SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For Quarter Ended March 31, 2001 Commission File Number 0-11773
ALFA CORPORATION
----------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 063-0838024
-------- -----------
(State of Other Jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116
(Mail: P. O Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001)
--------------------------------------------------------
(Address and Zip Code of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant's Telephone Number
Including Area Code (334) 288-3900
--------------
None
-------------------------------
Former name, former address and former fiscal year if changed since last report
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
----- -----
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
Common Stock, as of the close of the period covered by this report.
Class Outstanding March 31, 2001
----------------------------- --------------------------
Common Stock, $1.00 par value 39,132,478 shares
ALFA CORPORATION
INDEX
Part I. Financial Information Page No.
(Consolidated Unaudited) --------
Item 1. Financial Statements
Balance Sheets - March 31, 2001 and
December 31, 2000 3
Statements of Income, Three Months
ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 4
Statements of Comprehensive Income, Three Months
ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 5
Statements of Cash Flows, Three Months
ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 6
Notes to Financial Statements 7
Independent Auditors' Report 12
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 13
Item 3.
Market Risk Disclosures 22
Part II. Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 23
2
ALFA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, December 31,
2001 2000
-------------- --------------
(Unaudited)
Assets
Investments:
Fixed Maturities Held for Investment, at amortized cost
(fair value $752,862 in 2001 and $792,959 in 2000) $ 710,498 $ 754,450
Fixed Maturities Available for Sale, at fair value
(amortized cost $962,617,756 in 2001 and $937,730,993 in 2000) 990,731,158 946,179,812
Equity Securities, at fair value (cost $58,073,917
in 2001 and $53,687,943 in 2000) 108,056,847 114,594,848
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate 199,865 214,394
Investment Real Estate (net of accumulated
depreciation of $1,355,426 in 2001 and
$1,299,407 in 2000) 2,051,623 2,045,171
Policy Loans 47,486,687 46,335,399
Collateral Loans 70,565,109 70,022,985
Other Long-term Investments 130,808,465 118,945,159
Short-term Investments 45,422,811 55,933,710
-------------- --------------
Total Investments 1,396,033,063 1,355,025,928
Cash 4,550,044 4,475,672
Accrued Investment Income 15,536,389 14,020,985
Accounts Receivable 10,526,431 13,885,864
Reinsurance Balances Receivable 2,511,478 2,935,521
Due from Affiliates 7,802,556 5,753,191
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs 143,798,492 144,572,014
Other Assets 5,247,010 5,633,934
-------------- --------------
Total Assets $1,586,005,463 $1,546,303,109
============== ==============
Liabilities
Policy Liabilities and Accruals - Property and Casualty Insurance $ 143,920,918 $ 145,077,064
Policy Liabilities and Accruals - Life Insurance 530,197,951 507,455,793
Unearned Premiums 130,595,600 121,688,810
Dividends to Policyholders 10,059,994 10,033,028
Premium Deposit and Retirement Deposit Funds 5,178,003 5,364,453
Deferred Income Taxes 44,328,542 42,513,055
Other Liabilities 71,670,700 82,021,332
Due to Affiliates 15,685,594 15,408,988
Commercial Paper 127,121,069 117,642,561
Notes Payable 103,427 103,806
Notes Payable to Affiliates 22,360,208 25,432,979
-------------- --------------
Total Liabilities 1,101,222,006 1,072,741,869
-------------- --------------
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred Stock, $1 par value
Shares authorized: 1,000,000
Issued: None
Common Stock, $1 par value
Shares authorized: 110,000,000
Issued: 41,891,512
Outstanding: 2001 - 39,132,478; 2000 - 39,148,527 41,891,512 41,891,512
Capital in Excess of Par Value 24,564,489 24,076,380
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 47,719,995 45,444,149
Retained Earnings 408,138,795 398,705,679
Treasury Stock: at cost (2001-2,759,034 shares; 2000-2,742,985 shares) (37,531,334) (36,556,480)
-------------- --------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 484,783,457 473,561,240
-------------- --------------
Total Liabilities and
Stockholders' Equity $1,586,005,463 $1,546,303,109
============== ==============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated unaudited financial statements.
3
ALFA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
----------------------------
2001 2000
------------ ------------
Revenues
Premiums - Property and Casualty Insurance $ 96,905,178 $ 91,596,671
Premiums and Policy Charges - Life Insurance 14,998,976 13,890,225
Net Investment Income 19,162,723 17,131,830
Realized Investment Gains 1,046,285 865,964
Other Income 818,744 802,116
------------ ------------
Total Revenues 132,931,906 124,286,806
------------ ------------
Benefits and Expenses
Benefits & Settlement Expenses 79,826,991 74,124,217
Dividends to Policyholders 1,000,740 972,234
Amortization of Deferred Policy
Acquisition Costs 18,242,217 15,252,711
Other Operating Expenses 13,634,631 10,874,941
------------ ------------
Total Expenses 112,704,579 101,224,103
------------ ------------
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes 20,227,327 23,062,703
Provision for Income Taxes 5,634,870 6,712,528
------------ ------------
Net Income Before Cumulative Effect of Changes
in Accounting Principle, Net of Tax Benefit 14,592,457 16,350,175
Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting Principle,
Net of Income Tax Benefit of $139,344 (258,781) 0
------------ ------------
Net Income $ 14,333,676 $ 16,350,175
============ ============
Operating Income $ 13,912,372 $ 15,787,298
============ ============
Earnings Per Share:
Operating Income
- Basic $0.36 $0.40
- Diluted $0.35 $0.40
Net Income Before Cumulative Effect of Changes
in Accounting Principle, Net of Tax Benefit
- Basic $0.37 $0.41
- Diluted $0.37 $0.41
Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting Principle,
Net of Tax Benefit
- Basic ($0.01) $0.00
- Diluted ($0.01) $0.00
Net Income
- Basic $0.37 $0.41
- Diluted $0.36 $0.41
============ ============
Average Shares Outstanding
- Basic 39,153,707 39,438,331
- Diluted 39,423,413 39,640,043
============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated unaudited financial statements.
