EX-99.1 6 cia-2014930x10qex991.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 CIA-2014.9.30-10Q Ex. 99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1


 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kay Osbourn
Chief Financial Officer
(512) 837-7100
PR@citizensinc.com
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2014
 
Citizens, Inc. Reports Third Quarter three and nine months 2014 Results
Investor Conference Call Scheduled for November 6, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. CST
 
AUSTIN, TEXAS (November 5, 2014) – Citizens, Inc. (NYSE: CIA) reported results today for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.
 
Rick D. Riley, Vice Chairman and President, said, "We are reporting very solid results with an increase in premium sales revenue of 7.3% and 6.0% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013. Net investment income increased 8.5% and 11.6% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 compared to the corresponding periods in 2013.  The average yield on the consolidated portfolio as of the nine months ended September 30, 2014 improved to an annualized rate of 4.22% up from 4.10% for the same period in 2013 as we continue to see increased yields from the historical low rates of prior years."

Riley added, "Claims and surrenders expense increased 3.4% and 4.6% for the three and nine months ended in 2014 compared to 2013 as surrender benefits reported in both insurance segments increased in the current year compared to 2013 levels. The majority of surrender activity comes from our international life segment and relates to policies beyond their fifteenth year duration where surrender charges no longer apply. Death claims decreased 8.3% for the three months and increased slightly for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as we experienced favorable claims development in the current quarter for both the life and home service segments."
“Net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased 27% and 17%, respectively. Book value per share of Class A common stock was $5.33 at September 30, 2014."
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
 
Q3 2014
 
Q3 2013
 
2014
 
2013
(Unaudited, In thousands, except for per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
46,923

 
43,747

 
136,265

 
128,521

Net investment income
 
10,384

 
9,570

 
30,373

 
27,224

Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
(222
)
 
30

 
(351
)
 
143

Total revenue
 
57,230

 
53,616

 
166,764

 
156,770

Net income applicable to common stock
 
2,324

 
1,824

 
4,671

 
3,987

Net income per diluted share of Class A common stock
 
0.04

 
0.03

 
0.09

 
0.08

Diluted weighted average shares of Class A common stock
 
49,080

 
49,080

 
49,080

 
49,080

Operating income
 
$
2,468

 
1,805

 
4,899

 
3,894

 
"As previously reported, we anticipate Magnolia Guaranty Life Insurance Company ("MGLIC") will account for approximately $0.3 million of additional net income for the full year of 2014. We completed integration of MGLIC into our insurance administration system during the third quarter of 2014 and we continue working to conform its operations to our standards. MGLIC is included in our home service business segment as a wholly owned Security Plan Life Insurance Company subsidiary."


70


Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Income (a non-GAAP measure)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
 
Q3 2014
 
Q3 2013
 
2014
 
2013
(Unaudited, In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
2,324

 
1,824

 
4,671

 
3,987

Items excluded in the calculation of operating income:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net realized investment (gains) losses
 
222

 
(30
)
 
351

 
(143
)
Pre-tax effect of exclusions
 
222

 
(30
)
 
351

 
(143
)
Tax effect at 35%
 
(78
)
 
11

 
(123
)
 
50

Operating income
 
$
2,468

 
1,805

 
4,899

 
3,894

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP Financial Measures - The table above reconciles Net Income to Operating Income. Operating Income is a "Non-GAAP" financial measure that is widely used in our industry to evaluate the performance of underwriting operations. Operating Income excludes the after-tax net effects of Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses. We believe it presents a useful view of the performance of our insurance operations. While we believe disclosure of certain Non-GAAP information is appropriate, you should not consider this information without also considering the information we present in accordance with GAAP.

