| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
| ☒ | ||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [ ]☐ No [X]☒
The aggregate market value of the shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 20182021 was $255,060,702$245,803,076 based on the closing price on the NASDAQNasdaq Stock Market LLC.
As of February 18, 2019,17, 2022, there were 1,886,6301,896,470 common shares of the registrant outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of Investors Title Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 15, 201918, 2022 are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.
Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as information included in future filings by theInvestors Title Company (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and information contained in written material, press releases and oral statements issued by or on behalf of the Company, contains, or may contain, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that reflect management’s current outlook for future periods. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as “plan,” “expect,” “aim,” “believe,” “project,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “should,” “could,” “would” and other expressions that indicate future events and trends. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company’s strategy for growth, product and service development, market share position, claims, expenditures, financial results and cash requirements, are forward-looking statements. Without limitation, projected developments in mortgage interest rates and the overall economic environment set forth in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Business Trends and Recent Conditions”Conditions; COVID-19 Pandemic” constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. For a description of factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, refer to Item 1A, “Risk“Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those projected in any such forward-looking statements depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the following:
•the impact of COVID-19, including its variants, or other pandemics, climate change, severe weather conditions or the occurrence of another catastrophic event;
•changes in interest rates and real estate values;
•changes in general economic, business, and political conditions, including the performance of the financial and real estate markets;
•potential reform of government-sponsored entities;
•the level of real estate transaction volumes, the level of mortgage origination volumes (including refinancing), the mix of title insurance between markets with varying real estate values, changes to the insurance requirements of the participants in the secondary mortgage market, and the effect of these factors on the demand for title insurance;
•the possible inadequacy of provisions for claims to cover actual claim losses;
•the incidence of fraud-related losses;
•the impact of cyberattacks (including ransomware attacks) and other cybersecurity events, including damage to the Company's reputation in the event of a serious IT breach or failure;
•unanticipated adverse changes in securities markets that could result in material losses to the Company’s investments;
•significant competition that the Company’s operating subsidiaries face, including the Company’s ability to develop and offer products and servicesthat meet changing industry standards in a timely and cost-effective manner and expansion into new geographic locations;
•the Company’s reliance upon the North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina markets for a significant portion of its premiums, comprising approximately 40.3%36.1%, 18.5%22.8%, 12.6% and 10.2%9.1% of premiums written, respectively;
•compliance with government regulation, including pricing regulation, and significant changes to applicable regulations or in their application by regulators;
•the impact of governmental oversight of compliance of the Company’s service providers, including the application of financial regulation designed to protect consumers;
•possible downgrades from a rating agency, which could result in a loss of underwriting business;
•the inability of the Company to manage, develop and implement technological advancements and prevent system interruptions or unauthorized system intrusions;
•statutory requirements applicable to the Company’s insurance subsidiaries that require them to maintain minimum levels of capital, surplus and reserves and that restrict the amount of dividendsdividend amounts they may pay to the Company without prior regulatory approval;
•the desire to maintain capital above statutory minimum requirements for competitive, marketing and other reasons;
•heightened regulatory scrutiny and investigations of the title insurance industry;
•the Company’s dependence on key management and marketing personnel, the loss of whom could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business;
•difficulty managing growth, whether organic or through acquisitions;
•unfavorable economic or other conditions could cause the Company to record impairment charges for all or a portion of its goodwill and other intangible assets;
•policies and procedures for the mitigation of risks may be insufficient to prevent losses;
•the shareholder rights plan could discourage transactions involving actual or potential changes of control; and
•other risks detailed elsewhere in this document and in the Company’s other filings with the SEC.
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These and other risks and uncertainties may be described from time to time in the Company’s other reports and filings with the SEC. The Company is not under any obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) and does not undertake to update or alter any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. You should consider the possibility that actual results may differ materially from our forward-looking statements.
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INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| PART I | ||||||||
| Item 1. | Business | |||||||
| Executive Officers of the Company | ||||||||
| Item 1A. | Risk Factors | |||||||
| Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments | |||||||
| Item 2. | Properties | |||||||
| Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | |||||||
| Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | |||||||
| II | ||||||||
| Item 5. | Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related | |||||||
| Item 6. | ||||||||
| Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | |||||||
| Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | |||||||
| Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | |||||||
| Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | |||||||
| Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures | |||||||
| Item 9B. | Other Information | |||||||
| Item 9C. | Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections | |||||||
| PART III | ||||||||
| Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | |||||||
| Item | Executive Compensation | |||||||
| Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related | |||||||
| Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | |||||||
| Item 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | |||||||
| Item 15. | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules | |||||||
| Item 16. | Form 10-K Summary | |||||||
| Signatures | ||||||||
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Investors Title Company (the “Company”) is a holding company that operates through its subsidiaries and was incorporated inas a corporation under the laws of the state of North Carolina in 1973. The Company became operational in 1976, when it acquired Investors Title Insurance Company (“ITIC”), which had itself been operating since 1972, as a wholly owned subsidiary under a plan of exchange of shares of common stock. In 1983, the Company acquired National Investors Title Insurance Company (“NITIC”), formerly Northeast Investors Title Insurance Company, which had itself been operating since 1973, as a wholly owned subsidiary under a plan of exchange of shares of common stock. The Company’s executive offices are located at 121 North Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 and its telephone number is (919) 968-2200. The Company maintains a website at www.invtitle.com. The contents of the Company’s website are not and shall not be a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other SEC filing.
OVERVIEW OF THE BUSINESS
The Company’s primary business activity, and its only reportable operating segment, is the issuance of residential and commercial title insurance through ITIC and NITIC. Additionally, the Company provides (i) tax-deferred real propertyexchange services through its subsidiaries, Investors Title Exchange Corporation (“ITEC”) and Investors Title Accommodation Corporation (“ITAC”); (ii) investment management and trust services to individuals, trusts and other entities through its subsidiary Investors Trust Company (“Investors Trust”); and (iii) management services to title insurance agencies through its subsidiary, Investors Title Management Services (“ITMS”). Refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”) for additional information related to the revenues, income and assets attributable to the Company’s primary operating segment.
Title Insurance
Through its two wholly owned title underwriting subsidiaries, ITIC and NITIC, the Company underwrites title insurance for owners and mortgagees as a primary insurer. ITIC and NITIC offer primary title insurance coverage to owners and mortgagees of real estate and assume reinsurance of title insurance risks from other title insurance companies. The commitments and policies are predominantly issued using standard forms approved by the American Land Title Association (“ALTA”).
Title insurance protects against losses resulting from title defects affecting real property. Upon a real estate closing, the seller of real property executes a deed to the new owner, and typically, the property is encumbered with a new mortgage.When real property is conveyed from one party to another, occasionally there is an undisclosed or undiscovered defect in the title or a mistake or omission in a prior deed or mortgage that may give a third party a legal claim against such property or result in the invalidity or unenforceability of the insured mortgage. If a claim is made against the title to real property, title insurance provides indemnification against covered defects.
Numerous types of defects could jeopardize the property owner’s or mortgagee’s interest in the property for which a title policy may provide coverage. Such risks include title being vested in an individual or entity other than the insured, lack of a right of access to the property, invalidity or unenforceability of the insured mortgage, or other liens or encumbrances that make the property unmarketable. The policy may provide coverage for defects arising from prior unsatisfied mortgages, judgments, tax liens or confirmed assessments, or encumbrances against the property arising through easements, restrictions or other existing covenants. Title insurance may also protect against deeds or mortgages that were forged or improperly acknowledged or delivered, that were executed by spouses without the other spouse’s signature or that were conveyed by minors or other persons who lack legal capacity.
Title Insurance Policies. Policies: The Company issues title insurance policies based on a search of public records. The title search documents the current status of title to the property. There are two basic types of title insurance policies – one for the mortgage lender and one for the real property owner. A lender often requires property owners to purchase title insurance to protect the priority of its mortgage loan, but the lender’s title insurance policy does not protect the property owner. The property owner has to purchase a separate owner’s title insurance policy to protect its investment.
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Insured Risk on Policies in Force. Force: Generally, the amount of the insured risk under a title insurance policy is equal to the purchase price, the loan amount or the fair market value of the insured property. If a claim is made against an insured property’s title, the insurer can choose to pay the cost of eliminating the covered title defects or to defend the insured party against the coveredtitle defects affecting the property. In the alternative, the insurer may opt to pay the policy limits to the insured or, if the loss is less than the policy limits, the amount of the insured’s actual loss due to such title defects,at which time the insurer’s duty to defend the claim and all other obligations of the insurer with respect to the claim are satisfied.
At any given time, the insurer’s actual risk of monetary loss under outstanding policies is only a portion of the aggregate insured risk, or total face amount, of all policies in force. The lower risk results primarily from the reissuance of title insurance policies for the same property by other underwriters over time when such property is subsequently conveyed or refinanced. The coverage on a lender’s title insurance policy is reduced and eventually terminated as the mortgage loan is paid. An owner’s policy is effective as long as the insured has an ownership interest in the property or has liability under warranties of title. Due to the variability of these factors, the aggregate contingent liability of the Company’s title underwriters on outstanding policies cannot be determined with precision.
Losses and Reserves. Reserves: While most other forms of insurance provide for the assumption of risk of loss arising from unforeseen events, title insurance is based upon a process of loss avoidance. Title insurance generally serves to protect the policyholder from the risk of loss from events that predate the issuance of the policy. Losses on policies typically occur when a title defect is not discovered during the examination and settlement process or upon the occurrence of certain hidden risks which cannot be determined from an accurate search of public land records. The maximum amount of liability under a title insurance policy is generally the face amount of the policy plus the cost of defending the insured’s title against an adverse claim, if agreed to by the insurer prior to payment of loss under the policy, and any inflation protection clause associated with the policy. The reserve for claim losses is established from known claims, as well asestimatedlosses incurred but not yet reported to the Company based upon historical experience and other factors.
Title claims can often be complex, vary greatly in dollar amounts, are affected by economic and market conditions and may involve uncertainties as to ultimate exposure. Therefore, reserve estimates are subject to variability. For a more complete description of the Company’s reserve for claims, refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Title Insurance Underwriting Operations.Operations: ITIC and NITIC issue title insurance through the Company’s home and branch offices and through a network of agents. Issuing agents are typically real estate attorneys, independent agents or subsidiaries of community and regional mortgage lending institutions, depending on local customs and regulations and the Company’s marketing strategy in a particular territory. The Company’s title insurance subsidiaries determine the terms and conditions upon which they will insure title to real property according to the Company’s underwriting standards, policies and procedures. Title insurance premiums written reflect a one-time premium payment, with no recurring premiums.
Generally, premiums for title insurance are recorded and recognized as revenue at the closing of the related transaction, when the earnings process is considered complete. When the policy is issued directly through a home or branch office, the premiums collected are retained by the Company. When the policy is issued through a title insurance agent, the agent retains a majority of the premium as a commission and remits the net amount to the Company. Title insurance commissions earned by the Company’s agents are recognized as expenses concurrently with premium recognition. The percentage of the premium retained by agents varies by region and is sometimes regulated by the states where the property is located.
For a description of the level of net premiums written by direct and agency operations, refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Geographic Operations. Operations: ITIC was incorporated in North Carolina in 1972, and is licensed to write title insurance in 44 states and the District of Columbia. ITIC currently writes title insurance as a primary insurer in 2223 states and the District of Columbia, primarily located in the eastern half of theUnited States, and as a reinsurer for NITIC and third-party title insurance companies.
NITIC was incorporated in South Carolina in 1973, and is licensed to write title insurance in 20 states and the District of Columbia. In November 2014, NITIC redomesticated to Texas. NITIC currently writes title insurance as a primary insurer in Texas, and as a reinsurer for ITIC.
Premiums from title insurance written on properties located in North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina represent the largest source of revenue for the title insurance segment. In North Carolina, a majority of the Company’s title insurance commitments and policies are issued through branch offices. In Texas, Georgia, South Carolina and other states, title policies are primarily issued through issuing agents. For a description of the level of net premiums written geographically for significant states, refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Each state license authorizing ITIC or NITIC to write title insurance must be renewed annually. These licenses are necessary for the companies to operate as a title insurer in each state in which they write premiums.
In the ordinary course of business, ITIC and NITIC reinsure certain risks with other title insurers to limit their risk exposure and to comply with state insurance regulations. They also assume reinsurance for certain risks of other title insurers for which they receive additional income in the form of reinsurance premiums. For each of the last threetwo years, revenues from reinsurance activities accounted for less than 1% of total premium volume.
Exchange Services, Investment Management and Trust Services, and Management Services
The Company’s other lines of business include services offered by wholly owned subsidiaries ITEC, ITAC, Investors Trust, and ITMS.
In 1988, the Company established ITEC to provide services in connection with tax-deferred exchanges of like-kind property pursuant to Section§ 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. ITEC acts as a qualified intermediary in tax-deferred exchanges of real property held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment, and its income is derived from fees for handling exchange transactions and interest earned on client deposits held by the Company. In its role as qualified intermediary, ITEC coordinates the exchange aspects of the real estate transaction, and its duties include drafting standard exchange documents, holding the exchange funds between the time the old property is sold and the new property is purchased, and accepting the formal identification of the replacement property within the required identification period. ITAC provides services as an exchange accommodation titleholder for accomplishing “parking transactions” as set forth in the safe harbor contained in Internal Revenue Procedure 2000-37. These transactions include reverse exchanges when taxpayers decide to acquire replacement property before selling the relinquished property, or “build to suit” exchanges, when improvements must be made to the replacement property before the taxpayer acquires the improved replacement property. The services provided by the Company’s exchange services division, ITEC and ITAC, are pursuant to provisions in the Internal Revenue Code. From time to time, these laws are subject to review and changes, which may negatively affect the demand for tax-deferred exchanges in general, and consequently, the revenues and profitability of the Company’s exchange services division.
Investors Trust provides investment management and trust services to individuals, companies, banks and trusts.
ITMS offers various consulting and management services to provide clients with the technical expertise to start and successfully operate a title insurance agency.
None of these other lines of business is currently a reportable segment for which separate financial information is presented; instead, they are collectively included and reported in the category “All Other” in the segment information in Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.Statements.
CYCLICALITY AND SEASONALITY
Real estate activity, home sales and mortgage lending are cyclical in nature. Title insurance premiums are closely related to the level of real estate activity and the average price of real estate sales. The availability of funds to finance purchases directly affects real estate sales. Other factors include mortgage interest rates, consumer confidence, economic conditions, supply, and demand and family income levels. The Company’s premiums in future periods are likely to fluctuate due to these and other factors which are beyond management’s control.
Historically, the title insurance business tends to be seasonal as well as cyclical.Because home sales are typically strongest in periods of favorable weather, the first calendar quarter tends to have the lowest activity levels, while the spring and summer quarters tend to be more active. Refinance activity is generally less seasonal, but is subject to interest rate fluctuations.
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MARKETING
The Company markets its title insurance services to a broad range of customers in the residential and commercial market sectors of the real estate industry. Issuing agents are typically real estate attorneys, independent agents or subsidiaries of community and regional mortgage lending institutions, depending on local customs and regulations and the Company’s marketing strategy in a particular territory.
ITIC and NITIC strive to provide superior service to their customers and consider this an important factor in attracting and retaining customers. Branch and corporate personnel strive to develop new business and agency relationships to increase market share while ITIC’s Commercial Services Division focuses on services provided to commercial clients.
REGULATION
Any material change in the Company’s regulatory environment may have an adverse effect on its business.
Title Insurance
The Company is an insurance holding company and therefore, it is subject to regulation in the states in which its insurance subsidiaries do business. These regulations, among other things, require insurance holding companies to register and file certain reports, and require prior regulatory approval of the payment of extraordinary dividends and other intercompany distributions or transfers.
Title insurance companies are extensively regulated under applicable state laws. All states have requirements for admission to do business as an insurance company, including minimum levels of capital, surplus and reserves. State regulatory authorities monitor the stability and service of insurance companies and possess broad powers with respect to the licensing of title insurers and agents, approving rate schedules and policy forms, financial reporting and accounting practices, reserve requirements, investmentsand dividend restrictions, approving related party transactions, as well as examining and auditing title insurers. At December 31, 2018,2021, both ITIC and NITIC met the statutory premium reserve requirements and the minimum capital and surplus requirements of the states where they are licensed. A substantial portion of the assets of the Company’s title insurance subsidiaries consists of their portfolios of investment securities. Both of these subsidiaries are required by various state laws to maintain assets of a defined minimum quality and amount.
The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to examination at any time by the insurance regulators in the states where they are licensed as well as required periodic examinations. These and other governmental authorities have the power to enforce state and federal laws to which the title insurance subsidiaries are subject. These governmental authorities include, but are not limited to,the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), which enforces the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”), the primary federal regulatory guidance governing the real estate settlement industry. The CFPB has the authority to identify and address, through regulation, unfair, deceptive and abusive practices in the mortgage industry and certain other settlement service industries.
In recent years, the CFPB, Office of the Comptroller of Currency and the Federal Reserve have issued memorandums to banks that communicated those agencies’ heightened focus on vetting third-party providers. Such increased regulatory involvement may affect the Company's agents and approved providers. Further proposals to change regulations governing insurance holding companies and the title insurance industry are often introduced in Congress, in state legislatures and before various insurance regulatory agencies. Although the Company regularly monitors such proposals, the likelihood and timing of passage of any such regulation, and the possible effects of any such regulation on the Company and its subsidiaries, cannot be determined at this time.
Exchange Services, Investment Management and Trust Services, and Management Services
Investors Trust is regulated by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks.
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COMPETITION
The title insurance industry is highly competitive. The four largest title insurance companies typically maintain greater than 85%80% of the market for title insurance in the United States, with smaller regional companies holding the balance of the market. The number and size of competing companies varies in the respective geographic areas in which the Company conducts business. Key competitive factors in the title insurance industry are the financial strength and size of the insurer, timeliness and quality of service, price and expertise in certain transactions. Title insurance underwriters also compete for agents based upon service and commission levels. Some title insurers currently have greater financial resources, larger distribution networks and more extensive computerized databases of property records and related information than the Company. In addition, there are numerous industry-related regulations and statutes that set out conditions and requirements to conduct business. Changes to or the removal of such regulations and statutes could result in additional competition from alternative title insurance products or new entrants into the industry that could materially affect the Company’s business operations and financial condition.
CUSTOMER AND LENDER CONCENTRATION
The Company is not dependent upon any single title insurance customer or a few customers, and the loss of any single customer would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Company and its subsidiaries derive a substantial portion of their income from investments in municipal government securities and investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities and equity securities. The Company’s fixed maturity securities are classified as available for sale and carried at estimated fair market value. Equity securities are also carried at estimated fair market value. The Company’s investment policy is designed to maintain a high quality portfolio and maximize income. Some state laws impose restrictions upon the types and amounts of investments that can be made by the Company’s insurance subsidiaries. The Company’s investment portfolio is managed internally and via a wholly owned subsidiary. The securities in the Company’s portfolio are subject to economic conditions and normal market risks. Equity securities at December 31, 20182021 and 20172020 consisted of investments in various industry groups. The Company’s investment portfolio did not include any significant investments in banks, trust or insurance companies at December 31, 20182021 or 2017.2020. Short-term investments, which consist primarily of commercial paper, money market instruments, and certificates of deposit which have an original maturity of one year or less, are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short duration to maturity. In addition, at December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, the Company held investments that are accounted for using the equity method and measurement alternative method (refer to Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K)Statements).
Refer to Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the major categories of investments, scheduled maturities, fair values of investment securities and earnings by category.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
The title insurance policies ITIC and NITIC currently issue exclude any liability for environmental risks and contamination unless a notice of violation relating to an environmental protection law, ordinance or regulation is recorded prior to the date of such policy or the Company issues a specific policy endorsement providing coverage for environmental liens recorded prior to the date of such policy. The Company has not experienced, and does not anticipate that it or its subsidiaries will incur, any significant expenses related to environmental claims.
In connection with tax-deferred exchanges of like-kind property, ITAC may temporarily hold title to property pursuant to an accommodation titleholder agreement. In order for ITAC to enter into such arrangements, each person or entity for which title is being held must (a) execute an indemnification agreement under which it agrees to indemnify ITAC for any environmental or other claims which may arise as a result of the arrangement, and (b) provide due diligence materials regarding any known environmental issues, in the form of an environmental questionnaire and/or applicable environmental engineering studies, if indicated for review by ITAC, as applicable.
EMPLOYEES AND HUMAN CAPITAL
The Company and its subsidiaries had 328539 full-time employees and 5723 part-time employees as of December 31, 2018.2021. None of the employees are covered by any collective bargaining agreements. Management considers its relationship with its employees to be favorable.