4
ALFA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
---------------------------
2001 2000
----------- -----------
Net Income $14,333,676 $16,350,175
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
Unrealized Investment Gains on Securities Available for Sale 2,955,931 6,127,660
Less: Reclassification Adjustment for Realized Investment Gains 680,085 562,877
----------- -----------
Total Other Comprehensive Income 2,275,846 5,564,783
----------- -----------
Total Comprehensive Income $16,609,522 $21,914,958
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated unaudited financial statements.
5
ALFA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended March 31,
----------------------------
2001 2000
------------ --------------
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net Income $ 14,333,676 $ 16,350,175
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities:
Policy Acquisition Costs Deferred (22,337,943) (20,081,864)
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs 18,242,217 15,252,711
Depreciation and Amortization 329,082 225,506
Provision for Deferred Taxes 871,102 615,785
Interest Credited on Policyholders' Funds 5,368,687 4,780,015
Net Realized Investment Gains (1,046,285) (865,964)
Other (210,768) (295,798)
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:
(Increase) in Accrued Investment Income (1,515,404) (1,535,354)
Decrease in Accounts Receivable 3,201,665 2,356,347
Decrease (Increase) in Reinsurance Balances Receivable 424,043 (697,711)
(Increase) in Amounts Due From Affiliates (2,049,365) (3,804,267)
Increase in Amounts Due to Affiliates 276,606 398,855
Decrease in Other Assets 386,924 535,557
Increase in Liability for Policy Reserves 1,041,790 3,087,464
Increase in Liability for Unearned Premiums 8,906,790 4,404,832
(Decrease) in Amounts Held for Others (159,484) (203,342)
(Decrease) Increase in Other Liabilities (4,772,837) 9,284,587
------------ -------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 21,290,496 29,807,534
------------ -------------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Maturities and Redemptions of Fixed Maturities Held for Investment 43,904 46,694
Maturities and Redemptions of Fixed Maturities Available for Sale 9,823,419 14,147,206
Maturities and Redemptions of Other Investments 78,771,495 52,129,870
Sales of Fixed Maturities Available for Sale 13,057,101 6,105,046
Sales of Other Investments 20,391,363 9,430,860
Purchase of Fixed Maturities Available for Sale (90,823,417) (60,649,985)
Purchase of Other Investments (76,105,906) (109,915,269)
Net Decrease in Short-term Investments 10,510,899 19,585,124
Net (Increase) Decrease in Receivable/Payable on Securities (3,094,514) 2,070,185
------------ -------------
Net Cash (Used in) Investing Activities (37,425,656) (67,050,269)
------------ -------------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Increase in Commercial Paper 9,478,508 29,490,209
(Decrease) in Notes Payable (379) (237)
(Decrease) Increase in Notes Payable to Affiliates (3,072,771) 1,232,452
Stockholder Dividends Paid (5,103,294) (4,742,927)
Purchase of Treasury Stock (1,208,769) (5,786,486)
Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options 591,081 21,150
Deposits of Policyholders' Funds 28,388,538 27,684,375
Withdrawal of Policyholders' Funds (12,863,382) (11,310,865)
------------ -------------
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 16,209,532 36,587,671
------------ -------------
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash 74,372 (655,064)
Cash - Beginning of Period 4,475,672 6,649,914
------------ -------------
Cash - End of Period $ 4,550,044 $ 5,994,850
============ =============
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
Cash Paid During the Year for:
Interest $ 2,452,650 $ 2,264,876
Income Taxes $ 0 $ 0
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
6
ALFA CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2001
1. Significant Accounting Policies
-------------------------------
In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying consolidated unaudited
financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal
recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly its financial position, results
of operations and cash flows. The accompanying financial statements have been
prepared on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America. A summary of the more significant accounting policies related
to the Company's business is set forth in the notes to its audited consolidated
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. The results
of operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2001 are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. For
purposes of this report, the Company has defined operating income as income
excluding net realized investment gains, net of related tax effects. Certain
reclassifications have been made to conform previous classifications to March
31, 2001 classifications and descriptions.
