CITIZENS INC
10-K, 1998-03-31
LIFE INSURANCE
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<PAGE>   1
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

          [ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

                           --------------------------

                                       OR

          [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                           --------------------------

                       For the transition period from to

                           --------------------------

                         Commission file number 1-13004

                                 CITIZENS, INC.
                                 --------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


              Colorado                                    84-0755371
      ------------------------               --------------------------------- 
      (State of incorporation)               (IRS Employer Identification No.)

  400 East Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas                       78752
- ----------------------------------------                    ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (512) 837-7100

     Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

  Title of each class                  Name of each exchange on which registered
 Class A Common Stock                           American Stock Exchange
 --------------------                           -----------------------

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                      None



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
requirement for the past 90 days. Yes X No    .
                                     ---   ---   

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of Registrant's knowledge in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

As of March 15, 1998, aggregate market value of the Class A voting stock held by
non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $90,107,000.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part III of this Report incorporates certain portions of the definitive proxy
material of the Registrant in respect of its 1998 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.

        Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of March 15, 1998
                               Class A: 20,765,088
                               Class B: 621,049



<PAGE>   2



                                     PART I

ITEM 1.        BUSINESS

       (A)     GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS

               Citizens, Inc. ("Citizens") operates primarily as an insurance
               holding company. It was incorporated in 1977. Citizens is the
               parent holding company that directly or indirectly owns 100% of
               Citizens Insurance Company of America ("CICA"), Computing
               Technology, Inc. ("CTI"), Insurance Investors, Inc. ("III"),
               Funeral Homes of America ("FHA") (formerly Funeral Homes of
               Louisiana), Central Investors Life Insurance Company of Illinois
               ("CILIC"), American Investment Network, Inc. ("AIN"), United
               Security Life Insurance Co. ("USLIC"), and National Security Life
               and Accident Insurance Company ("NSLIC"). Collectively, Citizens
               and its subsidiaries are referred to herein as the "Company."
               Pertinent information relating to Citizens' subsidiary companies
               is set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         YEAR                  STATE OF                   BUSINESS
 SUBSIDIARY          INCORPORATED           INCORPORATION                 ACTIVITY
 ----------          ------------           -------------                 --------
<S>                      <C>                  <C>                      <C>   
   CICA                  1968                 Colorado                 Life insurance
   CTI                   1986                 Colorado                 Data processing
   III                   1965                 Texas                    Aircraft transportation
   AIN                   1987                 Mississippi              Financial holding co.
   USLIC                 1967                 Mississippi              Life insurance
   FHA                   1989                 Louisiana                Funeral home
   CILIC                 1965                 Illinois                 Life insurance
   NSLIC                 1954                 Texas                    Life insurance
</TABLE>

             On October 28, 1996, CICA announced that it had signed a definitive
             written agreement for the acquisition of American Investment
             Network, Inc. (AIN), a life insurance holding company headquartered
             in Jackson, Mississippi with $7.5 million in assets, $3.4 million
             of stockholders' equity, revenues of $3.2 million and $67 million
             of life insurance in-force. Following the acquisition by CICA, AIN
             shareholders received 1 share of Citizens, Inc. Class A Common
             Stock for each 7.2 shares of AIN Common Stock owned. The
             transaction closed on June 19, 1997. Citizens issued approximately
             700,000 Class A shares in connection with the transaction, which
             was accounted for as a purchase. The companies operate in their
             respective locations under a combined management team with
             consolidation of computer data processing on the Citizens' system.

             On October 31, 1996, CICA, CICA Acquisition, Inc. (a subsidiary
             organized for purposes of the transaction) and First American
             Investment Corporation ("FAIC"), a holding company, entered into a
             merger agreement for the merger of CICA Acquisition, Inc. into
             FAIC. Prior thereto, Citizens had indirectly owned approximately
             94.5% of FAIC. As part of this merger, CICA acquired the
             approximately 5.5% of FAIC shares owned by minority investors at an
             exchange rate 


                                                                               2
<PAGE>   3

             of 0.1111 shares of Class A Common Stock for each 1 share of FAIC
             owned by minority investors. The merger became effective March 7,
             1997, and Citizens issued approximately 134,000 shares of Class A
             Common Stock in this transaction which was accounted for as a
             purchase. Subsequently, FAIC was liquidated.

             To streamline its corporate structure, Citizens and American
             Liberty Financial Corporation ("ALFC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary
             holding company, entered into a merger agreement dated November 22,
             1996 for the merger of ALFC into Citizens. No shares of Citizens
             were issued in the merger which became effective in January 1997.
             Also on November 22, 1996, CICA and American Liberty Life Insurance
             Company ("ALLIC"), a subsidiary of ALFC, entered into a merger
             agreement for the merger of ALLIC into CICA. The agreements closed
             in June, 1997.

             Pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company purchased from
             Jansen Enterprises, Inc., a Texas corporation, 100% of the issued
             and outstanding shares of National Security Life and Accident
             Insurance Company (NSLIC) for $1,700,000, consisting of $1,000,000
             cash and restricted shares of Applicant's Class A Common Stock
             valued at $700,000 in a transaction that closed on November 20,
             1997. NSLIC is a Texas-domiciled life and A&H insurer with assets
             of approximately $5 million and annual revenues of approximately $5
             million.

             Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are
             not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking
             statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
             Reform Act (the "Act"), including, without limitation, the
             italicized statements and the statements specifically identified as
             forward-looking statements within this document. In addition,
             certain statements in future filings by the Company with the
             Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in oral
             and written statements made by or with the approval of the Company
             which are not statements of historical fact constitute
             forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Examples
             of forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to: (i)
             projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or loss per
             share, the payment or non-payment of dividends, capital structure,
             and other financial items, (ii) statements of plans and objectives
             of the Company or its management or Board of Directors including
             those relating to products or services, (iii) statements of future
             economic performance and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying
             such statements. Words such as "believes", "anticipates",
             "expects", "intends", "targeted", "may", "will" and similar
             expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but
             are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

             Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which
             may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such
             statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from
             those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are
             not limited to: (i) the strength of foreign and U.S. economies in
             general and the strength of the local economies in which operations
             are conducted; (ii) the effects of and changes in trade, monetary
             and fiscal policies and laws; (iii) inflation, interest rates,
             market and monetary fluctuations and volatility; (iv) the timely
             development of 


                                                                               3
<PAGE>   4

            and acceptance of new products and services and perceived overall
            value of these products and services by existing and potential
            customers; (v) changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving
            habits; (vi) concentrations of business from persons residing in
            third world countries; (vii) acquisitions; (viii) the persistency of
            existing and future insurance policies sold by the Company and its
            subsidiaries; (ix) the dependence of the Company on its Chairman of
            the Board; (x) the ability to control expenses; (xi) the effect of
            changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations
            concerning insurance) with which the Company and its subsidiaries
            must comply, (xii) the effect of changes in accounting policies and
            practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies as well as
            the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (xiii) changes in the
            Company's organization and compensation plans; (xiv) the costs and
            effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such
            litigation; and (xv) the success of the Company at managing the
            risks involved in the foregoing.

            Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which
            such statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation
            to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or
            circumstances after the date on which such statement is made to
            reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

      (B)   FINANCIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSURANCE BUSINESS

            Citizens, through CICA, USLIC, NSLIC and CILIC, operates principally
            in one business segment, that of selling selected lines of
            individual life and accident and health ("A&H") insurance policies.
            Except for certain insignificant operations, Citizens has no present
            intention to engage in any non-insurance related business. The
            following tables set forth certain statistical information
            concerning the operations of the Company for each of the five years
            ended December 31, 1997. The information is presented in accordance
            with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                     TABLE I

The following table sets forth (i) life insurance in-force and (ii) mean life
insurance in-force.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 IN-FORCE                                        MEAN LIFE
                 BEGINNING               IN-FORCE                INSURANCE
                  OF YEAR               END OF YEAR               IN-FORCE
                  (A) (B)                 (A) (B)                 (A) (B)
             ------------------      ------------------      -------------------
<S>            <C>                     <C>                     <C>          
  1997         $   2,231,017           $   2,250,197           $   2,240,607
  1996             2,151,955               2,231,017               2,191,486
  1995             2,144,709               2,151,955               2,148,332
  1994             2,030,615               2,144,709               2,087,662
  1993             1,696,606               2,030,615               1,863,611
</TABLE>


- ----------------
(a)  In thousands (000s)

(b) Before ceding reinsurance to reinsurers.


                                                                               4
<PAGE>   5

The increases in insurance in-force as shown above reflect the volumes of new
business written by the Company over the past five years. Approximately
$40,243,000 of the 1995 increase relates to the acquisition of ALLIC in 1995,
while $96,803,000 of the 1997 increases resulted from the acquisitions of USLIC
and NSLIC.

                                    TABLE II

    The following table sets forth (i) the ratio of lapses and surrenders to
          mean life insurance in-force and (ii) life reinsurance ceded.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           
                                             RATIO OF                       REINSURANCE CEDED(B)
                                            LAPSES AND         ------------------------------------------------
                                            SURRENDERS                 AMOUNT                  REINSURANCE
                   LAPSES AND                TO MEAN                     OF                      PREMIUM
                 SURRENDERS (A)              IN-FORCE             REINSURANCE (A)                 CEDED
              ---------------------      -----------------     -----------------------      -------------------
<S>               <C>                           <C>                 <C>                       <C>          
  1997            $    95,684                   4.3%                $   318,630               $   1,952,316
  1996                101,860                   4.6                     296,378                   2,511,318
  1995                 87,273                   4.1                     290,677                   2,241,111
  1994                 84,390                   4.0                     285,104                   2,309,672
  1993                 98,712                   5.3                     303,727                   1,939,425
</TABLE>
- ----------------------

    (a) In thousands (000s)
    (b) Approximately 95 percent of the reinsurance is yearly renewable term
        insurance, with the remainder being coinsurance. Premiums reflect both
        life and accident and health business.

                The increased lapsation during 1996 reflects the
                   inclusion of the ALLIC insurance business.

                                    TABLE III

      The following table sets forth information with respect to total insurance
premiums.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 ORDINARY            ANNUITY &                               ACCIDENT
                 LIFE (A)         UNIVERSAL LIFE         GROUP LIFE        & HEALTH (A)         TOTAL
                 --------         --------------         ----------        ------------         -----
<S>            <C>                  <C>                 <C>              <C>               <C>         
     1997      $   49,412,066       $   366,135         $     284,632    $5,299,783        $ 55,362,616
     1996          49,563,720           389,084               309,953     4,040,688          54,303,445
     1995          45,120,631           119,335               306,256       698,206          46,244,428
     1994          42,984,741            75,564               541,370       259,250          43,860,925
     1993          36,491,961           106,955             1,106,590       284,510          37,990,016
</TABLE>

- ------------------
     (a)  After deduction for reinsurance ceded.

Premium income has grown substantially due to the volume of new business written
each year, as well as the acquisitions. However, new sales of life insurance
decreased in 1995, and remained at similar levels in 1996 and 1997; therefore,
the overall increase since 1995 is less than for previous years. The acquisition
of ALLIC mitigated the total decline in new life insurance sales, although only
three months of ALLIC's premiums are reflected in the above table for 1995.


                                                                               5
<PAGE>   6

                                    TABLE IV

       The following table sets forth information relating to the ratio of
             underwriting and other expenses to insurance revenues.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                COMMISSIONS, UNDERWRITING
                                                                                 AND OPERATING EXPENSES,
                                                                                POLICY RESERVE INCREASES,
                                      COMMISSIONS, UNDERWRITING                 POLICYHOLDER BENEFITS AND
                                        AND OPERATING EXPENSES                 DIVIDENDS TO POLICYHOLDERS
                                 -------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------
                                                         RATIO TO                                  RATIO TO
               INSURANCE                                 INSURANCE                                 INSURANCE
              PREMIUMS (A)            AMOUNT             PREMIUMS             AMOUNT               PREMIUMS
              ------------            ------             --------             ------               --------
<S>          <C>                   <C>                      <C>             <C>                      <C>   
 1997        $   55,362,616        $   18,910,594           34.2%           $   58,865,744           106.3%
 1996            54,303,445            21,948,637           40.4                59,113,575            108.9
 1995            46,244,428            17,375,574           37.6                50,767,435           109.8
 1994            43,860,925            17,461,910           39.8                48,763,076           111.2
 1993            37,990,017            15,918,491           41.9                43,644,554           114.9
</TABLE>

- ---------------------
   (a) After premiums ceded to reinsurers.

Prior to 1996, the ratios of expenses to premiums had declined each year since
1989. These declines are the result of three factors: 1) underwriting and
operating expenses have generally not increased at the same rate as premium
income due to the Company's efficient method of operation; 2) sales commissions
as a percentage of total premium income are declining annually as the business
enters renewal stages and commissions are paid at a lower rate than the first
year; and 3) the amount of new insurance written annually represents a smaller
percentage of the Company's total premium income. However, in 1996, with the
addition of ALLIC and the considerable expense associated with its marketing
operation start-up, the ratio reached its highest level since 1993. Following
the merger of ALLIC in 1997, significant reductions in operating expenses were
realized.

                                     TABLE V

      The following table sets forth changes in new life insurance business
         produced between participating and nonparticipating policies.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           PARTICIPATING                      NONPARTICIPATING
               TOTAL NEW            ---------------------------          ---------------------------
              BUSINESS (A)          AMOUNT (A)          PERCENT          AMOUNT (A)          PERCENT
              ------------          ----------          -------          ----------          -------
<S>            <C>                  <C>                   <C>              <C>                 <C>  
 1997          $   286,698          $   245,547           85.6%            $ 41,151            14.4%
 1996              337,051              294,408           87.3               42,643            12.7
 1995              296,811              271,108           91.3               25,703             8.7
 1994              380,281              352,542           92.7               27,739             7.3
 1993              376,460              345,882           91.9               30,578             8.1
</TABLE>

- ------------------
  (a) In thousands (000s)

The percentage of the new business produced that is participating has increased
steadily due to the fact that the Ultra Expansion products were all
participating and represent the majority of new business. The decline in new
business during 1995 was caused in part by disruptions in the 



                                                                               6
<PAGE>   7

international market. See Management's Discussion and Analysis. The decrease in
non-participating business in 1997 results from sales by USLIC and NSLIC, which
sell only non-participating policies.

                                    TABLE VI

          The following table sets forth changes in new business issued
                           according to policy types.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    WHOLE LIFE
                                   AND ENDOWMENT                     TERM                   UNIVERSAL LIFE
             TOTAL NEW        -----------------------       ----------------------      -----------------------
            BUSINESS (A)      AMOUNT (A)      PERCENT       AMOUNT (A)     PERCENT      AMOUNT (A)      PERCENT
            ------------      ----------      -------       ----------     -------      ----------      -------
<S>           <C>              <C>               <C>         <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>
  1997        $   286,698      $   245,637       85.7%       $   41,062      14.3%        $    0           -
  1996            337,051          296,985       88.1            40,066      11.9              0           -
  1995            296,811          270,963       91.3            25,848       8.7              0           -
  1994            380,281          352,357       92.7            27,924       7.3              0           -
  1993            376,460          345,683       91.8            30,777       8.2              0           -
</TABLE>

  (a) In thousands (000s)

This table illustrates that virtually all of the new business written is whole
life. The 1995 results reflect a decrease in new business during the year, as
does 1997.

                                    TABLE VII

        The following table sets forth deferred policy acquisition costs
           capitalized and amortized compared to new business issued.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           DEFERRED POLICY
                        TOTAL NEW                         ACQUISITION COSTS
                        BUSINESS              -----------------------------------------
                         ISSUED                   CAPITALIZED                AMORTIZED
                         ------                   -----------                ---------
<S>               <C>                         <C>                       <C>            
  1997            $    286,698,000            $     9,804,022           $     9,630,705
  1996                 337,051,000                 10,531,222                10,221,917
  1995                 296,811,000                 10,579,704                 8,511,876
  1994                 380,281,000                 13,128,049                 7,203,593
  1993                 376,460,000                 13,472,064                 6,455,401
</TABLE>

Capitalized policy acquisition expenses increased steadily until 1994, such
increases reflecting the growing amount of new business issued. In 1994, the
rate of capitalization was affected by an adjustment due to the lower interest
environment. The amortization of these costs has grown as the aggregate deferred
acquisition cost asset has increased. In 1996, this amortization increased due
to the increase in surrender activity. The decrease in costs capitalized for
1995 and 1997 reflects the reduction in the amount of new business produced and
lower commission expenses incurred as a result thereof. In 1996, new business
increased; however the increase in capitalized costs was not as high due to
changes in the commission structure of the Company.


                                                                               7

<PAGE>   8

                                   TABLE VIII

               The following table sets forth investment results.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             RATIO OF NET
                                                                           INVESTMENT INCOME
                    MEAN AMOUNT OF              NET INVESTMENT               TO MEAN AMOUNT
                 INVESTED ASSETS (A)              INCOME (B)             OF INVESTED ASSETS (A)
                 -------------------              ----------             ----------------------
<S>                 <C>                         <C>                                <C> 
1997                $  150,481,414              $  10,038,736                      6.7%
1996                   134,167,938                  9,185,506                      6.8
1995                   111,926,695                  7,026,909                      6.3
1994                    90,419,823                  5,295,784                      5.9
1993                    82,598,407                  4,771,079                      5.8
</TABLE>
- --------------------

(a)   The year 1995 includes assets acquired from ALLIC on September 14, 1995.
      The year 1996 includes assets acquired from CILIC on March 12, 1996. The
      year 1997 includes assets acquired from NSLIC and USLIC.

(b)   Does not include realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments.

Available yields began to increase in mid-1994 and the Company was able to
obtain a slight growth in the return on invested assets. This growth continued
throughout most of 1995, and continued through 1996. The Company hired an
investment advisor in 1995, and this action contributed to the increased yield
in 1996. Significant decreases in yields in the bond market caused the yield on
invested assets to drop slightly in 1997.

       (C)        NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

              (i) BUSINESS OF CITIZENS

                  Citizens' principal business is ownership of CICA and NSLIC
                  and their affiliates. Additionally, it provides management
                  services to these companies under management services
                  agreements. At December 31, 1997, Citizens had approximately
                  75 full and part-time employees.

              (ii)BUSINESS OF CICA

                  Historically, CICA's revenues have been derived from insurance
                  premiums and revenues from investments. CICA is a
                  Colorado-domiciled life insurance company marketing primarily
                  ordinary whole-life products on an international basis through
                  marketing companies. Additionally, it offers specialty life
                  and individual accident and health policies to United States
                  residents. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997,
                  92.5% of CICA's premium income was attributable to life,
                  endowment and term insurance; 0.5% to individual annuities;
                  and 7.1% to accident and health insurance. Of the life
                  policies in force at December 31, 1997 and 1996, 34.4% and
                  13.0%, were nonparticipating and 65.6% and 87.0%, respectively
                  were participating. The change in participating 


                                                                               8

<PAGE>   9

                  policies as a percentage of total results from the ALLIC
                  merger in 1997 into CICA described above.

                  From 1987 to 1997, CICA offered its Ultra Expansion products,
                  a series of participating whole life policies targeted for
                  international markets. All of the Ultra products were
                  participating with dividends ranging from 2% of the premium in
                  the first year to 123% in the 20th year. Beginning January 1,
                  1998, CICA introduced its Millennia 2000 series of policies as
                  a replacement for the Ultra Expansion plans. The ten plans
                  that make up the Millennia Series are, like the Ultra
                  Expansion plans, designed for the international market and
                  maintain many of the features of the Ultra series, with
                  several new enhancements. These enhancements include terminal
                  illness protection as well as dismemberment provisions.
                  Management believes the Millennia products should increase new
                  sales significantly.

                  Additionally, following the merger with ALLIC, CICA began
                  offering specialty individual Accident and Health products as
                  well as ordinary whole life policies to residents of the
                  United States. The sale of these products is focused in
                  Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi.

                  The CICA underwriting policy requires a medical examination of
                  applicants for ordinary insurance in excess of certain
                  prescribed limits. These limits are graduated according to the
                  age of the applicant and the amount of insurance. Generally,
                  the maximum amount of ordinary life insurance issued
                  domestically without a medical examination is $200,000 for
                  ages 0 through 35; $100,000 for ages 36 through 45; $50,000
                  for ages 46 through 50; $15,000 for ages 51 through 55; and
                  $10,000 for ages 56 and over. Limits for insuring non-United
                  States applicants without a medical examination are: $150,000
                  for ages 0 through 39; $50,000 for ages 40 through 65; and all
                  amounts over age 65. The accident and health policies sold in
                  the U.S. have only minimal, field underwriting.

                  On life policies, CICA's maximum coverage on any one life is
                  not limited by company policy. However, CICA reinsures the
                  amount of coverage which is in excess of its retention policy.
                  See "Business of CICA - Reinsurance." CICA does not accept
                  substandard risks above Table 6 (generally policyholders who
                  cannot qualify for standard ordinary insurance because of past
                  medical history) in exchange for which CICA would charge
                  higher premiums.

                  CICA has $22.2 million of insurance in-force on individuals
                  that are classified as substandard risks, the majority of such
                  business having been acquired in the purchase of other
                  companies. Management believes the exposure to loss as a
                  result of insuring these individuals is minimal, since the
                  premiums are increased to cover the nature of the risk,
                  additional reserves are established, and the amount of
                  insurance represents less than 1.0% of the total insurance
                  in-force.


                                                                               9
<PAGE>   10

                  GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BUSINESS

                  For the year ended December 31, 1997, insurance policies held
                  by residents of the State of Oklahoma accounted for 6.2% of
                  CICA's total premium income from direct business, policies
                  held by residents of the State of Texas accounted for 2.7% of
                  premium income from direct business, policies held by
                  residents of the State of Louisiana accounted for 1.5% of
                  premium income and policies held by residents of Colorado
                  represented 1% of premium income from direct business for the
                  same period. All other states of the United States totaled
                  7.2% of the premium income from direct business with no single
                  state, except as set forth above, accounting for as much as 1%
                  of premium income. Business on foreign residents accounted for
                  the remaining 82.9%. For the year ended December 31, 1996,
                  residents of the State of Oklahoma accounted for 7.0% of
                  CICA's total premium income, residents of Texas accounted for
                  3.0%, Mississippi, 2.3%, Louisiana, 1.6% and Georgia, 1.1%. No
                  other state in the U.S. amounted to 1% of total premium income
                  during the period. Business on foreign citizens represented
                  81.0% of 1996 premium income. For the year ended December 31,
                  1995, residents of the State of Texas accounted for 2.7% of
                  CICA's total premium income and residents of Colorado
                  accounted for 2.1%. No other state in the U.S. amounted to 1%
                  of total premium income during the period. Business on foreign
                  citizens represented 91.8% of 1995 premium income. The
                  increase in domestic business as a percentage of total premium
                  income in 1997 results from the above-described merger of
                  ALLIC into CICA during the year.

                  The participating whole life policies accepted by CICA on high
                  net worth residents of foreign countries have an average face
                  amount of approximately $70,000 and are marketed primarily to
                  the top 5% of the population in terms of household income.

                  CICA accepts applications for international insurance policies
                  marketed by several independent international marketing firms
                  with whom CICA has nonexclusive marketing contracts. These
                  firms market life insurance products to citizens of foreign
                  countries, with a present emphasis in Latin America. Such life
                  products are specially designed by CICA to be compatible with
                  marketing methods and commission requirements.

                  The international marketing firms have many years experience
                  marketing life insurance products for CICA. The contract with
                  the marketers provides that they have the responsibility for
                  recruiting and training salesmen. They are responsible for all
                  of their overhead costs and bear the expense of awards. These
                  firms guarantee any advances against future commissions made
                  by CICA to marketers and their agents. In consideration for
                  the services rendered, the marketing contractors receive an
                  override commission on all new policies sold by them or their
                  salesmen. See "Business of CICA - Commissions." The marketing
                  contracts may be terminated for various causes, at any time by
                  mutual consent of the parties or upon 30 days' notice by
                  either party.



                                                                              10
<PAGE>   11

                  These firms provide recruitment, training and supervision of
                  their managers and salesmen in the sale of dollar-denominated
                  life insurance products; however, all managers and salesmen
                  contract directly with CICA and receive their commission from
                  CICA. Accordingly, should the marketing arrangement between
                  any firm and CICA be canceled for any reason, CICA believes it
                  could continue suitable marketing arrangements with the
                  individuals of the marketing firms without appreciable loss of
                  present and future sales, as it has done in the past. There
                  is, however, always a risk that sales could decrease.

                  At present, CICA is dependent on the non-U.S. markets for
                  virtually all of its new life insurance business. This
                  subjects CICA to potential risks with regard to the continued
                  ability to write such business should adverse events occur in
                  the countries from which CICA receives applications. These
                  potential risks include lapses of policies if funds that flow
                  out of such countries were to become restricted and the
                  improbable necessity that incorporating an insurance
                  subsidiary in such countries would become required. Based on
                  more than 30 years experience in the marketplace in which CICA
                  competes, management believes such risks are not probable or
                  material. The Company maintains no assets outside the U.S. and
                  requires all premiums to be paid in the U.S. with U.S. dollars
                  via drafts drawn on banks in the U.S.; therefore, it could
                  lose no funds from currency devaluation or foreign
                  appropriation. Further, management does not believe that the
                  flow of funds will be restricted in the future, because almost
                  all of the insureds are in the upper percentiles of incomes in
                  their country. Such insureds are actively involved in business
                  leadership roles in their communities and would be vehemently
                  opposed to funds flow restriction. Many of the inherent risks
                  in foreign countries, such as political instability,
                  hyper-inflation and economic disruptions tend to improve
                  rather than hurt CICA's business because it encourages
                  individuals to convert assets out of local currencies to the
                  more stable U.S. dollar.

                  MARKETING OPERATIONS

                  CICA holds licenses to do business in 15 states and accepts
                  applications from numerous foreign countries. Additionally,
                  CICA has applications for admission pending in two states.
                  CICA's operations are conducted on the independent contractor
                  basis, with a sales force at December 31, 1997 of 777
                  individuals, 1,319 individuals at December 31, 1996 and 1,308
                  individuals at December 31, 1995. The decrease in marketing
                  consultants in 1997 reflects the termination of all
                  individuals who had not produced in the last twelve months, a
                  practice that had not been enforced in several years.

                  COMMISSIONS

                  CICA's marketing managers are independent contractors,
                  responsible for their respective expenses, and are compensated
                  on a percentage of premium basis. The 




                                                                              11
<PAGE>   12

                  maximum amount of commission expense which may be incurred by
                  CICA on an individual life insurance policy is 120% of the
                  first year premium, 10% of the premium for each of the next
                  nine years and 2% of the premium for the eleventh and
                  subsequent years as a continuing service fee. Percentage
                  amounts paid to salesmen on individual term, annuity and
                  accident and health insurance are substantially less than the
                  levels paid for individual ordinary life insurance. The
                  marketing managers receive overriding first year and renewal
                  commissions on business written by individuals under their
                  supervision and all marketing expenses related thereto are
                  included in the above percentages.

                  RESERVES

                  CICA establishes actuarial reserves as liabilities to meet
                  obligations on all outstanding policies. Reserves and deferred
                  acquisition costs are prepared in conformity with the American
                  Academy of Actuaries Committee on Financial Reporting
                  Principles and generally accepted accounting principles. In
                  determining such reserves CICA used the 1955 to 1960, 1965 to
                  1970, and 1975 to 1980 Select and Ultimate Mortality Tables
                  with interest rates at 4% or in a range graded from 9% to 5%
                  with recent issues reserved at 7% graded to 6 1/2%. Withdrawal
                  assumptions are based primarily on actual historical
                  experience. Statutory reserves are used for paid-up life
                  business. Claims reserves include an amount equal to the
                  expected benefit to be paid on reported claims in addition to
                  an estimate of claims that are incurred but not reported,
                  based on actual historical experience. CICA receives an
                  independent actuarial certification of its reserves prepared
                  in accordance with both Generally Accepted Accounting
                  Principles and Statutory Accounting Principles. The
                  certifications have noted no deficiencies for the years
                  presented herein.

                  REINSURANCE

                  CICA assumes and cedes insurance with other insurers,
                  reinsurers and members of various reinsurance pools.
                  Reinsurance arrangements are utilized to provide greater
                  diversification of risk and minimize exposure on larger risks.

                  INSURANCE CEDED

                  CICA generally retains $75,000 of risk on any one person. As
                  of December 31, 1997, the aggregate amount of life insurance
                  ceded amounted to $281,400,000 or 13.1% of total direct and
                  assumed life insurance in force, and $293,864,000 or 13.5% in
                  1996. CICA is contingently liable with respect to ceded
                  insurance should any reinsurer be unable to meet the
                  obligations reinsured.

                  As of December 31, 1997, CICA had in effect automatic
                  reinsurance agreements that provide for cessions of ordinary
                  insurance from CICA. Additionally, CICA has reinsurance
                  treaties in force with several reinsurers of life and accident
                  and health insurance. These treaties provide for both
                  automatic and facultative 

                                                                              12
<PAGE>   13

                  reinsurance of standard and substandard risks ceded to them by
                  CICA for life, accident and health and supplemental benefits
                  above CICA's retention limit on a yearly renewable term,
                  coinsurance or modified coinsurance basis.

                  Treaties with Employers Reassurance (ERC) and Businessmen's
                  Assurance ("BMA") historically have been the primary vehicle
                  utilized by CICA for its international business. The treaties
                  are structured in such a way as to allow CICA to "self
                  administer" the cessions on a reduced cost basis. During 1995,
                  a third carrier was added as a principal reinsurer, Riunione
                  Adriatica di Sicurta, of Italy (RAS).

                  The ERC and BMA agreements provide that for risks reinsured in
                  specified countries, 70% of each risk in excess of CICA's
                  retention will be ceded to ERC and 30% to BMA. The RAS
                  agreement provides that on risks reinsured in specified
                  countries, 100% of the risk in excess of CICA's retention will
                  be ceded to RAS. CICA pays premiums to ERC, BMA and RAS on an
                  annual basis and is responsible for the production of the
                  reporting monthly and annually to ERC, BMA and RAS to allow
                  proper accounting for the treaties.

                  The cessions are on a yearly renewable term basis and are
                  automatic up to $333,333 for ERC, $500,000 for RAS and
                  $166,667 for BMA at which point the reinsurance is subject to
                  a facultative review by the reinsurers. At December 31, 1997,
                  CICA had ceded $166,969,000 in face amount of insurance to
                  ERC, $24,800,000 to BMA and $62,265,000 to RAS under these
                  agreements.

                  RAS is an unauthorized reinsurer in the state of Colorado;
                  however, RAS has agreed to comply with Colorado statutes
                  regarding such companies. Under these statutes, RAS will
                  provide a letter of credit, issued by a U.S. bank meeting the
                  Colorado requirements, equal to any liabilities it incurs
                  under its agreement with CICA.

                  A reinsurance treaty with Connecticut General Life Insurance
                  Company (CG) covers all of CICA's accidental death insurance
                  supplementing its life insurance policies. These cessions are
                  on a yearly renewable term basis and occur automatically if
                  total accidental death benefits known to CICA are less than
                  $250,000 or otherwise on a facultative review basis. At
                  December 31, 1997, CICA had ceded $1,285,000,000 in face
                  amount of business to CG under this treaty.

                  CICA monitors the solvency of its reinsurers to minimize the
                  risk of loss in the event of a failure by one of the parties.
                  The primary reinsurers of CICA are large, well capitalized
                  entities which have no current or prior history of financial
                  difficulty.


                                                                              13
<PAGE>   14



            (b)   INSURANCE ASSUMED. At December 31, 1997, CICA had in-force
                  reinsurance assumed as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               TYPE OF               AMOUNT
                                              BUSINESS            IN-FORCE AT
   NAME OF COMPANY         LOCATION            ASSUMED            END OF YEAR
- ---------------------     ----------          ---------           -------------
<S>                       <C>                <C>                  <C>
Prudential Insurance        Newark,           Ordinary
Company (Prudential)      New Jersey         Group Life           $224,953,000
</TABLE>

                  The reinsurance agreement with Prudential provides for CICA to
                  assume a portion of the insurance under a group insurance
                  policy issued by Prudential to the Administrator of Veterans'
                  Affairs. CICA's portion of the total insurance under the
                  policy is allocated to CICA in accordance with the criteria
                  established by the Administrator. 

                  CICA has also entered into a Serviceman's Group Life Insurance
                  Conversion Pool Agreement with Prudential, under the above
                  described agreement, whereby CICA assumed a portion of the
                  risk of Prudential under the group policy due to excess
                  mortality under the conversion pool agreement resulting from
                  issuing conversion policies as prescribed for membership in
                  the conversion pool.