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Recruiting and retaining qualified personnel and key talent is important to the Company’s success. The Company’s business results depend in part on its ability to successfully manage its human capital resources. Factors that may affect the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees include employee morale, competition from other employers and availability of qualified individuals.
The Company is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating an inclusive culture that supports all employees and is free of discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability or other legally protected characteristic. The current makeup of the Company's Board of Directors satisfies the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC's rules related to board diversity, prior to the Company’s compliance period for such rules.
Compensation and Benefits
The Company strives to provide robust compensation and benefits to its employees. In addition to competitive salaries, compensation and benefit programs include annual bonuses, an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan, employer paid healthcare, life insurance, long and short term disability benefits, flexible spending accounts, an employee assistance program, and paid time off. The Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel who are necessary to the operation of the business is critical to its success.
COVID-19 Pandemic
The health and wellness of the Company’s employees is also critical to its success. In an effort to keep the Company’s employees safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has implemented a number of health-related measures, including protocols governing social distancing and the use of face masks while on company property, a flexible policy for working from home, cleaning procedures at the Company’s corporate headquarters, and limitations on in-person meeting and other gatherings.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
The Company’s internet address is www.invtitle.com. The contents of the Company’s website, including the “Investor Relations” section, are not and shall not be deemed to be a part of this documentAnnual Report on Form 10-K or any other SEC filing. The Company makes available free of charge through its internet website its annual reports on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, its current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC, and also makes available the Section 16 reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 of its insiders no later than the end of the business day following such filings. The information is free of charge and may be reviewed and downloaded from the website at any time. The “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website also includes its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the charters of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees of its Board of Directors.
Executive Officers of the Company
Following is information regarding the executive officers of the Company as of February 22, 2019.21, 2022. Each officer is appointed at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors to serve until the next annual meeting of the Board or until his or her respective successor has been elected and qualified.
| Name | Age | Position with Registrant | ||||||||||||
| J. Allen Fine | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board | |||||||||||||
| James A. Fine, Jr. | President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Director | |||||||||||||
| W. Morris Fine | Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director | |||||||||||||
J. Allen Fine has been Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company since its incorporation in 1973. He also served as President of the Company until May 1997. He is the father of James A. Fine, Jr. and W. Morris Fine.
James A. Fine, Jr. was named Vice President of the Company in 1987. In 1997, he was named President and Treasurer and appointed as a Director of the Company. In 2002, he was appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. He is the son of J. Allen Fine and the brother of W. Morris Fine.
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W. Morris Fine was named Vice President of the Company in 1992. In 1993, he was named Treasurer of the Company and served in that capacity until 1997. In 1997, he was named Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Company. In 1999, he was appointed as a Director of the Company. He is the son of J. Allen Fine and the brother of James A. Fine, Jr.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The risk factors listed in this section and other factors noted herein could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements or could result in a significant or material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
RISKS RELATED TO THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 AND OTHER POTENTIAL PANDEMICS, HEALTH CRISES, CLIMATE CHANGE, SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS OR OTHER CATASTROPHIC EVENTS
Our business could be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, severe weather conditions or the occurrence of another catastrophic event.
The U.S. and other countries continue to experience an outbreak of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted worldwide economic activity and created significant volatility and disruptions of financial markets. In response, the U.S. government and its agencies have taken a number of significant measures to provide fiscal and monetary stimulus, and authorities have implemented numerous measures to try to contain the virus. These measures have impacted and may continue to impact the Company’s workforce and operations. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the Company to modify its business practices (including employee travel, employee work locations, and cancellation of physical participation in meetings, events and conferences), and the Company may take further actions as may be required by government authorities or that the Company believes is in the best interests of its employees. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company's future operations will depend on uncertain developments, including the duration and severity of the pandemic (including any of its variants), as well as uncertainty regarding the effects of government measures already taken, and which may be taken or continued in the future, to combat the spread of the virus and any of its variants, and/or provide additional economic stimulus. This situation is continually changing, and additional impacts may arise that the Company is not aware of currently. It is not currently possible to predict the extent that COVID-19 will impact the Company's financial position or results of operation, although it is possible that it could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
Climate change, extreme weather conditions and catastrophic events, such as future pandemic diseases, natural disasters and terrorist attacks, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future results of operations and financial condition. The Company’s business operations could be impacted, including availability of key Company personnel or the Company’s information technology systems, by volatility of real estate prices, significant climate migration, and disruptions to the real estate environment or financial markets. Given the unpredictable nature of these events with respect to size, severity, duration and geographic location, it is not currently possible to quantify the ultimate impact that they may have on the Company’s business.
RISKS RELATED TO THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS
Adverse changes in economic conditions, especially those related to real estate activity, may negatively impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
The demand for the Company’s title insurance and other real estate transaction products and services varies from year to year and is dependent upon, among other factors, the volume of residential and commercial real estate transactions and mortgage financing transactions. The volume of these transactions has historically been influenced by factors such as the overall state of the economy, the average price level of real estate sales, housing inventory, and the availability and pricing of mortgage financing. During periods of economic uncertainty,Real estate activity generally decreases when the economy is weak or whenuncertain, home prices are increasing, housing inventory is limited, the availability of mortgage credit is limited, or when mortgage interest rates are increasing, real estate activity typically declines.increasing. The cyclical nature of the Company’s business has caused volatility in revenue and profitability in the past and could do so in the future.
Demand for title insurance also depends in part upon the requirement by mortgage lenders and other participants in the secondary mortgage market that title insurance policies be obtained on residential and commercial real property.
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The Company may experience material losses resulting from fraud, defalcation or misconduct.
Underwriting agents and approved settlement providers, which can include issuing agents and approved attorneys, perform a significant portion of the work necessary to issue the Company’s title insurance policies. These agents and providers operate with a substantial degree of independence from the Company, and while they are subject to certain contractual limitations designed to mitigate the Company’s risk, there is no guarantee that these limitations will eliminate all associated risks.limitations. As a result, the Company’s use of title agents and approved providers could result in claims on the Company’s policies and other expenses due to fraud and negligence. Fraud, defalcation, errors and other misconduct by the Company’s agents, approved attorneys and employees are risks inherent in the Company’s business. Agents and approved attorneys typically handle large sums of money in truststrust pursuant to the closing of real estate transactions. Misappropriation of funds by any of these parties could result in title claims, some of which could be large and have a material negative impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
The Company relies upon the North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina markets for a significant portion of its premiums. Changes in the economic or regulatory environments in North Carolina, Texas or South Carolinathese states could have an adverse impact on the Company.
North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina are the largest sources of premium revenue for the Company’s title insurance subsidiaries. In 2018, North Carolina, Texas2021, these states represented 36.1%, 22.8%, 12.6% and South Carolina represented 40.3%, 18.5% and 10.2%9.1% of total premiums written by the Company, respectively. A decrease in the level of real estate activity in North Carolina, Texas and/or South Carolina,these states, whether driven by weak economic conditions, changes in regulatory environments or other factors that influence demand, could have a negative impact on the Company’s financial results.
Adverse deviation of actual claims experience from expected claims experience will result in lower net earnings.
The Company’s net income is affected by the extent to which its actual claims experience differs from the assumptions used in establishing the reserve for claims. The reserve for claims is established based on actuarial estimates of future payments for reported claims, as well as claims which have been incurred but not yet reported. In addition, management considers factors such as the Company’s historical claims experience, case reserve estimates on reported claims, large claims and other relevant factors in determining loss provision rates and the aggregate recorded expected liability for claims.
Due to the nature of the underlying risks and the high degree of uncertainty associated with the estimation of the reserve for claims, the Company cannot determine precisely the amounts which it will ultimately pay to settle its claims. Factors contributing to the complexity in establishing reserves can include varying loss potentials, timing, unfavorable market or economic conditions and the legal environment. The timing of claims is difficult to estimate as payments may not occur until well into the future. Higher levels of defaults and foreclosures upon insured properties are more prevalent in times of unfavorable economic conditions and can lead to an increase in title insurance claims. The Company may also incur higher than normal claim payment experience or large losses. To the extent that actual claims experience is greater than estimated, the Company could be required to increase the reserve.
Competition affects the Company’s results of operations.
The title insurance industry is highly competitive with only a few insurers comprising a large percentage of the market. Key competitive factors are quality of service, price within regulatory parameters, expertise, timeliness and the financial strength and size of the insurer. Title insurance underwriters compete for premiums by choosing various distribution channels which may include company-owned operations, independent agents and agency relationships with real estate attorneys, subsidiaries of community and regional lending institutions, realtors, builders and other settlement service providers. Title insurance underwriters compete for agents on the basis of service, technology and commission levels. Some title insurers currently have greater financial resources, larger distribution networks and more extensive computerized databases of property records and information than the Company. The number and size of competing companies varies in the different geographic areas in which the Company operates, and any reductions to current regulatory barriers within any of the different geographic areas could increase the number of competitors entering into the title insurance market. Competition among the major providers of title insurance or the acceptance of alternative products to traditional title products by the regulatory authorities and the marketplace could adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial condition.
The Company may encounter difficulties managing growth, which could adversely affect its operating results.
The Company’s future growth plans involve expansion into new geographic locations and further penetration into established markets through new or existing agents, or through acquisitions. Such growth may subject the Company to associated risks, such as diverting management’s attention, incurring unanticipated liabilities from an acquired business, difficulty integrating an acquired entity, or retaining its employees or customers and realization of synergies. The occurrence of any of these risks may deprive the Company of some or all of the anticipated value of an acquisition or other growth initiatives, resulting in lower returns on investments and result in a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations. These risks could be particularly significant if the Company incurs significant costs in pursuing an acquisition or other initiatives.
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The Company depends on its ability to attract and retain key personnel and agents, and its inability to do so could adversely affect its business.
Competition for skilled and experienced personnel in the Company’s industry is high, and the success of the Company is substantially dependent on its ability to attract and retain such personnel. The Company may have difficulty hiring and retaining the necessary marketing and management personnel to support future growth plans. Also, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected if it is unsuccessful in attracting and retaining new agents.
Mortgage lending is highly concentrated and changes in relationships with lenders or reform of government-sponsored entities could adversely affect the Company.
Unfavorable economic or other conditions could cause the Company to record impairment charges for all or a portion of its goodwill and other intangible assets.
As a result of acquisition activity, the Company has goodwill and other intangible assets that comprise approximately 4.8% of total assets as of December 31, 2021. Quarterly, the Company performs an impairment analysis that reviews changes in events or circumstances that could lead to the carrying value not being recoverable. Economic downturns or poor performance of the acquisitions could result in the Company recognizing an impairment of a portion or all of the goodwill and intangible assets on the Company’s books and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
RISKS RELATED TO REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE MATTERS
The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to complex government regulations. Changes in regulations may have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
The Company’s title insurance subsidiaries are subject to extensive regulations that are intended to protect policyholders and consumers.
The Company’s title insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulations by the CFPB, created by the Dodd-Frank Act. The CFPB has extensive regulatory and enforcement authority over real estate and mortgage markets, including RESPA, the primary federal regulatory guidance governing the real estate settlement industry. The manner and extent to which the CFPB will implement new regulations is not fully known; however, any new regulations implemented could result in changes to internal processes, including changes to systems and forms.
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In addition to federal regulation, title insurance subsidiaries are subject to state regulations. The nature and extent of state regulations, which vary from state to state, typically involve, among other matters, licensing and renewal requirements and trade and marketing practices, including, but not limited to, the following:
•licensing of insurers and agents;
•capital and surplus requirements;
•approval, regulation or establishment of premium rates for insurance;
•limitations on types and amounts of investments;
•limitations on the size of risks that may be insured by a single company;
•filing of annual and other reports with respect to financial condition;
•the amount of dividends and other payments made by insurance subsidiaries;
•establishing reserves;
•accounting and financing practices;
•deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders;
•trade and marketing practices;
•regulation of reinsurance;
•approval of policy forms; and
•use of personal information, including cybersecurity regulations.
Insurance holding companies are subject to periodic examinations and the regulation of acquisitions, intercompany transactions and changes in control, among other regulations, by state regulators.
The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to certain federal regulations established by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency, the Federal Reserve and various other governmental agencies.
The Company’s other businesses also operate within state and federal guidelines. Any changes in the regulatory environment could restrict its existing or future operations and could possibly make it more burdensome and costly to conduct them.
New regulations, or differing interpretations of existing laws, could change business processes, products and services and have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
A downgrade from a rating agency could result in a loss of underwriting business.
The competitive positions of title insurance companies rely partly on ratings published by independent rating services. Government-sponsored entities and lending institutions utilize these ratings, among other items, to evaluate a title insurer’s strength and stability. The Company’s title insurance subsidiaries are currently rated by A.M. Best Company and Demotech, Inc. The ratings issued by independent rating agencies are not credit ratings, but represent the opinion of the individual rating agency regarding the title insurance subsidiaries’ financial strength, operating performance, and ability to meet policyholder obligations. These insurer ratings are subject to periodic review and there can be no assurance that the Company’s insurance subsidiaries will maintain their current respective ratings. A significant downgrade in the ratings of either of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries could negatively impact the ability to compete for new business, retain existing business and maintain the necessary licenses to operate as title insurance companies in various states.
Title insurance rate regulation could have an adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations.
Rates for title insurance vary by state and are subject to extensive regulation. Statutes generally provide that rates must not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. The process of implementing a rate change in most states involves pre-approval by the applicable state insurance regulator. This regulation could impact the Company’s ability to adjust prices in the face of rapidly changing market conditions, which could adversely affect results of operations.
Regulatory investigations of the title insurance industry by governmental entities could adversely impact the Company’s results of operations.
The title insurance industry is subject to scrutiny by both federal and state regulators focusing on violations of state insurance codes, RESPA and similar state and federal laws, among others. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries occasionally receive inquiries from regulators involving market conduct. Future inquiries could lead to fines for violations, settlements with regulating authorities that could result in fines or requirements to pay claims, and the potential for further regulation. The results of future inquiries could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
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The Company relies on distributions from its insurance subsidiaries.
The Company is an insurance holding company and it has no substantial operations of its own. Its principal assets are investments in its operating subsidiaries, primarily its insurance subsidiaries. The Company’s ability to pay dividends and meet its obligations is dependent, among other factors, on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends or repay intercompany loans. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulations that limit the amount of dividends, loans or advances they may make to the Company. The restriction on these amounts is based on the amount of the insurance subsidiaries’ unassigned surplus and net income, with certain adjustments. Additionally, these subsidiaries are required to maintain minimum amounts of capital, surplus and reserves. As of December 31, 2018,2021, approximately $81.8$117.9 million of consolidated stockholders’shareholders’ equity represented the net assets of the Company’s subsidiaries that cannot be transferred in the form of dividends, loans or advances to the Company. In general, dividends in excess of prescribed limits are deemed “extraordinary” and require prior approval by the appropriate regulatory body. In addition, the Company’s ability to pay dividends may be constrained by business considerations, such as the impact of dividends on insurer ratings or competitive position. These dividend restrictions could limit the Company’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders or fund growth opportunities.
Deterioration in financial markets may cause a decline in the performance of the Company’s investments and could cause thehave a material adverse impact on net income.
The Company to record impairment charges for all orderives a substantial portion of its goodwillincome from its investment portfolio that primarily includes fixed maturity securities and equity securities. The Company’s investment policy is designed to comply with regulatory requirements and to balance the competing objectives of asset quality and investment returns. The Company’s investment portfolio is subject to risk from changes in general economic conditions, prices of marketable fixed maturity securities and equity securities, interest rates, liquidity, credit markets, and other intangible assets.external factors. The risk of loss is increased during periods of economic uncertainty and tight credit markets as these factors could limit the ability of some issuers to repay their debt obligations.
Financial institution failures could adversely affect the Company.
The Company has substantial deposits with financial institutions, including fiduciary deposits that are owned by third parties. There is no guarantee the Company, whether through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or otherwise, would recover the funds it has deposited should one or more of the financial institutions at which the Company maintains deposits fail.
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RISKS RELATED TO CYBERSECURITY, TECHNOLOGY AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Breaches and failures of, and other disruptions to, the Company’s information technology systems may disrupt the Company’s operations, result in monetary losses and harm the Company’s reputation.
The Company relies on information technology (“IT”) systems for a wide range of activities involved in the delivery of its products and services, including, but not limited to, the following:
•process title insurance applications and policy issuances;
•perform due diligence on land titles;
•manage substantial cash, investment assets, bank deposits, trust assets and escrow account balances on behalf of the Company and its customers;
•manage billing, collections and payables, including insurance premiums and agent commissions;
•manage accounting and financial reporting; and
•manage payroll and human resources information.
The Company’s IT systems may be disrupted or fail, and information stolen or otherwise misappropriated, for a number of reasons, including:
•hacking, computer viruses, malware, ransomware or other cyberattacks;
•software “bugs”, hardware defects or human error;
•natural disasters, like fires, or pandemics; or
•power loss.
Any of these events could disrupt operations both internally and externally, which may result in the loss of revenues. These events could also result in the unauthorized release of proprietary and/or non-public information, or even defalcation of corporate or client funds.
Like all companies, the Company’s IT systems have been, and likely will continue to be, the target of computer viruses, cyberattacks, phishing attacks and other malicious activity. For example, during the third quarter of 2021, the Company detected a ransomware attack limited to one entity that required a temporary interruption to the impacted entity’s computer network as the issue was being remediated. Promptly upon detection, the Company launched an investigation and initiated response protocols, including the engagement of external cybersecurity professionals and legal counsel. Based on the information developed in the course of the investigation, the ransomware attack has not had, and is not expected to have, a material impact on the Company's business, financial position and results of operations. While the Company has not experienced a known material breach to date, the occurrence or scope of such events is not always immediately apparent and there can be no assurance that the Company will not suffer additional attacks or incur more serious financial consequences or expense in the future. The Company invests resources in maintaining the security of its systems and adapting to evolving security threats. There is, however, no guarantee that its security measures will be adequate to prevent all cyberattacks. There is similarly no guarantee that the Company’s backup systems or disaster recovery procedures will be adequate to mitigate losses due to IT system disruptions in a timely fashion, and the Company may incur significant expense in correcting IT system emergencies. The Company’s reputation may also be damaged in the event of a serious IT breach or failure. Furthermore, as technology develops, and as cybercriminals become more capable, the difficulty and expense of maintaining IT security and redundancy may increase.
To the extent the Company’s IT systems store non-public personal information, and information about its employees, security breaches may expose the Company to other serious liabilities and reputational harm if such data is misappropriated. Non-public personal information may include, but is not limited to, names, addresses, social security numbers, and banking information.
Furthermore, the Company is required by law and by certain contracts, particularly contracts with financial institutions, to notify various parties, consumers and customers in the event that confidential or personal information may have been or was accessed by unauthorized third parties. Such an event could potentially result in a breach of contract, and any required notifications could result in, among other things, the loss of customers, negative publicity, distraction of management, fines, lawsuits for breach of contract, regulatory inquiries or involvement and a decline in sales.
The Company seeks to mitigate the financial risk associated with unauthorized disclosure of non-public information by maintaining cyber liability insurance coverage. As cybercriminals continue to become more sophisticated, the costs to insure against cyberattacks have risen and may continue to rise in the future.
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The Company may encounter difficulties managing system or technological changes, which could adversely affect its financial and operating results.
Technological changes in the title insurance industry are driven primarily by evolution in technology, competitive factors and regulatory changes. These changes have resulted in faster information delivery and efficient, highly automated production processes. The inability of the Company to manage, develop or successfully implement new systems or technological changes could negatively impact profitability.
Policies and procedures for the mitigation of risk may not be sufficient.
The Company has policies and procedures in place to help identify, analyze, and measure the risks associated with the issuance of title insurance policies, investment risks, interest rate risks and legal risks, among others. In evaluating risks, the Company considers enterprise risk management, information technology risk management, disaster recovery, business continuity, and vendor risk management. Because a significant degree of judgment is involved with the establishment of policies and processes as well as the measurement of risks, it is possible not all risks have been identified or anticipated. Misidentified or unanticipated risks could adversely impact the Company and its results of operations.
RISKS RELATED TO OWNING THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK
Certain provisions ofin the Company’s organizational law, North Carolina law, organizational documents, and the Company’s shareholder rights plan may deter or discourage a takeover of the Company.