2. Pooling Agreement
-----------------
Effective August 1, 1987, the Company entered into a property and casualty
insurance Pooling Agreement (the "Pooling Agreement") with Alfa Mutual Insurance
Company (Mutual), and other members of the Mutual Group (See Note 3). On
January 1, 2001, Alfa Specialty Insurance Corporation (Specialty), a subsidiary
of Mutual, also became a participant in the Pooling Agreement. The Mutual Group
is a direct writer primarily of personal lines of property and casualty
insurance in Alabama. The Company's subsidiaries similarly are direct writers
in Georgia and Mississippi. Both the Mutual Group and the Company write
preferred risk automobile, homeowner, farmowner and mobile home insurance, fire
and allied lines, standard risk automobile and homeowner insurance, and a
limited amount of commercial insurance, including church and businessowner
insurance. Specialty is a direct writer primarily of nonstandard risk
automobile insurance. Under the terms of the Pooling Agreement, the Company
cedes to Mutual all of its property and casualty business. Substantially all of
the Mutual Group's direct property and casualty business (together with the
property and casualty business ceded by the Company) is included in the pool.
Mutual currently retrocedes 65% of the pool to the Company and retains 35%
within the Mutual Group. Effective January 1, 2001, Specialty's property and
casualty business likewise became included in the pool. On October 1, 1996, the
Pooling Agreement was amended in conjunction with the restructuring of the Alfa
Insurance Group's catastrophe protection program. Effective November 1, 1996,
the allocation of catastrophe costs among the members of the pool was changed to
better reflect the economics of catastrophe finance. The amendment limited Alfa
Corporation's participation in any single catastrophic event or series of storms
to its pool share (65%) of $10 million unless the loss exceeded $249 million on
a 100% basis in which case the Company's share in the loss would be based upon
its amount of surplus relative to the other members of the group. Due to
increases in insured property risks, an amendment was made increasing the
Company's participation limits from its pool share of the $10 million level to
$11 million beginning July 1, 1999. This limit has been amended effective
January 1, 2001 to $11.4 million. During 2000, the Company's share of losses
exceeding $249 million would have been 13%. During the first three months of
2001, the Alfa Group incurred catastrophic losses of approximately $29.2
million, resulting in a reduction in the Company's net income of approximately
$0.12 per diluted share, after reinsurance and taxes. These parameters have been
amended to $284 million and 14% as of January 1, 2001. The Company's
participation in the Pooling Agreement may be changed or terminated without the
consent or approval of the Company's shareholders. The Pooling Agreement may be
terminated by any party thereto upon 90 days notice.
7
(Note 2. Continued)
The following table sets forth the premiums and losses ceded to and assumed
from the pool for the three month periods ended March 31, 2001 and 2000:
Three Months Ended March 31,
----------------------------
2001 2000
-------- -------
(in thousands)
Premiums ceded to pool $17,007 $15,538
Premiums assumed from pool $97,247 $91,925
Losses ceded to pool $13,957 $10,869
Losses assumed from pool $63,398 $58,696
The Company incurred $7.4 million and $2.5 million in storm losses in the
first three months of 2001 and 2000, respectively.
3. Contingent Liabilities
----------------------
The property and casualty subsidiaries have entered into the reinsurance
pooling agreement with Alfa Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates as
discussed in Note 2. Should any member of the affiliated group be unable to meet
its obligation on a claim for a policy written by the Company's property and
casualty subsidiaries, the obligation to pay the claim would remain with the
Company's subsidiaries.
The liability for estimated unpaid property and casualty losses and loss
adjustment expenses is based upon an evaluation of reported losses and on
estimates of incurred but not reported losses. Adjustments to the liability
based upon subsequent developments are included in current operations.
Certain legal proceedings are in process at March 31, 2001. Costs for
these and similar legal proceedings, including accruals for outstanding cases,
totaled approximately $47,000 in the first quarter of 2001, $3.0 million in
2000, $6.5 million in 1999 and $5.2 million in 1998. These proceedings involve
alleged breaches of contract, torts, including bad faith and fraud claims, and
miscellaneous other causes of action. These lawsuits involve claims for mental
anguish and punitive damages. Approximately 19 legal proceedings against Alfa
Life Insurance Corporation (Life) are in process at March 31, 2001. Of the 19
proceedings, one was filed in 2001, five were filed in 2000, nine were filed
1999, one was filed in 1998, two were filed in 1997, and one was filed in 1996.
In a case tried in January 2001, in Barbour County, Alabama, the jury returned a
verdict for the plaintiff against Life for $500,000 in compensatory damages and
$5,000,000 in punitive damages. Life has filed post-trial motions requesting
that the trial court reverse the jury verdict and render a verdict for Life or,
in the alternative, grant Life a new trial or substantially reduce the verdict.
These motions are pending. If the trial court denies the motions, Life will
appeal the verdict. Two of the 19 pending legal proceedings against Life were
filed as purported class actions. At present, only one class action has been
certified against Life. The trial court order certifying that class action has
been appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court. In addition, one purported class
action lawsuit is pending against both Alfa Builders, Inc. and Alfa Mutual Fire
Insurance Company. Additionally, four purported class action lawsuits are
pending against the property and casualty mutual companies involving a number of
issues and allegations which could affect the Company because of a pooling
agreement between the companies. No class has been certified in any of these
five purported class action cases. It should be noted that in Alabama, where the
Company has substantial business, the likelihood of a judgment in any given
suit, including a large mental anguish and/or punitive damage award by a jury,
bearing
8
(Note 3. Continued)
little or no relation to actual damages, continues to exist, creating the
potential for unpredictable material adverse financial results.
