<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For Quarter Ended March 31, 1997 Commission File Number 0-11773
ALFA CORPORATION
----------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 063-0838024
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State of Other Jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116
(Mail: P. O Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001)
- ---------------------------------------------------------
(Address and Zip Code of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant's Telephone Number
Including Area Code (334) 288-3900
--------------
None
- --------------------------------
Former name, former address and former fiscal year if changed since last report
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No_________
--------------
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
Common Stock, as of the close of the period covered by this report.
Class Outstanding March 31, 1997
- -------------------------------- --------------------------
Common Stock, $1.00 par value 40,786,712 shares
1
<PAGE>
ALFA CORPORATION
INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page No.
--------
<S> <C> <C>
Part I. Financial Information
(Condensed Consolidated Unaudited)
Item 1. Financial Statements
Balance Sheets -- March 31, 1997 and
December 31, 1996 3
Statements of Income, Three Months
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 4
Statements of Cash Flows, Three Months
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 5
Notes to Financial Statements 6
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 8
Part II. Other Information 16
Item 6.
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 16
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
ALFA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED
BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, December 31,
-----------------------------------
1997 1996
-----------------------------------
Assets (Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Investments:
Fixed Maturities Held for Investment, at amortized cost
(market value $2,806,233 in 1997 and $2,998,688 in 1996) $ 2,656,899 $ 2,817,964
Fixed Maturities Available for Sale, at market value
(amortized cost $632,071,990 in 1997 and $591,859,469 in 1996) 637,691,830 610,324,605
Equity Securities, at market (cost $56,932,543
in 1997 and $59,763,634 in 1996) 92,087,251 96,007,650
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate 755,996 826,480
Investment Real Estate (net of accumulated
depreciation of $1,403,148 in 1997 and
$1,356,829 in 1996) 1,808,925 1,855,972
Policy Loans 32,899,041 31,680,254
Other Long-term Investments 101,478,708 102,297,440
Short-term Investments 30,071,354 40,206,951
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments 899,450,004 886,017,316
Cash 3,189,375 4,424,123
Accrued Investment Income 10,454,485 10,032,275
Accounts Receivable 7,454,180 9,498,914
Reinsurance Balances Receivable 1,163,670 1,689,654
Due from Affiliates 8,040,776 2,709,492
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs 104,578,133 100,094,079
Other Assets 4,183,718 4,864,302
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets $1,038,514,341 $1,019,330,155
=========================================================================================================
Liabilities
Policy Liabilities and Accruals $464,118,727 $442,878,500
Unearned Premiums 95,860,502 92,945,366
Dividends to Policyholders 8,924,758 8,988,574
Premium Deposit and Retirement Deposit Funds 6,757,399 6,925,786
Deferred Income Taxes 19,706,935 24,686,336
Other Liabilities 36,025,709 32,974,237
Commercial Paper 69,185,322 73,580,963
Notes Payable 2,152,643 2,209,958
Notes Payable to Affiliates 11,285,336 10,828,626
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities 714,017,331 696,018,346
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 3)
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred Stock, $1 par value
Shares authorized: 1,000,000
Issued: None
Common Stock, $1 par value
Shares authorized: 110,000,000
Issued: 41,891,512
Outstanding: 40,786,712 41,891,512 41,891,512
Capital in Excess of Par Value 21,281,323 21,281,323
Net Unrealized Investment Gains
(Less applicable deferred income taxes) 26,057,055 33,926,747
Retained Earnings 239,894,790 230,839,897
Treasury Stock: at cost (1,104,800 shares) (4,627,670) (4,627,670)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 324,497,010 323,311,809
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities and
Stockholders' Equity $1,038,514,341 $1,019,330,155
=========================================================================================================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed
unaudited financial statements.