The Company has adopted a shareholder rights plan. The rights set forth in the plan are not intended toCompany’s articles of incorporation, as amended (the “Articles”) and amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws” contain certain provisions that could delay, prevent a takeover of the Company, and we believe the rights would be beneficial to the Company and its shareholders in the event of negotiations with a potential acquirer. However, the shareholder rights plan couldor discourage transactions involving actual or potential changes of control, including transactions that may involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices to the Company’s common shareholders. In addition, the Company has adopted a shareholder rights plan (the “Plan”). The provisions in the Company’s organizational documents and the rights set forth in the Plan are not intended to prevent a takeover of the Company, and the Company believes these protective measures are beneficial to the Company and its shareholders in the event of negotiations with a potential acquirer. These provisions are described in further detail in “Description of the Company’s Securities” incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company’s Bylaws provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the state courts of North Carolina will be the sole and exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between the Company’s and its shareholders.
The Bylaws provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought in the name or right of the Company or on its behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of Company to the Company or its shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act (the “NCBCA”), the Articles, or the Bylaws, (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of the Articles or the Bylaws, or (v) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, including, without limitation, any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Articles or the Bylaws, shall be the state courts of North Carolina in and for Orange County, North Carolina, subject to designation or assignment to the North Carolina Business Court (or, if no state court located within the State of North Carolina has jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina). The Bylaws also provide that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the provisions described above will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction, and (b) unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action against the Company or any director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company and arising under the Securities Act (however, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provision, and investors cannot waive compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder). The choice of forum provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with the Company or its directors, officers or other employees and may also result in increased costs for shareholders to bring any such claim, which may discourage such lawsuits against the Company and its directors, officers, and other employees.
If a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in the Bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Company may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. Even if the Company is successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees.
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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company owns two adjacent office buildings and property located on the corner of North Columbia and West Rosemary streets in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which serve as the Company’s corporate headquarters. The main building contains approximately 23,000 square feet and has on-site parking facilities. The Company’s subsidiaries, principally ITIC and NITIC, lease office space in 37 locations throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Michigan and Nebraska. The Company believes that each of the office facilities occupied by the Company and its subsidiaries are in good condition, adequately insured and sufficient for its present operations.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in legal proceedings that are incidental to their business. In the Company’s opinion, based on the present status of these proceedings, any potential liability of the Company or its subsidiaries with respect to these legal proceedings, will not, in the aggregate, be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition or operations. Additional information about the Company’s legal proceedings is included in Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Common Stock Data and Dividends
The Common Stockcommon stock of the Company is traded under the symbol “ITIC” on the NASDAQNasdaq Stock Market LLC. The number of record holders of common stock at December 31, 20182021 was 245.224. The number of record holders is based upon the actual number of holders registered on the books of the Company at such date and does not include holders of shares in “street name” or persons, partnerships, associations, corporations or other entities identified in security position listings maintained by securities depositories. The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of the Company’s Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market, and cash dividends declared.
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| High | Low | Dividend Paid | High | Low | Dividend Paid | ||||||||||||||||||
| First Quarter | $ | 221.88 | $ | 162.67 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 163.34 | $ | 118.10 | $ | 0.20 | |||||||||||
| Second Quarter | $ | 200.50 | $ | 163.14 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 199.75 | $ | 153.71 | $ | 0.35 | |||||||||||
| Third Quarter | $ | 202.85 | $ | 162.03 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 196.79 | $ | 169.25 | $ | 0.40 | |||||||||||
| Fourth Quarter | $ | 198.50 | $ | 156.00 | $ | 11.00 | $ | 203.97 | $ | 178.50 | $ | 2.80 | |||||||||||
The Company’s current dividend policy anticipates the payment of quarterly dividends in the future. The declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon the Company’s future earnings, financial condition and capital requirements. The Company’s ability to pay dividends is also subject to certain regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by its insurance subsidiaries as described in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.Statements.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA[Reserved]
| (in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||
| For the Year | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | $ | 152,773 | $ | 153,982 | $ | 131,142 | $ | 120,345 | $ | 116,860 | |||||||||
| Investment-related revenues | 3,486 | 7,645 | 7,346 | 6,854 | 6,253 | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 156,259 | 161,627 | 138,488 | 127,199 | 123,113 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to the Company | 21,892 | 25,707 | 19,523 | 12,534 | 9,649 | ||||||||||||||
| Per Share Data | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | 11.60 | $ | 13.63 | $ | 10.23 | $ | 6.32 | $ | 4.75 | |||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – Basic | 1,887 | 1,886 | 1,908 | 1,984 | 2,032 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 11.54 | $ | 13.56 | $ | 10.19 | $ | 6.30 | $ | 4.74 | |||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – Diluted | 1,897 | 1,896 | 1,915 | 1,990 | 2,038 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends per share | $ | 12.20 | $ | 3.75 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.32 | |||||||||
| At Year-End | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 244,268 | $ | 248,913 | $ | 228,938 | $ | 211,522 | $ | 198,039 | |||||||||
| Investments | 182,669 | 186,520 | 160,854 | 160,552 | 159,411 | ||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity attributable to the Company | 175,639 | 177,836 | 155,045 | 142,670 | 137,564 | ||||||||||||||
| Book value per share attributable to the Company | 93.10 | 94.29 | 82.28 | 73.17 | 67.99 | ||||||||||||||
| Performance Ratios | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to the Company to: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average stockholders’ equity attributable to the Company | 12.39 | % | 15.44 | % | 13.12 | % | 8.95 | % | 7.27 | % | |||||||||
| Total revenues | 14.01 | % | 15.90 | % | 14.10 | % | 9.85 | % | 7.84 | % | |||||||||
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes in this report. Forward-lookingThe following discussion may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary. See the sections in this Annual Report on Form 10-K titled “Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” included in Part I, Item 1A that could affect forward-looking statements.
Overview
Investors Title Company (the “Company”) is a holding company that engages primarily in issuing title insurance through two subsidiaries, Investors Title Insurance Company (“ITIC”) and National Investors Title Insurance Company (“NITIC”). Total revenues from the title segment accounted for 94.7%94.3% of the Company’s revenues in 2018.2021. Through ITIC and NITIC, the Company underwrites land title insurance for owners and mortgagees as a primary insurer.
Title insurance protects against loss or damage resulting from title defects that affect real property. When real property is conveyed from one party to another, occasionally there is an undisclosed defect in the title or a mistake or omission in a prior deed, will or mortgage that may give a third party a legal claim against such property. If a covered claim is made against real property, title insurance provides indemnification against insured defects.
There are two basic types of title insurance policies – one for the mortgage lender and one for the real property owner. A lender often requires the property owner to purchase a lender’s title insurance policy to protect its position as a holder of a mortgage loan, but the lender’s title insurance policy does not protect the property owner. The property owner has to purchase a separate owner’s title insurance policy to protect its investment.
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The Company issues title insurance policies through its home and branch offices and through a network of agents. Issuing agents are typically real estate attorneys, independent agents or subsidiaries of community and regional mortgage lending institutions, depending on local customs and regulations and the Company’s marketing strategy in a particular territory. The ability to attract and retain issuing agents is a key determinant of the Company’s growth in title insurance premiums written.
Revenues for the title insurance segment primarily result from purchases of new and existing residential and commercial real estate, refinance activity and certain other types of mortgage lending such as home equity lines of credit.
Title insurance premiums vary from state to state and are subject to extensive regulation. Statutes generally provide that rates must not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. The process of implementing a rate change in most states involves pre-approval by the applicable state insurance regulator.
Volume is a factor in the Company’s profitability due to fixed operating costs that are incurred by the Company regardless of title insurance premium volume. The resulting operating leverage tends to amplify the impact of changes in volume on the Company’s profitability. The Company’s profitability also depends, in part, upon its ability to manage its investment portfolio to maximize investment returns and to minimize risks such as interest rate changes, defaults and impairments of assets.
The Company’s volume of title insurance premiums is affected by the overall level of residential and commercial real estate activity, which includes property sales, mortgage financing and mortgage refinancing. Real estate activity, home sales and mortgage lending are cyclical in nature. Real estate activity is affected by a number of factors, including the availability of mortgage credit, the cost of real estate, consumer confidence, employment and family income levels, and general United States economic conditions. Interest rate volatility is also an important factor in the level of residential and commercial real estate activity.
The Company’s title insurance premiums in future periods are likely to fluctuate due to these and other factors which are beyond management’s control.
Services other than title insurance provided by operating divisions of the Company are not reported separately, but rather are reported collectively in a category called “All Other.”Other”. These other services include those offered by the Company and by its wholly owned subsidiaries, Investors Title Exchange Corporation (“ITEC”), Investors Title Accommodation Corporation (“ITAC”), Investors Trust Company (“Investors Trust”) and Investors Title Management Services, Inc. (“ITMS”).
The Company’s exchange services division, consisting of the operations of ITEC and ITAC, provides customer services in connection with tax-deferred real property exchanges. ITEC acts as a qualified intermediary in tax-deferred exchanges of real property held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment, and its income is derived from fees for handling exchange transactions and interest earned on client deposits held by the Company. In its role as qualified intermediary, ITEC coordinates the exchange aspects of the real estate transaction, and its duties include drafting standard exchange documents, holding the exchange funds between the time the old property is sold and the new property is purchased, and accepting the formal identification of the replacement property within the required identification period. ITAC provides services as an exchange accommodation titleholder for accomplishing “parking transactions” as set forth in the safe harbor contained in Internal Revenue Procedure 2000-37. These transactions include reverse exchanges when taxpayers decide to acquire replacement property before selling the relinquished property, or “build to suit” exchanges, when improvements must be made to the replacement property before the taxpayer acquires the improved replacement property. The services provided by the Company’s exchange services division, ITEC and ITAC, are pursuant to provisions in the Internal Revenue Code. From time to time, these laws are subject to review and changes, which may negatively affect the demand for tax-deferred exchanges in general, and consequently, the revenues and profitability of the Company’s exchange services division.
The Company’s trust services division, Investors Trust, provides investment management and trust services to individuals, companies, banks and trusts.
ITMS offers various consulting and management services to provide clients with the technical expertise to start and successfully operate a title insurance agency.
Business Trends and Recent ConditionsConditions; COVID-19 Pandemic
The housing market is heavily influenced by government policies and overall economic conditions. Regulatory reform and initiatives by various governmental agencies, including the Federal Reserve's monetary policy and other regulatory changes, could impact lending standards or the processes and procedures used by the Company. The current real estate environment, including interest rates and general economic activity, typically influence the demand for real estate. Changes in either of these areas would likely impact the Company's results of operations. Purchase volume and refinance activity were strong in 2021 and 2020, however, variability of interest rates combined with ongoing supply constraints and volatility in the cost and availability of building materials in recent months could result in reductions in future periods.
Despite the widespread availability of vaccines, COVID-19 (including its variant strains) continues to impact U.S. states where the Company conducts business. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted worldwide economic activity and created significant volatility and disruptions of financial markets. In response, the U.S. government and its agencies have taken a number of significant measures to provide fiscal and monetary stimulus. Such actions have included an unscheduled cut to the federal funds rate, the introduction of new programs to preserve market liquidity, extended unemployment and sick leave benefits, mortgage loan forbearance actions, low-interest loans for working capital access and payroll assistance, and other relief measures for both workers and businesses. Many such actions have lapsed or otherwise been reduced as time has passed since the onset of the pandemic. The Company has remained fully operational throughout the pandemic and did not have any reductions in workforce during 2021 or 2020. A large number of the Company's employees are performing their job functions remotely. The Company has not taken stimulus relief funding or incurred any other forms of debt.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the Company to modify its business practices (including employee travel, employee work locations and cancellation of physical participation in meetings, events and conferences). The COVID-19 pandemic and any of its variants could continue to affect the Company in a number of ways including, but not limited to, the impact of employees becoming ill, quarantined, or otherwise unable to work or travel due to illness or governmental restriction, potential decreases in net premiums written in the future, and future fluctuations in the Company's investment portfolio due to the pandemic and the economic disruption it is causing. Because of the inherent uncertainty regarding the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic (including any of its variants) and its effects on the economy, as well as uncertainty regarding the effects of government measures already taken, and which may be taken or continued in the future, to combat the spread of the virus and any of its variants, and/or provide additional economic stimulus, the Company is currently unable to predict the ultimate impact of the pandemic.
Regulatory Environment
In 2008, the federal government took control of the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) in an effort to keep these government-sponsored entities from failing. The primary functions of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are to provide liquidity to the nation's mortgage finance system by purchasing mortgages on the secondary market, pooling them and selling them as mortgage-backed securities. In order to securitize, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac typically require the purchase of title insurance for loans they acquire. Since the federal takeover, there have been various discussions and proposals regarding their reform. Changes to these entities could impact the entire mortgage loan process and, as a result, could affect the demand for title insurance. The timing and results of reform are currently unknown; however, any changes to these entities could affect the Company and its results of operations.
In recent years, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), Office of the Comptroller of Currency and the Federal Reserve have issued memorandums to banks that communicated those agencies’ heightened focus on vetting third-party providers. Such increased regulatory involvement may affect the Company's agents and approved providers. Further proposals to change regulations governing insurance holding companies and the title insurance industry are often introduced in Congress, in state legislatures and before various insurance regulatory agencies. Although the Company regularly monitors such proposals, the likelihood and timing of passage of any such regulation, and the possible effects of any such regulation on the Company and its subsidiaries, cannot be determined at this time.
21
The timing and nature of any reforms are currently unknown; however, anythe CFPB is expected to take a significantly more aggressive approach to using its rulemaking, supervision, and enforcement authorities under President Biden’s administration. Any changes to the CFPB or other governmental entities could affect the Company and its results of operations.
Real Estate Environment
The Mortgage Bankers Association's (“MBA”) January 17, 2019 21, 2022 Mortgage Finance Forecast (“MBA Forecast”) projects 20192022 purchase activity to increase 4.0%5.7% to $1,232$1,739 billion and refinance activity to decrease 16.8%63.3% to $381$861 billion, resulting in a decrease in total mortgage originations of 1.8%34.9% to $1,613$2,600 billion, all from 20182021 levels. In 2018,2021, purchase activity accounted for 72.1%41.2% of all mortgage originations and is projected in the MBA Forecast to represent 76.4%66.9% of all mortgage originations in 2019.2022. Due to the rapidly changing environment brought on by COVID-19, as well as other potential factors, these projections and the impact of actual future developments on the Company could be subject to material change.
According to data published by Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage interest raterates in the United States was 4.5%, 4.0%were 3.0% and 3.6%3.1% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively. Per the MBA Forecast, refinancing is expected to be lower in 2019 as mortgage interest rates climbare projected to a projected 4.8%increase over the subsequent 3-year period, reaching 4.3% in the fourth quarter of 2019.2024.
Historically, activity in real estate markets has varied over the course of market cycles by geographic region and in response to evolving economic factors. Operating results can vary from year to year based on cyclical market conditions and do not necessarily indicate the Company's future operating results and cash flows.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP and follow general practices within the industries in which it operates. This discussionpreparation requires management to make estimates and analysisassumptions, that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions reflected in the financial statements. Certain estimates inherently have a greater reliance on the use of assumptions and judgments and, as such, have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Management believes the following estimates are both important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based uponand require subjective or complex judgments and, therefore, management considers the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance withfollowing to be critical accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Company’s management makes various estimates and judgments when applying policies affecting the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant accounting policies of the Company are discussed in Note 1 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Following are the accounting estimates and policies considered critical to the Company.
Reserve for Claim Losses
The Company’s reserve for claims is established using estimates of amounts required to settle claims for which notice has been received (reported) and the amount estimated to be required to satisfy incurred claims of policyholders which may be reported in the future (incurred but not reported, or “IBNR”). The total reserve for all losses incurred but unpaid as of December 31, 20182021 is represented by the reserve for claims totaling $31.7$36.8 million in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.Sheets included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Consolidated Balance Sheets”). Of that total, approximately $3.0$3.3 million was reserved for specific claims which have been reported to the Company, and approximately $28.7$33.4 million was reserved for IBNR claims.
A provision for estimated future claims payments is recorded at the time the related policy revenue is recorded. The Company records the claims provision as a percentage of net premiums written. This loss provision rate is set to provide for losses on current year policies. By their nature, title claims can often be complex, vary greatly in dollar amounts, vary in number due to economic and market conditions such as an increase in mortgage foreclosures, and involve uncertainties as to ultimate exposure. In addition, some claims may require a number of years to settle and determine the final liability for indemnity and loss adjustment expense. The payment experience may extend for more than 20 years after the issuance of a policy. Events such as fraud, defalcation and multiple property defects can substantially and unexpectedly cause increases in estimates of losses. Due to the length of time over which claim payments are made and regularly occurring changes in underlying economic and market conditions, these estimates are subject to variability.
Management considers factors such as the Company’s historical claims experience, case reserve estimates on reported claims, large claims, actuarial projections and other relevant factors in determining its loss provision rates and the aggregate recorded expected liability for claims. In establishing the reserve, actuarial projections are compared with recorded reserves to evaluate the adequacy of such recorded claims reserves and any necessary adjustments are then recorded in the current period’s income statement.Consolidated Statement of Operations. As the most recent claims experience develops and new information becomes available, the loss reserve estimate related to prior periods will change to more accurately reflect updated and improved emerging data. The Company reflects any adjustments to the reserve in the results of operations in the period in which new information (principally claims experience) becomes available.
22
The Company initially reserves for each known claim based upon an assessment of specific facts and updates the reserve amount as necessary over the course of administering each claim. Loss ratios for earlier years tend to be more reliable than recent policy years, as those years are more fully developed. In making loss estimates, management determines a loss provision rate, which it then applies to net premiums written.
The Company assumes the reported liability for known claims and IBNR, in the aggregate, will be comparable to its historical claims experience unless factors, such as loss experience and charged premium rates, change significantly. Also affecting the Company’s assumptions are large losses related to fraud and defalcation, as these can cause significant variances in loss emergence patterns. Management defines a large loss as one where incurred losses exceed $500,000. Due to the small volume of large claims, the long-tail nature of title insurance claims and the inherent uncertainty in loss emergence patterns, large claim activity can vary significantly between policy years. The estimated development of large claims by policy year is therefore, subject to significant changes as experience develops. The loss provision rate is set to provide for losses on current year policies and changes in prior year estimates.
Management also considers actuarial analyses in evaluating the claims reserve. The actuarial methods used to evaluate the reserve are loss development methods, Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods and Cape Cod methods, all of which are accepted actuarial methods for estimating ultimate losses and, therefore, loss reserves. In the loss development method, each policy year’s paid or incurred losses are projected to an ultimate level using loss development factors. In the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method, a type of expected loss method, losses for each policy year are estimated based on an expected loss ratio derived directly from a previous estimate of ultimate loss for each policy year plus an additional provision for losses that have not been reported or paid as of the evaluation date. Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods produce more stable ultimate loss estimates than do loss development methods, which are more responsive to the current loss data but can lead to volatile results. The Cape Cod method, a special case of the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method, blends the results of the loss development and expected loss methods. For more recent policy years, the Cape Cod methods give more weight to the results of the expected loss methods; for older policy years, more weight is given to the loss development method results.
The key actuarial assumptions are principally loss development factors and expected loss ratios. The selected loss development factors are based on a combination of the Company’s historical loss experience and title industry loss experience. Expected loss ratios are estimated for each policy year based on the Company’s own experience and title industry loss ratios. When updated data is incorporated into the actuarial models, the resulting loss development factors and expected loss ratios will likely change from the prior values. Changes in these values for historical policy years have generally been the result of actual Company and industry experience during the calendar years.
If one or more of the variables or assumptions used changed such that the Company’s recorded loss ratio, or loss provision as a percentage of net title premiums, increased or decreased three loss ratio percentage points, the impact on after-tax income for the year ended December 31, 20182021 would be as follows:
| (in thousands) | |||||
| Increase in loss ratio of three percentage points | $ | (6,491) | |||
| Decrease in loss ratio of three percentage points | $ | 6,491 | |||
| (in thousands) | |||
| Increase in loss ratio of three percentage points | $ | 3,274 | |
| Decrease in loss ratio of three percentage points | $ | (3,274 | ) |
Company management believes that using a sensitivity of three loss percentage points for the loss ratio provides a reasonable benchmark for analysis of the calendar year loss provision of the Company based on historical loss ratios by year.
Despite the variability of such estimates, management believes that, based on historical claims experience and actuarial analysis, the Company’s reserve for claims is adequate to cover claim losses resulting from pending and future claims for policies issued through December 31, 2018.2021. The ultimate settlement of claims will likely vary from the reserve estimates included in the Company’saccompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company continually reviews and adjusts its reserve estimates to reflect its loss experience and any new information that becomes available. There are no known claims that are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or operating results.