                  INVESTMENTS

                  State insurance statutes prescribe the quality and percentage
                  of the various types of investments which may be made by
                  insurance companies and generally permit investment in
                  qualified state, municipal, federal and foreign government
                  obligations, high quality corporate bonds, preferred and
                  common stock, real estate and mortgage loans by certain
                  specified percentages. CICA's invested assets at December 31,
                  1997 were distributed as follows: fixed maturities - 85.39%,
                  equity securities - 0%, mortgage loans - 0.86%, policy loans -
                  13.4%, government insured student loans - 0.05%, short-term
                  investments - 0% and other long-term investments - 0.30% (see
                  Note 2 of the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements").
                  CICA did not foreclose on any mortgage loans in 1997. All
                  mortgage loans are supported by independently appraised real
                  estate. The investment policy of CICA with regard to mortgage
                  loans is consistent with the provisions of the Colorado
                  Insurance Code.

                  At December 31, 1997, 85.7% of CICA's investments in fixed
                  maturities were comprised of U.S. Treasury securities and
                  obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies,
                  including U.S. government guaranteed mortgage-backed
                  securities, compared to 95.9% at December 31, 1996. Of these
                  mortgage-backed securities, all were guaranteed by U.S.
                  government agencies or corporations that are backed by the
                  full faith and credit of the U.S. government or that bear the
                  implied full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The
                  decline in 


                                                                              14

<PAGE>   15


                  1997 reflects the ALLIC merger into CICA, as ALLIC had a
                  number of corporate bonds in its portfolio.

                  REGULATION

                  CICA is subject to regulation and supervision by the insurance
                  department of each state or other jurisdiction in which it is
                  licensed to do business. These departments have broad
                  administrative powers relating to the granting and revocation
                  of licenses to transact business, the licensing of marketing
                  persons, the approval of policy forms, the advertising and
                  solicitation of insurance, the form and content of mandatory
                  financial statements, the reserve requirements, and the type
                  of investments which may be made. CICA is required to file
                  detailed annual reports with each such insurance department,
                  and its books and records are subject to examination at any
                  time. In accordance with state laws and the rules and
                  practices of the National Association of Insurance
                  Commissioners, CICA is examined periodically by examiners of
                  its domiciliary state and by representatives (on an
                  "association" or "zone" basis) of the other states in which it
                  is licensed to do business. CICA's most recent examination
                  which was completed during 1992, was for the six years ended
                  December 31, 1991, and was conducted by a public accounting
                  firm representing the Colorado Division of Insurance. An
                  examination was begun in late 1997 for the five years ended
                  December 31, 1996, by a public accounting firm under contract
                  with and supervision by the Colorado Division of Insurance.
                  CICA is audited annually by an independent public accounting
                  firm.

                  Various states, including Colorado, have enacted "Insurance
                  Holding Company" legislation which requires the registration
                  and periodic reporting by insurance companies which control,
                  or are controlled by, other corporations or persons. Under
                  most of such legislation, control is presumed to exist with
                  the ownership of ten percent or more of an insurance company's
                  voting securities. CICA is subject to such regulation and has
                  registered under such statutes as a member of an "insurance
                  holding company system." The legislation typically requires
                  periodic disclosure concerning the transactions between the
                  registered insurer, the ultimate controlling party, and all
                  affiliates and subsidiaries of the ultimate controlling party,
                  and in many instances requires prior approval of
                  intercorporate transfers of assets (including in some
                  instances payment of dividends by the insurance subsidiary)
                  within the holding company system.

                  Since CICA does not physically conduct business in countries
                  outside the U.S. but rather accepts applications from overseas
                  marketers, it is not subject to regulation in countries where
                  most of its insureds are residents. The prospect of such
                  regulation is viewed as remote by management of CICA because
                  obtaining insurance through application by mail outside of
                  one's country is a common practice in many foreign countries,
                  particularly those where CICA's insureds reside.


                                                                              15
<PAGE>   16

                  COMPETITION

                  The life insurance business is highly competitive, and CICA
                  competes with a large number of stock and mutual companies.
                  CICA believes that its premium rates and its policies are
                  generally competitive with those of other life insurance
                  companies, many of which are larger than CICA, selling similar
                  types of insurance.

                  CICA's marketing plan stresses the sale of dollar-denominated
                  life insurance products to high net worth individuals residing
                  in foreign countries, with present emphasis in Latin America
                  and the sale of individual, supplemental accident and health
                  products and whole life products to United States residents.
                  Virtually all of CICA's total first year and renewal life
                  insurance premium income during 1997 came from the
                  international market. See "Business of CICA - Geographical
                  Distribution of Business." Management believes that CICA is a
                  significant competitor in the international market and
                  attributes its success in penetrating that market to the
                  expertise of management, the uniqueness of its life insurance
                  products and competitiveness of its pricing methods.

                  CICA faces competition from several other American life
                  insurance companies that also sell U.S. dollar denominated
                  policies to non-U.S. citizens, with no one company being
                  dominant in the market. Some companies may be deemed to have a
                  competitive advantage due to histories of successful
                  operations and large agency forces. Management believes that
                  its experience, combined with the special features of the
                  Ultra Expansion policies, as well as the new, enhanced
                  Millennia series of policies, allows CICA to compete
                  effectively in maintaining and pursuing new business.

                  Management believes that CICA competes indirectly with
                  non-U.S. companies in its business, particularly with respect
                  to Latin American companies. CICA, as a U.S. domestic insurer
                  paying claims in U.S. dollars in the U.S., has a different
                  clientele and product than foreign-domiciled companies. CICA's
                  product is usually acquired by persons in the top 5% of income
                  of their respective countries. The policies sold by foreign
                  companies are sold broadly and are priced based on the
                  mortality of the entire populace of the respective geographic
                  region. Because of the predominance of lower incomes in most
                  of these countries, the mortality experience tends to be very
                  high on the average, causing mortality charges which are
                  considered unreasonable based on the life mortality experience
                  of the upper five percent of income of the population.

                  Additionally, the assets that back up the policies issued by
                  foreign companies are invested in the respective countries,
                  and thus, are exposed to the inflationary risks and economic
                  crises that historically have impacted many foreign countries.
                  Another reason that CICA experiences an advantage is that many
                  of its policyholders desire to transfer capital out of their
                  countries due to the perceived financial strength and security
                  of the United States by foreigners. Also, CICA 

                                                                              16
<PAGE>   17

                  competes indirectly with other U.S. and European insurers in
                  countries where CICA's insureds reside. CICA's experience has
                  been that its market niche is in attracting insureds who want
                  the safety and security of a U.S. domestic insurer. Management
                  of CICA considers it to be difficult and speculative to
                  estimate the potential of the foreign market for U.S.
                  insurers. However, based upon the volume of new premium
                  generated by CICA that originates from several countries in
                  Latin America, management believes that CICA receives a
                  substantial share of such business. However, CICA does not
                  have market share data to confirm management's belief.

                  In CICA's block of accident and health insurance, (7% of total
                  premium income), it is in competition with many insurance
                  companies as well as with voluntary and government-sponsored
                  plans for meeting hospitalization and medical expenses such as
                  Blue Cross/Blue Shield, "Medicare" and "Medicaid." Future
                  expansion of such programs or the establishment of additional
                  government health programs could adversely affect the future
                  of accident and health insurance on CICA's books, most of
                  which has been acquired in the acquisition of other companies.

                  FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION

                  CICA is a "small company" as that term is defined in the
                  Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), section 806. As such, CICA
                  qualified for a special small company deduction (presently
                  equal to 60% of "tentative life insurance company taxable
                  income") which serves to decrease significantly the amount of
                  tax which might otherwise have to be paid.

                  The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993 (the "1993 Act") was
                  signed into law on August 10, 1993. Among its provisions was
                  an increase to corporate tax rates to 35% on taxable income
                  between $10,000,000 and $15,000,000 and to 38% on taxable
                  income between $15,000,000 and $18,300,000. This legislation
                  had no material impact on the financial position of the
                  Company.

                  The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990 revised the method in
                  which insurance companies claim deductions for policy
                  acquisition costs. Previously, insurance companies were
                  allowed to deduct actual policy acquisition costs as they were
                  incurred. Beginning in 1990, policy acquisition costs are
                  determined as a percentage of annual net premiums and are then
                  deductible on a straight-line basis over a ten-year period
                  rather than treated as an immediate deduction. This change in
                  treatment for acquisition costs has had a significant impact
                  on CICA's taxable income due to the relatively large amounts
                  of such deferrals caused by the increases in new business.

                  CICA files a consolidated Federal income tax return with
                  Citizens and its subsidiaries.




                                                                              17
<PAGE>   18

         (iii)    BUSINESS OF CTI

                  CTI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CICA and engages in the
                  business of providing data processing services and acquisition
                  and leasing of furniture and equipment for its parent as well
                  as data processing services and software to other companies.
                  Pursuant to an Information Systems Management and Services
                  Contract dated October 1, 1991, CTI provides data processing
                  services to the Company for a fixed fee of $53,000 per month.
                  In August, 1997, this fee was increased to $85,000 per month
                  to reflect the growth in the Company's business. As of and for
                  the year ended December 31, 1997, CTI's total assets were
                  $767,000 and revenues were $832,000. All intercompany fees and
                  expenses have been eliminated in the consolidated financial
                  statements.

         (iv)     BUSINESS OF III

                  In August, 1993, Citizens sold the stock of III to CICA for
                  its book value. CICA subsequently contributed debit balances
                  receivable of approximately $169,000 to III. III collected
                  such receivables and, as additional consideration, received an
                  airplane which it operates for Citizens and CICA. During 1994,
                  CICA made an additional capital contribution of $200,000 to
                  III. Also, during 1994, III acquired a different airplane for
                  use in providing aviation transportation and services to
                  Citizens and the airplane previously owned by III was sold. As
                  of and for the year ended December 31, 1997, III's total
                  assets were $751,000 and revenues were $170,700. All
                  intercompany fees and expenses have been eliminated in the
                  consolidated financial statements.

         (v)      BUSINESS OF AIN

                  AIN is a financial holding company whose principal business is
                  the ownership of USLIC. Additionally, AIN owns the building
                  that is the primary office facility for USLIC (See Item 2.
                  Description of Properties). At December 31, 1997, total assets
                  were $2.9 million and annual revenues were $201,000. All
                  intercompany fees and expenses have been eliminated in the
                  consolidated financial statements.



                                                                              18
<PAGE>   19

         (vi)     BUSINESS OF USLIC

                  USLIC is a Mississippi-domiciled life and accident and health
                  insurer offering whole life products and specialty accident
                  and health products to residents of the Southeastern United
                  States. USLIC is licensed in the states of Alabama, Arizona,
                  Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, New
                  Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

                  As of December 31, 1997, USLIC had $45,058,000 of life
                  insurance in force, of which $30,478,000 was reinsured and
                  $14,580,000 retained. The maximum retention by USLIC on any
                  one life for life insurance policies is $20,000. All of the
                  accidental death benefit coverage is reinsured.

                  USLIC offers customary forms of life insurance, including
                  non-participating whole life, decreasing term, level term
                  policies, supplementary health policies and a participating
                  whole life policy. Its leading life policy in the past has
                  been the "Lifetime Accumulator," a participating whole life
                  insurance policy. This policy differs from the usual offering
                  of life insurance in that the premium is uniform but the
                  amount of insurance varies by the age of the proposed insured.
                  The product is sold, therefore, in premium units rather than
                  in face amount units. While this policy is written only on
                  persons at ages 0 - 40, other life insurance products are
                  offered at ages 0 - 70.

                  The Lifetime Accumulator, by being sold at ages less than 40
                  and in small insurance amounts, does not usually require a
                  medical examination of the proposed insured. Examinations are
                  obtained if the amounts exceed the usual published guidelines
                  of USLIC. Electrocardiograms, x-rays, blood profiles and
                  urinalysis are obtained. USLIC can, and does, request records
                  from the proposed insured's attending physician and it obtains
                  investigative consumer reports as well. Applications must be
                  submitted on every proposed insured. Also questions regarding
                  driving, habits, hazardous sports and flying are asked.
                  Supplementary questionnaires are also obtained where required
                  on aviation and hazardous avocations. Additional information
                  of this nature may be requested when indicated by responses on
                  the application.

                  Through 1993, USLIC had written primarily the Lifetime
                  Accumulator, which accounted for approximately 98% of premium
                  income. During latter 1993, USLIC shifted its marketing thrust
                  to non-participating ordinary life products and supplementary
                  accident and health products. For 1997, 22.8% of premium
                  income was from life policies and 77.2% was from accident and
                  health policies, and in 1996, 36% of premium income was from
                  life products, and 64% from accident and health. The
                  persistency of the products has followed USLIC's actuarial
                  projection for the products and lapses have not exceeded the
                  assumptions.

                  As mentioned above, USLIC writes various forms of life
                  insurance, and since early 1994 it has developed several new
                  supplementary health insurance products, 





                                                                              19
<PAGE>   20

                  i.e., cancer, hospital indemnity, mental illness, outpatient
                  sickness, catastrophic illness, emergency accident, intensive
                  care and disability income and Medicare supplement. In 1998,
                  USLIC plans to actively mass market these products through
                  various companies' employee groups. Premiums will be employer
                  paid or paid through payroll deduction. USLIC can issue life
                  insurance on a rated premium substandard basis up through
                  Table 16 (400% extra mortality), but in so doing it will
                  reinsure all of the risk. USLIC only issues through Table 4
                  (100% extra mortality) on its Lifetime Accumulator policy to
                  improve the mortality and potential profitability on that
                  product line. The substandard risks are those that by reason
                  of health, occupation or avocation fall outside the normal
                  anticipated mortality levels of the general population as
                  developed by the actuarial sciences. It reinsures all of its
                  accidental death risk. USLIC also has a reinsurance agreement
                  on its cancer policy which limits its claim risk to $25,000 in
                  any calendar year on any one claim. It also reinsures various
                  amounts on several other health products.

                  USLIC's selling efforts are not usually concentrated on any
                  one economic, occupational, hazard or age group other than
                  for. The Lifetime Accumulator as indicated above. The
                  marketing territory is Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana,
                  Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. USLIC's
                  products are generally competitive with those of other
                  insurers in those states.

                  USLIC's policies are being sold by direct licensed
                  representatives and licensed general agents. None of these
                  agents has underwriting authority. The commissions paid are
                  believed by management to be competitive with commissions paid
                  by other life insurance companies in the states in which USLIC
                  is licensed to operate. USLIC is aware that there is
                  considerable competition for obtaining qualified agents and
                  that it will be competing with well-established life insurance
                  companies for agents to sell its policies. USLIC will also
                  recruit agents from among persons who are not now engaged in
                  the selling of life and accident and health insurance, and
                  USLIC expects to train such agents. USLIC presently has
                  approximately 300 licensed agents. The agents recruited and
                  licensed by USLIC hold licenses with other companies and
                  possibly could sell other companies' policies that are similar
                  in some respects to USLIC's policies. This arrangement is
                  quite common with companies that recruit and license general
                  agents.

                  INVESTMENTS

                  USLIC invests and reinvests certain of its reserves and other
                  funds. A part of its income will be derived from this source.
                  The investments of USLIC are limited as to type and amount by
                  the Mississippi insurance laws which are designed to insure
                  prudent investment policies.

                  The investment of capital, paid-in and operating surplus and
                  other funds of insurers organized under the laws of the State
                  of Mississippi is specified by the 




                                                                              20
<PAGE>   21

                  Mississippi Insurance Code. This statute includes general and
                  specific limitations on investments, records of investments
                  and other matters. The Mississippi insurance law regulating
                  investments and other aspects of the management of insurance
                  companies is designed primarily for the protection of
                  policyholders rather than investors.

                  The administration of USLIC's investment portfolio is handled
                  by the same outside investment manager as CICA's, with all
                  trades approved by a committee of the Board of Directors. The
                  guidelines used require that bonds, both government and
                  corporate, are of high quality and comprise a majority of the
                  investment portfolio. The assets selected are intended to
                  mature in accordance with the average maturity of the
                  insurance products and to provide the cash flow for USLIC to
                  meet its policyholder obligations. The type, quality and mix
                  should enable USLIC to compete in the life insurance
                  marketplace and to provide appropriate interest margins.

                  USLIC has classified all its investments as securities
                  available-for-sale which are carried at fair value.

                  REINSURANCE

                  As is customary among insurance companies, USLIC will reinsure
                  with other companies portions of the life insurance risks it
                  will underwrite. The primary purpose of reinsurance agreements
                  is to enable the company to reduce the amount of its risk on
                  any particular policy and, by reinsuring the amount exceeding
                  the maximum amount the insurance company is willing to retain,
                  to write policies in amounts larger than it could without such
                  agreements. Even though a portion of the risk may be
                  reinsured, USLIC will remain liable to perform all obligations
                  imposed by the policies issued by it and is liable if its
                  reinsurer should be unable to meet its obligation under the
                  reinsurance agreements. USLIC's general policy is to reinsure
                  business with insurance companies with an A.M. Best and
                  Company rating of "A" or better.

                  USLIC's life reinsurance is being ceded through automatic and
                  facultative treaties with two unaffiliated insurance
                  companies, Business Men's Assurance Company, Kansas City,
                  Missouri, and Optimum Re, Dallas, Texas. At December 31, 1997,
                  USLIC had ceded to BMA, $16,273,000 in face amount, and
                  $14,205,000 to Optimum Re. It is the practice of USLIC to
                  reinsure all accidental death benefit risks that are written
                  with the Lifetime Accumulator product of USLIC or with other
                  forms of insurance. USLIC has a reinsurance agreement with
                  Reliastar Financial Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota,
                  providing coverage of claims in excess of various amounts on
                  several of USLIC's accident and health policies.

                  RESERVES




                                                                              21
<PAGE>   22

                  USLIC has set up actuarially computed reserves as liabilities
                  to meet the obligations on the policies it writes. These
                  reserves are the amounts which, with additions from premiums
                  to be received and with interest in such reserves, compounded
                  annually at certain assumed rates, are calculated to be
                  sufficient according to accepted actuarial principles to meet
                  policy obligations as they mature. The various actuarial
                  factors are determined from mortality tables and interest
                  rates in effect when the policies are issued. The reserves to
                  be included in statutory filings will be valued on a basis
                  that meets the requirements of law in Mississippi. USLIC
                  receives an independent actuarial certification of its
                  reserves prepared in accordance with both GAAP and Statutory
                  principles.

                  REGULATION

                  Mississippi insurance laws and regulations generally govern
                  the accounting practices and prescribe the procedures and
                  forms for financial reports of insurance companies prepared on
                  a Statutory accounting basis and filed with the Insurance
                  Department. Reports prepared in accordance with the prescribed
                  statutory accounting practices are primarily intended to
                  insure the ability of an insurance company to meet its
                  obligations to policyholders and do not necessarily reflect
                  going concern value. Balance sheets prepared in accordance
                  with statutory accounting practices are designed primarily to
                  reflect the financial position of insurance companies from the
                  standpoint of solvency. Certain of the prescribed or permitted
                  accounting practices differ in some respects from generally
                  accepted accounting principles followed by other business
                  enterprises in determining financial position and results of
                  operations.

                  The insurance laws of the State of Mississippi also provide
                  that a life insurance company will be assessed a lower premium
                  tax if up to 25% of the life company's investments are in
                  Mississippi securities. The management of USLIC has invested
                  its assets in a manner to incur the lower tax rate.

                  In common with other insurance companies operating in
                  Mississippi, USLIC is subject to the regulation and
                  supervision of the Mississippi Insurance Commissioner. After
                  making application for admission and receiving proper license,
                  USLIC may operate in other states and, at that time, will be
                  subject to regulation and supervision in any other state where
                  it may be permitted to transact business. Such regulation is
                  primarily for the benefit and protection of insurance
                  policyholders rather than shareholders of insurance companies.
                  Broad administrative powers are possessed by the Mississippi
                  Department of Insurance and other supervising agencies.
                  Although the powers differ from state to state, in general
                  they include authority to grant and revoke licenses to
                  transact business, to be an agent, to supervise premium rates,
                  to approve the form of insurance contracts, to supervise the
                  form of financial statements filed with such agency, to
                  regulate capital requirements, to regulate insurable interest
                  on one life and to require the filing of detailed annual
                  reports. USLIC's business and accounts will be subject to
                  examination by the Mississippi Department of Insurance. Such





                                                                              22
<PAGE>   23

                  regulation includes the filing of financial statements by
                  USLIC, periodic reporting and examination by the insurance
                  regulatory authorities, and review of transactions between
                  members of the holding company group.

         (vii)    BUSINESS OF FHA

                  Formed in 1989, FHA, formerly Funeral Homes of Louisiana, owns
                  and operates a funeral home in Baker, Louisiana. Constructed
                  in 1992, the Baker Funeral Home constitutes the primary
                  business function of FHA. At December 31, 1997, FHL had total
                  assets of $666,000 and total revenues of $341,000.

         (viii)   BUSINESS OF CILIC

                  CILIC is an Illinois domiciled life insurer admitted to do
                  business in four states. Dormant for several years, the
                  Company services a closed block of life insurance policies. At
                  December 31, 1997, CILIC had assets of $3.1 million and yearly
                  revenues of $200,000.

         (ix)     BUSINESS OF NSLIC

                  NSLIC was acquired in November, 1997 by Citizens. Domiciled in
                  Arlington, Texas, NSLIC's revenues have historically been
                  derived from revenues generated by the sale of ordinary whole
                  life insurance, individual supplemental and major medical
                  health insurance and credit insurance and investment income.
                  During the year ended December 31, 1997, 11.6% of premium
                  revenue was attributable to life, endowment and term
                  insurance; 15.9% to credit insurance; and 72.5.% to accident
                  and health insurance. All of the life insurance in force is
                  non-participating.

                  In recent years, NSLIC's sales efforts have centered on a
                  major medical supplemental hospitalization policy and its
                  credit business. The claims incurred on the accident and
                  health policy to date are below the level anticipated in the
                  development and pricing of the product. The credit business is
                  sold primarily through a chain of furniture stores in Texas.
                  As a result, the average contract size is relatively small,
                  and the average duration is approximately three years.

                  GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BUSINESS

                  For the year ended December 31, 1997, 96.6% of NSLIC's total
                  premium income was derived from residents of Texas; 3.3% from
                  Louisiana residents and 0.1% from Oklahoma residents.



                                                                              23
<PAGE>   24

                  MARKETING OPERATIONS

                  NSLIC holds licenses to do business in three states - Texas,
                  Oklahoma and Louisiana. NSLIC's operations are conducted
                  through independent contractors, with a sales force of 218
                  representatives at December 31, 1997.

                  COMMISSION

                  The maximum amount of commission expense which may be incurred
                  by NSLIC on an individual life sale is 75% in the first year,
                  and 20% in years 2-10. On individual supplemental accident and
                  health, the first year commission ranges up to 65%, with up to
                  17% being incurred in years 2-10. On the supplemental
                  hospitalization plan, first year commissions amount to 32.5%,
                  while years 2 and thereafter are 12.5%. Commissions on the
                  credit business, which is all single premium, are 85%.

                  RESERVES

                  NSLIC establishes actuarial reserves as liabilities to meet
                  obligations on all outstanding policies. Reserves and deferred
                  acquisition costs are prepared in conformity with the American
                  Academy of Actuaries Committee on Financial Reporting
                  Principles and generally accepted accounting principles.
                  Claims reserves include an amount equal to the expected
                  benefit to be paid on reported claims in addition to an
                  estimate of claims that are incurred but not reported, based
                  on actual historical experience. NSLIC receives an independent
                  actuarial certification of its reserves. The certifications
                  have noted no deficiencies for the years presented herein.

                  REINSURANCE

                  NSLIC cedes insurance with other insurers, reinsurers and
                  members of various reinsurance pools. Reinsurance arrangements
                  are utilized to provide greater diversification of risk and
                  minimize exposure on larger risks.

                  INSURANCE CEDED

                  NSLIC generally retains $20,000 of risk on any one person. As
                  of December 31, 1997, the aggregate amount of life insurance
                  ceded amounted to $5,432,000 or 10.5% of total direct life
                  insurance in force. Additionally, NSLIC ceded $92,000 of
                  Accident and Health premium (approximately 27.7% of total A &
                  H premium). NSLIC is contingently liable with respect to ceded
                  insurance should any reinsurer be unable to meet the
                  obligations reinsured.

                  As of December 31, 1997, NSLIC had in effect automatic
                  reinsurance agreements that provide for cessions of ordinary
                  insurance from NSLIC. Additionally, NSLIC has reinsurance
                  treaties in force with several reinsurers of life and accident
                  and health insurance. These treaties provide for both
                  automatic and facultative 




                                                                              24
<PAGE>   25

                  reinsurance of standard and substandard risks ceded to them by
                  NSLIC for life, accident and health and supplemental benefits
                  above NSLIC's retention limit on a yearly renewable term
                  basis.

                  A treaty with Employers Reassurance (ERC) has historically
                  been the primary vehicle utilized by NSLIC for its life
                  business. A reinsurance treaty with Continental Assurance
                  Company covers virtually all of NSLIC's accident and health
                  business.

                  NSLIC closely monitors the solvency of its reinsurers to
                  minimize the risk of loss in the event of a failure by one of
                  the parties. The primary reinsurers are large, well
                  capitalized entities which have no history of financial
                  difficulty.


                  INVESTMENTS

                  State insurance statutes prescribe the quality and percentage
                  of the various types of investments which may be made by
                  insurance companies and generally permit investment in
                  qualified state, municipal, federal and foreign government
                  obligations, high quality corporate bonds, preferred and
                  common stock, real estate and mortgage loans by certain
                  specified percentages. NSLIC's invested assets at December 31,
                  1997 were distributed as follows: fixed maturities - 96.66%,
                  equity securities - 0.36%, mortgage loans - 0%, policy loans -
                  0.26%, short-term investments - 2.72%.

                  REGULATION

                  NSLIC is subject to regulation and supervision by the
                  insurance department of each state or other jurisdiction in
                  which it is licensed to do business. These departments have
                  broad administrative powers relating to the granting and
                  revocation of licenses to transact business, the licensing of
                  marketing persons, the approval of policy forms, the
                  advertising and solicitation of insurance, the form and
                  content of mandatory financial statements, the reserve
                  requirements, and the type of investments which may be made.
                  NSLIC is required to file detailed annual reports with each
                  such insurance department, and its books and records are
                  subject to examination at any time. In accordance with state
                  laws and the rules and practices of the National Association
                  of Insurance Commissioners, NSLIC is examined periodically by
                  examiners of its domiciliary state and by representatives (on
                  an "association" or "zone" basis) of the other states in which
                  it is licensed to do business. NSLIC's most recent examination
                  which was completed during 1994, was for the three years ended
                  December 31, 1993, by the Texas Insurance Department. NSLIC is
                  audited annually by an independent public accounting firm.



                                                                              25
<PAGE>   26

                  Various states, including Texas, have enacted "Insurance
                  Holding Company" legislation which requires the registration
                  and periodic reporting by insurance companies which control,
                  or are controlled by, other corporations or persons. Under
                  most of such legislation, control is presumed to exist with
                  the ownership of ten percent or more of an insurance company's
                  voting securities. NSLIC is subject to such regulation and has
                  registered under such statutes as a member of an "insurance
                  holding company system." The legislation typically requires
                  periodic disclosure concerning the transactions between the
                  registered insurer, the ultimate controlling party, and all
                  affiliates and subsidiaries of the ultimate controlling party,
                  and in many instances requires prior approval of
                  intercorporate transfers of assets (including in some
                  instances payment of dividends by the insurance subsidiary)
                  within the holding company system.

                  COMPETITION

                  The life insurance business is highly competitive, and NSLIC
                  competes with a large number of stock and mutual companies.
                  NSLIC believes that its premium rates and its policies are
                  generally competitive with those of other life insurance
                  companies, many of which are larger than NSLIC, selling
                  similar types of insurance.

                  In NSLIC's block of accident and health insurance, it is in
                  competition with many life insurance companies as well as with
                  voluntary and government-sponsored plans for meeting
                  hospitalization and medical expenses such as Blue Cross/Blue
                  Shield, "Medicare" and "Medicaid." Future expansion of such
                  programs or the establishment of additional government health
                  programs could adversely affect the future of accident and
                  health insurance on NSLIC's books.

ITEM 2.           DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES

                  CICA owns its principal office in Austin, Texas, consisting of
                  an 80,000 square foot office building. Approximately 33,000
                  square feet is occupied by CICA and its affiliates with the
                  remainder of the building being leased or for lease. At
                  December 31, 1997, the occupancy rate of the property was
                  100%.

                  CICA also owns 1.10 acres of land with a 13,000 square foot
                  office building which previously served as the Company's
                  executive offices. The property has a book value of $104,000.
                  A triple-net lease was executed during 1995 on the building
                  for a term of three years, with a purchase option at a price
                  of $850,000 during the period. The purchase option was not
                  exercised, and in March, 1998, a purchase contract was
                  executed with a third party for $840,000.




                                                                              26
<PAGE>   27
                  During 1995, CICA acquired through foreclosure, a 7,500 square
                  foot office property in Wheatridge, Colorado for $116,000.
                  Subsequently, the Company renovated the property, bringing its
                  investment to $230,000. The property was listed for sale in
                  December 1996. Management expects the ultimate realized value
                  of the property to be $250,000 to $300,000.

                  Through the acquisition of American Liberty Financial
                  Corporation described above, the Company also owns a 6,324
                  square foot funeral home in Baker, Louisiana with a total cost
                  of $473,000. This facility is owned and operated by a
                  subsidiary, FHA.

                  AIN owns a 13,000 square foot building in a suburb of Jackson,
                  Mississippi. In March, 1998, this building was under a
                  contract for sale at $537,000.

ITEM 3.           LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

                  On September 25, 1997, the Company was notified that class
                  action certification was granted September 15, 1997 to
                  plaintiffs in a lawsuit (Dwain Kirkham et al. v. American
                  Liberty Life Insurance Company et al., No. 25,954, 2nd
                  Judicial District, Jackson Parish, Louisiana) filed against
                  American Liberty Life Insurance Company "ALLIC") on August 19,
                  1996 and against Citizens, Inc. on December 20, 1996
                  (collectively "Defendants"). In the same ruling Defendants'
                  motion for summary judgment and exception of prescription
                  (statute of limitations) were denied. Defendants believe that
                  these rulings are significantly in error. Defendants will
                  appeal these rulings, during which time, the trial court
                  proceedings will be stayed. Defendants intend to vigorously
                  defend against these claims

                  The lawsuit was filed by four individuals who purchased from
                  ALLIC, prior to August 1, 1986, life insurance policies on
                  their children and grandchildren. In the complaint, plaintiffs
                  allege that the insurance policies were fraudulently
                  misrepresented to be "retirement" and "insured savings" plans
                  in which, after six or seven years, additional premiums would
                  be unnecessary and monthly retirement income would be
                  generated for plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege other causes
                  of action including breach of contract and are seeking
                  rescission, unspecified damages, interest and attorneys' fees.
                  Prior to the class certification ruling, rescission of the
                  insurance policies purchased by the four plaintiffs would have
                  resulted in a total payment of $31,000 (including 33% for
                  contingent attorneys fees). The activities described in
                  plaintiffs' complaint allegedly occurred over 10 years ago
                  with respect to certain types of insurance policies sold by an
                  independent general agent. Prior to its recent merger into
                  CICA, ALLIC had been a separate subsidiary of Citizens since
                  September 1995.




                                                                              27
<PAGE>   28

                  As part of the acquisition, not all historical records of
                  ALLIC were loaded on the computer system currently used.
                  Further, no officers or managers of ALLIC are currently
                  employed by the Company or any of its affiliates. Due to the
                  unexpected nature of this ruling, the historical records have
                  not been examined to determine if such an estimate can be
                  developed.

                  The Company from time to time may be a party to various legal
                  proceedings incidental to its business. Management does not
                  expect the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings to
                  have a material adverse impact on the financial condition of
                  the Company.

ITEM 4.           SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

                  No matters were submitted to shareholders of Citizens during
                  the fourth calendar quarter of 1997.