3
<PAGE>
ALFA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED UNAUDITED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
March 31,
---------------------------------
1997 1996
---------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues
Premiums and Policy Charges $90,484,238 $82,960,219
Net Investment Income 13,999,062 13,467,463
Realized Investment Gains 3,255,068 51,738
Other Income 550,388 455,157
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Revenues 108,288,756 96,934,577
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits and Expenses
Benefits & Settlement Expenses 67,646,425 77,083,771
Dividends to Policyholders 880,195 857,725
Amortization of Deferred Policy
Acquisition Costs 13,743,437 11,858,495
Other Operating Expenses 7,080,308 7,845,158
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Expenses 89,350,365 97,645,149
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes 18,938,391 (710,572)
Provision for Income Taxes 5,884,144 (652,956)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $13,054,247 ($57,616)
=================================================================================
Net Income Per Share $0.32 ($0.001)
=================================================================================
Dividends Per Share $0.0975 $0.095
=================================================================================
Average Shares Outstanding 40,786,712 40,786,105
=================================================================================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed
unaudited financial statements.
4
<PAGE>
ALFA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED UNAUDITED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
March 31,
---------------------------------
1997 1996
---------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net Income $13,054,247 ($57,616)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities:
Policy Acquisition Costs Deferred (16,168,785) (14,621,652)
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs 13,743,437 11,858,495
Depreciation and Amortization 1,113,138 1,203,613
Provision for Deferred Taxes 191,221 37,452
Interest on Policyholders' Funds 3,607,596 2,909,469
Net Realized Investment Gains (3,255,068) (51,738)
Other (844,594) 233,677
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:
Increase in Accrued Investment Income (422,210) (233,484)
Decrease in Accounts Receivable 2,044,734 7,105,614
Decrease (Increase) in Reinsurance Balances Receivable 525,984 (231,546)
Increase (Decrease) in Amounts Due From Affiliates (5,331,284) 109,579
Decrease in Amounts Due to Affiliates (4,163,473)
Decrease in Other Assets 680,584 752,863
Increase in Liability for Policy Reserves 1,835,439 8,084,877
Increase in Liability for Unearned Premiums 2,915,136 3,031,178
Decrease in Amounts Held for Others (232,203) (499,391)
Increase in Other Liabilities 5,337,540 1,613,496
------------------ -------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 18,794,912 17,081,413
------------------ -------------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Maturities and Redemptions of Fixed Maturities Held for Investment 161,626 275,416
Maturities and Redemptions of Fixed Maturities Available for Sale 8,094,623 11,185,308
Maturities and Redemptions of Other Investments 23,395,766 26,682,569
Sales of Fixed Maturities Available for Sale 4,327,188 6,811,067
Sales of Other Investments 15,617,161 3,563,868
Purchase of Fixed Maturities Available for Sale (52,322,988) (35,655,840)
Purchase of Other Investments (35,197,411) (30,666,948)
Net Decrease in Short-term Investments 11,279,979 5,351,689
Net Decrease (Increase) in Receivable/Payable on Securities (3,081,720) 6,492,503
------------------ -------------
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (27,725,776) (5,960,368)
------------------ -------------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Decrease in Commercial Paper (4,395,641) (16,566,735)
Decrease in Notes Payable (57,315) (54,907)
Increase in Notes Payable to Affiliates 456,710 6,434,794
Stockholder Dividends Paid (3,976,704) (3,874,662)
Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options 9,400
Deposits of Policyholders' Funds 24,250,249 10,209,055
Withdrawal of Policyholders' Funds (8,581,183) (6,557,487)
------------------ -------------
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities 7,696,116 (10,400,542)
------------------ -------------
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash (1,234,748) 720,503
Cash - Beginning of Period 4,424,123 1,326,285
------------------ -------------
Cash - End of Period $3,189,375 $2,046,788
================== =============
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
Cash Paid as of March 31 for:
Interest $1,252,107 $1,618,713
Income Taxes $994,566 $0
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed
unaudited financial statements.