Premiums Written and Commissions to Agents
Generally, title insurance premiums are recognized at the time of settlement of the related real estate transaction, as the earnings process is then considered complete, irrespective of the timing of the issuance of a title insurance policy or commitment. Expenses typically associated with premiums, including agent commissions, premium taxes, and a provision for future claims are recognized concurrent with recognition of related premium revenue.
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Total premiums include accrualsan estimate of premiums for transactions whichpolicies that have settledbeen issued by branches and agents, but have not been reported to the Company as of the balance sheet date. These accruals are based on estimates ofTo determine the typical lagestimated premiums, the Company uses historical experience, as well as other factors, to make certain assumptions about the average elapsed time between settlement of real estate transactionsthe policy effective date and the agent’s reporting of these transactions todate the Company.policies are reported. Reporting lag times vary by market. In certain markets, the lag time may be very short, but in others, can be as high as 100 days. From time to time, the Company adjusts the inputs to the estimation process as branches and agents report transactions and new information becomes available. The Company reviews and adjusts lag time estimates periodically, using historical experience and other factors, and reflects any adjustments in the result of operations in the period in which new information becomes available.
Quarterly, the Company evaluates the collectability of receivables. Premiums not collected within seven months are fully reserved. Write-offs of receivables have not been material to the Company.
Valuation, Impairment and ImpairmentCredit Losses of Investments in Securities
Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities –s: Fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax and adjusted for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, and reported as accumulated other comprehensive income. Securities are regularly reviewed for differences between the cost and estimated fair value of each security for factors that may indicate that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. Some factors consideredIn evaluating available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in evaluating whetherunrealized loss positions for impairment and the criteria regarding its intent or not a decline inrequirement to sell such securities, the Company considers the extent to which estimated fair value is other-than-temporary includeless than amortized cost, whether the durationsecurities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and extentthe results of reviews of the issuers’ financial condition, among other factors. If the Company intends to sell an available-for-sale security in an unrealized loss position, or determines that it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before it recovers its amortized cost basis, the security is impaired and it is written down to estimated fair value with all losses recognized in earnings. For available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for which the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security, the Company evaluates the securities to determine whether the decline in the estimated fair value has been less thanbelow the amortized cost basis (impairment) is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Any impairment that is not credit related is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Credit-related impairment is recognized as an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, limited to the amount by which the amortized cost basis exceeds the estimated fair value, with a corresponding adjustment to earnings.
Both the ACL and the Company’s ability andadjustment to the Consolidated Statements of Operations may be reversed if conditions change. Changes in the ACL are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the ACL when management believes the uncollectability of an available-for-sale fixed maturity security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to retainsell is met. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the investment for a periodestimate of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in value. Suchcredit losses. Impairment reviews are inherently uncertain and the value of the investment may not fully recover or may decline in future periods resulting in a realized loss. Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method. Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information about the Company’s investments in fixed maturity securities.
Investments in Equity Securities – Securities: Equity securities represent ownership interests held by the Company in entities for investment purposes. Prior to January 1, 2018, these equity securities were classified as available-for-sale and were carried at fair value on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unrealized holding gains and losses from changes in the fair values of available-for-sale equity securities were reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. Effective January 1, 2018, unrealized holding gains and losses are reported in the Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations as a net unrealized gain or loss onchanges in the estimated fair value of equity securities. As a result, other-than-temporary impairments will no longer be considered for equity securities.security investments. Realized investment gains and losses from sales are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method. Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information about the Company’s investments in equity securities.
Other Investments –Investments: Other investments consist of investments in real estate and unconsolidated affiliated entities, typically structured as limited liability companies ("LLC's"LLCs"), without readily determinable fair values.
Real estate investments are reported at amortized cost. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of real estate investments and makes any necessary adjustments, with any reductions in the carrying amount of these investments recorded in net realized investment gains in the Consolidated Statement of Operations when recognized.
Other investments are accounted for under either the equity method or the measurement alternative method. The measurement alternative method is used when an investment does not qualify for the equity method or the practical expedient in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, which estimates fair value using the net asset value per share. Under the measurement alternative method, investments are recorded at cost, less any impairment and plus or minus any changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the estimated fair value of these investments and makes any necessary adjustments.
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Deferred Taxes
The Company recorded net deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 20182021 and 2017.2020. The deferred tax liabilities recorded during both periods primarily relate to net unrealized gains on investments, the recorded reserve for claims, net of statutory premium reserves, the excess of tax over book depreciation, intangible assets, and intangible assets.the recorded statutory premium reserve, net of reserve for claims. Refer to Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the Company’s deferred taxes.
Cyclicality and Seasonality
Real estate activity, home sales and mortgage lending are cyclical in nature. Title insurance premiums are closely related to the level of real estate activity and the average price of real estate sales. Factors directly impacting realReal estate sales include mortgage interest rates andactivity is affected by a number of factors, including the availability of funds,mortgage credit, the cost of real estate, consumer confidence, economic conditions, supply and demandemployment and family income levels.levels, and general United States economic conditions. Interest rate volatility is also an important factor in the level of residential and commercial real estate activity. The Company’s premiums in future periods are likely to fluctuate due to these and other factors which are beyond management’s control.
Historically, the title insurance business tends to be seasonal as well as cyclical.Because home sales are typically strongest in periods of favorable weather, the first calendar quarter tends to have the lowest activity levels, while the spring and summer seasons tend to be more active. Refinance activity is generally less seasonal, but is subject to interest rate fluctuations.
Results of Operations
The following table presents certain income statementConsolidated Statements of Operations data for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021 and 2016:2020:
| For the Years Ended December 31, (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
| Net premiums written | $ | 273,885 | $ | 205,418 | ||||||||||
| Escrow and other title-related fees | 13,678 | 8,321 | ||||||||||||
| Non-title services | 9,667 | 8,693 | ||||||||||||
| Interest and dividends | 3,773 | 4,393 | ||||||||||||
| Other investment income | 6,920 | 3,723 | ||||||||||||
| Net realized investment gains | 1,869 | 333 | ||||||||||||
| Changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments | 14,934 | 4,904 | ||||||||||||
| Other | 4,772 | 623 | ||||||||||||
| Total Revenues | 329,498 | 236,408 | ||||||||||||
| Operating Expenses: | ||||||||||||||
| Commissions to agents | 142,815 | 106,807 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for claims | 5,686 | 5,204 | ||||||||||||
| Personnel expenses | 64,193 | 51,929 | ||||||||||||
| Office and technology expenses | 13,059 | 9,951 | ||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 18,813 | 12,856 | ||||||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 244,566 | 186,747 | ||||||||||||
| Income before Income Taxes | 84,932 | 49,661 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes | 17,912 | 10,241 | ||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 67,020 | $ | 39,420 | ||||||||||
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| For the Years Ended December 31, (in thousands) | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||
| Net premiums written | $ | 138,125 | $ | 140,502 | $ | 122,522 | ||||||
| Escrow and other title-related fees | 7,096 | 6,892 | 2,532 | |||||||||
| Non-title services | 7,082 | 6,128 | 5,651 | |||||||||
| Interest and dividends | 4,619 | 4,445 | 4,684 | |||||||||
| Other investment income | 3,107 | 2,159 | 1,894 | |||||||||
| Net realized (loss) gain on investments | (110 | ) | 1,041 | 768 | ||||||||
| Net unrealized loss on equity investments | (4,130 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
| Other | 470 | 460 | 437 | |||||||||
| Total Revenues | 156,259 | 161,627 | 138,488 | |||||||||
| Operating Expenses: | ||||||||||||
| Commissions to agents | 65,775 | 68,643 | 63,643 | |||||||||
| (Benefit) provision for claims | (332 | ) | 3,311 | 243 | ||||||||
| Personnel expenses | 43,552 | 39,937 | 31,479 | |||||||||
| Office and technology expenses | 8,813 | 8,172 | 6,446 | |||||||||
| Other expenses | 11,382 | 11,293 | 8,546 | |||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 129,190 | 131,356 | 110,357 | |||||||||
| Income before Income Taxes | 27,069 | 30,271 | 28,131 | |||||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes | 5,210 | 4,570 | 8,616 | |||||||||
| Net Income Attributable to the Company | $ | 21,892 | $ | 25,707 | $ | 19,523 | ||||||
Insurance Revenues
Insurance revenues include net premiums written and escrow and other title-related income that includes escrow fees, commissions and settlement fees. Non-title services revenue, investment-related revenues and other revenuesincome are discussed separately below. The following is a summary of the Company’s total revenue broken out between the title insurance segment and all other revenuesincome with intersegment eliminations netted with each segment; therefore, the individual segment amounts will not agree to Note 12 in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2021 | % | 2020 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Title Insurance | $ | 310,592 | 94.3 | $ | 226,480 | 95.8 | |||||||||||||||||
| All Other | 18,906 | 5.7 | 9,928 | 4.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 329,498 | 100.0 | $ | 236,408 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2018 | % | 2017 | % | 2016 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Title Insurance | $ | 147,980 | 94.7 | % | $ | 154,524 | 95.6 | % | $ | 131,989 | 95.3 | % | ||||||||
| All Other | 8,279 | 5.3 | % | 7,103 | 4.4 | % | 6,499 | 4.7 | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 156,259 | 100.0 | % | $ | 161,627 | 100.0 | % | $ | 138,488 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
Net Premiums Written
Net premiums written decreased 1.7%increased 33.3% in 20182021 to $138.1$273.9 million, compared with $140.5$205.4 million in 2017, and increased 14.7% in 2017, compared with $122.5 million in 2016. The decrease in 2018 compared with 2017 was primarily due to a decline in refinance activity, partially offset by an increase in purchase activity and higher real estate values.2020. The increase in 20172021, compared with 20162020, was primarily due todriven by higher levels ofaverage home sales in our core markets, a continuation of the multi-year trend of increases in the underlying values of real estate,prices and business from newly-signed agents, partially offset by a decrease in the level of refinance activity.continued low mortgage interest rates.
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2018 | % | 2017 | % | 2016 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Home and Branch | $ | 41,305 | 29.9 | % | $ | 40,405 | 28.8 | % | $ | 33,664 | 27.5 | % | ||||||||
| Agency | 96,820 | 70.1 | % | 100,097 | 71.2 | % | 88,858 | 72.5 | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 138,125 | 100.0 | % | $ | 140,502 | 100.0 | % | $ | 122,522 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
Title insurance companies typically issue title insurance policies directly through home and branch offices or through title agencies. Following is a breakdown of premiums generated by branch and agency operations for the years ended December 31:
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2021 | % | 2020 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Home and Branch | $ | 68,585 | 25.0 | $ | 53,204 | 25.9 | |||||||||||||||||
| Agency | 205,300 | 75.0 | 152,214 | 74.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 273,885 | 100.0 | $ | 205,418 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||
Home and Branch Office Net Premiums: In the Company’s home and branch operations, the Company issues the insurance policy and retains the entire premium, as no commissions are paid in connection with these policies. Net premiums written from home and branch operations increased 28.9% in 2021 to $68.6 million, compared with $53.2 million in 2020. The increase in net premiums written from home and branch operations for 2021, compared with 2020, was primarily attributable to higher average home prices and continued low mortgage interest rates.
All of the Company’s home office operations and the majority of branch offices are located in North Carolina; as a result, the home and branch office net premiums written are primarily for North Carolina title insurance policies.
Agency Net Premiums: When a policy is written through a title agency, the premium is shared between the agency and the underwriter. The agent retains a majority of the premium as a commission and remits the net amount to the Company. Title insurance commissions earned by the Company’s agents are recognized as expenses concurrently with premium recognition. Agency net premiums written decreased 3.3%increased 34.9% in 20182021 to $96.8$205.3 million, compared with $100.1$152.2 million in 2017, and increased 12.6% in 2017, compared with $88.9 million in 2016. The decrease in 2018 compared with 2017 was primarily the result of lower levels of refinance activity following recent increases in mortgage interest rates.2020. The increase in 20172021, compared with 20162020, was primarily attributable to the addition of new title insurance agents in the Company's Texas and southeast markets, higher levels of real estate activity from existing agents and overall higheraverage home prices partially offset by lower refinance activity.and continued low mortgage interest rates.
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| State (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| North Carolina | $ | 99,049 | $ | 75,697 | |||||||
| Texas | 62,557 | 38,350 | |||||||||
| Georgia | 34,619 | 23,502 | |||||||||
| South Carolina | 24,981 | 18,752 | |||||||||
| All Others | 53,197 | 49,410 | |||||||||
| Premiums Written | 274,403 | 205,711 | |||||||||
| Reinsurance Assumed | — | 3 | |||||||||
| Reinsurance Ceded | (518) | (296) | |||||||||
| Net Premiums Written | $ | 273,885 | $ | 205,418 | |||||||
| State (in thousands) | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||
| North Carolina | $ | 55,772 | $ | 53,169 | $ | 42,909 | |||||
| Texas | 25,574 | 26,546 | 24,162 | ||||||||
| South Carolina | 14,172 | 14,732 | 12,606 | ||||||||
| Georgia | 13,592 | 13,166 | 11,342 | ||||||||
| Virginia | 5,849 | 6,227 | 6,306 | ||||||||
| All Others | 23,489 | 26,923 | 25,321 | ||||||||
| Premiums Written | 138,448 | 140,763 | 122,646 | ||||||||
| Reinsurance Assumed | 4 | 3 | 17 | ||||||||
| Reinsurance Ceded | (327 | ) | (264 | ) | (141 | ) | |||||
| Net Premiums Written | $ | 138,125 | $ | 140,502 | $ | 122,522 | |||||
Escrow and Other Title-Related Fees
Escrow and other title-related fees consists primarily of commission income, escrow and other various fees associated with the issuance of a title insurance policy including settlement, examination and closing fees. In 2018,2021, escrow and other title-related fee revenue increased 3.0%64.4% to $7.1$13.7 million, compared with $6.9$8.3 million in 2017,2020, primarily due to an increase in fee income, partially offset by a decline in commission income. In 2017, escrow and other title-related fees increased 172.2% to $6.9 million, from $2.5 million in 2016, primarily due to commission income associated with the acquisition of a title agency in late 2016 and an increaseincreases in title fees. Escrowancillary services and other title-related fees typically trend in conjunction with premiums written.commission income.
Revenue from Non-Title Services
Revenue from non-title services includes trust services, agency management services and exchange services income. Non-title service revenues increased 15.6%11.2% in 20182021 to $7.1$9.7 million, compared with $6.1$8.7 million in 2017, and increased 8.4% in 2017, compared with $5.7 million in 2016.2020. The increase in 20182021, compared with 20172020, primarily related to increases in all major components of non-title services, particularly exchange services revenue. The increase in 2017 compared with 2016 primarily related to an increase inincome, trust fee income and agency management services partially offset by a decrease in exchange services revenue.income.
Investment Related Revenues
Investment related revenues include interest and dividends, other investment income, the net realized (loss) gain on investmentsinvestment gains and changes in the net unrealized loss onestimated fair value of equity security investments.
Interest and Dividends
The Company derives a substantial portion of its income from investments in fixed maturity securities, which are primarily municipal and corporate fixed maturity securities, and equity securities. The Company’s investment policy is designed to comply with regulatory requirements and to balance the competing objectives of asset quality and investment returns. The Company’s title insurance subsidiaries are required by statute to maintain minimum levels of investments in order to protect the interests of policyholders. Fixed maturity securities totaling approximately $6.7$7.0 million and $7.1$7.2 million at December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, respectively, were deposited with the insurance departments of the states in which business is conducted.
The Company’s investment strategy emphasizes after-tax income and principal preservation. The Company’s investments are primarily in fixed maturity securities and, to a lesser extent, equity securities. The average effective maturity of the majority of the fixed maturity securities is less than 10 years. The Company’s invested assets are managed to fund its obligations and evaluated to ensure long term stability of capital accounts.
As the Company generates cash from operations, it is invested in accordance with the Company’s investment policy and corporate goals. The Company’s investment policy has been designed to balance multiple goals, including the assurance of a stable source of income from interest and dividends, the preservation of principal, and the provision of liquidity sufficient to meet insurance underwriting and other obligations as they become payable in the future. Securities purchased may include a combination of taxable or tax-exempt fixed maturity securities and equity securities. The Company also invests in short-term investments that typically include money market funds, and at times, the Company has or could invest in U.S. Treasury bills, commercial paper and money-market funds.certificates of deposit. The Company strives to maintain a high quality investment portfolio. Interest and investment income levels are primarily a function of general market performance, interest rates and the amount of cash available for investment.
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Interest and dividends were $4.6$3.8 million in 2018,2021, compared with $4.4 million in 2017 and $4.7 million2020. The decrease in 2016. The increase in 20182021, compared with 20172020, was primarily due to an increase in dividends received from equity securities due to a higher portfolio balance. The decrease in investment income in 2017 compared with 2016 was primarily due to a decline inlower interest received from arates, lower average levelbalances of investments in fixed incomematurity securities partially offset by an increase inand lower levels of dividends from equity securities due to a higher equity portfolio balance.received. Refer to Note 3 in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for the major categories of investments, scheduled maturities, amortized costs, estimated fair values of investment securities and earnings by security category.
Other Investment Income
Other investment income consists primarily of income related to investments in unconsolidated affiliates, typically structured as limited liability companies ("LLC's"),LLCs, accounted for under either the equity method of accounting or the measurement alternative for investments that do not have readily determinable fair values. The measurement alternative method requires investments without readily determinable fair values to be recorded at cost, less impairments, and plus or minus any changes resulting from observable price changes. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair valuesvalue of these investments and makes any necessary adjustments.
Other investment income was $3.1$6.9 million in 2018,2021, compared with $2.2$3.7 million in 2017 and $1.9 million in 2016.2020. Changes in other investment income are impacted by fluctuations in the carrying value of the underlying investment and or distributions received.
Net Realized (Loss) Gain on InvestmentsInvestment Gains
Dispositions of equity securities at a realized gain or loss reflect such factors as industry sector allocation decisions, ongoing assessments of issuers’ business prospects and tax planning considerations. Additionally, the amounts included in net realized investment gains are affected by assessments of securities’ valuation for other-than-temporary impairment. As a result of the interaction of these factors and considerations, the net realized investment gain or loss can vary significantly from period to period.
The net realized (loss) gain on investments was $(110)investment gains were $1.9 million for 2021, compared with $333 thousand for 2018, compared with $1.0 million for 2017 and $768 thousand for 2016.2020. The net realized (loss) gain on investmentsinvestment gains in 2020 included impairment charges of $208$482 thousand and $234 thousand, onfor certain investments and other assets thatfixed maturity securities the Company determined were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, in 2017 and 2016, respectively, offset by a net realized gain on the sales of investments and other assets of $1.2 million and $1.0 million in 2017, and 2016, respectively.$815 thousand. There were no impairmentsimpairment charges recorded in 2018.2021. Management believes unrealized losses on the remaining fixed income and equitymaturity securities at December 31, 20182021 are not credit related and are temporary in nature.
The securities in the Company’s investment portfolio are subject to economic conditions and market risks. The Company considers relevant facts and circumstances in evaluating whether a credit or interest-related impairment of a fixed maturity security is other-than-temporary. Relevant facts and circumstances include the extent and length of time the fair value of an investment has been below cost.
There are a number of risks and uncertainties inherent in the process of monitoring impairments and determining if an impairment is other-than-temporary. These risks and uncertainties include the risk that the economic outlook will be worse than expected or have more of an impact on the issuer than anticipated; the risk that the Company’s assessment of an issuer’s ability to meet all of its contractual obligations will change based on changes in the characteristics of that issuer; the risk that information obtained by the Company or changes in other facts and circumstances leads management to change its intent to hold the equity security until it recovers in value or its intent to sell the debtfixed maturity security; and the risk that management is making decisions based on misstatedinaccurate information in the financial statements provided by issuers.
Other RevenuesIncome
Other revenuesincome primarily include state tax credit income, gains and losses on the disposal of fixed assets, rental income from real estate investments and miscellaneous revenues. Other revenues were $470 thousandincome was $4.8 million in 2018,2021, compared with $460$623 thousand for 2017, and $437 thousand for 2016.2020. The increase in 2021, compared with 2020, primarily related to a gain on the sale of a property.
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Expenses
The Company's operating expenses consist primarily of commissions to agents, personnel expenses, office and technology expenses and the (benefit) provision for claims. Operating expenses decreased 1.6%increased 31.0% in 2018,2021, compared with 2017,2020, primarily due to decreases in the (benefit) provision for claims and commissions to agents, partially offset by increases in personnel, office and technology, and other expenses. Operating expenses increased 19.0% in 2017 compared with 2016 due to increases in all major expense categories.commissions to agents and personnel expenses.
