Note 16: Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Notes

Note 16: Fair Value of Financial Instruments

16)       Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. GAAP also specifies a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques. Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions. Fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:

Level 1:  Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Company can access.

Level 2: Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on the following:

a) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

b) Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets; or

c) Valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3:  Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs may reflect the Company’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the financial assets and financial liabilities.

The Company utilizes a combination of third party valuation service providers, brokers, and internal valuation models to determine fair value.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value disclosures related to other significant financial instruments:

The items shown under Level 1 and Level 2 are valued as follows:

Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity: The fair values of investments in fixed maturity and equity securities along with methods used to estimate such values are disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Statements.

Restricted Assets:A portion of these assets include mutual funds and equity securities that have quoted market prices. Also included are cash and cash equivalents and participations in mortgage loans. The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for these financial instruments approximate their fair values.

Cemetery Endowment Care Trust Investments:  A portion of these assets include equity securities that have quoted market prices. Also included are cash and cash equivalents. The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for these financial instruments approximate their fair values.

Call and Put Options: The Company uses quoted market prices to value its call and put options.

The items shown under Level 3 are valued as follows:

Policyholder Account Balances and Future Policy Benefits-Annuities:  Future policy benefit reserves for interest-sensitive insurance products are computed under a retrospective deposit method and represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges. Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense include benefit claims incurred in the period in excess of related policy account balances. Interest crediting rates for interest-sensitive insurance products ranged from 4% to 6.5%. The fair values for the Company’s liabilities under investment-type insurance contracts (disclosed as policyholder account balances and future policy benefits – annuities) are estimated based on the contracts’ cash surrender values.

The fair values for the Company’s insurance contracts other than investment-type contracts are not required to be disclosed. However, the fair values of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the Company’s overall management of interest rate risk, such that the Company’s exposure to changing interest rates is minimized through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.

Loan Commitments and Forward Sale Commitments: The Company’s mortgage segment enters into loan commitments with potential borrowers and forward sale commitments to sell loans to third-party investors. The Company also uses a hedging strategy for these transactions. A loan commitment binds the Company to lend funds to a qualified borrower at a specified interest rate and within a specified period of time, generally up to 30 days after issuance of the loan commitment. Loan commitments are defined to be derivatives under GAAP and are recognized at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with changes in their fair values recorded in current earnings.

The Company estimates the fair value of a loan commitment based on the change in estimated fair value of the underlying mortgage loan, quoted MBS prices, estimates of the fair value of mortgage servicing rights, and an estimate of the probability that the mortgage loan will fund within the terms of the commitment net of estimated commission expense. The change in fair value of the underlying mortgage loan is measured from the date the loan commitment is issued and is shown net of related expenses. Following issuance, the value of a mortgage loan commitment can be either positive or negative depending upon the change in value of the underlying mortgage loans. Fallout rates and other factors from the Company’s recent historical data are used to estimate the quantity and value of mortgage loans that will fund within the terms of the commitments.

Interest Rate Swaps: Management considers the interest rate swap instruments to be an effective cash flow hedge against the variable interest rate on bank borrowings since the interest rate swap mirrors the term of the note payable and expires on the maturity date of the bank loan it hedges. The interest rate swaps are derivative financial instruments carried at its fair value. The fair value of the interest rate swap was derived from a proprietary model of the bank from whom the interest rate swap was purchased and to whom the note is payable.

Other Investments: The fair values are estimated using one or more valuation techniques for which sufficient and reliable data is available. Factors considered when estimating the fair value include the original transaction price, recent transactions in the same or similar properties, historical lease rates, comparable lease rates of similar properties, discount rates, market capitalization rates, expected vacancy rates, and changes in financial ratios or cash flow.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate: The fair values are estimated using interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations. The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for these financial instruments approximate their fair values.

Real Estate Held for Investment: The Company believes that in an orderly market fair value will approximate the replacement cost of a home and the rental income provides a cash flow stream for investment analysis. The Company believes the highest and best use of the properties are as income producing assets since it is the Company’s intent to hold the properties as rental properties, matching the income from the investment in rental properties with the funds required for future estimated policy claims.

It should be noted that for replacement cost, when determining the fair value of mortgage properties, the Company uses Marshall and Swift, a provider of building cost information to the real estate construction industry. For the investment analysis, the Company used market data based upon its real estate operation experience and projected the present value of the net rental income over seven years. The Company used 20% of the projected cash flow analysis and 80% of the replacement cost to approximate fair value of the collateral.

In addition to this analysis performed by the Company, the Company depreciates Real Estate Held for Investment. This depreciation reduces the book value of these properties and lessens the exposure to the Company from further deterioration in real estate values.