5
<PAGE>
ALFA CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 1997
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
-------------------------------
In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying consolidated condensed
unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only
normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly its financial position,
results of operations and cash flows. The accompanying financial statements have
been prepared on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles. A
summary of the more significant accounting policies related to the Company's
business is set forth in the notes to its audited consolidated financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. The results of
operations for the three month period ended March 31, 1997 are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Certain
reclassifications have been made to conform previous classifications to March
31, 1997 classifications and descriptions.
2. POOLING AGREEMENT
-----------------
Effective August 1, 1987, the Company entered into a property and casualty
insurance Pooling Agreement (the "Pooling Agreement") with Alfa Mutual Insurance
Company (Mutual), and other members of the Mutual Group. The Mutual Group is a
direct writer primarily of personal lines of property and casualty insurance in
Alabama. The Company's subsidiaries similarly are direct writers in Georgia and
Mississippi. Both the Mutual Group and the Company write preferred risk
automobile, homeowner, farmowner and mobile home insurance, fire and allied
lines, standard risk automobile and homeowner insurance, and a limited amount of
commercial insurance, including church, and businessowner insurance. Under the
terms of the Pooling Agreement, the Company cedes to Mutual all of its property
and casualty business. All of the Mutual Group's direct property and casualty
business (together with the property and casualty business ceded by the Company)
is included in the pool. Until September 30, 1994, Mutual retroceded 50% of the
pooled premiums, losses, loss adjustment expenses and other underwriting
expenses to the Company while retaining 50% of these amounts itself. On October
1, 1994, the Company increased its participation in the Pooling Agreement.
Mutual currently retrocedes 65% of the pool to the Company and retains 35%
within the Mutual Group. On October 1, 1996, the Pooling Agreement was amended
in conjunction with the restructuring of the Alfa Insurance Group's catastrophe
protection program. Effective November 1, 1996, the allocation of catastrophe
costs among the members of the pool was changed to better reflect the economics
of catastrophe finance. The amendment limits Alfa Corporation's participation in
any single catastrophic event or series of disasters to its pool share (65%) of
$10 million unless the loss exceeds $249 million on a 100% basis in which case
the Company's share in the loss would be based upon its amount of surplus
relative to the other members of the group. Currently, the Company's share of
losses exceeding $249 million would be 13%. The change will allow the
catastrophe reinsurance buying decision to be made on a group basis which will
benefit each member of the group. The Company's participation in the Pooling
Agreement may be changed or terminated without the consent or approval of the
Company's shareholders, and the Pooling Agreement may be terminated by any party
thereto upon 90 days notice.
3. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
-----------------------
The property and casualty subsidiaries have entered into the reinsurance
pooling agreement with Alfa Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates as
discussed in Note 2. Should any member of the affiliated group be unable to meet
its
6
<PAGE>
obligation on a claim for a policy written by the Company's property and
casualty subsidiaries, the obligation to pay the claim would remain with the
Company's subsidiaries.
The liability for estimated unpaid property and casualty losses and loss
adjustment expenses is based upon an evaluation of reported losses and on
estimates of incurred but not reported losses. Adjustments to the liability
based upon subsequent developments are included in current operations.
Various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business with
policyholders and agents were in process at March 31, 1997. These legal
proceedings involve alleged breaches of contract, torts, including bad faith and
fraud claims based on alleged wrongful or fraudulent acts of agents and
miscellaneous other causes of action. Many of these lawsuits involve claims for
punitive damages. The likelihood or extent of a punitive damage award in any one
of these given cases is not possible to predict. Although the Alfa Insurance
Group including Alfa Corporation and its subsidiaries have such legal
proceedings filed against it in which punitive damages are sought, to date, no
such lawsuit has resulted in the award of any significant amount of damages
against the Company. Based upon information presently available, applicable law
and the defenses available to Alfa Corporation and its subsidiaries, management
does not consider the contingent liabilities which might arise from pending
litigation to be material in relation to the financial position, result of
operations, or cash flows of the Company. Management's opinion is based upon the
company's experience in dealing with such claims and the historical results of
such claims against the Company. However, it should be noted that in Alabama,
where the company has substantial business, the frequency of large punitive
damage awards, bearing little or no relation to the actual damages awarded by
juries, continues to exist, creating the potential for unpredictable material
adverse judgements in any given suit.