Following is a summary of the Company’s operating expenses for 2018, 20172021 and 2016.2020. Intersegment eliminations have been netted; therefore, the individual segment amounts will not agree to Note 12 in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2021 | % | 2020 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Title Insurance | $ | 234,573 | 95.9 | $ | 177,784 | 95.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| All Other | 9,993 | 4.1 | 8,963 | 4.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 244,566 | 100.0 | $ | 186,747 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2018 | % | 2017 | % | 2016 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Title Insurance | $ | 120,875 | 93.6 | % | $ | 123,536 | 94.0 | % | $ | 103,824 | 94.1 | % | ||||||||
| All Other | 8,315 | 6.4 | % | 7,820 | 6.0 | % | 6,533 | 5.9 | % | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 129,190 | 100.0 | % | $ | 131,356 | 100.0 | % | $ | 110,357 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
The Company’s after-tax profit margin varies according to a number of factors, including the volume and type of real estate activity. On a combined basis, the after-tax profit margins were 14.0%, 15.9%20.3% and 14.1%16.7% in 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively. The increase in after-tax margin in 2021, compared with 2020, was primarily related to an increase in total revenue that outpaced the increase in expenses. The Company continually strives to enhance its competitive strengths and market position, including ongoing initiatives to manage its operating expenses.
Total Company
Personnel Expenses: Personnel expenses include base salaries, benefits and payroll taxes, bonuses paid to employees and contract labor expenses. Personnel expenses were $43.6 million, $39.9$64.2 million and $31.5$51.9 million for 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively. Personnel expenses increased by approximately 9.1%23.6% in 2018 from 2017 and 26.9% in 2017 from 2016. The increase in 20182021, compared with 20172020, primarily relateddue to higher staffing levels related to theadditions in support of strategic growth and technology initiatives and due to normal inflationary increases in salaries and benefits. The increase in 2017 compared with 2016 was primarily related to increases in salaries, benefits and payroll expenses associated with the acquisition of a title agency that was acquired in the fourth quarter of 2016 and other staffing and inflationaryvolume increases. On a consolidated basis, personnel expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 27.9%, 24.7%,19.5% and 22.7%22.0% in 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively.
Office and Technology Expenses: Office and technology expenses primarily include facilities expenses, software and hardware expenses, depreciation expenses,expense, telecommunications expenses, and business insurance. Office and technology expenses were $8.8 million, $8.2$13.1 million and $6.4$10.0 million for 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively. The increase in office and technology expenses in 2018 and 20172021, compared with their respective prior years2020, was primarily related to increasesongoing investments in software hardware equipment, depreciation and increased facilities expenses.technology related initiatives.
Other Expenses: Other expenses primarily include business development expenses, premium-related taxes and licensing, professional services, title and service fees, amortization of intangible assets and other general expenses. Other expenses were $11.4 million, $11.3$18.8 million and $8.5$12.9 million for 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively. In 2018, there were marginal increases, compared with 2017, in several miscellaneous expense categories, partially offset by decline in the amortization of intangible assets. The increase in 2017,2021, compared with 2016,2020, was primarily related to increases inhigher premiums increasing premium-related taxes, and licensing, title and service fees, associated with higher premium volumeincreased professional services fees related to ongoing investments in software and technology initiatives and increased intangible asset amortization.travel-related expenses.
Title Insurance
Commissions to Agents: Agent commissions represent the portion of premiums retained by agents pursuant to the terms of their respective agency contracts. In 2018,2021, commissions to agents decreased 4.2%increased 33.7% to $65.8$142.8 million, compared with $68.6$106.8 million in 2017, and increased 7.9% in 2017, compared with $63.6 million in 2016.2020. Commission expense as a percentage of net premiums written by agents was 67.9%, 68.6%69.6% and 71.6%70.2% in 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively. CommissionThe increase in commission expense, for 2018 and 2017, when comparedcomparing 2021 with 2020, was primarily related to the respective prior year periods, moved commensurate with agent net premiums written. Commissions expense as a percentage of netincreased premiums written decreased in 2018, compared with 2017, primarily due toby agents and changes in geographic mix. Commissions expense as a percentage of net premiums written decreased in 2017, compared with 2016, primarily due to the elimination of intercompany commissions for affiliated agents upon consolidation. Commission rates vary by market due to local practice, competition and state regulations.
The decrease in the loss provision rate in 2018,2021, from the 20172020 level, resulted in approximately $3.6$1.3 million less in reserves than would have been recorded at the higher 20172020 level. Loss provision ratiosrates are subject to variability and are reviewed and adjusted as experience develops.
Title claims are typically reported and paid within the first several years of policy issuance. The (benefit) provision for claims reflects actual payments of claims, net of recovery amounts, plus adjustments to the specific and incurred but not reported claims reserves, the latter of which are actuarially determined based on historical claims experience. Actual payments of claims, net of recoveries, were $2.7 million, $3.8$2.5 million and $2.7$3.0 million in 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively.
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Reserve for Claims: At December 31, 2018,2021, the total reserve for claims was $31.7$36.8 million. Of that total, approximately $3.0$3.3 million was reserved for specific claims, and approximately $28.7$33.4 million was reserved for claims for which the Company had no notice. Because of the uncertainty of future claims, changes in economic conditions and the fact that many claims do not materialize for several years, reserve estimates are subject to variability.
Changes from prior periods in the expected liability for claims reflect the uncertainty of the claims environment, as well as the limited predictive power of historical data. The Company continually updates and refines its reserve estimates as current experience develops and credible data emerges. Such data includes payments on claims closed during the quarter, new details that emerge on open cases that cause claims adjusters to increase or decrease the case reserves, and the impact that these types of changes have on the Company’s total loss provision. Adjustments may be required as new information develops which often varies from past experience.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was $5.2 million, $4.6$17.9 million and $8.6$10.2 million for 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively. Income tax expense, including federal and state taxes, as a percentage of earningsincome before income taxes was 19.2%, 15.1%21.1% and 30.6%20.6% for 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively. The U.S. federal statutory tax rate was 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017 and 2016. The effective income tax rates for 2018both 2021 and 2016 were below their respective2020 differ from the U.S. federal statutory ratesincome tax rate of 21% primarily due to the effect of tax-exempt income. The effective income tax rate for 2017 was below the federal statutory tax rate primarily due to the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, as well as tax-exempt income.state taxes. Tax-exempt income lowers the effective tax rate.
The Company believes it is more likely than not that the tax benefits associated with recognized impairments and unrecognized losses recorded through December 31, 20182021 will be realized. However, this judgment could be impacted by further market fluctuations. Information regarding the components of income tax expense and the items included in the reconciliation of the effective rate with the federal statutory rate can be found in Note 8 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s currentmaterial cash requirements include general operating expenses, (includingcontractual and other obligations for the future payment of title claims),claims, employment agreements, lease agreements, income taxes, capital expenditures, dividends on its common stock and repurchasesother contractual commitments for goods and services needed for operations. All other arrangements entered into by the Company are not reasonably likely to have a material effect on liquidity or the availability of its common stock.capital resources. Cash flows from operations have historically been the primary source of financing for expanding operations, whether through organic growth or outside investments. The Company believes its balances of cash, short-term investments and other readily marketable securities, along with cash flows generated by ongoing operations, will be sufficient to satisfy its cash requirements over the next 12 months and thereafter, including the funding of operating activities and commitments for investing and financing activities. There are currently no known trends that the Company believes will materially impact the Company’s capital resources, nor is the Company anticipating any material changes in the mix or relative cost of such resources.
The Company evaluates nonorganic growth opportunities, such as mergers and acquisitions, from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Because of the episodic nature of these events, related incremental liquidity and capital resource needs can be difficult to predict.
The Company’s operating results and cash flows are heavily dependent on the real estate market. The Company’s business has certain fixed costs such as personnel; therefore, changes in the real estate market are monitored closely, and operating expenses such as staffing levels are managed and adjusted accordingly. The Company believes that its significant working capital position and management of operating expenses will aid its ability to manage cash resources through fluctuations in the real estate market.
Cash Flows: Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $24.4 million, $19.9$51.9 million and $22.6$34.1 million for 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively. Cash flows fromprovided by operating activities increaseddiffer from net income due to adjustments for non-cash items, such as changes in 2018 from 2017 primarily due tothe estimated fair value of equity security investments, gains and losses on investments and property, the timing of tax paymentsdisbursements for taxes, claims and a net unrealized loss on equity securities, partially offset by a lower net incomeother accrued liabilities, and a benefit for claims. Cash flows from operating activities decreased in 2017 from 2016 primarily due to a benefit in deferred income taxes, andcollections or changes in receivables and other assets and the timing of tax payments, partially offset by increases in net income and the provision for claims.assets.
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Cash flows from non-operating activities have historically consisted of purchases and proceeds from investing activities, the issuance of dividends and repurchases of common stock. In 2018,2021, the Company received more investment proceeds, had higher levels of proceeds received from investments,lower investment purchase activity and more dividends paid when compared with 2017. In 2017, the Company had higher levels of investment purchase activity, proceeds received from investments, and dividends paid and lower levels of subsidiary purchases and repurchases of common stock compared with 2016.to 2020. In the fourth quarters of 20182021 and 2017,2020, the Company paid special cash dividends in the amounts of $10.60$18.00 and $2.40$15.00 per share, respectively, in addition to regular cash dividends. Total dividends paid per share were $12.20, $3.75$19.82 and $0.72$16.76 in 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively.
The Company maintains a high degree of liquidity within its investment portfolio in the form of cash, short-term investments, and other readily marketable securities. As of December 31, 2018,2021, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $18.7$37.2 million, short-term investments of $32.8$45.9 million, available-for-sale fixed maturity securities of $89.0$79.8 million and equity securities of $48.5$76.9 million. The net effect of all activities on total cash and cash equivalents was a decrease of $1.5 million for 2018, a decrease of $7.7 million for 2017, and an increase of $6.1$23.4 million for 2016.2021.
Capital Resources: The amount of capital resources the Company maintains is influenced by state regulation, the need to maintain superior financial ratings from third-party rating agencies and other marketing and operational considerations.
The Company's significant sources of funds are dividends and distributions from its subsidiaries, primarily its two title insurance subsidiaries. Cash is received from its subsidiaries in the form of dividends and as reimbursements for operating and other administrative expenses that it incurs. The reimbursements are executed within the guidelines of management agreements between the Company and its subsidiaries.
The ability of the Company's title insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company is subject to state regulation from their respective states of domicile. Each state regulates the extent to which title underwriters can pay dividends or make distributions and requires prior regulatory approval of the payment of dividends and other intercompany transfers. The maximum dividend permitted by law is not necessarily indicative of an insurer’s actual ability to pay dividends. Depending on regulatory conditions, the Company may in the future need to retain cash in its title insurance subsidiaries in order to maintain their statutory capital position. As of December 31, 2018,2021, both ITIC and NITIC met the minimum capital, surplus and reserve requirements for each state in which they are licensed.
As of December 31, 2018,2021, approximately $81.8$117.9 million of the consolidated stockholders’shareholders’ equity represented net assets of the Company’s subsidiaries that are restricted by regulation from being transferred in the form of dividends, loans or advances to the parent company without prior approval from the respective state insurance department. The Company believes, however, that amounts available for transfer from the insurance and other subsidiaries are adequate to meet the Company’s current operating needs.
During 2019,2022, the maximum distributions the insurance subsidiaries can make to the Company without prior approval from applicable regulators total approximately $45.4$53.2 million.
While state regulations and the need to cover risks may set a minimum level for capital requirements, other factors necessitate maintaining capital resources in excess of the required minimum amounts. For instance, the Company’s capital resources help it maintain high ratings from insurance company rating agencies. Superior ratings strengthen the Company's ability to compete with larger, well known title insurers with national footprints.
A strong financial position provides the necessary flexibility to fund potential acquisition activity, to invest in the Company's core business, and to minimize the financial impact of potential adverse developments. Adverse developments that generally require additional capital include adverse financial results, changes in statutory accounting requirements by regulators, reserve charges, investment losses or costs incurred to adapt to a changing regulatory environment, including costs related to CFPB regulation of the real estate industry.
The Company bases its capitalization levels in part on net coverage retained. Since the Company's geographical focus has been and continues to be concentrated in states with average premium rates typically lower than the national average, capitalization relative to premiums will usually appear higher than industry averages.
Due to the Company’s historical ability to consistently generate positive cash flows from its consolidated operations and investment income, management believes that funds generated from operations will enable the Company to adequately meet its current operating needs for the foreseeable future. However, especially with the continued spread of COVID-19 and its variants, there can be no assurance that future experience will be similar to historical experience, since it is influenced by such factors as the interest rate environment, real estate activity, the Company’s claims-paying ability and its financial strength ratings. In addition to operational and investment considerations, taking advantage of opportunistic external growth opportunities may necessitate obtaining additional capital resources. The Company is unaware ofcarefully monitoring the COVID-19 situation and any trendother trends that isare likely to result in material adverse liquidity changes, butand will continually assessesassess its capital allocation strategy, including decisions relating to payment of dividends, repurchasing the Company’s common stock and/or conserving cash.
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Purchase of Company Stock: On November 9, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the purchase of an additional 163,335 shares pursuant to the Company’s repurchase plan, such that there was authority remaining under the plan to purchase up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the plan immediately after this approval. Unless terminated earlier by resolution of the Board of Directors, the plan will expire when all shares authorized for purchase under the plan have been purchased. Pursuant to the Company’s ongoing purchase program, the Company purchased 149no shares in 2021. In 2020, the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, 1,333Company purchased 25 shares in the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, and 66,803 shares in the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 at an average per share prices of $195.87, $183.67 and $93.10, respectively.$173.44. The Company anticipates making further purchases under this plan from time to time in the future, depending on such factors as the prevailing market price of the Company’s common stock, the Company’s available cash and then existing alternative uses for such cash.
Capital Expenditures: Capital expenditures were approximately $1.9 million, $2.9$6.5 million and $2.5$3.2 million during 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively. The increase in 2021 related primarily to system development initiative expenses. The Company has plans for various capital improvement projects, including increased investment in a number of technology and system development initiatives and hardware purchases which are anticipated to be funded via cash flows from operations. All material anticipated capital expenditures are subject to periodic review and revision and may vary depending on a number of factors.
| Payments due by period | |||||||||||||||||||
| Contractual Obligations Including Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements (in thousands) | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | ||||||||||||||
| Reserve for claims | $ | 31,729 | $ | 5,426 | $ | 8,757 | $ | 5,997 | $ | 11,549 | |||||||||
| Obligations under executive employment plans and agreements | 11,399 | 119 | 29 | 55 | 11,196 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 4,007 | 1,181 | 1,847 | 813 | 166 | ||||||||||||||
| Other obligations | 2,500 | 1,341 | 706 | 453 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 49,635 | $ | 8,067 | $ | 11,339 | $ | 7,318 | $ | 22,911 | |||||||||
Contractual Obligations: As of December 31, 2018,2021, the Company had a claims reserve totaling $31.7$36.8 million. The amounts and timing of these obligations are estimated and not set contractually. Nonetheless, based on historical insurance claims experience, the Company anticipates the payments shown in the Contractual Obligations table. Events such as fraud, defalcation, and multiple property title defects can substantially and unexpectedly cause increases in both the amount and timing of estimated title insurance loss payments and loss cost trends whereby increases or decreases in inflationary factors (including the value of real estate) will influence the ultimate amount of title insurance loss payments and could increase total obligations and influence claim payout patterns. Due to the length of time over which claim payments are made and regularly occurring changes in underlying economic and market conditions, claim estimates are subject to variability and future payments could increase or decrease from these estimated amounts in the future.
ITIC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has entered into employment agreements with certain executive officers. The amounts accrued for these agreements at December 31, 2021 and 2020 were approximately $13.4 million and $12.5 million, respectively, which includes postretirement compensation and health benefits, and were calculated based on the terms of the contracts. These executive contracts are accounted for on an individual contract basis. As payments are based upon the occurrence of specific events, including death, disability, retirement, termination without cause or upon a change in control, payment periods are currently uncertain. Information regarding retirement agreements and other postretirement benefit plans can be found in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company enters into lease agreements that are primarily used for office space. These leases are accounted for as operating leases. A portion of the Company's current leases include an option to extend or cancel the lease term, and the exercise of such an option is solely at the Company's discretion. The total of undiscounted future minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2021 is $4.1 million, which includes lease payments related to options to extend or cancel the lease term if the Company determined at the date of adoption that the lease was expected to be renewed or extended. Information regarding leases can be found in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into other contractual commitments for goods and services needed for operations. Such commitments are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As a service to its customers, the Company, through ITIC, administers escrow and trust deposits representing earnest money received under real estate contracts, undisbursed amounts received for settlement of mortgage loans and indemnities against specific title risks. Cash held by the Company for these purposes was approximately $27.5 million and $16.5 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These amounts are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are excluded from the Consolidated Balance Sheets. However, the Company remains contingently liable for the disposition of these deposits.
In addition, in administering tax-deferred like-kind exchanges pursuant to § 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, ITEC serves as a qualified intermediary for exchanges, holding the net sales proceeds from relinquished property to be used for purchase of replacement property. ITAC serves as exchange accommodation titleholder and, through LLCs that are wholly owned subsidiaries of ITAC, holds property for exchangers in reverse exchange transactions. Like-kind exchange deposits and reverse exchange property held by the Company for the purpose of completing such transactions totaled approximately $763.9 million and $237.9 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These exchange deposits are held at third-party financial institutions. Exchange deposits are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are excluded from the Consolidated Balance Sheets; however, the Company remains contingently liable for the disposition of the transfers of property, disbursements of proceeds and the return on the proceeds at the agreed upon rate. Exchange services revenue includes earnings on these deposits; therefore, investment income is shown as non-title services rather than investment income. These like-kind exchange funds are primarily invested in money market and other short-term investments.
External assets under management of Investors Trust Company totaled approximately $728.2 million and $640.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These amounts are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are excluded from the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
It is not the general practice of the Company to enter into off-balance sheet arrangements or issue guarantees to third parties. The Company does not have any material source of liquidity or financing that involves off-balance sheet arrangements. Other than items noted above, off-balance sheet arrangements are generally limited to the future payments due under various agreements with third-party service providers.
Recent Accounting Standards
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In February 2018,December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-02, 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeTaxes. ASU 2018-02 is2019-12 was intended to help organizations reclassify certain strandedreduce the complexity in accounting for income taxes during interim and annual periods and provide clarity on income tax effectssituations where a diversity in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from the TCJA. Under the ASU, entities have the option to reclassify tax effects from the TCJA within other comprehensive income to retained earnings in each period in which the effect of the change in the federal corporate tax rate under the TCJA is recorded.practice had developed. The update iswas effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.2020. The Company adopted this update on January 1, 2018 by means of a $3.1 million cumulative-effect reclassification between retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive income. The update had2021, with no material impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
In March 2017,January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation2020-01, Investments - Retirement BenefitsEquity Securities (Topic 715)321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). This update requires entitiesclarified that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to (1) disaggregateeither apply or discontinue the current service cost component fromequity method of accounting for the other componentspurposes of net benefit cost (the "other components") and present it with other current compensation costs for related employees inapplying the income statement and (2) presentmeasurement alternative immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the other components elsewhere in the income statement and outside of income from operations if that subtotal is presented.equity method. In addition, this update clarified that, when determining the ASU requires entities to discloseaccounting for certain forward contracts and purchased options, a company should not consider, whether upon settlement or exercise, if the income statement lines that containunderlying securities would be accounted for under the other components if they are not presented on appropriately described separate lines.equity method or fair value option. The update was effective for annual periodsfiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017,2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this update on January 1, 20182021, with no material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item not required for smaller reporting companies.
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
| 1. | Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 57) | |||||||
| 2. | Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting | |||||||
| 3. | Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |||||||
| 4. | Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||
| 5. | Consolidated Statements of Operations | |||||||
| 6. | Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income | |||||||
| 7. | Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity | |||||||
| 8. | Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | |||||||
| 9. | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | |||||||
| 1. | ||
| 2. | ||
| 3. | ||
| 4. | ||
| 5. | ||
| 6. | ||
| 7. | ||
| 8. | ||
| 9. | ||
The financial statement schedules meeting the requirements of Regulation S-X are attached hereto as Schedules I, II, III, IV and V.