                                     PART II

ITEM 5.           MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED 
                  STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

                  Citizens' Class A common stock is traded on the American Stock
                  Exchange (Amex) under the symbol CIA. The high and low prices
                  per share as supplied by the Amex Monthly Statistical Report
                  are as follows.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    1997                         1996
                          -------------------------     ------------------------
   QUARTER ENDED            HIGH            LOW           HIGH           LOW
- ---------------------     ----------     ----------     ---------     ----------
<S>                         <C>            <C>            <C>           <C> 
March 31                  $ 8.81           7.63           9.13          8.50
June 30                     8.13           7.25           7.50          5.13
September 30                7.88           7.19           8.13          7.38
December 31                 7.56           6.38           9.75          7.69
</TABLE>



                   As of December 31, 1997, the approximate number of record
                   owners of Citizens' Class A common stock was 15,000.
                   Management estimates the number of beneficial owners to be
                   approximately 57,000.

                   Citizens has not paid dividends in any of the past four years
                   and does not intend to pay cash dividends in the immediate
                   future. For restrictions on the present and future ability to
                   pay dividends, see Note 7 of the "Notes to Consolidated
                   Financial Statements."

ITEM 6.            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

                  The table below sets forth, in summary form, selective data of
                  the Company. This data, which is not covered in the report of
                  the independent auditors, should be 



                                                                              28
<PAGE>   29


                  read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements
                  and notes which are included elsewhere herein (amounts in
                  thousands except per share amounts).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             1993
                                          1997              1996            1995             1994        (AS RESTATED)
                                          ----              ----            ----             ----        -------------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>       
NET OPERATING REVENUES                    $ 65,027        $   63,822       $   53,130       $   49,212      $   42,761
NET INCOME                                $  3,426        $    2,214       $    2,750       $    4,175      $    5,526
NET INCOME PER SHARE                      $    .16        $      .11       $      .16       $      .25      $      .34
TOTAL ASSETS                              $249,519        $  218,277       $  209,308       $  149,798      $  134,105
NOTES PAYABLE                             $    937        $      489       $      773       $      712      $    1,101
TOTAL LIABILITIES                         $169,938        $  151,394       $  144,595       $  114,742      $  106,090
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                $ 79,581        $   66,883       $   64,713       $   35,056      $   28,015
BOOK VALUE PER SHARE                      $   3.83        $     3.29       $     3.24       $     1.99      $     1.68

</TABLE>


         See Part I (b) - Financial information regarding the insurance business
and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis.

ITEM 7.           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION 
                  AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

                  Citizens, Inc. pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement,
                  purchased from Jansen Enterprises, Inc., a Texas corporation,
                  100% of the issued and outstanding shares of National Security
                  Life and Accident Insurance Company (NSLIC) for $1,700,000,
                  consisting of $1,000,000 cash, and restricted shares of Class
                  A Common Stock valued at $700,000 in a transaction that closed
                  on November 20, 1997. NSLIC is a Texas-domiciled life and A&H
                  insurer with assets of approximately $5 million and annual
                  revenues of approximately $5 million.

                  In June 1997 Citizens acquired American Investment Network,
                  Inc. (AIN), a life insurance holding company that was the
                  parent of United Security Life Insurance Company,
                  headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi with $7.5 million in
                  assets, $3.4 million of stockholders' equity, annual revenues
                  of $3.2 million and $67 million of life insurance in force.
                  Citizens issued approximately 700,000 Class A shares in
                  connection with the transaction, which was accounted for as a
                  purchase. The companies operate in their respective locations
                  under a combined management team with consolidation of
                  computer data processing on the Citizens' system.

                  In March 1997 CICA acquired the remaining 5.5% of FAIC not
                  owned by ALLIC. CICA issued approximately 134,000 shares of
                  Citizens Class A Common Stock to the minority holders of FAIC.
                  Upon consummation of the acquisition of the minority interest,
                  Citizens incurred a non-recurring charge to earnings of
                  approximately $400,000. This charge is based upon the fair
                  market value of the shares to be issued, less the minority
                  interest acquired, and approximately $670,000 of goodwill.
                  Subsequently, FAIC was liquidated.




                                                                              29
<PAGE>   30
                  To streamline its corporate structure, ALFC was merged into
                  Citizens in June 1997. Also ALLIC was merged into CICA in June
                  1997.


                  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

                  Net income for the year ended December 31, 1997 was $3,425,523
                  or $.16 per share compared to $2,213,726 or $.11 per share in
                  1996 and $2,750,212 or $.16 per share in 1995. Decreases in
                  acquisition related expenses associated with ALLIC and
                  economies of scale created by the combination of companies
                  contributed to the increase in 1997 income. Increases in
                  expense associated with the expansion of ALLIC's marketing
                  activities was the primary factor of the decrease in earnings
                  from 1995 to 1996.

                  Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 1997 were
                  $65,027,298 compared to $63,822,160 in 1996, an increase of
                  1.9%. Revenues increased from $53,130,172 in 1995 to the
                  $63,822,160 in 1996. Decreased writing of new business by CICA
                  in the international market and by ALLIC domestically was
                  offset by the premium revenues of USLIC and NSLIC, which
                  contributed to the increase in revenue in 1997. Additionally,
                  only six months of revenues of USLIC and only one month of
                  NSLIC's revenues are included in the 1997 results. The
                  substantial revenue growth in 1996 is attributable to the
                  inclusion of ALLIC for the entire year, which contributed
                  approximately $9,200,000 to revenues.

                  Premium income reached $55,362,616 in 1997, a 1.9% increase
                  over the previous year when premium income totaled
                  $54,303,445. The 1996 amount represented a 17.4% increase over
                  1995 when premiums amounted to $46,244,428. Declines in the
                  production of international premium by CICA and domestically
                  by ALLIC's former marketing operations during 1997 contributed
                  to the nominal increase. Additionally, as stated above, the
                  results for USLIC and NSLIC were not included for the entire
                  year. In January, 1998, CICA introduced a new line of
                  international products known as the Millennia 2000 series.
                  Based on the early reception of these products by the
                  Company's marketing consultants, management believes the
                  production of new premium from this market, which has been
                  flat for the past few years, should experience significant
                  growth, although this result cannot be assured. Additionally,
                  the products previously sold by ALLIC in the United States
                  were not available following the merger of ALLIC into CICA
                  until late in 1997 because of delays in obtaining requisite
                  approval from state insurance regulatory authorities..
                  Management has been successful in returning the largest
                  producing marketing organization of ALLIC to production and
                  anticipates significant new production in 1998, compared to
                  virtually none in 1997. Premiums for 1996 were boosted by the
                  inclusion of ALLIC, which contributed $3.8 million of accident
                  and health premium and an additional $4.1 million of life
                  premiums.



                                                                              30
<PAGE>   31

                  It is management's belief that CICA, utilizing the marketing
                  representatives who previously represented ALLIC, is better
                  served to continue to exploit its niche selling specialty
                  accident and health life products through existing
                  distribution channels. The acquisition of USLIC and NSLIC also
                  bring capable sales forces that have historically sold similar
                  products; therefore management believes that the ability to
                  "cross-sell" products between companies is high.

                  Net investment income increased 9.29% during 1997 to
                  $10,038,736 from $9,185,506 in 1996. In 1995, such income was
                  $7,026,909. The 1997 results reflect the continuing expansion
                  of the Company's asset base as well as the actions taken in
                  previous years to change the mix and duration of the Company's
                  invested assets. The 1996 results reflect actions taken during
                  late 1994 and early 1995 to extend the duration of the
                  Company's portfolio slightly to take advantage of higher
                  yields. Overall, the duration was increased to approximately 6
                  years from 4 to 5 years. Additionally, the acquisition of
                  ALLIC which increased the Company's invested assets by
                  approximately $17.8 million, contributed, along with the
                  Company's own internal growth. ALLIC represented $550,000 of
                  1995's investment income; however, this amount represented
                  only slightly more than three months of earnings on that asset
                  base. In 1996, the contribution was $1.2 million.

                  The low yields available in the bond market during the
                  Company's growth period have made it difficult to increase the
                  return on the Company's invested assets without exposing the
                  portfolio to undue risk; however, management believes that as
                  yields change, the Company is positioned to take advantage of
                  the investment opportunities that will present themselves and,
                  thus, enhance future returns. Management hired the investment
                  advisory firm of Asset Allocation and Management, Inc. of
                  Chicago ("AAM"), Illinois in late 1995 to manage the Company's
                  fixed maturity portfolio. It is the belief of management that
                  an overall increase in returns can be achieved by implementing
                  the plans of AAM to provide more diversity in the portfolio
                  without significantly increasing risk. During 1996, a nominal
                  reconfiguration was begun. In lieu of purchasing U.S. Treasury
                  instruments, the Company began to purchase U.S. Government
                  guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities. This program
                  continued throughout 1997. Additionally, approximately $3
                  million of A to AA rated private placement bonds were
                  acquired. Management expects to continue this strategy
                  throughout 1998 as opportunities present themselves.

                  Future policy benefit reserves increased $8,958,166 in 1997,
                  compared to $8,198,243 in 1996 and $11,033,763 in 1995.
                  Increased surrender activity was the primary reason for the
                  lower reserve increases in 1997 and 1996. Additionally, in the
                  early years of a policy, the net reserves (benefit reserve
                  less deferred acquisition costs) are small due to the large
                  capitalized costs in the first and second policy years. As the
                  policy matures, the reserve increases. The Company's reserves
                  are certified annually by an independent actuary. Such
                  certification noted no deficiencies for the years presented.




                                                                              31
<PAGE>   32

                  Overall policyholder dividends increased 18% in 1997 amounting
                  to $2,782,215, compared to $2,363,201 in 1996 and $2,422,168
                  in 1995. The 1997 growth is primarily due to the acquisition
                  of USLIC, which increased the current year results by
                  approximately $397,000. In late 1993, management reduced the
                  dividends paid on various plans to reflect the lower levels of
                  return that were available in the bond market. As a result,
                  the dividends paid in recent years have not been growing as
                  rapidly. Virtually all CICA's policies that have been sold
                  since 1989 are participating. Participating policies represent
                  a large majority (82%) of the Company's business in-force. As
                  a result, management expects continued growth in this item
                  subject to factors such as persistency and future sales;
                  however, dividends are factored into the policies' premiums
                  and thus management does not believe continued increases in
                  dividend expense should impair or dilute future profitability.

                  Claims and surrenders increased 7.5% in 1997, reaching
                  $27,852,907 from $25,919,054 in 1996. In 1995, such expenses
                  were $19,282,954. Death benefits increased to $4,475,083 in
                  1997, compared to $3,667,159 in 1996. In 1995, such benefits
                  were $2,923,339. The increase in such claims in 1997 does not
                  appear to be due to any trend. Rather, it is the result of the
                  growing block of business written by the Company.
                  Additionally, the pre-need and burial policies formerly sold
                  by ALLIC were marketed to an older clientele and as such,
                  higher claims are anticipated and factored into the product.
                  The Company has historically adhered to a strict underwriting
                  policy which requires complete medical examinations on all
                  applicants who are foreign residents, except children,
                  regardless of age or face amount of the policy applied for.
                  For 1996 and future years, management initiated a change to
                  more selective medical examinations in conjunction with dry
                  spot blood tests and extensive medical questions on the
                  application in order to lower the cost of new business without
                  sacrificing necessary information for the underwriter.
                  Additionally, X-rays and electrocardiograms are required
                  depending on age and face amount of the policy. On all
                  policies of $150,000 or more, inspection reports are required
                  which detail the background resources and lifestyle of the
                  applicant. The Company has developed numerous contacts
                  throughout Latin America with which its underwriters can
                  validate information contained in the application, medical or
                  inspection report.

                  Accident and Health benefits grew to $2,948,257 in 1997,
                  compared to $1,719,244 in 1996, and $304,704 in 1995. The
                  increase reflects the growing block of accident and health
                  premium on the Company's books. Additionally, in 1997, the
                  addition of USLIC contributed approximately $740,000 to the
                  benefit amounts. In 1996, the acquisition of ALLIC caused such
                  benefits to increase sharply because of the volume of A&H
                  premium on ALLIC's books compared to the amount on CICA's
                  books. In 1995, only three months of activity for ALLIC are
                  included.




                                                                              32
<PAGE>   33

                  Endowment expense grew to $5,258,881 in 1997 from $5,192,607
                  in 1996. In 1995, such expenses were $4,631,261. Beginning in
                  late 1990, Citizens introduced a new series of plans called
                  "Ultra Expansion Plus" which carried an immediate endowment
                  benefit of an amount elected by the policyowner. This
                  endowment is factored into the premium of the policy and is
                  paid annually. The relatively small increase from 1996 to 1997
                  reflects the decreased production of new business over the
                  last three years. Management does not expect this benefit to
                  adversely impact profitability since it is factored into the
                  cost of the policy.

                  Policy surrenders were $14,322,593 in 1997, compared to
                  $14,421,683 in 1996 and $10,611,335 in 1995. The increase in
                  surrenders in 1996 and 1995 is, in the opinion of management,
                  due to acquisitions and the growing block of business
                  in-force, as well as representative of the economic problems
                  seen in Argentina during 1995 and early 1996. The decrease in
                  1997 is, in the opinion of management, the result of a 
                  campaign begun in mid-1997 to inform policyowners about the 
                  benefits of their policy.

                  Other claim expenses amounted to $848,093 in 1997, $918,361 in
                  1996 and $812,315 in 1995. These expenses are comprised of
                  supplemental contract benefits, interest on policy funds and
                  assorted other miscellaneous policy benefits.

                  During 1997, commissions decreased to $11,918,192 from
                  $12,447,664 in 1996. In 1995 commissions were $10,273,173. The
                  majority of such amounts paid relates to first year
                  commissions which were $8,120,748, $8,677,297 and $7,292,264,
                  respectively, in 1997, 1996, and 1995. The 1996 increases
                  relate to improved sales activity in CICA and approximately
                  $1.5 million associated with ALLIC. The decline in first year
                  commissions during 1997 relates to the slowdown in new sales
                  discussed earlier.

                  Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses decreased to
                  $6,992,402 in 1997 from $9,500,973 in 1996 and $7,102,401 in
                  1995. The 1996 expenses include approximately $3.2 million
                  associated with ALLIC. Due to the consolidation of ALLIC's
                  operations with CICA, management believes significant
                  reductions have been achieved through economies of scale which
                  are reflected in the 1997 results. It should be noted that
                  only six months of expense associated with USLIC and one month
                  from NSLIC are included. Management believes that through
                  economies of scale which can be achieved in the future after
                  conversion of systems of these companies, additional expense
                  reductions can be made.

                  In order to convert a majority of CICA's marketing overhead
                  from fixed to variable, management began discussions in early
                  1997 with an independent international marketing company to
                  serve as managing agent for the Company's international
                  marketing activities. This firm will receive an overriding
                  commission on all new business sold internationally in
                  exchange for the absorption of all marketing management and
                  promotion activities. By taking such 




                                                                              33
<PAGE>   34
                  actions, management believes a significant amount of fixed
                  overhead can be converted to a variable expense in 1998 and
                  thereafter. Management has utilized firms such as this in
                  previous periods with great success at obtaining increases in
                  sales and expense reductions. Additionally, management
                  undertook the expense reductions associated with ALLIC's
                  marketing operations discussed previously. These actions
                  should result in additional annual overhead reduction in
                  future periods based upon the 1996 level of expenditures.

                  Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs were $9,804,022
                  in 1997, compared to $10,531,222 in 1996 and $10,579,704 in
                  1995. The decline in amounts in 1997 reflects the lower level
                  of new sales experienced during the year, as well as the lower
                  interest rate environment. There was an adjustment of
                  capitalization for 1994 and after issued policies to reflect
                  the lower interest rates available to be earned on the
                  Company's investment portfolio compared to earlier years.
                  Amortization of these costs was $9,630,705, $10,221,917 and
                  $8,511,876 respectively in 1997, 1996, and 1995. The increased
                  surrender activity discussed above contributed to the
                  increased amortization in 1996.

                  Amortization of cost of insurance acquired and excess of cost
                  over net assets acquired increased to $2,305,127 in 1997 from
                  $1,398,859 in 1996 and $678,997 in 1995. The increase is
                  attributable to the goodwill and cost of insurance recorded on
                  the acquisitions of USLIC, NSLIC, ALLIC and IIH. Because of
                  the slowdown in sales activity on the part of the agency
                  operations previously associated with ALLIC, management is
                  monitoring the goodwill associated with the acquisition of
                  ALLIC in 1995. Should actual production levels be less than
                  anticipated production, the potential exists that the Company
                  would have to charge-off the goodwill associated with such
                  decline. Management, in conjunction with its independent
                  actuaries is monitoring this recoverability on a quarterly
                  basis. At December 31, 1997, all goodwill on the Company's
                  balance sheet was recoverable within the period of
                  amortization. Because of the production by former ALLIC agents
                  discussed above, management believes that there should not be
                  future issues associated with such goodwill recovery; however,
                  in the event any such amount proved unrecoverable, a charge in
                  the appropriate period will be booked.

                  LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

                  Stockholders' equity increased to $79,581,698 at December 31,
                  1997 from $66,883,016 in 1996. The acquisition of USLIC and
                  NSLIC and the income earned during the period were the primary
                  reasons for the growth in equity during 1997. The increase in
                  equity during the year was enhanced by the improvement in the
                  market value (approximately $2.3 million, net of tax) on the
                  Company's available-for-sale bond portfolio. This unrealized
                  gain was attributable to increases in prices in the bond
                  market in 1997.




                                                                              34
<PAGE>   35
                  The Company's second offering of Class A common stock pursuant
                  to Regulation S was initiated in May 1995. The second
                  offering, to the Company's international policyholders,
                  originally was planned to expire on October 31, 1997. Shares
                  were priced at $7.50 and purchasers were required to agree to
                  a three-year holding period. The offering was terminated in
                  June, 1997. Approximately $1 million of additional capital was
                  raised through the offering.

                  Invested assets grew to $162,651,692 in 1997 from $138,311,136
                  at December 31, 1996, an increase of 17.6%. The acquisition of
                  USLIC and NSLIC contributed to said increase. The balance of
                  the growth is attributable to the internal growth achieved by
                  the Company. At December 31, 1997, fixed maturities have been
                  categorized into two classifications: Fixed maturities held to
                  maturity, which are valued at amortized cost, and fixed
                  maturities available for sale which are valued at market. The
                  Company does not have a plan to make material dispositions of
                  fixed maturities during 1998; however, because of continued
                  uncertainty regarding long-term interest rates, management
                  cannot rule out sales during 1998. Fixed maturities held to
                  maturity, amounting to $5,617,131 consist of U.S. Treasury
                  securities. Management has the intent and believes the Company
                  has the ability to hold the securities to maturity.

                  The Company's mortgage loan portfolio, which constitutes 0.8%
                  of invested assets at December 31, 1997, (1.2% at December 31,
                  1996) has historically been composed of small residential
                  loans in Texas. At December 31, 1997, one mortgage loan with a
                  principal balance of approximately $38,400 was in default. At
                  December 31, 1996, no loans were in default. Management has
                  established a reserve of $50,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996
                  (approximately 3% of the mortgage portfolio's balance) to
                  cover potential unforeseen losses in the Company's mortgage
                  portfolio.

                  Policy loans comprise 12.6% of invested assets at December 31,
                  1997 compared to 14.3% at December 31, 1996. These loans,
                  which are secured by the underlying policy values, have yields
                  ranging from 5% to 10% percent and maturities that are related
                  to the maturity or termination of the applicable policies.
                  Management believes that the Company maintains more than
                  adequate liquidity despite the uncertain maturities of these
                  loans.

                  Cash balances of the Company in its primary depository, Chase
                  Bank of Texas, Austin, Texas, were significantly in excess of
                  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) coverage at
                  December 31, 1997 and 1996. Management monitors the solvency
                  of all financial institutions in which it has funds to
                  minimize the exposure for loss. Management does not believe
                  the Company is at risk for such a loss. During 1998, the
                  Company intends to utilize highly-rated commercial paper as a
                  cash management tool to minimize excess cash balances and
                  enhance return.





                                                                              35
<PAGE>   36

                  In February 1992, the Company paid cash for an 80,000 square
                  foot office building in Austin, Texas to serve as its primary
                  office. This building will, in the opinion of management,
                  provide adequate space for the Company's operations for many
                  years. Renovation and remodeling of the property began in the
                  third quarter of 1992 and the Company relocated to the
                  building in September 1993. The Company occupies approximately
                  33,000 square feet of space in the building. The Company's
                  former office property, consisting of approximately 13,000
                  square feet in Austin, with a carrying value of $104,000 was
                  leased to a third party on a triple-net basis for three years
                  during 1995. The lease provided that the party could purchase
                  the building during the first 18 months of the lease for
                  $850,000 cash, with no lease payments applying to the purchase
                  price. The option period expired in 1996. The property was
                  placed under a contract of sale in March 1998 for $840,000.

                  CICA owned 1,821,332 and 1,955,457 shares of Citizens Class A
                  common stock at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. For
                  statutory accounting purposes, CICA received written approval
                  from the Colorado Insurance Department to carry its investment
                  in Citizens in 1996 at 50% of the fair market value limited to
                  7% of admitted assets, which differs from prescribed statutory
                  accounting practices. Statutory accounting practices
                  prescribed by Colorado require that the Company carry its
                  investment at market value reduced by the percentage ownership
                  of Citizens by CICA, limited to 2% of admitted assets. As of
                  December 31, 1997, the Company valued the shares in accordance
                  with prescribed statutory accounting practices. In the
                  Citizens' consolidated financial statements, this stock is
                  shown as treasury stock.                                   

                  CICA had outstanding at December 31, 1997, a $400,000 surplus
                  debenture payable to Citizens. For statutory accounting
                  purposes, this debenture is a component of surplus, while for
                  GAAP it is eliminated in consolidation. Citizens has
                  recognized a liability for its related obligation to a bank in
                  a like amount.

                  The NAIC has established minimum capital requirements in the
                  form of Risk-Based Capital ("RBC"). Risk-based capital factors
                  the type of business written by a company, the quality of its
                  assets, and various other factors into account to develop a
                  minimum level of capital called "authorized control level
                  risk-based capital" and compares this level to an adjusted
                  statutory capital that includes capital and surplus as
                  reported under Statutory Accounting Principles, plus certain
                  investment reserves. Should the ratio of adjusted statutory
                  capital to control level risk-based capital fall below 200%, a
                  series of actions by the Company would begin. At December 31,
                  1997, CICA, NSLIC, USLIC and CILIC were well above required
                  minimum levels.

                  INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THE YEAR 2000




                                                                              36
<PAGE>   37

                  The inability of computers, software and other equipment
                  utilizing microprocessors to recognize and properly process
                  data fields containing a two-digit year is generally referred
                  to as the Year 2000 compliance issue. As the year 2000
                  approaches, such systems may be unable to accurately process
                  certain date-based or date-sensitive information.

                  The Company is in the process of identifying all significant
                  applications that will require modification to ensure Year
                  2000 compliance. Internal resources will be used as necessary
                  to make the required modifications and to test and verify Year
                  2000 compliance. Due to the nature of the programming of the
                  Company's core processing systems, such date oriented issues
                  are not a problem since the dates are stored as the number of
                  days since the year 1900, rather than as a two-digit field.
                  Accordingly a significant part of the Company's efforts to
                  ensure Year 2000 compliance will be to obtain assurances from
                  vendors that timely upgrades will be made available to make
                  third party software Year 2000 compliant. Additionally, the
                  Company will contact companies with whom it does business and
                  upon whose systems the Company may indirectly rely, to obtain
                  assurances that such systems will be timely modified. The
                  Company anticipates that it will complete this process in
                  early 1999, leaving adequate time to assess and resolve any
                  significant remaining issues. The cost of Year 2000 compliance
                  is not expected to be material to the Company's financial
                  position or results of operations in any one year.









                                                                              37


<PAGE>   38
                  FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

                  In February 1997, the FASB issued Statement 128 "Earnings per
                  Share" ("Statement 128"). Statement 128 establishes the
                  standards for computing and presenting earnings per share
                  ("EPS"). This statement replaces the presentation of primary
                  EPS with a presentation of basic EPS and requires dual
                  presentation of basic and diluted EPS. Statement 128 is
                  effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 1997.
                  Implementation did not have a material impact on the Company's
                  earnings per share.

                  In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement 130 "Reporting
                  Comprehensive Income" ("Statement 130"). Statement 130
                  establishes the standards for reporting and display of
                  comprehensive income and its components in a full set of
                  general-purpose financial statements. Statement 130 is
                  effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15,
                  1997. The Company does not believe that this statement will
                  have an impact on future operations or liquidity.











                                                                              38
<PAGE>   39
ITEM 8.           FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 CITIZENS, INC.

                 INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
                          FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      PAGE
                                                                    REFERENCE
                                                                    ---------
<S>                                                                    <C>
Independent auditor's report                                           44
Consolidated balance sheets at
     December 31, 1997 and 1996                                       45-46
Consolidated statements of operations
     - years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995                   47-48
Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity
     - years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995                    49
Consolidated statements of cash flows
     - years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995                   50-52
Notes to consolidated financial statements                            53-71
Schedules at December 31, 1997 and 1996:

     Schedule II - Condensed Financial
     Information of Registrant                                        72-74
Schedules for each of the years in the three-year
     period ended December 31, 1997:

         Schedule IV - Reinsurance                                     75
</TABLE>

All other schedules have been omitted as the required information is
inapplicable or the information required is presented in the financial
statements or the notes thereto filed elsewhere herein.

ITEM 9.           DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

                  During the 24 months preceding the date of the audited
                  financial statements of Citizens included herein, there has
                  been no change of accountants made by Citizens, nor has it
                  reported on Form 8-K any disagreements between the Company and
                  its independent accountants.



                                                                              39
<PAGE>   40

                                    PART III

Items 10, 11, 12, and 13 of this Report incorporate by reference the information
in the Company's definitive proxy material under the headings "Stock and
Principal Stockholders," "Control of the Company," "Election of Directors,"
`Executive Officers," "Executive Officer and Director Compensation" and "Certain
Reports" to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days
after December 31, 1997.

                                     PART IV

ITEM              14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON
                  FORM 8-K

       (a)    1 AND 2

                  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

                  The financial statements and schedules listed on the following
                  index to financial statements and financial statement
                  schedules are filed as part of this Form 10-K.

       (a)     3 EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          EXHIBIT
   EXHIBIT NO.                                       DESCRIPTION                                          PAGE NO.
   -----------                                       -----------                                          --------
<S>                    <C>                                                                                <C>
      (1)              Underwriting Agreement                                                               N/A

      (2)              Plan of acquisition,  reorganization, arrangement, liquidation or
                       succession                                                                           (e)

      (3)              3.1    Articles of Incorporation; as amended                                         (d)

                       3.2    Bylaws                                                                        (b)

      (4)              Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures            N/A

      (5)              Opinion re:      Legality                                                            N/A

      (6)              (Removed and Reserved)                                                               N/A

      (7)              (Removed and Reserved)                                                               N/A

      (8)              Opinion re:      Tax Matters                                                         N/A

      (9)              Voting Trust Agreement                                                               N/A

      (10)             Material Contracts

                         10.1          Automatic Yearly Renewable term (NR) Life
                                       Reinsurance Agreement between Citizens
                                       Insurance Company of America and The
                                       Centennial Life Insurance Company dated
                                       March 1, 1982                                                        (a)

                         10.2          Stock Purchase Agreement between Citizens
                                       Insurance Company of America and
                                       Citizens, Inc.                                                       (a)
</TABLE>



                                                                              40
<PAGE>   41

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                        <C>
                         10.3          Plan and Agreement of Merger and Exchange
                                       by and among Insurance Investors &
                                       Holding Co., Central Investors Life
                                       Insurance Company of Illinois, Citizens,
                                       Inc. and Citizens Acquisition, Inc.                                  (g)

                         10.4          Self-Administered Automatic Reinsurance
                                       Agreement - Citizens Insurance Company of
                                       America and Riunione Adriatica di
                                       Sicurta, S.p.A.                                                      (h)

                         10.5          Plan and Agreement of Exchange dated
                                       October 28, 1996 between Citizens, Inc.
                                       and American Investment Network, Inc.                                (h)

                         10.6          Agreement and Plan of Merger dated
                                       October 31, 1996 between Citizens
                                       Insurance Company of America, CICA
                                       Acquisition, Inc., and First American
                                       Investment Corporation                                               (h)

                         10.7          Plan and Agreement of Merger dated
                                       November 22, 1996 between Citizens, Inc.
                                       and American Liberty Financial
                                       Corporation, as amended                                              (i)

                         10.8          Plan and Agreement of Merger dated
                                       November 22, 1996 between Citizens
                                       Insurance Company of America and American
                                       Liberty Life Insurance Company, as
                                       amended                                                              (i)

                         10.9          Bulk Accidental Death Benefit Reinsurance
                                       Agreement between Connecticut General
                                       Life Insurance Company and Citizens
                                       Insurance Company of America, as amended
                                       Plan and Agreement of Exchange dated
                                       October 28, 1996                                                     (i)

                         10.10         Plan and Agreement of Exchange between 
                                       American Investment Network, Inc., and                              
                                       Citizens Insurance Company of America                               filed
                                       dated October 28, 1996                                             herewith

                         10.11         Stock Purchase Agreement dated August
                                       13, 1997 between Jansen Enterprises, Inc., 
                                       Joe T. Bailey D. Steven Hansen,                                     filed
                                       and Citizens Inc.                                                  herewith

      (11)             Statement re:      Computation of per share earnings                                 N/A

      (12)             Statement re:      Computation of ratios                                             N/A

      (13)             Annual report to security holders, Form 10-Q or quarterly report to                  N/A
                       security holders

      (14)             (Removed and Reserved)                                                               N/A

      (15)             Letter re:     Unaudited interim financial statements                                N/A

      (16)             Letter re:     Change in certifying accountant                                       N/A

      (17)             Letter re:     Director resignation                                                  N/A

      (18)             Letter re:     Change in accounting principles                                       N/A

      (19)             Report furnished to security holders                                                 N/A

      (20)             Other documents or statements to security holders                                    N/A
</TABLE>



                                                                              41
<PAGE>   42
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                      <C>
      (21)             Subsidiaries of the registrant                                                      Filed
                                                                                                         herewith

      (22)             Published report regarding matters submitted to a vote of security
                       holders                                                                              N/A

      (23)             Independent Auditor's consent                                                       Filed
                                                                                                         herewith

      (24)             Power of Attorney                                                                    See
                                                                                                         signature
                                                                                                           page

      (25)             Statement of eligibility of trustee                                                  N/A

      (26)             Invitations for competitive bids                                                     N/A

      (27)             Financial Data Schedule                                                             Filed
                                                                                                         herewith

      (28)             (Removed and Reserved)                                                               N/A

      (99)             Additional Exhibits                                                                  N/A
</TABLE>

- ----------------

(a)    Filed as a part of the Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form
       S-4, SEC File No. 33--4753, filed on or about June 19, 1992.

(b)    Filed with or referenced in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
       for the year ended December 31, 1991 and incorporated herein by
       reference.

(c)    Filed with or referenced in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
       for the year ended December 31, 1992 and incorporated herein by
       reference.

(d)    Filed with or referenced in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
       for the year ended December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by
       reference.

(e)    Filed with or referenced in the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
       dated December 9, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference.

(f)    Filed as a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4, SEC File No.
       33--59039, filed on or about May 2, 1995.

(g)    Filed as a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4, SEC File No.
       33--63275, filed on or about October 6, 1995.

(h)    Filed as a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4, SEC File No.
       333--16163, filed on or about November 14, 1996.

(i)    Filed with or referenced in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
       for the year ended December 31, 1996 and incorporated herein by
       reference.

       (b)    REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

No Reports on Form 8-K were filed by Citizens during the fourth quarter of 1997.



                                       42
<PAGE>   43

                                 CITIZENS, INC.

                 INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
                          FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          PAGE
                                                                                        REFERENCE
                                                                                        ---------
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Independent auditors' report                                                               44

Consolidated balance sheets at
     December 31, 1997 and 1996                                                           45-46

Consolidated statements of operations
     - years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995                                       47-48

Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity
     - years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995                                        49

Consolidated statements of cash flows
     - years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995                                       50-52

Notes to consolidated financial statements                                                53-71

Schedules at December 31, 1997 and 1996:

     Schedule II - Condensed Financial
     Information of Registrant                                                            72-74

Schedules for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
     1997:

         Schedule IV - Reinsurance                                                         75
</TABLE>

All other schedules have been omitted as the required information is
inapplicable or the information required is presented in the financial
statements or the notes thereto filed elsewhere herein.



                                                                              43
<PAGE>   44

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Citizens, Inc.:

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Citizens, Inc. and
subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index. In connection with our audits
of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial
statement schedules as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated
financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our
audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Citizens, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when
considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a
whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth
therein.

