding LLC Senior Secured Amortizing Credit Facility for the acquisition of CCS, net of deferred financing costs of $ | ||||||||
| Oak Street Funding LLC Term Loan for the acquisition of SWMT, net of deferred financing costs of $ | ||||||||
| Oak Street Funding LLC Term Loan for the acquisition of FIS, net of deferred financing costs of $ | ||||||||
| Oak Street Funding LLC Term Loan for the acquisition of ABC, net of deferred
financing costs of $ | ||||||||
| Less: current portion | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Long-term debt | $ | $ | ||||||
Oak Street Funding LLC – Term Loans and Credit Facilities
During
the year ended December 31, 2018 the Company entered into two debt agreements with Oak Street Funding LLC. On August 1, 2018, EBS and
USBA entered into a Credit Agreement with Oak Street Funding LLC (“Oak Street”) whereby EBS and USBA borrowed $
During
the year ended December 31, 2019 the Company entered in Credit Agreements with Oak Street on April 1, 2019, May 1, 2019 and September
5, 2019 whereby the Company borrowed a total amount of $
| F-23 |
| Fiscal year ending December 31, | Maturities of Long-Term Debt | |||
| 2021 | $ | |||
| 2022 | ||||
| 2023 | ||||
| 2024 | ||||
| 2025 | ||||
| Thereafter | ||||
| Total | ||||
| Less debt issuance costs | ( | ) | ||
| Total | $ | |||
Loans Payable
Paycheck Protection Program
On
April 4, 2020, the Company entered into a loan agreement with First Financial Bank for a loan of $
NOTE 9. SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
Carriers representing 10% or more of total revenue are presented in the table below:
| Insurance Carrier | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||
| BlueCross BlueShield | % | % | ||||||
| Priority Health | % | % | ||||||
No
other single insurance carrier accounted for more than
NOTE 10. EQUITY
Preferred Stock
The Company has been authorized to issue shares of $ par value Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is expressly vested with the authority to divide any or all of the Preferred Stock into series and to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of the shares of each series so established, within certain guidelines established in the Articles of Incorporation.
| F-24 |
On February 11, 2021, Reliance Global Holdings, LLC, a related party, converted shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock.
On November 5, 2021, Reliance Global Holdings, LLC, a related party, converted shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were and shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
The Company has been authorized to issue shares of common stock, $ par value. Each share of issued and outstanding common stock shall entitle the holder thereof to fully participate in all shareholder meetings, to cast one vote on each matter with respect to which shareholders have the right to vote, and to share ratably in all dividends and other distributions declared and paid with respect to common stock, as well as in the net assets of the corporation upon liquidation or dissolution.
On January 21, 2021 pursuant to authority granted
by the Board of Directors of the Company, the Company implemented a
In February 2021, The Company issued shares
of common stock pursuant to software purchase, valued at $
In
February 2021, the Company issued shares of common stock through a stock offering for the purpose of raising capital. The Company
received gross proceeds of $
In
February 2021, Reliance Global Holdings, LLC, a related party, converted $
In
March 2021, the Company issued shares of the Company’s common stock to a vendor for services valued at $
In
May 2021, the Company issued shares of common stock pursuant to the acquisition
of the Kush Acquisition, valued at $
As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were and shares of Common Stock outstanding, respectively.
Stock Options
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company adopted the Reliance Global Group, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) under which options exercisable for shares of common stock have been or may be granted to employees, directors, consultants, and service providers. A total of shares of common stock are reserved for issuance under the Plan. At December 31, 2021, there were shares of common stock reserved for future awards under the Plan. The Company issues new shares of common stock from the shares reserved under the Plan upon exercise of options.
| F-25 |
The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Board is authorized to select from among eligible employees, directors, and service providers those individuals to whom options are to be granted and to determine the number of shares to be subject to, and the terms and conditions of the options. The Board is also authorized to prescribe, amend, and rescind terms relating to options granted under the Plan. Generally, the interpretation and construction of any provision of the Plan or any options granted hereunder is within the discretion of the Board.
The Plan provides that options may or may not be Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. Only employees of the Company are eligible to receive ISOs, while employees, non-employee directors, consultants, and service providers are eligible to receive options which are not ISOs, i.e. “Non-Statutory Stock Options.” The options granted by the Board in connection with its adoption of the Plan were Non-Statutory Stock Options.
The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model or the value of the services provided, whichever is more readily determinable. The Black-Scholes option pricing model takes into account, as of the grant date, the exercise price and expected life of the option, the current price of the underlying stock and its expected volatility, expected dividends on the stock and the risk-free interest rate for the term of the option.
| Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited or expired | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Exercised | - | |||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2021 | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited or expired | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Exercised | - | |||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2020 | $ | |||||||||||||||
| F-26 |
| Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | ||||||||||
| Non-vested at December 31, 2020 | $ | |||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Forfeited or expired | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Non-vested at December 31, 2021 | $ | |||||||||||
| Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | ||||||||||
| Non-vested at December 31, 2019 | $ | |||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Forfeited or expired | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Non-vested at December 31, 2020 | $ | |||||||||||
For the period ended December 31, 2021, the Board did not approve any options to be issued pursuant to the Plan.