4. Segment Information
-------------------
The following table sets forth the components of property and casualty
insurance earned premiums, net underwriting income, GAAP basis loss, expense and
combined ratios, underwriting margin, net investment income and operating income
for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
----------------------------
2001 2000 % Change
------- ------- --------
(in thousands)
Earned Premiums
Personal lines $92,768 $87,607 6 %
Commercial lines 3,406 3,325 2 %
Pools, associations and fees 1,073 993 8 %
Reinsurance ceded (342) (328) 4 %
------- ------- ----
Total $96,905 $91,597 6 %
======= ======= ====
Net underwriting income $ 4,841 $ 9,443 (49)%
======= ======= ====
Loss ratio 65.4% 62.8%
LAE ratio 3.7% 4.9%
Expense ratio 25.9% 22.0%
------- ----
GAAP basis combined ratio 95.0% 89.7%
======= ====
Underwriting margin 5.0% 10.3%
======= ====
Net investment income $ 6,927 $ 6,984 (1)%
======= ======= ====
Pre-tax operating income $11,833 $16,497 (28)%
======= ======= ====
Operating income, net of tax $ 9,113 $11,946 (24)%
======= ======= ====
9
(Note 4. Continued)
The following table sets forth life insurance premiums and policy charges,
by type of policy, net investment income, benefits and expenses and life
insurance operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
----------------------------
2001 2000 % Change
------- ------- ---------
(in thousands)
Premiums and policy charges
Universal life policy charges $ 3,946 $ 3,593 10%
Universal life policy charges - COLI 1,257 1,184 6%
Interest sensitive life policy charges 2,507 2,502 0%
Traditional life insurance premiums 7,090 6,409 11%
Group life insurance premiums 199 202 (1%)
------- ------- --
Total $14,999 $13,890 8%
======= ======= ==
Net investment income $11,270 $ 9,956 9%
======= ======= ==
Benefits and expenses $16,727 $15,843 6%
======= ======= ==
Pretax operating income $ 7,525 $ 6,186 22%
======= ======= ==
Operating income, net of tax $ 5,353 $ 4,487 19%
======= ======= ==
5. Acquisition of Commercial Lease Portfolio
-----------------------------------------
During the first quarter of 2000, the Company signed a definitive agreement
and completed the transaction to acquire the leasing portfolio and assets of OFC
Capital (OFC), an Atlanta-based business unit of First Liberty Bank, that
provides financing for commercial equipment leases. The transaction involved a
cash purchase price of approximately $23.1 million, which is primarily for the
portfolio of leases. OFC operates as a business unit of Alfa Financial
Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company. OFC's operating results for the
three-month period ended March 31, 2001 was income of approximately $19,000.
6. Financial Accounting Developments
---------------------------------
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities" in June 1998. This Statement establishes
accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain
derivative instruments embedded in investment securities and other contracts,
and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all
derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure
those instruments at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value
of a derivative will be included in either earnings or other comprehensive
income depending on the intended use of the derivative instrument. This
standard, as amended by SFAS No. 137, became effective for the Company January
1, 2001. At this time, the Company does not anticipate this standard having a
significant impact on the Company's financial position or income as it does not
use derivative instruments in the normal course of business. On January 1,
2001, the Company recorded approximately $259,000, net of tax, as the effect
upon adoption of this standard.
10
(Note 6. Continued)
The FASB also issued SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of
Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities (a replacement of SFAS No.
125)" in September 2000. At this time, the Company does not anticipate this
standard having a significant impact on the Company's financial position or
income.
11
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Alfa Corporation:
We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of Alfa Corporation and
subsidiaries as of March 31, 2001, and the related consolidated statements of
income, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three-month periods ended
March 31, 2001 and 2000. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management.
We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim financial
information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial
data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting
matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in
accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the
financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an
opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should
be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to
be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America, the accompanying consolidated balance
sheet of Alfa Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000, and the
related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, cash flows and
comprehensive income for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our
report dated February 6, 2001, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those
consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in
the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2000, is fairly
stated in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet
from which it has been derived.
KPMG LLP
May 10, 2001
Birmingham, Alabama
12
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
---------------------
The following table sets forth consolidated summarized income statement
information for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
--------------------------------------
2001 2000 % Change
---------- ---------- -----------
(in thousands except share and per share data)
Revenues
Property and casualty insurance premiums $ 96,905 $ 91,597 4 %
Life insurance premiums and policy charges 14,999 13,890 10 %
---------- ---------- ----------
Total premiums and policy charges $ 111,904 $ 105,487 6 %
========== ========== ==========
Net investment income $ 19,163 $ 17,132 12 %
========== ========== ==========
Total revenues $ 132,932 $ 124,287 7 %
========== ========== ==========
Net Income
Property and casualty insurance $ 9,113 $ 11,946 (24)%
Life insurance 5,353 4,487 19 %
---------- -------- ----------
Total insurance operations 14,466 16,433 (12)%
Noninsurance operations 812 581 40 %
Net realized investment gains 680 563 21 %
Corporate expenses (1,365) (1,227) (11)%
Cumulative effect of changes in
accounting principles (259) 0 NM
---------- ---------- ----------
Net income $ 14,334 $ 16,350 (12)%
========== ========== ==========
Net income per share -
Basic $ 0.37 $ 0.41 (12)%
========== ========== ==========
Diluted $ 0.36 $ 0.41 (12)%
========== ========== ==========
Weighted average shares outstanding -
Basic 39,153,707 39,438,331
========== ==========
Diluted 39,423,413 39,640,043
========== ==========
Total premiums and policy charges increased 6% in the first three months of
2001 as a result of increased production in both property casualty and life
business and continued good persistency. Net investment income increased 12% in
the first three months of 2001 while invested assets have grown 3.0% in the
three months since December 31, 2000.