7
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
- ---------------------
The following table sets forth consolidated summarized income statement
information for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
-------------------------------------
1997 1996 % CHANGE
-------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Premiums and policy charges $ 90,484 $ 82,960 9%
====================================
Net investment income $ 13,999 $ 13,467 4%
====================================
Total revenues $ 108,289 $ 96,935 12%
====================================
NET INCOME (LOSS)
Insurance operations $ 10,847 $ (407) NM
Noninsurance operations 768 602 28%
Net realized investment gains 2,116 34 NM
Corporate expenses (677) (286) NM
------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 13,054 $ (58) NM
====================================
Net income (loss) per share $0.32 ($0.001) NM
====================================
Weighted average shares outstanding 40,786,712 40,786,105
==========================
NM - Not meaningful
</TABLE>
Total premiums and policy charges increased 9% in the first quarter of
1997. This increase is due to the property casualty business. Net investment
income increased 4% over the first quarter of 1996 while invested assets
increased 1.5% in the three months since December 31, 1996 resulting from
positive cash flows in the first quarter.
The Company's net income in the first quarter of 1997 is due primarily to
improved operating results in the property and casualty business, which compares
to a net loss in the first quarter of 1996 as a result of catastrophic storm
activity. In the first quarter of the previous year, the Company sustained the
second ever quarterly loss
8
<PAGE>
due to snow and ice in February and tornados in March. Life insurance and
noninsurance operations, primarily the consumer finance subsidiary, also had
improved results in the first quarter of 1997. Realized investment gains were
significant in the quarter. Such gains, primarily from sales of equity
securities were significant in the quarter. Such gains are the result of market
conditions and can fluctuate from period to period.
PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS
- ------------------------------------------
The following table sets forth the components of property and casualty
insurance earned premiums, net underwriting income, underwriting margin and
operating income for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
----------------------------------
1997 1996 % CHANGE
----------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Earned Premiums
Personal lines $77,204 $ 70,865 9%
Commercial lines 2,880 2,749 5%
Pools, associations and fees 1,008 973 4%
Reinsurance ceded (264) (2,056) (87%)
---------------------------------
Total $80,828 $ 72,531 11%
=================================
Net underwriting income (loss) $ 5,080 $(10,830) 147%
=================================
GAAP basis combined ratio 93.7% 114.9%
=====================
Underwriting margin 6.3% (14.9%)
=====================
Operating income $ 7,664 $ (3,414) 3.25%
=================================
</TABLE>
Earned premiums increased 11% in the first quarter of 1997 due to an
increase in new business and a low lapse ratio of 4.1%. Rate increases also
positively impacted the growth rate. Another significant factor positively
affecting the growth rate was the reduction in the cost of reinsurance. As a
result of the Company's new catastrophe protection program, the exposure to
losses from significant weather events has been lessened for Alfa Corporation,
reducing the need for and amount of reinsurance protection, and allowing the
reinsurance buying decision to be made on a group basis for the entire pool.
This reduction also had a similar positive impact on operating earnings for the
quarter.
The operating results in the first quarter of 1997 were profitable. The
underwriting margin of 6.3% is the result of a 68% loss ratio and a 25.6%
expense ratio compared to a loss ratio of 88% and an expense ratio of 27.0% in
the first quarter of 1996. Although the loss ratio is higher than the company's
long standing goal of 65%, the expense ratio has continued to improve. The
Company had no significant storm related losses in the first quarter of 1997.
Investment income was up 2.6% in the first quarter due to continued positive
cash flow which has increased invested assets.
In the first quarter of 1996, the Company had an increase in premium
revenue of 8.3%. However, in spite of these positive growth factors,
catastrophic storm activity produced significant claims resulting in a net
9
<PAGE>
underwriting loss and a net operating loss, which is only the second such
quarterly loss in the Company's history. Claims from snow and ice in February
and tornados in March combined to produce catastrophe losses estimated at March
31, 1996 to be $23 million for the entire Alfa Group pool. After taxes, the
impact in the first quarter of 1996 on Alfa Corporation was approximately $9.7
million, or $0.24 per share.