34
| 2018 (in thousands) | March 31 | June 30 | September 30 | December 31 | |||||||||||
| Net premiums written | $ | 29,559 | $ | 35,142 | $ | 39,422 | $ | 34,002 | |||||||
| Net income | 4,173 | 6,920 | 10,633 | 133 | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to the Company | 4,176 | 6,947 | 10,634 | 135 | |||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | 2.21 | 3.68 | 5.64 | 0.07 | |||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | 2.20 | 3.66 | 5.61 | 0.07 | |||||||||||
| 2017 (in thousands) | March 31 | June 30 | September 30 | December 31 | |||||||||||
| Net premiums written | $ | 32,738 | $ | 34,672 | $ | 37,428 | $ | 35,664 | |||||||
| Net income | 4,466 | 5,674 | 5,927 | 9,634 | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to the Company | 4,476 | 5,675 | 5,927 | 9,629 | |||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | 2.37 | 3.01 | 3.14 | 5.11 | |||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | 2.36 | 2.99 | 3.13 | 5.08 | |||||||||||
| 2016 (in thousands) | March 31 | June 30 | September 30 | December 31 | |||||||||||
| Net premiums written | $ | 21,785 | $ | 30,163 | $ | 36,837 | $ | 33,737 | |||||||
| Net income | 1,804 | 4,530 | 8,129 | 5,052 | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to the Company | 1,814 | 4,529 | 8,127 | 5,053 | |||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | 0.94 | 2.36 | 4.30 | 2.68 | |||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | 0.93 | 2.35 | 4.29 | 2.67 | |||||||||||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and StockholdersShareholders
Investors Title Company
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaNC
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries (the Company)"Company") as of December 31, 20182021 and 2017, and2020, the related consolidated statements of income,operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’shareholders’ equity and cash flows, for each of the three years in the periodthen ended, December 31, 2018 and the related consolidated notes and schedules (collectively referred to as the "financial"consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the periodthen ended, December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB)("PCAOB"), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018,2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-IntegratedControl - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 12, 201914, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
35
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Reserve for Claims
As described in notes 1 and 6 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company’s unpaid loss and losses adjustment expenses are established using estimated amounts required to settle claims for which notice has been received (reported) and the amount estimated to be required to satisfy incurred claims of policyholders which may be reported in the future (incurred but not reported, or “IBNR”). As of December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $36.8 million in reserve for claims. Management records a provision for future claim payments at the time the related premium revenue is recognized by applying a loss provision rate against net premiums written. Management determines its loss provision rate through the consideration of factors such as the Company’s historical claim experience, case reserve estimates on reported claims, large claims, actuarial projections, and other relevant factors. The Company’s specialist utilizes accepted actuarial methodologies when performing the actuarial projections. Management’s assumptions include assumed comparability to its historical claims experience unless factors, such as loss experience and charged premium rates, change significantly, as well as assumptions around large losses related to fraud and defalcation.
We identified the reserve for claims as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination of the reserve for claims as a critical audit matter were management’s use of significant actuarial estimates and assumptions to estimate the reserve for claims, including the selection of actuarial methods, loss development factors, and expected loss ratios, as well as the high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in determining the reasonableness of the actuarial assumptions and methodologies utilized, and our use of an auditor’s specialist.
36
Our audit procedures related to the reserve for claims included the following, among others:
•We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and implementation, and tested the operating effectiveness of the Company’s controls over the process for developing its reserve for claims. This included, among others, the controls over the determination of the actuarial methods and assumptions utilized to support the reserve for claims calculations and controls over the completeness and accuracy of historical loss data utilized in the reserve for claims calculations.
•We engaged a third-party actuary with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in evaluating the reasonableness of the reserving methodologies utilized by the Company’s specialist and evaluating the reasonableness of the assumptions related to loss development factors and expected loss ratios.
•We tested the inputs utilized by the Company’s specialist in developing the reserve for claims. This included testing the accuracy and completeness of the data provided to the Company’s specialist.
•We evaluated the reasonableness of the significant assumptions utilized by the Company in developing the reserve for claims.
We have served as the Company’sCompany's auditor since 2004.
/s/ Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP
High Point, North CarolinaNC
March 12, 201914, 2022
37
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management of Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting has been designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting and the preparation of published financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Because of its inherent limitation, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.2021.
38
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and StockholdersShareholders
Investors Title Company
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaNC
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries’ (the Company’s)“Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018,2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-IntegratedControl—Integrated Framework (2013)issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018,2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-IntegratedControl—Integrated Framework (2013)issued by COSO.the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB)(“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, and for each of the three years in the periodthen ended, December 31, 2018, and our report dated March 12, 2019,14, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’sCompany's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
39
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’scompany's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’scompany's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’scompany's assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP
High Point, North CarolinaNC
March 12, 201914, 2022
40
Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
| As of December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 37,168 | $ | 13,723 | |||||||
| Investments: | |||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: December��31, 2021: $75,511; December 31, 2020: $112,037) | 79,791 | 117,713 | |||||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value (cost: December 31, 2021: $29,478; December 31, 2020: $32,478) | 76,853 | 64,919 | |||||||||
| Short-term investments | 45,930 | 15,170 | |||||||||
| Other investments | 20,298 | 15,493 | |||||||||
| Total investments | 222,872 | 213,295 | |||||||||
| Premium and fees receivable | 22,953 | 19,427 | |||||||||
| Accrued interest and dividends | 817 | 1,038 | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other receivables | 11,721 | 9,418 | |||||||||
| Property, net | 13,033 | 11,160 | |||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangible assets, net | 15,951 | 9,771 | |||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 5,202 | 3,533 | |||||||||
| Other assets | 1,771 | 1,560 | |||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 331,488 | $ | 282,925 | |||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | |||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Reserve for claims | $ | 36,754 | $ | 33,584 | |||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 43,868 | 36,020 | |||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 5,329 | 3,669 | |||||||||
| Current income taxes payable | 3,329 | 638 | |||||||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | 13,121 | 8,592 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 102,401 | 82,503 | |||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | — | — | |||||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity: | |||||||||||
| Preferred stock (1,000 authorized shares; no shares issued) | — | — | |||||||||
| Common stock – no par value (10,000 authorized shares; 1,895 and 1,892 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, excluding in each period 292 shares of common stock held by the Company) | — | — | |||||||||
| Retained earnings | 225,861 | 196,096 | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 3,226 | 4,326 | |||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 229,087 | 200,422 | |||||||||
| Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | $ | 331,488 | $ | 282,925 | |||||||
| As of December 31, | 2018 | 2017 | |||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 18,694 | $ | 20,214 | |||
| Investments: | |||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: December 31, 2018: $87,714; December 31, 2017: $100,314) | 88,957 | 103,341 | |||||
| Equity securities, at fair value (cost: December 31, 2018: $31,255; December 31, 2017: $26,003) | 48,489 | 47,367 | |||||
| Short-term investments | 32,787 | 23,780 | |||||
| Other investments | 12,436 | 12,032 | |||||
| Total investments | 182,669 | 186,520 | |||||
| Premium and fees receivable | 12,128 | 10,031 | |||||
| Accrued interest and dividends | 946 | 1,100 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other receivables | 7,288 | 7,730 | |||||
| Property, net | 10,304 | 10,173 | |||||
| Goodwill and other intangible assets, net | 10,780 | 11,357 | |||||
| Other assets | 1,459 | 1,403 | |||||
| Current income taxes receivable | — | 385 | |||||
| Total Assets | $ | 244,268 | $ | 248,913 | |||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||
| Reserve for claims | $ | 31,729 | $ | 34,801 | |||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 27,735 | 27,565 | |||||
| Current income taxes payable | 4,981 | — | |||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | 4,184 | 8,626 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 68,629 | 70,992 | |||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | — | — | |||||
| Stockholders’ Equity: | |||||||
| Preferred stock (1,000 authorized shares; no shares issued) | — | — | |||||
| Common stock – no par value (10,000 authorized shares; 1,887 and 1,886 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, excluding in each period 292 shares of common stock held by the Company) | — | — | |||||
| Retained earnings | 174,690 | 161,891 | |||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 949 | 15,945 | |||||
| Total stockholders’ equity attributable to the Company | 175,639 | 177,836 | |||||
| Noncontrolling interests | — | 85 | |||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 175,639 | 177,921 | |||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 244,268 | $ | 248,913 | |||
Refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||
| Net premiums written | $ | 273,885 | $ | 205,418 | |||||||
| Escrow and other title-related fees | 13,678 | 8,321 | |||||||||
| Non-title services | 9,667 | 8,693 | |||||||||
| Interest and dividends | 3,773 | 4,393 | |||||||||
| Other investment income | 6,920 | 3,723 | |||||||||
| Net realized investment gains | 1,869 | 333 | |||||||||
| Changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments | 14,934 | 4,904 | |||||||||
| Other | 4,772 | 623 | |||||||||
| Total Revenues | 329,498 | 236,408 | |||||||||
| Operating Expenses: | |||||||||||
| Commissions to agents | 142,815 | 106,807 | |||||||||
| Provision for claims | 5,686 | 5,204 | |||||||||
| Personnel expenses | 64,193 | 51,929 | |||||||||
| Office and technology expenses | 13,059 | 9,951 | |||||||||
| Other expenses | 18,813 | 12,856 | |||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 244,566 | 186,747 | |||||||||
| Income before Income Taxes | 84,932 | 49,661 | |||||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes | 17,912 | 10,241 | |||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 67,020 | $ | 39,420 | |||||||
| Basic Earnings per Common Share | $ | 35.38 | $ | 20.84 | |||||||
| Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic | 1,894 | 1,892 | |||||||||
| Diluted Earnings per Common Share | $ | 35.28 | $ | 20.80 | |||||||
| Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Diluted | 1,900 | 1,896 | |||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||
| Net premiums written | $ | 138,125 | $ | 140,502 | $ | 122,522 | |||||
| Escrow and other title-related fees | 7,096 | 6,892 | 2,532 | ||||||||
| Non-title services | 7,082 | 6,128 | 5,651 | ||||||||
| Interest and dividends | 4,619 | 4,445 | 4,684 | ||||||||
| Other investment income | 3,107 | 2,159 | 1,894 | ||||||||
| Net realized (loss) gain on investments | (110 | ) | 1,041 | 768 | |||||||
| Net unrealized loss on equity investments | (4,130 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| Other | 470 | 460 | 437 | ||||||||
| Total Revenues | 156,259 | 161,627 | 138,488 | ||||||||
| Operating Expenses: | |||||||||||
| Commissions to agents | 65,775 | 68,643 | 63,643 | ||||||||
| (Benefit) provision for claims | (332 | ) | 3,311 | 243 | |||||||
| Personnel expenses | 43,552 | 39,937 | 31,479 | ||||||||
| Office and technology expenses | 8,813 | 8,172 | 6,446 | ||||||||
| Other expenses | 11,382 | 11,293 | 8,546 | ||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 129,190 | 131,356 | 110,357 | ||||||||
| Income before Income Taxes | 27,069 | 30,271 | 28,131 | ||||||||
| Provision for Income Taxes | 5,210 | 4,570 | 8,616 | ||||||||
| Net Income | 21,859 | 25,701 | 19,515 | ||||||||
| Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests | 33 | 6 | 8 | ||||||||
| Net Income Attributable to the Company | $ | 21,892 | $ | 25,707 | $ | 19,523 | |||||
| Basic Earnings per Common Share | $ | 11.60 | $ | 13.63 | $ | 10.23 | |||||
| Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic | 1,887 | 1,886 | 1,908 | ||||||||
| Diluted Earnings per Common Share | $ | 11.54 | $ | 13.56 | $ | 10.19 | |||||
| Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Diluted | 1,897 | 1,896 | 1,915 | ||||||||
Refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
42
Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in thousands)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 67,020 | $ | 39,420 | |||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax: | |||||||||||
| Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation adjustment | — | (143) | |||||||||
| Unrealized (losses) gains on investments arising during the period | (1,376) | 1,253 | |||||||||
| Reclassification adjustment for sale of securities included in net income | (19) | (30) | |||||||||
| Reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities included in net income | — | 482 | |||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax | (1,395) | 1,562 | |||||||||
| Income tax benefit related to postretirement health benefits | — | (31) | |||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense related to unrealized (losses) gains on investments arising during the year | (291) | 262 | |||||||||
| Income tax benefit related to reclassification adjustment for sale of securities included in net income | (4) | (6) | |||||||||
| Income tax expense related to reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities included in net income | — | 111 | |||||||||
| Net income tax (benefit) expense on other comprehensive (loss) income | (295) | 336 | |||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income | (1,100) | 1,226 | |||||||||
| Comprehensive Income | $ | 65,920 | $ | 40,646 | |||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 21,859 | $ | 25,701 | $ | 19,515 | |||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax: | |||||||||||
| Amortization of unrecognized loss | — | 9 | 9 | ||||||||
| Accumulated postretirement expense (benefit) obligation adjustment | 46 | 70 | (1 | ) | |||||||
| Unrealized (losses) gains on investments arising during the period | (1,900 | ) | 7,478 | 1,146 | |||||||
| Reclassification adjustment for sale of securities included in net income | 117 | (1,227 | ) | (973 | ) | ||||||
| Reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities included in net income | — | 26 | 234 | ||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax | (1,737 | ) | 6,356 | 415 | |||||||
| Income tax expense related to postretirement health benefits | 9 | 27 | 3 | ||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense related to unrealized (losses) gains on investments arising during the year | (401 | ) | 2,556 | 388 | |||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) related to reclassification adjustment for sale of securities included in net income | 24 | (419 | ) | (334 | ) | ||||||
| Income tax expense related to reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities included in net income | — | 8 | 80 | ||||||||
| Net income tax (benefit) expense on other comprehensive (loss) income | (368 | ) | 2,172 | 137 | |||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income | (1,369 | ) | 4,184 | 278 | |||||||
| Comprehensive Income | $ | 20,490 | $ | 29,885 | $ | 19,793 | |||||
| Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 33 | 6 | 8 | ||||||||
| Comprehensive Income Attributable to the Company | $ | 20,523 | $ | 29,891 | $ | 19,801 | |||||
Refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
43
Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’Shareholders’ Equity
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
| Common Stock | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Total Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2020 | 1,889 | $ | — | $ | 188,262 | $ | 3,100 | $ | 191,362 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 39,420 | 39,420 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid ($16.76 per share) | (31,716) | (31,716) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock | — | (6) | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock appreciation rights | 3 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights | 229 | 229 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation adjustment | (112) | (112) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized gain on investments | 1,338 | 1,338 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | (94) | (94) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | 1,892 | $ | — | $ | 196,096 | $ | 4,326 | $ | 200,422 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 67,020 | 67,020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid ($19.82 per share) | (37,553) | (37,553) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock appreciation rights | 3 | (1) | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights | 299 | 299 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized loss on investments | (1,100) | (1,100) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | 1,895 | $ | — | $ | 225,861 | $ | 3,226 | $ | 229,087 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Noncontrolling Interests | Total Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2016 | 1,950 | $ | — | $ | 131,187 | $ | 11,483 | $ | 107 | $ | 142,777 | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to the Company | 19,523 | 19,523 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid ($0.72 per share) | (1,370 | ) | (1,370 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock | (67 | ) | (6,220 | ) | (6,220 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock appreciation rights | 1 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights | 132 | 132 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization related to postretirement health benefits | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized gain on investments | 273 | 273 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of noncontrolling interest of subsidiary | (8 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (8 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit from share-based compensation | 32 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2016 | 1,884 | $ | — | $ | 143,284 | $ | 11,761 | $ | 91 | $ | 155,136 | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to the Company | 25,707 | 25,707 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid ($3.75 per share) | (7,073 | ) | (7,073 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock | (1 | ) | (246 | ) | (246 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock appreciation rights | 3 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights | 219 | 219 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization related to postretirement health benefits | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation adjustment | 46 | 46 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized gain on investments | 4,132 | 4,132 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (6 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2017 | 1,886 | $ | — | $ | 161,891 | $ | 15,945 | $ | 85 | $ | 177,921 | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to the Company | 21,892 | 21,892 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid ($12.20 per share) | (23,017 | ) | (23,017 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock | — | (29 | ) | (29 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock appreciation rights | 1 | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights | 327 | 327 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative-effect adjustment for adoption of new accounting standards | 13,627 | (13,627 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized loss on investments | (1,406 | ) | (1,406 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation adjustment | 37 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution of equity to noncontrolling interest | (52 | ) | (52 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (33 | ) | (33 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2018 | 1,887 | $ | — | $ | 174,690 | $ | 949 | $ | — | $ | 175,639 | |||||||||||
Refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
44
Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Operating Activities | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 67,020 | $ | 39,420 | |||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation | 1,892 | 1,759 | |||||||||
| Amortization of investments, net | 994 | 872 | |||||||||
| Amortization of other intangible assets, net | 544 | 504 | |||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights | 299 | 229 | |||||||||
| Net gain on disposals of property | (3,957) | (26) | |||||||||
| Net realized gain on securities | (911) | (311) | |||||||||
| Net realized gain on other investments | (958) | (22) | |||||||||
| Changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments | (14,934) | (4,904) | |||||||||
| Net earnings from other investments | (4,040) | (2,880) | |||||||||
| Provision for claims | 5,686 | 5,204 | |||||||||
| Provision for deferred income taxes | 4,825 | 1,218 | |||||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Increase in premium and fees receivable | (3,526) | (6,904) | |||||||||
| Increase in other assets | (9,017) | (3,977) | |||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in operating lease right-of-use assets | (1,669) | 842 | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in operating lease liabilities | 1,660 | (833) | |||||||||
| Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 7,848 | 7,559 | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in current income taxes payable | 2,691 | (702) | |||||||||
| Payments of claims, net of recoveries | (2,516) | (2,953) | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 51,931 | 34,095 | |||||||||
| Investing Activities | |||||||||||
| Purchases of fixed maturity securities | — | (22,209) | |||||||||
| Purchases of equity securities | (4,688) | (11,379) | |||||||||
| Purchases of short-term investments | (34,015) | (16,427) | |||||||||
| Purchases of other investments | (6,616) | (1,714) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities | 35,550 | 9,509 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from the sale of equity securities | 8,577 | 13,234 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments | 3,257 | 14,398 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sales and distributions of other investments | 5,838 | 3,083 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of other assets | 960 | 22 | |||||||||
| Purchases of property, equipment and software | (6,534) | (3,202) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from disposals of property | 6,739 | 85 | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 9,068 | (14,600) | |||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||
| Operating Activities | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 21,859 | $ | 25,701 | $ | 19,515 | |||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation | 1,657 | 1,435 | 1,307 | ||||||||
| Amortization of investments, net | 748 | 788 | 771 | ||||||||
| Amortization of other intangible assets, net | 577 | 917 | 214 | ||||||||
| Amortization related to postretirement benefits obligation | — | 9 | 9 | ||||||||
| Share-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights | 327 | 219 | 132 | ||||||||
| Net loss (gain) on disposals of property | 12 | (23 | ) | (12 | ) | ||||||
| Net realized loss (gain) on securities | 117 | (1,201 | ) | (739 | ) | ||||||
| Net realized gains on other investments | (7 | ) | (22 | ) | (29 | ) | |||||
| Net realized loss on impairments of other assets and other investments | — | 182 | — | ||||||||
| Net unrealized loss on equity securities | 4,130 | — | — | ||||||||
| Net earnings from other investments | (1,913 | ) | (1,673 | ) | (1,750 | ) | |||||
| (Benefit) provision for claims | (332 | ) | 3,311 | 243 | |||||||
| (Benefit) provision for deferred income taxes | (4,074 | ) | (4,664 | ) | 2,790 | ||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Increase in receivables | (2,097 | ) | (1,505 | ) | (261 | ) | |||||
| Decrease in other assets | 540 | 388 | 2,631 | ||||||||
| Decrease (increase) in current income taxes receivable | 385 | (385 | ) | — | |||||||
| Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 216 | 1,463 | (582 | ) | |||||||
| Increase (decrease) in current income taxes payable | 4,981 | (1,232 | ) | 1,054 | |||||||
| Payments of claims, net of recoveries | (2,740 | ) | (3,815 | ) | (2,726 | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 24,386 | 19,893 | 22,567 | ||||||||
| Investing Activities | |||||||||||
| Purchases of fixed maturity securities | — | (18,420 | ) | (15,737 | ) | ||||||
| Purchase of equity securities | (13,954 | ) | (4,646 | ) | (3,688 | ) | |||||
| Purchases of short-term investments | (94,781 | ) | (26,414 | ) | (1,775 | ) | |||||
| Purchases of other investments | (1,544 | ) | (1,873 | ) | (2,744 | ) | |||||
| Investment in subsidiary | — | — | (9 | ) | |||||||
| Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities | 11,520 | 17,445 | 17,011 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from the sale of equity securities | 8,585 | 4,682 | 3,247 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments | 86,105 | 9,228 | 2,082 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sales and distributions of other investments | 3,055 | 2,696 | 3,437 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of other assets | 7 | 22 | 18 | ||||||||
| Purchase of subsidiary, net of cash received | — | (175 | ) | (8,316 | ) | ||||||
| Purchases of property, equipment and software | (1,859 | ) | (2,884 | ) | (2,457 | ) | |||||
| Proceeds from disposals of property | 59 | 51 | 92 | ||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (2,807 | ) | (20,288 | ) | (8,839 | ) | |||||
45
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, continued | |||||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Financing Activities | |||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock | — | (6) | |||||||||
| Exercise of stock appreciation rights | (1) | 1 | |||||||||
| Dividends paid | (37,553) | (31,716) | |||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (37,554) | (31,721) | |||||||||
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents | 23,445 | (12,226) | |||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period | 13,723 | 25,949 | |||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period | $ | 37,168 | $ | 13,723 | |||||||
| Supplemental Disclosures: | |||||||||||
| Cash Paid During the Year for: | |||||||||||
| Income tax payments, net | $ | 10,410 | $ | 10,226 | |||||||
| Non Cash Investing and Financing Activities: | |||||||||||
| Non cash net unrealized loss (gain) on investments, net of deferred tax benefit (provision) of $295 and $(367) for December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively | $ | 1,100 | $ | (1,338) | |||||||
| Adjustments to postretirement benefits obligation, net of deferred tax benefit of $— and $31 for December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively | $ | — | $ | 112 | |||||||
| Adjustments to operating lease right-of-use assets for December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively | $ | — | $ | 94 | |||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, continued | |||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |||
| Financing Activities | ||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock | (29 | ) | (246 | ) | (6,220 | ) | ||
| Exercise of stock appreciation rights | (1 | ) | — | — | ||||
| Proceeds from note payable | — | — | 6,000 | |||||
| Payments on note payable | — | — | (6,000 | ) | ||||
| Distribution of equity for noncontrolling interest | (52 | ) | — | — | ||||
| Dividends paid | (23,017 | ) | (7,073 | ) | (1,370 | ) | ||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (23,099 | ) | (7,319 | ) | (7,590 | ) | ||
| Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents | (1,520 | ) | (7,714 | ) | 6,138 | ||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period | 20,214 | 27,928 | 21,790 | ||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period | $ | 18,694 | $ | 20,214 | $ | 27,928 | |||||
| Supplemental Disclosures: | |||||||||||
| Cash Paid During the Year for: | |||||||||||
| Income tax payments, net | $ | 5,462 | $ | 11,539 | $ | 5,068 | |||||
| Non Cash Investing and Financing Activities | |||||||||||
| Non cash net unrealized loss (gain) on investments, net of deferred tax benefit (provision) of $377, $(2,145) and $(134) for December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively | $ | 1,406 | $ | (4,132 | ) | $ | (273 | ) | |||
| Adjustments to postretirement benefits obligation, net of deferred tax (provision) benefit of $(9), $(24) and $0 for December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively | $ | (37 | ) | $ | (46 | ) | $ | — | |||
| Changes in Financial Statement Amounts Related to Purchase of Subsidiaries, Net of Cash Received | |||||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangibles acquired | $ | — | $ | (237 | ) | $ | (11,250 | ) | |||
| Title plant acquired (in prepaid expenses and other assets) | — | — | (690 | ) | |||||||
| Fixed assets acquired | — | — | (534 | ) | |||||||
| Prepaid and other assets acquired | — | — | (15 | ) | |||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities assumed | — | 62 | 1,684 | ||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | — | — | 2,489 | ||||||||
| Purchase of subsidiary, net of cash received | $ | — | $ | (175 | ) | $ | (8,316 | ) | |||
Refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
46
Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business: Investors Title Company’s (the “Company”) primary business, and only reportable segment, is title insurance. The title insurance segment, through its two2 subsidiaries, Investors Title Insurance Company (“ITIC”) and National Investors Title Insurance Company (“NITIC”), is licensed to insure titles to residential, institutional, commercial and industrial properties. The Company issues title insurance policies primarily through approved attorneys from underwriting offices and through independent issuing agents in 2324 states and the District of Columbia, primarily in the eastern half of the United States. The majority of the Company’s business is concentrated in North Carolina, Texas, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.South Carolina.