13
Operating income decreased by 24% in the property casualty subsidiaries due
primarily to an increased level of storm activity during the first three months
of 2001. The 19% increase in income in the life subsidiary is due to greater
premium production and an improved mortality rate. Noninsurance operations were
up 40% due primarily to solid growth in both loan and lease portfolios. With an
improved interest rate spread, the finance subsidiary was the primary
contributor to the approximately $230,000 increase in noninsurance net income.
The Company's net income was positively impacted by an increase in realized
investment gains. Corporate expenses increased in the first quarter of 2001 due
to increased costs related to stockholder communications and the timing of
certain other annual corporate expenses.
PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS
------------------------------------------
The following table sets forth the components of property and casualty
insurance earned premiums, net underwriting income, GAAP basis loss, expense and
combined ratios, underwriting margin, net investment income and operating income
for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------------------
2001 2000 % Change
------- ------- --------
(in thousands)
Earned Premiums
Personal lines $92,768 $87,607 6 %
Commercial lines 3,406 3,325 2 %
Pools, associations and fees 1,073 993 8 %
Reinsurance ceded (342) (328) 4 %
------- ------- ---
Total $96,905 $91,597 6 %
======= ======= ===
Net underwriting income $ 4,841 $ 9,443 (49)%
======= ======= ===
Loss ratio 65.4% 62.8%
LAE ratio 3.7% 4.9%
Expense ratio 25.9% 22.0%
------- -------
GAAP basis combined ratio 95.0% 89.7%
======= =======
Underwriting margin 5.0% 10.3%
======= =======
Net investment income $ 6,927 $ 6,984 (1)%
======= ======= ===
Pre-tax operating income $11,833 $16,497 (28)%
======= ======= ===
Operating income, net of tax $ 9,113 $11,946 (24)%
======= ======= ===
14
Earned premiums increased 5.8% in the first three months of 2001 due to
increased production in the number of new automobile policies written and from
continued good persistency in both the automobile and homeowner lines.
The Company's core underwriting results continued to be favorable in
comparison to other insurance carriers due in part to a continued good loss
ratio in the automobile line of 59%, the same as was experienced in the first
three months of 2000. The overall loss ratio increased to 65.4% due to $7.4
million of storm losses in the first quarter of 2001. Approximately $2.5
million of storm losses were incurred in the same period of 2000. Loss
adjustment expenses in the first quarter of 2001 were 3.7% of earned premiums
compared to 4.9% in the same period of 2000. This improvement resulted from a
decrease in loss adjustment expense reserves made following a review of reserve
levels. The increase in business resulting from the mandatory insurance law
becoming effective in Alabama in June 2000 has not resulted in the emergence of
additional claims cost at the anticipated levels. Consequently, reserves were
adjusted in the first quarter of 2001 to a more normal level. Another factor in
the lower underwriting margin was an increase in expenses from 2000 levels
created by the inclusion of Specialty in the pool. Other items contributing to
the increased expense level were higher franchise taxes and adjustments in the
reserve for employees paid time off.
Net investment income decreased 0.8% in the first three months of 2001 in
the property casualty subsidiaries due to continued positive cash flow from
profitable underwriting results which increased invested assets 8.5% since March
31, 2000.
LIFE INSURANCE OPERATIONS
-------------------------
The following table sets forth life insurance premiums and policy charges,
by type of policy, net investment income, benefits and expenses and life
insurance operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
-------------------------
2001 2000 % Change
------- ------- --------
(in thousands)
Premiums and policy charges
Universal life policy charges $ 3,946 $ 3,593 10 %
Universal life policy charges - COLI 1,257 1,184 6 %
Interest sensitive life policy charges 2,507 2,502 0 %
Traditional life insurance premiums 7,090 6,409 11 %
Group life insurance premiums 199 202 (1)%
------- ------- --
Total $14,999 $13,890 8 %
======= ======= ==
Net investment income $11,270 $ 9,956 13 %
======= ======= ==
Benefits and expenses $16,727 $15,843 6 %
======= ======= ==
Pretax operating income $ 7,525 $ 6,186 22 %
======= ======= ==
Operating income, net of tax $ 5,353 $ 4,487 19 %
======= ======= ==
15
The Company's life insurance premiums and policy charges increased 8% in
the first three months of 2001 due to new business and good persistency. First
year collected premiums have increased over 22% in the first quarter of 2001 due
to a continuation of increases in sales of term products including the Company's
new 30-year level term product which was first offered in January 2001. Written
premiums on this product totaled approximately $1.1 million in the first quarter
of 2001. Total new annualized premium increased 16.2% in the first quarter of
2001 and 12.1% in all of 2000.