LIFE INSURANCE OPERATIONS
- -------------------------
The following table sets forth life insurance premiums and policy charges,
by type of policy, and life insurance operating income for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
---------------------------
1997 1996 % CHANGE
---------------------------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Premiums and policy charges
Universal life policy charges $3,804 $ 2,392 59%
Interest sensitive life policy charges 2,305 2,048 13%
Traditional life insurance premiums 3,547 5,989 (41%)
---------------------------
Total $9,656 $10,429 (7%)
===========================
Operating income $3,183 $ 3,007 6%
===========================
</TABLE>
The Company's life insurance premiums and policy charges declined 7% in the
first quarter of 1997 due to the reduction and elimination of its group term
business. Such business, which was comprised of life insurance provided to the
Alfa Group's employees, totaled approximately $1.6 million in 1996. The Alfa
Group now uses corporate owned life insurance utilizing the Company's universal
life policy. The policy charges that result will partially offset the reduction
in group premium revenue, which is the primary reason for the 59% increase in
such revenues for the quarter shown in the above table. Although these changes
will affect premium revenue growth rates, it is not expected to have a material
impact on earnings in 1997. Both the Company and the Alfa Group believe the new
program will be mutually beneficial to results in the future.
Excluding the impact on premiums from such business, the premium growth
rate for the quarter was 14.4%. New business premium increased 16.1% for the
period, primarily from sales of universal life policies. The persistency rate
remained high at 92.7%.
Life insurance operating income increased approximately 6% in the first
quarter of 1997. Mortality was 94% of expected in the period which compared
favorably to the first quarter of 1996 which had a mortality rate of 97% of
expected. Net investment income increased 5% in the first quarter of 1997
compared to the same period in 1996 due to positive cash flows which increased
invested assets.
10
<PAGE>
NONINSURANCE OPERATIONS
- -----------------------
Noninsurance earnings increased 28% in the first quarter of 1997. Most
significant was the 25.7% increase in operating earnings in the consumer finance
subsidiary. The loan portfolio declined 7.3% since March 31, 1996 to $61.3
million at March 31, 1997 and the interest margin declined 57 basis points due
to high cost of funds. However, these declines were more than offset by a
reduction in expenses, primarily legal costs and reduced loan losses for the
period. The real estate sales subsidiary had an increase in earnings from
commercial sales which compared favorably to the first quarter in 1996.
CORPORATE
- ---------
Interest expense on corporate debt is the primary corporate expense
incurred. Interest expense in the first three months of 1997 was approximately
$433,000 compared to approximately $455,000 for the similar period in 1996. The
decrease in interest expense is due to the decrease in the average balance
outstanding. However, corporate expense was lower in 1996 due to the income tax
benefit in the first quarter of 1996. The remainder of the corporate expense
represents general operating expenses which may fluctuate from time to time.
INVESTMENTS
- -----------
The Company has historically produced positive cash flow from operations
which has resulted in increasing amounts of funds available for investment and,
consequently, higher investment income. Investment income is also affected by
yield rates. Information about cash flows, invested assets and yield rates is
presented below for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
---------------------
1997 1996
---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Increase in cash flow from operations since
March 31, 1996 and 1995 10.0% 2.9%
Increase (Decrease) in invested assets since January 1,
1997 and 1996 1.5% (1.1%)
Investment yield rate (annualized) 7.7% 8.2%
Increase in net investment income since March 31, 1996
and 1995 4.0% 10.9%
</TABLE>
Positive cash flow from operations increased 10.0% in the first quarter of
1997 due primarily to improved cash flow in the Company's property casualty
subsidiaries. Positive cash flow has increased invested assets 1.5% since
December 31, 1996 and 8.1% since March 31, 1996. The higher level of invested
assets has increased net investment income by 4.0%. The growth rate in net
investment income was lower than the growth in invested assets due to the prior
year impact of a special one time dividend and a partnership distribution, both
received in the first quarter of 1996. Excluding these one time items, the
growth rate would have been approximately 9.2%. These one time items also
resulted in an abnormally high yield rate for the first quarter of 1996. The
7.7% yield rate in the first quarter of 1997, calculated using amortized cost,
is similar to the yield rate for all of 1996. The Company had net realized
investment gains of approximately $3.3 million in the first three months of 1997
and $51,000 in the similar period in 1996. These net gains are primarily from
sales of equity securities. Such realized gains are the result of market
conditions and therefore can fluctuate from period to period.