                                             KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP

Dallas, Texas
March 18, 1998



                                                                              44
<PAGE>   45

                         CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                           DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               ASSETS                                 1997             1996
                                                                      -----            ----
<S>                                                              <C>              <C>         
Investments (note 2):
     Fixed maturities held to maturity,
         at amortized cost (market $5,704,000
         in 1997 and $5,217,000 in 1996)                         $  5,617,131     $  5,627,256
     Fixed maturities available for sale at market
         (cost $130,621,420 in 1997 and
         $110,759,634 in 1996)                                    133,021,681      109,723,050
     Equity securities, at market (cost $983,513
         in 1997 and $89,580 in 1996)                                 978,391           50,155
     Mortgage loans on real estate (net of reserve
         of $50,000 in 1997 and 1996)                               1,287,295        1,672,522
     Policy loans                                                  20,466,184       19,819,125
     Guaranteed student loans (net of reserve of
         $10,000 in 1997 and 1996)                                     81,681          298,683
     Other long-term investments                                      899,329          920,345
     Short-term investments                                           300,000          200,000
                                                                 ------------     ------------
                          Total investments                       162,651,692      138,311,136

Cash                                                                6,454,956        6,085,383
Other receivables                                                   1,007,878          594,088
Accrued investment income                                           2,010,512        1,682,084
Reinsurance recoverable                                             2,069,423        1,773,541
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                  37,107,070       36,933,753
Other intangible assets                                             2,596,925        1,633,625
Federal income tax receivable                                              --          357,608
Deferred federal income tax (note 12)                                 572,430          743,712
Cost of insurance acquired (note 3)                                10,639,667        7,219,594
Excess of cost over net assets acquired (note 3)                   17,466,123       16,756,433
Property, plant and equipment                                       5,795,573        5,442,578
Other assets                                                        1,147,186          743,636
                                                                 ------------     ------------
                                                                 $249,519,435     $218,277,171
                                                                 ============     ============
</TABLE>



                                                                              45
<PAGE>   46

                         CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, CONTINUED

                           DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                      1997               1996
                                                                           ----               ----
<S>                                                                   <C>                <C>          
Liabilities:
     Future policy benefit reserves (notes 4 and 5):
         Life insurance                                               $ 140,003,642      $ 126,910,222
         Annuities                                                        3,819,861          3,936,178
         Accident and health                                              8,295,539          6,219,274
     Dividend accumulations                                               4,789,194          3,961,603
     Premium deposits                                                     2,010,102          1,803,358
     Policy claims payable (notes 4, 5 and 10)                            3,488,484          2,966,818
     Other policyholders' funds                                           1,873,588          1,958,992
                                                                      -------------      -------------
                       Total policy liabilities                         164,280,410        147,756,445

     Other liabilities                                                    2,703,346          2,052,001
     Commissions payable                                                    880,811            928,288
     Notes payable (note 6)                                                 937,430            489,166
     Federal income tax payable                                             762,992                 --
     Amounts held on deposit                                                372,748            168,255
                                                                      -------------      -------------
                           Total liabilities                            169,937,737        151,394,155
                                                                      -------------      -------------

Stockholders' equity (notes 7, 8, and 9): Common stock:
         ClassA, no par value, 50,000,000 shares
              authorized 22,708,910 shares issued
              in 1997 and 21,761,894 shares issued
              in 1996, including shares in treasury of
              1,943,822 in 1997 and 2,077,947 in 1996                    52,790,643         45,941,552

         Class B, no par value, 1,000,000 shares
              authorized, 621,049 shares issued and
              outstanding in 1997 and 1996                                  283,262            283,262
     Unrealized investment gain (loss) (note 2)                           1,580,790           (710,166)
     Retained earnings                                                   26,856,157         23,430,634
                                                                      -------------      -------------
                                                                         81,510,852         68,945,282
     Treasury stock, at cost                                             (1,929,154)        (2,062,266)
                                                                      -------------      -------------
                      Total stockholders' equity                         79,581,698         66,883,016
                                                                      -------------      -------------
     Commitments and contingencies (notes 5, 8, and 10)
                                                                      $ 249,519,435      $ 218,277,171
                                                                      =============      =============
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



                                                                              46
<PAGE>   47

                         CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                           DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1997              1996              1995
                                                         ----              ----              ----
<S>                                                  <C>               <C>               <C>         
Revenues:
     Premiums (notes 5 and 11):
         Life insurance                              $ 49,696,698      $ 49,873,673      $ 45,426,887
         Accident and health                            5,299,783         4,040,688           698,206
         Annuity and universal life
         considerations                                   366,135           389,084           119,335
     Net investment income (note 2)                    10,038,736         9,185,506         7,026,909
     Realized gains (losses) on
         investments (note 2)                            (320,125)          226,212          (109,096)
     Other income                                          23,945           136,566            75,062
     Interest expense                                     (77,874)          (29,569)         (107,131)
                                                     ------------      ------------      ------------
                 Total revenues                        65,027,298        63,822,160        53,130,172
                                                     ------------      ------------      ------------

Benefits and expenses:
     Insurance benefits paid or provided:
         Increase in future
              policy benefit reserves                   8,958,166         8,198,243        11,033,763
         Policyholders' dividends                       2,782,215         2,363,201         2,422,168
         Claims and surrenders (note 5)                27,852,907        25,919,054        19,282,954
         Annuity expenses                                 361,862           684,440           652,976
                                                     ------------      ------------      ------------
                 Total insurance benefits
                 paid or provided                      39,955,150        37,164,938        33,391,861
     Commissions                                       11,918,192        12,447,664        10,273,173
     Other underwriting, acquisition
         and insurance expenses                         6,992,402         9,500,973         7,102,401
     Capitalization of deferred policy
         acquisition costs                             (9,804,022)      (10,531,222)      (10,579,704)
     Amortization of deferred policy
         acquisition costs                              9,630,705        10,221,917         8,511,876
     Amortization of cost of insurance
         acquired and excess of cost
         over net assets acquired (note 3)              2,305,127         1,398,859           678,997
                                                     ------------      ------------      ------------
                     Total benefits and expenses       60,997,554        60,203,129        49,378,604
                                                     ------------      ------------      ------------
</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)

                                                                              47
<PAGE>   48

                         CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, CONTINUED

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1997           1996           1995
                                                     ----           ----           ----
<S>                                               <C>            <C>            <C>       
Income before Federal income
     taxes                                        $4,029,744     $3,619,031     $3,751,568
Federal income tax expense                           604,221      1,405,305      1,001,356
                                                  ----------     ----------     ----------
     (note 12)

     Net income                                   $3,425,523     $2,213,726     $2,750,212
                                                  ==========     ==========     ==========

     Basic and diluted earnings per share
         of common stock (notes 1 and 8)          $      .16     $      .11     $      .16
                                                  ==========     ==========     ==========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                                                              48
<PAGE>   49

                         CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              COMMON  STOCK           UNREALIZED                        TOTAL
                                        ---------------------------   INVESTMENT        RETAINED       TREASURY       STOCKHOLDERS'
                                          CLASS A        CLASS B     GAINS (LOSSES)     EARNINGS        STOCK            EQUITY
                                          -------        -------     --------------     --------        -----            ------
<S>                                     <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1994           $ 21,457,303    $  283,262    $ (2,970,597)   $ 18,466,696    $(2,181,291)    $ 35,055,373
Net income                                       --            --              --       2,750,212             --        2,750,212
Unrealized investment gains, net                 --            --       4,238,344              --             --        4,238,344
Acquisition of ALFC (note 9)             22,246,163            --              --              --             --       22,246,163
Sale of stock                               638,980            --              --              --             --          638,980
Stock issuance costs                       (257,495)           --              --              --             --         (257,495)
Retire shares held in treasury stock       (114,782)           --              --              --        114,782               --
Sale of treasury stock                       37,170            --              --              --          4,243           41,413
                                       ------------    ----------    ------------    ------------    -----------     ------------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1995           $ 44,007,339    $  283,262    $  1,267,747    $ 21,216,908    $(2,062,266)    $  64,712,990
                                       ============    ==========    ============    ============    ===========     ============

Net income                                       --            --              --       2,213,726             --        2,213,726
Unrealized investment gains, net                 --            --      (1,977,913)             --             --       (1,977,913)
Acquisition of IIH (note 9)               1,542,501            --              --              --             --        1,542,501
Sale of stock                               445,462            --              --              --             --          445,462
Stock issuance costs                       (157,500)           --              --              --             --         (157,500)
Exercise of options (note 8)                103,750            --              --              --             --          103,750
                                       ------------    ----------    ------------    ------------    -----------     ------------

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1996           $ 45,941,552    $  283,262    $   (710,166)   $ 23,430,634    $(2,062,266)    $ 66,883,016
                                       ============    ==========    ============    ============    ===========     ============

Net income                                                     --              --       3,425,523             --        3,425,523
Unrealized investment gains, net                               --       2,290,956              --             --        2,290,956
Acquisition  of  minority interest in                          --
FAIC (Note 9)                               932,584            --              --              --        133,112        1,065,696
Acquisition of AIN (Note 9)               5,320,895            --              --              --             --        5,320,895
Acquisition of NSLIC (Note 9)               700,000                            --              --             --          700,000
Stock options exercised (Note 8)            130,500            --              --              --             --          130,500
Stock issuance costs                       (234,888)           --              --              --             --         (234,888)
                                       ------------    ----------    ------------    ------------    -----------     ------------

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1997           $ 52,790,643    $  283,262    $  1,580,790    $ 26,856,157    $(1,929,154)    $ 79,581,698
                                       ============    ==========    ============    ============    ===========     ============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                                                              49
<PAGE>   50

                         CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1997              1996              1995
                                                                     ----              ----              ----
<S>                                                              <C>               <C>               <C>         
Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income                                                  $  3,425,523      $  2,213,726      $  2,750,212
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to
         net cash provided by operating activities,
           net of assets acquired:
              Realized gains (losses) on sale of
                    investments and other assets                     (320,125)          226,212          (109,096)
              Accrued investment income                              (236,828)          372,781          (131,835)
              Net deferred policy acquisition costs                  (173,317)         (309,305)       (2,086,984)
              Amortization of cost of insurance
                  acquired and excess cost over
                  net assets acquired                               2,305,127         1,398,859           678,997
              Change in:
              Other receivables                                      (134,853)          626,300           602,662
              Future policy benefit reserves                        9,511,158         8,357,859         9,929,505
              Other policy liabilities                               (291,121)           34,343         1,527,695
              Deferred Federal income tax                          (1,008,907)         (407,226)         (981,068)
              Federal income tax                                    1,120,600        (1,368,629)         (104,424)
              Commissions payable and other liabilities              (569,763)          226,675          (224,308)
              Amounts held on deposit                                 204,491           (99,348)          (42,829)
              Other, net                                               95,349           672,085           613,198
                                                                 ------------      ------------      ------------
                  Net cash provided by
                      operating activities                         13,927,334        11,944,332        12,421,725
                                                                 ------------      ------------      ------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
     Maturity of fixed maturities held to maturity                         --                --         2,600,000
     Sale of fixed maturities available for sale                   19,967,749        16,403,929        28,419,387
     Maturity of fixed maturities available for sale                3,596,134         5,811,179                --
     Purchase of fixed maturities available for sale              (36,553,342)      (33,759,945)      (38,614,148)
     Sale of equity securities                                        619,277            66,251             1,892
     Purchase of equities securities                                 (511,231)               --                --
     Principal payments on mortgage loans                             510,561           391,804           652,819
     Mortgage loans funded                                           (125,334)         (203,718)          (54,875)
     Guaranteed student loans funded                                  (60,131)         (100,902)         (272,635)
     Guaranteed student loans sold                                    277,133           135,606           179,491
     Sale of other long-term investments 
     and property, plant and equipment                                 21,291          (303,567)          474,257
</TABLE>


                                                                     (Continued)
                                                                              50
<PAGE>   51

                        CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1997              1996              1995
                                                                    ----              ----              ----
<S>                                                            <C>               <C>               <C>         
     Cash and short-term investments
         provided by mergers                                        834,290           355,654      $  1,178,600
     Acquisition of NSLIC                                        (1,000,000)               --                --
     Increase in policy loans (net)                                (638,141)         (801,105)       (3,491,760)
     Purchase of other long-term investments and property,
         plant and equipment                                       (197,286)         (691,632)         (947,733)
                                                               ------------      ------------      ------------
                  Net cash used by investing activities         (13,259,030)      (12,696,446)       (9,874,705)
                                                               ------------      ------------      ------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
     Additional borrowings on notes payable                              --                --            60,461
     Payments on notes payable                                      (94,343)         (603,068)               --
     Sale of stock, net                                            (104,388)          391,712           381,485
                                                               ------------      ------------      ------------
         Net cash provided (used) by
              financing activities                                 (198,731)         (211,356)          441,946
                                                               ------------      ------------      ------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
     cash equivalents                                               469,573          (963,470)        2,988,966
                                                               ------------      ------------      ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at
     beginning of year                                            6,285,383         7,248,853         4,259,887
                                                               ------------      ------------      ------------
Cash and cash equivalents
     at end of year                                               6,754,956         6,285,383         7,248,853
                                                               ============      ============      ============
</TABLE>

     Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1997              1996              1995
                                                                   ----              ----              ----
<S>                                                            <C>               <C>               <C>         
         Cash paid during the year for:
              Interest                                         $     77,874      $     38,826      $     53,030
                                                               ============      ============      ============
              Income taxes                                     $    800,000      $  3,195,245      $  2,000,000
                                                               ============      ============      ============
</TABLE>


                                                                     (Continued)
                                                                              51
<PAGE>   52

                        CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995


Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities (see
also Note 9):

         The Company issued Class A stock and cash to purchase all of the
capital stock of AIN, NSLIC, and the minority ownership in FAIC in 1997, IIH in
1996 and ALFC in 1995. In conjunction with the acquisitions, liabilities 
were assumed as follows:

<TABLE>
                                                                   1997              1996               1995
                                                                   ----              ----               ----
<S>                                                            <C>               <C>               <C>         
             Fair value of tangible assets acquired            $  9,726,825      $  2,381,252      $ 20,330,059
             Fair value of intangible assets acquired, 
             gross                                                6,795,488           614,665        21,653,585
                                                               ------------      ------------      ------------
             Net assets acquired                                 16,522,313         2,995,917        41,983,644
             Capital stock issued and cash paid                  (8,086,591)       (1,542,501)      (22,246,163)
                                                               ------------      ------------      ------------
             Liabilities assumed                               $  8,435,722      $  1,453,416      $  19,737481
                                                               ============      ============      ============
           Issuance of 134,125 treasury shares in 1997 and
           and 4,248 treasury shares in 1995                   $    133,112      $         --      $     41,413
                                                               ============      ============      ============
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                                                              52
<PAGE>   53

                         CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                        DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995


(1)    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

       (a)    NATURE OF BUSINESS

              The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and
              operations of Citizens, Inc. (Citizens), incorporated in the state
              of Colorado on November 8, 1977 and its wholly-owned subsidiaries,
              Citizens Insurance Company of America (CICA), Computing
              Technology, Inc. (CTI), formerly Continental Leasing Company,
              Insurance Investors, Inc. (III), American Liberty Financial Corp.
              (ALFC), Insurance Investors and Holding Company (IIH), American
              Investment Network (AIN) and National Security Life and Accident
              Insurance Company (NSLIC). ALFC and its subsidiaries, American
              Liberty Life Insurance Company (ALLIC), First American Investment
              Corp. (FAIC), and American Liberty Exploration Company (ALEC) were
              acquired by Citizens in September 1995. IIH, which was acquired in
              March 1996, owns Central Investors Life Insurance Company of
              Illinois (CILIC). Effective January 1, 1997, ALFC was merged into
              Citizens and ALLIC and FAIC were merged into CICA. Citizens and
              its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as "the Company."
              All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
              eliminated.

              Citizens provides life and health insurance policies through four
              of its subsidiaries - CICA, United Security Life Insurance Company
              (USLIC), NSLIC and CILIC. CICA sells ordinary whole-life policies
              internationally, burial insurance, pre-need policies, accident and
              health specified disease, hospital indemnity, and accidental death
              policies, throughout the southern United States and USLIC and
              NSLIC sell participating whole life policies and specialty
              individual accident and health policies.

              CILIC does not actively market insurance policies, but does
              administer an in-force block of life insurance.

       (b)    INVESTMENTS, OTHER THAN AFFILIATES

              Investments are shown on the following basis:

              1.    Fixed maturities, primarily consisting of bonds which the
                    Company has the ability and intent to hold to maturity are
                    carried at amortized cost. Fixed maturities which may be
                    sold prior to maturity to support the Company's investment
                    strategies are considered held as available for sale and
                    carried at fair 



                                                                              53
<PAGE>   54
                    value as of the balance sheet date. The unrealized holding
                    gains or losses included in the separate component of equity
                    for securities transferred from available-for-sale to
                    held-to-maturity are maintained and amortized into earnings
                    over the remaining life of the security as an adjustment to
                    yield in a manner consistent with the amortization or
                    accretion of premium or discount on the associated security.

              2.    Equity securities include non-redeemable preferred stock and
                    are reported at fair value.

              3.    Mortgage loans on real estate, policy loans, and guaranteed
                    student loans are reported at unpaid principal balances less
                    an allowance for uncollectible amounts, if any.

              4.    Other long-term investments consist primarily of real estate
                    which is recorded at the lower of fair value minus estimated
                    costs to sell, or cost. If the fair value of the real estate
                    minus estimated costs to sell is less than cost, a valuation
                    allowance is provided for the deficiency. Increases in the
                    valuation allowance are charged to income.

              5.    Short-term investments consist of treasury bills and
                    commercial paper with maturities of ninety days or less, or
                    commercial paper, and are carried at cost, which
                    approximates market.

              Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of equity securities and
              fixed maturities held for sale is shown as a separate component of
              stockholders' equity, net of tax, and is not included in the
              determination of net income.

              Costs of investments sold are determined using the specific
              identification method. Net realized gains and losses are included
              in other income and expenses as incurred.

              The Company has assets with a fair value of $10,652,298 at
              December 31, 1997 and $8,382,149 at December 31, 1996 on deposit
              with various state regulatory authorities to fulfill statutory
              requirements.

       (c)    PREMIUM REVENUE AND RELATED EXPENSES

              Premiums on life and accident and health policies are reported as
              earned when due or, for short duration contracts, over the
              contract periods. Benefits and expenses are associated with earned
              premiums so as to result in recognition of profits over the
              estimated life of the contracts. This matching is accomplished by
              means of 



                                                                              54
<PAGE>   55

              provisions for future benefits and the capitalization and
              amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs.

              Annuities are accounted for in a manner consistent with accounting
              for interest bearing financial instruments. Premium receipts are
              not reported as revenues but rather as deposits to annuity
              contracts.

       (d)    DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS AND COST OF INSURANCE ACQUIRED

              Acquisition costs, consisting of commissions and policy issuance
              and underwriting expenses which relate to and vary with the
              production of new business, are deferred. These deferred policy
              acquisition costs are amortized primarily over the estimated
              premium paying period of the related policies in proportion to the
              ratio of the annual premium recognized to the total premium
              revenue anticipated using the same assumptions as were used in
              computing liabilities for future policy benefits.

              The Company uses the factor method to determine the amount of
              costs to be capitalized and the ending asset balance. This method
              limits the amount of deferred cost to their estimated realizable
              value.

              The value of insurance acquired in the Company's various
              acquisitions, which is included in cost of insurance acquired in
              the accompanying consolidated financial statements, was determined
              based on the present value of future profits discounted at a risk
              rate of return. The cost of insurance acquired is being amortized
              over the anticipated premium paying period of the related
              policies.

       (e)    POLICY LIABILITIES AND ACCRUALS

              Future policy benefit reserves have been computed by the net level
              premium method with assumptions as to investment yields, dividends
              on participating business, mortality and withdrawals based upon
              the Company's and industry experience, which provide for possible
              unfavorable deviation (see note 4).

              Annuity benefits are carried at accumulated contract values based
              on premiums paid by participants, annuity rates of return ranging
              from 3.0% to 7.0% (primarily at 4.0% - 5.5%) and annuity
              withdrawals.

              Premium deposits accrue interest at rates ranging from 3.5% to
              8.25% per annum. Cost of insurance is included in premium when
              collected and interest is credited annually to the deposit
              account.

              Policy and contract claims are based on case-basis estimates for
              reported claims, and on estimates, based on experience, for
              incurred but unreported claims and loss expenses.



                                                                              55
<PAGE>   56

       (f)    EXCESS OF COST OVER NET ASSETS ACQUIRED AND OTHER INTANGIBLE 
              ASSETS

              The excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired in
              mergers and acquisitions is amortized on a straight-line basis
              ranging from 5 to 20 years.

              Other intangible assets, primarily the value of state licenses,
              are amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years.

              The Company continually monitors long-lived assets and certain
              intangible assets, such as excess of cost over net assets acquired
              and cost of insurance acquired, for impairment. An impairment loss
              is recorded in the period in which the carrying value of the
              assets exceeds the fair value or expected future cash flows. Any
              amounts deemed to be impaired are charged, in the period in which
              such impairment was determined, as an expense against earnings.

       (g)    PARTICIPATING POLICIES

              At December 31, 1997 and 1996, participating business approximated
              82% and 86%, respectively, of life insurance in-force and premium
              income. The amount of dividends to be paid is determined annually
              by the Board of Directors.

       (h)    EARNINGS PER SHARE

              Basic and diluted earnings per share have been computed using the
              weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding
              during each period. The weighted average shares outstanding for
              the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were 20,868,921,
              20,236,469, and 17,668,047, respectively.

       (i)    INCOME TAXES

              For the year ended December 31, 1997 the Company will file six
              separate tax returns as follows: 1) Citizens, Inc., CICA and all
              direct non-life subsidiaries, excluding FAIC and AIN 2) FAIC and
              its subsidiaries 3) AIN 4) USLIC 5) NSLIC and 6) CILIC.

              For the year ended December 31, 1996 the Company filed three
              separate tax returns as follows: 1) Citizens, Inc., CICA, and all
              direct non-life subsidiaries, excluding FAIC 2) CILIC 3) FAIC and
              its subsidiaries.

              For the year ended December 31, 1995 the Company filed one
              consolidated return which included Citizens, Inc., CICA, and all
              direct non-life subsidiaries, excluding FAIC. Two additional
              returns were filed at December 31, 1995 which included FAIC and
              its subsidiaries and ALLIC.



                                                                              56
<PAGE>   57

              Deferred tax asset and liabilities are recognized for the
              estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences
              between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing
              assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred
              tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in
              effect for the year in which those temporary differences are
              expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax
              assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in
              income in the period that includes the enactment date.

       (j)    ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

              In February 1997, the FASB issued Statement 128 "Earnings per
              Share" ("Statement 128"). Statement 128 establishes the standards
              for computing and presenting earnings per share ("EPS"). This
              statement replaces the presentation of primary EPS with a
              presentation of basic EPS and requires dual presentation of basic
              and diluted EPS. Statement 128 is effective for fiscal years
              ending after December 15, 1997. Implementation did not have a
              material impact on the Company's earnings per share.

              In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement 130 "Reporting
              Comprehensive Income" ("Statement 130"). Statement 130 establishes
              the standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income
              and its components in a full set of general-purpose financial
              statements. Statement 130 is effective for fiscal periods
              beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company does not believe
              that this statement will have an impact on future operations or
              liquidity.

       (k)    CASH EQUIVALENTS

              The Company considers as cash equivalents all securities whose
              duration does not exceed ninety days at the date of acquisition.
              These securities are reflected as short-term investments in the
              accompanying consolidated financial statements.




                                                                              57
<PAGE>   58

       (l)    DEPRECIATION

              Depreciation is calculated on a straight line basis using
              estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 10 years. Leasehold
              improvements are depreciated over the estimated life of 30 years.

       (m)    USE OF ESTIMATES

              The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
              generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
              make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
              assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
              liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
              reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
              period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

       (n)    RECLASSIFICATIONS

              Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1996 and 1995
              amounts to conform with the 1997 presentation.

(2)           INVESTMENTS

              A decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale or
              held-to-maturity security below cost that is deemed other than
              temporary is charged to earnings resulting in the establishment of
              a new cost basis for the security.

              Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of
              the related security as an adjustment to yield using the effective
              interest method. Dividend and interest income are recognized when
              earned. Realized gains and losses for securities classified as
              available-for-sale and held-to-maturity are included in earnings
              and are derived using the specific identification method for
              determining the cost of securities sold.



                                                                              58
<PAGE>   59

              The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments in
              debt securities as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 respectively, are
              as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1997
                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      GROSS          GROSS
                                                 AMORTIZED          UNREALIZED    UNREALIZED           FAIR
                                                    COST              GAINS          LOSSES            VALUE
                                                    ----              -----          ------            -----
<S>                                             <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>         
Fixed maturities held-to-maturity:
     US Treasury securities                     $  5,617,131     $     86,869     $         --     $  5,704,000
                                                ============     ============     ============     ============
              Total

Fixed maturities available for sale:
     US Treasury securities and
        obligations of US government
         corporations and agencies                65,413,351          961,435          398,435       65,976,351
     Public Utilities                              5,227,886           42,574           67,761        5,202,699
     Debt securities issued by States
         of the United States and political
         subdivisions of the States                1,192,979           75,127               --        1,268,106
     Debt securities issued by
         foreign governments                         207,807            7,373               --          215,180
     Corporate securities                         12,140,899          463,698           19,474       12,585,123
     Mortgage-backed securities                   46,438,498        1,477,627          141,903       47,774,222
                                                ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
              Total                             $130,621,420     $  3,027,834     $    627,573     $133,021,681
                                                ============     ============     ============     ============
</TABLE>




                                                                              59
<PAGE>   60

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1996
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       GROSS            GROSS
                                                    AMORTIZED       UNREALIZED        UNREALIZED           FAIR
                                                      COST             GAINS            LOSSES             VALUE
                                                      ----             -----            ------             -----
<S>                                               <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>         
Fixed maturities held-to-maturity:
     US Treasury securities                       $  5,627,256     $         --     $    410,256      $  5,217,000
                                                  ------------     ------------     ------------      ------------
              Total                                  5,627,256               --     $    410,256         5,217,000
                                                  ============     ============     ============      ============

Fixed maturities available-for-sale:
US Treasury securities and
     obligations of US government
     corporations and agencies                      67,828,066          639,107        1,148,240        67,318,933
Public Utilities                                     4,691,540           19,497          237,212         4,473,825
Debt securities issued by States
         of the United States and
         political subdivisions of the
         States                                        207,968            4,894            8,252           204,610
Debt securities issued by
         foreign governments                           291,219           11,807              466           302,560
Corporate securities                                 9,061,298          176,078          352,721         8,884,655
Mortgage-backed securities                          28,679,543          233,705          374,781        28,538,467
                                                  ------------     ------------     ------------      ------------
              Total                               $110,759,634     $  1,085,088     $  2,121,672      $109,723,050
                                                  ============     ============     ============      ============
</TABLE>

       The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities at December 31,
       1997, by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities will
       differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right
       to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment
       penalties.



                                                                              60
<PAGE>   61

                        FIXED MATURITIES HELD TO MATURITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              AMORTIZED          ESTIMATED
                                                                                 COST          MARKET VALUE
                                                                                 ----          ------------
<S>                                                                           <C>              <C>         
Due after ten years                                                           $  5,617,131     $  5,704,000
                                                                              ============     ============
</TABLE>

                       FIXED MATURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              AMORTIZED          ESTIMATED
                                                                                 COST           MARKET VALUE
                                                                                 ----           ------------
<S>                                                                           <C>              <C>         
Due in one year or less                                                       $  3,311,677     $  3,312,678
Due after one year through five years                                           21,183,723       21,222,067
Due after five years through ten years                                          42,752,450       43,206,991
Due after ten years                                                             16,935,074       17,505,408
                                                                              ------------     ------------

Mortgage-backed securities                                                      46,438,496       47,774,537
                                                                              ------------     ------------
         Totals                                                               $130,621,420     $133,021,681
                                                                              ============     ============
</TABLE>

       The Company had no investments in any one entity which exceeded 10% of
       stockholders' equity at December 31, 1997 other than investments
       guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

       The Company's investment in mortgage loans is concentrated 24% in
       Colorado, 63% in Texas and 13% in other states as of December 31, 1997.

       At December 31, 1997 and 1996, unrealized depreciation of equity
       securities of $5,122 and $39,425, respectively, consisting of gross
       unrealized gains of $49,226 and $0, respectively and gross unrealized
       losses of $54,348 and $39,425, respectively.



                                                                              61
<PAGE>   62

       Major categories of investment income are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                       ------------------------------------------------
                                            1997              1996             1995
                                            ----              ----             ----
<S>                                    <C>               <C>              <C>         
Investment income on:
     Fixed maturities                  $  8,086,920      $  6,999,425     $  5,208,785
     Equity securities                       37,042                --           15,823
     Mortgage loans on real estate          140,629           178,330          195,321
     Policy loans                         1,425,301         1,442,423        1,478,333
     Short-term investments                 197,912           526,910          106,872
     Other                                1,156,090           910,223          900,341
                                       ------------      ------------     ------------
                                         11,043,894        10,057,311        7,905,475
Investment expenses                      (1,005,158)         (871,805)        (878,566)
                                       ------------      ------------     ------------
Net investment income                  $ 10,038,736      $  9,185,506     $  7,026,909
                                       ============      ============     ============
</TABLE>

Equity securities of $23,328 and other long-term assets of $257,492 held by the
Company as of December 31, 1997, did not produce income during the preceding 12
months.

Proceeds from available-for-sale securities in 1997, 1996 and 1995 were
$23,563,883, $22,215,108 and $29,132,810, respectively. Gross realized gains and
losses on such sales were $375,530 and $661,088, respectively, for the year
ended December 31, 1997, and $175,125 and $199,890 respectively, for the year
ended December 31, 1996, and $346,370 and $426,841, respectively, for the year
ended December 31, 1995. Realized gains (losses) on investments are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                            ----------------------------------------
                                               1997           1996           1995
                                               ----           ----           -----
<S>                                         <C>            <C>            <C>       
Realized gains (losses):
     Fixed maturities                       $ 195,261      $ (24,765)     $ (80,471)
     Equity securities                       (480,819)            --             --
     Other                                    (34,567)       250,977        (28,625)
                                            ---------      ---------      ---------
         Net realized gains (losses) on
           investments                       (320,125)       226,212       (109,096)
                                            =========      =========      =========
</TABLE>

(3)    COST OF INSURANCE ACQUIRED AND EXCESS OF COST OVER NET ASSETS ACQUIRED

       Cost of insurance acquired is summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                      ------------------------------------------------
                                          1997              1996              1995
                                          ----              ----              ----
<S>                                   <C>               <C>               <C>         
 Balance at beginning of period       $  7,219,594      $  7,522,827      $  2,271,866
 Increase related to acquisitions        4,253,354           121,000         5,562,574
 Interest                                  541,470           564,212           171,541
 Amortization                           (1,374,751)         (988,445)         (483,154)
                                      ------------      ------------      ------------
 Balance at end of period             $ 10,639,667      $  7,219,594      $  7,522,827
                                      ============      ============      ============
</TABLE>




                                                                              62
<PAGE>   63

       Accretion of interest on cost of insurance acquired is calculated based
       on the rates of interest used in setting the related policy reserves.
       These rates range from 6.5% to 8.5%.