During
the year ended December 31, 2020, the Board approved options to be issued pursuant to the Plan to a certain employee totaling
shares and another employee totaling
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, various employee terminations occurred resulting in option forfeitures of and respectively.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company determined that the options granted had a total fair value of $, which will be amortized in future periods through February 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized $ of compensation expense relating to the stock options granted to employees, directors, and consultants. As of December 31, 2021, unrecognized compensation expense totaled $ which will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period or requisite service period through February 2024.
The intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the market value and the exercise price of the shares on December 31, 2021. The market value as of December 31, 2021 was $ based on the closing bid price for December 31, 2021.
| F-27 |
As of December 31, 2020 the Company determined that the options granted had a total fair value of $. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized $of compensation expense relating to the stock options granted to employees, directors, service providers and consultants. As of December 31, 2020, unrecognized compensation expense totaled $.
The intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the market value and the exercise price of the shares on December 31, 2020. The market values as of December 31, 2020 was $ based on the closing bid price for December 31, 2020.
The Company estimated the fair value of each stock option on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Black-Scholes option-pricing models require the Company to make predictive assumptions regarding future stock price volatility, recipient exercise behavior, and dividend yield. The Company estimated the future stock price volatility using the historical volatility over the expected term of the option. The expected term of the options was computed by taking the mid-point between the vesting date and expiration date. The following assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, not accounting for the Reverse Split:
| Year Ended December 31, 2021 | Year Ended December 31, 2020 |
|||||||
| Exercise price | $ - $ | $ - $ | ||||||
| Expected term | to years | to years | ||||||
| Risk-free interest rate | % - | % | % - | % | ||||
| Estimated volatility | % - | % | % - | % | ||||
| Expected dividend | ||||||||
| Option price at valuation date | $ - $ | $ - $ | ||||||
Warrants
As
a part of the Company’s offering, the Company issued
See Note 13 for warrant commitments.
Equity-based Compensation
In 2021, three employees received a signing bonus of shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued after the completion of a service period ranging from one to three years of service. The shares granted in 2021 were valued at $. For the year ended December 31, 2021, compensation expense on these grants totaled $.
Total stock compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $ and $, respectively
Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) applicable to common stockholders is computed by dividing earnings applicable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.
If
there is a loss from operations, diluted EPS is computed in the same manner as basic EPS is computed. Similarly, if the Company has net
income but its preferred dividend adjustment made in computing income available to common stockholders results in a net loss available
to common stockholders, diluted EPS would be computed in the same manner as basic EPS. Accordingly, the outstanding Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock is considered anti-dilutive in which and were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into common stock on a
| F-28 |
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Basic and diluted loss per common share: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted loss per common share: | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
NOTE 12. LEASES
Operating Leases
ASU 2016-02 requires recognition in the statement of operations of a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, generally on a straight-line basis. The standard requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability at the inception of the lease, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. The Company’s leases consist of operating leases on buildings and office space.
In
accordance with ASU 2016-02, right-of-use assets are amortized over the life of the underlying leases. Lease expense for the years ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $
Future minimum lease payment under these operating leases consisted of the following:
| Year ending December 31, | Operating Lease Obligations | |||
| 2022 | $ | |||
| 2023 | ||||
| 2024 | ||||
| 2025 | ||||
| 2026 | ||||
| Thereafter | ||||
| Total undiscounted operating lease payments | ||||
| Less: Imputed interest | ( | ) | ||
| Present value of operating lease liabilities | $ | |||
NOTE 13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Contingencies
The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims, either asserted or unasserted, arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not believe the outcome of any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, and accordingly, no legal contingencies are accrued as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. Litigation relating to the insurance brokerage industry is not uncommon. As such the Company, from time to time have been, subject to such litigation. No assurances can be given with respect to the extent or outcome of any such litigation in the future.
Earn-out liabilities
The Company has recognized a number of earn-out liabilities resulting from contingent consideration provisions included in business combination agreements. Earn-out consideration is normally earned by acquirees when they meet or exceed pre-agreed upon earnings targets.
| F-29 |
The following outlines changes to the Company’s earn-out liability balances inclusive of accumulated accretion for the respective years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| CCS | Fortman | Montana | Altruis | Kush | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Changes due to business combinations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes due to payments | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes due to fair value adjustments | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Changes due to write-offs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| CCS | Fortman | Montana | Altruis | Kush | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Changes due to business combinations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes due to payments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes due to fair value adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes due to write-offs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
COVID-19 pandemic contingencies
The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States has resulted in economic uncertainties which may negatively impact the Company’s business operations. While the disruption is expected to be temporary, there is uncertainty surrounding the duration and extent of the impact. The impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the financial statements cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
Adverse events such as health-related concerns about working in our offices, the inability to travel and other matters affecting the general work environment could harm our business and our business strategy. While we do not anticipate any material impact to our business operations as a result of the coronavirus, in the event of a major disruption caused by the outbreak of pandemic diseases such as coronavirus, we may lose the services of our employees or experience system interruptions, which could lead to diminishment of our business operations. Any of the foregoing could harm our business and delay the implementation of our business strategy and we cannot anticipate all the ways in which the current global health crisis and financial market conditions could adversely impact our business.