Mortgage Servicing Rights: The Company initially recognizes Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSRs”) at their estimated fair values derived from the net cash flows associated with the servicing contracts, where the Company assumes the obligation to service the loan in the sale transaction. The precise fair value of MSRs cannot be readily determined because MSRs are not actively traded in stand-alone markets. Considerable judgment is required to estimate the fair values of these assets and the exercise of such judgment can significantly affect the Company’s earnings.

The Company’s subsequent accounting for MSRs is based on the class of MSRs. The Company has identified two classes of MSRs: MSRs backed by mortgage loans with initial term of 30 years and MSRs backed by mortgage loans with initial term of 15 years. The Company distinguishes between these classes of MSRs due to their differing sensitivities to change in value as the result of changes in market. After being initially recorded at fair value, MSRs backed by mortgage loans are accounted for using the amortization method. MSR amortization is determined by amortizing the balance straight-line over an estimated seven and nine-year life which estimates the proportion to, and over the period of the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.

The Company periodically assesses MSRs for impairment. Impairment occurs when the current fair value of the MSR falls below the asset’s carrying value (carrying value is the amortized cost reduced by any related valuation allowance). If MSRs are impaired, the impairment is recognized in current-period earnings and the carrying value of the MSRs is adjusted through a valuation allowance.

Management periodically reviews the various loan strata to determine whether the value of the MSRs in a given stratum is impaired and likely to recover. When management deems recovery of the value to be unlikely in the foreseeable future, a write-down of the cost of the MSRs for that stratum to its estimated recoverable value is charged to the valuation allowance.

The following table summarizes Level 1, 2 and 3 financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by their classification in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016.

	Total	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)	Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets accounted for at fair value on a    recurring basis
Common stock	$         10,573,356	$        10,573,356	$                 -	$                         -
Total securities available for sale	10,573,356	10,573,356	-	-
Restricted assets of cemeteries and mortuaries	736,603	736,603	-	-
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	698,202	698,202	-	-
Derivatives - loan commitments	3,389,618	-	-	3,389,618
Other investments	1,765,752	-	-	1,765,752
Total assets accounted for at fair value on a    recurring basis	$         17,163,531	$        12,008,161	$                 -	$          5,155,370
Liabilities accounted for at fair value on a    recurring basis
Policyholder account balances	$       (49,421,125)	$                        -	$                 -	$      (49,421,125)
Future policy benefits - annuities	(99,388,662)	-	-	(99,388,662)
Derivatives  - bank loan interest rate swaps	(3,308)	-	-	(3,308)
- call options	(109,474)	(109,474)	-	-
- put options	(26,494)	(26,494)	-	-
- loan commitments	(102,212)	-	-	(102,212)
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value    on a recurring basis	$     (149,051,275)	$           (135,968)	$                 -	$    (148,915,307)

Following is a summary of changes in the consolidated balance sheet line items measured using level 3 inputs:

	Policyholder Account Balances	Future Policy Benefits - Annuities	Loan Commitments	Bank Loan Interest Rate Swaps	Other Investments
Balance - December 31, 2015	$      (50,694,953)	$         (69,398,617)	$           3,333,091	$             (13,947)	$          1,174,769
Purchases		(30,294,480)			600,000
Total Losses (Gains):
Included in earnings	1,273,828	304,435	(45,685)	-
Included in other
comprehensive income (loss)	-	-	-	10,639	(9,017)
Balance - December 31, 2016	$      (49,421,125)	$         (99,388,662)	$           3,287,406	$               (3,308)	$          1,765,752

The following tables summarize Level 1, 2 and 3 financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by their classification in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016.

	Total	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)	Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets accounted for at fair value on a    nonrecurring basis
Mortgage loans on real estate	$        2,809,925	$                        -	$                -	$        2,809,925
Mortgage servicing rights	8,603,154	-	-	8,603,154
Real estate held for investment	2,347,820	-	-	2,347,820
Total assets accounted for at fair value on    a nonrecurring basis	$      13,760,899	$                        -	$                -	$      13,760,899

The following table summarizes Level 1, 2 and 3 financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by their classification in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015.

	Total	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)	Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets accounted for at fair value on a    recurring basis
Non-redeemable preferred stock
Common stock	$           8,431,090	$        8,431,090	$                -	$                         -
Total securities available for sale	8,431,090	8,431,090	-	-
Restricted assets of cemeteries and mortuaries	686,444	686,444	-	-
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	630,854	630,854	-	-
Derivatives - loan commitments	3,440,758	-	-	3,440,758
Other investments	1,174,769	-	-	1,174,769
Total assets accounted for at fair value on a    recurring basis	$         14,363,915	$        9,748,388	$                -	$           4,615,527
Liabilities accounted for at fair value on a    recurring basis
Policyholder account balances	$       (50,694,953)	$                      -	$                -	$       (50,694,953)
Future policy benefits - annuities	(69,398,617)	-	-	(69,398,617)
Derivatives  - bank loan interest rate swaps	(13,947)	-	-	(13,947)
- call options	(16,342)	(16,342)	-	-
- put options	(28,829)	(28,829)	-	-
- loan commitments	(107,667)	-	-	(107,667)
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value    on a recurring basis	$     (120,260,355)	$           (45,171)	$                -	$     (120,215,184)