Life insurance operating income increased approximately 19% in the first
three months of 2001. This increase was the result of continuing increases in
production, good persistency and a reduction in death claims. The mortality
ratio of actual to expected death claims decreased to 98% in the first three
months of 2001 from 110% in the first quarter of 2000. As a result of the
increase in earnings, positive cash flows resulted in a 8.7% increase in
invested assets which increased investment income approximately 13%.
NONINSURANCE OPERATIONS
-----------------------
Noninsurance operations were up 40% due primarily to improved operating
results of Alfa Financial Corporation, the Company's finance subsidiary. Growth
in both the loan and lease portfolios combined with more favorable interest rate
spreads contributed to an increase in net income of $212,000 from the finance
subsidiary. While noninsurance operations were positively impacted by the
timing of fluctuations in the market value of assets held by the Company's
subsidiary covering certain employee benefits, earnings from the real estate and
construction subsidiaries were down a total of $159,000 in the first three
months of 2001 from the same period in 2000.
CORPORATE
---------
Corporate expenses increased 11%, or approximately $138,000, due to
increased expenses related to stockholder communications and the timing of
certain other annual corporate expenses. Favorable trends in short-term
interest rates allowed the Company's interest expense to decline slightly from
levels experienced in the first quarter of 2000 despite an overall increase in
commercial paper borrowings since March 31, 2000 of $7.3 million.
INVESTMENTS
-----------
The Company has historically produced positive cash flow from operations
which has resulted in increasing amounts of funds available for investment and,
consequently, higher investment income. Investment income is also affected by
yield rates. Information about cash flows, invested assets and yield rates is
presented below for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
2001 2000
---- ----
Increase in invested assets since January 1, 2001 and 2000 3.0% 6.8%
Investment yield rate (annualized) 6.7% 6.6%
Increase in net investment income since March 31, 2000 and 1999 11.9% 4.5%
16
The marginal increase in positive cash flow from operations is due
primarily to continued profitable operating results in the Company's property
and casualty subsidiaries, which had $4.8 million in underwriting income in the
first quarter of 2001 and to the improved operating results of the Company's
life subsidiary, which had $5.4 million in operating income in the same period.
The premium from the COLI plan in the life insurance subsidiary is collected in
February and has provided positive cash flow in the first quarter of both
periods. Increases in cash resulting from increased commercial paper borrowings
were primarily used to support growth in the loan and lease portfolios of the
finance subsidiary, and to fund the Company's stock repurchase program. As a
result of the overall positive cash flows from operations, invested assets grew
3.0% since January 1, 2001 and 13.2% since March 31, 2000 (based on amortized
cost, which excludes the impact of SFAS 115), and net investment income
increased 11.9%. In addition to the increased investment income created by
positive cash flow from operations, the Company also had improved investment
income results from its finance subsidiary including approximately $480,000 from
its commercial lease portfolio purchased on March 31, 2000. The overall yield
rate, calculated using amortized cost, has increased slightly to 6.7%. The
Company had net realized investment gains of approximately $1.0 million in the
first three months of 2001 and $900,000 in the similar period in 2000. These
net gains are primarily from sales of equity securities. Such realized gains
are the result of market conditions and therefore can fluctuate from period to
period.
The composition of the Company's investment portfolio is as follows at
March 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000:
March 31, December 31,
2001 2000
--------- ------------
Fixed maturities
Taxable
Mortgage backed (CMO's) 26.2% 25.4%
Corporate bonds 30.9 30.5
----- -----
Total taxable 57.1 55.9
Tax exempts 13.9 14.0
----- -----
Total fixed maturities 71.0 69.9
----- -----
Equity securities 7.7 8.5
Real estate 0.1 0.2
Policy loans 3.4 3.4
Collateral loans 5.1 5.2
Other long term investments 9.4 8.7
Short term investments 3.3 4.1
----- -----
100.0% 100.0%
===== =====
The majority of the Company's investment portfolio consists of fixed
maturities which are diverse as to both industry and geographic concentration.
Since year-end, the overall mix of investments has remained relatively stable
with changes due to a shift from short term investments to fixed maturities and
to market value fluctuations in fixed maturities.
17
The rating of the Company's portfolio of fixed maturities using the
Standard & Poor's rating categories is as follows at March 31, 2001 and December
31, 2000:
March 31, December 31,
2001 2000
--------- ------------
RATING
------
AAA to A- 91.2% 90.6%
BBB+ to BBB- 7.6 8.3
BB+ and Below (Below investment grade) 1.2 1.1
----- -----
100.0% 100.0%
===== =====
One hundred percent of the fixed maturity portfolio was rated by an outside
rating service. No securities were rated by Company management. The Company
considers bonds with a quality rating of BB+ and below to be below investment
grade or high yield bonds (also called junk bonds).