       Estimated amortization in each of the next five years is as follows.
       These amounts are greater than the carrying value due to interest
       accretion. Actual future amortization will differ from these estimates
       due to variances from estimated future withdrawal assumptions.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>      
          1998                                            $ 1,047,421
          1999                                                881,991
          2000                                                839,514
          2001                                                791,557
          2002                                                753,392
          Thereafter                                        8,015,718
</TABLE>

       Excess of cost over net assets acquired is summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                            -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 1997              1996              1995
                                                                 ----              ----              ----
<S>                                                         <C>               <C>               <C>         
 Balance at beginning of period, net of
 accumulated amortization of $1,483,072,
 $695,145 and $374,436 in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
 respectively                                               $ 16,756,433      $ 17,124,481      $  3,344,844

 Increase related to acquisitions                              1,939,837           419,879        14,100,346

 Amortization                                                 (1,230,147)         (787,927)         (320,709)
                                                            ------------      ------------      ------------

 Balance at end of period                                   $ 17,466,123      $ 16,756,433      $ 17,124,481
                                                            ============      ============      ============
</TABLE>

(4)    POLICY LIABILITIES

       In applying purchase accounting to the future policy benefit reserves
       acquired through mergers, the Company revalued policy benefit reserves to
       reflect the Company's reserve assumptions with regard to interest rates,
       lapse rates and surrenders. The percentage of the Company's future policy
       benefits as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 under these assumptions are as
       follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1997            1996
                                                                      ----            ----
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>   
       Pre-American Liberty
       Life Insurance Company acquisitions                          14.80%          16.50%
       American Liberty Life Insurance Company                       8.80%           9.00%
       United Security Life Insurance Company                        1.70%             --
       National Security Life Insurance Company                      2.50%             --
       Central Investors Life Insurance Company of Illinois          1.00%           1.00%
</TABLE>



                                                                              63
<PAGE>   64

       Various assumptions used to determine the future policy benefit reserves
       include the following: a) valuation interest rates from 4 - 9%, b)
       mortality assumptions are from the 1955-60, 1965-70, and 1975-80 Select
       and Ultimate mortality tables, and c) withdrawals are based primarily on
       actual historical termination rates.

       The following table presents information on changes in the liability for
       accident and health policy and contract claims for the years ended
       December 31,1997 and 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1997            1996
                                                                   ----            ----
<S>                                                              <C>               <C>    
       Policy and contract claims payable at January 1           1,238,729         917,714
       Policy and contract claims payable, acquired through
       acquisition                                                 686,903              --

       Add claims incurred, related to:
         Current year                                            3,388,328       1,658,966
         Prior years                                              (424,692)         60,279
                                                                ----------      ----------
                                                                 2,963,636       1,719,245
       Deduct claims paid, related to:
         Current year                                            2,190,820         614,115
         Prior years                                               614,857         784,125
                                                                ----------      ----------
                                                                 2,805,677       1,398,240

       Policy and contract claims payable, December 31           2,083,591       1,238,729
                                                                ==========      ==========
</TABLE>

       In 1997, as a result of changes in estimates of insured events in prior
       years, the liability for policy and contract claims decreased.

(5)    REINSURANCE

       In the normal course of business, the Company reinsures portions of
       certain policies that it underwrites to limit disproportionate risks. The
       Company retains varying amounts of individual insurance up to a maximum
       retention of $75,000 on any life and $35,000 on health policies. Amounts
       not retained are ceded to other insurance enterprises or reinsurers,
       through yearly renewable term insurance or coinsurance contracts. Risks
       are reinsured with other companies to permit the recovery of a portion of
       any direct losses. The Company remains contingently liable to the extent
       that the reinsuring companies cannot meet their obligations under these
       reinsurance treaties.

       At December 31, 1997 and 1996, life insurance in-force aggregating
       approximately $224,953,000 and $304,380,000, respectively, was assumed
       and $318,630,000 and $296,378,000, respectively, was ceded to other
       insurance companies out of a total in-force of approximately
       $2,250,197,000 and $2,231,017,000, respectively. Premiums assumed were
       approximately $284,632, $310,000, and $306,000 in the years ended
       December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Premiums ceded were
       approximately $3,115,000, $2,583,000, and $2,214,000 in the years ended
       December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Claims and surrenders
       assumed were approximately $269,000, $314,000 and 


                                                                              64
<PAGE>   65

       $286,000 and claims and surrenders ceded were approximately $976,000,
       $264,000 and $377,000 in the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
       1995, respectively. Amounts paid or deemed to have been paid for
       reinsurance contracts are recorded as reinsurance receivables. The cost
       of reinsurance related to long duration contracts is accounted for over
       the life of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions
       consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies.

 (6)   NOTES PAYABLE

       Notes payable as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 consist of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       1997         1996
                                                                                       ----         ----
<S>                                                                                  <C>          <C>     
       Note A; payable to bank, 7%, dated June 20, 1988, payable in nine annual
       installments of $66,667 beginning June 30, 1989, with remainder
       due June 30, 1998                                                             $400,000     $466,666

       Note B; payable to bank, prime (8.25% at December 31, 1996) dated May 24,
       1995, payable in monthly installments of $3,000 plus interest
       beginning June 30, 1995                                                             --       22,500

       Note C; payable to bank, prime plus 1.5%, payable in monthly installments
       of $5,751 including interest, with a balloon payment due
       on December 19, 1999                                                           537,430           --
                                                                                     --------     --------

                                                                                     $937,430     $489,166
                                                                                     ========     ========
</TABLE>

       Note A is secured by two life insurance policies and proceeds from the
       surplus debenture between CICA and the Company.

       Note B was secured by computer equipment.

       Note C is collateralized by property.

(7)    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND RESTRICTIONS

       The two classes of stock of Citizens are equal in all respects, except
       (a) the Class B common stock elects a simple majority of the Board of
       Directors of Citizens and the Class A common stock elects the remaining
       directors; and (b) each Class A share receives twice the cash dividends
       paid on a per share basis to the Class B common stock.

       Generally, the net assets of the insurance subsidiaries available for
       transfer to the Company are limited to the greater of the subsidiary net
       gain from operations during the preceding year or 10% of the subsidiary
       net statutory surplus as of the end of the preceding year as determined
       in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
       insurance regulatory authorities. Payments of dividends in excess of such
       amounts would generally 




                                                                              65
<PAGE>   66

       require approval by the regulatory authorities. Based upon statutory net
       gain from operation and surplus of the individual insurance companies as
       of and for the year ended December 31, 1997, approximately $4,635,000 of
       dividends could be paid to the Company without prior regulatory approval.

       CICA, USLIC, NSLIC, and CILIC have calculated their risk based capital
       (RBC) in accordance with the National Association of Insurance
       Commissioners' Model Rule and the RBC rules as adopted by their
       respective state of domicile. The RBC as calculated exceeded levels
       requiring company or regulatory action.

(8)    STOCK OPTIONS

       During 1989, the Company entered into an agreement granting Stephen B.
       Booke, a financial public relations consultant providing services to the
       Company, the right and option to purchase 100,000 shares of Class A no
       par common stock of the Company at $2.50 per share, the fair market value
       of the common stock at the date of the agreement. Such option is for
       authorized but unissued shares at the date of the agreement. The option
       which would have expired on February 8, 1994 was extended for an
       additional 36 months during 1993. Transfer of this option is limited by
       the agreement. During 1997, 52,200 shares were issued in conjunction with
       the exercise of this option. The remaining options expired in 1997. The
       outstanding options had no impact on diluted earnings per share for the
       years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995.

(9)    MERGER AND ACQUISITIONS

       During March 1997, the Company acquired the 5.52% minority interest in
       First American Investment Corporation, a 94.8% subsidiary of ALFC. The
       Company issued 134,125 shares of the Company's Class A stock to
       consummate this transaction.

       The excess of cost over net assets acquired amounted to $1,065,696 of
       which $399,353 was written off concurrent with the acquisition.

       On October 28, 1996, CICA announced that it had signed definitive written
       agreements for the acquisition of American Investment Network, Inc.
       (AIN), a Jackson, Mississippi, based life insurance holding company and
       its wholly-owned subsidiary United Security Life Insurance Company
       (USLIC) with $7.5 million in assets, $3.4 million of stockholders'
       equity, revenues of $3.2 million and $67 million of life insurance
       in-force.

       The AIN agreement provided that following the acquisition by CICA,
       American Investment shareholders will receive 1 share of Citizens, Inc.
       Class A Common Stock for each 7.2 shares of AIN Common Stock owned. The
       Company issued approximately 700,000 Class A shares in connection with
       the transaction, which was accounted for as a purchase. The companies
       will continue to operate in their respective locations under a combined
       management team with consolidation of computer data processing on the
       Company's system. The transaction was consummated on June 19, 1997.



                                                                              66
<PAGE>   67

       On August 13, 1997, Citizens signed a definitive agreement to acquire
       100% of the outstanding shares of National Security Life and Accident
       Insurance Company (NSLIC) of Arlington, Texas for $1.7 million in cash
       and restricted stock. The transaction, which was accounted for as a
       purchase, was consummated on November 20, 1997.

       In conjunction with the acquisition the Company and two executives of
       NSLIC executed employment agreements which require the executives to
       provide services to the Company for 42 months. The employees will be
       compensated $8,333 a month for the first twelve months escalating to
       $12,500 a month for the remaining thirty months.

       The pro-forma unaudited results of operations for the years ended
       December 31, 1997 and 1996, assuming the purchase of AIN, NSLIC and the
       minority ownership in FAIC, had been consummated at the beginning of
       fiscal 1996, are presented below. Adjustments have been made for
       amortization of amounts assigned to the fair value of historical assets.
       It is assumed in the pro-forma basic earnings per share calculations that
       the shares issued in connection with the acquisitions were outstanding
       from the beginning of the period presented (stated in thousands other
       than per share amounts).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1997            1996
                                                           ----            ----
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>        
       Revenue                                         $    70,931     $    72,903
       Net income                                            3,037           2,872
       Basic earnings per share                        $       .14     $       .13
</TABLE>

       The IIH agreement closed on March 12, 1996 and provided that Investors'
       shareholders would receive one share of Citizens' Class A Common Stock
       for each eight shares of Investors Common Stock owned. Additionally,
       Citizens acquired all shares of Central Investors Life Insurance Company
       (a 94% owned subsidiary of Investors) not already owned by Investors,
       based upon an exchange ratio of one share of Citizens' Class A common
       stock for each four shares of Central Investors owned. The acquisition of
       these two companies involved the issuance of approximately 171,000 of
       Citizens' Class A shares which was accounted for as a purchase.

       On December 9, 1994, Citizens announced that it had signed definitive
       written agreements for the acquisition of (i) American Liberty Financial
       Corporation, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana based life insurance holding
       company and (ii) Insurance Investors & Holding Co., a Peoria, Illinois
       based life insurance holding company.

       The ALFC agreement provided that following the acquisition by Citizens,
       ALFC shareholders would receive 1.10 shares of Citizens' Class A for each
       share of ALFC Common Stock owned and 2.926 shares of Citizens' Class A
       Common Stock for each one share of ALFC Preferred Stock owned. Citizens
       issued approximately 2.3 million Class A shares in connection with the
       transaction, which was accounted for as a purchase. The companies will
       continue to operate in their respective locations under a combined
       management team with consolidation of computer data processing on the
       Citizens' system. The transaction was consummated on September 14, 1995.



                                                                              67
<PAGE>   68

(10)   CONTINGENCIES

       The Company is a party to various legal proceedings incidental to its
       business. Contingent liabilities that might arise from litigation are not
       considered material in relation to the financial position of the Company.

       Reserves for claims payable are based on the expected claim amount to be
       paid after a case by case review of the facts and circumstances relating
       to each claim. A contingency exists with regard to these reserves until
       such time as the claims are adjudicated and paid.

(11)   INTERNATIONAL SALES

       A significant portion of the Company's business is derived through sales
       in Latin America. Approximately 69%, 74% and 64% of premiums recorded in
       the 1997, 1996, and 1995 consolidated statements of operations,
       respectively, represent policies sold to residents of Central and South
       America. Sales in Argentina and Columbia represented approximately 31%
       and 15% of reported premiums in 1997, 38% and 18% in 1996, and 40% and
       19% in 1995, respectively. The Company has no assets, offices or
       employees outside of the United States of America (U.S.) and requires
       that all transactions be in U.S. dollars paid in the U.S.

(12)   INCOME TAXES

       A reconciliation of Federal income tax expense computed by applying the
       Federal income tax rate of 34% to income before Federal income tax
       expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1997             1996             1995
                                                       ----             ----             ----
<S>                                                <C>              <C>              <C>        
        Computed normal tax expense                $ 1,370,113      $ 1,230,470      $ 1,275,533
        Small life insurance company deduction        (762,889)        (472,541)        (423,084)
        Change in valuation allowance                 (575,147)         (10,097)         (62,355)
        Small life deduction rate change                    --          218,438               --
        Amortization of excess of costs over
            net assets acquired                        481,728          331,373
                                                                                         109,041
        Other                                           90,416          107,662          102,221
                                                   -----------      -----------      -----------
        Federal income tax expense                 $   604,221      $ 1,405,305      $ 1,001,356
                                                   ===========      ===========      ===========
</TABLE>

       Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
       consists of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             1997             1996             1995
                             ----             ----             ----
<S>                      <C>              <C>              <C>        
Current                  $ 1,613,128      $ 1,812,531      $ 1,982,424
Deferred                  (1,008,907)        (407,226)        (981,068)
                         -----------      -----------      -----------
                         $   604,221      $ 1,405,305      $ 1,001,356
                         ===========      ===========      ===========
</TABLE>



                                                                              68
<PAGE>   69

       The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
       portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at
       December 31, 1997 and 1996 are presented below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997            1996
                                                            ----            ----
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>        
     Deferred tax assets:
          Future policy benefit reserves               $13,431,989     $12,613,081
          Net operating loss carryforwards                 
             and alternative minimum tax credits           614,598         989,925
          Investments, available for sale                       --         365,843
          Other                                          1,078,423         836,098
                                                       -----------     -----------
              Total gross deferred tax assets           15,125,010      14,804,947
              Less valuation allowance                     197,829         772,976
                                                       -----------     -----------
              Net deferred tax assets                  $14,927,181     $14,031,971
                                                       -----------     -----------
     Deferred tax liabilities:
          Deferred policy acquisition costs              9,181,507       9,257,148
          Cost of insurance acquired                     2,132,016       2,454,662
          Investments available for sale                   814,347              --
          Other                                          2,226,881       1,576,449
                                                       -----------     -----------
              Total gross deferred tax liabilities      14,354,751      13,288,259
                                                       -----------     -----------
              Net deferred tax asset                   $   572,430     $   743,712
                                                       ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

       During 1997 the Company released the valuation allowance associated with
       ALFC net operating losses as these losses can be utilized by Citizens,
       Inc. as a result of the merger of these two entities.

       The Company has established a valuation allowance for net operating
       losses of IIH and other entities which may not be used prior to their
       expiration. The Company and its subsidiaries have net operating losses at
       December 31, 1997 available to offset future taxable income of
       approximately $1,139,600 for Federal income tax and $227,000 for Federal
       alternative minimum tax purposes which expire through 2008. The net
       operating loss carryforward is subject to limitations under Section 382
       of the Internal Revenue Code.

       At December 31, 1997, the Company had accumulated approximately
       $3,291,143 in its "policyholders' surplus account." This is a special
       memorandum tax account into which certain amounts not previously taxed,
       under prior tax laws, were accumulated. No new additions will be made to
       this account. Federal income taxes will become payable thereon at the
       then current tax rate (a) when and if distributions to the shareholder,
       other than stock dividends and other limited exceptions, are made in
       excess of the accumulated previously taxed income; or (b) when a company
       ceases to be a life insurance company as defined by the Internal Revenue
       Code and such termination is not due to another life insurance company
       acquiring its assets in a nontaxable transaction. The Company does not
       anticipate any transactions that would cause any part of this amount to
       become taxable. However, should the balance at December 31, 1997 become
       taxable, the tax computed at present rates would be approximately
       $1,119,000.



                                                                              69
<PAGE>   70

(13)   FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

       Estimates of fair values are made at a specific point in time, based on
       relevant market prices and information about the financial instrument.
       The estimated fair values of financial instruments presented below are
       not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company might realize in
       actual market transactions. The carrying amount and fair value for the
       financial assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets at
       each year-end were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1997                             1996
                                        -----------------------------    ------------------------------
                                          CARRYING          FAIR           CARRYING             FAIR
                                           AMOUNT           VALUE           AMOUNT             VALUE
                                           ------           -----           ------             -----
<S>                                     <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>        
       Financial assets:
          Fixed maturities              $138,638,812     $138,725,681     $115,350,306      114,940,050
          Equity securities                  978,391          978,391           50,155           50,155
          Cash and
            short-term                     6,754,956        6,754,956        6,285,383        6,285,383
            investments

         Mortgage Loans                    1,287,295        1,287,295        1,672,522        1,672,522
          Student Loans                       81,681           81,681          298,683          298,683

       Financial Liabilities:
           Note Payable                      937,430          937,430          489,166          489,166
</TABLE>

       Fair values for fixed income securities and equity securities are based
       on quoted market prices. In cases where quoted market prices are not
       available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or
       other assumptions, including the discount rate and estimates of future
       cash flows.

       Mortgage loans are secured principally by residential properties.
       Weighted average interest rate for these loans as of December 31, 1997,
       was approximately 9.4% with maturities ranging from one to fifteen years.
       Management believes that reported amounts approximate fair value.

       Student loans are guaranteed by the government. Weighted average interest
       rate for these loans as of December 31, 1997, was approximately 7.7%.
       Management believes that the reported amounts approximate fair value as
       these loans are sold as soon as possible.

       The carrying value of the note payable approximates fair value as the
       interest rate charged on the note payable is indexed with the prime rate.

       Policy loans have a weighted average interest rate of 7.1% as of December
       31, 1997 and 1996 and have no specified maturity dates. The aggregate
       market value of policy loans approximates the carrying value reflected on
       the consolidated balance sheet. These loans 



                                                                              70
<PAGE>   71

       typically carry an interest rate that is tied to the crediting rate
       applied to the related policy and contract reserves. Policy loans are an
       integral part of the life insurance policies which the Company has in
       force and cannot be valued separately.

       For cash, and short-term investments, accrued investment income, amounts
       recoverable from reinsurers, other assets, federal income tax payable and
       receivable, dividend accumulations, commissions payable, amounts held on
       deposit, and other liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair
       value because of the short maturity of such financial instruments.

(14)   QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

       The following table contains selected unaudited consolidated financial
       data for each quarter.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1997
                                               ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  FOURTH             THIRD            SECOND             FIRST
                                                  QUARTER           QUARTER          QUARTER            QUARTER
                                                  -------           -------          -------            -------
<S>                                            <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>         
Revenues                                       $ 16,795,936      $ 18,172,671      $ 15,918,698      $ 14,139,993
Expenses                                         15,309,437        16,267,692        15,089,776        14,330,649
Other                                               178,033          (543,363)         (307,863)           68,972
Net income                                        1,664,532         1,361,616           521,059          (121,684)
Basic and diluted earnings                              .08               .06               .03              (.01)
  per share
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1996
                                               ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  FOURTH             THIRD            SECOND             FIRST
                                                  QUARTER           QUARTER          QUARTER            QUARTER
                                                  -------           -------          -------            -------
<S>                                            <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>         
Revenues                                       $ 17,666,077      $ 16,976,294      $ 15,484,789      $ 13,695,000
Expenses                                         16,221,781        16,093,457        14,936,524        12,951,367
Other                                              (542,568)         (237,302)         (366,799)         (258,636)
Net income                                          901,728           645,535           181,466           484,997
Basic and diluted earnings                              .04               .03               .01               .03
  per share
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1995
                                               ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  FOURTH             THIRD            SECOND             FIRST
                                                  QUARTER           QUARTER          QUARTER            QUARTER
                                                  -------           -------          -------            -------
<S>                                            <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>         
Revenues                                       $ 16,115,722      $ 13,420,798      $ 12,872,679      $ 10,862,138
Expenses                                         15,659,326        11,727,114        11,488,128        10,497,876
Other                                               (61,739)          (31,757)          (19,262)          (28,407)
Net income                                          558,290           901,266         1,017,773           272,883
Basic and diluted earnings                              .03               .05               .06               .02
  per share
</TABLE>



                                                                              71
<PAGE>   72

                                                                     SCHEDULE II

                         CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

                         CITIZENS, INC. (PARENT COMPANY)

                                 BALANCE SHEETS

                           DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          1997              1996
                                                                          ----              ----
<S>                                                                   <C>               <C>         
Assets

Investment in subsidiaries                                              76,379,058        64,241,647
Accrued investment income                                                   17,254            20,089
Real estate                                                                436,287           356,339
Cash                                                                       752,907         1,318,221
Notes receivable (1)                                                       452,488           521,686
Other assets                                                             2,020,263         1,073,825
                                                                      ------------      ------------
                                                                      $ 80,058,257      $ 67,531,807
                                                                      ============      ============
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Liabilities:
    Notes payable                                                     $    400,000      $    466,667
    Accrued expense and other                                               76,559           182,124
                                                                      ------------      ------------
                                                                      $    476,559      $    648,791
Stockholders' equity:
    Common stock:
       Class A                                                        $ 52,790,643      $ 45,941,552
       Class B                                                             283,262           283,262
    Retained earnings                                                   26,856,157        23,430,634
    Unrealized investment gain (loss) of securities  held by
    subsidiaries, net                                                    1,580,790          (710,166)
    Treasury stock                                                      (1,929,154)       (2,062,266)
                                                                      ------------      ------------
                                                                        79,581,698        66,883,016
                                                                      ------------      ------------
                                                                      $ 80,058,257      $ 67,531,807
                                                                      ============      ============
</TABLE>

(1) Eliminated in consolidation.


                 See accompanying independent auditor's report.

                                                                              72
<PAGE>   73

                                                          SCHEDULE II, CONTINUED

                         CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

                         CITIZENS, INC. (PARENT COMPANY)

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1997            1996            1995
                                                        ----            ----            ----
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>             <C>        
Revenues:
    Management service fees (1)                     $10,462,052     $10,428,468     $ 8,068,030
    Investment income (1)                               125,746          83,957         118,103
    Other                                                82,668           2,357          11,551
    Realized (gain) loss                                     --         151,334          (1,573)
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
                                                     10,670,466      10,666,116       8,196,111
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------

Expenses:
    General                                           9,516,881       9,374,706       7,710,834
    Interest                                             30,186          34,853          42,113
    Taxes                                               323,635         447,450         327,815
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
                                                    $ 9,870,702     $ 9,857,009     $ 8,080,762
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------

Income (loss) before equity in income of
    unconsolidated subsidiaries                         799,764         809,107         115,349
Equity in income of unconsolidated subsidiaries
                                                      2,625,759       1,404,619       2,634,863
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
                   Net income                       $ 3,425,523     $ 2,213,726     $ 2,750,212
                                                    ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

(1) Eliminated in consolidation.

                 See accompanying independent auditor's report.

                                                                              73
<PAGE>   74

                                                          SCHEDULE II, CONTINUED

                         CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

                         CITIZENS, INC. (PARENT COMPANY)

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1997             1996             1995
                                                          ----             ----             ----
<S>                                                   <C>              <C>              <C>        
Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                                        $ 3,425,523      $ 2,213,726      $ 2,750,212
    Adjustments  to  reconcile  net  loss  to net
       cash used by operating activities:
          Realized (gains) loss on sales of
              investments                                      --         (151,334)              --
          Equity in net income of  unconsolidated
              subsidiaries                             (2,625,759)        (795,318)      (3,871,812)
          Accrued expenses and other liabilities         (105,565)        (604,315)         514,447
          Accrued investment income                         2,835            4,257            2,243
          Other assets                                   (246,993)        (393,323)           2,951
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------

              Net cash provided (used) by
                 operating activities                     450,041          273,693         (601,959)
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
    Acquisition of NSLIC                               (1,000,000)              --               --
    Capital contribution to subsidiary                   (374,000)        (400,000)              --
    Cash provided by merger                               540,450               --               --
    Payments on notes receivable                           69,198          152,267           52,075
    Investment in real estate                             (79,948)              --               --
    Sale of real estate                                        --           82,974          154,169
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------
              Net cash provided (used) by
                 investing activities                    (844,300)        (164,759)         206,244
                                                                       -----------      -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
    Sale of common stock, net                            (104,388)         391,712          381,485
    Payment on notes payable                              (66,667)         (66,666)         (73,849)
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------
              Net cash provided by financing
                 activities                              (171,055)         325,046          307,636
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash                          (565,314)         433,980          (88,079)
Cash at beginning of year                               1,318,221          884,241          972,320
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------
Cash at end of year                                   $   752,907      $ 1,318,221      $   884,241
                                                      ===========      ===========      ===========
</TABLE>

See accompanying independent auditor's report.


                                                                              74
<PAGE>   75

                                                                     SCHEDULE IV

                         CITIZENS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   REINSURANCE

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      CEDED            ASSUMED                         PERCENTAGE
                                                  GROSS              TO OTHER         FROM OTHER           NET         OF AMOUNT
                                                  AMOUNT            COMPANIES          COMPANIES          AMOUNT    ASSUMED TO NET
                                                  ------            ---------          ---------          ------    --------------
<S>                                           <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>              <C>
Year ended December 31, 1997:
    Life insurance in-force                   $2,250,197,000     $  318,630,000     $  224,953,000     $2,156,520,000    10.4%
                                              ==============     ==============     ==============     ==============
    Premiums:
       Life insurance                             51,364,382          1,952,316            284,632         49,696,698      .6%
       Accident and health insurance               5,605,023            305,240                  0          5,299,783      --
                                              --------------     --------------     --------------      -------------
       Total premiums                         $   56,969,405          2,257,556            284,632         54,996,481      .5%
                                              ==============     ==============     ==============      =============

Year ended December 31, 1996:
    Life insurance in-force                   $2,231,017,000     $  296,378,000     $  304,380,000     $2,239,019,000    13.7%
                                              ==============     ==============     ==============      =============
    Premiums:
       Life insurance                             52,075,038          2,511,318            309,953         49,873,673     0.6%
       Accident and health insurance               4,111,969             71,281                  0          4,040,688      --%
                                              --------------     --------------     --------------      -------------
    Total premiums                            $   56,187,007          2,582,599            309,953         53,914,361     0.6%
                                              ==============     ==============     ==============      =============

Year ended December 31, 1995:
    Life insurance in-force                   $1,866,954,000     $  290,677,000     $  285,001,000     $1,861,278,000    15.3%
                                              ==============     ==============     ==============      =============
    Premiums:
       Life insurance                             47,361,742          2,241,111            306,256         45,426,887     0.7%
       Accident and health insurance                 698,206                  0                  0            698,206      --
                                              --------------     --------------     --------------      -------------
    Total premiums                            $   48,059,948          2,241,111            306,256         46,125,093     0.7%
                                              ==============     ==============     ==============      =============
</TABLE>

                 See accompanying independent auditor's report.

                                                                              75
<PAGE>   76

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized. 

                                   CITIZENS, INC.

Date:  March 26, 1998              By: /s/ MARK A. OLIVER
                                      -------------------------------------
                                      Mark A. Oliver, President

                                   By: /s/ WILLIAM P. BARNHILL
                                      -------------------------------------
                                      William P. Barnhill, Treasurer and
                                      Principal Accounting Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Each individual whose signature appears below hereby designates and appoints
Harold E. Riley and Mark A. Oliver, and each of them, as such person's true and
lawful attorney's-in-fact and agents (the "Attorneys-in-Fact") with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for each person and in such person's name,
place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which
amendments may make such changes in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as either
Attorney-in-Fact deems appropriate and to file therewith, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, granting unto such Attorneys-in-Fact and each of them,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and think
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that such Attorneys-in-Fact or either of them, in
their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

/s/ MARK A. OLIVER                       /s/ HAROLD E. RILEY
- ----------------------------             -----------------------------------
Mark A. Oliver, Director                 Harold E. Riley, Chairman of the
                                         Board and Director

/s/ RALPH M. SMITH                       /s/ JOE R. RENEAU
- ----------------------------             -----------------------------------
Ralph M. Smith, Director                 Joe R. Reneau, Director

                                         /s/ TIMOTHY T. TIMMERMAN
- ----------------------------             -----------------------------------
Flay F. Baugh, Director                  Timothy T. Timmerman, Director

                                         /s/ STEVE SHELTON
- ----------------------------             -----------------------------------
Rick D. Riley, Director                  Steve Shelton, Director

/s/ T. ROBY DOLLAR
- ----------------------------
T. Roby Dollar, Director





                                                                              76
<PAGE>   77
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          EXHIBIT
   EXHIBIT NO.                                       DESCRIPTION                                          PAGE NO.
   -----------                                       -----------                                          --------
<S>                    <C>                                                                                <C>
      (1)              Underwriting Agreement                                                               N/A

      (2)              Plan of acquisition,  reorganization, arrangement, liquidation or
                       succession                                                                           (e)

      (3)              3.1    Articles of Incorporation; as amended                                         (d)

                       3.2    Bylaws                                                                        (b)

      (4)              Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures            N/A

      (5)              Opinion re:      Legality                                                            N/A

      (6)              (Removed and Reserved)                                                               N/A

      (7)              (Removed and Reserved)                                                               N/A

      (8)              Opinion re:      Tax Matters                                                         N/A

      (9)              Voting Trust Agreement                                                               N/A

      (10)             Material Contracts

                         10.1          Automatic Yearly Renewable term (NR) Life
                                       Reinsurance Agreement between Citizens
                                       Insurance Company of America and The
                                       Centennial Life Insurance Company dated
                                       March 1, 1982                                                        (a)

                         10.2          Stock Purchase Agreement between Citizens
                                       Insurance Company of America and
                                       Citizens, Inc.                                                       (a)
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   78

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                        <C>
                         10.3          Plan and Agreement of Merger and Exchange
                                       by and among Insurance Investors &
                                       Holding Co., Central Investors Life
                                       Insurance Company of Illinois, Citizens,
                                       Inc. and Citizens Acquisition, Inc.                                  (g)

                         10.4          Self-Administered Automatic Reinsurance
                                       Agreement - Citizens Insurance Company of
                                       America and Riunione Adriatica di
                                       Sicurta, S.p.A.                                                      (h)

                         10.5          Plan and Agreement of Exchange dated
                                       October 28, 1996 between Citizens, Inc.
                                       and American Investment Network, Inc.                                (h)

                         10.6          Agreement and Plan of Merger dated
                                       October 31, 1996 between Citizens
                                       Insurance Company of America, CICA
                                       Acquisition, Inc., and First American
                                       Investment Corporation                                               (h)

                         10.7          Plan and Agreement of Merger dated
                                       November 22, 1996 between Citizens, Inc.
                                       and American Liberty Financial
                                       Corporation, as amended                                              (i)

                         10.8          Plan and Agreement of Merger dated
                                       November 22, 1996 between Citizens
                                       Insurance Company of America and American
                                       Liberty Life Insurance Company, as
                                       amended                                                              (i)

                         10.9          Bulk Accidental Death Benefit Reinsurance
                                       Agreement between Connecticut General
                                       Life Insurance Company and Citizens
                                       Insurance Company of America, as amended
                                       Plan and Agreement of Exchange dated
                                       October 28, 1996                                                     (i)

                         10.10         Plan and Agreement of Exchange between 
                                       American Investment Network, Inc., and                              
                                       Citizens Insurance Company of America                               filed
                                       dated October 28, 1996                                             herewith

                         10.11         Stock Purchase Agreement dated August
                                       13, 1997 between Jansen Enterprises, Inc., 
                                       Joe T. Bailey D. Steven Hansen,                                     filed
                                       and Citizens Inc.                                                 herewith

      (11)             Statement re:      Computation of per share earnings                                 N/A

      (12)             Statement re:      Computation of ratios                                             N/A

      (13)             Annual report to security holders, Form 10-Q or quarterly report to                  N/A
                       security holders

      (14)             (Removed and Reserved)                                                               N/A

      (15)             Letter re:     Unaudited interim financial statements                                N/A

      (16)             Letter re:     Change in certifying accountant                                       N/A

      (17)             Letter re:     Director resignation                                                  N/A

      (18)             Letter re:     Change in accounting principles                                       N/A

      (19)             Report furnished to security holders                                                 N/A

      (20)             Other documents or statements to security holders                                    N/A
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   79
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                      <C>
      (21)             Subsidiaries of the registrant                                                      Filed
                                                                                                         herewith

      (22)             Published report regarding matters submitted to a vote of security
                       holders                                                                              N/A

      (23)             Independent Auditor's consent                                                       Filed
                                                                                                         herewith

      (24)             Power of Attorney                                                                    See
                                                                                                         signature
                                                                                                           page

      (25)             Statement of eligibility of trustee                                                  N/A

      (26)             Invitations for competitive bids                                                     N/A

      (27)             Financial Data Schedule                                                             Filed
                                                                                                         herewith

      (28)             (Removed and Reserved)                                                               N/A

      (99)             Additional Exhibits                                                                  N/A
</TABLE>

- ----------------

(a)    Filed as a part of the Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form
       S-4, SEC File No. 33--4753, filed on or about June 19, 1992.

(b)    Filed with or referenced in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
       for the year ended December 31, 1991 and incorporated herein by
       reference.

(c)    Filed with or referenced in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
       for the year ended December 31, 1992 and incorporated herein by
       reference.

(d)    Filed with or referenced in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
       for the year ended December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by
       reference.