Following is a summary of changes in the consolidated balance sheet line items measured using level 3 inputs:

	Policyholder Account Balances	Future Policy Benefits - Annuities	Loan Commitments	Bank Loan Interest Rate Swaps	Other Investments
Balance - December 31, 2014	$            (45,310,699)	$            (65,540,985)	$        1,929,851	$         (31,370)	$                     -
Purchases					1,200,000
Total Losses (Gains):
Included in earnings	(5,384,254)	(3,857,632)	1,403,240	-
Included in other
comprehensive income (loss)	-	-	-	17,423	(25,231)
Balance - December 31, 2015	$            (50,694,953)	$            (69,398,617)	$        3,333,091	$         (13,947)	$      1,174,769

The following tables summarize Level 1, 2 and 3 financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by their classification in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015.

	Total	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)	Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets accounted for at fair value on a    nonrecurring basis
Mortgage loans on real estate	$    2,874,468			$      2,874,468
Mortgage servicing rights	6,217,551	-	-	6,217,551
Real estate held for investment	95,000	-	-	95,000
Total assets accounted for at fair value on    a nonrecurring basis	$    9,187,019	$                        -	$                 -	$      9,187,019

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Carried at Other Than Fair Value

ASC 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value.

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent limitations in any estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in a sales transaction at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The estimated fair value amounts for December 31, 2016 and 2015 have been measured as of period-end, and have not been reevaluated or updated for purposes of these Consolidated Financial Statements subsequent to those dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the reporting date may be different than the amounts reported at period-end.

The carrying values and estimated fair values for such financial instruments, and their corresponding placement in the fair value hierarchy, are summarized as follows as of December 31, 2016:

	Carrying Value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total Estimated Fair Value
Assets
Mortgage loans:
Residential	$       57,132,082	$                  -	$                  -	$       61,357,393	$       61,357,393
Residential construction	40,700,003	-	-	40,700,003	40,700,003
Commercial	51,349,493	-	-	53,299,800	53,299,800
Mortgage loans, net	$     149,181,578	$                  -	$                  -	$     155,357,196	$     155,357,196
Policy loan	6,694,148	-	-	6,694,148	6,694,148
Insurance assignments, net	32,477,246	-	-	32,477,246	32,477,246
Short-term investments	27,560,040	-	-	27,560,040	27,560,040
Liabilities
Bank and other loans payable	$     (53,715,240)	$                  -	$                  -	$     (53,715,240)	$     (53,715,240)

The carrying values and estimated fair values for such financial instruments, and their corresponding placement in the fair value hierarchy, are summarized as follows as of December 31, 2015:

	Carrying Value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total Estimated Fair Value
Assets
Mortgage loans:
Residential	$       44,459,613	$             -	$             -	$       47,193,950	$       47,193,950
Residential construction	34,751,443	-	-	34,751,443	34,751,443
Commercial	33,335,849	-	-	34,778,136	34,778,136
Mortgage loans, net	$     112,546,905	$             -	$             -	$     116,723,529	$     116,723,529
Policy loans	6,896,457	-	-	6,896,457	6,896,457
Insurance assignments, net	31,511,195	-	-	31,511,195	31,511,195
Short-term investments	16,915,808	-	-	16,915,808	16,915,808
Liabilities
Bank and other loans payable	$     (40,894,968)	$             -	$             -	$     (40,894,968)	$     (40,894,968)

The methods, assumptions and significant valuation techniques and inputs used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments are summarized as follows:

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate: The estimated fair value of the Company’s mortgage loans is determined using various methods. The Company’s mortgage loans are grouped into three categories: Residential, Residential Construction and Commercial. When estimating the expected future cash flows, it is assumed that all loans will be held to maturity, and any loans that are non-performing are evaluated individually for impairment.

Residential – The estimated fair value of mortgage loans originated prior to 2013 is determined by estimating expected future cash flows of interest payments and discounting them using current interest rates from single family mortgages. The estimated fair value of mortgage loans originated in 2013 thru 2016 is determined from pricing of similar loans that were sold in 2014 and 2015.

Residential Construction – These loans are primarily short in maturity (4-6 months) accordingly, the estimated fair value is determined to be the net book value.

Commercial – The estimated fair value is determined by estimating expected future cash flows of interest payments and discounting them using current interest rates for commercial mortgages.

Policy and Other Loans: The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for these financial instruments approximate their fair values.

Short-Term Investments: The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for these financial instruments approximate their fair values.

Bank and Other Loans Payable: The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet for these financial instruments approximate their fair values.