11
<PAGE>
The composition of the Company's investment portfolio is as follows at
March 31, 1997 and December 31,1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
1997 1996
------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Fixed maturities
Taxable
Mortgage backed (CMO's) 29.8% 30.2%
Corporate bonds 31.1 29.1
----------------------
Total taxable 60.9 59.3
Tax exempts 10.3 9.9
----------------------
Total fixed maturities 71.2 69.2
----------------------
Equity securities 10.2 10.8
Mortgage loans 0.1 0.1
Real estate 0.2 0.2
Policy loans 3.7 3.6
Other long term investments 11.3 11.6
Short term investments 3.3 4.5
----------------------
100.0% 100.0%
======================
</TABLE>
The majority of the Company's investment portfolio consists of fixed
maturities which are diverse as to both industry and geographic concentration.
Since year-end, new cash flows have been invested in corporate bonds. The
remaining portfolio mix has been relatively stable with slight changes due to
market value changes in equities and from maturing mortgage backed securities.
The consumer loan portfolio declined over 7%, which reduced other long term
investments.
The rating of the Company's portfolio of fixed maturities using the
Standard & Poor's rating categories is as follows at March 31, 1997 and December
31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
1997 1996
------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
RATING
------
AAA to A- 87.4% 87.7%
BBB+ to BBB- 12.0 11.6
BB+ and Below (Below investment grade) 0.6 0.7
----------------------
100.0% 100.0%
======================
</TABLE>
One hundred percent of the fixed maturity portfolio was rated by an outside
rating service. No securities were rated by Company management. The Company
considers bonds with a quality rating of BB+ and below to be below investment
grade or high yield bonds (also called junk bonds).
12
<PAGE>
The following is information concerning the Company's portfolio of high
yield fixed maturity investments at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------
% OF % OF
STATUTORY STATUTORY
1997 SURPLUS 1996 SURPLUS
---------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
High-yield fixed maturities:
Amortized value $3,495,048 1.4% $3,490,866 1.4%
Carrying value (market) $3,718,192 1.5% $3,656,750 1.5%
Unrealized gain $ 223,144 0.1% $ 165,884 0.1%
</TABLE>
During the first quarter of 1997 the Company did not dispose of any high
yield debt securities. However, the Company wrote down one equity security
totaling $101,000 whose decline in value was deemed to be other than temporary.
There were no such fixed maturity writedowns. At March 31, 1997 and December
31, 1996, there were no nonperforming bonds in the portfolio.
Included in the Company's portfolio of equity securities are common stocks
of issuers of high yield debt instruments. Information concerning this category
of equity securities is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------
% OF % OF
STATUTORY STATUTORY
1997 SURPLUS 1996 SURPLUS
---------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Equity investments held
in issuers of high-yield
debt securities:
Carrying value (market) $5,473,694 2.2% $8.243,223 3.3%
Cost $4,958,928 2.0% $7,587,555 3.1%
Unrealized gain $ 514,766 0.2% $ 655,668 0.3%
</TABLE>
During the first quarter of 1997, the Company sold approximately $4.3
million in fixed maturities available for sale. These sales resulted in gross
realized gains of $75,182. At March 31, 1997, approximately 41.8% of fixed
maturities were mortgage-backed securities. Such securities are comprised of
CMO's and pass through securities. Based on reviews of the Company's portfolio
of mortgage-backed securities and due to favorable liquidity, capital strength,
a constant review of asset liability matching and inherent flexibility in its
interest sensitive type product liabilities the impact of prepayment risk on the
Company's financial position is not believed to be significant. At March 31,
1997 the Company's total portfolio of fixed maturities had gross
13
<PAGE>
unrealized gains of $15,192,501 and gross unrealized losses of $9,423,327.