(e)    Filed with or referenced in the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
       dated December 9, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference.

(f)    Filed as a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4, SEC File No.
       33--59039, filed on or about May 2, 1995.

(g)    Filed as a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4, SEC File No.
       33--63275, filed on or about October 6, 1995.

(h)    Filed as a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4, SEC File No.
       333--16163, filed on or about November 14, 1996.

(i)    Filed with or referenced in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
       for the year ended December 31, 1996 and incorporated herein by
       reference.



<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.10



                         PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF EXCHANGE

         This Plan and Agreement of Exchange ("Agreement") is entered into
between and among CITIZENS INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, a Colorado-domiciled
insurance company ("CICA") and AMERICAN INVESTMENT NETWORK, INC., a Mississippi
corporation ("American").

                                   WITNESSETH

         WHEREAS, CICA, which was chartered on February 13, 1968 in Colorado as
Continental Investors Life Insurance Company, Inc. ("CILICI"), and by Articles
of Merger filed with the Secretary of State of Colorado on August 31, 1988,
CILIC changed its corporate name to Citizens Insurance Company of America is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("Citizens")
; and

         WHEREAS, American, which was chartered in 1987 in the State of
Mississippi as Great American Investment Network, Inc. , and in 1995 changed
its name to American Investment Network, Inc., owns all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of United Security Life Insurance Company, a
Mississippi-domiciled stock insurance company ("USLI"), which was chartered in
1967 in the State of Mississippi as American Empire Life Insurance Company,
which name was changed in 1973 to Financial Security Life of Mississippi, which
was in 1994 merged with United Security Life Insurance Company, a corporation
chartered in 1987 in the State of Mississippi, and at which time the name of
the merged corporation was changed to United Security Life insurance Company;
and

         WHEREAS, CICA and American desire to effect a share exchange pursuant
to Mississippi Code Ann. 79-4-11.01 et seq. and 83-19-99 et seq. (together the
"Exchange Act") in which all the outstanding shares of Class "All Common Stock
and Class "B" Common Stock of American will be exchanged for shares of Class A
Common Stock of Citizens owned and held by CICA;

         NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed among the parties as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  The Exchange

         1.1     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be completed at a closing
("Closing") on a closing date ("Closing Date") to occur as soon as possible
after all regulatory approvals and shareholder approvals are obtained in
accordance with law and as required by this Agreement.  On the Closing Date,
all of the documents to be furnished to American and CICA, including the
documents to be furnished pursuant to Article VII of this Agreement, shall be
delivered to Jones & Keller, P.C., counsel to CICA ("Jones & Keller") to be
held in escrow until the Effective Date or the date of termination of this
Agreement, whichever first occurs and thereafter shall be promptly distributed
to the parties as their interests may appear.

         1.2     The terms of the Exchange shall be:

                 (i)      The Exchange shall be effective ("Effective Date") as
                          of the filing of the Certificate of Exchange by
                          American and CICA with the Secretary of State and the
                          Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Mississippi
                          or, if later, the date specified therein.

                 (ii)     At and as of the Effective Date:

                          (a)     each shareholder of American prior to the
                          Effective Date shall cease to be a shareholder of
                          American;

                          (b)     The ownership of all issued and outstanding
                          stock of American (other than shares for which
                          dissenter's rights are perfected in accordance with
                          the Exchange Act) shall vest in CICA automatically
                          without any physical transfer or deposit of the
                          certificates representing such shares, and CICA will
                          become the sole shareholder of American;





                                       1
<PAGE>   2
                          (c)     the holders of each issued and outstanding
                          share of American Class A or Class B Common Stock
                          prior to the Effective Date (other chan any shares
                          for which dissenter's rights are perfected in
                          accordance with the Exchange Act) shall have the
                          right to receive from CICA in accordance with Article
                          II of the Agreement one (1) share of Citizens Class A
                          common stock, no par value, for each seven and
                          two-tenths (7.2) shares of American Class A or Class
                          B Common Stock prior to the Effective Date, provided,
                          however, that all consideration to be received shall
                          be subject to equitable adjustment in the event of
                          any stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split,
                          or other change in the number of American shares
                          outstanding; and

                          (d)     the holders of each issued and outstanding
                          share of American Class A or Class B Common Stock
                          prior to the Effective Date for which dissenter's
                          rights are perfected in accordance with the Exchange
                          Act shall have the right to receive from American
                          payment therefor in accordance with the Exchange Act.

                 (iii)    The directors and officers of American shall be
                          removed as of the Effective Date, and the directors
                          and officers of CICA shall become the directors and
                          officers of American as of the Effective Date.

                  (iv)    The Exchange shall have the effect set forth in the 
                          Exchange Act.

         1.3     On the Closing Date, American and CICA will file with the
Secretaries of State of Mississippi and Colorado Articles of Share Exchange in
the forms attached hereto as Exhibit A.

                                   ARTICLE II
                               Exchange of Shares

         2.1     At the Effective Date, the shares of Citizens Class A common
stock to be exchanged as provided in Section 1.2 shall be distributed by CICA
to shareholders of American (other than those shares as to which dissenters'
rights have been perfected in accordance with the Exchange Act).

         2.2     The stock transfer books of American shall be closed on the
Effective Date, and thereafter no transfers of the stock of American shall be
made.  CICA shall appoint an exchange agent ("Exchange Agent"), which is
expected to be Citizens' then stock transfer agent ("Stock Transfer Agent") ,
to accept surrender of the certificates representing the shares of American and
to deliver for such surrendered certificates, shares of Class A common stock of
Citizens.  If outstanding certificates for shares of American are not
surrendered or the payment for them is not claimed prior to such date on which
such payments would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any
governmental unit or agency, the unclaimed items shall, to the extent permitted
by abandoned property and other applicable law, become the property of CICA
(and to the extent not in its possession shall be paid over to it) , free and
clear of all claims or interest of any persons previously entitled to such
items.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Exchange Agent nor any party
to this Agreement shall be liable to any holder of American shares for any
amount paid to any governmental unit or agency having jurisdiction of such
unclaimed item pursuant to the abandoned property or other applicable law of
such jurisdiction.

         2.3     No fractional shares of Citizens stock shall be exchanged as a
result of the Agreement; rather, such shares shall evidence the right to
receive a cash value per fractional share of Citizens Class A common stock
which shall be the average closing price of the Class A common stock of
Citizens as reported on the American Stock Exchange for the five trading days
prior to the Effective Date.  In the event the exchange of shares results in
any shareholder being entitled to a fraction less than a whole share of
Citizens stock, such shareholder shall be given a cash payment by American for
such fractional share at the rate per share as calculated in the previous
sentence.

         2.4     At the Effective Date, each holder of a certificate or
certificates representing shares of American, upon presentation and surrender
of such certificate or certificates to the Exchange Agent, shall be entitled to
receive the consideration set forth herein, except that holders of those shares
as to which dissenters, rights shall have been asserted and perfected pursuant
to the Exchange Act shall not be converted into shares of Citizens Class A
common





                                       2
<PAGE>   3
stock, but shall represent only such dissenters' rights.  Upon such
presentation, surrender, and exchange as provided in this Section 2.4,
certificates representing shares of American previously held shall be canceled.
Until so presented and surrendered, each certificate or certificates which
represented issued and outstanding shares of American at the Effective Date
shall be deemed for all purposes to evidence the right to receive the
consideration set forth in Section 1.2 of this Agreement.  If the certificates
representing shares of American have been lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed,
the Exchange Agent shall require the submission of an indemnity agreement and
may require the submission of a bond in lieu of such certificate.

                                  ARTICLE III
               Representations , Warranties and Covenants of CICA

         No representations or warranties are made by any director, officer,
employee or shareholder of CICA as individuals, except as and to the extent
stated in this Agreement or in a separate written statement (the "CICA
Disclosure Statement").  CICA hereby represents, warrants and covenants to
American, except as stated in the CICA Disclosure Statement, as follows:

         3.1     Citizens and CICA are, respectively, a corporation and an
insurance company, each duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Colorado, and each have the corporate power and
authority to own or lease its properties and to carry on its business as it is
now being conducted.  The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Citizens and
CICA, copies of which have been delivered to American, are complete and
accurate, and the minute books of Citizens and CICA contain a record, which is
complete and accurate in all material respects, of all meetings, and all
corporate actions of the shareholders and Board of Directors of Citizens and
CICA.

         3.2     The aggregate number of shares which Citizens is authorized to
issue is 50,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, no par value, and 1,000,000
shares of Class B common stock, no par value; of which 21,651,161 shares of
such Class A common stock are issued and 19,572,614 shares are outstanding,
fully paid and nonassessable and 621, 049 shares of Class B common stock are
issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable.  There are 1, 955,457
shares of Class A common stock of Citizens owned and held by CICA that will be
used to satisfy the exchange obligations of CICA under the Agreement.  Citizens
has no outstanding options, warrants, or other rights to purchase, or subscribe
to, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of capital
stock, except an option for 76,000 shares of Class A common stock.  The two (2)
classes of stock of Citizens are equal in all respects, except (a) the Class B
common stock elects a simple majority of the Board of Directors of Citizens,
and the Class A common stock elects the remaining directors; and (b) each Class
A share receives twice the cash dividends paid on a per share basis to the
Class B common stock.

         3.3     CICA has complete and unrestricted power to enter into and,
upon the appropriate approvals as required by law, to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  None of Citizens, and its
subsidiaries have any liability or obligation to pay any fee or commission to
any broker, agent or finder with respect to the transaction contemplated hereby
except to Merger & Acquisition Profiles, Inc.

         3.4     Neither the making of nor the compliance with the terms and
provisions of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated
herein by CICA will conflict with or result in a breach or violation of the
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of CICA.

         3.5     The execution, delivery and performance cf this Agreement have
been duly authorized and approved by the Board of Directors of CICA.

         3.6     CICA has delivered to American consolidated financial
statements of Citizens and its subsidiaries, dated December 31, 1995 and June
30, 1996.  All such statements, herein sometimes called "Citizens Financial
Statements," are complete and correct in all material respects and, together
with the notes to these financial statements, present fairly the financial
position and results of operations of Citizens and its subsidiaries for the
periods included.  The December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1996 Citizens
consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.





                                       3
<PAGE>   4
         3.7     Since the dates of the Citizens Financial Statements there
have not been any material adverse changes in the business or condition,
financial or otherwise, of Citizens.  Citizens and its subsidiaries do not have
any material liabilities or obligations, secured or unsecured (whether accrued,
absolute, contingent or otherwise) except as disclosed in the Citizens
Financial Statement.

         3.8     CICA has delivered to American a list and description of all
pending legal proceedings involving Citizens, none of which will materially
adversely affect it, and, except for these proceedings, there . are no legal
proceedings or regulatory proceedings involving material claims pending, or to
the knowledge of the officers of Citizen, threatened against Citizens or
affecting any of its assets or properties, and Citizens is not in any material
breach or violation of or default under any contract or instrument to which
Citizens is a party, and no event has occurred which with the lapse of time or
action by a third party could result in a material breach or violation of or
default by Citizens under any contract or other instrument to which Citizens is
a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or affected, or
under its respective Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, nor is there any
court or regulatory order pending, applicable to Citizens or its subsidiaries.

         3.9     Citizens shall not enter into or consummate any transactions
prior to the Effective Date other than (i) in the ordinary course of business
or (ii) business acquisitions, combinations and exchanges.  Citizens will not
pay any dividend or, except in the ordinary course of business, enter into an
agreement or transaction which would adversely affect its financial condition.

         3.10    Neither CICA nor Citizens is a party to any contract
performable in the future except insurance policies, customary agent contracts,
normal reinsurance agreements, agreements with subsidiaries, and those which
will not adversely affect it.

         3.11    The representations and warranties of CICA shall be true and
correct as of the date hereof and as of the Effective date.

         3.12    CICA has delivered, or will deliver within two weeks of the
date of this Agreement, to American true and correct copies of Citizens Annual
Report to Shareholders for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994.  CICA
will also deliver to American on or before the Closing Date any reports
relating to the financial and business condition of Citizens which are filed
with the SEC after the date of this Agreement and any other reports sent
generally to its shareholders after the date of this Agreement.  Citizens has
duly filed all reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Federal Securities Laws").  No such reports, or any reports sent to the
shareholders of Citizens generally as of their respective dates, contained any
untrue statement of material fact or omitted to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements in such
reports, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.

         3.13    CICA has delivered to American a copy of each of the
consolidated federal income tax returns of Citizens and its subsidiaries for
the year ended December 31, 1994 and for any additional open years.  The
provisions for taxes paid by Citizens are believed by Citizens to be sufficient
for payment of all accrued and unpaid federal, state, county and local taxes of
Citizens (including any penalties or interest payable) whether or not disputed
for the periods then ended and for all prior fiscal periods.  All returns and
reports or other information required or requested by federal, state, county,
and local tax authorities have been filed or supplied in a timely fashion, and
all such information is true and correct in all material respects.  Provision
has been made for the payment of all taxes due to date by Citizens.

         3.14    Citizens has no employee benefit plan, except for a
noncontributory, qualified profit-sharing plan and a group accident and health
insurance plan.

         3.15    No representation or warranty by CICA in this Agreement, the
CICA Disclosure Statement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto contains
any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact
necessary to make such representation or warranty not misleading.





                                       4
<PAGE>   5
                                   ARTICLE IV
             Representations, Warranties and Covenants of American

         No representations or warranties are made by any director, officer,
employee or shareholder of American as individuals, except as and to the extent
stated in this Agreement or in a separate written statement (the "American
Disclosure Statement") . American hereby represents, warrants and covenants to
CICA, except as stated in the American Disclosure Statement, as follows:

         4.1     American and USLI are, respectively, a corporation and an
insurance company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Mississippi, each having the corporate power and
authority to own or lease its properties and to carry on its business as it is
now being conducted.  The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of American and
USLI, copies of which have been delivered to CICA, are complete and accurate,
and the minute books ' of American and USLI contain a record, which is complete
and accurate in all material respects, of all meetings, and all corporate
actions of the shareholders and Board of Directors of American and USLI.

         4.2     The aggregate number of shares which American is authorized to
issue is 15,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, participating, no par
value, and 2, 500 shares of Class B Common Stock, participating (by virtue of a
1994 amendment to the Articles of Incorporation), $1.00 par value; of which
5,025,490 shares of such Class A Common Stock are issued and 5, 021, 764 are
outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and 2,500 shares of Class B Common
Stock are issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable.  American has
no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to purchase or subscribe to,
or securities convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of capital stock,
except as shown on the American Disclosure Statement attached to and made a
part of this Agreement.  There are 3, 726 shares of Class A common stock owned
and held by USLI.

         The aggregate number of shares which USLI is authorized to issue is
4,000 shares of Common Stock, participating, $500.00 par value, of which 2,000
shares are issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable.  USLI has no
outstanding options, warrants or other rights to purchase or subscribe to, or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of capital stock.
All issued and outstanding shares of USLI stock are owned and held by American.

         The subsidiaries of American are each an association, corporation, or
other entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or association; each has the
power and authority to lease its properties and to carry on its business as now
being conducted and is qualified to do business; and each holds or shall hold
all licenses, franchises, permits or other governmental authorizations required
to enable it to conduct its business or own its properties in every
jurisdiction in which it currently conducts business or owns property and where
the failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on the business of
the subsidiary.  All outstanding shares of capital stock of each subsidiary are
duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.  American
directly or indirectly owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of
such subsidiaries, including USLI.  There are no outstanding options, warrants
or other rights to purchase or subscribe to, or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for any shares of capital stock of any subsidiary of American or
USLI, except as shown on the American Disclosure Statement.

         4.3     American and USLI each have complete and unrestricted power to
enter into and, upon the appropriate approvals as required by law, to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  None of American
and its subsidiaries have any liability or obligation to pay any fee or
commission to any broker, agent or finder with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby.

         4.4     Neither the making of nor the compliance with the terms and
provisions of this Agreement and consummation of the transaction contemplated
herein by American will conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of American or its subsidiaries.

         4.5     The execution of this Agreement has been duly authorized and
approved by American's Board of Directors.





                                       5
<PAGE>   6
         4.6     American has delivered to CICA consolidated financial
statements of American and its subsidiaries, dated December 31 1995 and June
30, 1996, and the annual and quarterly convention statements of USLI as of
December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1996, as filed with the
Mississippi Department of Insurance.  All such statements, herein sometimes
called "American Financial Statements," are complete and correct in all
material respects and, together with the notes to these financial statements,
present fairly the financial position and results of operations of American and
USLI for the periods indicated.  The December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1996
American consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles and the December 31, 1995 and
June 30, 1996 convention statements have been prepared in accordance with
statutory accounting practices.

         4.7     Since the dates of the American Financial Statements there
have not been any material adverse changes in the business or condition,
financial or otherwise, of American or any of its subsidiaries.  None of
American or its subsidiaries have any material liabilities or obligations,
secured or unsecured (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise),
except as disclosed in the American Financial Statements.


         4.8     American has delivered to CICA a list and description of all
pending legal proceedings involving American or any of its subsidiaries, all of
which are listed on the American Disclosure Statement, none of which will
materially adversely affect American or such subsidiary, and, except for these
proceedings, there are no legal proceedings or regulatory proceedings involving
material claims pending, or to the knowledge of the officers of American,
threatened against American or USLI or affecting any of its assets or
properties, and American and USLI are not in any material breach or violation
of or default under any contract or instrument to which American or USLI is a
party, and no event has occurred which with the lapse of time or action by a
third party could result in a material breach or violation of or default by
American or USLI under any contract or other instrument to which American or
USLI is a party or by which either of them or any of their respective
properties may be bound or affected, or under their respective Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws, nor is there any court or regulatory order pending,
applicable to American or USLI.

         4.9     Neither American nor USLI shall enter into or consummate any
transactions prior to the Effective Date other than in the ordinary course of
business and will pay no dividend, or increase the compensation of officers and
will not enter into any agreement 'I or transaction which would adversely
affect their financial condition in a material manner.

         4.10    The assets of USLI had admissible values at least equal to
those attributed to them on its December 31, 1995 or June 30, 1996 convention
statements.

         4.11    Neither American nor USLI nor any subsidiary of American or
USLI is a party to any contract performable in the future except insurance
policies, customary agent contracts, normal reinsurance agreements and those
which will not adversely affect them, except as set out on the American
Disclosure Statement attached to this Agreement.

         4.12    All policy and claim reserves of USLI have been properly
provided for and are adequate to comply with all regulatory requirements
regarding same.

         4.13    The representations and warranties of American shall be true
and correct as of the date hereof and as of the Effective Date.

         4.14    American has delivered, or will deliver within two weeks of
the date of this Agreement, to CICA true and correct copies of American's
Annual Report to Shareholders for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994
and each of its other reports to shareholders and filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993.  American will also deliver to CICA on or before the Closing Date any
reports relating to the financial and business condition of American which are
filed with the SEC after the date of this Agreement and any other reports sent
generally to its shareholders after the date of this Agreement.  American has
duly filed all reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Federal Securities Laws") . No such reports, or any reports sent to the
shareholders of American generally, contained any untrue statement of material
fact or omitted to state any material





                                       6
<PAGE>   7
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements in such
report, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.

         4.15    American has delivered to CICA a copy of each of the federal
income tax returns of American for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993 and for any additional open years.  The provisions for taxes paid by
American are believed by American to be sufficient for payment of all accrued
and unpaid federal, state, county and local taxes of American (including any
penalties or interest payable) whether or not disputed for the periods then
ended and for all prior fiscal periods.  All returns and reports or other
information required or requested by federal, state, county and local tax
authorities have been filed or supplied in a timely fashion, and all such
information is true and correct in all material respects.  Provision has been
made for the payment of all taxes due to date by American.

         4.16    Neither American nor USLI have any employee benefit plans,
except for a noncontributory 401K plan and a group accident, health and life
insurance plans.

         4.17    No representation or warranty by American in this Agreement,
the American Disclosure Statement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto
contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material
fact necessary to make such representation or warranty not misleading.


                                   ARTICLE V
             Obligations of the Parties Pending the Effective Date

         5.1     This Agreement shall be duly submitted to the shareholders of
American for the purpose of considering and acting upon this Agreement in the
manner required by law at a meeting of shareholders on a date selected by
American, such date to be the earliest practicable date after the proxy
statement may first be sent to American shareholders without objection by
applicable governmental authorities.  CICA will furnish to American the
information relating to Citizens required by the Federal Securities Laws to be
included in the proxy statement CICA represents and warrants that at the time
of the American shareholders, meeting, the proxy statement, insofar as it
relates to Citizens and contains information furnished by CICA specifically for
use in such proxy statement, (a) will comply in all material respects with the
provisions of the Federal Securities Laws; and (b) will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  The Board of
Directors of American, subject to its fiduciary obligations to shareholders,
shall use its best efforts to obtain the requisite approval of American
shareholders of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein.
American and CICA shall take all reasonable and necessary steps and actions to
comply with and to secure American shareholders approval of this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated herein as may be required by the statutes, rules
and regulations of such states.

         5.2     At all times prior to the Effective Date, during regular
business hours each party will permit the other to examine its books and
records and the books and records of any subsidiaries and will furnish copies
thereof on request.  It is recognized that, during the performance of this
Agreement, each party may provide the other parties with information which is
confidential or proprietary information.  During the term of this Agreement,
and for four years following the termination of this Agreement, the recipient
of such information shall protect such information from disclosure to persons,
other than members of its own or affiliated organizations and its professional
advisors in the same manner as it protects its own confidential or proprietary
information from unauthorized disclosure, and not use such information to the
competitive detriment of the disclosing party.  In addition, if this Agreement
is terminated for any reason, each party shall promptly return or cause to be
returned all documents or other written records of such confidential or
proprietary information, together with all copies of such writings and, in
addition, shall either furnish or cause to be furnished, or shall destroy, or
shall maintain with such standard of care as is exercised with respect to its
own confidential or proprietary information, all copies of all documents or
other written records developed or prepared by such party on the basis of such
confidential or proprietary information.  No information shall be considered
confidential or proprietary if it is (a) information already in the possession
of the party to whom disclosure is made; (b) information acquired by the party
to whom the disclosure is made from other sources; or (c) information in the
public domain or generally available to interested persons or which at a later
date passes into the public domain or becomes available to the party to whom
disclosure is made without any wrongdoing by the party to whom the disclosure
is made.





                                       7
<PAGE>   8
         5.3     American and CICA shall promptly provide each other with
information as to any significant developments in the performance of this
Agreement, and shall promptly notify the other if it discovers that any of its
representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement or in any
document delivered in connection with this Agreement was not true and correct
in all material respects or became untrue or incorrect in any material respect.

         5.4     All parties to this Agreement shall take all such action as
may be reasonably necessary and appropriate and shall use their best efforts in
order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as
practicable.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                             Procedure for Exchange

         6.1     As soon as practical and in any event within 30 days after the
Execution of this Agreement, the parties shall file with the Insurance
Commissioner of Mississippi all of the documents required by Mississippi law.

                                  ARTICLE VII
            Conditions Precedent to the Consummation of the Exchange

         The following are conditions precedent to the consummation of the
Agreement on or before the Effective Date:

         7.1     CICA and American shall have performed and complied with all
of their respective obligations hereunder which are to be complied with or
performed on or before the Effective Date and American and CICA shall provide
one another at the Closing with a certificate to the effect that such party has
performed each of the acts and undertakings required to be performed by it on
or before the Closing Date pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

         7.2     This Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall
have been duly and validly authorized, approved and adopted, at a meeting of
the shareholders of American duly and properly called for such purposes in
accordance with the applicable laws.

         7.3     This Agreement is in all things subject to the provisions of
the applicable insurance laws and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and
shall not become effective until all necessary approvals are obtained from the
Commissioners of Insurance of the States of Colorado and Mississippi in
accordance with the provisions of the laws of said states.  CICA and American
as soon as practical after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, agree
to file and to use their best efforts to obtain such approvals of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Neither CICA nor American shall
be obligated to file a suit or to appeal from any Commissioner's adverse
ruling, nor shall CICA or American be obligated to make any material changes in
any lawful, good faith management policy in order to gain such approval.  In
the event either approval is denied, this Agreement shall terminate.

         7.4     No action, suit or proceeding shall have been instituted or
shall have been threatened before any court or other governmental body or by
any public authority to restrain, enjoin or prohibit the transactions
contemplated herein, or which might subject any of the parties hereto or their
directors or officers to any material liability, fine, forfeiture or penalty on
the grounds that the transactions contemplated hereby, the parties hereto or
their directors or officers, have violated any applicable law or regulation, or
have otherwise acted improperly in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby, and the parties hereto have been advised by counsel that,
in the opinion of such counsel, such action, suit or proceeding raises
substantial questions of law or fact which could reasonably be decided
adversely to any party hereto or its directors or officers.

         7.5     All actions, proceedings, instruments and documents required
to carry out this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and the
form and substance of all legal proceedings and related matters shall have been
approved by counsel for CICA and American.

         7.6     The representations and warranties by CICA and American in
this Agreement shall be true as though such representations and warranties had
been made or given on and as of the Effective Date, except to the extent that
such representations and warranties may be untrue on and as of the Effective
Date because of (1) changes





                                       8
<PAGE>   9
caused by transactions suggested or approved in writing by CICA; or (2) events
or changes (which shall not in the aggregate, have materially and adversely
affected the business, assets, or financial condition of American or Citizens)
during or arising after the date of this Agreement.

         7.7     American shall have furnished CICA with:

                 (1)      a certified copy of a resolution or resolutions duly
                          adopted by the Board of Directors of American
                          approving this Agreement and the transactions
                          contemplated by it in accordance with applicable law
                          and directing the submission thereof to a vote of the
                          shareholders of American;

                 (2)      a certified copy of a resolution or resolutions duly
                          adopted by the shareholders of American approving
                          this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by
                          it in accordance with applicable law;

                 (3)      an opinion of Spencer, Tyra & Crecink, counsel for
                          American, dated as of the Closing Date as set forth
                          in "Exhibit B" attached hereto;

                 (4)      an agreement from each "affiliate" of American as
                          defined in the rules adopted under the Securities Act
                          of 1933, as amended, to the effect that (a) the
                          affiliate is familiar with SEC Rule 144; (b) none of
                          the shares of Citizens Class A common stock will be
                          transferred by or through the affiliate in violation
                          of the Federal Securities Laws; (c) the affiliate
                          will not sell or in any way reduce his risk relative
                          to any Citizens Class A common stock received
                          pursuant to this Agreement until such time as
                          financial results covering at least 30 days of
                          post-closing date combined operations shall have been
                          published by Citizens on SEC Form 10-Q or otherwise.

         7.8     CICA shall furnish American with:

         (1)     a certified copy of a resolution or resolutions duly adopted
                 by the Board of Directors approving this Agreement and the
                 transactions contemplated by it; and

         (2)     an opinion dated the Effective Date of Jones & Keller, P.C.,
                 counsel for CICA, as set forth in "Exhibit C" attached hereto.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                          Termination and Abandonment

         8.1     Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Agreement may be terminated and abandoned at any time
(whether before or after the approval and adoption thereof by the shareholders
of American and/or CICA) prior to the Effective Date:

         (a)     By mutual consent of the Boards of Directors of CICA and
                 American;

         (b)     By CICA or American, if any condition set forth in Article VII
                 relating to the other party has not been satisfied or has not
                 been waived;

         (c)     By CICA or American, if any suit, action or other proceeding
                 shall be pending or threatened by the federal or a state
                 government before any court or governmental agency, in which
                 it is sought to restrain, prohibit or otherwise affect the
                 consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;

         (d)     By any party, if there is discovered any material error,
                 misstatement or omission in the representations and warranties
                 of another party; or





                                       9
<PAGE>   10
         (e)     By CICA, if dissenters' rights are perfected in accordance
                 with the Exchange Act for more than 2.5% of the outstanding
                 shares of American; or

         (f)     By either party if the Effective Date does not occur within
                 ninety (90) days from the date hereof.

         (g)     By any party, if it is determined by counsel of either party
                 that the transaction will not constitute a reorganization
                 within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue
                 Code of 1986, as amended.

         8.2     Any of the terms or conditions of the Agreement may be waived
at any time by the party which is entitled to the benefit thereof, by action by
its Board of Directors; provided, however, that such action shall be taken only
if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors taking the action, such waiver
will not have a materially adverse effect on the benefits intended under this
Agreement to the party waiving such term or condition.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                       Termination of Representation and
                       Warranties and Certain Agreements

         9.1     The respective representations and warranties of the parties
hereto shall expire with, and be terminated and extinguished by consummation of
the Agreement; provided, however, that the covenants and agreements of the
parties hereto shall survive in accordance with their terms.

                                   ARTICLE X
                                 Miscellaneous

         10.1    This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the
parties, and there have been and are no agreements, representations or
warranties among the parties other than those set forth herein or those
provided for herein.

         10.2    To facilitate the execution of this Agreement, any number of
counterparts hereof may be executed, and each such counterpart shall be deemed
to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall
constitute but one instrument.

         10.3    Each of the parties hereto will pay its own fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Except as otherwise disclosed in their respective Disclosure Statements, CICA
and American each represent to the other that it has not employed any
investment bankers, brokers, finders, or intermediaries in connection with the
transaction contemplated hereby who might be entitled to any fee or other
payment from American or Citizens or any of their respective subsidiaries upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         10.4    All parties to this Agreement agree that if it becomes
necessary or desirable to execute further instruments or to make such other
assurances as are deemed necessary, the party requested to do so will use its
best efforts to provide such executed instruments or do all things necessary of
proper to carry out the purpose of this Agreement.

         10.5    This Agreement may be amended upon approval of the Board of
Directors of each party provided that the share exchange ratio hereunder shall
not be amended without approval of the requisite shareholders of American.

         10.6    Any notices, requests, or other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be delivered personally or sent by overnight courier
service, fees prepaid, addressed as follows:

To CICA, Inc.:                    and to American:

Citizens Insurance Company        American Investment Network, Inc.
of America                        United Security Life Insurance





                                       10
<PAGE>   11
Post Office Box 149151            Company
Austin, Texas 78714-9159          660 Lakeland East Drive
Attn:    Harold E. Riley          Flowood, Mississippi 39208
         Chairman                 Attn: John S. Camara, President

Phone:   (512) 837-7100           Phone:   (601) 936-2090
Fax:     (512) 836-9334           Fax:     (691) 939-4372

with copies to:                   with copies to:

Jones & Keller, P.C.              Spencer, Tyra & Crecink
1625 Broadway, Ste 1600           660 Lakeland East Drive, Ste 100
Denver, Colorado 80202            Jackson, MS 39208
Attn: Reid A. Godbolt, Esq.       Attn: Ernest 0. Spencer, III, Esq.

Phone:   (303) 573-1600           Phone:   (601) 939-9193
Fax:     (303) 573-0608           Fax:     (601) 939-9195

or such other addresses as shall be furnished in writing by any party, and any
such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given as of the date
received.

         10.7    No press release or public statement will be issued relating
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without prior approval of
CICA and American.  However, either CICA or American may issue at any time any
press release or other public statement it believes on the advise of its
counsel it is obligated to issue to avoid liability under the law relating to
disclosures to itself or any of its affiliates, but the party issuing such
press release or public statement shall make a reasonable effort to give the
other party prior notice of and opportunity to participate in such release or
statement.

         10.8    The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and
drafting of this Agreement.  In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or
interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly
by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or
disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of
this Agreement.  Any references to any federal, state, local, or foreign
statute or law shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, unless the context otherwise requires.  The word
"including" shall mean including without limitation.

         10.9    The Exhibits and Schedules identified in this Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

         10.10   This Agreement Shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Mississippi without giving
effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State
of Mississippi or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of
the laws 'or any jurisdiction other than the State of Mississippi.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have set their hands and seals this
28th day of October, 1996.

CITIZENS INSURANCE COMPANY                  AMERICAN INVESTMENT NETWORK,
OF AMERICA                                  INC.
                                  
                                  
By:/s/ Mark A. Oliver                       By:/s/ John S. Camara              
   ----------------------------------          --------------------------------
   Mark A. Oliver                              John S. Camara, President
   Executive Vice-President       
   and Treasurer                  





                                       11
<PAGE>   12
                                   EXHIBIT A
                  (Attach Form of Articles of Share Exchange]





                                       12
<PAGE>   13
F0013 - Page 1 of 3
                                    OFFICE OF THE MISSISSIPPI SECRETARY OF STATE
                             P.O. BOX 136, JACKSON, MS 39205-0136 (601) 359-1333
                                            Articles of Merger or Share Exchange
                                                              Profit Corporation

The undersigned corporation pursuant to Section 79-4-11.05, as amended, hereby
executes the following document and sets forth:

1. Name of Corporation 1

American Investment Network, Inc.

