Citizens, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2012 Results

AUSTIN, Texas, May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Citizens, Inc. (NYSE: CIA) reported results today for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Rick D. Riley, Vice Chairman and President, said, "We are beginning the year of 2012 as expected, reporting stable and consistent earnings. These results are being driven by our seasoned blocks of traditional business. Net income for the quarter was $1.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted Class A share, compared to $1.6 million, $0.03 per diluted Class A share, for the three months of 2011. Operating income increased to $1.4 million compared to $1.2 million."

Riley added, "Our total revenue increased 4.1% for the three months driven by an increase of 5.0% in total premiums, which was largely due to the growth in renewal premiums.  Excluding the change in fair value of warrants, revenues increased 4.9% for the same period.  Investment income increased for the quarter, benefiting from bond mutual funds purchased in the latter part of 2011.  The increase in invested assets was offset by the low interest rate environment, as our portfolio yield decreased to 3.76% compared with 3.92% at year-end 2011."

"Further, book value per share of Class A common stock increased 1.3% to $5.03 at March 31, 2012.  Book value was up $0.06 from December 31, 2011, due to fluctuations in the market values of bonds in our portfolio," Riley said.

Riley commented, "The change in the fair value of warrants had a positive effect on net income of $36,000 and $399,000 for the first quarters of 2012 and 2011, respectively. The number of outstanding warrants was reduced substantially during 2011 and the 159,997 remaining warrants will either be exercised or expire this year, eliminating this consideration from net income going forward."

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 Fair Value Changes of Warrants and 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.

RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARD ADOPTION

On January 1, 2012, the Company retrospectively adopted the revised accounting guidance for accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts ("DAC").  These amended accounting rules are intended to address the diversity among insurers in identifying costs that meet the accounting criteria of DAC.  Throughout this document, certain prior period numbers have been restated to reflect the retrospective adoption of the accounting standard.  The effects of this adoption in our deferred acquisition costs as of December 31, 2011, resulted in a decrease in the stockholders' equity balance by $7.6 million, the DAC asset and deferred taxes decreased by $11.8 million and $4.1 million, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2011, net income was reduced by a total of $0.2 million, with minimal impact per diluted share of Class A common stock.

INSURANCE OPERATIONS

• Life Insurance – Our Life Insurance segment primarily issues ordinary whole life insurance in U.S. Dollar-denominated amounts to foreign residents in approximately 30 countries through approximately 2,300 independent marketing consultants, and domestically through almost 300 independent marketing firms and consultants throughout the United States.
  • Premiums – Life insurance premium revenues increased for the first quarter of 2012, due to higher international renewal premiums, which have experienced strong persistency.  First year premiums decreased in the current year, which we believe was primarily due to reduced sales activity related to preparation throughout our marketing system for an agent convention held in April.  In addition, most of our life insurance policies contain a policy loan provision that allows the policyholder to utilize cash value of a policy to pay premiums and keep policies in force. The policy loan asset balance in the life insurance segment increased 2.8% from year-end 2011 and increased 11.3% from first quarter 2011.
  • Benefits and expenses – Life insurance benefits and expenses increased for the first quarter 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to increases in claims, surrenders and policy benefit reserves.  Endowment products require accumulation of higher reserve balances on the front end when compared to whole life products. Commission expense decreased from the prior year as renewal premiums, which have lower commission rates, comprised a larger percentage of total premiums this year.

• 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 approximately 530 employees and independent agents.
  • Premiums – Home service premiums increased 2.0% from first quarter 2011, primarily due to premiums from a small block of business we acquired in the latter part of 2011 that is not included in results for the first three months of 2011.
  • Benefits and expenses – Home service benefits and expenses decreased by 3.9% for the first quarter 2012.  Claims and surrenders were down 11.9% from 2011 reported amounts as we released $500,000 of incurred but not reported liability based upon our claims experience calculation.

INVESTMENTS

• Invested assets – Total invested assets decreased slightly from year-end 2011 as cash balances increased due to proceeds from calls of bonds.
  • Fixed maturity securities represented 88.1% of the portfolio at March 31, 2012, compared with 88.4% at year-end 2011. 
  • Equity security holdings increased slightly to $46.7 million at March 31, 2012 from $46.1 million at year-end 2011 due to increases in fair value.
  • Cash and cash equivalents represented 6.8% of total cash, cash equivalents and invested assets at March 31, 2012, up from 3.8% at year-end 2011, reflecting the timing of calls and reinvestment. A portion of that cash balance was pending long term investment at March 31, 2012.

• Investment income – Net investment income increased slightly for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.  The gains were primarily due to dividend income from bond mutual funds purchased in the last half of 2011.  The policy loan asset balance increased by 2.8% in 2012, resulting in an increase in policy loan income, a component of investment income.
  • Yield – During 2012, average invested assets decreased slightly and average yield decreased to 3.76% compared with 3.92% at year-end 2011. 
  • Duration – The average maturity of the fixed income bond portfolio was 12.9 years with an estimated effective maturity of 5.9 years as of March 31, 2012.

INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL

On Tuesday, May 8, Citizens will host a conference call to discuss operating results at 10 a.m. Central 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 888-637-2456 and ask to join the Citizens, Inc. call.  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 Information section under News Release & Publications 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, 2011, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kay Osbourn
Chief Financial Officer
(512) 837-7100
[email protected]

SOURCE Citizens, Inc.