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation: The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts and operations of Investors Title Company and its subsidiaries, and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in majority-owned insurance agencies are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Noncontrolling interests representing the portion of equity not related to the Company's ownership interests are recorded in separate sections of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Significant Accounting Policies: The significant accounting policies of the Company are summarized below.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For the purpose of presentation in the Company’sConsolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash equivalents are highly liquid instruments with remaining original maturities of three months or less. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term maturity at purchase of these instruments.
Investments in Securities
Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities:Securities: Fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax and adjusted for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, and reported as accumulated other comprehensive income. Securities are regularly reviewed for differences between the cost and estimated fair value of each security for factors that may indicate that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. Some factors consideredIn evaluating available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in evaluating whetherunrealized loss positions for impairment and the criteria regarding its intent or not a decline inrequirement to sell such securities, the Company considers the extent to which estimated fair value is other-than-temporary includeless than amortized cost, whether the durationsecurities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and extentthe results of reviews of the issuers’ financial condition, among other factors. If the Company intends to sell an available-for-sale security in an unrealized loss position, or determines that it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before it recovers its amortized cost basis, the security is impaired and it is written down to estimated fair value with all losses recognized in earnings. For available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for which the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security, the Company evaluates the securities to determine whether the decline in the estimated fair value has been less thanbelow the amortized cost basis (impairment) is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Any impairment that is not credit related is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Credit-related impairment is recognized as an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, limited to the amount by which the amortized cost basis exceeds the estimated fair value, with a corresponding adjustment to earnings.
Both the ACL and the Company’s ability andadjustment to the Consolidated Statements of Operations may be reversed if conditions change. Changes in the ACL are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the ACL when management believes the uncollectability of an available-for-sale fixed maturity security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to retainsell is met. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the investment for a periodestimate of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in value. Suchcredit losses. Impairment reviews are inherently uncertain and the value of the investment may not fully recover or may decline in future periods resulting in a realized loss. Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method. Refer to Note 3 for further information about the Company’s investments in fixed maturity securities.
Investments in Equity Securities:Equity securities represent ownership interests held by the Company in entities for investment purposes. Prior to January 1, 2018, these equity securities were classified as available-for-sale and were carried atChanges in the estimated fair value on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unrealized holding gains and losses from changes in the fair values of available-for-sale equity securities were reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. Effective January 1, 2018, unrealized holding gains and lossessecurity investments are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a net unrealized gain or loss on equity securities. As a result, other-than-temporary impairments will no longer be considered for equity securities.Operations. Realized investment gains and losses from sales are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method. Refer to Note 3 for further information about the Company’s investments in equity securities.
47
Other Investments
Other investments consist of investments in real estate and unconsolidated affiliated entities, typically structured as limited liability companies ("LLC's"LLCs"), without readily determinable fair values.
Real estate investments are reported at amortized cost. Depreciation and other related expenses are recorded as an offset to investment income. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of real estate investments and makes any necessary adjustments, with any reductions in the carrying amount of these investments recorded in net realized investment gains in the Consolidated Statement of Operations when recognized. Lease rental income earned by the Company, which does not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, is included with other income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Other investments are accounted for under either the equity method or the measurement alternative method. The measurement alternative method is used when an investment does not qualify for either the equity method or the practical expedient in the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, which estimates fair value using the net asset value per share. Under the measurement alternative method, investments are recorded at cost, less any impairment and plus or minus any changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. The aggregate cost of the Company’s cost method investments totaled $6.6 million and $5.4 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of these investments and makes any necessary adjustments.
Short-term Investments
Short-term investments are comprised of money market accounts which are invested in short-term funds, U.S. Treasury bills, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and other investments expected to have maturities or redemptions greater than three months and less than twelve months. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of these investments.
Property Acquired in Settlement of Claims
Property acquired in settlement of claims is held for sale and valued at the lower of cost or market.estimated realizable value, net of any indebtedness on the property. Adjustments to reported estimated realizable values and realized gains or losses on dispositions are recorded as increases or decreases in claim costs. Properties acquired in settlement of claims are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated principally under the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives (3 to 25 years) of the respective assets. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses and improvements are capitalized.
Reserve for Claims
The total reserve for all reported and unreported losses the Company incurred through December 31, 20182021 is represented by the reserve for claims. The Company’s reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is established using estimated amounts required to settle claims for which notice has been received (reported) and the amount estimated to be required to satisfy incurred claims of policyholders which may be reported in the future (incurred but not reported, or “IBNR”). Despite the variability of such estimates, management believes that the reserve is adequate to cover claimclaims losses resulting from pending and future claims for policies issued through December 31, 2018.2021. The Company continually reviews and adjusts its reserve estimates as necessary to reflect its loss experience and any new information that becomes available. Adjustments resulting from such reviews may be significant.
Claims and losses paid are charged to the reserve for claims. Although claims losses are typically paid in cash, occasionally claims are settled by purchasing the interest of the insured or the claimant in the real property. When this event occurs, the acquiring company carries the assets atas property acquired in the lowersettlement of cost or estimated realizable value, net of any indebtedness on the property.claims.
48
Income Taxes
The Company makes certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense (benefit) for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities which arise from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. The Company provides for deferred income taxes (benefits) for the tax consequences in future years of temporary differences between the financial statements’ carrying values and the tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates. The Company establishes a valuation allowance if it believes that it is more likely than not that some or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Refer to Note 8 for further information regarding income taxes.
Premiums Written and Commissions to Agents
Generally, title insurance premiums are recognized at the time of settlement of the related real estate transaction, as the earnings process is then considered complete, irrespective of the timing of issuance of a title insurance policy or commitment. Expenses typically associated with premiums, including agent commissions, premium taxes, and a provision for future claims are recognized concurrent with recognition of related premium revenue.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Company management continually evaluates the collectability of receivables and provides an allowance for doubtful accounts equal to estimated losses expected to be incurred in the collection of premiums and fees receivable. Changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts are reflected within net premiums written in the Consolidated Statements of Income.Operations. Amounts are charged off in the period they are deemed to be uncollectible.
Quarterly, the Company evaluates the collectability of receivables. Premiums not collected within 7 months are fully reserved. Write-offs of receivables have not been material to the Company.
Exchange Services Revenue
Fees are recognized at the signing of a binding agreement, and investmentas the earnings process, or performance obligation, is then considered to be complete. Investment earnings are recognized as they are earned. Exchange services revenue is included in non-title services in the Consolidated Statements of Income.Operations.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, premium and fees receivable, accrued interest and dividends, accounts payable, commissions payable, reinsurance payable and current income taxes recoverable/payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. Estimated fair values for the majority of investment securities are based on quoted market prices. Refer to Note 3 for further information regarding investments in securities and fair value.
Comprehensive Income
The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income is comprised of unrealized holding gains/gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax, and unrecognized prior service cost and unrealized gains/gains or losses associated with postretirement benefit liabilities, net of tax. Accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 20182021 consists of $981 thousand$3.4 million of unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities and $32$144 thousand of unrecognized actuarial losses associated with postretirement benefit liabilities. Accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 20172020 consists of $16.0$4.5 million of unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities and $58 thousand of unrecognized actuarial losses associated with postretirement benefit liabilities. Accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2016 consists of $11.9 million of unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities and $110$144 thousand of unrecognized actuarial losses associated with postretirement benefit liabilities.
Share-Based Compensation
Share-based compensation cost is generally measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the employee’s requisite service period.
As the share-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
49
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of identifiable net assets acquired and assumed in a business combination. The fair value of the Company’s goodwill at acquisition is principally based on values obtained from aan independent third-party valuation service.
Goodwill iswas reviewed for impairment as of December 31, 2021, and is reviewed at least annually, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. When evaluating whether goodwill is impaired, the Company determines through qualitative analysis whether relevant events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill balances are impaired as of the testing date. If the qualitative analysis does not indicate that an impairment of goodwill is more likely than not, then no other specific quantitative impairment testing is required. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, the Company performs a quantitative assessment whereby a discounted cash flow analysis is utilized to determine an estimated fair value. The estimated fair value is compared to the carrying value of goodwill as of the measurement date. The discounted cash flows used in estimating fair value are dependent on a number of significant assumptions, and therefore estimated fair value measurements are subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future results and cash flows.
Other Intangible Assets
The Company’s other intangible assets consist of non-compete agreements, referral relationships and a tradename resulting from agency acquisitions; all of which are recorded at the acquisition date fair value. The fair value of the Company’s other intangible assets is principally based on values obtained from aan independent third-party valuation service. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives, which range from 15 months to 30 years; noting that the amortization of certain non-compete contracts will start at a future date when the related employment agreements are terminated. Other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Title Plants
Title plants represent a historical record of matters affecting title to parcels of land in a particular geographic area. Title plants are recorded at the cost incurred to construct or obtain and organize historical title information to the point it can be used to perform title searches. Costs incurred to maintain, update and operate title plants are expensed as incurred. Title plants are not amortized as they are considered to have an indefinite life with no diminishment of value if properly maintained; but are subject to impairment evaluation, which the Company performs on at least an annual basis.
Leases
At inception, the Company determines if an arrangement is a lease. The Company enters into lease agreements that are primarily used for office space, and all current leases are accounted for as operating leases. Amounts related to operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and operating lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating lease ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the stated lease term. Operating lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from an operating lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the date of the lease commencement, and are based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company's current leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, thus the Company utilized the average rate over a 10-year term based upon the Moody's seasoned Aaa corporate bond yields in determining the present value of lease payments. A portion of the Company's current leases includes an option to extend or cancel the lease term. The exercise of such an option is solely at the Company's discretion. The operating lease liability recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes lease payments related to options to extend or cancel the lease term if the Company determined at the date of adoption that the lease was expected to be renewed or extended. A lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Adjustments for straight-line rental expense for the periods presented are not material and as such, the lease expense recognized was reflected in cash used in operating activities for the respective periods. Refer to Note 9 for further information about the Company's leases.
Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated and concluded that there were no material subsequent events requiring adjustment or disclosure to its Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In February 2018,December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-02, 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeTaxes. ASU 2018-02 is2019-12 was intended to help organizations reclassify certain strandedreduce the complexity in accounting for income taxes during interim and annual periods and provide clarity on income tax effectssituations where a diversity in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). Under the ASU, entities have the option to reclassify tax effects from the TCJA within other comprehensive income to retained earnings in each period in which the effect of the change in the federal corporate tax rate under the TCJA is recorded.practice had developed. The update iswas effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.2020. The Company adopted this update on January 1, 2018 by means of a $3.1 million cumulative-effect reclassification between retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive income. The update had2021, with no material impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
In March 2017,January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation2020-01, Investments - Retirement BenefitsEquity Securities (Topic 715)321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). This update requires entitiesclarified that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to (1) disaggregateeither apply or discontinue the current service cost component fromequity method of accounting for the other componentspurposes of net benefit cost (the "other components") and present it with other current compensation costs for related employees inapplying the income statement and (2) presentmeasurement alternative immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the other components elsewhere in the income statement and outside of income from operations if that subtotal is presented.equity method. In addition, this update clarified that, when determining the ASU requires entities to discloseaccounting for certain forward contracts and purchased options, a company should not consider, whether upon settlement or exercise, if the income statement lines that containunderlying securities would be accounted for under the other components if they are not presented on appropriately described separate lines.equity method or fair value option. The update was effective for annual periodsfiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017,2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this update on January 1, 20182021, with no material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of financial statementsthe Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements,Consolidated Financial Statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period and the accompanying notes.Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions used. The more significant of these estimates and assumptions include the following:
Claims: The Company’s reserve for claims is established using estimated amounts required to settle claims for which notice has been received (reported) and the amount estimated to be required to satisfy incurred claims of policyholders which may be reported in the future.have been incurred but not reported. A provision for estimated future claims payments is recorded at the time policy revenue is recorded as a percentage of premium income.net premiums written. By their nature, title claims can often be complex, vary greatly in dollar amounts, vary in number due to economic and market conditions such as an increase in mortgage foreclosures, and involve uncertainties as to ultimate exposure. In addition, some claims may require a number of years to settle and determine the final liability for indemnity and loss adjustment expense. The payment experience may extend for more than 20 years after the issuance of a policy. Events such as fraud, defalcation and multiple property defects can substantially and unexpectedly cause increases in estimates of losses. Due to the length of time over which claim payments are made and regularly occurring changes in underlying economic and market conditions, these estimates are subject to variability.
Management considers factors such as the Company’s historical claims experience, case reserve estimates on reported claims, large claims, actuarial projections and other relevant factors in determining its loss provision rates and the aggregate recorded expected liability for claims. In establishing the reserve, actuarial projections are compared with recorded reserves to evaluate the adequacy of such recorded claims reserves and any necessary adjustments are then recorded in the current period’s income statement.statements of operations. As the most recent claims experience develops and new information becomes available, the loss reserve estimate related to prior periods will change to more accurately reflect updated and improved emerging data. The Company reflects any adjustments to the reserve in the results of operations in the period in which new information (principally claims experience) becomes available.
Premiums written: Premium revenues from certain agency operations include accruals for transactions which have settled but have not been reported as of the balance sheet date. These accruals are based on estimates of the typical lag time between settlement of real estate transactions and the agent’s reporting of these transactions to the Company. Reporting lag times vary by market. In certain markets, the lag time may be very short, but in others, can be as high as 100 days. The Company reviews and adjusts lag time estimates periodically, using historical experience and other factors, and reflects any adjustments in the result of operations in the period in which new information becomes available.
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Impairments: Securities are regularly evaluated and reviewed for differences between the cost and estimated fair value of each security for factors that may indicate that a decline in estimated fair value is other-than-temporary. When, in the opinion of management, a decline in the estimated fair value of an investment is considered to be other-than-temporary, such investment is written down to its estimated fair value. Some factors considered in evaluating whether or not a decline in estimated fair value is other-than-temporary include the duration and extent to which the estimated fair value has been less than cost; the probability that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the security; with respect to equity securities, whether the Company’s ability and intent to retain the investment for a period of time is sufficient to allow for a recovery in value; whether the Company has the intent to sell or will more likely than not be required to sell a particular security before recovery in value; and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer (including credit ratings). These factors are reviewed quarterly and any material degradation in the prospect for recovery will be considered in the other-than-temporary impairment analysis. Such reviews are inherently uncertain and the value of the investment may not fully recover or may decline in future periods resulting in a realized loss. The estimated fair values of the majority of the Company’s investments are based on quoted market prices from independent pricing services.
2. Statutory Accounting and Restrictions on Consolidated Stockholders’Shareholders’ Equity and Investments
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which differ in some respects from statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted in the preparation of financial statements for submission to insurance regulatory authorities.
Combined capital and surplus on a statutory basis was $180.2$223.3 million and $171.9$196.1 million as of December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, respectively. Net income on a statutory basis was $41.0 million, $18.8$54.4 million and $17.9$33.3 million and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively.
The Company has designated approximately $35.9$49.5 million and $57.3$42.0 million of retained earnings as of December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, respectively, as appropriated to reflect the required statutory premium and supplemental reserves. Refer to Note 8 for the tax treatment of the statutory premium reserve.
As of December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, approximately $81.8$117.9 million and $102.1$104.1 million, respectively, of consolidated stockholders’shareholders’ equity represents net assets of the Company’s subsidiaries that cannot be transferred in the form of dividends, loans or advances to the parent company under statutory regulations without prior insurance department approval. During 2019,2022, the maximum distributions the insurance subsidiaries can make to the Company without prior approval from applicable regulators total approximately $45.4$53.2 million.
Fixed maturity securities with fair market values totaling approximately $6.7$7.0 million and $7.1$7.2 million at December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, respectively, are deposited with the insurance departments of the states in which business is conducted.