2. Name of Corporation 2

Citizens Insurance Company of America

3. Name of Corporation 3

4. The future effective date is
(Complete if applicable)          January 1, 1997

5. The plan of merger or share exchange. (Attach page)

6. Mark appropriate box.

[ ]    (a) Shareholder approval of the plan of merger or share exchange was
       not required.

OR

[x]    (b) If approval of the shareholders of one or more corporations party to
       the merger or share exchange was required

         (i)     the designation, number of outstanding shares. and number of
                 votes entitled to be cast by each class entitled to vote
                 separately on the plan as to each corporation were

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name of Corporation       Designation         No.  of outstanding               No. of votes
                                                   shares                    entitled to be cast
<S>                       <C>                      <C>                           <C>
American                  Class A
investment                Common Stock             5,021,764                     5,021,764
Network, Inc.

American
Investment                Class B
Network, Inc.             Common Stock                 2,500                         2,500
</TABLE>





                                       13
<PAGE>   14
F0013 - Page 2 of 3
                                    OFFICE OF THE MISSISSIPPI SECRETARY OF STATE
                             P.O. BOX 136, JACKSON, MS 39205-0136 (601) 359-1333
                                            Articles of Merger or Share Exchange
                                                              Profit Corporation

AND EITHER

     a. the total number of votes, cast for and against the plan by each class
     entitled to vote separately on the plan was

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name of Corporation       Class            Total no. of votes       Total no. of votes cast
                                           cast FOR the Plan           AGAINST the Plan
<S>                       <C>
American
Investment                Class A
Network, Inc.             Common Stock

American
Investment                Class B
Network, Inc.             Common Stock
</TABLE>

OR

    b. the total number of undisputed votes cast for the plan separately by each
class was


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name of Corporation       Class            Total no. of undisputed
                                           votes cast FOR the Plan
<S>                       <C>              <C>
</TABLE>


and the number of votes cast for the plan by each class was sufficient for
approval by that class.

Name of Corporation 1

AMERICAN INVESTMENT NETWORK, INC.

By:             Signature                    (Please keep writing within blocks)
                          ------------------


     Printed Name                                        Title
                  --------------------------------------      ----------------




                                       14
<PAGE>   15
F0013 - Page 3 of 3
                                    OFFICE OF THE MISSISSIPPI SECRETARY OF STATE
                              P.O. BOX 136, JACKSON, MS 392054136 (601) 359-1333
                                            Articles of Merger or Share Exchange
                                                              Profit Corporation

Name of Corporation 2

CITIZENS INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

By:   Signature                              (Please keep writing within blocks)
                   -------------------------
      Printed Name                           Title 
                   -------------------------       -------------------------

Name of Corporation 3


By:   Signature                              (Please keep writing within blocks)
                   -------------------------
      Printed Name                           Title 
                   -------------------------       -------------------------

NOTE
1.       If shareholder approval is required, the plan must be approved by each
         voting group entitled to vote on the plan by a majority of all votes
         entitled to be cast by that voting group unless the Act or the
         articles of incorporation provide for a greater or lessor vote, but
         not less than a majority of all votes cast at a meeting.

2.       The articles cannot be filed unless the corporation(s) has (have) paid
         all fees and taxes (and delinquencies) imposed by law.

3.       The articles must be similarly executed by each corporation that is a
         party to the merger.





                                       15
<PAGE>   16
                    ATTACHMENT TO ARTICLES OF SHARE EXCHANGE
                                       OF
                       AMERICAN INVESTMENT NETWORK, INC.
                                      AND
                     CITIZENS INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

         In accordance with Mississippi Code Ann. Sections  79-4-11.01 et seq.
and 83-19-99 et. seq. (together the "Exchange Act") , a plan and agreement of
exchange ("Plan of Exchange") has been approved, adopted and executed by
American Investment Network, Inc. and Citizens Insurance Company of America as
follows:

         1.      The Exchange shall be effective as of January 1, 1997 
("Effective Date").

         2.      At and as of the Effective Date:

         (a)     each shareholder of American prior to the Effective Date shall
cease to be a shareholder of American;

         (b)     the ownership of all issued and outstanding stock of American
(other than shares for which dissenter's rights are perfected in accordance
with the Exchange Act) shall vest in CICA automatically without any physical
transfer. or deposit of the certificates representing such shares, and CICA
will become the sole shareholder of American;

         (c)     the holders of each issued and outstanding share of American
Class A or Class B Common Stock prior to the Effective Date (other than any
shares for which dissenter's rights are perfected in accordance with the
Exchange Act) shall have the right to receive from CICA in accordance with
Article II of the Plan of Exchange one (1) share of Citizens Class A common
stock, no par value, for each seven and two-tenths (7.2) shares of American
Class A or Class B Common Stock; provided, however, that all consideration to
be received shall be subject to equitable adjustment in the event of any stock
split, stock dividend, reverse stock split, or other change in the number of
American shares outstanding; and

         (d)     the holders of each issued and outstanding share of American
Class A or Class B Common Stock prior to the Effective Date for which
dissenter's rights are perfected in accordance with the Exchange Act shall have
the right to receive from American payment therefor in accordance with the
Exchange Act.

         3.      The Exchange shall have the effect set forth in the Exchange
Act.

         4.      The Plan of Exchange has been approved by the shareholders of
American.  No shareholder approval by the shareholders of CICA, a Colorado
stock insurance company, was required, pursuant to Section 7-111-103 (7) of the
Colorado Business Corporation Act and Sections 79-4-11.01 et seq. of the
Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended.





                                       16
<PAGE>   17
                           ARTICLES OF SHARE EXCHANGE

         Pursuant to the provisions of the Colorado Business Corporation Act,
AMERICAN INVESTMENT NETWORK, INC., a Mississippi corporation ("American"), and
CITIZENS INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, a stock insurance company organized
under the laws of the State of Colorado ("CICA"), adopt the following articles
of share exchange:

         First:  The plan of share exchange (the "Plan of Exchange") is
summarized as follows:  At and as of the effective time set forth below (the
"Effective Date"):

                 (a)      each shareholder of American prior to the Effective
         Date shall cease to be a shareholder of American:

                 (b)      the ownership of all issued and Outstanding stock of
         American (other than shares for which dissenter's rights are perfected
         in accordance with applicable law) shall vest in CICA automatically
         without any physical transfer or deposit of the certificates
         representing such shares and CICA will become the sole shareholder of
         American;

                 (c)      the holders of each issued and outstanding share of
         American Class A or Class B Common Stock prior to the Effective Date
         (other than any shares for which dissenter's rights are perfected in
         accordance with applicable law) shall have the right to receive from
         CICA in accordance with Article II of the Plan of Exchange one (1)
         share of Citizens Class A common stock, no par value, for each seven
         and two-tenths (7.2) shares of American Class A or Class B Common
         Stock; provided, however, that all consideration to be received shall
         be subject to equitable adjustment in the event of any stock split,
         stock dividend, reverse stock split, or other change in the number of
         American shares outstanding; and

                 (d)      the holders of each issued and outstanding share of
         American Class A or Class B Common Stock prior to the Effective Date
         for which dissenter's rights are perfected in accordance with
         applicable law shall have the right to receive from American payment
         therefor in accordance with applicable law.

         Second:  The plan of share exchange was approved by the shareholders
of American.  Approval by the shareholders of CICA was not required.

         Third:  As to American, whose shareholders were required to vote for
approval, the number of votes cast for the plan by each voting group entitled
to vote separately on the share exchange was sufficient for approval by that
voting group.

         Forth:  These articles are to become effective on January 1, 1997 at
12:01 a.m., unless prior to the effective date they are abandoned and a
statement of abandonment is filed prior to the effective date.

         Dated: _____________________, 1996

AMERICAN INVESTMENT NETWORK, INC.    CITIZENS INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, INC.


By:                                  By:
   ------------------------------       ------------------------------
Title:                               Title:
      ---------------------------          ---------------------------




                                       17
<PAGE>   18
                                   EXHIBIT B

                        Opinion of Counsel for American

         At the Closing, American shall deliver to CICA an opinion, in form and
substance satisfactory to CICA and its counsel, dated the Closing Date, of
Spencer, Tyra & Crecink, counsel to American, to the effect that:

         (i)     The execution, delivery, and performance of the Agreement by
                 American shall not result in a breach of, or constitute a
                 default (or an event which, with or without notice or lapse of
                 time or both, would constitute a default) under any contract,
                 commitment, agreement, indenture, mortgage, pledge agreement,
                 note, bond, license, or other instrument or obligation to
                 which American is a party or by which American is bound or the
                 charter or bylaws of American or other governing instruments
                 of American.

         (ii)    The Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
                 by American and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of
                 American enforceable against American in accordance with its
                 terms (subject to the applicability of equitable principles or
                 the effect of bankruptcy or creditors, rights laws on the
                 enforceability of the Agreement);

         (iii)   American and USLI are, respectively, a corporation and a stock
                 insurance company duly organized, validly existing and in good
                 standing under the laws of the State of Mississippi;

         (iv)    American has full corporate power and authority to enter into
                 Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated by
                 the Agreement;

         (v)     To such counsel's knowledge, after due inquiry, there are no
                 civil or criminal actions, suits, arbitrations, administrative
                 or other proceedings or governmental investigations pending or
                 threatened against American or its subsidiaries which will
                 constitute a breach of the representations, warranties or
                 covenant under the Agreement or will prevent American from
                 consummating the transactions contemplated by the Agreement;

         (vi)    The authorized and outstanding capital stock of American and
                 USLI are as stated in Section 4.2 of the Agreement, and such
                 shares have been duly authorized, are fully paid and
                 nonassessable and were not issued in violation of the
                 preemptive rights of any party;

         (vii)   To such counsel's knowledge, after due inquiry, except as set
                 forth in the Agreement, there are no outstanding
                 subscriptions, options, warrants, rights, convertible
                 securities, calls, commitments, privileges or other
                 arrangements,, preemptive or contractual, calling for or
                 requiring the acquisition of, or the issuance, transfer, sale,
                 or other disposition of any shares of the capital stock of
                 American or USLI, or calling for or requiring the issuance of
                 any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for
                 shares of capital stock of American or USLI, except as
                 disclosed in the Agreement; and

         (viii)  The execution, delivery, and performance of the Agreement, and
                 the performance by American of its obligations thereunder, is
                 not in contravention of any law, ordinance, rule, or
                 regulation, or contravene any order, writ, judgment,
                 injunction, decree, determination, or award of any court or
                 other authority having jurisdiction, will not cause the
                 suspension or revocation of any authorization, consent,
                 approval, or license, presently in effect, which affects or
                 binds, American, USLI or any of their material properties.





                                       18
<PAGE>   19
                                   EXHIBIT C

                          Opinion of Counsel for CICA

         At the Closing, CICA shall deliver to American, an opinion, in form
and substance satisfactory to American and its counsel, dated the Closing Date,
of Jones & Keller, P.C., counsel to CICA, to the effect that:

         (i)     The execution, delivery, and performance of the Agreement by
                 CICA shall not result in a breach of, or constitute a default
                 (or an event which, with or without notice or lapse of time or
                 both, would constitute a default) under any contract,
                 commitment, agreement, indenture, mortgage, pledge agreement,
                 note, bond, license, or other instrument or obligation to
                 which CICA is a party or by which CICA is bound or the charter
                 or bylaws of CICA or other governing instruments of CICA;

         (ii)    The Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
                 by CICA and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of CICA
                 enforceable against CICA in accordance with its terms (subject
                 to the applicability of equitable principles or the effect of
                 bankruptcy or creditors' rights laws on the enforceability of
                 the Agreement);

         (iii)   Citizens and CICA respectively are a corporation and a stock
                 insurance company, duly organized, validly existing and in
                 good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado;


         (iv)    CICA has full corporate power and authority to enter into the
                 Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated by
                 the Agreement;


         (v)     To such counsel's knowledge, after due inquiry, there are no
                 civil or criminal actions, suits, arbitrations, administrative
                 or other proceedings or governmental investigations pending or
                 threatened against CICA which will constitute a breach of the
                 representations, warranties or covenants under the Agreement
                 or will prevent CICA from consummating the transactions
                 contemplated by the Agreement;

         (vi)    The authorized and outstanding capital stock of Citizens is as
                 stated in Section 3.2 of the Agreement, and each of the shares
                 of Class A common stock to be issued pursuant to the agreement
                 has been duly authorized and when issued pursuant to the terms
                 of the Agreement shall be validly issued and fully paid and
                 non-assessable and issued in violation of the preemptive
                 rights of any party;

         (vii)   To such counsel's knowledge, after due inquiry, except as set
                 forth in the Agreement or CICA's Disclosure Statement, there
                 are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, rights,
                 convertible securities, calls, commitments, privileges or
                 other arrangements, preventive or contractual, calling for or
                 requiring the acquisition of, or the issuance, transfer, sale,
                 or other disposition of any shares of the capital stock of
                 Citizens, or calling for or requiring the issuance of any
                 securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for
                 shares of capital stock of Citizens;

         (viii)  The execution, delivery, and performance of the Agreement, and
                 the performance by CICA of its obligations thereunder, is not
                 in contravention of any law, ordinance, rule, or regulation,
                 or contravene any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree,
                 determination, or award of any court or other authority having
                 jurisdiction, will not cause the suspension or revocation of
                 any authorization, consent, approval, or license presently in
                 effect, which affects or binds CICA or any of its subsidiaries
                 or any of its or their material properties;

         (xi)    Consummation of the transaction in accordance with the terms
                 of the Agreement will constitute a reorganization within the
                 meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
                 "Code") ; American and CICA will each be a party to the
                 reorganization; no gain or loss will be recognized pursuant to
                 the Code by American as a consequence of the transactions
                 contemplated hereby; CICA will succeed to and take into
                 account the items of American described in the Code; when a
                 American





                                       19
<PAGE>   20
                 shareholder receives solely Citizens Class A common stock in
                 accordance with the transactions contemplated hereby, such
                 American shareholder will not recognize gain or loss; the
                 basis for the Citizens Class A common stock to be received by
                 American shareholders will be the same as the basis for the
                 shares of American stock they surrender in connection with the
                 transactions contemplated hereby; the holding period for any
                 American shareholder of the Citizens Class A common stock
                 received in the transactions contemplated hereby will include
                 the period during which the shares of the American stock
                 surrendered were held provided that the American stock was a
                 capital asset in the hands of such American shareholder on the
                 Effective Date; and the payment of cash to any American
                 shareholder in lieu of a fractional share of Citizens Class A
                 common stock will be treated as received as a distribution and
                 redemption of the fractional share interest, subject to the
                 limitations of Section 302 of the Code; and


         (c)     The exchange of Citizens Class A common stock for shares of
                 American stock is exempt from registration under the
                 Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section
                 3(a)(10) thereof and, with respect to state securities laws
                 and the securities laws of other applicable jurisdictions, if
                 any, is either exempt from qualification or registration
                 thereunder or such qualification or registration requirements
                 have been satisfied.





                                       20
<PAGE>   21
                           CICA DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

         Pursuant to the provisions of Article III of the Plan and Agreement of
Exchange between and among CICA and American, CICA hereby makes the following
disclosures respecting the similarly numbered sections in the Plan and
Agreement of Exchange:

         3.3     At the Effective Date, brokerage commissions will be owed to
                 Merger & Acquisition Profiles, Inc.

         3.7     Citizens has the liabilities disclosed in the Citizens
                 Financial Statements and those incurred thereafter in the
                 ordinary course of business.

         3.10    Computer Maintenance Agreement between Computing Technology,
                 Inc. and Wang Laboratories, effective 7/l/91 and amended
                 8/26/91.





                                       21
<PAGE>   22
                         AMERICAN DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

         Pursuant to the provisions of Article IV of the Plan and Agreement of
Exchange between and among CICA and American, American hereby makes the
following disclosures respecting the similarly numbered sections in the Plan
and Agreement of Exchange:

         4.2     Outstanding warrants, options, or other rights to purchase or
                 subscribe to, or securities convertible into, or exchangeable
                 for, shares of capital stock of American:


                 (1)      Stock Incentives issued to certain key employees of
                          Great American Investment Network, Inc. and USLI
                          pursuant to the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, adopted by
                          the Board of Directors on November 30, 1993, and
                          approved by the Shareholders on May 3, 1994.

         4.7     American has liabilities disclosed in their financial
                 statements and those incurred thereafter in the ordinary
                 course of business.

         4.8     Pending litigation: As of the date of execution hereof, the
                 following litigation against American and/or USLI was pending:

                 (1)      David Anderson and Marty Stanford, D/B/A Premiere
                          Insurance Agency, and Chiropractic National
                          Association, Plaintiffs, versus United Security Life
                          Insurance Company, Defendant, Civil Action No.
                          96-002(r)L, in the Circuit Court of Lee County,
                          Mississippi.

                 (2)      Donald and Karen Mayo, Plaintiffs, versus United
                          Security Life Insurance Company, Defendant, Civil
                          Action No. 95-268(f)L, in the Circuit Court of Lee
                          County, Mississippi.

         4.11    American is subject to the following contracts and agreements
                 which are, or may be, performable in the future, copies of
                 which have heretofore been furnished to CICA:

                 (1)      Settlement Agreement dated March 2, 1995, among
                          Robert Tillman and Tillman Insurance Agency, Inc.
                          ("Plaintiffs"), and The Gain Agency, Inc., Great
                          American Investment Network, Inc., Walter L. Shelton
                          and Jesse Byrd (Defendants).

                 (2)      Executive Compensation Plan and Agreement adopted
                          November 11, 1994 by the Directors, and approved by
                          the Shareholders on May 2, 1995, between Great
                          American Investment Network, Inc.  and Walter L.
                          Shelton and Jesse L. Byrd.

                 (3)      Employment Agreement dated August 23, 1996, between,
                          American, USLI and John S. Camara.

                 (4)      Employment Agreement dated August 23, 1996, between,
                          American, USLI and H. Harold Crumpler.

                 (5)      Employment Agreement dated August 23, 1996, between,
                          American, USLI and Phillip E. Faller.

                 (6)      Employment Agreement dated August 23, 1996, between,
                          American, USLI and Linda M. Pepper.

                 (7)      Contract Agreements between Great American Investment
                          Network, Inc. and the individual members of Magnolia
                          Consulting Group, an unincorporated association.

                 (8)      Promissory Note dated December 19, 1994, in favor of
                          Merchants and Farmers Bank, in the original principal
                          amount of $535,562.62, with a final maturity date of
                          December 15, 1999.





                                       22
<PAGE>   23
                          The Promissory Note is secured by a Deed of Trust
                          between the parties dated as of the same date, and
                          recorded in the office of the Chancery Clerk of.
                          Rankin County, Mississippi in Book 1018 at Page 89.

                 (9)      Second Deed of Trust dated March 2, 1995, securing
                          the Settlement Agreement referenced as Item No. (1),
                          above, among Great American Investment Network, Inc.,
                          Mark T. Davis as Trustee, and Dale Hubbard, Tillman
                          Insurance Agency, Inc. and Robert Tillman,
                          beneficiaries.  This instrument is recorded in the
                          Office of the Chancery Clerk of Rankin County,
                          Mississippi in Book 1031 at Page 649.





                                       23
<PAGE>   24
                  AMENDMENT TO PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF EXCHANGE

         This Amendment to Plan and Agreement of Exchange ("Amendment") is
entered into among CITIZENS, INC., a Colorado corporation ("Citizens"),
CITIZENS INSURANCE OF AMERICA, a Colorado-domiciled insurance company ("CICA"),
and AMERICAN INVESTMENT NETWORK, INC., a Mississippi corporation ("American").

                                   WITNESSETH

         WHEREAS, CICA and American have heretofore entered into a Plan and
Agreement of Exchange dated October 28, 1996 ("the Plan"), to effect a share
exchange between them under Mississippi law, as provided in the Plan; and

         WHEREAS, CICA and American desire to amend the Plan, as adopted, as to
the source of stock to be used to implement the exchange, said stock to be
additional shares of Citizens Class A Common Stock to be issued by Citizens and
distributed to CICA;

         NOW THEREFORE, Citizens, CICA and American hereby agree that the Plan
should be, and hereby is, amended as follows:

                                       I.

         Article III, Section 3.2 of the Plan, is hereby amended to read as
follows:

         "3.2 The aggregate number of shares which Citizens is authorized to
issue is 50,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, no par value, and 1,000,000
shares of Class B common stock, no par value; of which 21,651,161 shares of
such Class A common stock were issued and 19,572,614 shares were outstanding,
fully paid and nonassessable and 621,049 shares of Class B common stock were
issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, as of October 28, 1996,
the date of the Plan.  A total of 700,000 shares of Class A common stock. of
Citizens, previously authorized but unissued, will be issued by Citizens and
distributed to CICA to satisfy the exchange obligations of CICA under the
Agreement.  Citizens has no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to
purchase, or to subscribe to, or securities convertible into or exchangeable
for any shares of capital stock, except an option for 76,000 shares of Class A
common stock.  The two (2) classes of stock of Citizens are equal in all
respects, except (a) the Class B common stock elects a simple majority of the
Board of Directors of Citizens, and the Class A common stock elects the
remaining directors; and (b) each Class' A share receives twice the cash
dividends paid on a per share basis to the Class B common stock."





                                       24
<PAGE>   25
                                      II.

         Article VIII, Section 8. I (f) of the Plan, is hereby amended to read
as follows:

         "(f) By either party, if the Effective Date does not occur on or
before March 31, 1997."

                                      III.

         Except as amended herein, the Plan remains in full force and effect,
without change.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Citizens, CICA and American have set their hands
and seals this 17th day of January, 1997, but effective as of the 31st day of
December, 1996.

CITIZENS INSURANCE COMPANY                AMERICAN INVESTMENT NETWORK, INC.
OF AMERICA

By: /s/ Mark A. Oliver                    By: /s/ John S. Camara             
   ----------------------------------        -------------------------------
   Mark A. Oliver                            John S. Camara, President
   Executive Vice President, Chief
   Financial Officer, Secretary and
   Treasurer

CITIZENS, INC.

By:/s/ Mark A. Oliver                                      
   ----------------------------------
     Mark A. Oliver
     Executive Vice President, Chief
     Financial Officer, Secretary and
     Treasurer





                                       25
<PAGE>   26
               AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF EXCHANGE

         This Amendment No. 2 to Plan and Agreement of Exchange is entered into
among CITIZENS, INC., a Colorado corporation ("Citizens"), CITIZENS INSURANCE
COMPANY OF AMERICA, a Colorado-domiciled insurance company ("CICA"), and
AMERICAN INVESTMENT NETWORK, INC., a Mississippi corporation ("American").

                                   WITNESSETH

         WHEREAS, CICA and American have heretofore entered into a Plan and
Agreement of Exchange dated October 28, 1996 ("the Plan"), to effect a share
exchange between them under Mississippi law, as provided in the Plan; and

         WHEREAS, CICA and American amended the Plan on January 27, 1997
("Amendment No. 1") to reflect the contribution by Citizens of stock to CICA
for the share exchange and to extend the closing date; and

         WHEREAS, Citizens, CICA and American desire to further amend the Plan,
as to the closing date of the transaction.

         NOW THEREFORE, Citizens, CICA and American hereby agree that the Plan
should be, and hereby is, amended as follows:

                                       I.

         Article VIII, Section 8. 1 (f) of the Plan, is hereby amended to read
as follows:

         "(f)    By either party, if the Effective Date does not occur on or
before June 30, 1997."

                                      II.

         Except as amended herein, the Plan as amended by Amendment No. I
remains in full force and effect, without change.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Citizens, CICA and American have set their hands
and seals as of March  31, 1997.

CITIZENS INSURANCE COMPANY              AMERICAN INVESTMENT NETWORK, INC.
OF AMERICA                                         

By: /s/ Mark A. Oliver                  By: /s/ John S. Camara                
   ----------------------------            ----------------------------------
    Mark A. Oliver, President               John S. Camara, President

CITIZENS, INC.

By: /s/ Mark A. Oliver                          
   ----------------------------             
    Mark A. Oliver, President





                                       26

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.11

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This Stock Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into by and
among CITIZENS, INC., a Colorado corporation ("Citizens"), JANSEN ENTERPRISES,
INC., a Texas corporation ("Jansen"), JOE T. BAILEY, an individual residing in
Texas ("Bailey"), and D. STEVEN HANSEN, an individual residing in Texas
("Hansen").

                                  WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Jansen owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock
of National Security Life and Accident Insurance Company, a Texas-domiciled
stock life insurance company ("NSL"); and

         WHEREAS, Citizens desires to purchase, and Jansen desires to sell,
405,000 shares of common stock, $1.30 par value, of NSL (the "Shares"), which
constitutes all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of NSL;

         NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed among the parties as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                               Purchase and Sale

         Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,
Jansen agrees to sell. and Citizens agrees to purchase, all of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of NSL as follows:

         1.1     The transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be
completed at a closing ("Closing") on a closing date ("Closing Date") to occur
as soon as possible after all regulatory approvals are obtained in accordance
with law and as required by this Agreement.

         1.2     Citizens will pay to Jansen at the Closing $1,700,000 (the
"Purchase Price") by delivery of (i) cash in the amount of $1,000,000 payable
by wire transfer or delivery of other immediately available funds. and (ii)
$700,000 in restricted shares of Citizens Class A Common Stock, free and clear
of all security interests, liens, charges.  encumbrances, or rights of any
third parties of any kind or nature, the number of shares representing same to
be determined based upon the average consolidated market closing price of
Citizens shares-on the American Stock Exchange for the ninety (90) calendar
days preceding the Closing of this Agreement.

         1.3     At Closing, (i) Jansen will deliver to Citizens the various
certificates, instruments. and documents referred to in Section 6.6, (ii)
Citizens will deliver to Jansen the various certificates, instruments, and
documents referred to in Section 6.7, (iii) Jansen will deliver to Citizens
stock certificates representing 405,000 shares of NSL common stock, $1.30 par
value. endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly executed assignment documents
free and clear of all security interests, liens, charges, encumbrances.
restrictions or rights of any third parties of any kind or nature, and (iv)
Citizens will deliver to Jansen the consideration specified in Section 1.2.

                                   ARTICLE II
             Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Citizens

         No representations or warranties are made by any director, officer,
employee or shareholder of Citizens as individuals.  Citizens hereby
represents, warrants and covenants to Jansen, subject to the disclosures made
in the Citizens Disclosure Statement attached hereto, as follows:

         2.1     Citizens is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
in goo. standing under the laws of the State of Colorado, having the corporate
power and authority to own or lease its properties and to carry on its business
as it is now being conducted.  The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of
Citizens, copies of which have been delivered to Jansen, are complete and
accurate, and the minute books of Citizens contain a record, which is complete
and accurate in all material respects, of all meetings, and all corporate
actions of the shareholders and Board of Directors of Citizens.





                                       1
<PAGE>   2
         2.2     The aggregate number of shares which Citizens is authorized to
issue is 50,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, no par value, and 1,000,000
shares of Class B common stock, no par value: of which 22,')48,976 shares of
such Class A common stock are issued and 20,270,429 are outstanding, fully paid
and nonassessable as of June 30, 1997, and 621,049 shares of Class B common
stock are issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable.  There are
1,822.332 shares of Class A common stock of Citizens owned and held by its
subsidiary, Citizens Insurance Company of America.  Citizens has no outstanding
options, warrants, or other rights to purchase. or subscribe to, or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of capital stock, except for
options exercisable with respect to a maximum of 15,555 shares of Class A
Common Stock as a result of the share exchange effected June 19, 1997 with
American Investment Network, Inc. ("AIN Exchange").  The two (2) classes of
stock of Citizens are equal in all respects, except (a) the Class B common
stock elects a simple majority of the Board of Directors of Citizens, and the
Class A common stock elects the remaining directors; and (b) each Class A share
receives twice the cash dividends paid on a per share basis to the Class B
common stock.

         2.3     Citizens has complete and unrestricted power to enter into
and, upon the appropriate approvals as required by law, to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  None of Citizens and its
subsidiaries have any liability or obligation to pay any fee or commission to
any broker, agent or finder other than Merger and Acquisition Profiles, Inc.
with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

         2.4     Neither the making of nor the compliance with the terms and
provisions of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated
herein by Citizens will conflict with or result in a breach or violation of its
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.

         2.5     The execution. delivery and performance of this Agreement has
been duly authorized and approved by the Board of Directors of Citizens.

         2.6     Citizens has delivered to Jansen consolidated financial
statements of Citizens and its subsidiaries, dated December 31, 1996 and March
31, 1997.  All such statements, herein sometimes called "Citizens Financial
Statements," are complete and correct in all material respects and, together
with the notes to these financial statements, present fairly the financial
position and results of operations of Citizens and its subsidiaries for the
periods included.  The December 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997 Citizens
consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.

         2.7     Since the dates of the Citizens Financial Statements there
have not been any material adverse changes in the business or condition,
financial or otherwise, of Citizens and its subsidiaries.  Citizens and its
subsidiaries do not have any material liabilities or obligations, secured or
unsecured (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) except as
disclosed in the Citizens Financial Statements.

         2.8     Citizens has delivered, or will deliver within two weeks of
the date of this Agreement, to Jansen a list and description of all pending
legal proceedings involving Citizens, none of which will materially adversely
affect it, and, except for these proceedings, there are no legal proceedings or
regulatory proceedings involving material claims pending, or to the knowledge
of the officers of Citizens, threatened against Citizens or affecting any of
its assets or properties.  Citizens is not in any material breach or violation
of or default under any contract or instrument to which Citizens is a party,
and no event has occurred which with the lapse of time or action by a third
party could result in a material breach or violation of or default by Citizens
under any contract or other instrument to which Citizens is a party or by which
it or any of its properties may be bound or affected, or under its Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws, nor is there any pending court or regulatory order
applicable to Citizens.

         2.9     Citizens shall not enter into or consummate any transactions
prior to the Closing other than (i) in the ordinary course of business and (ii)
business acquisitions, combinations and exchanges.  Citizens will not pay any
dividend or. except in the ordinary course of business, enter into an agreement
or transaction which would adversely affect its financial condition.

         2.10    Citizens is not a party to any contract performable in the
future except agreements with subsidiaries, and those contracts which will not
adversely affect it.





                                       2
<PAGE>   3
         2.11    Citizens has delivered, or will deliver within two weeks of
the date of this Agreement. to Jansen true and correct copies of Citizens'
Annual Report to Shareholders for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995.
Citizens will also deliver to Jansen on or before the Closing Date any reports
relating to the financial and business condition of Citizens which are filed
with the SEC after the date of this Agreement and any other reports sent
generally to its shareholders after the date of this Agreement.  Citizens has
duly filed all reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act of
193'), as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the
"Federal Securities Laws").  No such reports, or any reports sent to the
shareholders of Citizens generally as of their respective dates, contained any
untrue statement of material fact or omitted to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements in such
report, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.

         2.12    Citizens has delivered, or will deliver within two weeks of
the date of this Agreement, to Jansen a copy of each of the consolidated
federal income tax returns of Citizens and its subsidiaries for the year ended
December 31, 1995 and for any additional open years.  The provisions for taxes
paid by Citizens are believed by Citizens to be sufficient for payment of all
accrued and unpaid federal, state, county and local taxes of Citizens
(including any penalties or interest payable) whether or not disputed for the
periods then ended and for all prior fiscal periods.  All returns and reports
or other information required or requested by federal, state, county, and local
tax authorities have been filed or supplied in a timely fashion, and all such
information is true and correct in all material respects.  Provision has been
made for the payment of all taxes due to date by Citizens.

         2.13    Citizens has no employee benefit plans, except for a
noncontributory, qualified profit-sharing plan and a group accident and health
insurance plan.

         2.14    No representation or warranty by Citizens in this Agreement,
the Citizens Disclosure Statement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto
contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material
fact necessary to make such representation or warranty not misleading.