Securities are priced by nationally recognized pricing services or by
broker/dealer securities firms. No securities were priced by the Company.
The Company's investment in other long term investments consists primarily
of consumer finance receivables collateralized by automobiles and other property
and of assets leased under operating leases. At March 31, 1997 the delinquency
ratio on the portfolio was 2.10%, down from 2.56% at December 31, 1996. Loans
charged off in the first quarter of 1997 totaled $85,412 or 0.1% of the
outstanding loan balance. At March 31, 1997, the Company maintained an
allowance for loan losses of $596,958 or approximately 1.1% of the outstanding
loan balance. The Company's investments in high yield debt securities, mortgage
loans and real estate have not had and are not expected to have a material
effect on liquidity, capital resources or financial condition.
INCOME TAXES
- ------------
The increase in income tax expense in the first quarter of 1997 is the
result of the increase in income before provision for income taxes, which
improved over $19.6 million due to the impact of storms in the prior year's
first quarter. As a result of the first quarter 1996 loss the Company had no
income tax expense for the period and recorded an income tax benefit. The
effective tax rate in the first quarter of 1997, however, was 31.1% compared to
29.8% for the full year 1996. The increase is due to the relative mix of
taxable versus tax exempt income.
IMPACT OF INFLATION
- -------------------
Inflation increases consumers' needs for both life and property and
casualty insurance coverage. Inflation increases claims incurred by property
and casualty insurers as property repairs, replacements and medical expenses
increase. Such cost increases reduce profit margins to the extent that rate
increases are not maintained on an adequate and timely basis. Since inflation
has remained relatively low in recent years, financial results have not been
significantly impacted by inflation.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- --------------------------------
Alfa Corporation receives funds from its subsidiaries consisting of
dividends, payments for funding federal income taxes, and reimbursement of
expenses incurred at the corporate level for the subsidiaries. These funds are
used for paying dividends to stockholders, corporate interest and expenses,
federal income taxes, and for funding additional investments in its
subsidiaries' operations.
Alfa Corporation's subsidiaries require cash in order to fund policy
acquisition costs, claims, other policy benefits, interest expense, general
operating expenses, and dividends to Alfa Corporation. The major sources of the
Company's liquidity are operations and cash provided by maturing or liquidated
investments. A significant portion of the Company's investment portfolio
consists of readily marketable securities which can be sold for cash. Based on
a review of the Company's matching of asset and liability maturities and on the
interest sensitivity of the majority of policies in force, management believes
the ultimate exposure to loss from interest rate fluctuations is not
significant.
14
<PAGE>
On October 25, 1993, the Company established a Stock Incentive Plan,
pursuant to which a maximum aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of common stock have
been reserved for grant to key personnel. The plan expires on October 24, 2003.
The Company granted 783,400 such options on October 25, 1993, 80,000 options on
March 28, 1994, 80,000 options on March 27, 1995, 80,000 options on April 18,
1996 and 75,000 options on February 18, 1997. The options ratably become
exercisable annually over three years, and may not be exercised after ten years
after the date of award. At March 31, 1997, there had been 800 options
exercised, 868,327 options were exercisable and 47,600 had been cancelled
leaving 949,200 options available for grant under the plan.
Total short term debt decreased $4.0 million in the first quarter of 1997
to $82.6 million. At March 31, 1997 the Company had approximately $69.2 million
in commercial paper at rates ranging from 5.33% to 5.40% with maturities ranging
from April 15, 1997 to May 21, 1997. The Company intends to continue to use the
commercial paper program to fund its short term needs however, backup lines of
credit are in place up to $125 million. In addition, the Company had $11.3
million in short-term debt outstanding to affiliates with interest equal to
commercial paper rates payable monthly and $2.2 million outstanding in other
short-term debt at a rate of 3.6%.