At March 31, 2001, approximately 36.9% of fixed maturities were mortgage-
backed securities. Such securities are comprised of Collateralized Mortgage
Obligations (CMO's) and pass through securities. Based on reviews of the
Company's portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, the impact of prepayment risk
on the Company's financial position is not believed to be significant. At March
31, 2001, the Company's total portfolio of fixed maturities had gross unrealized
gains of $39,041,902 and gross unrealized losses of $10,886,136. Securities are
priced by nationally recognized pricing services or by broker/dealer securities
firms. No securities were priced by the Company.
During the first three months of 2001, the Company sold approximately $13.1
million in fixed maturities available for sale. These sales resulted in gross
realized gains of $9,959 and gross realized losses of $547,089. During the first
three months of 2000, the Company sold approximately $6.1 million in fixed
maturities available for sale. These sales resulted in gross realized losses of
$346,816.
The Company monitors its level of investments in high yield fixed
maturities and equity investments held in issuers of high yield debt securities.
Management believes the level of such investments is not significant to the
Company's financial condition. At March 31, 2001, the Company had unrealized
gains of approximately $12.9 million in such investments.
In the first three months of 2001, the Company wrote down two equity
securities totaling $575,312, whose declines in value were deemed to be other
than temporary and were recorded as a reduction in realized investment gains.
In addition, the Company wrote down four bonds during the same period totaling
$1,100,243, whose declines in value were also deemed to be other than temporary
and were recorded as a reduction in realized investment gains.
The Company's investment in other long term investments consists primarily
of consumer loans and commercial leases originated by the finance subsidiary.
These loans and leases are collateralized by automobiles, equipment and other
property. At March 31, 2001 the delinquency ratio on the loan portfolio was
1.70%, down from 1.81% at December 31, 2000. The delinquency ratio on the lease
portfolio at March 31, 2001 was 3.01%, down from 4.68% at December 31, 2000.
Credit losses of approximately $113,000 were incurred in the first quarter of
2001 including an increase of approximately $11,000 in general reserves
18
attributable to growth of the consumer loan portfolio. Leases charged off in the
first quarter of 2001 were approximately $69,000. At March 31, 2001, the
Company maintained an allowance for loan losses of $665,693 or approximately
1.0% of the outstanding loan balance. In addition, at March 31, 2001, the
Company maintained an allowance for lease losses of $682,078 or approximately
1.5% of the outstanding lease balance. Other significant long term investments
include assets leased under operating leases, partnership investments and
certain other investments.
INCOME TAXES
------------
The effective tax rate in the first three months of 2001 was 27.9% compared
to 29.5% for the full year 2000 and 29.1% for the first three months of 2000.
The decrease in the effective tax rate in the first three months of 2001 is due
primarily to the reduction in income due to increased storm activity. The
effective rate has also been impacted by increased tax preference credits on
certain investments. Based on information available at March 31, 2001, the
Company currently anticipates the effective tax rate for all of 2001 to be
approximately 29.8%.
IMPACT OF INFLATION
-------------------
Inflation increases consumers' needs for both life and property and
casualty insurance coverage. Inflation increases claims incurred by property
and casualty insurers as property repairs, replacements and medical expenses
increase. Such cost increases reduce profit margins to the extent that rate
increases are not maintained on an adequate and timely basis. Since inflation
has remained relatively low in recent years, financial results have not been
significantly impacted by inflation.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
--------------------------------
The Company receives funds from its subsidiaries consisting of dividends,
payments for funding federal income taxes, and reimbursement of expenses
incurred at the corporate level for the subsidiaries. These funds are used for
paying dividends to stockholders, corporate interest and expenses, federal
income taxes, and for funding additional investments in its subsidiaries'
operations.
The Company's subsidiaries require cash in order to fund policy acquisition
costs, claims, other policy benefits, interest expense, general operating
expenses, and dividends to the Company. The major sources of the Company's
liquidity are operations and cash provided by maturing or liquidated
investments. A significant portion of the Company's investment portfolio
consists of readily marketable securities which can be sold for cash. Based on
a review of the Company's matching of asset and liability maturities and on the
interest sensitivity of the majority of policies in force, management believes
the ultimate exposure to loss from interest rate fluctuations is not
significant.
On October 25, 1993, the Company established a Stock Incentive Plan,
pursuant to which a maximum aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of common stock were
reserved for grant to key personnel. On April 26, 2001, the plan was amended to
increase the maximum aggregate number of shares available for grant to 3,200,000
shares. Under the plan, options ratably become exercisable annually over three
years and may not be exercised after ten years after the date of the award.
During March 2001, the Company issued 202,000 options.
19
The Company's Board of Directors has approved stock repurchase programs
authorizing the repurchase of up to 4,000,000 shares of its outstanding common
stock in the open market or in negotiated transactions in such quantities and at
such times and prices as management may decide. During the first three months
of 2001, the Company repurchased 64,350 shares at a cost of $1,208,769. At
March 31, 2001, the total repurchased was 3,109,450 shares at a cost of
$39,286,297. The Company has reissued 369,316 treasury shares as a result of
option exercises.
Total borrowings increased $6.4 million in the first three months of 2001
to $149.6 million. At March 31, 2001, the Company had approximately $127.1
million in commercial paper outstanding at rates ranging from 4.93% to 5.46%
with maturities ranging from April 1, 2001 to May 17, 2001. The Company intends
to continue to use the commercial paper program to fund the consumer loan
portfolio, commercial lease portfolio and other corporate short term needs.