INSURANCE OPERATIONS
t
Life Insurance – Our Life Insurance segment primarily issues ordinary whole life insurance and endowments in U.S. Dollar-denominated amounts to foreign residents in approximately 30 countries through independent marketing consultants, and domestically through independent marketing firms and consultants across the United States.
 
o
Premiums – Life insurance premium revenues increased for the three and nine months of 2014, primarily from higher international renewal premiums, as we continue to experience strong endowment sales and persistency.  First year premiums increased 21.4% for the three months and 9.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013. Renewal premiums are also up 5.5% and 5.8% for the three and nine months compared to the prior year. The endowment to age sixty-five and the twenty-year endowment continue to be the preferred products internationally. Venezuela, Colombia and Taiwan which have been our top three producing countries, all showed premium growth for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.
 
o
Benefits and expenses – Future policy benefit reserves increased as endowment products accumulate higher reserve balances on the front end when compared to whole life products. Commission expense increased comparatively as first year sales expanded and renewal premium remained strong. Death claims decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2014 by 13.2% due to lower reported claims but were up slightly year to date in 2014 compared to 2013. Surrender expense was up19.8% and 9.0% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to 2013 levels for the same period. Our overall surrenders have remained at a level totaling approximately 0.6% of in force with a large portion related to policies that have passed the surrender charge period, which is typically fourteen years.
t
Home Service – Our Home Service Insurance segment provides pre-need and final expense ordinary life insurance and annuities to middle and lower income individuals, primarily in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.  Our policies in this segment are sold and serviced through funeral homes and a home service marketing distribution system utilizing employees and independent agents.
 
o
Premiums – Home service premiums increased 5.6% and 5.4% for the three and nine months in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to the added premium associated with the MGLIC acquisition of $0.6 million and $1.4 million. We expect this acquisition will benefit our Home Service segment through enhanced marketing opportunities in Mississippi.
 
o
Benefits and expenses – Claims and surrenders decreased by 7.1% for the three months but remained relatively flat for nine months in 2014 compared to 2013, due primarily to reported death claims activity in both current periods. In 2013, we experienced increased weather-related property claims, which was not the case in 2014, therefore current property claims are lower on a comparative basis by 28.4% and 27.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 to 2013. This segment reported increased amortization of deferred acquisition costs, as we experienced higher policy lapses in the current year. Additionally, the inclusion of MGLIC results affected comparability.
The non-insurance segment represents the administrative support entities to the insurance operations whose revenues are primarily intercompany and have been eliminated in consolidation under GAAP. 

71



INVESTMENTS
t
Invested assets – Total invested assets continued to increase from year-end 2013 as new premium revenues were invested primarily in fixed maturity bonds and policy loans rose.
 
o
Fixed maturity securities represented 84.0% of invested assets and cash at September 30, 2014, compared to 83.9% at year-end 2013.
 
o
Equity security holdings increased to $55.6 million at September 30, 2014 from $47.3 million at year-end 2013 with the increase primarily from the MGLIC acquisition and additional purchases in mutual funds in the current quarter. The majority of our equity holdings are bond mutual funds.
 
o
Cash and cash equivalents represented 5.2% of total cash, cash equivalents and invested assets at September 30, 2014, down from 5.5% at year-end 2013, reflecting the timing of calls of securities owned and of investment and reinvestment of new premium revenues and other available funds.
t
Investment income – Net investment income increased 8.5% and 11.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013, primarily due to an increase in overall yield on invested assets and from overall asset growth from premium collections received and invested in fixed maturity bonds.  In addition, our policy loan asset balance rose by 7.6% during the nine months in 2014, resulting in a policy loan income increase as a component of investment income.
 
o
Yield – Average annualized yield was 4.22% for the nine months ended in 2014 compared to 4.11% for the full year of 2013 and 4.10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
 
o
Duration – The average maturity of the fixed income bond portfolio was approximately12 years with an estimated effective maturity of 7 years as of September 30, 2014.
t
Realized investment gains (losses) - During the three months ended September 30, 2014 the Company recognized other -than-temporary impairments on two short-term bond mutual funds that we no longer have the intent to hold. For the nine months ended we sold three bond mutual fund issues totaling $15.0 million for a net loss of $51,000. We reinvested these proceeds into more attractive bond mutual funds for expected improvement in yields.

INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL

On Thursday, November 6, 2014, Citizens will host a conference call to discuss operating results at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time.  The conference call will be hosted by Rick D. Riley, Vice Chairman and President, Kay Osbourn, Chief Financial Officer, and other members of the Company’s management team.  To participate, please dial 888-438-5491 and ask to join the Citizens, Inc. call ID 5181201.  We recommend accessing the call three to five minutes before the call is scheduled to begin.  A recording of the conference call will be available on Citizens' website at www.citizensinc.com in the Investor Relations section under SEC Filings & News Releases following the call.

ABOUT CITIZENS, INC.

Citizens, Inc. is a financial services company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CIA.  The Company utilizes a three-pronged strategy for growth based upon worldwide sales of U.S. Dollar-denominated whole life cash value insurance policies, life insurance product sales in the U.S. and the acquisition of other U.S. based life insurance companies.

SAFE HARBOR

Information herein contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate” or “continue” or comparable words. In addition, all statements other than statements of historical facts that address activities that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  Readers are encouraged to read the SEC reports of the Company, particularly its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its current reports on Form 8-K, for the meaningful cautionary language disclosing why actual results may vary materially from those anticipated by management.  The Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in the Company’s expectations.  The Company also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by the investment community.



72



CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
(Unaudited)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Life insurance
 
 

 
$
45,234

 
 

 
42,091

Accident and health insurance
 
 
 
394

 
 

 
380

Property insurance
 
 
 
1,295

 
 

 
1,276

Net investment income
 
 
 
10,384

 
 

 
9,570

Realized investment gains (losses), net
 
 
 
(222
)
 
 

 
30

Other income
 
 
 
145

 
 

 
269

Total revenues
 
 
 
57,230

 
 

 
53,616

Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance benefits paid or provided:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Claims and surrenders
 
 
 
17,326

 
 

 
16,763

Increase in future policy benefit reserves
 
 
 
19,307

 
 

 
17,398

     Policyholders' dividends
 
 
 
2,573

 
 

 
2,362

Total insurance benefits paid or provided
 
 
 
39,206

 
 

 
36,523

Commissions
 
 
 
11,116

 
 

 
9,940

Other general expenses
 
 
 
6,029

 
 

 
6,163

Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
 
 
(8,126
)
 
 

 
(7,067
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
 
 
5,276

 
 

 
4,758

Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired
 
 
 
453

 
 

 
681

Total benefits and expenses
 
 
 
53,954

 
 

 
50,998

Income before federal income tax
 
 
 
3,276

 
 

 
2,618

Federal income tax expense
 
 
 
952

 
 

 
794

Net income
 
 
 
2,324

 
 

 
1,824

Per Share Amounts:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic earnings per share of Class A common stock
 
$
0.04

 
 

 
0.03

 
 

Basic earnings per share of Class B common stock
 
0.03

 
 

 
0.02

 
 

Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock
 
0.04

 
 

 
0.03

 
 

Diluted earnings per share of Class B common stock
 
0.03

 
 

 
0.02

 
 

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Unrealized holding losses arising during period
 
 

 
(1,628
)
 
 

 
(4,128
)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income
 
 

 
227

 
 

 
(84
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net
 
 

 
(1,401
)
 
 

 
(4,212
)
Income tax benefit on unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities
 
 

 
(490
)
 
 

 
(1,474
)
Other comprehensive loss
 
 

 
(911
)
 
 

 
(2,738
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
 

 
$
1,413

 
 

 
(914
)

73


CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
(Unaudited)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Life insurance
 
 

 
$
131,298

 
 

 
123,728

Accident and health insurance
 
 
 
1,135

 
 

 
1,135

Property insurance
 
 
 
3,832

 
 

 
3,658

Net investment income
 
 
 
30,373

 
 

 
27,224

Realized investment gains (losses), net
 
 
 
(351
)
 
 

 
143

Other income
 
 
 
477

 
 

 
882

Total revenues
 
 
 
166,764

 
 