Cash surrenders paid to policyholders on a statutory basis totaled $2.6
million in the first quarter of 1997 and $2.4 million for the first three months
of 1996. This level of surrenders is within the Company's pricing expectations.
Historical persistency rates indicate a normal pattern of surrender activity.
The structure of the surrender charges is such that lapses are discouraged. The
majority of the policies in force have surrender charges equal to the total
policy cash value in the early years which grade downward over a 12 to 15 year
period. In addition, the majority of the in-force business is interest
sensitive type policies which generally have lower rates of surrender. At March
31, 1997 the total amount of cash that would be required to fund all amounts
subject to surrender was approximately $248.2 million.
The Company's business is concentrated geographically in Alabama, Georgia
and Mississippi. Accordingly, unusually severe storms or other disasters in
these contiguous states might have a more significant effect on the Company than
on a more geographically diversified insurance company. Although the Company
believes its reinsurance coverages are adequate, unusually severe storms, other
natural disasters and other events could have an adverse impact on the Company's
financial condition and operating results.
Increasing public interest in the availability and affordability of
insurance has prompted legislative, regulatory and judicial activity in several
states. This includes efforts to contain insurance prices, restrict
underwriting practices and risk classifications, mandate rate reductions and
refunds, eliminate or reduce exemptions from antitrust laws and generally expand
regulation. Because of Alabama's low automobile rates as compared to rates in
most other states, the Company does not expect the type of punitive legislation
and initiatives found in some states to be a factor in its primary market in the
immediate future.
15
<PAGE>
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6.
- -------
EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
--------------------------------
A report Form 8-K was filed on February 14, 1997. It reported the
retirement of B. Phil Richardson as Executive Vice President, Operations and the
appointment of Ken Wallis to the position of Executive Vice President,
Operations and Assistant to the President.
16
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ALFA CORPORATION
Date May 15, 1997 By: /s/ Goodwin L. Myrick
------------ ----------------------------------
Goodwin L. Myrick
President
Date May 15, 1997 By: /s/ Donald Price
------------ ----------------------------------
Donald Price
Senior Vice President, Finance
(Chief Financial Officer)
Date May 15, 1997 By: /s/ John Holley
------------ ----------------------------------
John Holley
Vice President and Controller
(Chief Accounting Officer)
17
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE> 637,691,830
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE> 2,656,899
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE> 2,806,233
<EQUITIES> 92,087,251
<MORTGAGE> 755,996
<REAL-ESTATE> 1,808,925
<TOTAL-INVEST> 899,450,004
<CASH> 3,189,375
<RECOVER-REINSURE> 1,163,670
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION> 104,578,133
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,038,514,341
<POLICY-LOSSES> 464,118,727
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS> 95,860,502
<POLICY-OTHER> 8,924,758
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS> 6,757,399
<NOTES-PAYABLE> 82,623,301
0
0
<COMMON> 41,891,512
<OTHER-SE> 282,605,498
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,038,514,341
90,484,238
<INVESTMENT-INCOME> 13,999,062
<INVESTMENT-GAINS> 3,255,068
<OTHER-INCOME> 550,388
<BENEFITS> 68,526,620
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION> 13,743,437
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER> 7,080,308
<INCOME-PRETAX> 18,938,391
<INCOME-TAX> 5,884,144
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 13,054,247
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 13,054,247
<EPS-PRIMARY> .32
<EPS-DILUTED> .32
<RESERVE-OPEN> 120,504,956
<PROVISION-CURRENT> 63,393,563
<PROVISION-PRIOR> (1,098,735)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT> 41,513,319
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR> 17,919,354
<RESERVE-CLOSE> 122,706,110
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY> 0
</TABLE>