         2.15    Citizens (i) understands that the Shares of NSL have not been,
and will not be, registered under any federal or state securities laws, and are
being offered and sold in reliance upon federal and state exemptions for
transactions not involving any public offering, (ii) is acquiring the Shares
solely for its own account for investment purposes, and not with a view to
public distribution thereof, (iii) is a sophisticated investor with knowledge
and experience in business and financial matters, (iv) has received certain
information concerning Shares and has had the opportunity to obtain additional
information as desired in order to evaluate the merits and the risks inherent
in holding the Shares, (v) is able to bear the economic risk and lack of
liquidity inherent in holding the Shares, and (vi) is an "accredited investor"
as that term is defined for purposes of Regulation D promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                                  ARTICLE III
              Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Jansen

         Jansen, Bailey and Hansen, jointly and severally, hereby represent,
warrant and covenant to Citizens, subject to the disclosures made in the Jansen
Disclosure Statement attached hereto, as follows:

         3.1     Jansen and NSL are. respectively, a corporation and a life and
accident and health insurance company duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing, under the laws of the State of Texas, each having the corporate
power and authority to own or lease its properties and to carry on its business
as it is now being conducted.  The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of
Jansen and NSL, copies of which have been delivered to Citizens, are complete
and accurate, and the minute books of Jansen and NSL contain a record, which is
complete and accurate in all material respects, of all meetings, and all
corporate actions of the shareholders and Board of Directors of Jansen and NSL.

         3.2     All of the issued and outstanding shares of Jansen are owned
by Bailey and Hansen.  Jansen has no outstanding options, warrants or other
rights to purchase or subscribe to, or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for any shares of capital stock.  The aggregate number of shares
which NSL is authorized to issue is 810,000 shares of common stock, $1.30 par
value, of which 405,000 are issued and outstanding, fully paid,





                                       3
<PAGE>   4
nonassessable.  All issued and outstanding shares of NSL are owned of record
and held by Jansen and are not subject to any security interests, liens,
charges, encumbrances, restrictions or rights of any third parties of any kind
or nature.  NSL has no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to
purchase or subscribe to, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
any shares of capital stock.  NSL has no subsidiaries.

         3.3     Jansen has complete and unrestricted power to enter into and,
upon the appropriate approvals as required by law, to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  None of Jansen and its
subsidiaries have any liability or obligation to pay any fee or commission to
any broker, agent or finder with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby.

         3.4     Neither the making of nor the compliance with the terms and
provisions of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated
herein by Jansen will conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Jansen or its subsidiaries.

         3.5     The execution of this Agreement has been duly authorized and
approved by Jansen's Board of Directors and shareholders.

         3.6     Jansen has delivered to Citizens the annual and quarterly
convention statements of NSL as of December 31, 1996 and the three months ended
March 31, 1997, as filed with the Texas Department of Insurance.  All such
statements, herein sometimes called "NSL convention statements," are complete
and correct in all material respects and, together with the notes to these
financial statements. present fairly the financial position and results of
operations NSL for the periods indicated.  The December 1, 1996 and March 1,
1997 NSL convention statements have been prepared in accordance with statutory
accounting practices.  All amounts owed (including agent balances) to NSL by
any "affiliate" (as defined under Federal Securities Laws and shall include
Jansen, Insurance Facility Management, Inc., Texas Co-op Plans, Inc. and
Lifestyles Insurance Agency) are entirely recoverable in the ordinary course of
business and are not subject to offset or reduction.

         3.7     Since the dates of the NSL convention statements there have
not been any material adverse changes in the business or condition, financial
or otherwise, of NSL.  NSL has no material liabilities or obligations, secured
or unsecured (whether accrued. absolute. contingent or otherwise), except for
contractual liability pursuant to policies of insurance issued or assumed by
NSL, and except as disclosed in the NSL convention statements.

         3.8     Jansen, Bailey and Hansen have delivered to Citizens a list
and description of all pending legal proceedings involving NSL, and, except for
these proceedings, there are no legal proceedings or regulatory proceedings
involving, or to the knowledge of the officers of Jansen, threatened against
NSL or affecting any of its assets or properties.  The aggregate adverse
consequences to NSL of all pending legal proceedings shall not exceed $100,000.
As used in this Agreement, the term "adverse consequences" means all actions,
suits, proceedings, hearings, investigations, charges, complaints, claims,
demands, injunctions, judgments. orders, decrees, rulings, damages, dues,
penalties, fines, costs, amounts paid in settlement. liabilities, obligations,
taxes, liens, losses, expenses, and fees, including court costs and reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses.  NSL is not in any material breach or violation
of or default under any contract or instrument to which NSL is a party, and no
event has occurred which with the lapse of time or action by a third party
could result in a material breach or violation of or default by NSL under any
contract or other instrument to which NSL is a party or by which it or any of
its properties may be bound or affected, or under its Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws, nor is there any pending court or regulatory order applicable to
NSL.

         3.9     Except for the Permitted Transactions, NSL shall not enter
into or consummate any transactions prior to the Closing other than in the
ordinary course of business and will pay no dividend, or increase the
compensation of officers or employees and will not enter into any agreement or
transaction which would adversely affect its financial condition in a material
manner.  As used herein, "Permitted Transactions" shall mean the transfer from
NSL to Jansen, and the marketing by Jansen and its affiliates, of the
Columbia-HCA PPO contract to third parties.

         3.10    The assets of NSL had admissible values at least equal to
those attributed to them on its December 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997 convention
statements.





                                       4
<PAGE>   5
         3.11    NSL is not a party to any sales, agency, lease, rental,
license, royalty, union or other material contracts or agreement, written or
otherwise, other than insurance policies issued or assumed by NSL and those
contracts or agreements disclosed in the NSL Disclosure Statement.

         3.12    All policy and claim reserves of NSL have been properly
provided for and are adequate to comply with all regulatory requirements
regarding same.

         3.13    Jansen (i) understands that the Citizens Class A Common Stock
has not been, and will not be, registered under any federal or state securities
laws, and are being offered and sold in reliance upon federal and state
exemptions for transactions not involving any public offering, (ii) is
acquiring the Citizens Class A Common Stock solely for its own account for
investment purposes, and not with a view to public distribution thereof, (iii)
is a sophisticated investor with knowledge and experience in business and
financial matters, (iv) has received certain information concerning Citizens
and has had the opportunity to obtain additional information as desired in
order to evaluate the merits and the risks inherent in holding the restricted
Citizens Class A Common Stock, (v) is able to bear the economic risk and lack
of liquidity inherent in holding the Citizens Class A Common Stock, and (vi) is
an "accredited investor" as that term is defined for purposes of Regulation D
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         3.14    Jansen will deliver to Citizens on or before the Closing Date
any reports relating to the financial and business condition of NSL which are
filed with any governmental authority after the date of this Agreement.  No
such reports will contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements in such report, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.  With respect to any convention statements of NSL filed
subsequent to the latest NSL convention statement referenced in Section 3.6,
the representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.6, 3.7 and 3.10
shall apply thereto at, and subject to, Closing.

         3.15    Jansen has delivered to Citizens a copy of each of the federal
income tax returns of NSL for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
and for any additional open years.  All accrued and unpaid federal, state,
county and local taxes of NSL (including any penalties or interest payable)
whether or not disputed for the periods then ended and for all prior fiscal
periods shall not exceed by more than $100,000 the sum of (i) the provision for
taxes reflected in the NSL March 31, 1997 convention statement and (ii) any tax
refunds hereafter received by NSL for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995
and 1994 and for any additional open years.  All returns and reports or other
information required or requested by federal, state, county, and local tax
authorities have been filed or supplied in a timely fashion, and all such
information is true and correct in all material respects.

         3.16    NSL has no employee benefit plans.

         3.17    Since December 31, 1996, NSL has continued actively in the
conduct of its business, meeting and performing all of its obligations in the
regular course of business, and (i) there has been no material adverse change
in the assets or liabilities or in the condition, business, financial or
otherwise, of NSL since said date; (ii) except for the Permitted Transactions,
NSL has not transferred, conveyed, or acquired any material assets or property
or entered into any transaction which by reason of its size or otherwise is not
in the ordinary course of its business; (iii) NSL has not paid to any employee
any bonus or special compensation except in the ordinary course of business;
(iv) NSL has not declared or paid any dividend or authorized or made any other
distribution of any kind to its shareholders, or issued or sold, or issued
rights or options to purchase or subscribe to, or subdivided or otherwise
changed, or agreed to repurchase or redeem. any shares of its capital stock
(however, NSL has amended its Articles of Incorporation to increase par value
from $1.00 to $1.30); and (v) NSL has not made or agreed to make any changes in
the designations, preferences or restrictions with respect to its capital stock
as regards dividends, redemption, voting powers or restriction or
qualifications of voting powers as presently exist in its Articles of
Incorporation.

         3.18    NSL is not in default in the payment of any of its
obligations.  Other than those normal liabilities incurred by NSL since
December 31, 1996 in the ordinary course of its routine business affairs, there
are no material liabilities, whether such liabilities are contingent, absolute.
direct, or indirect, matured, unmatured or otherwise, and including, but not
limited to, liabilities for federal, state or local taxes, penalties and
assessments. which do not appear on the aforesaid financial statements of NSL
as of December 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997.





                                       5
<PAGE>   6
         3.19    NSL has no outstanding corporate bonds, debentures, trust or
premium certificates or other income, surplus, debt or capital obligations of a
similar nature.

         3.20    NSL has now, and at Closing will have, good and indefeasible
title to all of its properties and assets, including the property and assets
set forth in the balance sheet of NSL as of December 31, 1996, and in each case
other than deposits held in joint custody with insurance regulatory authorities
such assets and properties are free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens,
leases, restrictions, security interests, encumbrances or charges whatsoever,
and of every kind and nature.

         3.21    Article VIII of the Articles of Incorporation of NSL prohibits
preemptive rights of stockholders to subscribe to additional shares of NSL
capital stock, and Article VII of the Articles of Incorporation prohibits
cumulative voting for members of NSL's Board of Directors.  The capital stock
shares of NSL are equal and the same in all rights and respects.

         3.22    NSL has not issued and does not have in force any insurance or
annuity contracts which provide for participation or sharing in the profits,
earnings, accumulations or expense savings of NSL except as disclosed in the
NSL Disclosure Statement.

         3.23    No representation or warranty by Jansen, Bailey or Hansen in
this Agreement, the Jansen Disclosure Statement or any certificate delivered
pursuant hereto contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state any material fact necessary to make such representation or warranty not
misleading.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                 Obligations of the Parties Pending the Closing

         4.1     At all times prior to the Closing, during regular business
hours each party will permit the other to examine its books and records and the
books and records of any subsidiaries and will furnish copies thereof on
request.  It is recognized that, during the performance of this Agreement, each
party may provide the other parties with information which is confidential or
proprietary information.  During the term of this Agreement, and for four years
following the termination of this Agreement. the recipient of such information
shall protect such information from disclosure to persons, other than members
of its own or affiliated organizations and its professional advisers, in the
same manner as it protects its own confidential or proprietary information from
unauthorized disclosure, and not use such information to the competitive
detriment of the disclosing party.  In addition, if this Agreement is
terminated for any reason, each party shall promptly return or cause to be
returned all documents or other written records of such confidential or
proprietary information, together with all copies of such writings and, in
addition, shall either furnish or cause to be furnished, or shall destroy, or
shall maintain with such standard of care as is exercised with respect to its
own confidential or proprietary information, all copies of all documents or
other written records developed or prepared by such party on the basis of such
confidential or proprietary information.  No information shall be considered
confidential or proprietary if it is (a) information already in the possession
of the party to whom disclosure is made; (b) information acquired by the party
to whom the disclosure is made from other sources; or (c) information in the
public domain or generally available to interested persons or which at a later
date passes into the public domain or becomes available to the party to whom
disclosure is made without any wrongdoing by the party to whom the disclosure
is made.

         4.2     Jansen and Citizens shall promptly provide each other with
information as to any significant developments in the performance of this
Agreement, and shall promptly notify the other if it discovers that any of its
representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement or in any
document delivered in connection with this Agreement was not true and correct
in all material respects or became untrue or incorrect in any material respect.

         4.3     All parties to this Agreement shall take all such action as
may be reasonably necessary and appropriate and shall use their best efforts in
order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as
practicable.





                                       6
<PAGE>   7
         4.4     JANSEN, BAILEY AND HANSEN AGREE THAT NSL WILL NOT, BETWEEN THE
DATE HEREOF AND CLOSING:

         (a)     issue or sell, or agree to issue or sell, any stocks, bonds or
other corporate securities, or declare or pay any dividends on capital stock,
or make any other payments or distributions to its stockholders;

         (b)     incur any obligation or liability, absolute, contingent,
direct or indirect, other than current liabilities incurred in the ordinary and
usual course of its business;

         (c)     incur any indebtedness for money borrowed; make any loans or
advances to any individual, firm or corporation other than commission advances
to sales agents and others in the normal course of business, or assume,
guarantee, endorse or otherwise become responsible for the obligations of any
other individual, firm or corporation;

         (d)     discharge or satisfy any lien or encumbrance or pay any
obligation or liability other than current liabilities shown on the NSL
convention statement as of March 31, 1997, or those incurred thereafter;

         (e)     mortgage, pledge, or subject to lien or security interest,
charge or otherwise encumber any of its assets or properties;

         (f)     sell or transfer any of its properties or assets, or cancel,
release or assign any indebtedness owed to it or any claims held by it, except
in the ordinary and usual course of business and for a consideration equal to
the fair value thereof,

         (g)     except in the ordinary course of business, pay any bonuses or
special remuneration to any officer or employee, increase the salaries or other
remuneration of any officer or employee, enter into any contract of employment,
management or consultation, or enter into any contract or adopt or amend any
plan providing for such bonuses or for stock options or warrants, pensions,
retirement benefits, profit sharing or the like;

         (h)     waive any right of any substantial value;

         (i)     sell or transfer any of its real properties;

         (j)     make any investment of a capital nature;

         (k)     enter into any long-term contracts or commitments, except in
the ordinary course of business;

         (l)     use any of its assets or properties except for proper
corporate purposes;

         (m)     except for the Permitted Transactions, modify, amend, cancel
or terminate any existing agreement except in the ordinary and usual course of
its business;

         (n)     issue, sell, or contract to sell any equity or debt
securities;

         (o)     except for the Permitted Transactions, enter into any
transaction or agreement other than in the usual and ordinary course of its
business;

         (p)     have any proceedings pending or threatened against it, either
administrative or judicial, which would in any manner affect its rights to
continue such business;

         (q)     have any outstanding contracts, agreements, options, warrants,
calls or commitments relating to its authorized, unissued stock;

         (r)     have any material liabilities, whether such liabilities are
contingent, absolute, direct or indirect, matured, unmatured or otherwise,
which do not appear on the NSL convention statement as of December 31, 1996,





                                       7
<PAGE>   8
and except those later incurred in the normal course of its business, none of
which have materially adversely affected it;

         (s)     issue or grant any outstanding corporate bonds, debentures,
trust or premium certificates or other income, surplus or capital obligations
of a similar nature, except as specified herein; or

         (t)     have any material adverse change in its financial condition
from that reflected by the NSL convention statement as of December 31, 1996.

                                   ARTICLE V
                               Regulatory Filings

         Within 15 days after the execution of this Agreement, Citizens shall
file with the Insurance Commissioner of Texas all of the regulatory approval
documents required by Texas law in order to close this Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                              Conditions Precedent

         Each of the following are conditions precedent to the consummation of
the Agreement by Citizens and Jansen to the extent failure of any such
condition is not caused by any willful, reckless or negligent act or omission
of such party or any "control person" (as defined for Federal Securities Laws)
of the party seeking to rely thereon:

         6.1     This Agreement is in all things subject to the provisions of
the applicable insurance laws and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and
shall not become effective until all necessary approvals are obtained from the
Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Texas and any other applicable
governmental authority.  Citizens agrees to file and to use its best efforts to
obtain such approvals of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Neither Citizens nor Jansen shall be obligated to file a suit or to appeal from
any Commissioner's adverse ruling, nor shall Citizens or Jansen be obligated to
make any material changes in any lawful, good faith management policy in order
to gain such approval.  In the event approval is denied, this Agreement shall
terminate.

         6.2     Citizens and Jansen shall have performed and complied with all
of their respective obligations hereunder which are to be complied with or
performed on or before the Closing Date pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.

         6.3     No action, suit or proceeding shall have been instituted or
shall have been threatened before any court or other governmental body or by
any public authority to restrain, enjoin or prohibit the transactions
contemplated herein, or which might subject any of the parties hereto or their
directors or officers to any material liability, fine.  forfeiture or penalty
on the grounds that the transactions contemplated hereby, the parties hereto or
their directors or officers, have violated any applicable law or regulation, or
have otherwise acted improperly in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby, and the parties hereto have been advised by counsel that,
in the opinion of such counsel, such action, suit or proceeding raises
substantial questions of law or fact which could reasonably be decided
adversely to any party hereto or its directors or officers.

         6.4     All actions, proceedings, instruments and documents required
to carry out this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and the
form and substance of all legal proceedings and related matters shall have been
approved by counsel for Citizens and Jansen.

         6.5     The representations and warranties by Citizens, Jansen, Bailey
and Hansen in this Agreement   shall be true as though such representations and
warranties had been made or given on and as of the Closing, except to the
extent that such representations and warranties may be untrue on and as of the
Closing because of (1) changes caused by transactions suggested or approved in
writing by the other party, or (2) events or changes (which shall not, in the
aggregate. have materially and adversely affected the business, assets, or
financial condition of NSL or Citizens) during or arising after the date of
this Agreement.





                                       8
<PAGE>   9
         6.6     JANSEN SHALL HAVE FURNISHED CITIZENS WITH:

         (a)     a certified copy of a resolution or resolutions duly adopted
by the Board of Directors of Jansen approving this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by it in accordance with applicable law;

         (b)     a certified copy of a resolution or resolutions duly adopted
by the shareholders of Jansen approving this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by it in accordance with applicable law;

         (c)     a certificate of Jansen, Bailey and Hansen dated the Closing
Date to the effect that each of the conditions specified above in Sections 6.1
through 6.5 have been, to the extent applicable to Jansen or NSL, satisfied in
all respects;

         (d)     an agreement to the effect and in form and substance
satisfactory to counsel for Citizens that (i) Jansen is familiar with SEC
Regulation D and Rule 144 and acknowledges that the Citizens Class A common
stock will be "restricted securities" within the meaning thereof and the stock
certificates therefor will bear restrictive legends; (ii) Jansen is an
"accredited investor" within the meaning of Regulation D; and (iii) none of the
shares of Citizens Class A common stock will be transferred in violation of the
Federal Securities Laws; and

         (e)     at Closing, the directors and officers of NSL shall be
individuals acceptable to Citizens.

         6.7     CITIZENS SHALL HAVE FURNISHED JANSEN WITH:

         (a)     a certified copy of a resolution or resolutions duly adopted
by the Board of Directors of Citizens, approving this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by it; and

         (b)     a certificate of Citizens dated the Closing Date to the effect
that each of the conditions specified above in Sections 6.1 through 6.5 have
been, to the extent applicable to Citizens, satisfied in all respects.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                          Termination and Abandonment

         7.1     Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Agreement may be terminated and abandoned at any time
prior to the Effective Date:

         (a)     By mutual consent of the Boards of Directors of Citizens and
Jansen;

         (b)     By Citizens or Jansen for failure of a condition precedent in
Article VI if such failure was not caused by any willful. reckless or negligent
act or omission of such party or any control person (as defined for Federal
Securities Law) of such party seeking to rely thereon;

         (c)     By Citizens or Jansen, if any suit, action or other proceeding
shall be pending or threatened by the federal or a state government before any
court or governmental agency, in which it is sought to restrain, prohibit or
otherwise affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;

         (d)     By Citizens or Jansen, if there is discovered any material
error, misstatement or omission in the representations and warranties of the
other party; or

         (e)     By Citizens or Jansen if the Closing does not occur within
ninety (90) days from the date hereof.

         7.2     Any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement may be waived
(if a corporation, by action of its Board of Directors) at any time by the
party which is entitled to the benefit thereof.  This Agreement may be amended
upon approval of the Board of Directors of each party except that modification
of the Purchase Price shall also require approval of the Jansen shareholders.





                                       9
<PAGE>   10
                                  ARTICLE VIII
         Noncompetition; Confidentiality; Indemnification; Consultation

         8.1     For a period of five years from and after the Closing Date and
except for Permitted Services, Jansen.  Bailey and Hansen will not engage
directly or indirectly in any business competitive with the business conducted
by NSL as of the Closing Date in the geographic area in which NSL conducts
business.  If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares
that any term or provision of this covenant not to compete is invalid or
unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making the determination of
invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to reduce the scope,
duration, or area of the term or provision, to delete specific words or
phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a
term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to
expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and
the covenant not to compete shall be enforceable as so modified after the
expiration of the time within which the judgment may be appealed.  As used
herein, "Permitted Services" shall mean (i) service to or on behalf of
Citizens, (iii) direct or indirect service as a sales agent or broker for any
insurance company, and (iv) such other services as shall be approved in writing
by the Chairman of Citizens.

         8.2     Jansen, Bailey and Hansen will maintain the confidentiality of
all information concerning NSL and its business which is confidential or
proprietary, refrain from using any of such information except in connection
with this Agreement, and deliver promptly, to Citizens or destroy, at the
request and option of Citizens, all tangible embodiments (and all copies) of
such information which are in his or its possession.  In the event that any of
Jansen, Bailey and Hansen is requested or required (by oral question or request
for information or documents in any legal proceeding, interrogatory, subpoena,
civil investigative demand, or similar process) to disclose any such
information, Citizens will be promptly notified of the request or requirement
so that Citizens may seek an appropriate protective order or waive compliance
with the provisions of this Section.  If any of Jansen, Bailey and Hansen is,
on the advice of counsel, compelled to disclose any such information to any
tribunal or else stand liable for contempt. he or it may disclose such
information to the tribunal; provided, however, that the disclosing party shall
use his or its best efforts to obtain, at the request of Citizens, an order or
other assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to such portion of
the information required to be disclosed as Citizens shall designate.

         8.3     The representations and warranties in Sections 3.8 and 3.15
shall survive the Closing hereunder and continue in full force and effect for a
period of five years thereafter.  All other representations and warranties of
the parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing hereunder and
continue in full force and effect for a period of three years thereafter.

         8.4     After the Closing, the parties shall indemnify each other as
follows:

         (a)     In the event any party ("Indemnifying Party") breaches (or in
the event any third party alleges facts that, if true, would mean such party
has breached) any of his or its representations, warranties or covenants
contained herein, and another party ("Indemnified Party") makes a written claim
for indemnification pursuant to this Section 8.4 within the applicable survival
period specified in Section 8.3, then the Indemnifying Party agrees to
indemnify the Indemnified Party from and against the adverse consequences the
Indemnified Party may suffer through and after the date of the claim for
indemnification (including any adverse consequences suffered after the end of
any applicable survival period) resulting from, arising out of, or relating to
such breach or alleged breach.

         (b)     If any third party shall notify any party ("Indemnified
Party") with respect to a matter ("Third Party Claim") which may give rise to a
claim for indemnification against another party ("Indemnifying Party") under
this Section 8.4, then the Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the
Indemnifying Party thereof in writing; provided, however, that no delay on the
part of the Indemnified Party in notifying any Indemnifying Party shall relieve
the Indemnifying Party from any obligation hereunder unless (and then solely to
the extent) the Indemnifying Party thereby is prejudiced.

         (c)     Each of Jansen, Bailey and Hansen hereby agrees that he or it
will not make, and hereby waives effective as of Closing, any claim (whether
such claim is pursuant to any statute, charter document, bylaw, agreement, or
otherwise) now existing or hereafter arising against NSL for indemnification
with respect to (i) any judgments, damages, penalties, fines, costs, amounts
paid in settlement, losses or expenses incurred in whole or in part because





                                       10
<PAGE>   11
he or it was (A) a director, officer, employee, agent, shareholder of, or
served in any other capacity with respect to.  NSL, or (B) serving at the
request or for the benefit of NSL as a partner, trustee, director, officer,
employee, or agent of, or in any other capacity with respect to, another
entity, plan or trust, or (ii) any action, suit, proceeding, complaint, claim,
or demand brought by Citizens against such individual or entity (whether such
action, suit, proceeding, complaint, claim, or demand is pursuant to this
Agreement, applicable law, or otherwise).

         8.5     After the Closing, Citizens shall use commercially reasonable
efforts either to consult, or cause NSL to consult, with Bailey and Hansen
regarding the handling and disposition of the pending legal matters referenced
in Section 3.8 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                 Miscellaneous

         9.1     This Agreement (including the schedules and exhibits referred
to herein and which are hereby incorporated herein) constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties and supersedes any prior understandings,
agreements, or representations by or between the parties. written or oral, to
the extent related to the subject matter hereof.

         9.2     To facilitate the execution of this Agreement, any number of
counterparts hereof may be executed, and each such counterpart shall be deemed
to be an original instrument,. but all such counterparts together shall
constitute but one instrument.

         9.3     Each of the parties hereto will pay its own fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
and NSL shall not bear any such fees or expenses.

         9.4     All parties to this Agreement agree that if it becomes
necessary or desirable to execute- further instruments or to make such other
assurances as are deemed necessary, the party requested to do so will use its
best efforts to provide such executed instruments or do all things necessary or
proper to carry out the purpose of this Agreement.

         9.5     Any notices, requests, or other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be delivered personally or sent by overnight courier
service, fees prepaid, addressed as follows:

To Citizens.                           and to Jansen, Bailey & Hansen:

Citizens, Inc.                         Jansen Enterprises, Inc.
P.O. Box 149151                        P.O. Box 91502
Austin, Texas 78714-9151               Arlington, Texas 76015-0002
Attn: Harold E. Riley, Chairman        Attn: D. Steven Hansen and Joe T. Bailey

Phone:   (512) 837-7100                Phone:   (817) 467-4911
Fax:     (512) 836-9334                Fax:     (817) 784-9936

with copies to:                        with copies to:

Heath, Davis & McCalla                 Sneed Vine & Perry PC
200 Perry Brooks Building              901 Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701                    Austin, Texas 78701
Attn:    Will D. Davis, Esq.           Attn:     Jim Shawn

Phone:   (512) 478-5671                Phone:   (512) 476-6955
Fax:     (512) 476-1451                Fax:     (512) 476-1825

or such other addresses as shall be famished in writing by any party, and any
such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given as of the date
received.





                                       11
<PAGE>   12
         9.6     No press release or public statement will be issued relating
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without prior approval of
Citizens and Jansen.  However, either Citizens or Jansen may issue at any time
any press release or other public statement it believes on the advice of its
counsel it is obligated to issue to avoid liability under the law relating to
disclosures to itself or any of its affiliates, but the party issuing such
press release or public statement shall make a reasonable effort to give the
other party prior notice of and opportunity to participate in such release or
statement.

         9.7     The par-ties have participated jointly in the negotiation and
drafting of this Agreement.  In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or
interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly
by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or
disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of
this Agreement.  Any reference to any federal, state, local, or foreign statute
or law shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, unless the context otherwise requires.  The word "including" shall
mean including without limitation.  The section headings contained in this
Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         9.8     This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties named herein and their respective successors and permitted
assigns.  No party may assign either this Agreement or any of his or its
rights, interests, or obligations hereunder.

         9.9     Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other parties
would be damaged irreparably in the event any of the provisions of this
Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or
otherwise are breached.  Accordingly, each party agrees that the other parties
shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the
provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and the
terms and provisions hereof in any action instituted in any court of the United
States or any state thereof having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter
in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in
equity.  All remedies identified in this Agreement are cumulative of any
remedies available at law or in equity.

         9.10    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Texas without giving effect
to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of
Texas or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws
or any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas.  Any term or provision of
this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have set their hands and seals this
13th day of August, 1997.

CITIZENS, INC.                          JANSEN ENTERPRISES, INC.

By: /s/ Mark A. Oliver                  By: /s/ D. Steven Hansen               
   -------------------------------         ----------------------------------
    Mark A. Oliver President                D. Steven Hansen, President

                                        /s/ D. Steven Hansen                 
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        D. Steven Hansen

                                        /s/ Joe T. Bailey                    
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        Joe T. Bailey





                                       12
<PAGE>   13
                         CITIZENS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

         Pursuant to the provisions of Article II of the Stock Purchase
Agreement between and among Citizens, Jansen, Bailey and Hansen, Citizens
hereby makes the following disclosures respecting the similarly numbered
sections in the Stock Purchase Agreement:

         2.7     Citizens has the liabilities disclosed in the Citizens
                 Financial Statements and those incurred thereafter in the
                 ordinary course of business.

         2.10    (a) Computer Maintenance Agreement between Computing
                 Technology, Inc. and Wang Laboratories, effective 7/l/91 and
                 amended 8/26/91.

                 (b)      Marketing Consultant Agreement dated April 1, 1997
                 with Worldwide Professional Associates, Inc.





                                       13
<PAGE>   14
                          JANSEN DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

         Pursuant to the provisions of Article III of the Stock Purchase
Agreement between and among Citizens, Jansen, Bailey and Hansen, Jansen hereby
makes the following disclosures respecting the similarly numbered sections in
the Stock Purchase Agreement:

         3.7     NSL has liabilities disclosed in NSL's convention statements
and those incurred thereafter in the ordinary course of business.

         3.8     National Security Life and Accident, Successor in interest in
National Life Insurance Company of Texas -vs- Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

                 Allen D. Pierce -vs- National Security Life and Accident
Insurance Company, Cause No. 96-08782-C, 68th Judicial District Court.

         3.11    NSL has a contractual obligation to an affiliated party on the
home office lease, which term ends December 31, 1997.

                 NSL has a claims payment contract with an affiliate, Insurance
Facility Management, Inc.  This agreement is capable of being terminated by
giving proper notice.

                 NSL is under a management agreement with an affiliate, Jansen
Enterprises, Inc.  This agreement is capable of being terminated by giving
proper notice.

                 NSL has vested commission agency contracts with affiliated
agencies and individuals.  The agreements are with Texas Co-op Plans, Inc.,
Lifestyles Agency, Joe T. Bailey, and D. Steven Hansen.

         3.15    Jansen has delivered all requested income tax returns except
1996.  The 1996 Federal Income Tax Return is being prepared.

         3.16    NSL has a group insurance policy through United Health Care,
Group Number 90050.  Jansen's 401K Program has employees of NSL as
participants.

         3.17    The Board of Director's of NSL have declared a dividend to
Jansen.  This declared dividend will not be paid during the period of this
agreement.





                                       14

<PAGE>   1
                                   EXHIBIT 21

                           SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              STATE OF                                            PERCENTAGE
COMPANY NAME                                INCORPORATION                TAX I.D.                  OWNERSHIP
- ------------                                -------------                --------                  ---------
<S>                                           <C>                       <C>                      <C>
Citizens Insurance Company
of America                                     Colorado                 84-0583103                100% Direct

Insurance Investors, Inc.                        Texas                  74-1458561                100% Indirect

Industrial Benefits, Inc.                        Texas                  76-0159854                100% Indirect

Computing Technology, Inc.                     Colorado                 84-1037266                100% Indirect

American Liberty Exploration
Corporation                                    Louisiana                72-0895903                100% Indirect

American Liberty Exploration
Corporation, 1981-1                            Louisiana                72-0914867                100% Indirect

American Liberty Exploration
Corporation, 1982-1                            Louisiana                72-0928484                100% Indirect

Funeral Homes of America, Inc.                 Louisiana                72-1148400                100% Indirect

American Investment Network,
Inc.                                          Mississippi               74-2447294                100% Indirect

United Security Life
Insurance Company                             Mississippi               64-0442514                100% Indirect

National Security Life
and Accident Insurance Co.                       Texas                  75-0947122                100% Direct

Central Investors Life
Insurance Company of Illinois                  Illinois                 37-0862705                100% Indirect
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                                   EXHIBIT 23

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
Citizens, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement on Form
S-3 of Citizens, Inc. of our report dated March 18, 1998, relating to the
consolidated balance sheets of Citizens, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December
31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1997, and all related schedules, which report appears
in the December 31, 1997 annual report on Form 10-K of Citizens, Inc.


KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP

Dallas, Texas
March 18, 1998






<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        5,617,131
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                        133,021,681
<EQUITIES>                                     978,391
<MORTGAGE>                                   1,287,295
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  899,329
<TOTAL-INVEST>                             162,651,692
<CASH>                                       6,454,956
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                           2,069,423
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                      37,107,070
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             249,519,435
<POLICY-LOSSES>                            152,119,042
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                              10,287,780
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        1,873,588
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                937,430
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                    53,073,905
<OTHER-SE>                                  26,507,793
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               249,519,435
                                  55,362,616
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         10,038,736
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                           (320,125)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  23,945
<BENEFITS>                                  39,955,150
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                  6,819,085
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,029,744
<INCOME-TAX>                                   604,221
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,425,523
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,425,523
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .16
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
        

</TABLE>


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