Backup lines of credit are in place up to $135 million. The Company has an A-
1+, P-1 commercial paper rating from Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors
Service. The commercial paper is guaranteed by an affiliate, Alfa Mutual
Insurance Company. In addition, the Company had $22.4 million in short-term debt
outstanding to affiliates at March 31, 2001 with interest equal to commercial
paper rates payable monthly and $103,427 outstanding in other short-term debt at
a rate of 7.0%.
Cash surrenders paid to policyholders on a statutory basis totaled $4.3
million in the first three months of 2001 and $4.1 million for the first three
months of 2000. This level of surrenders is within the Company's pricing
expectations. Historical persistency rates indicate a normal pattern of
surrender activity. The structure of the surrender charges is such that
persistency is encouraged. The majority of the policies in force have surrender
charges which grade downward over a 12 to 15 year period. In addition, the
majority of the in-force business is interest sensitive type policies which
generally have lower rates of surrender. At March 31, 2001, the total amount of
cash that would be required to fund all amounts subject to surrender was
approximately $434.5 million.
The Company's business is concentrated geographically in Alabama, Georgia
and Mississippi. Accordingly, unusually severe storms or other disasters in
these contiguous states might have a more significant effect on the Company than
on a more geographically diversified insurance company. Unusually severe
storms, other natural disasters and other events could have an adverse impact on
the Company's financial condition and operating results. However, the Company's
current catastrophe protection program, which began November 1, 1996, reduced
the earnings volatility caused by such catastrophe exposures.
Increasing public interest in the availability and affordability of
insurance has prompted legislative, regulatory and judicial activity in several
states. This includes efforts to contain insurance prices, restrict
underwriting practices and risk classifications, mandate rate reductions and
refunds, eliminate or reduce exemptions from antitrust laws and generally expand
regulation. Because of Alabama's low automobile rates as compared to rates in
most other states, the Company does not expect the type of punitive legislation
and initiatives found in some states to be a factor in its primary market in the
immediate future. In 1999, the Alabama legislature passed a tort reform package
that should help to curb some of the excessive litigation experienced in recent
years. In addition, a mandatory insurance bill was passed to require motorists
to obtain insurance coverage beginning in June 2000. While this requirement
will affect both the revenues and losses incurred by the Company in the future,
the full extent or impact is not possible to predict and the Company believes
any impact on future results will not be significant.
20
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS
---------------------------------
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities" in June 1998. This Statement establishes
accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain
derivative instruments embedded in investment securities and other contracts,
and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all
derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure
those instruments at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value
of a derivative will be included in either earnings or other comprehensive
income depending on the intended use of the derivative instrument. This
standard, as amended by SFAS No. 137, became effective for the Company January
1, 2001. At this time, the Company does not anticipate this standard having a
significant impact on the Company's financial position or income as it does not
use derivative instruments in the normal course of business. On January 1,
2001, the Company recorded approximately $259,000, net of tax, as the effect
upon adoption of this standard.
The FASB also issued SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing
of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities (a replacement of SFAS
No. 125)" in September 2000. At this time, the Company does not anticipate this
standard having a significant impact on the Company's financial position or
income.
INFORMATION ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
--------------------------------------------
Any statement contained in this report which is not a historical fact, or
which might otherwise be considered an opinion or projection concerning the
Company or its business, whether expressed or implied, is meant as and should be
considered a forward-looking statement as that term is defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based
on assumptions and opinions concerning a variety of known and unknown risks,
including but not necessarily limited to changes in market conditions, natural
disasters and other catastrophic events, increased competition, changes in
availability and cost of reinsurance, changes in governmental regulations,
technological changes, political and legal contingencies and general economic
conditions, as well as other risks and uncertainties more completely described
in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If any of
these assumptions or opinions prove incorrect, any forward-looking statements
made on the basis of such assumptions or opinions may also prove materially
incorrect in one or more respects and may cause actual future results to differ
materially from those contemplated, projected, estimated or budgeted in such
forward-looking statements.
21
Item 3.
-------
MARKET RISK DISCLOSURES
-----------------------
The Company's objectives in managing its investment portfolio are to
maximize investment income and investment returns while minimizing overall
credit risk. Investment strategies are developed based on many factors
including underwriting results, overall tax position, regulatory requirements,
and fluctuations in interest rates. Investment decisions are made by management
and approved by the Board of Directors. Market risk represents the potential
for loss due to adverse changes in the fair value of securities. The market
risk related to the Company's fixed maturity portfolio are primarily interest
rate risk and prepayment risk. The market risk related to the Company's equity
portfolio is equity price risk. There have been no material changes to the
Company's market risk for the three months ended March 31, 2001. For further
information, reference is made to Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations in Alfa Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2000.
22
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6.
-------
EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
--------------------------------
None.
23
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ALFA CORPORATION
Date 5/11/01 By: /s/ Jerry A. Newby
-------------------- ------------------------
Jerry A. Newby
President
Date 5/11/01 By: /s/ Stephen G. Rutledge
-------------------- ------------------------
Stephen G. Rutledge
Senior Vice President,
(Chief Financial Officer and Chief
Investment Officer)
24