3. Investments and Estimated Fair Value
Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities
The estimated fair value, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses and amortized cost for fixed maturity securities by major classification are as follows:
| As of December 31, 2018 (in thousands) | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2021 (in thousands) | As of December 31, 2021 (in thousands) | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value: | Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government obligations | $ | 1,023 | $ | — | $ | 7 | $ | 1,016 | Government obligations | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| General obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | 19,518 | 229 | 143 | 19,604 | General obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | 16,669 | 922 | — | 17,591 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | 56,675 | 1,237 | 329 | 57,583 | Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | 41,753 | 2,453 | 2 | 44,204 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 10,498 | 303 | 47 | 10,754 | Corporate debt securities | 17,089 | 955 | 48 | 17,996 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 87,714 | $ | 1,769 | $ | 526 | $ | 88,957 | Total | $ | 75,511 | $ | 4,330 | $ | 50 | $ | 79,791 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| As of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Governmental obligations | $ | 24,026 | $ | 57 | $ | — | $ | 24,083 | |||||||||||||||
| General obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | 17,391 | 1,262 | — | 18,653 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | 44,939 | 3,270 | 3 | 48,206 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 25,681 | 1,114 | 24 | 26,771 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 112,037 | $ | 5,703 | $ | 27 | $ | 117,713 | |||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2017 (in thousands) | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value: | |||||||||||||||
| Governmental obligations | $ | 1,043 | $ | — | $ | 1 | $ | 1,042 | |||||||
| General obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | 24,189 | 505 | 50 | 24,644 | |||||||||||
| Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | 62,592 | 2,218 | 165 | 64,645 | |||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 12,490 | 527 | 7 | 13,010 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 100,314 | $ | 3,250 | $ | 223 | $ | 103,341 | |||||||
The special revenue category for both periods presented includes approximately 6050 individual fixed maturity securities with revenue sources from a variety of industry sectors.
The scheduled maturity securitiesmaturities of fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2018 were2021 are as follows:
| Available-for-Sale | |||||||||||
| (in thousands) | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | |||||||||
| Due in one year or less | $ | 17,573 | $ | 17,736 | |||||||
| Due after one year through five years | 52,158 | 55,253 | |||||||||
| Due after five years through ten years | 4,958 | 5,436 | |||||||||
| Due after ten years | 822 | 1,366 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 75,511 | $ | 79,791 | |||||||
| Available-for-Sale | |||||||
| (in thousands) | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | |||||
| Due in one year or less | $ | 12,605 | $ | 12,606 | |||
| Due after one year through five years | 31,988 | 32,808 | |||||
| Due five years through ten years | 42,163 | 42,310 | |||||
| Due after ten years | 958 | 1,233 | |||||
| Total | $ | 87,714 | $ | 88,957 | |||
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities as borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.
The following table presents the gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities and the estimated fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position at December 31, 20182021 and 2017, respectively.2020, respectively:
| Less than 12 Months | 12 Months or Longer | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2021 (in thousands) | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,102 | $ | (2) | $ | 1,102 | $ | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 8,493 | (13) | 6,203 | (35) | 14,696 | (48) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total temporarily impaired securities | $ | 8,493 | $ | (13) | $ | 7,305 | $ | (37) | $ | 15,798 | $ | (50) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 12 Months | 12 Months or Longer | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,103 | $ | (3) | $ | 1,103 | $ | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 20,630 | (24) | — | — | 20,630 | (24) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total temporarily impaired securities | $ | 20,630 | $ | (24) | $ | 1,103 | $ | (3) | $ | 21,733 | $ | (27) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 12 Months | 12 Months or Longer | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2018 (in thousands) | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | |||||||||||||||||
| Government obligations | $ | 1,016 | $ | (7 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,016 | $ | (7 | ) | |||||||||
| General obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | 4,888 | (32 | ) | 6,469 | (111 | ) | 11,357 | (143 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | 12,326 | (100 | ) | 9,720 | (229 | ) | 22,046 | (329 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 4,490 | (28 | ) | 3,733 | (19 | ) | 8,223 | (47 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total temporarily impaired securities | $ | 22,720 | $ | (167 | ) | $ | 19,922 | $ | (359 | ) | $ | 42,642 | $ | (526 | ) | ||||||||
| Less than 12 Months | 12 Months or Longer | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2017 (in thousands) | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | Unrealized Losses | |||||||||||||||||
| Government obligations | $ | 1,042 | $ | (1 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,042 | $ | (1 | ) | |||||||||
| General obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | 4,560 | (27 | ) | 3,535 | (23 | ) | 8,095 | (50 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | 13,551 | (61 | ) | 4,023 | (104 | ) | 17,574 | (165 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 3,744 | (7 | ) | — | — | 3,744 | (7 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Total temporarily impaired securities | $ | 22,897 | $ | (96 | ) | $ | 7,558 | $ | (127 | ) | $ | 30,455 | $ | (223 | ) | ||||||||
The decline in estimated fair value of the fixed maturity securities can be attributed primarily to changes in market interest rates and changes in credit spreads over Treasury securities. Because the Company does not have the intentintend to sell these securities and will likely not be compelled to sell them before it can recover its cost basis, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
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Management evaluates available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in unrealized loss positions to determine whether the impairment is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Consideration is given to (1) the extent to which the fair value is less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the length of time and extent to which the estimated fair value has been below cost, the financial condition and prospects of the issuer (including credit ratings and analyst reports) and macro-economic changes. A total of 519 and 3112 fixed maturity securities had unrealized losses at December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, respectively. The Company does not intend to sell any of these securities and believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell any such securities before a recovery of cost. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. The Company believes that the unrealized losses detailed in the previous table are due to noncredit-related factors, including changes in market interest rates and other market conditions, and therefore the unrealized loss is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Reviews of the values of fixed maturity securities are inherently uncertain and the value of the investment may not fully recover, or may decline in future periods resulting in a realized loss. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, theThe Company recorded no$0 and $482 thousand of other-than-temporary impairment charges related to fixed maturity securities. Other-than-temporary impairment chargessecurities for the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Expenses related to other-than-temporary impairments are includedrecorded in the net realized (loss) gain on investmentsinvestment gains in the Consolidated Statements of Income.Operations when recognized.
Investments in Equity Securities
The cost and estimated fair value of equity securities are as follows:
| As of December 31, 2021 (in thousands) | Cost | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value: | |||||||||||
| Common stocks | $ | 29,478 | $ | 76,853 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 29,478 | $ | 76,853 | |||||||
| As of December 31, 2018 (in thousands) | Cost | Estimated Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) | As of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) | Cost | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value: | Equity securities, at fair value: | |||||||||||||||||
| Common stocks | $ | 31,255 | $ | 48,489 | Common stocks | $ | 32,478 | $ | 64,919 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 31,255 | $ | 48,489 | Total | $ | 32,478 | $ | 64,919 | |||||||||
| As of December 31, 2017 (in thousands) | Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value: | |||||||||||||||
| Common stocks | $ | 26,003 | $ | 21,376 | $ | 12 | $ | 47,367 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 26,003 | $ | 21,376 | $ | 12 | $ | 47,367 | |||||||
Interest and Dividends
Earnings on investments for the years ended December 31 wereare as follows:
| (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities | $ | 2,337 | $ | 2,688 | |||||||
| Equity securities | 1,413 | 1,569 | |||||||||
| Invested cash and other short-term investments | 21 | 133 | |||||||||
| Miscellaneous interest | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
| Interest and dividends | $ | 3,773 | $ | 4,393 | |||||||
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| (in thousands) | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities | $ | 2,809 | $ | 3,037 | $ | 3,506 | |||||
| Equity securities | 1,308 | 1,203 | 1,158 | ||||||||
| Invested cash and other short-term investments | 492 | 202 | 20 | ||||||||
| Miscellaneous interest | 10 | 3 | — | ||||||||
| Investment income | $ | 4,619 | $ | 4,445 | $ | 4,684 | |||||
Net Realized (Loss) Gain on InvestmentsInvestment Gains
Gross realized gains and losses on sales of investments for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:
| (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Gross realized gains from securities: | |||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | $ | 52 | $ | 30 | |||||||
| Common stocks | 1,900 | 3,428 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,952 | $ | 3,458 | |||||||
| Gross realized losses from securities: | |||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | $ | (33) | $ | — | |||||||
| Common stocks | (1,008) | (2,665) | |||||||||
| Other-than-temporary impairment of securities | — | (482) | |||||||||
| Total | $ | (1,041) | $ | (3,147) | |||||||
| Net realized gains from securities | $ | 911 | $ | 311 | |||||||
| Net realized other investment gains (losses): | |||||||||||
| Gains on other investments | $ | 958 | $ | 31 | |||||||
| Losses on other investments | — | (9) | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 958 | $ | 22 | |||||||
| Net realized investment gains | $ | 1,869 | $ | 333 | |||||||
| (in thousands) | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||
| Gross realized gains from securities: | |||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 119 | |||||
| Common stocks and nonredeemable preferred stocks | 1,030 | 1,487 | 954 | ||||||||
| Auction rate securities | — | — | 75 | ||||||||
| Total | 1,030 | 1,487 | 1,148 | ||||||||
| Gross realized losses from securities: | |||||||||||
| General obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | — | — | (1 | ) | |||||||
| Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | — | — | (1 | ) | |||||||
| Common stocks | (1,147 | ) | (260 | ) | (173 | ) | |||||
| Other-than-temporary impairment of securities | — | (26 | ) | (234 | ) | ||||||
| Total | (1,147 | ) | (286 | ) | (409 | ) | |||||
| Net realized (loss) gain | $ | (117 | ) | $ | 1,201 | $ | 739 | ||||
| Net realized gain (loss) on other investments: | |||||||||||
| Impairments on other investments | $ | — | $ | (182 | ) | $ | — | ||||
| Gains on other investments | 7 | 22 | 29 | ||||||||
| Total | $ | 7 | $ | (160 | ) | $ | 29 | ||||
| Net realized (loss) gain on investments | $ | (110 | ) | $ | 1,041 | $ | 768 | ||||
Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method.
Variable Interest Entities
The Company holds investments in variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that are not consolidated in the Company's financial statements as the Company is not the primary beneficiary. These entities are considered VIEs as the equity investors at risk, including the Company, do not have the power over the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities; this power resides with a third-party general partner or managing member that cannot be removed except for cause. The following table sets forth details about the Company's variable interest investments in VIEs, which are structured either as limited partnerships ("LPs") or limited liability companies ("LLCs"),LLCs, as of December 31, 2018:2021:
| Type of Investment (in thousands) | Balance Sheet Classification | Carrying Value | Estimated Fair Value | Maximum Potential Loss (a) | ||||||||||
| Tax credit LPs | Other investments | $ | 629 | $ | 629 | $ | 1,325 | |||||||
| Real estate LLCs or LPs | Other investments | 5,073 | 6,093 | 8,250 | ||||||||||
| Small business investment LLCs or LPs | Other investments | 4,642 | 4,364 | 8,910 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 10,344 | $ | 11,086 | $ | 18,485 | ||||||||
| Type of Investment (in thousands) | Balance Sheet Classification | Carrying Value | Estimated Fair Value | Maximum Potential Loss * | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax credit LPs | Other investments | $ | 276 | $ | 276 | $ | 1,768 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate LLCs or LPs | Other investments | 4,567 | 5,286 | 7,750 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Small business investment LLCs or LPs | Other investments | 8,336 | 8,254 | 13,295 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 13,179 | $ | 13,816 | $ | 22,813 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Maximum potential loss is calculated as the total investment in the LLC or LP including any capital commitments that may have not yet been called. The Company is not exposed to any loss beyond the total commitment of its investment. | ||||||||
Valuation of Financial Assets
The FASB has established a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs used to measure estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities, such as securities. This hierarchy categorizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.
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A financial instrument’s classification within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement – consequently, if there are multiple significant valuation inputs that are categorized in different levels of the hierarchy, the instrument’s hierarchy level is the lowest level (with Level 3 being the lowest level) within which any significant input falls.
The Level 1 category includes equity securities and U.S. Treasury securities that are measured at estimated fair value using quoted active market prices.
The Level 2 category includes fixed maturity securities such as corporate debt securities, U.S. government obligations, and obligations of U.S. states, territories, and political subdivisions. Estimated fair value is principally based on market values obtained from a third-party pricing service. Factors that are used in determining estimated fair market value include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. The Company receives one quote per security from a third-party pricing service, although as discussed below, the Company does consult other pricing resources when confirming that the prices it obtains reflect the fair values of the instruments in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Generally, quotes obtained from the pricing service for instruments classified as Level 2 are not adjusted and are not binding. As of December 31, 20182021 and 2017,2020, the Company did not adjust any Level 2 fair values.
A number of the Company’s investment grade corporate debt securities are frequently traded in active markets, and trading prices are consequently available for these securities. However, these securities are classified as Level 2 because the pricing service from which the Company has obtained estimated fair values for these instruments uses valuation models that use observable market inputs in addition to trading prices. Substantially all of the input assumptions used in the service’s model are observable in the marketplace or can be derived or supported by observable market data.
In the measurement of the estimated fair value of certain financial instruments, other valuation techniques were utilized if quoted market prices were not available. These derived fair value estimates are significantly affected by the assumptions used. Additionally, ASC 820 excludes from its scope certain financial instruments, including those related to insurance contracts, pension and other postretirement benefits, and equity method investments.
In estimating the fair value of the financial instruments presented, the Company used the following methods and assumptions:
Cash and cash equivalents
The carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term maturity of these investments.
Investments in real estate
Real estate investments are reported at amortized cost. Depreciation and other related expenses are recorded as an offset to investment income. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of real estate investments and makes any necessary adjustments, with any reductions in the carrying amount of these investments recorded in net realized investment gains in the Consolidated Statement of Operations when recognized.
Measurement alternative equity investments
The measurement alternative method requires investments without readily determinable fair values to be recorded at cost, less impairments, and plus or minus any changes resulting from observable price changes. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of these investments and makes any necessary adjustments.
Accrued interest and dividends
The carrying amount for accrued dividendsinterest and interestdividends is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term maturity of these assets.
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The following table presents, by level, fixed maturity securities carried at estimated fair value measured as of December 31, 20182021 and 2017:2020:
| As of December 31, 2021 (in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 * | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | $ | — | $ | 61,795 | $ | — | $ | 61,795 | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | — | 17,996 | — | 17,996 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | — | $ | 79,791 | $ | — | $ | 79,791 | |||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 * | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions | $ | 24,083 | $ | 66,859 | $ | — | $ | 90,942 | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | — | 26,771 | — | 26,771 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 24,083 | $ | 93,630 | $ | — | $ | 117,713 | |||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2018 (in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions* | $ | — | $ | 78,203 | $ | — | $ | 78,203 | |||||||
| Corporate debt securities* | — | 10,754 | — | 10,754 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | — | $ | 88,957 | $ | — | $ | 88,957 | |||||||
| As of December 31, 2017 (in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities: | |||||||||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions* | $ | — | $ | 90,331 | $ | — | $ | 90,331 | |||||||
| Corporate debt securities* | — | 13,010 | — | 13,010 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | — | $ | 103,341 | $ | — | $ | 103,341 | |||||||
*Denotes fair market value obtained from pricing services.
The following table presents, by level, estimated fair values of equity investments and other financial instruments as of December 31, 20182021 and December 31, 2017 are presented in the following table:2020:
| As of December 31, 2021 (in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Financial assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 37,168 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 37,168 | |||||||||||||||
| Accrued interest and dividends | 817 | — | — | 817 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stocks | 76,853 | — | — | 76,853 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market funds | 45,930 | — | — | 45,930 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, measurement alternative | — | — | 8,688 | 8,688 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 160,768 | $ | — | $ | 8,688 | $ | 169,456 | |||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2018 (in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) | As of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial assets: | Financial assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 18,694 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 18,694 | Cash | $ | 13,723 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 13,723 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrued interest and dividends | 946 | — | — | 946 | Accrued interest and dividends | 1,038 | — | — | 1,038 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value: | Equity securities, at fair value: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stocks | 48,489 | — | — | 48,489 | Common stocks | 64,919 | — | — | 64,919 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term investments: | Short-term investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial paper and money market funds | 32,787 | — | — | 32,787 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market funds, Treasury bills, commercial paper and certificates of deposit | Money market funds, Treasury bills, commercial paper and certificates of deposit | 15,170 | — | — | 15,170 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investments: | Other investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, equity method | — | — | 5,847 | 5,847 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, measurement alternative | — | — | 6,589 | 6,589 | Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, measurement alternative | — | — | 8,741 | 8,741 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 100,916 | $ | — | $ | 12,436 | $ | 113,352 | Total | $ | 94,850 | $ | — | $ | 8,741 | $ | 103,591 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2017 (in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||
| Financial assets: | |||||||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 20,214 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 20,214 | |||||||
| Accrued interest and dividends | 1,100 | — | — | 1,100 | |||||||||||
| Equity securities, at fair value: | |||||||||||||||
| Common stocks | 47,367 | — | — | 47,367 | |||||||||||
| Short-term investments: | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial paper, money market funds, and certificates of deposit | 23,780 | — | — | 23,780 | |||||||||||
| Other investments: | |||||||||||||||
| Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, equity method | — | — | 6,593 | 6,593 | |||||||||||
| Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, measurement alternative | — | — | 5,439 | 5,439 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 92,461 | $ | — | $ | 12,032 | $ | 104,493 | |||||||
The Company did not hold any Level 3 category debt or marketable equity investment securities as of December 31, 20182021 or 2017.2020.
There were no transfers into or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the periods presented.
57
To help ensure that estimated fair value determinations are consistent with ASC 820, prices from our pricing services go through multiple review processes to ensure appropriate pricing. Pricing procedures and inputs used to price each security include, but are not limited to, the following: unadjusted quoted market prices for identical securities such as stock market closing prices; non-binding quoted prices for identical securities in markets that are not active; interest rates; yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals; volatility; prepayment speeds; loss severity; credit risks; and default rates. The Company reviews the procedures and inputs used by its pricing services, and verifies a sample of the services’ quotes by comparing them to values obtained from other pricing resources. In the event the Company disagrees with a price provided by its pricing services, the respective service reevaluates the price to corroborate the market information and then reviews inputs to the evaluation in light of potentially new market data. The Company believes that these processes and inputs result in appropriate classifications and estimated fair values consistent with ASC 820.
Certain equity investments under the measurement alternative and real estate investments are measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis and are reviewed for impairment quarterly. If any such investment is determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, an impairment charge is recorded against such investment and reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income.Operations. There were no impairments of such investments made during the twelve-month periodperiods ended December 31, 20182021 or 2017.2020. The following table presents a rollforward of equity investments under the measurement alternative and real estate investments as of December 31, 20182021 and 2017:2020:
(in thousands) | Balance, January 1, 2021 | Amounts Impaired | Observable Changes | Purchases and Additional Commitments Paid | Sales, Returns of Capital and Other Reductions | Balance, December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,000 | $ | (13) | $ | 4,987 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, measurement alternative | 8,741 | — | — | 1,543 | (1,596) | 8,688 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 8,741 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,543 | $ | (1,609) | $ | 13,675 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | Balance, January 1, 2018 | Amounts Impaired | Observable Changes | Purchases and Additional Commitments Paid | Sales, Returns of Capital and Other Reductions | Balance, December 31, 2018 | (in thousands) | Balance, January 1, 2020 | Amounts Impaired | Observable Changes | Purchases and Additional Commitments Paid | Sales, Returns of Capital and Other Reductions | Balance, December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other investments: | Other investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate | Real estate | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, measurement alternative | $ | 5,439 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,486 | $ | (336 | ) | $ | 6,589 | Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, measurement alternative | 7,899 | — | — | 1,227 | (385) | 8,741 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 5,439 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,486 | $ | (336 | ) | $ | 6,589 | Total | $ | 7,899 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,227 | $ | (385) | $ | 8,741 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | Balance, January 1, 2017 | Amounts Impaired | Observable Changes | Purchases and Additional Commitments Paid | Sales, Returns of Capital and Other Reductions | Balance, December 31, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, measurement alternative | $ | 4,744 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,082 | $ | (387 | ) | $ | 5,439 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 4,744 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,082 | $ | (387 | ) | $ | 5,439 | ||||||||||
4. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment and estimated useful lives at December 31 are summarized as follows:
| (in thousands) | 2018 | 2017 | (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Land | $ | 1,413 | $ | 1,123 | Land | $ | 805 | $ | 1,413 | |||||||||
| Office buildings and improvements (25 years) | 4,492 | 4,406 | Office buildings and improvements (25 years) | 4,808 | 4,621 | |||||||||||||
| Furniture, fixtures and equipment (3 to 10 years) | 14,148 | 12,993 | Furniture, fixtures and equipment (3 to 10 years) | 20,656 | 17,902 | |||||||||||||
| Automobiles (3 years) | 935 | 891 | Automobiles (3 years) | 1,017 | 1,058 | |||||||||||||
| Total | 20,988 | 19,413 | Total | 27,286 | 24,994 | |||||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | (10,684 | ) | (9,240 | ) | Less accumulated depreciation | (14,253) | (13,834) | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ | 10,304 | $ | 10,173 | Property and equipment, net | $ | 13,033 | $ | 11,160 | |||||||||