Management is actively monitoring the global situation on its financial condition, liquidity, operations, industry and workforce.
Warrant Commitment
By entering
into the Private Placement on December 22, 2021, the Company entered into a commitment to issue the Common Shares, Preferred Shares
and Series B Warrants on the Initial Closing Date for a fixed price and exercise price, as applicable. The commitment to issue
Series B Warrants (the “Warrant Commitment”) represents a derivative financial instrument, other than an outstanding
share, that, at inception, has both of the following characteristics: (i) embodies a conditional obligation indexed to the
Company’s equity shares and (ii) may require the Company to settle the obligation by transferring assets. Under ASC 480,
Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, it is required to be initially measured and subsequently remeasured, at fair value as an
asset or liability with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The company classified the commitment to issue the warrants as
a derivative liability because it represents a written option that does not qualify for equity accounting. An option pricing model
was utilized to calculate the fair value of the Warrant Commitment. The Company recorded $
NOTE 14. INCOME TAXES
The difference between the actual income tax rate versus the tax computed at the Federal Statutory rate follows:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Federal rate | % | % | ||||||
| State net of federal | % | % | ||||||
| PPP loan forgiveness | % | % | ||||||
| Non-deductible acquired intangible assets | % | % | ||||||
| Return to provision | ( | )% | % | |||||
| Rate Change | % | % | ||||||
| Valuation allowance | ( | )% | ( | )% | ||||
| Effective income tax rate | % | % | ||||||
The Company did not have any material uncertain tax positions. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized benefits as a component income tax expense (benefit). The Company did not recognize any interest or penalties, nor did it have any interest or penalties accrued as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
| F-30 |
Deferred income tax assets and (liabilities) consist of the following:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Deferred tax assets (liabilities) | ||||||||
| Net operating loss carryforward | $ | $ | ||||||
| Stock based compensation | ||||||||
| Goodwill | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Intangibles | ||||||||
| Fixed assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Right of use assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Total deferred tax assets | ||||||||
| Valuation allowance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net deferred tax assets | $ | $ | ||||||
The
Company has approximately $
The
Company has approximately $
During
the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the valuation allowance increased $
The tax periods ending December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 are open for examination.
NOTE 15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company entered into a Loan Agreement with Reliance Global Holdings, LLC, a related party under common control. There is no term to the loan, and it bears no interest. Repayment will be made as the Company has business cash flows. The proceeds from the various loans were utilized to fund the acquisitions of USBA, EBS, CCS, SWMT Acquisition, Fortman , Altruis, and UIS.
As
of December 31, 2021, and the 2020 the related party loan payable was $
At
December 31, 2021 and 2020, Reliance Holdings owned approximately
| F-31 |
NOTE 16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 5, 2022, pursuant to the
securities purchase agreement dated December 22, 2021, the Private Placement was closed. The Private Placement resulted in aggregate
gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $
On January 10, 2022 the Company completed the acquisition of Medigap Health Insurance Company (“Medigap”) in an asset purchase transaction. Medigap is an insurance brokerage company headquartered in Florida, specializing in Medicare supplement insurance. Total consideration for Medigap was approximately $consisting of both cash and restricted common stock of Reliance Global Group. Additional details on the acquisition will be available in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A and Schedule 14C, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
| F-32 |
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following exhibits are filed with this Form 10-K.
| 45 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Form 10-K statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lakewood, State of New Jersey on March 31, 2022.
| Reliance Global Group, Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ Ezra Beyman | |
Ezra Beyman |
||
| Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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/ Ezra Beyman |
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman and Director | March 31, 2022 | ||
| Ezra Beyman | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
| /s/ Alex Blumenfrucht | Chief Financial Officer and Director | March 31, 2022 | ||
| Alex Blumenfrucht | (Principal Financial Officer) | |||
| /s/ Joel Markovits | Chief Accounting Officer | March 31, 2022 | ||
Joel Markovits |
(Principal Accounting Officer) | |||
| /s/ Sheldon Brickman | Director | March 31, 2022 | ||
| Sheldon Brickman | ||||
| /s/ Ben Fruchtzweig | Director | March 31, 2022 | ||
| Ben Fruchtzweig | ||||
| /s/ Scott Korman | Director | March 31, 2022 | ||
| Scott Korman |
| 46 |