 
156,770

Benefits and expenses:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance benefits paid or provided:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Claims and surrenders
 
 
 
50,451

 
 

 
48,229

Increase in future policy benefit reserves
 
 
 
56,984

 
 

 
52,253

Policyholders' dividends
 
 
 
7,087

 
 

 
6,671

Total insurance benefits paid or provided
 
 
 
114,522

 
 

 
107,153

Commissions
 
 
 
31,429

 
 

 
29,427

Other general expenses
 
 
 
19,979

 
 

 
20,204

Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
 
 
(22,617
)
 
 

 
(21,101
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
 
 
15,378

 
 

 
13,747

Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired
 
 
 
1,598

 
 

 
1,819

Total benefits and expenses
 
 
 
160,289

 
 

 
151,249

Income before federal income tax
 
 
 
6,475

 
 

 
5,521

Federal income tax expense
 
 
 
1,804

 
 

 
1,534

Net income
 
 
 
4,671

 
 

 
3,987

Per Share Amounts:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic earnings per share of Class A common stock
 
$
0.09

 
 

 
0.08

 
 

Basic earnings per share of Class B common stock
 
0.05

 
 

 
0.04

 
 

Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock
 
0.09

 
 

 
0.08

 
 

Diluted earnings per share of Class B common stock
 
0.05

 
 

 
0.04

 
 

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period
 
 

 
24,764

 
 

 
(29,576
)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income
 
 

 
332

 
 

 
(188
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net
 
 

 
25,096

 
 

 
(29,764
)
Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
 
 

 
8,804

 
 

 
(10,400
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 

 
16,292

 
 

 
(19,364
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
 

 
$
20,963

 
 

 
(15,377
)
 


74


CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In thousands)
 
 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value
 
$
681,591

 
605,256

Fixed maturities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
 
230,297

 
227,696

Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value
 
55,643

 
47,259

Mortgage loans on real estate
 
641

 
671

Policy loans
 
52,575

 
48,868

Real estate held for investment
 
8,174

 
8,440

Other long-term investments
 
136

 
45

Total investments
 
1,029,057

 
938,235

Cash and cash equivalents
 
56,986

 
54,593

Accrued investment income
 
13,262

 
12,251

Reinsurance recoverable
 
4,330

 
4,394

Deferred policy acquisition costs
 
153,737

 
146,691

Cost of customer relationships acquired
 
24,182

 
23,374

Goodwill
 
17,306

 
17,160

Other intangible assets
 
976

 
851

Property and equipment, net
 
6,380

 
6,662

Due premiums, net
 
10,027

 
11,209

Prepaid expenses
 
1,152

 
95

Other assets
 
1,104

 
765

Total assets
 
$
1,318,499

 
1,216,280


(Continued)
 


75


CITIZENS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, Continued
(In thousands)
 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Policy liabilities:
 
 
 
Future policy benefit reserves:
 
 
 
Life insurance
$
894,885

 
834,269

Annuities
58,741

 
55,485

Accident and health
1,205

 
1,250

Dividend accumulations
15,381

 
13,662

Premiums paid in advance
37,432

 
32,560

Policy claims payable
8,534

 
9,488

Other policyholders' funds
6,892

 
7,982

Total policy liabilities
1,023,070

 
954,696

Commissions payable
2,563

 
2,562

Federal income tax payable
813

 
590

Deferred federal income tax
10,309

 
1,704

Payable for securities in process of settlement
3,787

 

Other liabilities
11,185

 
10,919

Total liabilities
1,051,727

 
970,471

 
 

 
 

Stockholders' equity:
 

 
 

Class A, common stock
259,383

 
259,383

Class B, common stock
3,184

 
3,184

Accumulated deficit
(7,871
)
 
(12,542
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
 
 
 

Unrealized gains on securities, net of tax
23,087

 
6,795

Treasury stock, at cost
(11,011
)
 
(11,011
)
Total stockholders’ equity
266,772

 
245,809

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,318,499

 
1,216,280

 


76